Rob Ford says John Tory is 'badgering' federal MPs

Coun. Rob Ford is skeptical about what Toronto Mayor John Tory will be able to accomplish in Ottawa, as his successor heads to the capital to meet with federal politicians and to seek support for SmartTrack and other transit and infrastructure issues on Tuesday.

The former mayor said Tory has made it clear that he is looking for the support of other levels of government on and for that reason the message he is bringing to Ottawa won't be anything new to anyone paying attention to the news.

"When people know what you want, they're either going to give it to you, or they're not," Ford told reporters Tuesday, using the word "badgering" to describe the mayor's effort at one point.

"You know, the MPs, the finance minister, the prime minister, they know what he wants," said Ford.

Ford also questioned why Tory was bringing three staff with him on his trip to Ottawa.

"I don't see why he needs those extra people," said Ford.

His take on the trip was at odds with what other members of council had to say on the matter.

Deputy Mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong defended Tory's trip to Ottawa, saying it's important for him to get in front of other levels of government to advocate on behalf of the city.

"You have to go and sell, sell, sell and when you’re finished, you've got to sell some more. And I think the mayor quite rightly should be going to Ottawa and making sure that Toronto's needs are met," Minnan-Wong said.

Coun. Joe Mihevc also said he thought Tory’s trip to Ottawa was beneficial for the city.

"I think the mayor of Toronto has to speak to all political parties and have good, strong relationships with all of them in order that he leverage the best deal possible for the City of Toronto," he said.

Unsolicited advice

Ford has been critical of Tory in the few months that his successor has been wearing the chain of office.

In January, Ford said Tory had made some "ridiculous" decisions during his first month in office.

Last week, Ford pressed Tory as to whether the public had been aware the mayor would be asking for funds to study the impact that SmartTrack will have if implemented. That led to a notable exchange in which Tory reminded him that he's the one now sitting in the mayor's chair.

Two days later, Ford went on a radio station and claimed he hadn't "lost" to Tory at the polls last October as he had dropped from the mayoral race.

But because Ford won a seat on council after leaving the mayoral race last fall, the unusual situation has emerged where the new mayor and his predecessor are now part of the same council.

Ford dropped from the mayoral race after being diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, for which he is still being treated.

"I'm alright," Ford said, when asked about his health on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Ford told reporters he intends to head to Jamaica later this month after his radiation treatment wraps up.

"It's been a long, long haul," he said.

Ford has indicated he intends to run for mayor again in 2018, if he is healthy enough to do so.