Evening mayoral debate cancelled ahead of Rob Ford health update

TORONTO – John Tory and Olivia Chow have decided to cancel an evening debate Wednesday because of the pending update on Mayor Rob Ford’s health.

Doctors at Mt. Sinai Hospital are expected to update the condition of Ford at 5 p.m. after the mayor entered hospital last week to deal with a tumour in his abdomen – and according to Toronto Sun columnist Joe Warmington, another on his lung.

But both Tory and Chow took part in The Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy debate at the National Club at noon Wednesday.

Tory has been criticized for skipping out on planned debates earlier this week.

Tory’s campaign said in a statement on Monday that the election has entered “a new phase” with the addition of Doug Ford now in the race with less than six weeks left until voting day.

Ford has yet to officially kick off his campaign but is expected to do so later this week.

READ MORE: Doctors to provide update on Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s health today

Doug filed papers to replace Rob Ford as a mayoral candidate following the discovery of a tumour in his abdomen last week.

Below: Mark McAllister tweets the afternoon mayoral debate between John Tory and Olivia Chow.