In a speech laden with self-serving exaggeration, flat-out falsehoods and a smattering of facts, Mayor Rob Ford on Thursday defended his record and promised more of the same.

“Ask yourself, are we better now than we were three years ago?” Ford asked. He answered his own question: “Absolutely”

Well, he’s right if by “better” he means that the city’s leadership is more recognized around the world. Sadly, that’s because Toronto is an international laughing stock courtesy of its drunken, crack-smoking mayor.

Ford’s speech differed from his usual pronouncements mainly because he used more numbers. The gist was the same: I’m a huge success. I’m the only one who cares about saving money. And I did 90 per cent of what I promised.

He’s wrong on all three counts.

Ford devoted part of his speech to lambasting city councillors who are backing a 2.23-per-cent residential property tax hike approved by the executive committee on Wednesday. That increase would total only 1.73 per cent if not for new subway costs foisted on the city by Ford and his minions. Yet he still had the nerve to criticize others for their so-called profligacy.

Ford vowed to present a series of motions at city council next week, before the final budget vote, saving “well over $50 million with little impact on services.”

But if he can painlessly trim that much, why is Ford waiting until virtually the last moment to reveal his recommendations? He should have presented his $50-million plan to the budget committee months ago, so it could receive due study, or at the very least to the executive committee this week.

We suspect he didn’t do so because there is no plan. Instead of realistic budget alternatives, Torontonians will most likely be treated next week to more Ford bafflegab and grandstanding, all intended to sway gullible voters instead of actually reducing costs.

In fact, the average Torontonian pays more in taxes and user fees than before Ford came to office; city expenses are higher than ever, despite Ford’s election promise to lower them by more than $1 billion; and the average household is on the hook for a total of $1,200 to fund Ford’s ill-conceived Scarborough subway extension. Ironically, a better transit option was available to the city, free of charge.

In a sign that Toronto’s mayoral race is well and truly underway, at the same time Ford was addressing the Economic Club of Canada, rival candidate David Soknacki was outlining his economic agenda at a different business gathering. There was a cross-fire of campaign speeches. In his talk to the Toronto Region Board of Trade, Soknacki pledged to cancel Ford’s costly Scarborough subway expansion, lower commercial taxes, and encourage business development. Although obviously an underdog, Soknacki has at least one big advantage: he isn’t burdened by the incumbent’s sorry record.

Ford’s mantra in this campaign is: “promise made, promise kept.” But that’s just not true. Besides his nose-stretcher on lowering city spending, Ford’s fractured promises include his hopelessly unrealistic pledge to cut the size of city council, eliminate the land transfer tax, trim spending without cutting any city services, and privatize trash collection — a job only half-completed.

Returning to the question of whether Toronto is better off: if a part-time leader with substance abuse issues — who would rather coach high school football than do his job — is superior to someone dedicated to being a full-time mayor with a firm grasp of the issues, then Toronto is indeed better off under Ford. If not, voters should look beyond their current mayor to a brighter future.