Rob Ford’s re-election fundraiser set for this week in Vaughan has been postponed while the Toronto mayor seeks treatment for substance abuse.

“It has been delayed,” said a woman answering the phone at Riviera Parque Banquet & Convention Centre in Concord. She did not know if and when the event would be rescheduled.

It is the first campaign event to be affected by Ford’s leave of absence.

The decision to hold the mayor’s first major fundraiser outside Toronto boundaries raised eyebrows and prompted two councillors to call for changes to the city’s contribution rebate program.

In 2010, a large number of rebates were given to campaign donors who did not reside in Toronto. It is estimated the program will cost $4.8 million in 2014.

Anyone buying a $300 ticket for the Ford fundraiser was eligible for a $225 rebate from the City of Toronto in addition to dinner and drinks. One-third of Ford’s campaign donations in 2010 came from outside Toronto.

The Fords have also blitzed households in the 905 area code with robocalls inviting residents to their annual Ford Fests, free community barbecues.

Ford officially launched his re-election campaign last month at the Toronto Congress Centre. Bobbleheads and other Ford memorabilia were sold for the campaign.

Ford’s name remains on the ballot for the Oct. 27 vote.

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