Toronto mayoral candidate Jennifer Keesmaat is urging Mayor John Tory to come clean on discussions he had with Ontario Premier Doug Ford to cut the size of city council by nearly half months before a municipal election.
The former chief planner for Toronto issued a statement on Tuesday with questions the current mayor should answer to “clear the air.”
“Did John Tory have any discussions with Premier Ford, or past leaders of his party, including Patrick Brown, about expanding his powers or cutting the size of council in the last year?” Keesmaat states. “If so, what was the nature of those discussions?”
Tory had stated publicly that he had a discussion with the premier “in passing” about reducing the size of council but that he didn’t “take it seriously” at the time.
“It’s time for John Tory to clear the air and open the files on this one – will he release any and all text messages, emails, notebooks, direct messages, phone logs, or other forms of communication between himself or the mayor’s staff and Premier Ford, Patrick Brown, or their staff in the last year?” the statement reads.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Edward Belobaba ruled on Monday that Bill 5, the Better Local Government Act which was passed last month and slashes the size of council from 47 to 25 seats, was unconstitutional.
Following the ruling, Ford said his government will invoke the notwithstanding clause of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to move ahead with the legislation.
In a press conference on Monday, the premier said Tory “says one thing behind closed doors and then says something totally different in front of the cameras.”
“Premier Ford levelled a serious claim at John Tory yesterday. Given the serious turn of events, it’s time for John Tory to clear the air,” Keesmaat said.
VIDEO: Jennifer Keesmaat says Doug Ford’s suspension of Charter of Rights is ‘completely unacceptable’
“Does John Tory have an understanding with his former party or not? The premier seems to think so.”
In an email to Global News, Keerthana Kamalavasan, a spokesperson for the mayor’s re-election campaign, said Keesmaat had an opportunity to join Tory and stand up for Toronto but chose not to.
“Instead, she chose to attack and insult him from the sidelines. This is one time Ms. Keesmaat needed to get on board and it’s disappointing,” Kamalavasan said.
“Ms. Keesmaat’s desperate campaign is now trying to fundraise off this attack on Toronto while the Mayor continues to lead the city by meeting with the Prime Minister, reaching out to other mayors and preparing to meet with City Council.”
A recent Forum Research poll suggests two-thirds (65 per cent) of decided and leaning voters would support Tory compared to a third (35 per cent) for Kessmaat.
Voters are scheduled to head to the polls on Oct. 22.