Toronto Coun. Doug Ford says he's relieved that his brother, Mayor Rob Ford, has stepped aside and is seeking help for his substance abuse problems.
"This is one of the toughest days of my life but in saying that, I also have a sense of relief," the councillor said while fighting back tears at a news conference Thursday. "As an older brother, I'm relieved that Rob has faced his problems and decided to seek professional help. This isn't an easy thing for anyone to do … especially when you're mayor of this city."
A day earlier, Rob Ford said he is temporarily stepping aside from both his role as mayor and his re-election campaign, but it's not clear when he plans to return.
"Many people believe they can handle any problem themselves but sometimes you need of your friends, family and professionals," Doug Ford said.
"I told Rob that everyone knows someone who has faced these challenges, and I know they will wish him well and a speedy recovery. "I love my brother. I'll continue to stand by my brother and his family in this difficult journey."
Earlier Thursday, mayoralty candidates Olivia Chow and Coun. Karen Stintz both decried Rob Ford's comments in two recent recordings. Chow and Stintz said they are glad the mayor is seeking help, but both also said he is an embarrassment who is no longer fit to serve as mayor.
Stintz said Ford's recent comments about her are "gross," and provide further evidence the city needs a new mayor.
"I am disappointed by the misogynistic language used by Rob Ford," said Stintz, referring to comments contained in an audio recording that surfaced this week and was posted on a Toronto newspaper's website.
"The only people who can remove Rob Ford from office are the people of Toronto. I have faith in the people of this city. Rob Ford is not Toronto. We need to move forward."
In the recording, Ford says, "I'd like to f--king jam her," in reference to Stintz. Ford has said he will step aside from his duties as mayor and his re-election campaign to get "professional help."
"I had to tell my children today the mayor said some mean things about their mommy," said Stintz. "We need a new leader, we need a new mayor.
"If he was truly sorry, he would have apologized to me last night."
Shortly after Stintz spoke, Chow, the former NDP MP, said Ford's move to step aside comes too late.
"It's obvious Mr. Ford is a sick man … with a serious substance abuse problem," said Chow.
"As a mayor, it is too late. He had his chance. Last year everyone said he needs to get help. He didn't do so. The time to take a leave of absence was last year.
"In October this city will issue a verdict on Mr. Ford and we will have a new mayor."
Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, who took over many of Ford's duties when council stripped the mayor of many of his powers in November, will also speak Thursday, at 11:45 a.m. ET in a news conference that CBC.ca will carry live.
'The mayor does not have a shred of credibility left and he hasn't for months.'- Coun. Jaye Robinson on the latest revelations about Rob Ford
Earlier Thursday, Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong, a former supporter of Ford, said the mayor's move to step aside and get help is "better late than never."
"Right now is a time to let Rob Ford heal and get the help he needs," he told reporters Thursday.
Other members of council were more blunt in their reaction.
Coun. Jaye Robinson said Ford's move to temporarily step aside does not go far enough. She said anything less than a full resignation from both the office and his re-election bid is "too little, too late."
"The mayor does not have a shred of credibility left and he hasn't for months," Robinson said on CBC Radio's Metro Morning. "Our mayor is a chronic liar; we can't take it anymore. He needs to get his name off the ballot."
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