Crack smoking mayor of Toronto flattens woman when he confronts hecklers in city hall
THE CRACK cocaine-smoking mayor of Toronto is in trouble again after sending an elderly councillor flying during a riotous city hall meeting.
Rob Ford was stripped of many of his powers at the council meeting and heckled by the public.
The burly politician, who refuses to resign, responded by charging around the chamber to confront his accusers, but collided with councillor Pam McConnell, who is in her 60s.
He just managed to catch her before she hit the floor but, visibly shaken, she later said: “This is a seat of democracy, it is not a football field. I just wasn’t ready.”
The council voted to cut Mayor Ford’s office budget by 60 per cent and let his staff join the deputy mayor.
He now has no legislative power but retains his title and ability to represent Toronto at official functions.
Later, Ford said councillors had no right to strip him of his powers over his admitted crack cocaine use and heavy drinking.
On ABC television, he suggested some were guilty of the same behaviour, saying: “All they did was stab me in the back over the same issues that I’ve admitted to that they do, but nobody knows about it.”
He denied he had a serious problem with alcohol but admitted getting help from “health care professionals”.
The 44-year-old mayor, elected on promises to cut back spending, vowed to wage “outright war” with critics in next years elections. next year.