Rob Ford, Canada’s most famous politician, is back in the news.
Given the notoriety Mr. Ford has gained over the two years, that’s likely not news to a lot of people.
It is, of course, good news for late-night television comedians in the United States, who are guaranteed a monologue laugh at the mere mention of his name.
Here’s the latest:
On Thursday, Mr. Ford faced fresh charges of homophobia from a council colleague on the same day he offered a private apology to another councillor over past lewd remarks he made about her.
The homophobia allegation by openly gay Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam came after Mr. Ford cast the only vote against a study on a possible shelter for LGBT youth.
Following the vote, Ms. Wong-Tam faced reporters for the second straight day to say the mayor’s actions showed his real values. She said his behaviour would not be tolerated in the private sector.
“The mayor is homophobic,” she said.
On Wednesday, Mr. Ford denied he was homophobic. That came after he remained in his chair while the Toronto City Council gave a standing ovation to organizers of WorldPride and to Ms. Wong-Tam for her work on the event.
Early Thursday, Mr. Ford had a private meeting in his office with Councillor Karen Stintz, who was the target of lewd sexual remarks by the mayor that were caught on tape in the days leading up to his departure to rehab for substance abuse.
“The matter is settled. That’s all I am saying,” Ms. Stintz said.
Both Ms. Stintz and Mr. Ford’s office confirmed the 15-minute meeting was initiated by the mayor. Ms. Stintz would not discuss what took place, but a spokesman for the mayor said an apology was given.
Mr. Ford, who is running for re-election, returned at the start of July after spending two months in rehab, having admitted substance abuse, including alcohol and crack cocaine.
Meanwhile, the entertainment website Deadline.com reported Thursday that sitcom star (30 Rock) Alex Baldwin, a former sitcom star (30 Rock) and a former movie star, (The Hunt for Red October, Beetlejuice) is developing a new television show “in which he would play the central character, a Rob-Ford-type mayor of New York City”
Deadline described Mr. Ford as “the buffoonish Toronto, Ont. mayor who has had his troubles with the crack pipe and behaves outlandishly on a fairly regular basis.”
Mr. Baldwin, himself, is no stranger to controversy because of heated exchanges with celebrity photographers which landed on the front pages of the New York City tabloids. The confrontations were a result of a court case involving the stalking of Mr. Baldwin by a Canadian actress, Genevieve Sabourin.
In 2013, Ms. Sabourin was sentenced to 180 days in jail for stalking, attempted aggravated harassment, and harassment, plus 30 days for attempted contempt of court. She was released from New York City’s Rikers Island jail in March of this year.
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