Toronto Mayor Rob Ford gave a fiery speech at a campaign BBQ in Etobicoke on Saturday evening, thanking the crowd for their support following his cancer diagnosis earlier this month.
Ford, who underwent a round of chemotherapy in hospital last week after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, addressed supporters at a park where the Ford family was hosting the campaign barbecue.
Though his voice was hoarse, Ford said that despite his illness, he’ll remain in the election race for his old council seat, which he represented prior to his successful mayoral bid in 2010.
“I have to take a bit of a break, my health does come first but that doesn’t mean folks, that I’m out of the race,” Ford told the crowd, who chanted his name as he took the stage just before 8 p.m.
Ford made references to his previous battle with substance abuse, saying he will beat cancer in the same way.
“Go tell cancer I’m going to put him where I put that guy in the mirror three months ago,” said Ford, who entered a month-long program at a rehabilitation facility north of Toronto back in the springtime.
Ford said that he’ll fight to get his brother, mayoral candidate Doug Ford, elected as his successor, and encouraged supporters to get out and vote. Ford dropped out of the mayoral race after entering hospital earlier this month, where he was diagnosed with liposarcoma. His elder brother, currently a Toronto councillor, then jumped into the mayoral race last-minute.
People began to arrive at the park for Ford Fest just before 5 p.m., where they lined up for amusement park rides, free food and bobbleheads in Rob Ford’s likeness.
Supporters in attendance said they hope Rob Ford remains in public life.
"He's for the people. And once you're for the people, at the end of the day, whether you're here or not, you're still going to be fighting for the people," Leo Robinson told The Canadian Press. "And that's what he's doing -- and that's important."
The event was being held to drum up support for the Ford brothers and their nephew Michael Ford, who is seeking a Toronto District School Board trustee seat.
The mayor hit the campaign trail in the Etobicoke North ward on Friday night, marking his first public appearance since he entered hospital in early September after complaining of abdominal pains. After his cancer diagnosis, Ford underwent his first round of chemotherapy and was released from hospital earlier this week.
Doug Ford said Saturday, ahead of the barbecue, that his brother went out for a walk on doctor’s orders to get some exercise and fresh air, but ended up knocking on doors.
“That’s good therapy for Rob; that’s what he loves,” Doug Ford said. “As long as he doesn’t overdo it, exercise is good, the doctor said.”
Doug Ford said he’ll attend Pride Parade
Meanwhile, the elder sibling, who currently represents Ward 2 as councillor, appears to be attempting to set himself apart from his younger brother’s controversial stance on Toronto’s annual Pride festivities.
Rob Ford has refused to attend the Pride Parade, held in the summer, but Doug says if he’s elected mayor, he’ll be in attendance.
“If I’m the mayor, and hopefully I will be, I’m the mayor of all the people,” Doug Ford said. “ I’ll be there like I was before.”
With one month to go until election day, the other frontrunners in the mayoral race were also out campaigning across Toronto Saturday.
Olivia Chow shook hands at a street festival held in midtown, while John Tory joined volunteers on a door-to-door canvassing blitz.
