Mayor Ford tells CBC he’s had ‘come to Jesus’ moment
Posted Nov 19, 2013 3:22 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – Embattled Toronto mayor Rob Ford capped another tumultuous day by declaring in a television interview that he is off alcohol and working to shed some weight.
He told CBC News “The National” host Peter Mansbridge on Monday that he will “eat his words” if people don’t see a difference in him after five months.
Ford also said he has had a “come-to-Jesus moment” brought on by the “belittling” he has endured lately and how he let people down because of alcohol use.
Mansbridge asked: “Are you off alcohol now? You’re done with alcohol?”
“Finished,” the mayor replied.
Mansbridge asked: “You’ll never drink again?”
“Finished,” Ford repeated.
Mayor Ford attributed the turnaround to the influence of close family friend and federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.
The mayor’s brother — Coun. Doug Ford — also sat down for the interview. Click here to watch it.
The interview capped a day which saw Ford remain defiant despite a series of unprecedented votes in city council to strip him of most of his duties.
In their latest votes, councillors slashed Ford’s mayoral budget and handed many of his duties and staff to the city’s deputy mayor, Norm Kelly.
Ford called the votes a “coup d’etat” and a declaration of war, comparing what happened to him to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1991.
Ford admitted last week to buying illegal drugs while in office, then sparked outrage by making a crude sexual comment on live television.
He has steadfastly refused to take a leave or resign since reports surfaced in May of a video that appeared to show him smoking crack cocaine.
Police said they had recovered the video but have refused to release it.
