Olivia Chow won't rule out Toronto mayoralty bid

NDP MP Olivia Chow says she hasn't "shut the door completely" onchallenging Toronto Mayor Rob Fordfor the city's top job in the next municipal election in 2014.

"A lot of people have been asking about [a prospective bid for mayor]. I want to thank people for approaching me," she said Friday at a media event in Toronto in which she appealed to the federal government to create a national witness protection program.

"I'm not necessarily considering [it]. I haven't shut the door completely. It's very far away."

She said her focus was on the upcoming federal budget and ensuring that Toronto gets funding for transit and infrastructure programs as well as the national witness protection program.

Chow's appeal comes a day aftertwo murder charges were laidagainst Toronto resident Shaquan Mesquitoin connection with the gang-related shooting on Danzig Street in Scarborough that left two people dead and more than 20 injured.

Police said Thursday they believepeople who witnessed the shooting still have yet to come forward with their information.

Chow was a Toronto councillor from 1993 to 2006. Shewas elected in 2006 as the NDP MP in the Toronto riding of Trinity-Spadina.