Olivia Chow, John Tory key in on Rob Ford’s ‘embarrassing’ behaviour

While the likelihood of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford being charged in connection to a criminal investigation appears to be waning, those seeking to replace him at city hall are less likely to let rest a series of embarrassing appearances and comments that suggest “disrespect” for the city.

The issue has even prompted one candidate to launch an international appeal, mirroring Ford’s own habit of taking his campaign to international media.

A stockpile of Toronto police notes were released to the public on Thursday as investigators appeared to differ on whether Ford should be charged in connection to an alleged extortion attempt to recover a video showing the mayor smoking from a crack pipe. That investigation may be technically ongoing, but Ford announced on Thursday that he had been "cleared" in the matter.

But at the same time, as the idea of a sitting mayor being criminally charged appeared to fade away, those seeking to replace him elevated their attacks against the bizarre personal behaviour that has plagued his time in office.

Ford has previous admitted to smoking crack cocaine and buying illegal drugs while mayor. A series of embarrassing mishaps, including intoxicated public appearances, and comments have also garnered international attention, and questions linger about the amount of time he spends at city hall.

[ Related: Bill Clinton lays judgment on Rob Ford as Toronto investigation hits speed bump ]

Both of Ford's two major rivals took steps to position Ford's behaviour as a key election issue this week, although each went about it in very different ways.

While conservative candidate John Tory introduced the idea of a "code of conduct" for elected officials, former NDP MP Olivia Chow took to the international stage to protest Ford's misbehaviour.

An interview with Chow appeared this week in the South China Morning Post – an English-language daily based out of Hong Kong. Chow urged Torontonians who are living in Hong Kong to react to the "sense of shame" Ford has caused their home town.

Chow told the newspaper she believed Torontonians living overseas felt "a fascination and a deep-seated embarrassment and sense of shame" from Ford's behaviour.

The newspaper estimated there are tens of thousands of Torontonians residing in Hong Kong. Chow, who stepped down as an NDP MP to run for mayor, was born in Hong Kong and speaks Mandarin fluently. She was also scheduled to be interviewed by BBC News this week.

During a televised mayoral debate last month, both Chow and Tory attacked Ford's behaviour, while seemingly taking steps to avoid addressing the possibility of criminal charges.

Chow said Ford was a bad role model and called him an "international embarrassment." Tory, meantime, said Ford has shown a disrespect for the office of mayor.

On Thursday, Tory launched an all-out attack for that lack of respect -- introducing a 10-point code of conduct that essentially called Ford out for his bizarre behaviour and habit of showing up at city hall late in the day.

The code of conduct is pretty straightforward. It requires that elected officials pledge to defend laws rather than break them, show up for work, remain open to public questioning and not maintain an "enemies list."

[ Related: Rob Ford police documents released as judge lifts pub ban ]

Tory says the code of conduct contents are all things we would tell our children, but Ford's behaviour has required a strong policy on personal behaviour.

"What do you think would happen at your work if you showed up late all the time, or didn't show up at all?" Tory asked in a YouTube video.

"That's the kind of thing that has been going on at city hall will our mayor. It is not acceptable conduct for a mayor."

To give credit where it is due, another mayoral candidate has already raised an idea not unlike Tory's code of conduct.

When David Soknacki announced his candidacy in January, he vowed to break the "partisan gridlock" at city hall by focusing on collaboration and open dialogue, as well as promising to release his schedule publicly and report any absences from city hall. These are similar to promises now made by Tory.

Ford has said voters aren't interested in his personal issues. But on the issue of how those issues leak into his effectiveness at city hall, he has been less forthcoming.

It is a matter that will be left to voters on Election Day, but expect Ford's rivals to continue calling him on his series of unfortunate events.