Rob Ford offers apology and campaign speech in return to Toronto

If anyone expected a softer, gentler Rob Ford upon his return to Toronto's political scene, they may have been disappointed on Monday, when Ford emerged from a two-month leave of absence to hold a contentious and brief appearance at Toronto City Hall.

Ford apologized for his previous behaviour, which included excessive drinking, drug abuse and making a litany of offensive comments, and offered apologies before launching into a campaign speech almost identical to those he had offered before leaving the city to seek treatment for substance abuse issues.

Ford, who took a paid leave from his mayoral duties in May amid fresh reports of drinking and drug abuse, officially returned to announce that during his time in rehab he had learned to take responsibility for his actions, stating that he realizes he has a “chronic medical condition that will require treatment for the rest of my life.”

"I am absolutely determined to make myself the best person I can be for my family, for the people of Toronto,” Ford said during a brief press conference, after which he answered no questions. “And with your support I’m also resolved to continue to work harder than ever for the taxpayers of this great city.”

Pundits had anticipated Ford playing up his stint in rehab in order to create a "redemption narrative" that could earn him some sympathy from those supporters who he may have lost during the past year of controversies, police investigations and drunken stupors.

[ Related: A timeline o fToronto Mayor Rob Ford's "crack video" scandal ]

And that's what Ford did, apologizing to city councillors and the public for his actions, specifically those that embarrassed the city.

“Thanks to my treatment, I can proudly say today that I have begun the process of taking control of my life,” Ford said. “But folks, this is a long, long road to recovery. No matter what I do, no matter what I do, I will never be able to change the mistakes that I have made in the past.”

But the mayor also ended his self-appointed exile from Toronto politics by picking old fights and antagonizing those whom he formerly perceived as enemies.

Ahead of Ford's statement, his communication team announced that only selected members of the media would be allowed to attend the appearance and that Ford would answer no questions.

The invitation-only appearance received rebuke from city officials and members of the press gallery.

City spokesperson Wynna Brown told the Toronto Star that Ford's approach was "not reflective of the approach of the collaborative relationships we have and value with members of the media," stating there was no reason a larger venue could not be used.

Journalist David Nickle, the president of the Toronto City Hall Press Gallery, released an open letter to Ford's communication officer Amin Massoudi requesting the speech be open to all members of the media.

"It's further the gallery's position that this is what the mayor owes Toronto—not only on his return to his elected position after a well-publicized paid leave of absence, but on any matter of municipal interest," Nickle wrote.

The conflict comes as Ford and his brother, Coun. Doug Ford, leave questions unanswered about the series of controversies that broke out this spring, including reports that Ford was again caught on video smoking crack and audio released by the Toronto Sun of an inebriated Ford using racist slurs and making sexist comments, including pointed and offensive references to mayoral candidate Karen Stintz.

There has also been a series of controversies erupt during Ford’s absence, including questions about the veracity and length of his rehab stint, a relationship with a female former rehab patient who was charged with drinking and driving in Ford’s vehicle, and reports that suggest the Fords sought to use their authority at city hall to benefit their family business.

[ More Brew: The apologies and promises from Rob Ford's return speech ]

In his speech, Ford apologized to Stintz and the rest of council for his “hurtful and degrading remarks.” He also promised to end associations with “some of the company that I kept,” though it wasn’t clear if he meant close friends such as Alexander Lisi, charged with drug trafficking and extortion, or alleged members of the Dixon City Bloods.

"Thankfully we live in a civilized society. A society that realizes that people do make mistakes, and that some people need help. Those who seek that help can be given another chance," Ford said.

Ford announced his intention to return to city hall two weeks ago, in a brief letter to city staff calling for "necessary arrangements" to be completed by Monday afternoon.

The letter was signed "Mayor Ford," written in all capitals and underlined for emphasis.

Ford had many of his powers stripped last year and assigned to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly amid concerns that Ford was unable to handle the responsibilities of his job.

Ford's re-election bid

Ford's return to city hall also marks his return to the mayoral election, where the four remaining legitimate contenders have continued to campaign and introduce new policies and promises.

The latest polling by Forum Research found that Ford was sitting in second place with 27 per cent support, with Olivia Chow in the lead with 34 per cent.

Former Ontario PC leader John Tory sat in third with 24 per cent support, with former budget chief David Soknacki at six per cent and councillor Karen Stintz at three per cent.

The polling also found, however, that only 32 per cent of respondents approved of Ford's record, and 65 per cent of voters said they would not vote for Ford under any circumstance.

Fifty-eight per cent are still calling for Ford to resign immediately.

On Monday, Tory reiterated his call for Ford to resign, for the sake of the city.

“I join with people across Toronto in hoping that Rob Ford has real success in the difficult road to recovery. However, Mr. Ford has repeatedly broken faith with the citizens of Toronto," Tory stated.

"Not only with his repeated behavioural lapses, but his consorting with underworld figures, and, since his exit, new and serious allegations involving using his public office to benefit his family business, means that he cannot continue to sit as Mayor. He may choose to run again. But for the good of the city he should step down as Mayor without delay."

Chow, who recently released a series of commercials mocking the chaotic impact of Ford's presence, released a video on Monday attacking Ford's claim that he had saved the city $1 billion.

Peter Graefe, a politics professor at McMaster University, said he didn't think Ford's apology and speech offered much that would change the trajectory of Toronto politics.

"It was classic Rob Ford, except delivered more wooden than usual," he told Yahoo Canada News. "Really it is full steam ahead."

On Ford's apology, Graefe said there isn't much the mayor could say to win back most of his lost supporters, but his Monday appearance could help shore up some supporters who may be trying to decide whether to bother voting in October.

"I don't think there is any room for redemption for Rob Ford. The people that love him still love him, other people have written him off. I don't think many people were saying, 'If he comes back and gives the right kind of apology then I'm back on the Rob Ford train,'" Graefe said.

"I don't know if the redemption narrative plays much. What it plays to mostly is his base. Will he be able to get those people out to vote for him? He has a lot of people voting for him who are not typical... voters. He has to motivate them."

Graefe did note that Ford took pains in his campaign speech to link himself to contracts that have been signed over the past few years and state that he is close to the unions, which could limit his ability to play the "outsider" role that got him elected in 2010.

"For someone who was really successful running an outsider campaign last time, he begins to campaign as an insider," Graefe said.

"I don't know what he hopes to gain by saying he's close with city unions, or at least able to reach labour deals with them. But to the extent that he was able to ride the idea there were people in a gravy train, he's essentially closed that off by saying he signed off on those contracts."

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