Newly elected Toronto city councillor Michael Ford admits the Ford name was instrumental in the 22-year-old’s byelection victory in Etobicoke North on Monday.
“Rob and Doug left a legacy there that I wanted to pick up and continue. I benefited from their hard work in the community and me continuing on that,” Ford said during an interview on Global’s The Morning Show on Wednesday.
The Ward 2 seat was left vacant after former mayor Rob Ford passed away in March following a battle with cancer.
“I’ve been brought up in a family who has been dedicated to public service and giving back to the community. It’s in my blood,” he said.
“I grew up around Rob and Doug and saw what they’ve done for the community. It’s in me.”
READ MORE: Rob Ford’s nephew to run for late mayor’s vacated council seat
Ford, who previously served as a Toronto District School Board trustee, said he spent the past two and a half months knocking on close to 10,000 doors in an effort to capture the byelection win despite 11 other candidates on the ballot.
“We went into the campaign taking nothing for granted. I had a phenomenal team around me and we knocked on almost every door in the ward,” he said.
Ford said he will bring uncle Rob’s customer service approach to politics along with him to city hall.
“When I went to their door, they said focus on customer service. When we call you, we want you at our door and that’s a commitment I made to them,” he said.
“I also heard about taxes. Keeping the taxes affordable and low for our residents and community investments.”
VIDEO: The late Rob Ford’s nephew, 22-year-old Michael Ford, won the by-election with a convincing majority. Peter Kim reports.
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