The main candidates for Mayor of Toronto held a debate at city hall last night.

There was one notable absence. But, although Rob Ford was out of sight, he was definitely not out of mind.

Ford remains in rehab in Muskoka, but his conduct and track record formed a major part of the debate. Olivia Chow was the first to go on the attack, ridiculing Ford’s “subways, subways, subways” chant, and pointing out there are no shovels in the ground.

John Tory called it a miracle that city council has been able to function in the face of Ford’s behaviour. He says consorting with criminals and repeatedly lying to the public was disrespectful of “the office he holds, the people who put him there, and his colleagues.”

Karen Stintz agreed that Ford’s antics have been a disruption to the business of the city.

Aside from Ford, the main issue at the debate organized by the Ntaional Ethnic Press and Media Council was transit and gridlock.

John Tory is unveiling his transit plan this morning.