Progressive Conservative candidate Raymond Cho is apologizing for getting into a physical altercation with a Grade 7 student outside a Scarborough school last week.

Police were called to the incident at Brookside Public School on May 29. Cho — the incumbent MPP for Scarborough—Rouge River running in the newly created riding of Scarborough North — said he argued with the child after handing out campaign flyers outside the school.

“During one of the conversations a student ripped up my campaign literature and threw it on the ground,” Cho, 81, said in an email responding to questions from the Star. “While asking him to pick it up, I lightly touched his head.

“Upon reflection I understand that it was inappropriate for myself to have any physical contact with the child and it was not my place to intervene with what I saw as rude and disrespectful behaviour. I sincerely apologize to the young man and his family.

“I hope they can accept my apology.”

Toronto Police spokesperson Gary Long said no charges have been laid and police are not investigating.

TDSB spokesperson Ryan Bird said staff at the school — which teaches more than 750 students from junior kindergarten to Grade 8 — were made aware of a political candidate handing out flyers on school property, at the end of the school day.

“Staff immediately went outside to speak with the candidate and another person to ask them to stop as electioneering is not permitted on school property,” Bird said in an email. “They understood and immediately left the property.

“Shortly after, staff were told that the candidate got into a brief verbal and physical altercation with a Grade 7 student at the school. The student’s parent and Toronto Police were notified. The student was not injured.”

Cho has represented Scarborough-Rouge River since 2016. Before entering provincial politics, Cho was elected as a Metro Councillor in 1991 and as a Toronto city councillor in 1997.

Several PC candidates have found themselves embroiled in controversies during the campaign.

In May, then-Brampton East candidate Simmer Sandhu quit suddenly after 407 ETR, his former employer, announced it had called police over an “internal theft” of information.

Earlier this week, PC leader Doug Ford said he would stand by Scarborough—Guildwood candidate and Toronto police officer, Roshan Nallaratnam, who is under investigation for a threatening email that he says is fake.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

On Monday, the Star reported that Ford is being sued by the widow and children of his brother and former Toronto mayor Rob Ford for $16.5-million, alleging that he was a “negligent” manager of the family business.

Ford has vowed to fight the allegations in court.

With files from Tamar Harris

Read more about: