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Toronto Mayor Ford sits at a city council executive committee meeting at City Hall in Toronto
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford sits at a city council executive committee meeting at City Hall in Toronto, May 28, 2013. Two top aides quit Ford’s office on Monday as the embattled leader of Canada’s biggest city faces lingering allegations he was caught smoking crack cocaine on video, accusations he has firmly denied. The departures of the mayor’s press secretary and deputy press secretary came just days after Ford fired his chief of staff. The mayor confirmed on Monday that both George Christopoulos and Isaac Ransom left of their own accord. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (CANADA - Tags: POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX1041F Mark Blinch/Reuters
Canada

Did Rob Ford’s sobriety coach kick a protester?

Video shot by CityNews shows police officer confronting Ford’s sobriety coach
By Emily Senger
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July 8, 2014

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s sobriety coach is under question today after reports that he may have kicked a protester at a speech delivered by the mayor earlier in the day.

Bob Marier, who has been near the mayor’s side since he returned to City Hall on June 30, has been identified as a recovering alcoholic and drug addict from Montreal who is helping the mayor remain on the straight and narrow. CBC reports that Ford is paying Marier for his time.

On Tuesday morning, Ford made a speech about a proposed light-rail transit project he is opposed to. A group of protesters, many shirtless, attended the speech and heckled Ford. Here, in a video shot by CityNews, a Toronto police officer clearly accuses Marier of kicking one of the protesters.

Both Rob Ford and his brother and campaign manager, Coun. Doug Ford, avoided reporters at City Hall who asked about the incident.