TORONTO – Rob Ford announced late Wednesday night that he will take a leave of absence from his duties as the mayor of Toronto and his re-election campaign to seek help for substance abuse.
The announcement came as both the Toronto Sun and the Globe and Mail published fresh allegations about the mayor.
The Globe said two of its reporters viewed a new video of Ford smoking what the newspaper said was described as crack cocaine by a self-professed drug dealer.
Meanwhile, the Sun reported it obtained an audio recording of the mayor “being unruly as he’s ordering booze” and making “lewd comments” about fellow election rival Karen Stintz at a west Toronto bar.
WEATHER
Periods of rain or drizzle ending this morning then a mix of sun and cloud with 40 percent chance of showers. Fog dissipating this morning. Wind becoming southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 this morning. High 15 except 10 near Lake Ontario.
More on current weather conditions and a 7-day forecast.
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TRAFFIC AND TRANSIT
Roads: Click for the latest Toronto traffic.
Mass Transit: Click for TTC and GO Transit Updates.
Sports:
Raptors:
Kyle Lowry poured in 36 points to lift Toronto to a nailbiting 115-113 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, giving the Raptors a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series.
IN THE NEWS…
Politicians are calling for Mayor Rob Ford to resign after he was allegedly caught in an audio recording making racist and misogynistic remarks.
Mayoral candidate Karen Stintz said Mayor Rob Ford’s lewd comments released in an alleged audio recording was “deeply offensive.”
News of Mayor Rob Ford’s “leave of absence” spread like wildfire as the international media picked up the story following the report of another video allegedly showing the mayor smoking crack surfaced.
Mayor Ford’s announcement that he is taking a leave of absence to seek treatment also sparked a Twitter frenzy.
POLL: Do you think Rob Ford should resign?
Ontario Budget 2014: Tax hikes on high income earners and smokers to help fund public transit are expected to be a key part of today’s Ontario budget.
ALSO COMING UP TODAY…
Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa tables the budget. (4 p.m. at Queen’s Park)
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