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.

Mayoral candidates square off in debate focusing on issues related to Toronto’s Black community

Mayoral candidates square off in debate focusing on issues related to Toronto’s Black community

By Katherine Ward, Digital Video Journalist | Published by the Global News | Published on October 1, 2018 11:59 pm |  Last Updated on October 2, 2018 12:10 am

Matthew Cole isn’t old enough to vote, but he said he still wanted to be at Monday evening’s Toronto mayoral debate hosted by Operation Black Vote.

“I want to know what’s going on in my community and how this might affect me in the future and my family,” the 16-year-old told Global News.

The event was sold out as people packed in to hear from four candidates hoping to lead the city. One of the issues business leaders said they see the need for change is youth employment.

Read More in the Global News.

John Tory’s dedication to Black community issues questioned at mayoral debate

John Tory’s dedication to Black community issues questioned at mayoral debate

By SAMANTHA BEATTIE, Staff Reporter | Published in the Star | Published on Mon., Oct. 1, 2018

John Tory’s dedication to helping Toronto’s Black communities and ending racism came into question during Monday night’s mayoral debate.

An audience member said he “waffled” when the province announced cutting the size of council nearly in half, a move that has resulted in some female and visible minority candidates dropping out of ward races.

“I did everything a responsible person could do,” Tory told the crowd. From the audience, a man yelled, “hogwash.”

Held at Tropicana Community Services in Scarborough North, incumbent Tory and mayoral candidates Saron Gebresellassi, Knia Singh and Jennifer Keesmaat debated transit, affordable housing, safety and other topics focused on Black community issues.

Continue Reading in the Star

Candidates talk transit, policing in Black Community Mayoral Debate

Candidates talk transit, policing in Black Community Mayoral Debate

Posted by:  CBC News | Posted: Oct 01, 2018 9:37 PM ET | Last Updated: October 1

Event is one of several high-profile mayoral debates of the 2018 municipal election

Saron Gebresellassi, John Tory, Jennifer Keesmaat, and Knia Singh, left to right, faced off in Monday night’s Black Community Mayoral Debate in Scarborough. (Makda Ghebreslassie/CBC; Chris Young/Canadian Press; CBC; kniasingh.ca)

John Tory, Jennifer Keesmaat, Saron Gebresellassi and Knia Singh faced off in the Black Community Mayoral Debate in Scarborough Monday night tackling a number of issues, including policing and transit.

The event is one of several high-profile mayoral debates of the 2018 municipal election — a campaign that has already been rocked by the province’s sudden decision to slash the size of Toronto city council.

Read more on CBC News.