Toronto mayoral campaign disrupted by security threat

The campaign for Toronto mayor has been disrupted by reports of a violent threat against candidates.

In a press release Thursday afternoon, Toronto Police said that at about 10:44 a.m. they were called to a location near Mortimer and Memorial Park avenues in East York, where a man had “made threatening remarks about shooting Toronto mayoral candidates” and “brandished what appeared to be a firearm.”

The release didn’t specify which candidates were threatened. There are 102 people registered for the race.

Some of the leading candidates had been scheduled to attend an event Thursday night at OCAD University, hosted by the Federation of South Toronto Residents’ Associations and the Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Associations. But soon after the police issued their release, some said they would not attend.

In a statement, Coun. Brad Bradford (Ward 19, Beaches-East York) said he, his family and campaign team are safe, but he would “pause public events until the suspect is apprehended.”

“Thank you to the security team at city hall and Toronto Police who are keeping everyone safe,” he said.

Mark Saunders’ team sent a message to the event organizers saying he had decided not to take part “given the serious security concerns.”

Police said they were looking for Junior Francois Lavagesse, 29, of Toronto who is wanted for: threaten bodily harm, carry concealed weapon, and weapons dangerous.

They advised that he should be considered armed and dangerous, and that anyone who locates him should not approach him, and call 911.

Ben Spurr is a Toronto-based reporter covering city hall and municipal politics for the Star. Reach him by email at bspurr@thestar.ca or follow him on Twitter: @BenSpurr

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