Doug Ford drops out of Empire Club debate

Toronto mayoral candidate Doug Ford has pulled out of a noon-hour debate hosted by the Empire Club on Friday, saying he’s not campaigning to be the “mayor of the privileged few.”

In a statement released at around 11:15 a.m. — around 45 minutes before the debate was about to start — Ford said “I am campaigning to be the mayor of all people,” and that he would not attend.

Ford said debates should be open for everyone to attend and ask questions.

“The luncheon at the Empire Club is not open to all people, with tickets costing $800 a table. $800, that is more money than some families make in a week,” he said in the statement.

Ford was expected to take part in the debate with rivals Olivia Chow and John Tory.

On his way to the debate, Tory said he’s not surprised Ford pulled out.

“I think he just decided that he was afraid to debate. He’s a chicken — Colonel Sanders should be looking for him,” he told reporters.

Ford responded to that shot at a press conference he held on Friday afternoon in North York.

“That’s actually comical, he’s been calling me a few names. I guess he’s a name caller,” Ford said.

“I think that anyone who saw last Tuesday, I clearly won the debate, and showed the people of Toronto for the first time who John Tory really is.”

Chow said this is just more of the same behaviour seen in the past from Ford.

“He’s done that many times at city council meeting, when there’s a vote that is important, he just didn’t show up. So, we shouldn’t be too surprised that he’s continuing that kind of performance,” she said.

Empire Club president Andrea Wood said “we are disappointed” and that “it’s disrespectful” for Ford to drop out. Wood also said she is confused by his decision, saying his brother, Mayor Rob Ford, attended the debate at the club during the 2010 mayoral campaign.

The debate was scheduled months ago, and the club is well known across Toronto and Canada. It’s a not-for-profit group and its president said they charge for the lunches so they can cover the cost of bringing these types of events to the public.

In the statement, Ford said he won’t be attending any debate that costs Torontonians money to attend and participate in.

He told the Empire Club that if they wanted to hold another debate, he would attend, but only if it is “open to the public at no cost.”

Ford said he will be spending the afternoon canvassing and “connecting with real people at their doors.”

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today