Toronto Mayor Rob Ford told reporters “everything is going fine” in the city despite a growing controversy that has plagued his office and made international headlines for the last 13 days.
Ford made the comments hours after it was announced that two more of his staffers were leaving the mayor’s office.
Ford’s executive assistant Kia Nejatian and policy advisor Brian Johnston both left their positions Thursday. They are the fourth and fifth staffer to leave Ford’s inner circle in recent weeks.
Johnston told reporters that he left “on his own accord” as he made his way to his vehicle inside a parking garage underneath city hall Thursday afternoon.
“The timing was right,” he said.
The controversy in the mayor’s office began on the evening of May 16 when both the Toronto Star and American website Gawker published a report stating that there was a video being circulated of what appeared to be the mayor smoking from a glass pipe.
Ford has denied these allegations.
On Thursday, the mayor – when speaking about changes in staffing -- refused to answer reporters’ direct questions about the alleged video.
“Anything else?” he said after each question, rolling his eyes and throwing his hands up in frustration.
However, the mayor told reporters he didn’t believe the mass media attention on city hall in recent weeks has affected Toronto’s reputation.
“Not at all, everything is going fine,” he said. “I’m keeping taxes low. I’ve saved a billion dollars. We’re getting things done.
“This city is in better shape than it was two years ago,” he added.
Losing staff
Though the press was mainly interested in speaking to him about the allegations, Ford called the news conference to thank both Nejatian and Johnston for their service.
“I’m just letting you know, I’ve met with my staff today and I have a great deal of respect for every person who works with me,” he said. “I have a loyal group of people. They are working their backside off. But I’ve also always said, when a new opportunity arises, take it.”
He called Nejatian and Johnston “valuable members” of his team and wished them the best in their future endeavours.
“I emphasize and I assure you work is being done, phone calls are being returned, emails are being responded to,” he said. “I was elected to keep taxes low, reduce the size and cost of government and that’s exactly what I’m doing every single day.”
He also said he has been interviewing new candidates all week.
“I look forward to hiring new staff as soon as possible.”
Thursday’s staff shortage was compounded by the firing of chief of staff Mark Towhey last week and the resignation of press secretary George Christopoulos and deputy press secretary Isaac Ransom on Monday.
When asked about the sudden departures, Ford suggested it was “new opportunities” that led his staff to leave.
“There’s nothing going on in my office obviously,” he said. “I’m bringing in a new staff and if people have a better opportunity, I encourage them to move on.
“I don’t get into personnel issues but maybe they can answer your questions better than I can,” he added.
Wynne says she’ll intervene
The city hall scandal has once again caught the attention of the provincial government.
Earlier today, Premier Kathleen Wynne commented on the disruption at city hall when speaking with reporters, suggesting the mayor has "personal issues."
"I believe what is happening now at city hall is interrupting the business of city hall," she said.
"I will take action, if and when appropriate," she said.
The mayor and his brother Coun. Doug Ford told reporters the premier should stay out of the city’s business.
“I think the premier should take care of the problems that she has at Queen’s Park right now,” Mayor Ford said.
Fresh allegations
The news from the mayor's office comes fresh on the heels of a Toronto Star report claiming the mayor told senior aides that he knew where the alleged video is located.
According to the Star report, which cited unnamed sources, Ford told his staff members not to worry about the video because he knew where it was.
This meeting was reportedly held inside the mayor's office on May 17 -- the same day the Star's initial story about an alleged video, which reportedly shows the mayor smoking from a glass pipe, appeared on its front page.
Ford has denied the existence of the video and has dismissed the allegations as “ridiculous” and "absolutely not true.”
On Thursday, Coun. Doug Ford, also dismissed the newspaper’s reporting.
“In my opinion we have a disgruntled ex-employee who is obviously upset and throwing these false accusations out,” he told reporters at city hall. “This is the Toronto Star trying to keep this story alive. They need to either put (up) or shut up.”
The Star report says Ford blurted out the address of two 17th floor apartments in a Dixon Road building during the May 17 meeting. The mayor reportedly told his staff the information came to him from “our sources.”
According to the Star, the mayor’s director of operations and logistics David Price, deputy chief of staff Earl Provost, and Christopoulos and others were present.
The Star says its report of the meeting is based on “accounts given by those privy to what was discussed.”
“If these people are so credible then why don’t they come forward?” Coun. Ford said Thursday.
Earlier this week, the Star reported that there were other discussions within the mayor’s office about the possible whereabouts of the video.
That reported discussion was between Price and Towhey, the mayor’s chief of staff at the time. The Star says Towhey ended up notifying Toronto police about that discussion after Price reportedly suggested that the alleged video was somehow linked to the death of Anthony Smith, a man pictured in a photo with Ford that has been circulating.
Neither Price nor Towhey has publicly commented on that report.
Staff Insp. Greg McLane, head of the homicide squad, confirmed to CP24 that police did indeed interview a member of the mayor's staff, but said the interview was not linked to a recent homicide or any homicide.
On Thursday, Toronto police announced that they have arrested a second suspect in connection with Smith’s death.
Despite the intense scrutiny the mayor has faced, Ford said he has no plans to resign.
“I’m not stepping aside,” he said. “I’m running in the next election and if the great people of this city want to go in a different direction, then that’s their prerogative, but I guarantee my name will be on that ballot”
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