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Rob Ford, Toronto ex-mayor, dies aged 46 from cancer | Rob Ford, Toronto ex-mayor, dies aged 46 from cancer |
(about 13 hours 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 |
Toronto ex-mayor: Everyone makes mistakes | Toronto ex-mayor: Everyone makes mistakes |
Why Rob Ford was a typical Canadian | |
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." | 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". | 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. | "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.'' | "I know there are many who were affected by his gregarious nature and approach to public service.'' |
Scandal | Scandal |
While serving as Toronto mayor, Mr Ford was videotaped and photographed intoxicated in public areas. | 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." | "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". |
During Canada's national election last year, Mr Ford threw his support behind former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who lost to Justin Trudeau, a liberal. | During Canada's national election last year, Mr Ford threw his support behind former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who lost to Justin Trudeau, a liberal. |
Mr Harper tweeted on Tuesday: "Rob was a fighter throughout life & dedicated public servant who will be remembered for his courage, love for Toronto & his family." | Mr Harper tweeted on Tuesday: "Rob was a fighter throughout life & dedicated public servant who will be remembered for his courage, love for Toronto & his family." |
New Democratic Party leader Thomas Mulcair tweeted also his condolences to Mr Ford's family, saying "46 is far too young to lose a loved one". | New Democratic Party leader Thomas Mulcair tweeted also his condolences to Mr Ford's family, saying "46 is far too young to lose a loved one". |
Mr Ford grew up in Etobicoke, a suburb of Toronto, dropping out of university after one year to work in his family business. | 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. |