Only three journalists showed up for Mr. Soknacki’s news conference. The rest of the press gallery was at city hall, having been promised by Councillor Doug Ford, the mayor’s brother, that he would bring David Blaine, the U.S. magician, out to meet reporters.
Reporters waited for an hour, but Mr. Blaine did not appear.
Mr. Soknacki then walked to City Hall where he reprised his news conference for the press corps.
“I must be doing something right if he has to schedule his meeting at the Economic Club when I am speaking at the Board of Trade, and have his magician the same time as my news conference,” Mr. Soknacki said. “If he wants to play games, it’s game on.”