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"I did not expect as many students to get involved and come out, and they all came out with fantastic questions, so I'm definitely happy with the event," she said. Sarah Worku, president of the UTS Students' Union, told CTV Toronto that she was surprised by the turnout. "Given the circumstances of the neighbourhoods to serve, the populations to serve, the cost (and) getting transit faster, cheaper, better … in these circumstances is better with an LRT," he said. Soknacki, who opposes building a subway into Scarborough, said that if elected he would look to have the LRT line built instead. Last October, city council voted in favour of the subway extension over the LRT line. The mayor led the charge at city hall last year, to build a shorter and more expensive subway extension in Scarborough, rather than a previously approved longer, cheaper light-rail transit line. "I said we were going to get a subway to Scarborough and we are getting a subway to Scarborough," he said to cheers and applause. Our community is strong and ready to host the world at WorldPride."Ĭandidates discuss transit priorities at debateĪnother issue that came up during Wednesday's debate was transit, particularly the task of bringing improved transit services to Scarborough.įord told the crowd of that he has never "flip-flopped" the idea of subways. "Nonetheless, we are going to move forward.
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"There may be a bit of presumption there," Beaulieu told reporters Thursday afternoon at city hall. Other cities that have hosted WorldPride include Rome, Jerusalem and London.Įxecutive Director of Pride Toronto Kevin Beaulieu said he was surprised to hear that the mayor would not be attending the parade because the organization has not yet issued any invitations. Starting June 20, Toronto will host WorldPride – a nine day festival that looks at issues facing the LGBT community on an international level. "In certain aspects it might be (family-friendly), but not when guys are running down the street buck naked. In an attempt to clarify his remarks, the councillor said he didn't think some of the Pride activities were family-friendly. The councillor said he's spoken to members of the gay community who've said they themselves aren't planning on attending because they didn't like the idea of "middle-aged men with pot-bellies running down the street buck naked." He also insisted his brother is not homophobic, that he has gay friends, and pointed out that last year the mayor participated in a Pride flag-raising ceremony at City Hall. He does support on voting for funding it." He does support the fact that it's going to be a large event.
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"He's just not going to march in the parade," the councillor said Thursday afternoon at city hall. Doug Ford, came out in defence of his brother’s decision, saying it’s up to him whether he wants to attend. But during Wednesday’s debate, he indicated he never wanted to attend Pride. In past years he has said that the parade coincides with a traditional family trip he takes every year to his cottage. Since taking office in 2010, Ford has never attended the city's Pride parade, which celebrates the diversity of Toronto's LGBT community. "How could I not? That's just irresponsible to not go to Pride." Johannes said it would be unthinkable not to attend the annual event. "Yes, if I get a super soaker, I'd be happy to be part of Pride," former city councillor Soknacki said to cheers and applause. In contrast, fellow mayoral candidates David Soknacki, Robb Johannes, Al Gore and Richard Underhill - all of whom were also participating in Wednesday's event - said they would be attending the parade. I've never gone to a Pride parade, so I’m not going to change the way I am," Ford said Wednesday. "I’m not going to go to (the) Pride parade. Rob Ford doesn't plan on attending this year's Pride parade, or any other year, but his brother insists the mayor is not homophobic.Īt a student-run mayoral debate Wednesday night at the University of Toronto's Scarborough campus, the mayor was asked whether he will be attending the annual summer festival.