Chow, Tory engage in muted debate on human rights, anti-Semitism
Posted September 19, 2014 2:24 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Human rights and responses to anti-Semitism were front and centre at a lunchtime debate between two of the top candidates in the Toronto mayoral race on Friday.
There were few fireworks when Olivia Chow and John Tory took part in the debate organized by Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies, with both candidates agreeing on most issues while positioning themselves as the best choice to lead Toronto, work with fellow council members and other levels of government.
Chow and Tory both pledged their support for human rights and eradicating hate in the city, with only one question that saw the debaters at odds, in regards to funding for Pride Toronto’s WorldPride 2014 event this past July.
Chow said she did not agree with or support the Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) group and that she didn’t believe that they received city funding. Chow told the audience that she would not have voted against giving the Pride event its funding due to the actions of that one group, who she said the city solicitor found not to violate the city’s human rights protocol.
Tory garnered some cheering and applause after he said he would have voted to reject funding for the event if QuAIA were involved and marching in the parade. Tory said that the use of the word apartheid was “grossly inaccurate” to describe Israel, which he called a “beacon of hope” for human rights in its region.
Questions from the audience also touched on property tax, transit and city governance with both candidates trumpeting their experience in the various levels of government.
The debate began with moderator Avi Benlolo sending out best wishes to Rob Ford, who had been scheduled to take part in the debate before he pulled out of the mayoral race due to ongoing health issues.
Doug Ford, who put his name on the ballot after his brother withdrew a week ago, was not at the debate and has yet to officially begin his campaign. But he said he’ll attend Tuesday’s mayoral debate organized by the York South-Weston community associations.
Toronto’s municipal election is set for Oct. 27.
