In an almost comical amount of controversy, Toronto mayor Rob Ford has become the target of a call to step down resulting from the video which surfaced of him smoking crack. In case you have been living under a rock, no, that’s not a joke. And frankly, it falls perfectly in line with the rest of his behaviour throughout his adult life.
However, given that he is currently clearly dealing with difficult substance abuse issues, and that the video comes to us from career criminals attempting to profit, I do not believe that this situation is enough for him to be forcibly removed from office. Rather, it should entitle him to support from the community and trained professionals to work towards recovery.
I should note first, though, that due to his ridiculous actions, I do not believe that Ford is qualified to be mayor of a Foursquare location, much less of a major city. In the late 90s, at 29, he was charged with driving under the influence in Florida, which he lied about in his 2010 mayoral race. During his time as an elected representative, he’s suggested a ‘public lynching’ in place of a public meeting about a homeless shelter, been accused of inappropriately touching a female political opponent during a photo-op, and been kicked out of a Maple Leafs game, among many other offences. Given how difficult it must, or should, have been, him being elected and keeping his position is bizarrely endearing.
This particular offense of alleged crack use, though, should not be considered grounds for dismissal. Amongst all the excitement of some actually interesting news in Canadian politics, we can’t overlook the circumstances under which this video emerged.
In early May of this year, an alleged gang member showed the video to a Toronto Star reporter in the back seat of a car, hoping to sell it. The man’s plan nearly came to fruition as Gawker tried to raise $200,000 to buy the footage, while radio station Newstalk 1010 was given the chance to purchase it for $20,000.
This is not the kind of behaviour that should dictate major political change in this country. Deals that involve a Kickstarter named “Crackstarter,” as Gawker’s is, should not be admissible in the sphere of rational discussion. Ford was basically being held hostage by known drug dealers in exchange for their profit. If Ford is removed from office over this matter, it sets the precedent that thugs can have a profound influence on Canadian politics.
The media and various internet “journalists” have also glossed over the fact that substance abuse, such as the use of crack or large amounts of alcohol, is still regarded as a disease. Rob Ford has openly admitted that he struggles with alcohol, stating that he used crack in “a drunken haze.” The manner in which alcoholism has been, in this case, labeled mocked and used as a means to judge Ford is completely unacceptable in a nation aware of “invisible” illnesses, as Canada is.
This man is clearly not well, and should be supported by the community to battle his demons rather than be called on to resign. Canada is lucky enough to be reaching a point at which such issues are not demonized, but rather faced with a helping hand. Abandoning this could further stigmatize these issues, and deter other sufferers from coming forward.
Despite Ford showing lack of character becoming of the mayor of a major city, and the fact that he really should seek some rehabilitation for an apparent battery of issues, neither the existence of the now infamous crack video nor his substance abuse should mandate his removal from office. The involvement of career criminals with the mayor’s ongoing personal issues should shift the gears of discussion away from his removal and towards finding him help and a path to wellness.
