Mystery of Toronto mayor’s whereabouts deepens

TORONTO — The mystery of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s whereabouts deepened Tuesday, following reports that he did not enter the United States as expected but instead returned to Canada after landing at a Chicago airport.

Ford’s lawyer said last week that the mayor had left Toronto for rehab after a video surfaced that appeared to show him smoking a crack pipe late last month — nearly a year after reports of an initial video that appeared show him smoking the drug. The lawyer, Dennis Morris, said Ford’s plane was headed for Chicago.

But Roy Norton, the Consul General of Canada in Chicago, told The Globe and Mail that Ford voluntarily withdrew his application to enter the U.S. when he landed and was “not denied entry, per se.” Norton didn’t return messages left by The Associated Press, and Canada’s foreign affairs department deferred comment to U.S. officials.

Kris Grogan, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said in an email that the federal Privacy Act prevents officials from commenting on “an individual’s processing,” but he noted that anyone hoping to enter the U.S. must “overcome ALL grounds of inadmissibility.” He said there are more than 60 grounds for inadmissibility, including criminality, security reasons and documentation requirements.

Once a foreign visitor is formally denied entry, they have to receive special permission from the government to try to come back. If Ford decided on his own not to ask immigration authorities to let him in, future visits could be as simple as presenting his passport at the border.

Celebrity British chef Nigella Lawson, who acknowledged last year that she had occasionally used cocaine, was denied permission to board a flight to the United States earlier this year.

The last time Ford visited the United States was in early March, when he appeared on the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” television show in Los Angeles.

Morris and Doug Ford, Rob’s brother, declined to discuss the Globe’s report, but insisted Tuesday that the mayor is in rehab.

“The most important thing, everyone who is concerned if he’s in rehab, the answer is yes,” Doug Ford told the AP. “As for his whereabouts that’s personal and that should stay with Rob.”

Doug Ford said he has spoken with his brother since he entered the program and that he is doing well.

“He’s feeling great actually. He’s feeling good. He’s bought into the program and he’s getting the support he needs,” Doug Ford said.

Shelley Carroll, a Toronto city councilor, said Ford’s location should be made public. “I’m not buying that it can’t be divulged,” Carroll said.

Councilor Giorgio Mammoliti said the mayor should provide a doctor’s note.

Even as Ford began his treatment at an undisclosed location, another report of the mayor behaving inappropriately while intoxicated emerged last week. A report written by City Hall officials said Ford turned up intoxicated at the front security office at City Hall on St. Patrick’s Day and threatened a guard who had reported the mayor for similar behavior two years ago.

The scandal over Ford’s crack use broke last May when news reports emerged of the first video. After police said they had obtained that video, Ford admitted that he smoked crack while in a “drunken stupor.”

Although Ford has not abandoned his bid to seek a second term in October’s elections, the revelation of a second crack video raised even more doubts about his chances of prevailing. His decision to seek treatment comes months after he announced he was finished with alcohol — only to be followed by a steady flow of reports of intoxicated behavior.

Toronto’s City Council stripped Ford of most of his powers last year, and Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly is running the city.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.