Rob Ford: A look at his tumultuous tenure as Toronto mayor
CBC News | Posted: March 22, 2016 6:00 PM | Last Updated: March 22, 2016
Rob Ford, former Toronto mayor, dead at 46
The former Toronto mayor who became an international celebrity after news of his substance abuse while in office spread around the world has lost his battle with cancer. He was 46.
Ford was mayor of Toronto from 2010 to 2014.
Admission to drug use made him an international celebrity.
Television host Jimmy Kimmel had Ford on his late-night talk show in March 2014. During that appearance, the mayor laughed off Kimmel's suggestion that he get help for his drinking problem. Despite appearing to be jovial, it was later reported that Ford was upset about the appearance.
Health concerns, personal problems led council to cut Ford's power as mayor.
Towards the end of Ford's mayoralty, council voted to cut his budget and handed many of his duties to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly. Here, Coun. Frank Di Giorgio shares a moment with Ford during a budget meeting at Toronto City Hall in January 2014.
Ford weathered several controversies, including allegations of sexual harassment.
This photo, posted to former mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson's Facebook page in March 2013, shows a visibly inebriated Ford allegedly propositioning her to join him on a trip to Florida "because his wife wasn't there".
Things got more serious in May 2013.
It was then that reports emerged of a video purporting to show Ford smoking crack cocaine. By October, after months of dodging and denials, tensions were so high the presence of reporters outside Ford's home led to a blow-up.
Ford admitted to smoking crack in November…
At an emotional news conference, Ford addresses the media at city hall and admitted to having smoked crack. He offered a tearful apology for his "mistakes" but said he loved his job and had no plans to step aside.
…then he signed hundreds of bobble-heads.
Ford showed off his limited edition bobble-head doll in November 2013 and hundreds of people lined up to buy them. The dolls, which went through several editions, are still selling on eBay.
Ford went on the offensive on American TV.
Today Show host Matt Lauer travelled to Toronto to meet Rob and Doug Ford on Nov. 19, 2013. During their interview, Ford said Toronto's city council had no business stripping him of most of his powers and implied that many of his colleagues were no different from him.
Despite the unwavering support of Ford Nation, public opinion took a turn.
Joe 'shirtless jogger' Killoran's widely publicized confrontation with Ford during an appearance at the 2014 East York Canada Day Parade marred the mayor's first public appearance since he returned from a rehabilitation clinic for substance abuse problems.
Ford's re-election campaign was cut short.
Rob Ford was seeking a second term in September 2014, and posting high numbers in the polls, but withdrew from the mayoral race after doctors found a tumour in his abdomen. He ran for his old seat on city council instead and won.
Ford lost his 18-month battle with cancer on Tuesday.
Ford, giving two thumbs up before surgery to remove a cancerous tumour in May 2015, died after an 18-month battle with cancer.