Rob Ford in rehab, doctor confirms to CBC News

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is, indeed, in a residential treatment program for substance abuse at a clinic in North Americaand has been since last week, according to a doctor supervising Ford's care at the facility who spoke with CBC News.

The health care provider, speaking with consent from the mayor, told CBC News that Ford arrived at thefacility late on thenight of May 1and has been enrolled in an in-patient program there ever since. Ford left the facility May 3after a medical exam and was taken to a hospital where he was admitted for four days before returningto the treatment centre on May 7.

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The doctor told CBC that while in hospital Ford received concurrent care with the treatment facility.

I have every assurance and confidence he was nowhere else, said the physician, who asked CBCto withhold his name in order to safeguard theprivacy of his patients.

The mayor's brother, Coun. Doug Ford, arranged forCBC News to get confidential access to Fords doctor in order to confirm his enrolment in the treatment program amid a week of rumoured sightings, speculation and demands by some on Toronto city council for confirmation that the mayor was actually in rehab.

The speculation followed months of revelations, lies and evasion about Ford's drug and alcohol use.

"Mayor Rob Ford has been under medical care 24-7 from the time he arrived in Canada, from Chicago, and he has been getting treatment," Doug Fordtold CBC News Friday.

CBC News has agreed to withhold the name and location of the treatment facility out of consideration for the privacy of Ford, other patients, the facility and its staff.

CBC News contacted multiple staff at the facility, including the CEO. The CEO separately confirmed Ford's enrolment to CBC News.

Doug Ford says he hopes the doctor's statement will quell speculation and stop some media organizations and paparazzi from trying to spot Ford or take photos of the facility.

Revealing the name of the facility"would be a tragedy for 20 to 25 families that are there, trying to get help, trying to get treatment," Doug Ford said.

"They don't want to disclose their locations or their identities," he said. "I think it would be a tragedy if the media swarmed in on a treatment centre and started taking pictures and started disclosing locations of other patients."

The mayorflew to Chicago last week in an effort to get to a rehabilitation centrebut then flew back to Canada after a discussion with U.S. Customs.

He has since given two interviews to newspapers, saying his treatment is "amazing."

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Meanwhile, his colleagues on city council have said they're doubtful he's in rehab.

Coun. Joe Mihevc has been one of the most vocal in calling for proof that the mayor is getting treatment.

"For that political redemption story to be born, he has to provide proof that its warranted," Mihevc said.

"I dont know what that proof is. The onus is on him to provide that proof for Torontonians to believe him."

Doug Ford on why he agreed to speak with CBC

"Well, first of all, I respect the CBC. I believe they are one of the most credible organizations in Canada in the media, in my opinion. And that it will stop the speculation, for example, a 15-year-old young lady spotted Rob Ford at the Tim Hortons. Another person spotted him in Hamilton. Spotted him in Calgary. Spotted him everywhere. Just to stop the speculation to let the people of Toronto know that Rob is taking this seriously, is getting treatment and that he wants to continue coming back and serving the people."