We got a global smackdown on our same-sex marriage legislation, and we’re on the eve of The People v. Ford in a “final budget showdown.” Despite our tourism numbers and the proliferation of our solid reputation, you have to ask: Will Toronto ever really be able to embrace its greatness?
Over the past few years, I’ve been watching this city come of age. Toronto feels like it is in the middle of an ascension; it would appear that we are, in magazine-speak, “having a moment.” In 2007, Travel + Leisure wrote about “the evolution of Toronto,” hinting at the city’s so-called “new identity”; just last month, the magazine named our city one of 2012’s “hottest destinations.” I can’t yet describe what it’s like to be in the middle of this “moment,” but I am aware of our own subdued hype. In many ways, you could easily say we’re going through “growing pains,” with Rob Ford acting as the patriarchal nuisance to our teenage angst. (You know: Who are we, and what will we become?) Just look at our industries and communities: neighbourhood ameliorations and other real-estate booms are circling that all-time-high territory. And what about our food? Easy: Just look in the pages of this magazine to see the local invigoration of culinary appeal.
Yet, it was a confusing weekend here. Last Thursday, news broke that a same-sex couple was being denied a Canadian divorce in federal court on grounds that, well, they weren’t technically married here if the union wasn’t legal in their residing country. The story went viral, sparking an outbreak of reactions from the 5,000-plus Canadian-wed couples left in “legal limbo” and their supporters.
And tomorrow, our mayor will begin the process of pushing through cuts that threaten the very potential of this city—cuts to the TTC; HIV prevention, support and treatment programs; the arts; youth-focused services. There couldn’t have been a greater pathetic fallacy written for our teetering times. The Toronto Stop The Cuts Network, a group of community organizations rallying against these cuts, spent the weekend promoting its campaign and mobilizing supporters in preparation for its “final budget showdown” with our mayor. The city’s climate was bitter, and cold. The vitriol fell hard.
But what’s past is prologue. Reports have since surfaced that the media got it all wrong about the same sex–marriage story, that the Harper administration would clarify the law and do right by all couples that come to be married in Canada. But the damage, perhaps, has already been done. Over the weekend, my Facebook feed exploded with links to Sorryworld.ca, a website created by an Ottawa-based web developer that simply says: “Sorry, World. We fucked up.” As of Sunday night, the single-page manifesto-cum-apology had over 20,000 Likes. So, to be blunt about it: Can we stop fucking up? Is all press still good press? Sure, papers and licences and certificates are one thing, but symbolism—and what we, as a country and as a city, stand for—needs to provide a clear message. We don’t believe in second-class citizens here, do we? In 2014, Toronto will host World Pride, and the Pan Am games the year after that. It’s time to think clearly and seriously about what we want this city to say about us.
I remember a time when I walked around with that strong, sinking belief that Toronto wasn’t a town where dreams could come true. I mean, it was easy enough to feel that way; I grew up here. The city was never known to mirror back those possibilities that were cinematic in scale—those Empire State buildings or those Eiffel Towers—and the city certainly didn’t appear larger than life itself. As much as I tried, I could never romanticize the idea of living here—no, that would have been very un-Torontonian of me.
Yet, I’m not impervious to Toronto egoism, and it comes out sporadically. Basically, I always thought this place was as good as it could get in Canada. Last Saturday, the National Post published something essentially vouching for this same view, recommending ways we should market ourselves more like New York. Sure, Vancouver and Montreal will always be perfectly acceptable cities in which you can lose a few years of your life, but neither will ever be Toronto. In turn, Toronto might never be New York, or L.A., or London, and so on. Not if we can’t back it up, and not if we allow another G20 mismanagement to happen, or let our elected officials hinder our potential and undermine the ability for people to keep doing great things here. If this past weekend was any indication, Toronto has been a city of dreams for many people for a long time; it means something to people. We’re not like Berlin, for example; we haven’t been “amazing” before, and there is no great era to return to. This is our shot.
It also doesn’t hurt that celebrities and tourists seem to love it here. In 2010, for example, TIFF announced a $170 million impact on the city’s economy. By the end of this year, that number is projected to reach as much as $200 million or more with help from additions like the Lightbox and a continuous influx of travelers who are expected to make the trek to bask in Hollywood North. In 2010, the city had a record year in tourism with almost $4.5 billion in revenue. At the beginning of last year, we finally got our own Ritz-Carlton. This Jan. 31, the Trump International Hotel & Tower—along with its ultra-branded lobby lounge, Suits—will officially open, catering primarily to our resilient financial types and the jet-set crowd. The 905-slash-Vaughan has become New Jersey, and fist pumps money into Toronto nightlife week-in, week-out.
Canadian music, whether you subscribe to Nickelback or Drake or Justin Bieber or Deadmau5, is without borders. And yes, Feist is pretty much a badass. We are credited in these success stories. We, along with our stars, are “making it” too—and our reputation is going global. In fashion, I’ve watched the industry develop in the way it looks at itself, fostering, critiquing and cultivating talent with a thirst for global recognition. (Both IMG and Mercedes-Benz, backers of other international runways, are now working with our own fashion council, so that’s a start.) In film, Toronto has gone from simply mimicking other cities to taking on an integral role in features. (Seriously, see Sarah Polley’s Take This Waltz.) In television, too, there are shows like Being Erica, the CBC’s most well-received global export to date. (Hey, if Erica Strange becomes an iconic quasi-Carrie Bradshaw, except better, I’m okay with that.)
I’ve spent the last six months cognizant of the very real threats to this city’s future, and in fear of being unable to effect any actual change. I can’t call myself an activist, but I can do my part. I want to. And while we can all agree and accept that the snow is finally here to stay for now, we can realize the same about our government. I know Toronto is wonderful, but I do often wonder if it’s not yet great, or if it will ever be able to “ascend.” That, you see, is inevitably our responsibility.
On Jan. 17 , 5:30-6:30 p.m., Toronto Stop the Cuts will be collaborating with Respect Toronto for a rally at City Hall. Budget deliberations in council chambers take place Jan. 17-19.
