Our weekly recap of the week’s news nuggets in Toronto will bring you up to date and add some fuel to your small-talk tank heading into the weekend.
Purple dinos
The Toronto Raptors, currently playing their best basketball in, well, let's just say a long time, have released the logo for the team's 20th anniversary season. Two words: Purple rain.
Buffalo Bills fly the coop
The sad sack Buffalo Bills have announced they will not be bringing their mediocre brand of NFL football to Toronto next season. Apparently, the game is only “postponed,” but there is talk of ending the series. With the city's sports franchises actually winning for a change, does it even matter?
Spring is a state of mind
Environment Canada has confirmed what we all know, that this winter is one of the coldest in the city's history. And, apparently, mother nature isn't quite ready to turn off the tap just yet. But, with an election campaign now underway, hot air is sure to follow. Ahem.
Blair gives up Brazen
Toronto Police Services has reportedly passed “oversight” of the Projet Brazen 2 investigation to the Ontario Provincial Police. We have no idea what it all means, but Rob Ford thinks it’s too late. So that's something.
High-tech place to be
Global powerhouse Cisco Systems Inc. has named Toronto as one of its four innovation hubs. Translation: The company is looking to spend many millions perhaps billions in town over the next decade to transform its local operations into a major research and development facility.
Soccer and football, oh my
Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment revealed plans for the expansion of BMO field, and have reportedly indicated that the new facility will easily accommodate the Toronto Argonauts CFL club in addition to Toronto FC. MLSE does not own the Argonauts, but the team’s Rogers Centre lease runs out in 2018.
Public purse
CBC’s long-time news man Peter Mansbridge (as well as other CBC journalists) found himself in hot water recently when it came out that he was collecting a fee for a speaking engagerment at a so-called "big oil" event. Since the brouhaha broke, the CBC has had to save face by saying it would review the policy.
Chow time
It looks as though there will finally be a mayoral candidate from the left side of the political spectrum. According to some well-placed political insiders, NDP MP Olivia Chow is soon to enter the race joining conservative candidates Rob Ford, John Tory, Karen Stintz and David Soknacki.
Distracted dingers
Toronto Blue Jays third basemen Brett Lawrie caused a stir this week when he tweeted some photos while behind the wheel of a car. With a campaign against distracted driving in Ontario, it might not have been the best idea. Silly Brett.
The bare facts
The Toronto District School Board is causing a ruckus trying to request enforcement of public nudity laws at the Toronto Pride Parade. No, seriously. That isn't even a joke.
