Ontario Premier Doug Ford deflected an array of questions on Wednesday about his “friend” John Tory’s sex scandal and about fundraising for his daughter’s bridal shower.
“You gotta be kidding,” Ford said to one reporter. “You know something? You’ve known us for years,” he said.
“No one can influence the Fords. No one,” said Ford, in a heated Q&A session after a government investment announcement at Magna International in Brampton/
“Let’s try to stick on Magna, but let’s see how this one goes,” the premier said.
Ford was asked about how much money his family raised at a Stag and Doe event last summer for his daughter’s wedding.
Stag and doe’s are considered pre-wedding gifts made to bridal parties. They often come in monetary forms.
Ford on Wednesday said the tickets cost $150.
However, the event made headlines throughout the province after guests including developers were reportedly asked to provide cash gifts.
“It was my daughter’s stag, they went out, we opened the doors,” Ford said.
“The vast majority of people just walked through the backyard, it was a regular stag.”
An integrity commissioner looked in January at whether the premier had breached the Member Integrity Act, but the premier says he was given the all clear.
“This is the first time in Canadian history you go after any premier’s family — I guess when it comes to us, there are no rules,” Ford said.
Ford’s decisive response to a question by the Canadian Press about his daughter’s event caused a ripple effect of reporters wanting to know more.
“I know the rules. I’ve been in politics for years— my daughter has her personal life. I don’t get involved in that,” a stern Ford said.
When asked to comment on Toronto Mayor John Tory’s sex scandal, the premier said the mayor should not resign.
Toronto mayor John Tory, left, speaks alongside Ontario premier Doug Ford during a joint press conference inside Queen’s Park Photo credit: Canadian Press/ Cole Burston
“I am not going to comment on the private issues with his family” said Ford.
But he made it clear who he would not like to see replace Tory.
“If a lefty mayor gets in there, God helps the people of Toronto— we saw it happened before when Rob was in there, taxes going through the roof, out of control spending— we have a different philosophy.” Ford said, referring to his late brother Rob Ford who served as mayor before John Tory.
Tory announced that he will be stepping down as mayor because of an affair he had with his former staff member during the COVID19 pandemic.
Ford suggested Tory should stay in the job.
“That’s going to be up to the mayor— I can tell you mayor Tory has been a phenomenal partner, he’s been a really good mayor for the City of Toronto.”
“In my opinion, it’s not time to change, everything is going ‘tickedy boo’—what happens to their family life is strictly up to the mayor and their family,” he continued.
Ford spoke of his “friend” John Tory’s resignation and he defended and applauded the Toronto mayor’s “great work.”