Just hours after officially declaring his candidacy in the race to be Toronto’s next mayor there was a significant misstep in Adam Giambrone’s campaign.
The 32-year-old TTC Chair held a celebration marking his entry into the mayoral race at popular College Street nightspot Revival. CityNews reporter Tara Weber, who uses a wheelchair, discovered the event was a bit of a challenge to cover as the venue wasn’t fully accessible.
When asked how he felt about holding his party at a location as accessible as most TTC stations, Giambrone said: “One of the things we’ve got to work on in this city is accessibility.”
“2025 is too long to wait for full accessibility,” he added, referring to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) that requires all public facilities and services be made accessible by 2025.
Outside the event protesters holding signs that read “Giambrone Killing Small Business” and “Giambrone Don’t Narrow Lansdowne” gathered in an effort to derail the evening.
“We’re just, sort of, letting citizens know this city needs a change and Adam’s not the change we’re looking for,” protester Jack Fava said.
Hundreds of Giambrone's supporters turned out for the event.
Giambrone’s announcement Monday came as no surprise. He’d sent out invitations for his party at Revival late last month and also posted a tongue-in-cheek video on YouTube declaring “I’m Adam Giambrone and I’m ready.”
Giambrone insists he’ll remain the TTC Chair during the nine-month campaign.