Family still comes first for Mayor Rob Ford, who confirmed he would again skip Toronto's Pride Parade to spend time at his cottage.
Ford told reporters on Wednesday that he would join his family for a Canada Day trip to his cottage in Huntsville – a tradition that happens to occur the same weekend as the city's massive gay pride march down Yonge Street.
Ford gave the same reason for skipping the parade last year, becoming the first Toronto mayor to miss the parade in 16 years. The absence earned Ford a barrage of criticism from the city's gay and lesbian community.
Former mayors Barbara Hall, Mel Lastman and David Miller maintained the tradition of marching in the parade by appearing at the event during their tenures.
Ford did not specify whether he would attend other events during the 10-day festival.
