Media Advisory - John Tory Cancels Attendance at Mayoral Q&A Session with Students at Ryerson

TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2014 /CNW/ - Mayoral candidate John Tory cancelled his participation in a Q&A session with students at Ryerson University set to take place today. It was communicated to the Ryerson Students' Union and MAPS (Mobilizing Actively Political Students) on Friday morning that Tory would not be attending the session to hear questions from students about the issues that matter to them in the Toronto municipal election including transit, living wages, community services, housing and child care.

The goal of these Q&A sessions with students and mayoral candidates is to offer an opportunity for students to have their voices and issues heard and to ask questions answered in an effort to promote civic engagement amongst youth. Unfortunately John Tory's last minute cancellation has shown that students' interests in this municipal election do not matter.

"It is very disappointing to see a mayoral candidate in Toronto which has a large student population, pass up an opportunity to hear from students, answer their questions and be accountable to their concerns." said Jesse Root, Vice-President Education of the Ryerson Students' Union, one of the organizers of the Q&A sessions. The following events will continue as scheduled this week:

Who: Olivia Chow
Date: Monday, Sept. 15
Time: 12pm-1pm
Place: Sears Atrium, ENG (245 Church St. Toronto Ontario)

Who: Councillors from Ward 27
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 16
Time: 12pm-1pm
Place: Sears Atrium, ENG (245 Church St. Toronto Ontario)

Who: Morgan Baskin
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 17
Time: 12pm-1pm
Place: Sears Atrium, ENG (245 Church St. Toronto Ontario)

Who: Doug Ford (invited but not confirmed in the place of Rob Ford)
Date: Thursday, Sept. 18
Time: 12pm-1pm
Location: 7th Floor, Chang School (297 Victoria St. Toronto Ontario)

SOURCE: Ryerson Students' Union

Jesse Root, Vice President Education, RSU, 647.782.5519 or [email protected]