Ford coaching controversy sparks latest conduct complaint

A Toronto resident has filed a complaint about Mayor Rob Ford, after allegations surfaced that he has been using his office staff and city cellphones to support the youth football teams he coaches.

Jude MacDonald confirmed to CBC News on Thursday that she has filed a complaint with the city’s integrity commissioner, as she believes Ford has violated the council’s code of conduct.

"I think that government is supposed to be accountable and transparent and I think the code of conduct is a good one and I don’t think it’s a good thing for a mayor to be in breach of it," said MacDonald.

MacDonald previously filed a complaint about the expense claims submitted by the mayor’s office in the first quarter of last year.

But her most recent complaint comes a day after a Globe and Mail report alleged that at least two special assistants in Ford's office used their city-supplied cellphones to keep in contact with players on the teams the mayor coaches.

The Office of the Integrity Commissioner does not acknowledge or comment on complaints that have been filed.

After the Globe and Mail report was published, Ford issued a statement saying that any criticism should be directed toward him and not his staff.

Coun. Joe Mihevc, who has opposed the mayor on many issues, had predicted on Wednesday that the report would spark a complaint to the integrity commissioner.

He said the mayor's behaviour has made Toronto "the laughingstock across the country."

"We're not taking down the mayor, the mayor's taking himself down," he said.

Ford’s football activities have been the source of other controversies as well.

Earlier this week, Ford skipped most of an executive committee meeting so that he could coach football. 

He left the Monday meeting at 2:30 p.m. and did not return by its conclusion at 8 p.m.

The mayor is also awaiting a decision from a judge in a conflict-of-interest lawsuit that could potentially oust him from office.

Another Toronto resident, Paul Magder, filed the suit after Ford took part in a February council vote that absolved his need to pay back donations that were collected for his private football foundation.