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While Toronto mayor Rob Ford continues to face pressure from all sides to step down, he’s now considering taking some time away from office.
Ford’s lawyer Dennis Morris says the mayor is seriously thinking about undergoing treatment for substance abuse. Morris told The Globe and Mail Ford is considering his options, in light of the a new video that surfaced yesterday, showing him extremely inebriated and spewing death threats.
It’s still unclear the type of treatment he’s considering, but Morris says he doubts Ford would do a 21 or 28 day in-patient program.
City councillors are among those who want to see Ford get help.
Denzil Minnan-Wong: “It’s the right thing to do for him to seek treatment, and if he’s moving toward that decision to take a leave of absence and get some help, I think all of the city of Toronto would support someone in his situation and problems to seek the remedies and help and assistance that he needs.”
Anthony Perruzza: “I believe that it’s an important thing for him to do, for himself, and for his family. i firmly believe that’s something he will do, and we’ll see where that goes.”
Municipal lawyer Stephen d’Agostino joined Square Off to discuss what Ford must consider before coming to a decision. “He as mayor has a limited range of rights and responsibilities at city council and really what he has to come to grips with is whether he can meet those responsibilities.”
“As the head of council there’s a statutory obligation for him to be the leader of city council, and the question in his mind must be, can he fulfill that requirement, can he lead the next council meeting, is he such a distraction that the business of this corporation comes to a halt.”
Meanwhile, a new staff member has joined the mayor’s office amid the scandal. Kathleen Wright was hired yesterday as special assistant. The addition was made after policy advisor Brooks Barnett resigned on Wednesday, the day after Ford admitted to using crack cocaine.
