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| Rob Ford, Toronto ex-mayor, dies aged 46 from cancer | Rob Ford, Toronto ex-mayor, dies aged 46 from cancer |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has died at the age of 46 after fighting cancer, his family has said. | Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has died at the age of 46 after fighting cancer, his family has said. |
| Mr Ford, who battled drug and alcohol addiction, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2014. | Mr Ford, who battled drug and alcohol addiction, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2014. |
| He gained international notoriety after admitting smoking crack cocaine in 2013, but he was loved by supporters. | He gained international notoriety after admitting smoking crack cocaine in 2013, but he was loved by supporters. |
| "A dedicated man of the people, Councillor Ford spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto," his family said in a statement. | "A dedicated man of the people, Councillor Ford spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto," his family said in a statement. |
| He could not run for re-election as mayor in 2014 due to his cancer diagnosis, but won a city council seat in a landslide result. | He could not run for re-election as mayor in 2014 due to his cancer diagnosis, but won a city council seat in a landslide result. |
| His image contrasted sharply with Canada's usual calm, buttoned-up politics. | His image contrasted sharply with Canada's usual calm, buttoned-up politics. |
| Profile: Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford | Profile: Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford |
| Reacting to his death, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: "Rob Ford fought cancer with courage and determination. My condolences and best wishes to the Ford family today." | |
| The current mayor of Toronto, John Tory, said in a statement that "the city is reeling with this news". | |
| "He was a man who spoke his mind and who ran for office because of the deeply felt convictions that he had. | |
| "I know there are many who were affected by his gregarious nature and approach to public service.'' | |
| Scandal | |
| While serving as Toronto mayor, Mr Ford was videotaped and photographed intoxicated in public areas. | |
| "Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine," Mr Ford told reporters. "But... do I? Am I addict? No. Have I tried it? Probably in one of my drunken stupors, probably approximately about a year ago." | |
| Despite the crack-smoking scandal, his popularity remained high with fans lining up to take photo with him. | Despite the crack-smoking scandal, his popularity remained high with fans lining up to take photo with him. |
| He appealed to conservative, working-class people with his populist message. Many of his supporters in the 2010 Toronto mayoral election came from the outer suburbs of the city. | He appealed to conservative, working-class people with his populist message. Many of his supporters in the 2010 Toronto mayoral election came from the outer suburbs of the city. |
| One of his key campaign promises was to "stop the gravy train" of government spending and he pledged to end "the war on the car". | One of his key campaign promises was to "stop the gravy train" of government spending and he pledged to end "the war on the car". |
| New Democratic Party leader Thomas Mulcair tweeted his condolences to Mr Ford's family on Tuesday, saying "46 is far too young to lose a loved one". | |
| During Canada's national election last year, Mr Ford threw his support behind former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who lost to Justin Trudeau, a liberal. | |
| Mr Ford grew up in Etobicoke, a suburb of Toronto, dropping out of university after one year to work in his family business. | |
| He is survived by his wife Renata and his two children, Stephanie and Doug. | He is survived by his wife Renata and his two children, Stephanie and Doug. |