The gloves came off Tuesday evening when Toronto's mayoral hopefuls took part in a campaign debate – the first one incumbent Rob Ford participated in since returning from a two-month stint in rehab.
Ford was joined by his rivals John Tory, Olivia Chow, David Soknacki and Karen Stintz. The debate was held in Scarborough and was moderated by newspaper columnist Chris Selley.
Here are four of the best moments from Tuesday’s debate:
1."Fire him": Ford's rivals say he's no longer fit for office
In her opening statement at the debate, Chow zeroed in on Ford, asking voters to "fire" him in the upcoming fall election for his "embarrassing" behaviour over the last few months.
"Rob Ford isn't going to resign so join me in firing him," Chow said. "Let's fire him…for avoiding accountability, for embarrassing our city in front of the world."
Ford, who admitted last November to smoking crack cocaine, recently underwent treatment for substance abuse. His shocking admission came after months of denial -- something Tory seem to allude to during the debate.
"You have a nagging allergy to the truth," Tory told Ford during the back-and-forth section of the debate about creating jobs in Scarborough.
2. "The king of helping people": Ford defends his record
Ford, however, wasn’t without any comebacks during the debate. The mayor touted his record over the last four years, telling audience members he has been someone voters have been able to rely on.
When asked about how he will improve the state of some of the city's Toronto Community Housing (TCH) units if re-elected, Ford responded that he was "the king of helping people."
"Let the people (living in TCH units) tell you how many times Rob Ford went there and helped them out and made sure they had safe living conditions."
3. Transit, transit, transit
Public transit and infrastructure funding was a major focus of Tuesday's debate.
Only Chow and Soknacki want an LRT, which they say will be less expensive, serve more people, and have far more stops.
"I live in Scarborough. I am proud to live in Scarborough. LRT is the best for Scarborough," Soknacki said.
According to Ford, however, LRTs would be a waste of money.
"I'm the subway mayor," Ford said, taking credit for an agreement between Toronto, Ottawa and the provincial government to replace the aging Scarborough RT with a $3-billion subway extension. "Everybody knows it."
4. "I don’t think you’ve ever been at city hall": Tory's track record comes under attack
Experience on council was something Stintz thought Tory lacked, saying that unlike some of the other mayoral hopefuls, the former Ontario PC leader does not understand city politics.
"I have to say that I find it a little bit ironic John that you say you're in the best position to do something at city hall when you’re the only person on this stage that actually has no experience at city hall," Stintz told Tory.
"I don’t think you’ve ever been at city hall/"
Tory responded bluntly, telling Stintz that her experience has not helped solved some of the city's most pressing problems.
"I guess I would have to say that if the 11 years you and other people have spent (at city hall) have been so terrific in terms of getting things done, why do we have a traffic congestion problem?"
