Olivia Chow to resign as MP, launch Toronto mayoral bid on Thursday

OTTAWA – The Canadian Press has learned that Olivia Chow will resign her seat in Parliament as she sets her sights on replacing Rob Ford as mayor of the country’s largest city.

The New Democrat MP intends to submit her resignation early Wednesday to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

She plans to formally launch her mayoral campaign Thursday in the inner city Toronto neighbourhood in which she grew up, St. Jamestown.

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.

But he predicts she’ll appeal to people across the political spectrum, including the blue-collar folks who supported Ford’s no-nonsense populism but now believe it’s time for a change following Ford’s admitted “drunken stupors” and use of crack cocaine.

New Democrats like Heath and Brian Topp, who were key to late husband Jack Layton’s success in the federal arena, will be involved but Chow’s campaign will be headed by veteran Conservative strategist John Laschinger, while her war room will be run by Warren Kinsella, a well-known Liberal.