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It was, perhaps, the sign of a candidate under strain. Or it might have just been Doug being Doug.

At a mayoral debate at the Runnymede Community Church Friday, Doug Ford broke the political fourth wall and went after the audience for giving him a hard time.

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“I’ve stood up for you folks,” he said after receiving some jeers. “I’m surprised at your reaction to me tonight, to be very frank with you.” At that point, he was drowned out by audience laughs. “I know you guys think it’s funny, but I stood up and fought for you folks for four years when they were doing the high rises.”

Ford then referenced a $1000 donation he says he made to nearby High Park. “I’m not this guy that wants to cut zoos and go wild,” he said. “I’ve got to find efficiencies. “I’ve spent a lot of time in High Park, doing some walks, doing some runs. So I’m — to be honest friends — I’m a little taken aback.”

Later, when he was again interrupted by the crowd, Mr. Ford doubled down. “I could have sworn at the beginning the moderator said we’re going to be nice and polite. It doesn’t show with some of these folks,” he said. “A lot of them are — they’re pretty ignorant, some of them.