WATCH: Rob Ford addressed his drinking and drug use during a press conference at the big city mayors meeting
OTTAWA – Rob Ford wanted to talk subways, housing and the mail.
But he’s also Rob Ford, so the Toronto mayor inevitably addressed drinking, drugs and his weight during a press conference before a big city mayors meeting Wednesday.
“I have not done drugs since, I said, probably a year ago,” Ford told reporters.
“I’m not going to sit here and get browbeaten from the mistakes that I’ve made. I’ve made mistakes. We’ve all made mistakes in this room, but you’ve got to carry on and that’s what I’m doing and I’ll let the voters decide on October 27 who they want to represent the city of Toronto.”
Ford’s solo 20-minute press conference, delivered prior to the meeting, made numerous references to this fall’s mayoral race. He has never before attended a Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference.
When asked about last month’s “Steak Queen” incident, in which Ford was caught on video ranting in Jamaican patois, Ford said he was brought up with a lot of Jamaican friends.
“We went out and yeah I did drink,” he said.
But he said that “setback” is behind him.
“Those days are gone,” he said.
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“I think you can see a physical change in me. I’m down 40 pounds. I’m training every day. I’m as I would say bright-eyed, bushy tailed and I’m out campaigning and meeting people.”
Ford said he wanted to address subway and housing funding, and keeping home mail delivery.
“If people want to talk about personal issues I can go on and on and on and on,” he said.
“I really want to concentrate on the campaign. I want to concentrate on getting funding from the federal government. That’s why I’m here today.”
Ford said he is leaving town at 6 p.m. and had no plans to meet with MPs or the prime minister – although he made his political allegiance clear.
“There’s no secret that I’m a Conservative, that I support, I endorse the Harper government.
“And I think they’re doing a fantastic job.”
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