TORONTO

Doug Ford's repeated attempts to paint John Tory as a wealthy elite earned him jeers from the crowd at Tuesday night's debate.

Ford was booed and heckled by the crowd at the event organized by the Latin American Civic Participation Campaign. Ford evoked the reaction by launching into what's become a regular line of attack in these debates, telling the crowd Tory doesn't understand problems in Toronto Community Housing because he's wealthy.

“You come from a totally different world than the rest of us,” he said as the crowd booed.

“Come on, give it,” yelled one man. “Let's pass the hat for Doug.”

After the debate, Ford defended his attacks on Tory, saying that unlike his opponent, he hasn't gotten personal.

“I'm going after someone's record,” he said. “I'm not calling him a homophobe, like he called me. I'm not calling him a racist, like he called me. I'm not calling him every name under the sun, like he's called me.”

Ford said he's drawing voter attention to Tory's resume.

“I think it's important when you apply for a job people look at your resume,” he said.

Tory said Ford has proven to be a divisive figure and that continued at the debate.

“I am sure it will continue going forward,” he said. “I just don't think the city can afford four more years of that. It's very disappointing and I think he's let the city down as well as letting down himself.”

The debate tackled a wide range of topics related to issues facing immigrant communities. One area of agreement between Tory and Ford was on the issue of granting permanent residents the vote. Both men said they wouldn't support it if elected.

But Olivia Chow told the crowd if she would support extending the vote to landed immigrants if elected mayor.

“If you pay all of these taxes why should you not have the opportunity to vote for someone that can spend your taxes properly,” she said, as the crowd cheered.

The candidates were also asked how they would bring more equity to the budget process. Doug Ford said he would change the Section 37 development bonus system which allows councillors to negotiate agreements with developers in exchange for high density buildings. That cash needs to be distributed across the city, not just to downtown wards, he said. “The Section 37 money has to be split equally amongst everyone."