Mayor Rob Ford said he will try and go to a Toronto Community Housing Board meeting to defend CEO Eugene Jones tomorrow even though he’s not authorized to be there.
Ford made the comments Thursday afternoon during a press conference in which he defended Jones against a scathing Ombudsman report that accused the TCHC CEO of ignoring rules around hiring and firing.
“Eugene was told to clean up the mess,” Ford said. “He did exactly what he was told to do.
“Can things get better? Absolutely. But we are on the right track,” he added.
Ford can’t attend the meeting unless his designate Coun. Maria Augimeri gives him her seat.
The board is set to discuss a 111-page report released by Ombudsman Fiona Crean on Wednesday, saying that the story around the TCHC was one “about the failure of leadership at the top.”
But Ford was quick to dismiss her criticism as mere politics.
“It was supposed to be an impartial view on the TCHC,” he said, questioning why Crean made no mention of Jones’ accomplishments.
Earlier Thursday Ford told CP24.com he supports Jones because he’s “the best man for the job.”
“He’s cleaned up community housing and just this morning, I was at Toronto Community Housing on Jane Street and the residents love him, they’ve seen changes,” he said. “It was full of corruption as you know five years ago when I took office and we had to clean house. We had to bring the right guy in. He has the experience, he has a proven track record and I support him 100 per cent.”
Back at city hall, Ford told reporters he will urge the board to keep Jones at the helm of the TCHC.
Jones has yet to comment personally on the report.
