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78-444: Robert Bruce Ford (May 28, 1969 – March 22, 2016) was a Canadian politician and businessman who served as the 64th mayor of Toronto from 2010 to 2014. Before and after his term as mayor, Ford was a city councillor representing Ward 2 Etobicoke North. He was first elected to Toronto City Council in the 2000 Toronto municipal election , and was re-elected to his council seat twice. His political career, particularly his mayoralty, saw
156-454: A conflict of interest trial in 2012, and was ordered to vacate his position; but the ruling was stayed pending an appeal, which Ford won to remain in office. Due to his substance abuse admission and controversy in 2013 , Council stripped him of many powers on November 15, transferring them to the deputy mayor. From May until July 2014, Ford took a leave of absence from the mayoralty to enter drug rehabilitation . The current City of Toronto
234-403: A "goon" and Ford called Mammolitti a "scammer". The argument got heated to the point where Ford called Mammolitti a "Gino-boy". Mammolitti called the insult a "racist remark" and filed a complaint with the city's human-rights office. Three councillors stated that they heard the insult said by Ford, who denied it. Ford dismissed the councillors stating that they were liars if they thought he had made
312-450: A book of condolences was started at City Hall, chalk was provided for personal messages on the pavement of Nathan Phillips Square , similar to that after the death of Jack Layton ; and the 3D Toronto sign was dimmed at the square. Visitations were held at City Hall for two days with the Ford family present. On March 30, a public funeral service was held at St. James Cathedral followed by
390-487: A bottle of brandy, using profane language at his staffer, Earl Provost, before security arranged for him to be taken home. The incident was revealed in November 2013, after an e-mail from a City Hall security guard describing the incident was found through access to information requests . Ford's staff tried to convince Ford to get treatment for his alcoholism, but he initially refused. Ford was reported smoking marijuana in
468-517: A candidate in the fall's mayoral election. Ford participated in several debates but went on a leave of absence in May and June to deal with his substance abuse issues after a video surfaced of him smoking crack cocaine . Ford returned from his leave of absence in July and was polling in second place, behind John Tory and ahead of Olivia Chow . On September 12, 2014, Ford suddenly withdrew his candidacy due to
546-509: A city council decision if it is not consistent with a provincial priority, however, council can override the mayor's veto with a two-thirds majority vote . The Better Municipal Governance Act , which was passed shortly after the Strong Mayors Act further expands this power, allowing the mayor to pass a by-law for the purpose of advancing a provincial priority with one-third support on council. The provincial priorities are set by
624-469: A day. His zeal in attending to constituents' problems became a competitive rivalry with fellow councillors Howard Moscoe and Gloria Lindsay Luby. In June 2006, Ford spoke out against the city donating $ 1.5 million to help prevent AIDS , arguing that most taxpayers should not be concerned with AIDS. Ford publicly apologized for the comments in May 2010 during his mayoral campaign after his opponent, George Smitherman , called Ford's character into question over
702-585: A mayor and 44 city councillors in Toronto , Ontario , Canada. In addition, school trustees were elected to the Toronto District School Board , Toronto Catholic District School Board , Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest and Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud . The election was held in conjunction with those held in other municipalities in the province of Ontario (see 2006 Ontario municipal elections ). In
780-632: A mayor was appointed by council to fill an unexpired term of office. Prior to 1834, Toronto municipal leadership was governed by the chairman of the General Quarter Session of Peace of the Home District Council . Through 1955 the term of office for the mayor and council was one year; it then varied between two and three years until a four-year term was adopted starting in 2006. (See List of Toronto municipal elections .) The City of Toronto has changed substantially over
858-480: A number of personal and work-related controversies and legal proceedings. In 2013, he became embroiled in a substance abuse scandal , which was widely reported in national and foreign media. Following his admission, Ford refused to resign, but the city council voted to hand over certain mayoral powers and office staff to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly for the remainder of Ford's term. Ford took a sabbatical and received treatment for his alcohol and drug addiction . Despite
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#1732780366847936-485: A point of not using his allotted city budget for his office expenses, paying for the expenses from his salary. He claimed $ 10 for his first year, and $ 4 for his second year. In Ford's opinion, "all this office budget stuff is self-promotion to benefit yourself. Why should the taxpayers have to pay for it? It boggles my mind." During the debates around the 2002 municipal budget, Ford and Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti got in several heated exchanges, where Mammolitti called Ford
1014-447: A press conference that he was going to have a lengthy surgery done on May 11, 2015, to remove the tumour. He said he would be "out of commission" for four months. At a community barbecue hosted by the Ford family in 2015, Rob announced that doctors had cleared him of cancerous tumours. On October 28, 2015, Ford revealed, and his physician confirmed, that a new tumour was growing on his bladder. The next day, Doug Ford advised reporters that
1092-723: A public commemoration of his life at the Toronto Congress Centre in the evening. Ford was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Etobicoke where his father is also buried. His brothers Doug and Randy took on stewardship of Rob's share of Deco Labels and Tags upon his death. Supported by the Ward 3 incumbent, Stephen Holyday , and the Ford family, in September 2017, then Toronto Mayor John Tory proposed renaming Centennial Park Stadium after Ford. The city council rejected
1170-433: A racist remark. "I'm a conservative and the majority of people are left-wing and cannot stand my politics." The exchanges led Councillor Pam McConnell to complain about "testosterone poisoning" in the chamber. Ford extended his exchanges outside the chamber with columnist John Barber of The Globe and Mail : "I am not a racist. Anyone who calls me a racist is going to face the consequences!", to which Barber replied "You are
1248-525: A racist." In the 2003 municipal election , Ford endorsed twelve political candidates on a platform of fiscal responsibility to take on fellow councillors: "We just need to get rid of these lifelong politicians that just give out money to special interest groups and don't serve the community. I'm really teed off. We need to get a new council or this city is going to go down the drain." Ford targeted Brian Ashton , Maria Augimeri , Sandra Bussin , Olivia Chow , Pam McConnell, Howard Moscoe and Sherene Shaw. Shaw
1326-506: A shopping plaza parking lot. In February 2013, Ford attended the Garrison Ball and was reported to be incoherent. His staff ushered him out after an event organizer asked him to leave. In March 2013, Ford was accused of groping former mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson at a social event, and Thomson publicly stated that she thought that he was high on cocaine. It was around that time that Ford was recorded on video smoking crack cocaine,
1404-459: A tree of a Toronto property owner for no good reason and then billing the property owner, who suffered from Alzheimer's. Cherry added "Put that in your pipe you left-wing kooks" and, in regards to the pink suit he was wearing, "I'm wearing pinko for all the pinkos out there that ride bicycles and everything, I thought I'd get it in." At its first meeting in December 2010, the council voted to cancel
1482-464: A video which the dealers attempted to sell to the Toronto Star and other media outlets. In November 2013, on live television, Ford denied that he had made lewd remarks to a female aide, wherein he allegedly said he wanted to give her oral sex. In his denial, he said, "I'm happily married. I've got more than enough to eat at home." He later apologized for his graphic remarks. In April 2014, Ford
1560-432: A whole. In order to advance policy objectives, the mayor had to act as a consensus builder. The Strong Mayors Act shifted Toronto's government structure into one which resembles a " strong-mayor " system, assigning several administrative powers to the mayor which were previously held by City Council or an officer of the city. The Strong Mayors Act expands the mayor's role in managing City Council's committee system and
1638-429: Is also known as an area that has seen gang violence, including six murders in 2000. Ford had previously resided in the ward, but moved in 2000 prior to the election, after his marriage, to Ward 4. In 2003, Ford was re-elected with 80% of the vote in Ward 2, defeating two candidates from the local Somali community. In the 2006 election , Ford won again, defeating Somali-Canadian candidate Cadigia Ali, this time with 66% of
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#17327803668471716-457: Is also responsible for determining the organizational structure of the city. This includes the ability to create or dissolve city divisions, and appoint or terminate executive staff such as the city manager (who is the chief administrative officer) and the heads of city divisions. Developing the annual budget of the City of Toronto is another key function of the mayor. Previously, the power to set
1794-401: Is appointed to the role by the mayor, and assists him/her as vice-chair of the executive committee and acts as mayor when the mayor is away, ill or the office of the mayor is vacant. The deputy mayor has all the rights, power and authority of the mayor, save and except the "by-right-of-office powers" of the mayor as a member of a community council. When the office of Mayor of Toronto is vacant,
1872-456: Is the longest-serving mayor of Toronto, serving from 1980 until 1991. Eggleton later served in federal politics from 1993 until 2004, and was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 2005. David Breakenridge Read held the post of mayor of Toronto for the shortest period. Read was mayor for only fifty days in 1858. No Toronto mayor has been removed from office. Toronto's 64th mayor, Rob Ford , lost
1950-541: The National Post City Hall columnist, the other councillors began to dread when Ford rose to speak. "I have to give my head a shake because some of the rhetoric that comes out of the mouths of some of these councillors boggles my mind, I swear. ... Get the government out of our backyards. It's ridiculous. Government red tape here. Bureaucratic here. It's nonsense having all this government. And it's nonsense. It's so ridiculous. If you don't like what
2028-490: The Better Municipal Governance Act , the Strong Mayors Act and through regulation. While city by-law allows the mayor to add items directly to council's agenda, this power is expanded by the Strong Mayors Act , which asserts that the mayor can do so to advance a provincial priority, irrespective of council's procedural by-law. The mayor is also granted a veto , which would allow an override of
2106-483: The Executive Council of Ontario (provincial cabinet), through issuing regulations. City councillors may be appointed by the mayor to exercise statutory powers assigned to the mayor, or on an honorary basis. The first deputy mayor performs the statutory roles and functions assigned to the "deputy mayor" as defined in various chapters of the municipal code. The first deputy mayor is a member of council who
2184-664: The Toronto Catholic District School Board dismissed him after a controversial television interview led to a review of his coaching. Ford had donated $ 20,000 to equip the Don Bosco team and started a foundation, called the Rob Ford Football Foundation, to fund teams at other underprivileged schools struggling to field football teams. In September 2017, Toronto Mayor John Tory , along with Councillor Stephen Holyday and
2262-619: The Toronto Star published details of the arrest. Ford pleaded no contest to the DUI charge, while the marijuana charge was withdrawn. Ford was given a fine. When first confronted, Ford denied it. When presented with the arrest paperwork, Ford apologized and claimed he had forgotten about it. He then announced at a press conference that he had been charged with failing to provide a breath sample, when he had been arrested and convicted of drunk driving. At Saint Patrick's Day festivities in March 2012, Ford
2340-484: The municipal government . The mayor is elected alongside city council every four years on the fourth Monday of October; there are no term limits. While in office, mayors are styled His/Her Worship . Olivia Chow has served as the 66th and current mayor of Toronto since July 12, 2023, after winning the 2023 by-election . The role and powers of the mayor of Toronto are set out in the 1997 City of Toronto Act , an Ontario statute, and its update in 2006. It outlines
2418-572: The speaker of Toronto City Council , however, the mayor retains the ability to take over as chair during council meetings. Items can be added by the mayor directly to city council's agenda without going through a committee. Additionally, the mayor also holds ex officio membership on all council committees, chairs the Executive Committee, Striking Committee and the Civic Appointments Committee. The mayor has
Rob Ford - Misplaced Pages Continue
2496-757: The " megacity ") by an act of the provincial government. The newly created position of mayor for the resulting single-tier mega-city replaced all of the mayors of the former Metro municipalities. It also abolished the office of the Metro chairman , which had formerly been the most senior political figure in the Metro government before amalgamation. Fourteen out of the first 29 mayors were lawyers, and 58 of Toronto's 64 mayors (up to Ford) have been Protestant, white, English-speaking, Anglo-Saxon, property-owning males. There have been two women (Hall and Rowlands) and three Jewish mayors (Phillips, Givens and Lastman). Art Eggleton
2574-418: The "Downtown 13" wards, or 20% of his total votes. Ford ran on a populist platform of fiscal conservatism and subway expansion. During the campaign, the scandals benefited Ford. After his driving under the influence (DUI) conviction became public, his share of the vote increased 10%. After it was revealed he was banned from high school coaching, he raised CA$ 25,000 in campaign contributions overnight. After
2652-433: The City of Toronto. When confronted about the episode three days later by a National Post reporter, Ford initially denied having been at the game, but later admitted it. "I'm going through a few personal problems, but it doesn't justify, you know, getting drunk in public and pretty well acting like an idiot if you ask me." The death of Rob Ford's father, Doug Ford Sr., in September 2006 due to cancer has been pinpointed as
2730-537: The Crosstown LRT underground for its entire route. Near the end of Ford's term, Ford's powers were reduced by Council, spurred by Ford's personal problems, most notably reports of a video showing Ford smoking crack cocaine . Rob Ford's brother Doug Ford was the Toronto city councillor for Ward 2 Etobicoke North in Toronto from 2010 to 2014, during Rob's term as mayor. Ford registered on January 2, 2014, as
2808-502: The Ford family, proposed renaming Centennial Park Stadium to Rob Ford Memorial Stadium to honour Ford's coaching. City council rejected the proposal, 24–11 in a vote on October 5, 2017. In 2008, after a 9-1-1 call from the Ford home, he was charged with assault and threatening to kill his wife. The Crown attorney said "there was no reasonable prospect of conviction" because there were "credibility issues" with allegations by Ford's wife due to inconsistencies in her statements. Ford said at
2886-475: The Sherbourne lanes installation: "Cities all across North America that are doing way more innovative things for cyclists have been building separated bike lanes for a long time ... It's great to finally see Toronto catch up." However, she also regretted the loss of lanes on Jarvis: "People live and work and go to school on both of these streets and they all need a safe way to get to these places." Ford
2964-469: The annual $ 60 personal vehicle registration tax passed by the previous council. The tax cancellation, a campaign promise of Ford's, took effect on January 1, 2011. During the first year in office, the council mostly endorsed Ford's proposals. Ford privatized garbage pickup west of Yonge Street . Previously, only Etobicoke had privatized waste removal. Ford's first year as mayor in 2011 saw no property tax increase, and subsequent years' increases were less than
3042-501: The budget was a function of city council, which was assigned to the Budget Committee, allowing the mayor to exercise significant influence on the budget process. The power to draft the annual city budget is now assigned to the mayor. The mayor proposes the budget to council, which can adopt it or propose amendments. Certain powers of the mayor can only be exercised in order to "advance provincial priorities", as outlined in
3120-614: The cancer, and was able to return briefly to council, but died in March 2016 after chemotherapy was ineffective. Ford was born in Etobicoke , Ontario , Canada, in 1969, the youngest of the four children ( Doug , Kathy, Randy and Rob) of Ruth Diane ( née Campbell) and Douglas Bruce Ford . His paternal grandparents were English immigrants. His father, along with Ted Herriott, was co-founder of Deco Labels and Tags , which makes pressure-sensitive labels for plastic-wrapped grocery products at an estimated CA$ 100 million in annual sales, and
3198-419: The deputy mayor assume the "strong-mayor" powers, which are granted by the province to the head of council, a role which remains vacant. In 2014, city council approved the creation of three additional non-statutory deputy mayor positions. Non-statutory deputy mayors are members of council, appointed by the mayor, who advise him/her on local issues and represent him/her at events and ceremonies. Each (along with
Rob Ford - Misplaced Pages Continue
3276-458: The deputy mayor assumes limited mayoral powers which are granted to the mayor by city council, to ensure city business can continue to be carried out. This includes acting as the city's chief executive officer, representing the city, and special privileges during council sessions. The deputy mayor also assumes responsibility for the administrative management of the mayor's office. The deputy mayor does not become "acting" or "interim" mayor, nor does
3354-470: The discovery of a tumour in his abdomen which was suspected to be, and subsequently confirmed to be cancerous. His brother Doug registered as a mayoral candidate in Ford's place and Ford instead registered as a candidate for city councillor in his old constituency of Ward 2 Etobicoke North. Doug Ford, with 33% of the vote, was defeated in the October 27 mayoral election by Tory, who received 40%, while Rob Ford
3432-437: The doctor did not say whether Ford would need to have surgery or radiation treatments. On September 17, 2014, Dr. Zane Cohen of Mount Sinai Hospital (the lead doctor of Ford's health care team) revealed that Ford had been diagnosed with pleomorphic liposarcoma , a rare form of cancer that arises in adipose tissue (fat) . Ford was treated with chemotherapy and surgery. After chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Ford announced in
3510-407: The election, Ford had outgoing councillor Case Ootes , a former City of Toronto budget chief, head the "transition team". From his campaign team, Ford named Nick Kouvalis as his chief of staff; Mark Towhey , who had drafted his campaign platform, as his policy advisor; and Adrienne Batra , his communications advisor, as press secretary. Councillor Doug Holyday , who had helped elect Doug Ford Sr.,
3588-537: The first deputy mayor) represent a geographic area of the city, and are responsible for a specific policy role. The deputy mayors and the mayor meet each month to discuss efforts to bring the city together. From 1834 to 1857, and again from 1867 to 1873, Toronto mayors were not elected directly by the public. Instead, after each annual election of aldermen and councilmen, the assembled council would elect one of their members as mayor. For all other years, mayors were directly elected by popular vote, except in rare cases where
3666-987: The football squad, but did not play in any games. He left Carleton after one year to return to Toronto and did not complete his degree. After Carleton, he started a sales job at Deco. After Doug Ford Sr.'s death in 2006, the Ford family retained ownership of Deco Labels through the Doug Ford Holdings corporation. Ford, alongside his brothers and their mother was a director of the company. In August 2000, Ford married Renata Brejniak, whom he had met in high school, at All Saints Roman Catholic Church in Etobicoke. They had been dating since Brejniak's divorce from her first husband in February 1996. Ford lived with Renata and their two children, Stephanie and Doug, in Etobicoke until his death in 2016. Ford served three terms as city councillor from 2000 until October 2010, representing Ward 2 Etobicoke North. During his term as councillor, Ford
3744-401: The main cause of people jumping off bridges". Ford proposed a cut to each councillor's $ 200,000 office budget, money for travel to conferences, ending city limousine usage and club memberships. According to Ford, "if we wiped out the perks for council members, we'd save $ 100 million easy." Ford was one of only four councillors who voted against a 5% increase in property taxes for 2001. Ford made
3822-580: The mayor's role as head of council and chief executive officer of the City of Toronto . In September 2022, the province passed legislation known as the Strong Mayors, Building More Homes Act, 2022 , followed by the Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022 , both of which expanded the executive power of the mayor. As head of council, the mayor is responsible for ensuring business is carried out efficiently during council meetings. This has been delegated to
3900-557: The mayoral race, incumbent mayor David Miller was re-elected with 57% of the popular vote. There were 38 candidates running for Mayor of Toronto and 238 candidates running for 44 city councillor positions. This was, at the time, the largest number of candidates to run in a Toronto municipal election. In contrast to the previous election (which had two acclamations ), no candidates were unopposed. Provincial legislation passed in May 2006 extended municipal council terms in Ontario from
3978-475: The media widely, and attracted much condemnation. Ford's abuse led to him being stripped of much of his powers as Toronto mayor, and he later entered drug rehabilitation . On April 15, 2006, Ford attended a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game at the Air Canada Centre . According to a couple nearby, Ford was intoxicated, using profanity, and insulting people. The couple then sent a detailed complaint to
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#17327803668474056-520: The objection of traffic advocates, and Ford made it a priority to get them removed during his campaign. As mayor, he was able to get council to reverse the decision in 2011, a move which was criticized by cycling advocates and led to protests. The Jarvis bike lanes, which cost the city $ 86,000 to install in 2011, were removed in December 2012 at a cost of $ 200,000–$ 300,000. At the same time, physically separated bike lanes on Sherbourne Street were installed. Toronto Cyclist Union president Andrea Garcia praised
4134-716: The original video of Ford smoking crack cocaine was released from publication ban by the Toronto Police Service after the extortion charge against Sandro Lisi was dropped. The cellphone video was recorded "surreptitiously" by Mohamed Siad in February 2013. The video shows Ford smoking crack cocaine from a glass pipe. His words are slurred and mostly inaudible during the conversation. Shortly before he admitted smoking crack cocaine, Ford said, "Whatever this video shows ... Toronto residents deserve to see it and people need to judge for themselves what they see on this video." After developing severe abdominal pains, Ford
4212-483: The overall organization of the city. Much of the work of the council is done in committees. The mayor sets out this structure by creating and dissolving committees, appoints their chairs and vice-chairs (this is a power that was delegated by council before 2022), and assigning their functions. Without the need for a motion by council, city staff can also be directed by the mayor to produce reports, develop policy and provide advice for city council to consider. The mayor
4290-505: The power to appoint the chairs of other city committees as well as the deputy mayor. With the consent of the mayor, another member of council may take the mayor's place on committees. The head of council is also responsible for declaring states of emergency in the city. Before the passage of the Strong Mayors Act , Toronto's government operated on what has been described as a "weak-mayor" system where all powers were vested in Council as
4368-486: The proposed renaming on October 4, 2017. In 2023, Councillor Paul Ainslie put forward another motion to change the name to "Rob Ford Stadium". This motion passed 17–6, including with the support of Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow . Ford's drug scandal was dramatized in the Canadian film Run This Town . Mayor of Toronto The mayor of Toronto is the head of Toronto City Council and chief executive officer of
4446-535: The province is doing, there's going to be an election in June of '03 – before our election, by the way." Councillor Anne Johnston proposed giving Ford a "neo-con award of the day", while Councillor Joe Pantalone advised Ford to take Prozac . Ford argued against spending money on the suicide prevention barrier on the Prince Edward Viaduct , and spending it instead on rounding up child molesters "who are
4524-729: The rate of inflation. Under Ford, council voted to declare the TTC an essential service. Ford reduced, but was unable to completely remove, the Miller-era land transfer tax. During the summer of 2013, City Council endorsed Ford's plan to cancel the "Transit City" transit plan and build the Scarborough Subway Extension fulfilling one of Ford's main campaign promises. This project was later approved and received funding both provincially and federally. In later years, Council would reject Ford's transit plans, including not putting
4602-582: The remarks. At a council meeting on March 5, 2008, Ford stated "Those Oriental people work like dogs", a remark he later formally apologized for while stating that he meant it as a compliment. On March 7, 2007, Ford spoke out against cyclists sharing roads with motorists, which were "built for buses, cars, and trucks, not for people on bikes". As councillor, Ford opposed the installation of bike lanes on University Avenue and Jarvis Street and during his election campaign, proposed spending money on off-road cycle paths. Bike lanes were installed on Jarvis in 2010 over
4680-401: The scandal, Ford initially contested the next mayoral election , scheduled for October 2014, but after being hospitalized and diagnosed with an abdominal tumour in September 2014, Ford withdrew from the mayoral race and registered instead to run for his old city council seat. John Tory succeeded him as mayor on December 1, 2014, while Ford regained his former seat. Ford received treatment for
4758-510: The time period when Ford transitioned to crack cocaine in addition to alcohol. A convicted heroin dealer who used to supply Ford's sister Kathy recalled a party with Ford around that time. According to reporter Robyn Doolittle, Ford would come home at night and drink heavily, use hard drugs or prescription pills. During his 2010 mayoral campaign, a 1999 arrest of Ford in Miami , Florida , for DUI and marijuana possession became an election issue when
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#17327803668474836-484: The time that he was glad the ordeal was over and that he and his wife had sought marital counselling. In two separate incidents, on October 25, 2011, and again on December 25, 2011, police were called to Ford's home to investigate domestic disputes. During the Christmas Day incident, his mother-in-law called 9-1-1 between 4:00 – 5:00 a.m. local time as she was concerned that Ford had been drinking and
4914-493: The tumour had been found to be cancerous and consistent with liposarcoma (the previous tumour), based on a CT scan. On March 17, 2016, Ford's office announced he was in the hospital "with his family beside him" as chemotherapy treatment had not been successful, and Ford's health was being reviewed to determine if he could continue treatment. The Ford family thanked the many who had wished the former mayor well in recent weeks, but requested privacy. A Rob Ford "get-well-soon" website
4992-533: The vote. It was during the 2001 budget deliberations that Ford earned a reputation for passionate speeches. The City of Toronto was facing a several hundred million dollar budget shortfall, enough to require a 32% tax increase after the Government of Ontario shifted the delivery of services from itself to Toronto, who would have to then pay for them. Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman was pleading with other governments for financial assistance. According to Don Wanagas,
5070-411: The years: the city annexed or amalgamated with neighbouring communities or areas 49 times from in 1883 to 1967. The most sweeping change was in 1998, when the six municipalities comprising Metropolitan Toronto — East York , Etobicoke , North York , Scarborough , York , and the former city of Toronto –and its regional government were amalgamated into a single City of Toronto (colloquially dubbed
5148-471: Was "very intoxicated" at City Hall and a downtown restaurant. According to those attending, he held a "wild party" in his office. Ford knocked down a staffer, insulted others, then went to a restaurant. According to one server, Ford did cocaine in a private room at the restaurant. After "flailing around" on the restaurant's dance floor, he returned to City Hall by cab, making racial slurs to the driver. Ford then wandered around City Hall after 2:00 a.m. with
5226-647: Was a Progressive Conservative member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP) from 1995 to 1999. Ford attended Scarlett Heights Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke. He dreamed of becoming a professional football player, and his father paid for him to attend special camps of the University of Notre Dame and of Washington's NFL franchise . After graduating from high school, Ford went to Carleton University in Ottawa to study political science . He made
5304-493: Was a strong critic of councillors' spending. Ford was known for his controversial comments and passionate arguments at council. Ford first ran for Toronto City Council in 1997 , placing fourth to Gloria Lindsay Luby in Ward 3 Kingsway-Humber. Ford ran for councillor in Ward 2 Etobicoke North in the following election in 2000 , getting the endorsement of the Toronto Star . Ford defeated incumbent Elizabeth Brown in what
5382-532: Was admitted to Humber River Regional Hospital in North York in September 2014 with an abdominal tumour, and a biopsy was taken. Ford announced that he would not run in the 2014 Toronto mayoral election because of his illness; his brother Doug would run in his place. Ford chose to run for his former Ward 2 seat on the City Council. He was likely to shortly begin treatment with multiple chemotherapy agents;
5460-450: Was considered one of several upsets in Etobicoke. According to Ford, "the people said they wanted change and they got change". Ward 2 is located in the north-west corner of the city in the former city of Etobicoke. The ward's population of over 50,000 in 2006 was 53% composed of immigrants, the largest group being South Asians. It is mixed in nature with 40% of dwellings being single-family detached homes and 35% being high-rise apartments. It
5538-454: Was defeated by Ford's future budget chief Michael Del Grande , while the rest were re-elected. Ford made a priority of responding to local constituents' problems, often returning calls himself or meeting with city staff to resolve problems. In 2005, local radio station AM 640 tested councillors on their response by having a reporter make an after-hours call to report a pothole. Ford was one of only three councillors to call back in person, within
5616-440: Was elected mayor with 383,501 votes (47%) over George Smitherman's 289,832 (35.6%) and Joe Pantalone with 95,482 (11.7%). The voter turnout was around 52% of registered voters, the highest in Toronto's post-amalgamation history . Ward-by-ward electoral results showed that Ford had won all of the former pre-amalgamation suburbs, while Smitherman topped districts in the pre-amalgamation Toronto districts. Ford received 80,000 votes from
5694-399: Was formed in 1998 from the amalgamation of Metro Toronto and its constituent municipalities. The following is a list of mayors of the current post-amalgamation Toronto. Norm Kelly (2013–2014) Jennifer McKelvie (2022–2023) 2006 Toronto municipal election David Miller David Miller The 2006 Toronto municipal election took place on 13 November 2006 to elect
5772-502: Was going to take his children to Florida against his wife's wishes. No charges were filed for either incident. Further domestic incident calls to police occurred in 2012 and on August 27, 2013. Again, no charges were filed. Ford suffered from alcohol and drug addiction for many years. After the death of his father in 2006, Ford's abuse grew and led to public episodes of intoxication, followed by public denials. His episodes, which were symptomatic of alcohol and drug addiction, were reported in
5850-651: Was involved in another incident at the Air Canada Centre. Ford, along with city budget chief Frank DiGiorgio , was denied access to the Director's Lounge at the Air Canada Centre. He was video-recorded issuing profanities during an argument with the security staff. He later denied being intoxicated, and blamed the incident on voting against a $ 10 million contribution to MLSE's plan to expand BMO Field . DiGiorgio described Ford as "somewhere between sober and drunk". On August 11, 2016, four months after his death,
5928-422: Was named deputy mayor. For the executive committee of City Council, Ford named councillors who had endorsed him in his campaign. For the inauguration ceremony at the first meeting of the new council, Ford had television commentator Don Cherry introduce him and put the chain of office on him. Cherry garnered some controversy with his remarks. Cherry described how Ford had reversed a mistake of city staff cutting down
6006-467: Was set up by the Ford family to send positive messages to Ford while he received cancer treatment; it received over 5,000 messages from well-wishers in the first two weeks after its creation. On March 21, Ford's office confirmed that he had been placed into palliative care at Mount Sinai Hospital. Ford died the next day at the age of 46. After his death, City Hall started an official period of mourning. Flags at municipal buildings were lowered to half-mast;
6084-423: Was successful in Ward 2, being elected with 58% of the vote. Ford's term as mayor ended on November 30, 2014. He stated that he intended to run for mayor again in 2018. Ford volunteered his time to coach high school football . Ford first coached at Newtonbrook Secondary School in 2001, until he was dismissed over a dispute with a player. He coached at Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School from 2001 until 2013 when
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