City councillor Rob Ford stands before council to deliver an apology following a complaint to the Integrity Commission during a city council meeting at City Hall in Toronto on Tuesday, March 31, 2015.Darren Calabrese/The Globe and Mail
Rob Ford offered a "heartfelt apology" to Toronto city council Tuesday for racial tirades during the chaotic days of his mayoralty.
The citizen who complained, though, said the statement was forced out of the former mayor and that Mr. Ford was dismissive when they crossed paths shortly after the apology.
Mr. Ford – who ran successfully as a city councillor when health concerns sidelined his re-election bid – was accused of using derogatory terms for people of Pakistani, Jewish, Italian, Spanish and African backgrounds. Last week, the city's integrity commissioner issued a report that concluded comments attributed to Mr. Ford from his time as mayor were "unbecoming" of the office and violated council's code of conduct.
"I understand the concerns brought forward in the report," Mr. Ford told council.
"I'm deeply ashamed of what I said and I recognize that they bring discredit to both myself and council as a whole. I wish to offer my heartfelt apology for my words and actions."
The citizen who brought the complaint, Samuel Getachew, said the apology was acceptable.
But he also related an awkward exchange with Mr. Ford as the politician went to greet school children in the council chamber.
"As soon as I identified myself, he said, 'Is that you who complained about me?'" Mr. Getachew said.
"I was shaking his hand and he just released, like he kind of pushed me and he just released my hand and just left."
Still, Getachew said he was ready to move on.
"I know he is going through personal issues and like all Torontonians I wish him the best," Mr. Getachew said.
"If it was anybody else, I would be disappointed, but he has disappointed us in so many ways and I'm used to it. This is Rob Ford on the average day, and we've seen the worst."
Oliver Moore