John Tory comes under attack at mayoral debate over past comments on white privilege, racism

John Tory comes under attack at mayoral debate over past comments on white privilege, racism

By VICTORIA GIBSON | Published in The Globe and Mail | Published on October 1, 2018

Comments once made by John Tory – about white privilege and about his visceral description of shooting suspects – took centre stage during a mayoral debate on Monday night that focused on issues in Toronto’s black community.

Mr. Tory’s denial of the existence of white privilege during the previous mayoral election was recalled by an audience member during the open question period but the mayor said he has changed his mind.

“I can honestly say that you live and you learn, and let me say off the top, white privilege does exist,” Mr. Tory said, noting the statements were made “several years ago” and that he had learned better since that time.

Read More in The Globe and Mail.

Hiring cops and affordable housing hot issues at debate

Hiring cops and affordable housing hot issues at debate

Published by The Sun |  Published on | Last Updated on October 1, 2018 9:40 PM EDT

Mayoral candidates Jennifer Keesmaat and John Tory were in the hot seat at a debate hosted by Operation Black Vote Canada Monday over their support for hiring more police officers and their records on building affordable housing.

There was a spirited exchange between the two over who was responsible for the luxury condos springing up all over the city while more and more people can’t afford rent let alone a mortgage.

“John Tory and Jennifer Keesmaat failed the people of Toronto,” said mayoral candidate Saron Gebresellassi, who called for a state of emergency on the issue. “Ms. Keesmaat was the chief city planner for five years and with John Tory authored a failed housing policy. They promised the people of Toronto 10,000 affordable housing units … Not even half (were built.)”

Read More in the Sun.

Wynne gets rough ride at debate

Wynne gets rough ride at debate

By Antonella Artuso | Published in the Toronto Sun | Published:  April 11, 2018 | Updated:  April 11, 2018 9:54 PM EDT

Premier Kathleen Wynne received a rough reception from the audience at the first ever Black issues debate as she defended her government’s record on education, jails and carding.

Moderator Royson James said there’s a crisis in education — that for every 100 black students slated to leave high school, just 69 graduate and only 18 go on to college or university.

After Wynne talked about the changes her government has made in education, James said to her, “You do know that whatever you’re doing isn’t working.”

Read More in the Toronto Sun.

Ford’s comments on black community prompt call for apology

Ford’s comments on black community prompt call for apology

By Marieke Walsh | Published In iPolitics | Published on Apr 6, 2018 6:20 pm

A call for an apology and widespread condemnation met Doug Ford’s comments about the black community on Friday.

“That’s disgusting and insulting,” University of Toronto Professor Rinaldo Walcott said in response to Ford’s comments that he has supported the black community by taking children to his cottage.

Ford’s comments were made in response to questions about why he isn’t attending Ontario’s first black community provincial leaders debate.

Read More on iPolitics.

Ford won’t take part in Toronto’s black community debate, campaign confirms

Ford won’t take part in Toronto’s black community debate, campaign confirms

By Colin D’Mello, CTV News Toronto | Published On Wednesday, April 4, 2018 4:42 PM EDT | Last Updated:  Thursday, April 5, 2018 12:12 PM EDT

Organizers of the first community debate ahead of the provincial election this June are expressing their disappointment after learning PC Leader Doug Ford will skip the event.

Ford’s campaign team says scheduling issues will prevent him from attending the debate hosted by the Jamaican Canadian Association on April 11th.

“Doug Ford is scheduled to be in Northern Ontario on April 11th,” campaign spokesperson Melissa Lantsman said in an email to CTV News Toronto. “We scheduled this before we were made aware of the invite.”

Billed as a “black community provincial leadership debate” the event will feature leaders from the three other parties, including Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Green Party leader Mike Schreiner.

Read More on CTV News.