Doug Ford Jr.

Douglas Bruce Ford Jr. (born November 20, 1964) is a Canadian businessman and politician in Toronto, Ontario. Ford was Toronto City Councillor for Ward 2 Etobicoke North in Toronto from 2010 to 2014 at the same time that his brother, Rob Ford (1969–2016), was mayor of Toronto. Their father, Doug Ford Sr., was a Member of Provincial Parliament from 1995 to 1999 and founded Deco Labels and Tags, a printing business operating in Canada and the United States. The business is now owned by Doug Ford Jr., who has served as company president since 2002, and his brother, Randy.^[4]

Early life

Ford was born in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, one of four children of Ruth Diane (Campbell) and Doug Ford Sr.^[5]

An investigative report by The Globe and Mail published in May 2013 alleged that Ford sold hashish at James Gardens for several years in the 1980s. A quarter pound allegedly cost between $400 and $425. Ford denied the allegations^[6][7] and said he planned to sue the newspaper for libel, but failed to do so.^[8]

Business career

Ford is one of the owners of the Deco Labels and Tags business which was co-founded by his father.^[9] The company makes pressure-sensitive labels for plastic-wrapped grocery products at an estimated $100 million in annual sales.^[10] Ford, his mother and brother are directors of the company, which is managed by his brother Randy.^[10][11]

Starting in the 1990s, Ford became involved in the running of Deco Labels. In 2002, Ford became president of the company and was personally responsible for the company's expansion into Chicago. Nearing his death, his father divided up the company leaving 40% to Doug Jr, 40% to Randy and 20% to Rob. In 2008, Doug Jr launched the purchase of Wise Tag and Label in New Jersey. Since that time, the company has struggled. After the recession of 2008, in 2009–2010, the company lost $1.1 million, but the Chicago division rebounded while the Toronto division's business has declined. Ford fired the manager of Wise Tag, leading to a 2014 lawsuit which is still pending. The Toronto division has also struggled to deliver orders on time.^[4]

Political career

On October 25, 2010, Ford was elected to Toronto City Council in Ward 2, succeeding his brother, Rob Ford, as councillor for the ward. Rob had entered the mayoral election and was elected mayor of Toronto in the same election. Upon election, Ford announced that he would donate his $100,000 annual salary to community organizations.^[12]

While on city council, Ford served on the board of Build Toronto,^[13] an arms-length city body responsible for developing and selling city land. He was also a director of the Canadian National Exhibition, and serves on the Budget Committee, the Civic Appointments Committee and the Government Management Committee at Council.^[14]

Ford was a member of the board of Toronto Transit Infrastructure Limited, a corporation set up to finance a Sheppard Avenue subway extension, which was later cancelled by council. In 2011, Ford promoted an alternative plan for the Port Lands district of Toronto, including a monorail, a boat-in hotel, the world's largest Ferris wheel and a mega-mall.^[15] Ford's plan was turned down by Council, but Ford's attention led to an agreement to speed up development of the Port Lands.

In June 2013, Ford announced that he would not run for re-election as councillor in the next Toronto election, scheduled for 2014: "I won’t be running next time, at least down here I won’t be running, I’ll be running away from this place in 16 months", expressing his frustration with municipal politics.^[16] Ford has been speculated as a possible Progressive Conservative (PC) candidate for a future Ontario election, or being interested in the leadership of the Progressive Conservatives.^[17] However, on February 20, 2014, after meeting with Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak, Ford announced that he would not be a candidate in the next provincial election, which was called for June 12, 2014, so that he could focus on his brother's re-election campaign. Ford added that he did intend to be a candidate in a subsequent provincial election: "I’ll tell you, I will eventually, one day, run provincially.... The timing right now just doesn’t work."^[18]

Ford caused some controversy after revealing information that his brother would be served a subpoena if his brother's friend and driver Alexander Lisi went to court over charges of extortion.^[19] Ford commented that the subpoena was in "payback" of Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair not getting a contract renewal with the Toronto Police Service, saying that "This is why we need a change at the top," in regards to Blair's contract.^[20] Blair filed a defamation lawsuit, demanding a written apology in exchange for dropping the suit. Ford apologized verbally and then later apologized and retracted the comments in writing.^[21]

In December 2016, the City of Toronto's integrity commissioner concluded that Ford broke the city's code of conduct when he was a councillor. Ford improperly used his influence in municipal matters pertaining to companies that were clients of his family's company. Since Ford is no longer a councillor, the commissioner did not recommend any sanctions for Ford.^[22]

2014 mayoral campaign

After his brother Rob entered drug rehab in May 2014, Doug commented that he would not rule out running for mayor.^[23] Rob Ford returned from rehab and continued his campaign for mayor, but withdrew after he was diagnosed with an abdominal tumor and hospitalized. Doug then entered the mayoral campaign in the last hour before the nomination deadline on September 12, 2014.^[24] Doug Ford maintained the support that Rob had in the polls, and made no significant ground against frontrunner John Tory, but maintained his lead over Olivia Chow. Ford lost the election to Tory, having 34% of the support compared to Tory's 40%. Ford's campaign was fined $11,950 for placing 478 illegal lawn signs during the campaign, including placing signs on the Don Valley Parkway, the Gardiner Expressway, and on civic buildings and parks.^[25]

Provincial and federal leaderships

Following his unsuccessful mayoral candidacy there was speculation that Ford would become a candidate for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario with Ford telling reporters "I’ll be upfront with you. It’s on the table, I would really consider it. I really would" adding "Our campaign is ready to go. Our people are itching to get involved. We are miles ahead of the other candidates."^[26] On November 27, 2014, Ford announced that he would not be a candidate for the position and endorsed the candidacy of family friend Christine Elliott.^[27]

Personal life

Ford and his wife Karla (née Middlebrook) have four daughters: Krista,^[28] Kayla, Kara and Kyla. Doug has stated that Karla's maternal grandparents were Jewish and immigrated to Canada from Europe to flee persecution, though records indicate the family was Russian Orthodox Christian.^[29][30]

Ford became an "ethical vegetarian" after working in a meatpacking plant as a teenager^[31] and while this is no longer the case, he still doesn't eat red meat.^[32]

In 2016, Ford announced the release of a book written by himself and his brother, Rob, titled "Ford Nation: Two Brothers, One Vision — The True Story of the People's Mayor"'. The book was released on November 22 and Ford held a small book tour across the Toronto area.^[33]

Electoral record

References

Further reading

• McDonald, Marci (2012). "The Incredible Shrinking Mayor". Toronto Life (May 2012): 40–54. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Doug Ford, Jr..

Official website

• Doug Ford for Mayor - 2014 Toronto Mayoral Collection - Web archive created by the University of Toronto Libraries