Mayoral candidate Doug Ford (open Doug Ford's poilcard) held a Wednesday news conference at the headquarters of the Toronto Real Estate Board to discuss his plan to cut the land transfer tax by 60 per cent.

After Ford finished taking questions, the board’s chief government and public affairs officer, Von Palmer, stepped up to the microphone himself. Other board officials, including president Paul Etherington, watched from the side.

After various questions about Ford’s proposal, James Tumelty, senior camera operator for Citytv, calmly asked Palmer a series of questions about realtors’ commissions.

Etherington did not enjoy them.

A transcript of the three-man exchange, some of which was inaudible on tape:

Tumelty: “For all the reasons that you said the land transfer tax hurts seniors…and for the reason that real estate prices have grown considerably…should real estate commissions be reduced too?”

Palmer: “I don’t think that’s a topic of discussion.”

Tumelty: “That’s the lion’s share…it’s that real estate commission.”

Palmer: “Right. There are some who choose to attack realtors in this process. Realtors are not the problem.”

Tumelty: “I’m not attacking, just asking a question.”

Palmer: “Fair enough. But the homebuyer pays the tax. People don’t work for free, by the way. Realtors provide a service. You have a choice to use a realtor or not use a realtor. But let’s not run away from the facts, though: the homebuyer pays the tax. That is the problem, because those are the people that are hurt. So it’s not a question of commissions or what we give up. The question is who’s hurt by this tax and who benefits when you start to take it out.”

Tumelty: “Same idea when they don’t have to pay the real estate fees.”

Etherington (interjecting from side): “You know what? That’s an inappropriate question. Who pays for you. Let’s end this conversation now, thank you.”

Reporter: “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. He’s allowed to ask a question.”

Etherington: “Thank you very much. Inappropriate competition question. Not appropriate for this. Thank you very much. “

Reporter: “Sir, who are — you’re regulating the press conferences? If he wants to ask a question he can ask a question.”

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Etherington: “Not a question that might be anti-competitive. And it’s not a proper question for here. Thank you very much.”

Reporter: “Sir, who are you?”

Etherington: “I’m the president of the Toronto Real Estate Board, Paul Etherington.”