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After a few stalled starts, Doug Ford is set to officially begin campaigning this weekend, saying he plans on spending Saturday canvassing Etobicoke, and making his debate debut next week.
“We’re going to be out in Ward 2 starting off in our home turf and working across the city,” Doug Ford said.
The door-to-door canvassing comes just three days before Ford squares off with John Tory and Olivia Chow for the first time — and more than a week since he formally entered the mayor’s race.
Ford said he also plans to attend Tuesday night’s York South-Weston debate hosted by four community groups including the Mt. Dennis Community Association and the Weston Village Residents’ Association.
He shrugged off questions about whether he’s ready to debate his fellow mayoral frontrunners.
“I’ve been ready for four years, I’ve been debating,” he said. “I have been debating for four years at City Hall with a lot tougher people.”
Asked about his mayoral platform, Ford said it will be similar to the one his brother was running on until his health forced him to quit the race.
“Considering I was part of putting Rob’s platform together, part of the team for four years, we’re going to keep it pretty well the same,” he said.
Tory said his message won’t change at Tuesday’s debate with Ford in attendance.
“Whatever he does, we’ll see,” Tory said. “He’s different because he’s Doug Ford and not Rob Ford and we’ll have to see what happens on the debate floor.”
Tory said it is up to Ford to decide what debates he takes part in.
“I wouldn’t presume for one minute to tell anybody else, any other candidate how they should conduct their campaigns,” he said. “Mr. Ford or anybody else will choose to attend the events they choose to attend, they will spend their time as they see fit and the voters will make their decision.”
Agencies/Canadajournal
