New Democrat MP Olivia Chow will resign her seat in Parliament on Wednesday, as she prepares to launch her formal campaign to become mayor of Toronto, ending months of speculation of whether she would run to replace Rob Ford.

Chow, a former Toronto city councillor who represents the Trinity-Spadina riding for the NDP, will formally launch her campaign on Thursday in the Toronto neighbourhood in which she grew up, St. Jamestown.

Chow had previously said she was "seriously considering" a run for mayor but was waiting to make a decision.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/olivia-chow-to-resign-as-mp-launch-toronto-mayoral-bid-1.2569053