Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s council seat will be declared vacant if he misses three monthly meetings and his colleagues don’t pass a resolution approving an extended absence, city manager Joe Pennachetti says.
The embattled mayor is taking a personal leave of absence from city hall amid new media reports about drug and alcohol use and inappropriate comments. A notice filed with the city clerk does not include a date of return, although Ford told a Toronto Sun columnist he will be away for at least 30 days.
If, for some reason, Ford doesn't return for council's regular meeting in July and no resolution is passed by councillors, he would lose his seat as mayor.
While he is away, Ford's remaining responsibilities and staffers have been transferred to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, who had already assumed key powers that were stripped from Ford last November after the mayor admitted to smoking crack cocaine while in office.
At a news conference Thursday, Kelly told reporters Ford's situation is a "personal tragedy" that should not be seen as a crisis of government. Kelly, whose title remains deputy mayor, said Ford's actions are "inexcusable" and he assured the public nothing will really change and there will be no interruption in the delivery of city services.
Kelly offered his “best wishes” to Ford and said he hopes the mayor will return to council “whole” and ready to participate.
"Hopefully, on a personal level, it's coming to an end,' Kelly said of a saga that has gripped Toronto since May 2013.
It appears Ford’s absence will bring an end – briefly, at least – to a power struggle between the mayor and deputy mayor. Instead of reporting to both men, Pennachetti will only report to Kelly while Ford is on leave.
Police to investigate new video
Meanwhile, a Toronto police detective who is leading a criminal investigation into Ford says officers will look into allegations that a new video shows the scandal-plagued mayor smoking a substance purported to be crack cocaine.
Det.-Sgt. Gary Giroux told CTV News reporter Katie Simpson that the Project Brazen 2 investigation - launched after an initial video showing Ford smoking from a glass pipe surfaced a year ago - is still active and ongoing, and it will explore the new claims.
The new video has not surfaced and it has not been viewed by police, but still images published by the Globe and Mail and Gawker show the mayor holding a pipe in his hand.
Ford has not been charged with a crime, but police have laid drug and extortion charges against Alexander Lisi, his friend and occasional driver.
Mayor mum on allegations, absence
The mayor offered no comment about the allegations or his plans to seek professional help as he left his Etobicoke home Thursday morning.
Ford, wearing a black suit jacket and black shirt with an open collar, walked past journalists who were waiting for him and he entered a waiting car that drove off to an unknown destination. Ford's chief of staff, Dan Jacobs, was behind the wheel. The mayor's nephew, Mike Ford, placed a suitcase in a separate car that was part of the convoy.
Ford announced late Wednesday that he was taking an immediate leave of absence from his mayoral duties and re-election campaign to seek help.
In a written statement, Ford admitted to having a problem with alcohol and "the choices I have made while under the influence." The statement made no mention of drugs. Ford admitted last November to smoking crack cocaine during a "drunken stupor."
Before Wednesday's decision, the mayor ignored repeated calls for him to take a leave of absence or resign amid a scandal that erupted a year ago, and he recently avoided questions about drugs.
It is not known where he will seek treatment.
No timetable has been set, but Ford will take as much time as he needs, his lawyer, Dennis Morris, told CTV News.
Morris said rehab clinics have been calling him with offers to take in the mayor at no cost.
Reporters watched video: Globe
Ford issued the statement as three newspapers - the Globe and Mail, Toronto Sun and Toronto Star - prepared to publish damaging reports about him.
The Globe says two of its reporters have watched the video showing Ford smoking what has been described as crack cocaine by a self-professed drug dealer.
The video was secretly filmed in Ford's sister’s basement early Saturday morning, according to the newspaper, which paid $10,000 for the still images of the mayor holding a pipe.
It is not the same video that was recovered by Toronto police during the Project Brazen 2 investigation last fall. That video shows the mayor smoking from a glass pipe in a friend's home and it has not been seen by the public.
The still images obtained by the Globe and Gawker this week offer the first glimpse of Ford holding drug paraphernalia.
Globe reporter Robyn Doolittle, who previously covered the scandal for the Star, said she was approached about the new video Wednesday morning.
Doolittle and colleague Greg McArthur went to a parking lot west of Toronto, where they met with the self-professed drug dealer and watched eight to 10 minutes of video footage that was split into three clips.
The dealer is trying to sell the clips and he wants six figures for them, Doolittle told CP24.
She said the Globe refused to purchase the footage, but agreed to buy the screen shots because it was a matter of public interest.
Sun publishes audio recording
In a separate report, the Toronto Sun says Ford was surreptitiously recorded at Sullie Gorman's, an Etobicoke bar, Monday, as he discussed his differences with Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak and political rival Olivia Chow, and made disparaging comments about his wife and Coun. Karen Stintz.
In an audio recording obtained by the newspaper, Ford is heard making a crude remark about Stintz, who is trying to unseat him in October's municipal election.
“I’d like to f---ing jam her but she doesn’t want…,” Ford says, as his voice is cut off by the sound of laughter.
Ford then apologizes, saying he forgot there was a woman in his company.
Sun city hall reporter Don Peat said the newspaper obtained the recording Wednesday.
Ford 'stunned' by recording
Sun columnist Joe Warmington, who has developed a close relationship with Ford over the last 15 years, played the recording for the mayor during a telephone conversation Wednesday.
During a second conversation that occurred around the time the Globe approached Ford about the new video, the mayor informed Warmington he planned to enter rehab immediately and he fears he will die if he doesn’t deal with his substance abuse problems.
Ford told Warmington he will take at least 30 days off, stay on as mayor and keep his name on the ballot in October.
In an interview with CP24 on Thursday, Warmington said Ford was stunned when he listened to the recording.
Warmington said he gives Ford credit for promising to go to rehab.
“These tapes aren’t good,” Warmington said. “Karen Stintz doesn’t deserve that, (or) his wife.”
With files from CP24 reporter Cristina Tenaglia and CTV News reporter Katie Simpson.
@ChrisKitching is on Twitter. For up-to-the-minute breaking news, follow @CP24 on Twitter.
