Toronto Mayor Rob Ford grabs a photographer's lens as he charges through a media scrum at City Hall in Toronto on Wednesday January 22, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
January 22, 2014 - 9:46 AM
TORONTO - Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she is concerned the personal problems of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford are taking attention away from the real issues facing Canada's biggest city.
Another video of the mayor emerged Tuesday on YouTube, showing Ford apparently incoherent, ranting in Jamaican patois and using profanities.
Wynne says she's concerned the "discussion about one person's personal issues can detract and distract from the business of growing Toronto."
The premier says she's seen the media reports on the latest Ford video and hopes the mayor gets the help that she believes he needs.
Ford was stripped of most of his powers last November after his stunning admission that he had smoked crack cocaine during one of his "drunken stupors."
Wynne says she will continue to work with Toronto's deputy mayor, Norm Kelly, because he's the man city council elected as their representative.
Former prime minister Paul Martin, who appeared with Wynne at a news conference Wednesday, declined to comment, saying one of the "great benefits" of no longer being an elected official is not having to take a position on issues like Ford's controversies.
Shortly after the video was posted Tuesday, Ford admitted he had been drinking, but said it was on his "own time."
The mayor has repeatedly said he hasn't had a drink since November.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014