Embattled Toronto mayor reveals crack cocaine use

Footage of enraged Rob Ford released one day after stunning admission

By Patrick Vaillancourt, News Editor

The mayor of Canada’s largest city continues to be embroiled in controversy as questions about his judgment begin to raise eyebrows—not only in this country, but around the world.

Last week, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford shocked Toronto City Hall reporters as he admitted to having used crack cocaine “probably approximately about a year ago.” Ford, who had refused to answer any questions surrounding the crack cocaine allegations, appeared before the press corps camped outside the mayor’s office and hinted to reporters that he wanted to be asked about the allegations of drug use.

In a later press conference, he told reporters that he had “nothing left to hide,” and felt that “a thousand pounds have been lifted off my shoulders.”

Ford has admitted to possibly using crack cocaine in what he termed “a drunken stupor,” and stated that he regretted many of his actions, including the Danforth and St. Patrick’s Day incidents. Ford has been known to cause considerable controversy for himself when inebriated.

Shortly after Ford’s admission, the Toronto Star released a video of an inebriated and agitated Ford, speaking to an unknown person, suggesting that he wanted to kill someone.

“I’ll rip his fucking throat out. I’ll poke his eyes out… I’ll make sure that motherfucker’s dead,” said Ford in the video. He later added “‘Cause I’m going to kill that fucking guy. I’m telling you, it’s first-degree murder.”

The subject of his rant is unknown.

The video, which includes a reference to a by-election, likely dates the video in August of this year. Ford had been pushing for a by-election to choose a replacement for Doug Holyday, the departing Toronto deputy mayor. The by-election did not happen, as city council voted to appoint a deputy mayor instead of doing the $250,000 by-election.

Ford has offered a brief apology for the video and expressed his deep embarrassment at the behaviour he displayed.

The video was purchased by the Toronto Star for $5,000, but it is not said to be the same video to which Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair referred in a press conference on October 31. Blair indicated that the Toronto Police Service are in possession of video footage which he says is similar in nature to the information that has been widely reported in the media.

Earlier this year, Gawker.com attempted to purchase a video which is reported to show a drunken Mayor Ford smoking crack cocaine. The video subsequently disappeared, and is widely believed to now be in police custody.

These latest revelations about the mayor’s behaviour has some members of Toronto’s city council looking to strip Ford of some of his powers—chief among them the ability to appoint members of the mayor’s executive committee. Many councillors have urged the mayor to take some time off to get the help he needs. In addition to the firestorm at Toronto City Hall, the mayor’s Sunday morning radio show The City, which also features his brother, Councillor Doug Ford, has been cancelled.

Ford has continued to dismiss calls for his resignation, but his lawyer, Dennis Morris, has suggested that the mayor may be open to voluntarily admitting himself to rehab.