Criticism and controversy
Ford and fellow councillor Giorgio Mammoliti, who occupies a neighbouring ward, have often scrapped with each other and these exchanges have made headlines in local newspapers.[16] Controversy erupted when several councillors reportedly heard Ford call Mammoliti "Gino boy" in the debate over the 2002 budget.[17] Mammoliti filed a complaint for the ethnic slur.[18] Mammoliti's son Michael filed his papers to run against Ford in the 2003 municipal election, but withdrew at the last moment.[19] In March 2003, in a debate over the budget of the Toronto Zoo, Ford called Mammoliti, who chairs the zoo board, a "snake" and a "weasel" in council.[20][21] In September 2010, Mammoliti endorsed Ford for Mayor.[22]
In 2002, Ford strenuously objected to the possibility that a homeless shelter would open in his suburban Etobicoke ward.[23][24] Later in the same year, he was quoted while berating an anti-poverty activist, "Do you have a job, sir? I'll give you a newspaper to find a job, like everyone else has to do between 9 and 5."[25] In 2005, Ford told a homeless protestor, "I'm working. Why don't you get a job?"[26]
In 2006, allegations arose of his conduct at a Toronto Maple Leafs game. Two audience members alleged Ford instigated a shouting match.[27] Security at the Air Canada Centre later ejected Ford from the venue. Initially, Ford denied involvement, claiming mistaken identity. The following day, Ford confirmed the allegations and announced his apology to the couple.[28] He cited "personal problems" as a reason for his behaviour.
Further controversy erupted in a Toronto City Council session when Ford argued against the city spending $1.5 million on AIDS prevention programs. Ford stated that "(AIDS) is very preventable," and that "if you are not doing needles and you are not gay, you wouldn't get AIDS probably, that's bottom line."[29] With respect to the increasing rates of women contracting the disease, Ford said; "How are women getting it? Maybe they are sleeping with bisexual men."[29]
Again sparking controversy in March 2008, during a debate at City Hall, Ford said, "Those Oriental people work like dogs. They work their hearts out ... that's why they're successful in life. ... I'm telling you, Oriental people, they're slowly taking over, because there's no excuses for them. They're hard, hard workers." He drew criticism for those remarks from Mayor David Miller, budget chief Shelley Carroll and other councillors.[30][31]
In 1999, Ford was arrested in Miami for driving under the influence (DUI) and marijuana possession charges.[32] According to the statement recorded by the arresting officer, Ford was acting nervous, had blood shot eyes and had "a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath". Ford threw his hands up in the air and told the police officer, "Go ahead, take me to jail."[33] Until he was questioned by reporters,[34] Ford said that the marijuana charge had "completely, totally slipped my mind" because the more serious issue during that arrest was the DUI charge.[35] Ford initially denied the DUI charge, claiming instead he was arrested because he "refused to give a breath sample".[36]
Ford garnered controversy again in August 2010 after endorsing Pastor Wendell Brereton, who is running for city councillor in Ward 6. Pastor Brereton has suggested online that same-sex marriage could “dismantle” a “healthy democratic civilization.” Ford has said in regards to Pastor Brereton that “We’re together. We have the same thoughts." Ford also has noted that he supports traditional marriage, preferring that model to same-sex marriage. "I always have," he stated. "But if people want to, to each their own. I’m not worried about what people do in their private life. I look out for taxpayers’ money."[37][38]
References
1.^ a b "Toronto city councillors, Rob Ford". City of Toronto, Accessing City Hall. 2007. http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/ford1.htm. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
2.^ Diebel, Linda. Rob Ford’s complicated life. The Toronto Star. April 23, 2010.
3.^ Grossman, David (2009-09-13). "Rob Ford a team player to schools". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/article/694944.
4.^ "10 Worst Councillors". NOW Magazine. 2003-07-03. http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=138963&archive=23,9,2003.
5.^ Bilton, Chris (2010-07-07). "Beware the unmuzzled Rob Ford". Eye Weekly. http://www.eyeweekly.com/city/mayoral%20race%202010/article/96612.
6.^ "Councillor Blames Politicians' Perks For Your Tax Hike". City News. 2007-04-24. http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_10235.aspx.
7.^ a b Vincent, Donovan (2007-03-19). "Who are big spenders at city hall?". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/News/article/193484.
8.^ Griffiths, Jeff (2007-11-08). "Councillors Office Expenses – Councillor Ford and Councillor Holyday". http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-8804.pdf.
9.^ Vincent, Donovan (2007-11-27). "Reveal expenses, Ford told". The Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/News/article/280116.
10.^ Byers, Jim; Maloney, Paul (2007-03-08). "City decays as debt climbs". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/News/article/189595. Retrieved 2007-04-26. "I can't support bike lanes..."
11.^ "Recording of Toronto council session during which Rob Ford comments on cyclists". 2010-08-03. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nySs1cEq5rs. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
12.^ Hume, Christopher (May 26, 2009). "One small lane for mankind". The Star (Toronto). http://www.thestar.com/gta/columnist/article/640318. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
13.^ Grant, Kelly (2010-05-08). "Reprimand Ford for confidentiality breach, integrity commissioner says". Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/reprimand-ford-for-confidentiality-breach-integrity-commissioner-says/article1559703/. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
14.^ "Ottawa's attempt to tax councillors' perks, expense budgets rejected by city". http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ottawas-attempt-to-tax-councillors-perks-expense-budgets-rejected-by-city/article1486325/.
15.^ Rider, David (2010-04-30). "Councillors ordered to return free transit passes". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontocouncil/article/803247.
16.^ Cowan, James. Ford is known for his outbursts. National Post. February 28, 2003 p. A11
17.^ Wanagas, Don. "Sorry, Wrong Number". Toronto NOW online edition. http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=135655. Retrieved 2007-04-26. "...hardcore Conservative Ford allegedly called neo-Liberal Mammoliti a 'Gino boy'..."
18.^ Lu, Vanessa. City hall verbal scuffle is over. Toronto Star, 15 April 2003, p. B02 The city spent $30,000 investigating Mammoliti's complaint.
19.^ No Byline. Ford hopes new team has 'right' stuff. The Toronto Star. October 13, 2003, p. B02
20.^ No Byline. Childish behaviour. Toronto Star. March 1, 2003, p.E06
21.^ "Recording of March 2003 council session". 2010-09-21. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOi2wIUCTnA. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
22.^ ". Mammoliti endorses Ford for mayor". 2010-09-22. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/09/22/ford-mammoliti.html. Retrieved 2010-10-01.
23.^ "Not in My Ward". Toronto NOW online edition. http://www.nowtoronto.com/print.cfm?content=131954. Retrieved 2007-04-26. "This is an insult to my constituents to even think about having a homeless shelter in their ward..."
24.^ "Recording of Toronto council session during which Rob Ford comments on preferring a "public lynching" to having a public meeting to discuss a homeless shelter in his ward". 2010-08-09. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YZQ4oQjxgc. Retrieved 2010-09-25.
25.^ Moloney, Paul. Councillors to activists: Get a job --- Noisy expulsion follows protest over housing sale. Toronto Star. October 30, 2002, p. B04
26.^ Porter, Catherine. Protestors storm council; OCAP denounces homeless plan Clarke shouts, Miller leaves. Toronto Star February 2, 2005 p. B03
27.^ James, Royson. Ford can forget his mayoral dreams. He was on private time, Ford says. Toronto Star. May 3, 2006. B05. Ford's statements include, "You right-wing communist bastards," and "My sister was a heroin addict and was shot in the head."
28.^ "Ford admits lying to media about drunken outburst". CBC News, Toronto. 2006-05-03. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2006/05/03/tor-ford060503.html. Retrieved 2007-04-26. "I reflected on it last night, and talked to my family. I came forward and admitted (that I lied to the media about not being at the game). That's all I can do. I mean, I'm not perfect"
29.^ a b "Councillor Rob Ford Under Fire Over AIDS Comments". CHUM Television, CityNews, Toronto. 2006-06-29. http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_1632.aspx. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
30.^ Lu, Vanessa (2008-03-06). "Ford rebuked for Asian comments". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/article/310088. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
31.^ Gray, Jeff (2008-03-06). "Ford draws rebuke, saying Oriental people are taking over". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080306.COUNCILBOX06/TPStory/TPNational/Ontario/. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
32.^ Dempsey, Amy (2010-08-19). "‘Go ahead take me to jail,’ Ford told police". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/849744--go-ahead-take-me-to-jail-ford-told-police?bn=1/. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
33.^ http://www.scribd.com/doc/36132032/Rob-Ford-Arrest-Report
34.^ Jenkins, Jonathan (2010-08-18). "Ford dodges pot bust in Florida". Toronto Sun. http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/08/18/15067206.html. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
35.^ Grant, Kelly (2010-08-19). "Ford forgot marijuana charge, confuses impaired driving charge". Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/ford-forgot-marijuana-charge-remembers-breath-test-guilty-plea/article1678316/. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
36.^ Lamberti, Rob (2010-08-19). "'Go ahead, take me to jail': Ford during 1999 arrest". Toronto Sun. http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/08/19/15075241.html. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
37.^ Grant, Kelly (2010-08-05). "‘Ford’s endorsement of pastor for council stokes fear among gays’". Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/rob-ford-accepts-christian-pastors-endorsement-wavers-on-gay-marriage/article1661703/. Retrieved 2010-09-25.
38.^ Alcoba, Natalie (2010-08-04). "‘Fundamentalist pastor drops out of mayoral race, endorses Rob Ford’". National Post. http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/08/04/fundamentalist-pastor-drops-out-of-mayoral-race-endorses-rob-ford/. Retrieved 2010-09-25.
39.^ a b David Rider. Rob Ford kicks off mayoral campaign. Toronto Star. March 26, 2010. [1]
40.^ Royson James. Rob Ford proves popular at mayoral campaign launch. Toronto Star March 29, 2010.[2]
41.^ David Rider. Rob Ford's bid for mayor will tilt campaign to the right. Toronto Star. March 22, 2010 [3]
42.^ Rider, David (2010-05-06). "Ford punishes campaign worker for Twitter message". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontomayoralrace/article/805559.
43.^ Alcoba, Natalie (2010-08-17). "Computer inside Toronto Star company edited Rob Ford’s Wikipedia entry". National Post. http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/08/17/computer-inside-toronto-star-company-edited-rob-fords-wikipedia-entry/#ixzz0wtENyrKc.
44.^ "Yours vaguely, Rob Ford". Toronto Star. 2010-08-26. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontomayoralrace/article/853234. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
45.^ "Rob Ford issues “vague” policy response: Toronto mayoral frontrunner slips up yet again". Macleans. 2010-08-27. http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/08/27/rob-ford-issues-%E2%80%9Cvague%E2%80%9D-policy-response/. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
46.^ Ford sued for $6 million by Boardwalk Pub owner Toronto Star. October 12, 2010.
47.^ "Rob Ford opens huge lead in mayor’s race.". Toronto Star. 2010-09-19. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontomayoralrace/article/863462--rob-ford-opens-huge-lead-in-mayor-s-race?bn=1.
48.^ "Ford holds commanding lead in Toronto Mayoral race". Nanos Research. 2010-09-21. http://www.nanosresearch.com/library/polls/POLNAT-W10-T433.pdf.
49.^ "Frontrunner Rob Ford losing steam in Toronto mayoral race: poll". The Globe and Mail. 2010-09-28. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/city-votes/frontrunner-rob-ford-losing-steam-in-toronto-mayoral-race-poll/article1729126/?cmpid=rss1. Retrieved 2010-09-28.
50.^ "Contest grows tighter as Thomson drops out, endorses Smitherman". The Globe and Mail. 2010-09-29. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/city-votes/contest-grows-tighter-as-thomson-drops-out-endorses-smitherman/article1731621/. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
External links
Rob Ford profile on City of Toronto website
Rob Ford's personal website
Rob Ford for Mayor
Rob Ford Condemning Councillors' "free perks"
Rob Ford's 2010 Council Expenses
Ford fest was fun in Eye Weekly