Call them two peas in a pod? George Smitherman pulled out of the 'Get Active Toronto' debate a mere five minutes before it was set to begin yesterday after hearing that Rob Ford would not be attending. From now on, says Smitherman spokesperson Erika Mozes, Smitherman will not be participating in any debates where Rob Ford will not be present. Smitherman, apparently not even trying to pretend he considers Pantalone to be any sort of competition anymore, left Pants to take the stage alone in front of 225 audience members yesterday. All three candidates confirmed their attendance weeks ago, but the Ford camp pulled out just before 10 a.m. yesterday citing "unexpected scheduling issues." Then, of course, Smitherman followed suit.

Police are on the hunt for a gunman who shot two men near Christie Pits around 1:30 p.m. yesterday. According to police, the two men, aged 26 and 27, were leaving a martial arts club and crossing Bloor when they were shot, one in the arm and the other suffered a bullet grazing to the head. Both were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police believe the shootings were targeted, but not gang-related. Three bullet casings were found at the scene, which was closed to traffic as police scoured the area. Five nearby schools were also put on "hold and secure status" and the subway was closed between Ossington and St. George for about an hour. A description of the gunman has not yet been released.

Accused G20 riot ringleader Alex Hundert was in court yesterday challenging his new bail conditions which prohibit him from speaking with the press. Hundert has been charged with three counts of conspiracy related to G20 activities, and he was arrested September 17 for breaching his original bail conditions. New bail conditions imposed on him last week bar communication with the media, a clause that even Crown prosecutor Steve Byrne said was too tough during a court hearing yesterday. "If he wants to speak to a reporter, that's fine," he said. Though Hundert and his lawyer said they plan to hold off, at least for now.

Toronto DJ Dean Blundell is in hot water after making some Twitter comments that "inappropriately sexualized children," according to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council. The Edge host and the radio station CFNY have been reprimanded after Blundell tweeted, "Save your energy for puberty or to fend off your dad tonight while you're sleepin," to a female Justin Bieber fan, as well as other tweets suggesting Bieber was gay. The council has called the comments "gratuitous and unnecessary." Maybe CFNY can make up for it by broadcasting this fabulous Gordon Pinsent reading of Bieber's new memoir?

In brief:

Individuals from 14 countries were sworn in as new citizens of Leaf Nation Canada in the Maple Leafs dressing room, for some reason, yesterday. Thirty people became new Canadians amid Leaf jerseys and hockey stalls in a ceremony officiated by an Order of Canada officer and chair of the Maple Leafs Team Up foundation.

Charges have been thrown out for a Toronto doctor who was speeding to reach his patient back in January. Toronto cardiologist Dr. Michael Kutryk was pulled over and ticketed for speeding near Bayview and Moore Avenues when rushing to save a heart attack victim's life earlier in the year. The name of the officer who wrote Kutryk the $300 ticket has not been released.

Photo by Phil Marion in the blogTO Flickr pool.