Toronto’s mayor set to return from two months at rehab clinic

TORONTO — Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is set to return from rehab on Monday to the intense public glare from which he has been relatively absent for two months since he was forced to seek help amid fresh allegations of drinking and drug use.

Ford has already been spotted north of Toronto in a Barrie, Ont., clothing store, where he posed for some pictures that were posted on Instagram.

A spokeswoman for the shop said Ford was there on Saturday afternoon, but gave no other details.

Ford plans to resume his mayoral duties — curtailed by city council in November following his “drunken stupors” and crack-cocaine ad- missions — on Monday afternoon, according to a letter he sent to the city clerk’s office.

But with less than four months left in the term, the bulk of the renewed Ford attention will likely be focused on his bid to win another four years in office. Doug Ford, his city councillor brother and campaign manager, has indicated that the mayor will also return to fighting for re-election in the Oct. 27 municipal vote.

Doug Ford has also said the mayor will make a statement upon his return, but won’t field any questions.

In addition to an ongoing police investigation and lingering questions about the circumstances of his admitted drug use, Ford will also return to a new ethics complaint filed Friday by the group Democracy Watch.