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[–] Wren@lemmy.today 107 points 1 day ago (8 children)

For Americans who may not know, when Trump said:

"...primarily Governor Carney, and his Flunky, Ford..."

He was referring to Prime Minister Carney, not a governor, and the Ontario Provincial Premier Doug Ford. They aren't even in the same party. Doug Ford is kind of a Canadian Trump Lite who keeps winning elections despite only getting 30-40% of the vote. He's just very loud and I wish journalists would stop quoting him.

[–] NotSteve_@lemmy.ca 83 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Ford is an absolute piece of shit, yeah. He's a conservative who has absolutely gutted our healthcare, education, social services and countless other things. He's also currently in a war against bikes and has been getting bike lanes ripped out all over the province.

I hate him with a passion but he has at least been very offensive in asserting our sovereignty which is nice even if it's completely shallow and done purely for his own self interests. Marlaine on the other hand though...

[–] Wren@lemmy.today 25 points 1 day ago (3 children)

I know he's a conservative piece of shit but I will never get the bike thing. Usually his issues are all about capitalism and private ownership and bullshit like that.

[–] Arcanepotato@crazypeople.online 21 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I don't think it's possible to convey how much Ford hates Toronto. He's so mad that the WASPs never accepted him even after he acquired wealth.

The bike thing goes back to his brother's time as mayor and his time on City Council. A mayor can't ban bike lanes (especially without council support) but the provincial government sure can. They did cancel transit projects tho!

Bikes became a symbol of leftists.

It wouldn’t be vintage Don Cherry if it didn’t cause a buzz. “I’m wearing pinko for for all the pinkos out there that ride bicycles and everything,” Mr. Cherry said in a speech he delivered at Rob Ford’s inauguration on Tuesday, donning a bright pink suit. His shots at the left did not go unnoticed, and may add new life to a word that has perhaps lost some of its bite in recent years.

Simpler times 😅

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 1 points 23 hours ago* (last edited 23 hours ago) (1 children)

He’s so mad that the WASPs never accepted him even after he acquired wealth.

He was a hash dealer who inherited his father's printing company, which was built up on conflicted printing contracts with the City of Toronto, where Dofo Sr was on city council. That led to conflict of interest guidelines. Doug Jr was elected to his father's seat because the lawn signs only had the name "Doug Ford" and the dimwits in Etobicoke thought they were electing his father. It's not clear what Deco even was...as they opened a series of US branch offices that famously did no printing., but coincidentally were on the drug road from Florida to Toronto. Renata Ford's lawsuit against Doug indicated DECO was close to broke. There is a third Ford brother in the attic no one talks about... Randy.

[–] Arcanepotato@crazypeople.online 4 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 21 hours ago) (1 children)

Comrade, I don't understand your comments. Are you saying these things to disagree with my reply here?

And where are you getting your information? I mentioned in another reply that I lived through the Ford years in Toronto. I don't know anything about you so maybe you did too, but your facts are wrong.

He was a hash dealer who inherited his father's printing company,

Yes, true.

which was built up on conflicted printing contracts with the City of Toronto,

I can't say I know first hand about the business before Rob and Doug were on City Council (it's a private company) but I wasn't aware of any accusations until 2011, after Doug Ford Senior's death.

where Dofo Sr was on city council.

Doug Ford Senor was never on City Council???

That led to conflict of interest guidelines.

You are thinking about Rob and Doug.

Doug Jr was elected to his father's seat because the lawn signs only had the name "Doug Ford" and the dimwits in Etobicoke thought they were electing his father.

Doug Ford Senior died in 2006. Doug Ford Junior didn't run until 2010. No denying that this part of Etobicoke loves the Fords and that name recognition isn't a huge part of their suggests.

Maybe this is helpful: Douglas Bruce Ford Sr. (b. 1933) had several sons including Douglas Robert Ford Jr. (b. 1964). His other son, Rob Ford has a son also named Doug Ford, but he is currently 18 so he has not run for office (yet?). You may be thinking of Micheal Ford, who is Kathy Ford's son. She is the daughter of Douglas Bruce Ford Sr. Micheal Ford was a school trustee and then a city council member, and was elected an MP in 2022 but he's on a leave of absence and will not run again.

It's not clear what Deco even was...as they opened a series of US branch offices that famously did no printing., but coincidentally were on the drug road from Florida to Toronto.

Is. The company is still in business. And what makes you say that? Its a private company so I'm not going to claim to know anything about their operations but they are incredibly well known in Etobicoke. Their manufacturing plant has signage along the highway and they were a common sponsor for local events and sports teams. I say were because I moved away about 5 years ago so idk if they still do that as much.

It's well known that Doug Holyday (who used the company) was an influence on Doug. I remember sitting in the now demolished Dundas Street Grill while Holyday was making the rounds during his 2013 campaign for MP just praying he wouldn't come talk to us. (He didn't lol).

Renata Ford's lawsuit against Doug indicated DECO was close to broke.

I don't know that you read the lawsuit correctly. The claim was that Doug and Randy improperly used a portion of their fathers estate that was intended to be held in trust to support their mother Dianne to sustain the businesses. When Dianne died, the remainder was to be split between the three sons (or their estates). Because the money was spent, when Diane died in 2020 there wasn't much coming to Rob's estate (Renata and her children). Them being incompetent is kind of secondary to the misuse of the funds.

There is a third Ford brother in the attic no one talks about... Randy.

Not sure why Randy (or Kathy if we are naming problematic Ford's) have to do with current events? I can assure you, people talked about Randy quite a bit when Rob was mayor.

Congrats on triggering my inability to let obviously incorrect info just sit there, I guess.

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 2 points 20 hours ago (2 children)

Doug Ford Senior was MPP for Etobicoke Humber, 95-99. Voters in 2010 thought they were voting him into city council because of weak signage rules that were subsequently changed after this election, specifically because of this ruse.

DECO was started by Doug Ford Sr and Ted Herriott. When Doug Ford was a Toronto city councillor, an integrity commissioner report censured him for "mixing business and politics," noting he used his influence to try to connect printing and business associates with municipal officials, this is carried over from His father's deals that built DECO. During COVID lockdown, millions of floor spacing decals were sold to Ontario institutions, with the strange lack of any indication who printed them. Of course, DECO worked with 3M Canada, the company who got the exclusive contract to print new license plates for Ontario in 2018, which could not be seen in the dark.

Right after the Renata Ford lawsuit, DECO shut down all US branches, sold off Chicago to a company employed a VP who then went on to be involved in the Toronto lakefront "spa" deal, which of course, is secret to Ontario taxpayers.

Adrian Ion—who previously worked as a finance director for Ares Management—later became the Chief Financial Officer (and executive) for Therme Group, the private company contracted to build the controversial mega-spa and waterpark at Ontario Place.

The claim that DECO was a front for marijuana smuggling was in a 2014 Globe and Mail article. Note the sale of US branches of DECO started in 2018, with the legalization of cannabis in Canada.

Fords were always corrupt with 23 division police, namely Inspector Ron Taverner.

The Globe also tried to contact retired police officers who investigated drugs in the area at the time. One said he had no recollection of encountering the Fords. Another, whose name appeared on court documents in relation to allegations of assault and forcible confinement committed by Randy Ford, said he could not recall the incident. Several did not respond.

Ford tried to appoint Ron Taverner head of OPP -he was strongly rejected because of Taverner's known history with corruption.

[Doug Ford] frequently mentions the many sports teams that the Ford family business, Deco Labels and Tags, has sponsored over the years. Funny how you did the exact same thing. hmm.

Randy's role at DECO with marijuana smuggling was covered in a second Globe and Mail article.. They also covered how DECO was almost broke under Doug and yet made a miraculous recovery after 2018.

The Fords’ foray into New Jersey has been a drain on the company, former Deco employees with knowledge of the acquisition told The Globe and Mail. Wise Tag has not been turned around and Mr. Ford turned to his family for a cash infusion to keep it afloat, according to one source. Also, the son of Wise Tag’s former owner is suing Councillor Ford for $179,654.27 related to alleged unpaid loans, credit-card debt and compensation.

confirmed by a police official with direct knowledge of the incident, a former Deco employee and a source close to the Fords – about two decades ago, police officers spotted Randy walking out of Deco holding a garbage bag in one hand and a weigh scale in the other. They suspected the bag was filled with marijuana. When Randy Ford spotted the officers, he ran into the office. The officers chased after him and wrestled him to the ground. But when they turned to collect the evidence, the bag was gone. Police believe someone disposed of it during the commotion.

This is exactly why old Toronto families want nothing to do with the Fords.

[–] Arcanepotato@crazypeople.online 1 points 15 hours ago

Wow I hate myself so much but maybe someone reading this foolishness of mine can see how easily accessible municipal information is and that will help them in the future.

Doug Ford Senior was MPP for Etobicoke Humber, 95-99. Voters in 2010 thought they were voting him into city council because of weak signage rules that were subsequently changed after this election, specifically because of this ruse.

  • The 2011 amendment to Chapter 629 was about advertising on the TTC (public transit).
  • The 2017 amendment to Chapter 629 had a few changes but nothing related to names. It added the concept of election signs that were "erected and displayed without the authorization, direction or involvement of a candidate". I didn't compare the 2011 and 2017 versions to get the specifics about changes to sections about where signs could be posted so I don't know if there were material changes or they were just updating the language to include the new definitions. The timing for when signs could be displayed changed. Here is an article about the changes

The only rule about names in the current bylaw is that the name must be clearly visible and readable. Using just "FORD" is permissible.

I do remember the Fords getting in to trouble about their signs (and I may have called bylaw a few times myself...) but in 2014 it was mostly about where they were placed in.

In 2010 specifically Rob Ford was found to have broken spending rules related to his signs. , including loans from DECO. Maybe Doug did shit too but I can't find anything.

Anyways, I wonder if you are thinking about Rob's first successful run in 2000? His dad was still alive at the time unlike in 2010. Doug Sr wasn't able to run in the 1999 election because the ridings got consolidated and someone else got the party nomination. Doug Sr was MP until June 1999 and the municipal election where Rob was elected Councilor was October 2000 so I could better understand if there were accusations about fooling voters at that time. Rob lost a 1997 election so it wasn't exactly like he came out of no where, but still.

Or maybe the musical chairs of the 2014 election?

  • Rob registered to run as mayor, ended up running as councilor in Ward 2 as a result of his cancer diagnosis.
  • Michael Ford was running for councilor but switched to school board trustee so he wasn't running against Rob
  • I don't think Doug Jr was registered until he registered to run for mayor in his brothers place. He was the incumbent in Ward 2, but I guess the idea was for Michael to take over.

That makes more sense with the focus on signage. Jonathan Kay touched on that in an article. Lol yes, that Jonathan Kay.

Rob’s “Ford”-branded banners, T-shirts, bumper stickers and podium signs — those were all easily co-opted by Doug. And last week, more than 10,000 people showed up at “Ford Fest” — they didn’t have to change that name either — where they pledged their generic support for “Ford Nation” in the October 27 vote. No fewer than three Fords are up for election — Doug for Mayor, Rob for City Councillor and “Mikey” for school trustee.

[Doug Ford] frequently mentions the many sports teams that the Ford family business, Deco Labels and Tags, has sponsored over the years. Funny how you did the exact same thing. hmm.

Yeah, because I lived there and saw the logo everywhere? I don't understand what you are implying? You make it sound like I am defending him for some reason which is really odd to me? I brought it up because you said that "It’s not clear what Deco even was" and I guess sure having a factory and being involved in the community doesn't have anything to do with what the business was but it certainly wasn't trying to fly under the radar.

I didn't say these people were upstanding citizens. I just think some of the info you posted is factually incorrect, and replied with corrections. If you think my facts are wrong I'm happy to hash that out but otherwise I don't know what you are looking for from me. I gotta stop wasting my time on unsourced statements.

[–] Arcanepotato@crazypeople.online 1 points 19 hours ago

This is exactly why old Toronto families want nothing to do with the Fords.

So we agree?

[–] SGforce@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago

It's him sucking up to Chrysler

[–] NotSteve_@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 day ago

Arcanepotato's response nails most of it I think but my understanding is also that his commute (when he actually goes into the office) is primarily down a traffic-heavy street that happens to have a bike lane and he's bitter seeing cyclists fly past him while he's stuck in gridlock; so in spite of them, he's dedicated himself to ripping that lane out along with all the others in this province

[–] Akasazh@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Wasn't he caught smoking crack once?

[–] NotSteve_@lemmy.ca 9 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

No, common misconception but that was his brother, Rob Ford. Ontarians really watched Rob make Toronto municipal politics global news by being a crack addicted mess and thought we'd give his brother control of the whole province for a decade

edit: although Doug Ford was a big hash dealer earlier in his life

[–] Akasazh@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oh lol, great family.

Thanks for enlightening me!

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 6 points 23 hours ago

The whole Ford family is Trailer Park boys.

Doug's sister was a heroin junkie who got shot in the face by her dealer, then her boyfriend murdered the dealer.

We were warned...

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/globe-investigation-the-ford-familys-history-with-drug-dealing/article12153014/

[–] YurkshireLad@lemmy.ca 31 points 1 day ago (1 children)

He called him governor to continue the threat of making Canada an American state. And boy is America in a state.

[–] Wren@lemmy.today 27 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Jesus Christ. This is the most highschool trade war I've ever witnessed.

[–] cranakis@reddthat.com 15 points 1 day ago

Imagine the cost of living being tied to a schoolyard fight. Add it to Trump's list of treasons.

[–] i_stole_ur_taco@lemmy.ca 18 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Ford has always been good at snappy one liners in the press. Trump Lite is right.

Carney can talk all he wants about balanced economic reciprocity, but you know Ford easily gets to the top of Trump’s media feed when he says shit like “then we’ll shut off the water and power!”

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 1 points 23 hours ago

then we’ll shut off the water and power!”

Ontario buys 1/3 the power it sells to the US. Doug has never seen a map, but half the great lakes are in the US.

All the power we sell is a whopping 0.4% of our trade with US.

[–] Wren@lemmy.today 12 points 1 day ago

I know this is true and I hate it.

[–] Arcanepotato@crazypeople.online 3 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I hate to put this out in the universe but Ford is coming for the liberal leadership spot. Ever since he sassed Pierre at the beginning of the tarrifs I was like, ooooh he's going to do it.

"Folks, you know me. I don't get hung up on labels. I just want to get the job done. "

Sorry.

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 1 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

Ford is coming for the liberal leadership spot

you mean Conservative.

Never going to happen. He needs to speak French and he can barely string a sentence in English.

[–] Arcanepotato@crazypeople.online 1 points 22 hours ago

No, I specifically do not mean conservative. That is why I mentioned the way he was talking about Pollivre.

It's not exactly a hot take either. He's dropped hints at federal office and he's been very clear he isn't into labels (no pun intended).

From a 2014 interview with Toronto Life:

We’re just average people. There’s nothing special at all about our family. We aren’t staunch, radical Conservatives. Rob was two steps left of Jack Layton. I used to tell him that all the time.

How do you think Justin Trudeau is faring so far? Absolutely terrible. How he even got elected is mindboggling. Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin: bright guys. Justin Trudeau? I’m shocked. It just goes to show you, pizzazz trumps experience. The deficit has increased by $25 billion already. In three years, it will probably be 70 billion, and they have no way of paying it down.

About his father, who was a conservative MP:

It’s what our dad preached—we used to call him the Dipper, because he was essentially an NDPer in Conservative Party clothing.

[–] mrgoosmoos@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago

maybe that would finally push people to consolidate the center & left votes?

[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Yes, in normal times Carney and Ford would barely be on speaking terms. Ford is hardly Carney's flunky. But, this is a case of opponents joining together to fight an even bigger enemy.

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 1 points 23 hours ago

in normal times Carney and Ford would barely be on speaking terms.

Ford was buddies with Trudeau. Ford loves federal Liberals, because Ontario votes in the opposite party of whatever is Federal.

[–] Ertain@feddit.online 8 points 1 day ago

Thanks for explaining that.

[–] aarch0x40@piefed.social 3 points 1 day ago

Spewing nonsense just makes Trump supporters want him even harder. All he has to do is stroke a nerve which is something he's great at.

[–] k0e3@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago

I can't believe this even needs to be explained. But so many of them don't bother to learn anything about us.

[–] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

He's very loud and definitely has a similar vibe, but he's taken the opposite tack with America as all our other conservatives, and actually does get along really well with the Liberal government behind closed doors.

It might be because Rob, also mentioned in the tweet, OD'd, so now the smart brother is carrying on. There isn't really an American equivalent. Churchill is an interesting British parallel, in both the good and bad ways.