Toronto

Toronto councillors say Ford scandal not over

One Toronto city councillor says he doesn't believe Rob Ford and that the mayor should resign. And a top Ford supporter says he doubts the scandal is over.

'Oh, I doubt that it's over'

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford making his prepared statement on Friday, flanked by his brother Coun. Doug Ford (left) and deputy mayor Doug Holyday. (Canadian Press)

Some of the people who work closely with Toronto Mayor Rob Ford say they're not completely satisfied with his statement on alleged drug use.

Deputy mayor Doug Holyday said he believed the mayor but wasn't convinced others would feel the same

"I mean I didn't write that speech for him, that was done by him and his staff I guess, and he said what he needed to say. And you know, the mayor doesn't usually say a lot, but people wanted him to say something, so that's what it was."  

Scarborough Coun. Glenn De Baeremaeker was straight to the point.

"I think the mayor, at this point, should resign. Take some time off to take care of himself, take care of his own family, and move forward from there."

De Baeremaeker said Ford no longer has any "legitimacy" to hold the post of mayor.

"He has no legitimacy in the city of Toronto anymore. No legitimacy among his political supporters," he said.

The Scarborough councillor said he believes the mayor wasn't telling the truth.

"I believe every word that those reporters have said."

"I don't believe what the mayor said today, and I think that's very unfortunate. Instead of acknowledging the issue and agreeing to get some help, he just went on the attack and I think that just makes it worse."

De Baeremaeker said given the choice he believes the reporters. "I believe they watched those videos. I believe every word that those reporters have said." 

Coun. Josh Colle didn't go as far as demanding the mayor step down but he did suggest Ford make a more detailed statement.

"I think there needs to be more than a written prepared statement which focused on what sounded like to me like Don Bosco football more than anything else," Colle said.

Another city councillor, Jaye Robinson, who sits on the mayor's executive committee, wasn't convinced the statement worked, either.

"I don't think this is over. I do not think this is over. But I can tell you that we would like the distractions to end," she said.

For Holyday, seeing the video would be the answer.

"I think that would put the whole thing to rest," said the long-time Ford supporter.

Holyday also said he doesn't think it will be "business as usual" around City Hall as Ford suggested in his statement.

"Oh, I doubt that it's over."