Toronto mayoral hopefuls set to square off in back-to-back debates this week
CBC
If you missed Monday's face off of some of Toronto's top polling candidates, this is your week: voters will have the chance to see the candidates go toe-to-toe in two more debates.
The debates, set for Wednesday and Thursday, are likely to build on some of what was seen during Monday's debate at the Daily Bread Food Bank, which highlighted food insecurity among other major issues.
First up is a debate at the University of Toronto Scarborough on Wednesday night starting at 6:30 p.m. Three community groups in Scarborough are organizing that event, which will be broadcast live on CityTV.
Then, on Thursday, the Toronto Region Board of Trade hosts a debate that will be broadcast live on TVO. That event starts at 7 p.m.
Experts say Monday's showdown gives us a look at where the campaign could be heading over the next few weeks as candidates try to gain traction. Here's our take on those top candidates.
There was also a lot more policy thrown into the mix over the past seven days.
Here's a glimpse of where things stand after the seventh week of the campaign.
Is there an echo in here?
Olivia Chow might have been asking herself that when the debate shifted to the Q & A portion of the night. The format allowed candidates to turn to one of their fellow participants and fire off a question.
Chow was on the receiving end of all of those questions.
Toronto Metropolitan University political science professor Myer Siemiatycki said it was a chance for Chow to show off her debate chops, but it also highlights what the next six weeks will look like for her as she tries to keep her lead.
"I think what came out of that debate was the candidates know who they're chasing," he said. "And they're chasing Olivia Chow."
Former city councillor Joe Mihevc said he thought Chow looked prepared for the attacks. The key for her in the weeks ahead will be to push back against the coming criticism, but not appear too negative.
"The question is, is she sounding mayoral?" he said.
