The Premier isn’t taking back his comments about a Toronto mental health patient who was found not criminally responsible for the 2014 death of his roommate.
Speaking to media on Thursday, Doug Ford called Zhebin Cong a “nutcase”, then at a news conference on Friday referred to him as an “animal.”
Ford doubled down on his comments when asked if he regretted the way he referred to Cong.
“Would you want him as a roommate? I’m asking you. No, the answer is no. So, stop sympathizing with axe-wielding murderers, and all this bleeding-heart stuff. I’m passionate about helping people with mental illness. This guy should have never been let loose, in my opinion.”
Toronto Police say Cong has fled the country, after he was reported missing from a secure mental health facility in July. Multiple media outlets report he was allowed to leave the facility for an unaccompanied trip earlier that month, but failed to return.
Premier Ford argues federal laws should be tougher on mental health patients involved in crimes.
Meanwhile, Ford maintains he is not concerned about the federal election.
Doug Ford fielded questions about whether he feels federal Conservative leader Andrew Scheer is “distancing himself” from the Ontario PCs.
“Well, I don’t know about distancing himself. You could say that about me, too, you can say I’m distancing myself from the federal government and this election. I’m not interested in this election, I’m interested in Ontario.”
He emphasizes he will work with whichever party wins this October’s election.
