TORONTO

Bob Marley Day in Toronto turned into a sick day for Mayor Rob Ford.

The mayor didn’t show up to City Hall on Thursday — the same day he had social media buzzing about his Bob Marley Day proclamation.

Feb. 6 — the singer’s birthday — has been Bob Marley Day in Toronto for years but Ford’s proclamation garnered more attention on social media than ever before Thursday morning.

Ford’s love of Marley isn’t a City Hall secret.

Video of Ford dancing to reggae at a December city council meeting went viral in the wake of his now infamous admission to smoking crack cocaine in a “drunken stupor.”

Ford said at the time his love of Marley’s music prompted his council chamber dancing spree when a local trio played “One Love.”

“I love Bob Marley,” Ford said. “When I heard the song, I had to get up and dance. (Marley is) a great musician and I love his music.”

It isn’t clear exactly how Ford spent Bob Marley Day.

After Ford failed to show up at City Hall, his office confirmed he had called in sick.

Amin Massoudi, Ford’s press secretary, said the mayor was taking a sick day.

“The mayor is not feeling well today. He has taken the day off,” he said.

Here is Ford’s full Bob Marley Day proclamation:

WHEREAS each year on February 6, we honour the legacy of Robert (Bob) Nesta Marley, an influential musician, advocate for human rights and international ambassador of peace.

His early career began with friends, the legendary Wailers, “Bob Marley and the Wailers.” His music captivated people of all cultures, broke music barriers and helped introduce reggae music to the world.

Bob Marley became one of the greatest ambassadors of peace the world has seen. He used music to tear down the walls of apartheid and promoted African unity, culture and world peace both at home and internationally, with songs like One Love and Africa Unite.Today, his music continues to be loved by many and is instantly recognized around the world.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Rob Ford, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim February 6, 2014 as “Bob Marley Day” in the City of Toronto.