Rob Ford
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.
Rob Ford | |
|---|---|
Ford in 2013 | |
| 64th Mayor of Toronto | |
| In office December 1, 2010 – November 30, 2014 | |
| Deputy |
|
| Preceded by | David Miller |
| Succeeded by | John Tory |
| Toronto City Councillor for Ward 2 Etobicoke North | |
| In office December 1, 2014 – March 22, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Doug Ford |
| Succeeded by | Michael Ford |
| In office November 14, 2000 – November 30, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Ward established |
| Succeeded by | Doug Ford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Bruce Ford May 28, 1969 Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | March 22, 2016 (aged 46) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Resting place | Riverside Cemetery |
| Political party | Independent (2000–2016) |
| Other political affiliations | Progressive Conservative |
| Spouse |
Renata Brejniak (m. 2000) |
| Relations |
|
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Carleton University (no degree) |
His political career, particularly his mayoralty, saw 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 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 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 the cancer, and was able to return briefly to council, but died in March 2016 after chemotherapy was ineffective.