News in Review January 2013 Teacher Resource Guide ROB FORD: Toronto s Controversial Mayor SETTING THE STAGE If you ask Canadians what they think about municipal politics, most would say it is boring or that they don t know much about it. After all, municipal or local politics is the area of government that most people think is the least interesting. Municipal politicians aren t involved in sending Canadian troops to war that s the federal government, or figuring out how to deal with wait times in hospital emergency rooms that s the provincial government. Municipal politics handles local matters like city road repairs, maintenance of parks and recreation facilities, and snow removal. But municipal politics has been in the media spotlight ever since Rob Ford was elected mayor of Toronto in the Fall of 2010. Ford was elected on a platform that promised he d cut the fat from municipal politics. During his campaign he argued that municipal politicians in the city of Toronto had been wasting taxpayers money. He Vocabulary Platform A political platform outlines a political candidate s (or party s) position on key issues. vowed to change all that. The 2010 election happened during tough economic times. And when elections happen during tough economic times, voters often vote for a change. They are unhappy with the way things are going in their own lives, and are open to the idea that someone new in office can make things better for them. Voters also often feel that politicians don t understand them and the struggles that they face. Voters see politicians as wealthy and out-of-touch with the common man or woman. Rob Ford was able to tap into these sentiments and present himself as a common man who understood the struggles of the average voter. 12
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 someone gets killed, but it s their own fault at the end of the day (Rob Ford, March 3, 2007, Globe & Mail, August 10, 2010). Once in office, Ford began to implement the cost-cutting measures that he had promised during his campaign. He cancelled a transit plan in place for the city that would have seen a light rail train system built across the city. (Toronto is one of the most congested cities in North America.) Instead, he introduced a plan that would see a more expensive underground subway line built. He also pushed through a plan to remove garbage collection from the jurisdiction of the city, and contract it out to private firms. In essence, taking away the jobs from city workers. But he claimed it would save the city money. But it wasn t just his actions within the council chambers that generated attention: it was his actions outside city council. He was caught using a cell phone while driving and allegedly gave another driver the finger when she tried to get him to hang up. On another occasion he was spotted reading while driving. He also came to attention after he phoned 911 when a comedian This is a huge victory. Like I said, 60 million taxpayers are going to save... Rob Ford, after introducing his motion in city council to have garbage collection contracted out to private companies (Steven D Souza, CBC News) from the show This Hour Has 22 Minutes showed up at his house to film a sketch. And he phoned the police when a Toronto Star reporter trying to do research for a story walked onto a parcel of land, adjacent to Mr. Ford s home, that the mayor was trying to purchase. He refused to attend the high-profile Gay Pride parade, and he was charged with an ethics violation after using money he solicited on city letterhead to pay for equipment for the football team he coached. At the end of 2012 Ford was found guilty for breaking conflict of interest rules and was ordered to be removed from office. Another judge ruled he could stay in office pending an appeal. In early 2013 Ford will hear if his appeal was successful. But no matter the outcome, municipal politics will never be the same again. News in Review CBC Learning newsinreview.cbclearning.ca 13
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? News in Review CBC Learning newsinreview.cbclearning.ca 14
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 mayor of Toronto? 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. News in Review CBC Learning newsinreview.cbclearning.ca 15
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? News in Review CBC Learning newsinreview.cbclearning.ca 16
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. News in Review CBC Learning newsinreview.cbclearning.ca 17
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 to find quotes from Rob Ford that relate to each of the topics in the chart. You may need to watch the video again to complete the chart. You can also consider doing this exercise about your own local mayor. Modify the first column in the chart to reflect key local issues. Additional Research Good sources of information on Rob Ford include: CBC News, www.cbc.ca/news/ The Toronto Star, www.thestar.com The National Post, www.nationalpost.com Maclean s magazine, www2.macleans.ca When you have finished recording and discussing the information, complete the Analysis questions that follow. Rob Ford s behaviour inside city council chambers Before the Election After the Election 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 News in Review CBC Learning newsinreview.cbclearning.ca 18
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? News in Review CBC Learning newsinreview.cbclearning.ca 19