Even Rob Ford had to laugh at John Tory’s roasting of Rob Ford.

In the first of four scheduled debates Ford has attended this week, he was repeatedly shut down by Tory and the other candidates for “fantasy” plans on transit and lying about his own success as mayor.

At the Hilton hotel on Thursday afternoon, four top candidates were questioned on transit, jobs and infrastructure during a debate organized by the Toronto Region Board of Trade and the Globe and Mail.

In what was his most forceful and pointed takedown of Ford yet during this campaign, Tory literally told Ford to “bring it on,” as the two squared off at podiums next to each other. Ford, in turn, took most of his time to attack Tory, who is currently leading in the polls and who drew the most praise from the crowd of business leaders.

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In response to almost every question about future plans for the city, Ford said that he was already doing that work or it was already done.

A fix for the crumbling Gardiner Expressway?

“It’s done,” Ford said of needed repairs. “We’re fixing it. We’re already investing in it.”

Tory stepped in.

“Do you think half the time that because you say something that it means it’s true?”

The crowd erupted in laughs, cheers and applause.

“You haven’t done these things,” Tory continued as a bell rang to signal the next question. “It’s failed leadership.”

Some of the laughs came unprompted by the opposing candidates.

When Ford tried to claim he had a great relationship with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and that the provincial government would work with him when he was re-elected, the laughter started without prompting.

Ford and Premier Kathleen Wynne have not spoken since Ford was stripped of his powers in November.

“Are you kidding me?” Tory said.

There were snickers in the crowd when Ford claimed the city is in “better financial shape than it’s ever been.”

As Olivia Chow at times fought to be heard during the free-for-all debate, David Soknacki was often the first to jump in to challenge both Tory and Ford on what he called “fantasy” transit plans and funding.

“Rob, you’re entitled to your opinions but not to your facts,” Soknacki said, outlining the loss of jobs and rising unemployment to challenge Ford’s claims of financial success.

He also called Tory’s idea to fund his above-ground SmartTrack rail plan with tax increment financing — a strategy Ford says he is also adopting — “fantasy money.”

A question about personal integrity had all of the candidates questioning Ford for alleged dealings at city hall with clients of Deco Labels and Tags, the Ford family business.

“No one, but no one can buy the Fords. Nobody. Deco Labels has not benefitted one iota from any of these misnomers that are spread around,” Ford said. “My conflict of interest is zero.”

Chow — in one of her only direct digs at Ford — asked whether he would put his assets in a blind trust to avoid any future conflicts if re-elected.

“You know what a silent partner is?” Ford asked. “I’m a silent partner of Deco.”

“That would be a first,” Tory quipped — to which even Ford chuckled.

“That was a good one!” Ford said.

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Soknacki said yet-to-be released documents his campaign received through a freedom of information request show Ford used his public office for campaigning in a “blatant” violation of election rules.

“More rumours, innuendos, FOIs, they don’t stop,” Ford said.

“You just keep providing material,” Tory said, to laughs.

“You know what, nothing’s been true, has it, John?”

“A lot of it has,” Tory said.

Later, when on the subject of how to work cooperatively with other GTA municipalities to draw new investment, Ford went back to his earlier strategy.

“What you’ve said you’re going to do—” he started.

“You’ve done?” Tory said.

“—we’re doing it!” Ford finished.

“Somehow, I knew that,” Tory said.

The four candidates will debate again in Etobicoke Friday evening.

What they said

John Tory to Rob Ford on his claims of already fixing things like the Gardiner Expressway: “Do you think half the time that because you say something that it means it’s true?”

Tory to Ford after he objected to including his brother Doug Ford’s actions: “Because he’s your mouthpiece half the time.”

Tory to Rob Ford after he asked how much money Tory saved taxpayers during his time at Queen’s Park: “I was the opposition leader, Rob.”

David Soknacki to Ford after he claimed the city is in the best financial shape it’s ever been: "Rob, you’re entitled to your opinions but not to your facts.”

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