Doug Ford looking into why actors were hired as PC supporters at Ontario leaders' debate

Progressive ConservativeLeader Doug Ford told reporters he'slooking into why actors were paid $75 to be part of the crowd at the Ontario leaders' debateMonday night.

Ford was asked about the move during a Tuesday morning news conference afteractors told local media about the casting call. One actor forwarded CBC Toronto a copy of the casting call, which offered20 actors the chance to be paid$75 "to play real people at a Ford nation rally" from 2 to 8 p.m. ET.

Dozens of noisy Ford supporters rallied in front of theCitytvstudios ahead of the debate, waving signs and shouting supportfor the PC leader andMeredith Cartwright, the PC candidate for Toronto Centre.

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The emailed casting call states actors would be wearing "T-shirts of the PC candidates [Ford and Cartwright]."

Ford did not confirm that some people in the crowd were actors, telling reportersthe question was the first he hadheard of it.

However, hisspokesperson, MelissaLantsman, saidin an email thata local candidate hired actors from a casting agency.Lantsmancalled the decision"unnecessary and a mistake," and said"it will nothappen again."

Lantsman didn't confirmCartwright was behind the casting call, but Ford told reporters he would speak with the candidate about the matter.

"We don't need to pay anyone. When we have events, we're packed," Fordsaid. "We don't need that."

Cartwright posted several photos and videos on Twitter of supporters holding up signs supporting her and Ford ahead of the debate.

DevanshuNarang, who works as a "background performer," was one of the actors who received the email. He declined the job, citing in part poor pay, but also saidhe found the job "strange."

"The main thing was that, you know, the moment I saw that I kind of felt odd about it," Narang told CBC Toronto.

"You know, politicians hiring actors to play supporters is like the way it works in the Third World."

Campaign supporters should be at eventsbecause they believe in the candidate's or party's values, he said. In his view, paying actors affects a politician's credibility.

"You could go to any length to show you have a base," he said.

Ford's campaign has already caused controversy by opting against offering a campaign bus for reporters, while also using staff to conduct TV news-style interviews.