Close X
Thursday, December 12, 2024
ADVT 
National

Chow reaches out to Ford family as public awaits update on Toronto mayor's health

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 17 Sep, 2014 11:42 AM

    TORONTO - Olivia Chow, whose husband former NDP leader Jack Layton died from cancer, says she's reached out to offer her support to ailing Toronto Mayor Rob Ford.

    Doctors are expected to provide an update this afternoon on his health, a full week after they found a tumour in his abdomen.

    Chow says she called the mayor's brother Doug Ford — who is now her political rival in the mayoral race — after Rob Ford was admitted to hospital last week.

    She says she asked him to pass on her prayers and thoughts to the Ford family because she knew "how difficult it is."

    Chow says Coun. Doug Ford called her a few days later to thank her for her support.

    The mayor is still running for councillor in the ward that he represented for a decade before he took the top job in 2010.

    Today's news conference will take place at the city's Mount Sinai Hospital, where Ford has been undergoing tests to determine the exact nature of his tumour.

    Speculation about the seriousness of the controversial mayor's condition has been mounting ever since it was announced last week that doctors had discovered a fair-sized tumour when the 45-year-old politician sought treatment for "unbearable" abdominal pain.

    Ford had an appendix tumour and part of his colon removed in 2009. His father, former Ontario politician Doug Ford Sr., died in 2006 of colon cancer three months after he was diagnosed with the disease.

    Ford — who has turned into an international celebrity due to a series of scandals — returned to office just over two months ago after a stint in rehab for substance abuse issues.

    His role as mayor has been largely symbolic since last November, when he was stripped of most of his powers following his admissions of alcohol abuse and drug use during "drunken stupors.''

    His confessions came after months of denials and were followed by videos which appeared to show the mayor smoking crack cocaine and making offensive and profane comments.

    Ford apologized to those hurt by his words and actions, saying he regretted some of his past choices but said he blamed no one but himself for his misconduct.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Group including Wind Mobile CEO to buy out majority shareholder VimpelCom

    Group including Wind Mobile CEO to buy out majority shareholder VimpelCom
    TORONTO - An investment group that includes Wind Mobile founder Tony Lacavera and Canadian private equity firm West Face Capital has a tentative deal to buy out Wind's majority shareholder, VimpelCom Ltd., a Russian-Dutch company that has been trying to exit the Canadian market since it was blocked from gaining full ownership of the small wireless carrier last year.

    Group including Wind Mobile CEO to buy out majority shareholder VimpelCom

    Alberta has 18 cases of respiratory virus similar to outbreak in U.S.

    Alberta has 18 cases of respiratory virus similar to outbreak in U.S.
    EDMONTON - Alberta's medical officer of health says a recent spike in the number of children with respiratory illness is pretty normal for this time of year.

    Alberta has 18 cases of respiratory virus similar to outbreak in U.S.

    Children's advocate wants Saskatchewan foster homes to be licensed

    Children's advocate wants Saskatchewan foster homes to be licensed
    REGINA - Saskatchewan's children's advocate is calling on the provincial government to require all foster homes in the province to be licensed.

    Children's advocate wants Saskatchewan foster homes to be licensed

    Harper urged to use UN speech to push for progress on health of poor kids, moms

    Harper urged to use UN speech to push for progress on health of poor kids, moms
    OTTAWA - The United Nations Children's Fund is calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to use his coming speech at the General Assembly to push for progress on saving young mothers and newborns in the developing world.

    Harper urged to use UN speech to push for progress on health of poor kids, moms

    Saskatoon woman, 65, faces death if deported to native Pakistan: lawyer

    Saskatoon woman, 65, faces death if deported to native Pakistan: lawyer
    WINNIPEG - A woman who fled to Canada from Pakistan — and who may be stoned to death upon her return, according to her lawyer — lost what may have been her final bid Monday to avoid deportation.

    Saskatoon woman, 65, faces death if deported to native Pakistan: lawyer

    Hitchcock suspense movie helps detect awareness in patient in vegetative state

    Hitchcock suspense movie helps detect awareness in patient in vegetative state
    A group of Canadian neuroscientists say they have successfully used a suspenseful Alfred Hitchcock movie to record the conscious experiences of a patient who has been in a vegetative state for 16 years.

    Hitchcock suspense movie helps detect awareness in patient in vegetative state