Flaherty says he’s spoken with Ford, but not revealing details
Posted June 4, 2013 10:06 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is facing questions about his friendship with Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, in the wake of the mayor’s drug use allegations.
This comes as the mayor tries to move past the scandal with the hiring of four new staff members.
Flaherty is not saying much about his personal relationship with Ford, apart from telling the CBC’s “Power and Politics” that he’s spoken over the years with Ford and his brother, Coun. Doug Ford, about what kind of transit projects can be done in Toronto.
He also said he spoke to Ford recently, but more as a friend rather than a federal partner on transit policy.
Flaherty would not say if he has provided political advice to the mayor over the last couple of weeks, but added that he spoke with other members of the family.
The finance minister worked with Fords’ father, Doug Ford Sr., during the Mike Harris years at Queen’s Park. Flaherty also endorsed Rob Ford in the 2010 mayoral election.
Meanwhile, at least one of the mayor’s four new hires, Rob Krauss, a former assistant to Coun. Ford, has federal connections. The Globe and Mail reported Krauss’ Facebook page features a photo of him with Flaherty. Krauss’ LinkedIn page also indicated he campaigned for Labour Minister Lisa Raitt.
Krauss, as well as Katrina Xavier-Ponniah, Victoria Colussi, and Jonathan Kent were hired as special assistants.
