An afternoon debate on the future of arts and culture in Toronto was notably much more civil than the last debate attended by all three frontrunners in the city’s mayoral race.

The event, which was held at the TIFF Bell Lightbox on Monday, featured frontrunners John Tory, Olivia Chow and Doug Ford but also included mayoral candidates Ari Goldkind and Morgan Baskin. The debate focused on their ideas for growing arts and culture in Canada’s largest city.

Doug Ford said one of his big priorities, if elected mayor, would be to bring a world-class music festival, similar to U.S.-based Lollapalooza, to the city of Toronto.

However, Baskin was quick to point out that Toronto already has big music festivals, including North by Northeast, and argued that it would be better to try to grow those festivals instead.

John Tory focused on developing long-term funding for the arts and a need to promote Toronto’s art community globally.

Olivia Chow discussed how arts would be a key sector in an agency she intends to create called Global Toronto.

The candidates all agreed to keep previous funding promises intact.

One question took on a more personal tone, asking all five candidates about the “most transformative art experience” they had ever had.

Ari Goldkind referenced a dining experience at O.Noir, a Toronto restaurant where patrons eat in complete darkness. Baskin recalled a photocopier dance party installation at a past Nuit Blanche festival. Doug Ford said the most transformative art experience he ever had was funding the first murals in Rexdale.

While the atmosphere of Monday’s debate was clearly calmer than past debates, the moderator on a few occasions was forced to remind candidates to stay on the topic of arts and culture.

During closing remarks, Olivia Chow decided to instead veer off topic to attack John Tory’s transit plan.

The mayoral candidate pulled out a napkin with a drawing depicting a map of Tory’s SmartTrack plan. She told the audience that she wanted to show them a ‘piece of art’ she had created.

When asked about the stunt after the debate, Chow said she was trying to illustrate how Tory’s plan will destroy buildings in the Mount Dennis neighbourhood.

“It is a creative response,” Chow said.

“I was a working artist. I still occasionally draw and sculpt… This was a good opportunity to make a point.”