Mayor Ford was transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital from Humber River Hospital about 1 p.m. today (Thursday, September 11, 2014). Following the mayor’s reported illness, it seemed certain he would be transferred to a downtown hospital. Mont Sinai is a world-renowned centre for the practice of internal medicine. As reported earlier, doctors say they have found a “not small” tumour in mayor’s lower left abdomen. The challenge of diagnosis awaits the very best medical minds. With word of a news conference this evening, it appears that doctors may know by now whether the tumour is malignant. Meanwhile, tomorrow is nomination day for the general election. Candidates must act by 2 p.m. Friday, September 12, 2014 if they wish to withdraw or enter a name. If the mayor’s name is not withdrawn, he will appear on the ballot. Quite apart from whether he is well enough to return to the campaign, His presence on the ballot will attract votes. There has been a notable idea or two from the media about the mayor’s illness. One columnist said the campaign should be temporarily suspended. Most people seem to have rejected this idea. The most elemental exercise of democracy — an election — is seldom altered by the illness of political leaders, however sad such things may be. Robyn Doolittle of the Toronto Star seemed to think that the mayor’s illness made it “difficult” for other candidates to pursue their campaigns. This also seems a little curious. The other candidates owe Mr. Ford their best wishes, not a blackout on the issues.
