Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says the continuing controversy over an alleged video that reportedly shows him smoking from a crack pipe has been “stressful,” but he’s determined to move forward.
Ford told reporters Wednesday that allegations over the alleged video have taken their toll, but he continues on with the help of his family.
“It’s stressful but I have a very supportive family and (I’ll) move forward and do my job,” he said, adding that he’ll continue on with the job voters elected him to do.
“I save taxpayers money, I work hard and return every call and go out and visit everybody that needs to see me and that’s what a mayor is supposed to do.”
Ford made the comments Wednesday at a Tim Hortons, where he was taking part in the company’s annual “Camp Day” fundraising drive.
The mayor declined, however, to comment about a report by U.S. website Gawker that the alleged video may have disappeared.
“I’ve said everything I have to say,” he said.
Last month, following the drug allegations reported by Gawker and the Toronto Star, Ford told reporters that he does not use crack cocaine and denied the video’s existence. The existence or content of the video has not been verified by CTV News.
Ford attended four separate events attended by reporters on Wednesday, where he focused his message on saving taxpayer money. At a press conference announcing a bridge repair, he said he “can’t wait” to run for re-election.
“If this was a full campaign I’d be up to 15 to 20 events today,” Ford said.
Meanwhile, the mayor’s brother, Coun. Doug Ford, told CP24 Wednesday that his own family has been subject to threats.
“We have serious, serious threats against my family, almost on a daily basis. It’s worrisome,” he said.
Doug Ford boasted about the city’s economic performance since his brother took office, including recording a $248 million surplus from 2012. He said the media should be focusing on their record at city hall, rather than allegations based on unnamed sources.
“I think the media has to take responsibility with writing stories that weren’t corroborated,” Doug Ford said. “They can’t come after our record…they have to come after us personally.”
Shortly after the allegations against Rob Ford surfaced, the Globe and Mail reported that Doug Ford had sold hash for many years during the 1980s. Doug Ford denied the allegations in the Globe story, which was based on 10 unnamed sources.
Mayor Ford confirmed his brother’s allegations Wednesday, saying a threat “came in” and police are handling the matter. He would not comment further.
Gawker says alleged video may be “gone”
Gawker editor John Cook reported Tuesday that an intermediary he’d been dealing with had been told by the purported seller of the video that it was “gone.”
Cook and two journalists from the Star reported seeing the alleged cellphone video on May 16.
Cook said any number of things could have happened to the video, including the possibility that it may have been destroyed, handed over to the mayor or seized by the police. He also said he’d been told that a copy of the video had been taken out of Toronto and was being held for safekeeping.
A crowdfunding initiative launched by Gawker successfully raised over $200,000 to purchase the alleged video. The fund -- dubbed “Crackstarter” -- now totals $184,689.81 after fees were deducted by PayPal and Indiegogo.
If Gawker is not able to purchase the video, Cook said it will donate the funds to a Canadian organization that deals with substance abuse issues.
City councillors had mixed reactions to news of the video’s reported disappearance.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” Coun. Frank Di Giorgio said Wednesday. “It’s always been questionable as to whether the video existed. Now it appears that it doesn’t exist.”
Coun. James Pasternak said that the video’s disappearance just adds another twist to the saga.
“I would say it only creates more clouds and more mystery. Everyone wants to see the telltale tape if it exists,” he said.
With a report by CTV Toronto’s Natalie Johnson
