Rob Ford's return: Chow ads highlight mayor's antics
Ford set to return from rehab on Monday
Less than a week before Rob Ford is set to return from a rehab stint, his mayoralty opponent Olivia Chow is releasing a pair of radio ads that target the Toronto mayor's erratic behaviour.
The ads, which begin airing today, depict Ford's antics over the past year, including his drunken rants captured in a series of videos and stories about his drug and alcohol abuse, as embarrassing to Torontonians.
One of the radio spots mimics ads that typically promote wrestling matches and a monster truck rallies. "The most distracting show on Earth is returning to Toronto," screams the announcer in an echo-heavy voice backed by electric guitar riffs. "Watch him drag your city's reputation through the mud."
The other ad takes the format of a news report, asking people how they're getting ready for Ford's return.
"I'm getting ready to cover my daughter's ears the next time he says [bleep] or [bleep] or [bleep]," says a woman in a mock interview.
Both ads end with Chow asking for voters' support.
Since early May, Ford has been undergoing treatment for substance abuse at a rehabilitation centre in Bala, Ont., about 200 kilometres north of Toronto. Last week he announced he would return to work on Monday.
In November council voted to strip the mayor of many of his powers in response to stories about his behaviour.
Ford is running for re-election in the municipal race that will send voters to the polls on Oct. 27.
In addition to Chow, a former NDP MP, former provincial Progressive Conservative leader John Tory, along with city councillors Karen Stintz and former councillor David Soknacki are also running for mayor.