While campaigning in Quebec Thursday morning Liberal leader Justin Trudeau took a shot at Stephen Harper’s association with Rob and Doug Ford who sat front row at an event for the Conservative leader earlier this week.
“Stephen Harper should be embarrassed he’s having to count on the support of Rob Ford for his re-election. There’s a lot people talking in the news these days about the hypocrisy of the Fords and their drug problems and Mr. Harper and his positions on that,” Trudeau told supporters.
“But that’s not really the issue as serious as it is that strikes me most. What bothers me most is the misogyny. The Ford brothers should have no place on a national campaign stage much less hosting a prime minister at an event this weekend. That is just completely irresponsible of the prime minister.”
Trudeau made the remarks after the former Toronto mayor and his brother Doug appeared at a campaign event for Conservative leader Stephen Harper Tuesday in Etobicoke. Harper is also scheduled to speak at an event hosted by the Ford brothers on Saturday in the Greater Toronto Area.
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The Conservative leader was asked Wednesday at an event in Brantford how he could run a tough on crime campaign while campaigning with Rob Ford, who infamously admitted to smoking crack cocaine, and Doug Ford who’s admitted to smoking marijuana.
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“I think our position on these issues is very well known, and the support we’ve had from those individuals from our party is longstanding,” Harper answered.
After reporters continued to prod Harper over the issue he issued a similar response.
“Once again, our position on these issues are very clear. I’m not going to cast those kind of judgments. Our platform is very clear and the support of that family for our party is longstanding and well known,” he said.
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Rob Ford faced heavy criticism during his troubled four years as Toronto’s mayor that included sexist remarks against former TTC chair and mayoral candidate Karen Stintz. Ford later issued an apology to Stintz. Several audio recordings and videos caught Ford using violent, bigoted and homophobic slurs throughout his four years in office.
Trudeau faced his own controversy Thursday as faced more questions over his national campaign co-chairman, Dan Gagnier, who gave advice to TransCanada Corp. on how to lobby a new government. Gagnier resigned Wednesday over the incident.
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