Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has dodged questions about whether he is homophobic, claiming to be a “spendaphobe” instead.

Mayor Rob Ford recently returned from a two-month stint in rehab, following revelations that he had been caught smoking crack cocaine, drink-driving and injecting heroin during his term of office.

In his first week back at work, he has refused to join a standing ovation to praise the organisers of WorldPride Toronto, and voted against a council proposal to help homeless LGBT teens.

Ford was the only person on the entirety of Toronto City Council to vote against the proposal, leading it to pass with 37 in favour, and 1 against.

Asked whether he’s actively homophobic this week, he replied: “I’m a spendaphobe, that’s what I am.

“Let’s talk about how much money I’ve saved the taxpayers and I got subways built. And I contracted out garbage. You don’t want to talk about that, do you?

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, the only openly gay member of the council, said previously: “The mayor is homophobic. He’s consistent.

“He’s done everything he can to demonstrate this is a community he doesn’t care about.

“He has done everything he can to destroy his relationships with the LGBT community.”

The council has voted to transfer some of Ford’s powers to the city’s Deputy Mayor, but he refuses to stand down from his post, and they do not have the authority to force him to do so.

Ford is currently running for re-election, with a ballot set for October 27, 2014.

Recent polling has Ford on 21%, trailing former councillor Olivia Chow, and former Progressive Conservative leader John Tory.