Olivia Chow resigns as New Democrat MP, to launch Toronto mayoral bid Thursday

NDP MP Olivia Chow asks a question during question period in the House of Commons on February 25, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

March 12, 2014 - 6:56 AM

OTTAWA - Olivia Chow has resigned her seat in Parliament, effective immediately, and is set to launch a bid to become the next mayor of Toronto.

A party spokeswoman confirms the Toronto New Democrat tendered her resignation to the Speaker of the House of Commons earlier today.

Chow is expected to formally launch her mayoral campaign Thursday in the inner city Toronto neighbourhood where she grew up, St. James Town.

Chow is considered a front-runner in the already crowded field that includes incumbent Rob Ford, one-time provincial Conservative leader and failed mayoral candidate John Tory, city councillor Karen Stintz and former councillor David Soknacki.

Jamey Heath, who will be communications director for Chow's campaign, says the former city councillor will be the only "progressive" contender in the already crowded race.

Chow served as a Toronto city councillor from 1991 until she was elected to the House of Commons in 2006 in a Toronto riding.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2014

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