Mayoral candidate Gil Penalosa was set to hold a little campaign press conference outside of Nathan Phillips Square today - until he was kicked out for not having a permit.

City Hall reporter for the Toronto Star Ben Spurr was there to document the meeting when he captured city security telling Penalosa to get the hell out.

As Penalosa speaks about his housing policy, his presser seems to have attracted city security pic.twitter.com/lx7nRTXFOP

— Ben Spurr (@BenSpurr) September 14, 2022

The candidate also brought some structures to place beside the three-dimensional "TORONTO" sign, spelling out "GIL 4 TORONTO."

Panelosa says the city has an affordable housing problem and calls Tory’s eight years a failure on building enough to meet demands. The plan includes ending exclusionary zoning, allowing homeowners to renovate their own properties to create 6 rental units. #topoli pic.twitter.com/gnHPMAA2AR

— Matthew Bingley (@mattybing) September 14, 2022

Of course, these signs were also a problem.

Security trying to shut down the presser because the campaign doesn’t have a permit to hold an event in the square pic.twitter.com/CncjVB9PyT

— Ben Spurr (@BenSpurr) September 14, 2022

Many people, including Alex Bozikovic from the Globe & Mail, were quick to point that current Mayor John Tory gets to campaign basically where he pleases, including a recent appearance at Joel Swirsky Parkette.

When the mayor is campaigning in a park, does he have to have a permit? @bradrossTO @TorontoComms pic.twitter.com/huStKyA6Pu

— Alex Bozikovic (@alexbozikovic) September 14, 2022

Brad Ross, the city's chief communications officer commented on the Twitter thread, attempting to explain why Penalosa was ejected (or in his words "asked to relocate").

A formal media event with structures was being conducted on NPS, which is not permitted. Informal media scrums on the square are allowed and was asked to relocate.

— Brad Ross (@bradrossTO) September 14, 2022

"A formal media event with structures was being conducted on NPS (Nathan Phillips Square), which is not permitted. Informal media scrums on the square are allowed," he said.

A response from the Penalosa campaign re: getting kicked off city hall property during their announcement: "The Mayor did a campaign announcement in our city’s public square recently. It’s reasonable to assume his primary competitor would be afforded the same opportunity.”

— Matthew Bingley (@mattybing) September 14, 2022

"These are the rules during an election period - Aug 1 to Oct 24 in this case. All candidates are provided with relevant policies, including the one that applies here."

Ross continued to comment that a "mic and speaker" were also caught on the square, which again, is prohibited.

Councillor Josh Matlow aired his thoughts on the situation, saying "this is wrong. There are small groups who gather at our city's main public square every day. This was not some big event, protest or concert. A mayoral candidate was trying to make a housing announcement in front of the very building where decisions affecting housing are made."

This is wrong. There are small groups who gather at our city’s main public square every day. This was not some big event, protest or concert. A mayoral candidate was trying to make a housing announcement in front of the very building where decisions affecting housing are made. https://t.co/pT9Vj1JURD

— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) September 14, 2022

Penalosa has yet to make a public statement about today's situation, but retweeted the original thread and replied, explaining the situation.

A response from the Penalosa campaign re: getting kicked off city hall property during their announcement: "The Mayor did a campaign announcement in our city’s public square recently. It’s reasonable to assume his primary competitor would be afforded the same opportunity.”

— Matthew Bingley (@mattybing) September 14, 2022

Remember folks, unless your John Tory, Nathan Phillips Square is not for you.