Toronto residents await news about Rob Ford’s health.
By Vick Karunakaran
Toronto residents will learn more about the condition of Mayor Rob Ford at a 5 p.m. news briefing at Mt. Sinai hospital on Wednesday, according to media outlets quoting the mayor’s brother, Doug Ford.
During a phone call with Toronto Sun columnist Joe Warmington on Monday, the mayor said his condition was “not too good”.
Warmington also reported that Ford told him he underwent a lung biopsy.
The mayor is in Mt. Sinai Hospital after doctors discovered a tumour in his abdomen last week. The results of his biopsies are yet to be released.
In light of Rob Ford’s current medical condition, Doug Ford has stepped into the mayoral race.
There is no outward sign, however, that Doug is campaigning and Ford Fest, which was to take place Friday, has been postponed.
Doug Ford’s Battle
“It’s a long road for Doug Ford,” said political analyst John Crean, a managing partner with NATIONAL Public Relations.
The mayor’s brother announced he will enter “full campaign mode” this week after he entered the mayoral race on Friday.
Doug Ford is dealing with personal family matters as well as trying to organize a campaign from scratch, Crean said.
This includes having to raise funds for his campaign.
The Municipal Election Act has restrictions on how candidates receive funding.
“In Toronto, you can only take contributions from individuals,” said lawyer Jack Seigel, who has worked with election finance law.
The City of Toronto prohibits corporations or unions from contributing to the municipal campaigns.
“The Rob Ford campaign is not an eligible contributor to the Doug Ford campaign,” Seigel said.
Any surplus funds from Rob Ford’s campaign belongs to the City of Toronto, now that he dropped out of the race, he added.
The Battlefield
A new survey released Tuesday shows John Tory leading with a 14-percentage point over Olivia Chow and Doug Ford, according to Global News.
The mayoral campaign continues to appear volatile with six weeks left.
“It’s going to be an uphill battle for [Doug Ford],” said Crean, who added that Doug Ford has to demonstrate he is a different person than his brother.
“He can’t just say ‘I’m Rob Ford’s brother… you should vote for me,’” he said.
Candidates don’t have to disclose their campaign money until April, which is six months after the campaign ends, said Seigel. However, Rob Ford’s campaign will have to disclose by March.