Rob Ford speaks with CBC's Peter Mansbridge
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and his brother Coun. Doug Ford held an interview with CBC News chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge on Monday afternoon, moments after city council voted to strip Toronto's embattled mayor of more powers and much of his office budget.
The interview — which will be posted in this story shortly — comes after two weeks of scandalous revelations about Ford's behaviour have created a chaotic situation at city hall.
Monday's motions continued a process that began Friday, when council voted to remove from Ford the power to hire and fire committee chairs and to hold special powers during a civic emergency.
Monday's vote, which transfers much of Ford's budget and powers to deputy mayor Norm Kelly, followed a rowdy and passionate debate on whether council had the legal authority to make the changes.
Ford himself denounced the measures as a "coup d'etat" and said council had declared war.
Ford has been at the centre of an extraordinary November at city hall. The mayor has made a number of surprising admissions, apologies and responses that have captured the attention of those living in Toronto and many others around the world.
The mayor admitted to having smoked crack cocaine since taking office, as well as to having purchased illegal drugs in the past two years. Ford has also made apologies for "mistakes," some of which were alcohol-related and included being "hammered" at a street festival this past summer.
Ford also appeared in a video purchased and posted by the Toronto Star acting erratically and threatening to kill someone.
His antics have also left Ford, whose term as mayor expires in October, as fodder for late-night comedy shows.
Council members have almost unanimously expressed concern, with a majority arguing that Ford's personal problems have left him unable to properly serve as mayor of Canada's largest city. Many councillors have asked that Ford seek treatment for substance use.
Ford has insisted that he is not an alcoholic or drug addict and has pointed out that he is not facing criminal charges.
There is no legal mechanism to allow council to remove Ford from office and he has refused rising calls to take a leave of absence or resign.
