TORONTO – Two mayoral debates planned for Tuesday have been cancelled after perceived frontrunner John Tory pulled out the day before the events, forcing Olivia Chow to step back as well.
The York Quay Neighbourhood Association debate scheduled for this evening is no more and the Better Living Health and Community Services slated for Tuesday afternoon is up in the air with Chow still available for a solo question and answer session.
The waterfront debate was slated to focus on the controversial expansion of Billy Bishop Island Airport and the last-minute pull-out didn’t sit well with organizers.
“By leaving organizers in the lurch without an explanation, it is assumed that Tory is unwilling to face these issues,” the York Quay Neighbourhood Association wrote on its website.
Tory’s campaign said in a statement on Monday that the election has entered “a new phase” with the addition of Doug Ford now in the race with less than six weeks left until voting day.
READ MORE: Rob Ford withdraws from mayoral race, Doug to run
“John has extraordinary demands on his time and, unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate every event and request,” read the statement.
The explanation was criticized by Chow who attended a planned transit debate at Ryerson University Monday afternoon without Tory who cancelled at the last-minute.
“If this is the new phase of the campaign, God help us,” Chow told reporters. “It means that Mr. Tory is hiding. He won’t face the people. He won’t answer questions and he refused to an honest debate.”
Chow has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday morning as she is expected to receive several key endorsements from city councillors.
Meanwhile, Doug Ford has yet to officially launch his mayoral campaign after brother Rob pulled out last week to deal with a tumour in his abdomen.
READ MORE: What could Doug Ford as mayor, Rob Ford as councillor mean for Toronto City Hall?
It’s also uncertain if Doug will attend the other planned debates on tap for this week.
One thing for sure is that the Ford Fest bash originally slated to go ahead Friday has been postponed.
No new date has been set.
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