Statement Regarding the Incident at Hart House Debate on Youth

The incident took place last night at the Youth Priority Symposium Debate at the University of Toronto's Hart House hosted by the Creative Institute for Toronto's Young Leaders.

The young woman, while distributing campaign materials to attendees before the debate began, offered a campaign flyer to Candidate George Smitherman.

Mr. Smitherman, upon seeing the campaign flyer angrily confronted the young woman and verbally abused her. The incident has caused the volunteer considerable distress.

Mayoral candidate Rocco Rossi and his entire campaign team stand, without hesitation or reservation, behind their volunteer.

The Rossi campaign takes the position that this behaviour is unacceptable and that Mr. Smitherman should offer the young woman an immediate apology. media@roccorossi.com