Torontonians Invited to Have Their Say as CityNews Broadcasts Toronto's First Televised 2014 Mayoral Debate, March 26

- All five major candidates - Chow, Ford, Soknacki, Stintz, and Tory - to participate -
-   Speakers Corner returns to CityNews.ca and 680News.com following the debate; audiences to also engage via live text voting during broadcast -

To tweet this release: bit.ly/1d4OhtC

TORONTO, March 20, 2014 /CNW/ - As Canada's most exciting mayoral race in recent history gets underway, Torontonians will have an unprecedented opportunity to engage with all five major mayoral candidates when CityNews delivers Toronto's first televised 2014 debate - CityVote 2014.  The two-hour special, hosted by CityNews anchor Gord Martineau and featuring all five candidates - Olivia Chow, Rob Ford, David Soknacki, Karen Stintz, and John Tory - airs Wednesday, March 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET on City, CityNews.ca, the CityNews app, and 680News.com.

Following the debate, audiences can continue the conversation on the future of Toronto's leadership through the return of the iconic City brand, Speakers Corner.  Long before social media, Speakers Corner was the forum for Torontonians to voice their opinions on everything from politics to policies, taxes to trash. Now in a new digital format, viewers are invited to once again make their voices heard through Speakers Corner on CityNews.ca and 680News.com.

"CityNews prides itself on being Toronto's most accessible local news station, and the innovative access we're offering viewers around the debate is yet another example of how CityNews is a leader in engaging audiences on multiple platforms," said Dave Budge, General Manager for CityNews, Rogers. 

In a CityNews first, audiences can weigh in during the broadcast on who is winning the debate through a text-to-vote feature powered by Poll Everywhere, as well as through Twitter @CityNews, and CityNews.ca, with real time results featured on television and online. Torontonians and GTAers can also engage in the debate via the live studio audience, Twitter @CityNews, and online at CityNews.ca.

CityVote 2014 gives candidates the opportunity to put each other in the hot seat by asking one question each to an opponent of their choice. The candidates will also face questions from Rogers's team of trusted political journalists. Following the debate, CityNews anchor Tom Hayes takes on the post-game analysis with 680News political reporter John Stall and Maclean's reporter Charlie Gillis.

Launched in 1990 as a video booth near City studios, Speakers Corner was a ground-breaking platform where everyone from locals to celebrities could sound off on a wide-range of topics via video commentary recorded for the Speakers Corner program on City. Now updated for the digital world, the new Speakers Corner will have a permanent home on CityNews.ca and 680News.com. 

Social Media Links
Visit CityNews at www.citynews.ca
Follow CityNews at @CityNews
Like CityNews at Facebook.com/Citynews
Official Hashtag #cityvote 

About Rogers Media Inc.
Rogers Media Inc., a division of Rogers Communications (TSX: RCI; NYSE: RCI), is a diversified leading Canadian media company that engages in television and radio broadcasting, publishing, digital, and sports entertainment. Rogers Broadcasting has 53 AM and FM radio stations across Canada; television properties include seven City stations, four OMNI multicultural television stations, Sportsnet (consisting of four regional channels and the nationally-distributed Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet World, and Sportsnet 360), and The Shopping Channel, a televised and internet shopping service.  Rogers Publishing produces many well-known consumer and online magazines, such as Maclean's, Chatelaine, L'actualité, Canadian Business, and is the leading publisher of a number of industry, medical and financial publications. Rogers Media's suite of digital assets includes 90+ owned and 300+ premium partnership sites. Rogers Media Inc. owns Rogers Centre stadium, a year-round sports and entertainment facility, and the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club. 

SOURCE: City

Media Contact
Charmaine Khan, CityNews, 416.277.0450, [email protected]
Michelle Lomack, CityNews, 416.819.2783, [email protected]