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puckstopshere · ‎06-24-2013

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford joined Premier Kathleen Wynne to mark the official start of Toronto’s Pride week Monday.

For the first time since taking office, Mr. Ford helped to raise the rainbow flag at a lunchtime event at city hall and read the Pride week proclamation.

“Pride week is an opportunity to celebrate the harmony in which we co-exist and raise awareness about the barriers some individuals still face,” Mr. Ford said reading the proclamation.

Mr. Ford, who has declined previous invitations to the flag raising and annual Pride parade, would not talk to reporters or explain his change of heart. This year and last he did take part in a spring event hosted by Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG. Mr. Ford has said he does not take part in the annual parade because he has a tradition of spending the long weekend with family.

“Anybody who can come and support Pride is a good thing,” said Ms. Wynne, Ontario’s first openly gay premier, when asked about Mr. Ford.

Councillor Doug Ford, the mayor’s brother, played down the presence of his brother at the event, which was greeting mostly with applause by the crowd.

“If he can make it, he makes it, if he doesn’t, he doesn’t,” he said of his brother’s attendance at the event.

Asked if the mayor also will be a surprise guest at this weekend’s parade, he said: “Honestly, we are going up to the cottage.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/for-first-time-rob-ford-marks-start-of-pride-week-in-tor...

puckstopshere · ‎06-24-2013

That must be a really nice cottage.

You would think that Ford couple make an appearance in the parade and mend some fences.

Not our Rob. The cottage beckons.

prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil · ‎06-24-2013

Mr. Ford, who has declined previous invitations to the flag raising and annual Pride parade, would not talk to reporters or explain his change of heart.

I don't know why but for some reason the word "votes' suddenly came to mind.

sandram205 · ‎06-24-2013

Sorry, I have to say it.

Our Mayor Ford at a Pride event???

Wonder what he's been smoking?

ilurkthereforiam · ‎06-24-2013

Does it matter what his motives are?

Do you think that Pride supporters would even consider voting for Ford?

A weekend at any cottage is better than a weekend in the city.

If Pride were to move to another weekend next year and Ford came up with cottage excuse then imo it would be due to being homophobic.

prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil · ‎06-24-2013

Mr. Ford, who has declined previous invitations to the flag raising and annual Pride parade

I have no idea why they even invited him again. From him, it means ................................nothing!

sandram205 · ‎06-25-2013

"Do you think that Pride supporters would even consider voting for Ford?"

So what you are saying is that he wasn't elected mayor of ALL the people of Toronto. But rather, mayor for only the people that voted for him".

Would that it were true!!!

ilurkthereforiam · ‎06-25-2013

So what you are saying is that he wasn't elected mayor of ALL the people of Toronto. But rather, mayor for only the people that voted for him".

It's very common in politics for politicians to support those who support them.

If they want him to support them, they should support him.

I don'r understand why they would want Rob Ford there anyways.

s.brake · ‎06-25-2013

Rob Ford is the worst mayor I have seem in my 33 years in Toronto. He does not know how to manage through concensus.

Progress in the city has come to a standstill. All the paper headlines are about Ford and his behaviour. There is absolutely nothing about council and what is being acconplished for the city. Ford keeps on harping about subways that we cannot afford and refuses to consider other options. His battle with TTC is infamous.

In the next set of elections I will be voting for anyone but Ford.

sandram205 · ‎06-25-2013

The real reason Ford appeared, was he's been told he's in deep trouble next October and had better start to pander to even the people he hates. There is no other reason for the racist/homophobic fool to be there. They are now grasping at straws. He doesn't even have enough backbone to stand up for his previous actions. Bufoon.

I truly wonder how anyone could now vote for him. Even Ford nation has dwindled during his non-stop escapades.

BUT a politician when elected represents ALL of the people. Those who do not, should be tarred and feathered.

stevephinn2012 · ‎06-26-2013

The guy does the same thing EVERY year for Canada day. They go to the cottage with family! We (my wife and I) have been going away the exact same week every year for the past 30 years and even if I was to become pope, I would still be going away the EXACT same time for the next 30 years. I am not going to change my scheduled vacation for anything!

I do think the guys an idiot but he has a right to his vacation, just because he is mayor does not means he has to do everything he is asked to do, whenever he is asked to do it.

and people wonder why so many don't get more involved in politics !!