Flaherty visibly upset over Ford smoking crack, says up to mayor whether to seek help

TORONTO – Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty was visibly upset this morning when asked about Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, who has admitted to smoking crack cocaine.

Flaherty, a longtime family friend, seemed to choke up when asked at a Toronto event whether the mayor should seek help.

The minister paused before answering that at the end of the day, it’s up to Ford to decide to get help.

Flaherty says the mayor’s family is helping him and wishing him well.

Ford is ignoring calls from even staunch allies to take a leave of absence in the wake of his admission earlier this week that he smoked crack cocaine, likely in one of his “drunken stupors” about a year ago.

His admission came after police said they had a video of the mayor that was consistent with media reports that it appeared to show Ford smoking crack.