Toronto Mayor Takes Leave, Heads to Rehab

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford began a leave of absence and headed for a rehab center Thursday, leaving his scandalized city in the dark about his political future.

Ford announced Wednesday that he would take leave for an unspecified amount of time from both his mayoral post and his re-election campaign, but he did not abandon his bid for a second term as mayor of Canada’s second-largest city. One of his campaign rivals and other Toronto politicians demanded he resign.

A day after announcing his decision, Ford boarded a plane for a treatment program outside Toronto that will last at least 30 days, his lawyer Dennis Morris told The Associated Press. The mayor’s brother, Doug Ford, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. that Ford would enter a 30-day inpatient treatment at one of the best rehab facilities in North America but he declined to name the location. Morris said the 30 days could be extended.

In a statement Wednesday, he acknowledged having a problem with alcohol and said he would seek help.

This article appeared in print on page 2 of the May 3rd, 2014 edition of Hamodia.