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Posts Filed Under: News

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politics

Consensus: Rob Ford’s Remarks Don’t Bring This to a Close

Councillors' initial reaction is that the mayor's remarks today don't put recent crack-smoking allegations to rest.

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rob ford crack allegations

Earlier today Rob Ford broke eight days of silence regarding allegations that he’d been captured on video smoking what appears to be crack cocaine, convening a press conference to address the matter. He read from a prepared statement and took no questions, and as soon as he was done councillors from across the political spectrum began commenting. Their consensus: this isn’t over.

A round-up of some initial reactions from councillors and political observers:

Keep reading: Consensus: Rob Ford’s Remarks Don’t Bring This to a Close

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news

Rob Ford: “I Do Not Use Crack Cocaine”

Mayor breaks eight days of silence following allegations he was captured on video smoking crack.

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Eight days after two outlets, Gawker and the Toronto Star, published reports that they’d viewed a video that shows Toronto’s mayor smoking what appears to be crack cocaine, Rob Ford has finally broken his silence about the allegations. “I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine,” a surprisingly jovial-seeming Ford said to dozens of journalists crowded inside his City Hall office. He maintained his stance that the story was the product of one outlet, the Toronto Star, which is out to get him, and failed to address Gawker’s role in the situation. Ford also declined to take questions from the press, leaving as soon as he was done reading his prepared remarks.

Rob Ford was flanked by Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday (Ward 3, Etobicoke Centre), and his brother, Councillor Doug Ford (Ward 2, Etobicoke North), who was stony-faced throughout the mayor’s speech. Doug Ford remained after his brother and answered a few questions; video of that exchange follows.

Keep reading: Rob Ford: “I Do Not Use Crack Cocaine”

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politics

Doug Holyday: “The Business of the City Will Continue as Usual”

Toronto's deputy mayor sends contradictory message, simultaneously saying that Rob Ford needs to address crack allegations for the city to move on, but also that business at City Hall is proceeding normally.

By • Photo by Christopher Drost

Deputy mayor Doug Holyday speaking at council this week, with Doug Ford seated next to him.

For the second time this week someone other than the mayor held a major press conference in response to allegations that Rob Ford has been captured on video smoking crack cocaine and making racist and homophobic slurs. On Wednesday it was the mayor’s brother Doug Ford (Ward 2, Etobicoke North); today it was deputy mayor Doug Holyday (Ward 3, Etobicoke Centre). At times looking frustrated, Holyday spoke with reporters in an attempt to reassure the public that work continues at City Hall despite the controversy surrounding the mayor. He also confirmed that several members of council’s executive committee—a cabinet–like group that consists of the mayor’s closest allies—are drafting an open letter that will ask the mayor to address the allegations directly and clearly. That letter is expected later this afternoon.

Keep reading: Doug Holyday: “The Business of the City Will Continue as Usual”

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Weekend Newsstand: May 18, 2013

If you're feeling pretty good about the fact that you don't have to go to the office for three days, think about how happy a certain elected official must be about that. Hurray for holidays! In the news: More from the Star on how they got a piece of this week's biggest story, Rob Ford's proposed solution to dealing with illegal drug users, the end of Magnetgate, a music video debut, and a big day at Marineland.

By • Illustration by Jeremy Kai

newsstand-jeremy-kai-spring-1