While watching from the catbird seat in Barrie, Toronto is still our city. We were both born in Toronto. We wept for the Leafs through the 70s and 80s. We were there for the Jays in their first World Series and the repeat. We bet on John Tory as mayor last year to return our city’s honour. We saw the Pan-Am Games as a provincial success. We were enthusiastic for the Olympics because it is a rite of passage for a great city. We could not be more disappointed with the ignorance of the naysayers.
Great cities lead. They build iconic beacons such as the CN Tower, SkyDome and a leaky but identifying city hall. They create wildly successful festivals such as Pride, Caribana and Taste of the Danforth. The world looks to Toronto as a leader in fashion, film, music, theatre, serving foods of the world and a tourist Mecca. And everyone should be embarrassed for how long it is taking to have a world-class casino.
And Toronto is a city where people feel safe. It is safety without boredom. It is a city of churches without much proselytizing. It is where the hookers are not too aggressive as they offer their services. It is a polite city. It is generally clean. The city water tastes good. Even the police tend to be deferential.
So who elected the misanthropes who are against a bid for the Olympics? We understand former Mayor Rob Ford. He is against anything that might be progressive—especially if it was not his idea. That bunch of downtown councillors are sad sacks who are against anything that might get them off their bicycles. They feel it is a bad day when they cannot think of something to retard the growth and success of the city.
If Vancouver can do a Winter Olympics and Montreal can do a Summer Olympics, then Toronto can do a Summer Olympics to make all Canadians proud. And this has to be remembered: we are carrying our country on our shoulders. We are helping restore Canada’s international reputation. It has been going downhill in the past decade and we have to help rebuild it.
Canada cannot take pride in its athletes if we do not step to the bar and host our share of Olympic Games. It is an obligation we have to accept. This is a time for leadership.
-30-
Copyright 2015 © Peter Lowry
Complaints, comments, criticisms and compliments can be sent to [email protected]