Toronto’s media frenzy; a real barrel of monkeys

City getting attention for all the wrong reasons

It’s been a tough few weeks for my neighbours to the west in Toronto. For a city that craves notoriety and media attention (there are those who think the actual name of the city is Toronto-we’re-a-world-class-city; if you have to keep saying it …) they have been getting it, but for all the wrong reasons.

But for the real barrel of monkeys one need look no farther than Toronto City Hall

CBC

It started with the now infamous IKEA monkey caper. The video of the poor beast left in a parking lot at IKEA dressed like a person went viral. Animal rights activists were up in arms (paws?); now the court case opens as the owner of the monkey wants it back.

But for the real barrel of monkeys one need look no further than Toronto City Hall. The media frenzy over an alleged video of Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine has put Toronto in the spotlight. CNN is keeping tabs on the saga, other US media outlets are reporting on the crisis and of course it has topped most Canadian newscasts lately. While municipal politicians are no strangers to allegations and criticism, this one is particularly sensational not just for the topic – not kick-backs or corruption, but drug use – but for the arrogance of the mayor.

The Leafs were trying valiantly to shake off the 46 year Stanley Cup-less monkey from their back

Even the much maligned Toronto Maple Leafs drew negative media when the lost in the opening round of the NHL playoffs.  The Leafs were trying valiantly to shake off the 46 year Stanley Cup-less monkey from their back. The attention wasn’t because they were eliminated, but because they became the first team to cough up a three goal lead with less than ten minutes remaining in a seventh game!

And then those Toronto favorites, the Rolling Stones, came riding into town, giant gorilla with Lapping Tongue logo in tow, to rescue the city from all the negativity. But alas, the review of their show in The Star was significantly less than a rave.

Be patient Toronto; it’ll get better.