News in Review – January 2013 – Teacher Resource Guide ROB FORD: ’s Controversial Mayor

SETTING THE STAGE Vocabulary – Platform If you ask Canadians what they think about A political platform outlines a political municipal politics, most would say it is “boring” candidate’s (or party’s) position on key or that they don’t know much about it. After all, issues. municipal – or local – politics is the area of government that most people think is the least interesting. Municipal politicians aren’t involved vowed to change all that. in sending Canadian troops to war – that’s the The 2010 election happened during tough federal government, or figuring out how to deal economic times. And when elections happen with wait times in hospital emergency rooms – during tough economic times, voters often vote that’s the provincial government. Municipal for a change. They are unhappy with the way politics handles local matters like city road things are going in their own lives, and are open repairs, maintenance of parks and recreation to the idea that someone new in office can make facilities, and snow removal. things better for them. Voters also often feel that But municipal politics has been in the media politicians don’t understand them and the spotlight ever since Rob Ford was elected mayor struggles that they face. Voters see politicians as of Toronto in the Fall of 2010. Ford was elected wealthy and out-of-touch with the common man on a platform that promised he’d “cut the fat” or woman. Rob Ford was able to tap into these from municipal politics. During his campaign he sentiments and present himself as a common argued that municipal politicians in the city of man who understood the struggles of the average Toronto had been wasting taxpayers’ money. He voter.

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JANUARY 2013 — ROB FORD: TORONTO’S CONTROVERSIAL MAYOR

In economic down times people are “angry. So they throw the bums out. But: be careful what you wish for.„ – Neil Thomlinson, political scientist, Ryerson University

Ford won the election easily, despite the fact that he had a sketchy record during his time as a city councilor. He was known for his insensitive comments against homeless people, against some immigrant groups, against homosexuals, and against cyclists: “Roads are built for buses, cars, and trucks. Not for people on bikes. And, you know, my heart bleeds for them when I hear “ This is a huge victory. Like I said, 60 someone gets killed, but it’s their own fault at million taxpayers are going to save . . . „ the end of the day” (Rob Ford, March 3, 2007, – Rob Ford, after introducing his motion in Globe & Mail, August 10, 2010). city council to have garbage collection contracted out to private companies Once in office, Ford began to implement the (Steven D’Souza, CBC News) cost-cutting measures that he had promised during his campaign. He cancelled a transit plan from the show in place for the city that would have seen a light showed up at his house to film a sketch. And he rail train system built across the city. (Toronto is phoned the police when a reporter one of the most congested cities in North – trying to do research for a story – walked onto America.) Instead, he introduced a plan that a parcel of land, adjacent to Mr. Ford’s home, would see a more expensive underground that the mayor was trying to purchase. He subway line built. He also pushed through a plan refused to attend the high-profile Gay Pride to remove garbage collection from the parade , and he was charged with an ethics jurisdiction of the city, and contract it out to violation after using money he solicited on city private firms. In essence, taking away the jobs letterhead to pay for equipment for the football from city workers. But he claimed it would save team he coached. the city money. At the end of 2012 Ford was found guilty for But it wasn’t just his actions within the council breaking conflict of interest rules and was chambers that generated attention: it was his ordered to be removed from office. Another actions outside city council. He was caught judge ruled he could stay in office pending an using a cell phone while driving and allegedly appeal. In early 2013 Ford will hear if his appeal gave another driver the finger when she tried to was successful. But no matter the outcome, get him to hang up. On another occasion he was municipal politics will never be the same again. spotted reading while driving. He also came to attention after he phoned 911 when a comedian

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JANUARY 2013 — ROB FORD: TORONTO’S CONTROVERSIAL MAYOR

To Consider

1. The media outside our country rarely cover any political stories about Canada. News stories about Rob Ford have run in Britain, Australia, Sweden, Germany, and – among other places – in the United States. How do you feel about this media coverage? Is it good that these other countries are finally talking about Canada, or not?

2. What is the appeal of an underdog (someone who is seen as unlikely to win a competition)? Do you like people who are underdogs? Do you feel that Rob Ford is an underdog?

3. What qualities would you respect in a person running for mayor?

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JANUARY 2013 — ROB FORD: TORONTO’S CONTROVERSIAL MAYOR

Video Review

Pre‐viewing Activities

Select a partner to work with, or form a small group. Discuss each of the questions below and then record your responses.

1. a) What qualities (personality traits) are usually associated with Canadians? List 5 or 6.

b) After you have listed the traits, decide which of these qualities is true (correct in most cases) or false (a misunderstanding or stereotype).

Write “T” or “F” beside each.

2. Review your list and decide what additional qualities you should add in order to have a complete picture of the typical Canadian. Add those qualities to your list.

Viewing Questions

Record your responses to the questions in the spaces provided.

1. Why were some people surprised when Rob Ford was elected ?

2. Why was he elected? What qualities did people see in him?

3 a) Record two offensive comments he had made leading up to the election.

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JANUARY 2013 — ROB FORD: TORONTO’S CONTROVERSIAL MAYOR

b) How did he defend these comments?

4. a) Record the programs he cut or changed early in his term in office to save money.

b) Did they save money?

5. Do you think it is inappropriate for an elected official to give someone the finger if they are angry? Why?

6. a) What happened between Mayor Ford and Toronto Star reporter John Lancaster?

b) Do you think Mayor Ford overreacted, or not?

7. Explain the conflict of interest charges that were brought against Ford.

8. Why do you think that Mayor Ford says the charges are a conspiracy against him?

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JANUARY 2013 — ROB FORD: TORONTO’S CONTROVERSIAL MAYOR

Post‐viewing Questions

1. Review the list of qualities you created for the typical Canadian in the pre-viewing activity. Reflect on what you learned about Rob Ford in this video story. Does he fit the mold of a typical Canadian? Explain your answer.

2. Do you think it is important that all politicians act and behave in a certain way? That is, is there a set of standards that politicians should strive to achieve? Why or why not?

3. In the video you learned that people living in England, and the United States are familiar with Rob Ford because of the media coverage he has attracted. Does it bother you that this is the image of Canadian politics that is being depicted to the international community? Explain.

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JANUARY 2013 — ROB FORD: TORONTO’S CONTROVERSIAL MAYOR

ACTIVITY: Looking for Continuity and Change

Copy the following organizer into your notebook and complete with a partner. You will need to do Additional Research additional research to find quotes from Rob Ford Good sources of information on Rob Ford include: that relate to each of the topics in the chart. You • CBC News, www.cbc.ca/news/ may need to watch the video again to complete the chart. • The Toronto Star, www.thestar.com

You can also consider doing this exercise about • The , www.nationalpost.com your own local mayor. Modify the first column in • Maclean’s magazine, www2.macleans.ca the chart to reflect key local issues.

When you have finished recording and discussing the information, complete the Analysis questions that follow.

Before the Election After the Election Rob Ford’s behaviour inside city council chambers

Rob Ford’s attitude toward homosexuality

Rob Ford’s attitude toward cyclists

Rob Ford’s opinion on public transit

Rob Ford’s attitude toward the homeless and homeless shelters

Rob Ford’s opinion on immigrants

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JANUARY 2013 — ROB FORD: TORONTO’S CONTROVERSIAL MAYOR

Analysis

1. Review the information in your chart. Would you say there has been more continuity or more change in Rob Ford’s (or your mayor’s) opinions/attitudes across the columns? Or an equal amount of both?

2. Do you think voters like it when politicians remain consistent in their attitudes and opinions, or are voters accepting of change?

3. One thing we know about voter behaviour is that voters opt for a change when they cast their ballots during an economic downturn. What other lessons can be learned from the most recent local election in your area?

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