/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
City News

Pro-Leafs road closures on Yonge Street: Ford campaign politely silent

By John Michael McGrath
Copy link
Toronto brakes for hockey (Image: Gary J. Wood)
Brake for hockey (Image: Gary J. Wood)

Planning on travelling down Yonge Street tonight? Don’t bother. In celebration of the Maple Leafs home opener, Yonge will be closed between Gerrard and Richmond. As Toronto gets ready to celebrate the beginning of another probably-losing season by closing down a major thoroughfare, we have to wonder: what does Rob Fordfamously against shutting down streets for sporting events—think about this?  (We’re not alone.)

Ford has struck a blow against all forms of traffic obstacles, whether they’re streetcars or for charity marathons. (Ford isn’t above participating in some marathons though.) So the fact that almost a kilometre of Toronto’s spine is going to be blocked to cars to watch the Leafs game poses an interesting dilemma—what will win out, Ford’s love of sport or his hatred of road obstructions?

We asked Ford campaign spokesperson Adrienne Batra, who said, “I’m not going to wade in to that.”  We’d like to know if there’s a hard and fast rule for what kind of road closures Ford is for and against, but it looks like the campaign isn’t going to comment, especially with the risk of alienating Leafs fans so close to election day.

• Leafs opener closes Yonge St. [Toronto Star]

NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY

Sign up for This City, our free newsletter about everything that matters right now in Toronto politics, sports, business, culture, society and more.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
You may unsubscribe at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Big Stories

Inside the rise and fall of the Vaulter Bandit, the 21st century’s most notorious bank robber
Deep Dives

Inside the rise and fall of the Vaulter Bandit, the 21st century’s most notorious bank robber

Inside the Latest Issue

The May issue of Toronto Life features the artists, professors, scientists and other luminaries moving north to avoid the carnage of Trump. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.