Ontario PC Leader Doug Ford will not be participating in a provincial leaders' debate organized by the black community scheduled for April 11, CBC Toronto has learned.

In a statement to CBC Toronto, Ford's campaign says the Ontario Progressive Conservative leader will be in Northern Ontario on the date of the Black Community Provincial Leaders Debate.

"Doug Ford has been meeting with Ontarians of every background and listening to their concerns," the statement reads. "Doug Ford will be a Premier for all Ontarians and will bring relief to families, including those in the black community."

Debate organizers have already secured the participation of all the other provincial leaders, including Premier Kathleen Wynne, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner.

Multiple attempts to reach Ford

Velma Morgan, interim chair of Operation Black Vote Canada, organized the debate with nine other black community groups and told CBC News that there were multiple attempts to reach out to Ford.

The first invitation was sent on March 11, the day after Ford won the PC Party leadership. On March 18, another email was sent after a follow-up conversation with a Ford communications official.

The group received a response on March 23 saying Ford would not be able to participate , but only heard last Saturday that Ford would be in northern Ontario on the date of the event.

"We invited all the leaders to discuss the concerns of the Black community. We're disappointed that one of the leaders won't be there," Morgan said. "We're missing out because Doug Ford could be the premier of the province."