Federal employment minister Jason Kenney is calling for Toronto Mayor Rob Ford to resign, saying Ford has brought dishonour to Toronto.

Speaking to reporters on his way out of question period, Kenney described what is happening at Toronto city hall as a “mess.”

“I will say as an elected official that I think Mr. Ford has brought dishonour to public office and the office of mayor and his city. I wished he had taken a leave of absence some time ago to go and deal with his personal problems. But not having done that, I personally think he should step aside and stop dragging the city of Toronto through this terrible embarrassment.”

“I think there is a dignity in public service and an elected office and he is doing regrettably dishonour to that high office.”

In French, Kenney was even more direct saying that Ford has to “resign.”

“I wanted him to take a leave but unfortunately the situation has deteriorated to the point where I believe he should resign. That is my personal opinion.”

“I don’t think anybody likes the situation. I believe he has to end the chaotic situation for the citizens of Toronto.”

Asked whether his comments could jeopardize support of the Ford Nation supporters for the Conservative party, Kenney pointed out that he had personally backed Rocco Rossi for the Toronto mayoralty.

Kenney’s comments mark the strongest criticism to date from members of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government which has tended to treat the admissions of smoking crack cocaine and drunk driving by a Conservative ally with kid gloves.

Monday, Harper’s office broke its silence on the question – saying it doesn’t condone drug use but falling short of calling for Ford to take action.

“These latest allegations are troubling,” Harper spokesman Jason MacDonald said in a statement. “Our government does not condone illegal drug use, especially by elected officials while in office.”

Kenney’s comments were also stronger than those of Justice Minister Peter MacKay. Asked earlier Tuesday about Ford’s admissions, MacKay drew parallels between Ford smoking crack and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau’s admission that he smoked marijuana.

“I think my views as attorney general and justice minister on drug use are pretty clear,” MacKay told reporters.

“I think any politician who is active in public life that is admitting to drug use has to do some serious reflection on what message that sends, so that includes Mr. Trudeau, Mr. Ford. It’s very troubling and unfortunate is all I can say.”

NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair also urged Ford to resign and the Conservatives to stop defending their “Conservative poster boy.”

“Instead of making excuses for Rob Ford, they should talk to him about two things. One, is he should get help, real help, for serious, clear problems. The other thing that Rob Ford should do, if he really cares about Toronto as much as he says he does, is to simply step down.”

Mulcair said the problem with Ford risks affecting decisions to invest in Toronto as well as the Conservative party’s credibility on crime issues.

“I think that if the Conservatives want to have any credibility on law and order, they should stand up to what has happened in Toronto.”

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