Re-electing Rob Ford could be the shot in the arm Toronto needs
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Version 0 of 1. Given the cruel winters they face, Canadians can be forgiven for abstaining from heavy topics like politics during the summer months. But as this summer concludes and Torontonians return from their cottage getaways, a horrifying reality is sinking in: even after an epic litany of embarrassing incidents caught on tape, having most of his mayoral powers stripped by city council and a stint in rehab, mayor Rob Ford actually stands a possible chance of being re-elected on 27 October. This is, of course, according to polls, and as many are quick to point out, during the recent provincial elections in Canada – in the provinces of BC, Alberta and Ontario – the pollsters had it all wrong. But even much of the anecdotal evidence suggests support for Ford is buoyant. Perhaps most noteworthy is the number of people who want to have a selfie taken with the mayor. These photos are taken and immediately posted to social media. Indeed, when Ford ventures to public events, there are often queues to get a selfie with him. This may not be good news for Ford; the selfie urge might have less to do with respect for Ford the politician and more to do with the fact that he is akin to a tabloid reality TV star. Consider that Ford has now inspired a New Yorker cartoon, the opening sketch of Saturday Night Live and a Jeopardy question. An official picnic in late July was the scene of another scandal, this one again indicating that Ford has issues with Toronto’s massive gay community. At the large annual event – where organisers promise that everyone is welcome – several gay activists who arrived to protest were surrounded. An inevitable shouting match ensued, but one photo actually captured a Ford enthusiast with a hand on the throat of a gay activist. The Ford camp issued an apology for his supporters’ behaviour the following day. As the campaign goes on with no clear front runner, the battle lines are clear. Ford has staunch support in the suburbs, but is widely disdained in the city centre. This schism was arguably avoidable, but has happened due to the city’s 1998 amalgamation. It’s led to an ungovernable city where downtowners and suburbanites feel alienated from each other and accuse each other of elitism. Ironically, it is precisely this alienation that has provided Ford with his winning formula. During his post-rehab press conference (at which he took no questions) last month, Ford stated that: “A lot of people wish that I would fail. That wish will not come true.” For every barb thrown at him by a columnist, for every editorial that insists he should step down, Ford has managed to successfully assume the posture of victim. To chants of “Ford more years,” his followers rally behind him, digging in their heels. A common refrain is that Ford is the target of a liberal media witch hunt. Simply put, those Torontonians who read books are put off by the mayor who clearly doesn’t read books, but his followers – who don’t read books either – are put off by people who might discriminate against non-readers. You might call it the triumph of the willfully ignorant. Ford’s gravity-defying political career evokes Gramsci’s conundrum about the popularity of Mussolini among Italy’s working class and poor. Why would people passionately support a man who has worked directly against their interests? If Ford does indeed manage to get reelected, Torontonians who despise him will have to try to look on the bright side. It was Ronald Reagan’s handlers who proved that any publicity is good publicity. If he does get a second term, Ford should be urged to grant as many photo ops as possible. This could prove a boon for Toronto as a tourist destination. Indeed, a local company has produced a Ford postcard – “CRACKIN’ UP IN TORONTO!” – that has become a bestseller, and a theatre company will premiere Rob Ford: The Musical this fall. For all of his populism, his use of the language of addiction rehabilitation to sidestep criticism and his wildly divisive politics, Ford could provide Toronto with the economic shot in the arm it needs. |