Both John Tory and Olivia Chow say it was totally inappropriate for fellow mayoral challenger Doug Ford to step in for his brother at the opening ceremony of last night’s Nuit Blanche festival.

Using his power as mayor, Rob Ford nominated his brother and mayoral candidate to speak on behalf of the city.  Ford’s spokesperson Amin Massoudi says the mayor sends designates to anything he is unable to attend.

Last night’s opening of the annual all-night arts festival was held at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, a theatre that seats more than 2000 people.

John Tory’s campaign spokesperson says Ford was breaking the rules by campaigning at a City of Toronto event.  Olivia Chow’s campaign spokesperson said the same thing.

But Massoudi insists Doug Ford was not campaigning at the ceremony and was there on behalf of the city as a councillor.