Even prior to May 17, the date the Toronto Star publicized footage allegedly showing Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine, Mayor Ford has experienced some unwanted publicity. However, Mayor Ford’s actions following the smoking scandal have received extra publicity, even from foreign countries. It is not often that regional Canadian politicians receive worldwide publicity, but, not surprisingly, many Canadians resent the notoriety Mayor Ford has gained.
Mayor Ford was elected to office of Mayor of Toronto on October 25, 2010 as representative of the Conservative Party. Since then, he has been accused of skipping council meetings to coach a high school football team, having an inappropriate behavior toward a female politician, and attending meetings while intoxicated. Mayor Ford has denied some of these accusations. Following the drug smoking accusation, some of Mayor Ford’s political powers have been removed. On December 16, 2013, Mayor Ford received more publicity when he accidently knocked over a female politician during a city council meeting. Mayor Ford sincerely apologized to the woman and to the press, but the event has only added to his infamy. At that meeting, Mayor Ford was stripped of much of his authority. Now Mayor Ford holds the position of figurehead of Toronto, rather than fully that of a fully functional mayor.
Many citizens of Toronto, as well as some fellow politicians, have begged Mayor Ford to step down, or at least seek help, but Mayor Ford has refused to abdicate, saying, “It’s a coup d’état, that’s all that is.” On an interview for the Sun News Network on December 16, Mayor Ford promised that Toronto would see him change for the better in the next few months. Many fellow politicians believe Mayor Ford’s recent actions and embarrassments are results of his addictions. If Mayor Ford demonstrates sufficient improvement, he may be able to salvage his mayoral career, despite the exponential increase in ignominious publicity he has received as of late.
- Lydia Marcus
- Lydia Marcus
No comments:
Post a Comment