Rob Ford was heckled at a Canada Day parade in the East York area of Toronto Tuesday as he marched with a group of supporters holding “Ford for Mayor” signs.
Canada.com’s Rob Granatstein, attending the annual event, captured a video of the encounter showing angry residents hurling insults at the mayor.
“You’re the gravy train, Rob!” a man can be heard yelling at the mayor.
“You’re gonna ruin our parade,” says another.
The East York Canada Day Parade is an annual event now in its 57th year, featuring a variety of community groups including Shriners driving go karts, boy scouts, and several East York sports teams and recreational groups.
“Ford had people clamouring to have their picture taken with him. But the boos and jeers were loud,” Granatstein said, adding that it “definitely soured the mood.”
Fellow mayoral candidate and rival Olivia Chow was also at the parade but barely drew any notice as she biked along the parade route. The mayor was the last down the parade route and a wide gap developed between him and the rest of the parade.
This was Ford’s first community event after returning to Toronto City Hall following a two-month stint in treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. On Monday a teary-eyed Ford said rehab had saved his life.
“I want to sincerely, sincerely apologize not just to the people of Toronto but every single person who was hurt by my words and my actions,” he said. “It was never, never my intention to embarrass the city or offend my fellow members of council.”
Shortly after that apology, however, Ford moved into his regular stump speech about saving taxpayer dollars and vowed to continue on with his re-election bid.
The Toronto mayoral election takes place Oct. 27.
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