WARMINGTON: Chow's first year as Toronto's mayor one big costume party
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The past year has been like one giant costume party for Toronto’s new mayor — and dressing up suits her well.
Mayor Olivia Chow is living her best life as Toronto’s chief magistrate — often dressed up as not herself. Move over Mr. Dressup, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, there’s a new wardrobe maven in town.
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Sworn in following a byelection a year ago, Toronto’s mayor has taken the same ceremonial approach to the job as her predecessor, John Tory, in that she is available to attend the opening of almost anything, including — jokingly — an envelope.
But she does it in style. And seems to revel in it.
So do the people she parties with. This is not a bad thing or something to mock. It’s a good thing and something to compliment.
As long as you are doing the rest of your job well. Torontonians will have their chance to judge Chow’s performance in the October 2026 municipal election. For now, though, she doesn’t just wear the chains of office but the attire from many other parts of the world, as well.
If you look through her social media — or what we have compiled for you below — you will notice everybody is smiling and happy in literally dozens of postings.
They appear endless. Members of the different communities who invite her to their special events get a kick out of a mayor who does not mind hamming it up and partaking in the fun.
Speaking of fun, that is what Premier Doug Ford was channelling with his latest X posting, in which he congratulated Chow “as she marks her one year since her election as Toronto’s 66th mayor.”
What did he get her?
Well, a Don Bosco Eagles football jacket like the one his brother, late mayor Rob Ford, used to wear proudly around town.
The gold and green always stood out, and that team had a brand like no other. Premier Ford arranged to have the number 66 and her name put on it — recognizing Chow as the 66th Toronto mayor. Tory, who she replaced in a June 26, 2023 byelection, was Toronto’s 65th mayor, while Rob Ford took his place in the city’s history as the 64th.
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This is all very interesting because before Toronto voted to embark on Route 66 with Chow, the premier loudly warned city residents against casting ballots for her. He said her election would be an “unmitigated disaster.”
The premier has since clearly changed his tune. A lot of that goodwill goes back to Chow and her council supporters agreeing to rename the football stadium at Centennial Park in Etobicoke, Rob Ford Stadium.
Now, before the critics start jumping on the mayor for crime or traffic problems — or the premier for the Ontario Science Centre or Greenbelt issues — it’s got to be said that celebrating the lighter, human side of things is part of the job, too. If every story and every comment is negative or through a political lens, then there is no spirit or happiness.
With so many divisive remarks about people they don’t agree with, this is something Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland have forgotten. It’s not us and them. It’s just us.
For the most part, Chow has taken on that vibe and — like Tory before her — is very good out in public.
She wants to be a mayor for everybody. And even walk a mile in their clothes.
As mayor, she dresses for the part. Whatever part they offer her. On X, Chow told Ford she “loves” the jacket “and can’t wait to try it on.” The civic leader will add the jacket to her growing list of costumes that she’s worn — not just at Halloween but every day.
On social media, it’s not hard to find a year’s worth of Chow in a different ethnic, religious, business or sports attire. If she’s not wearing a costume, she’s posing for a picture with people who are.
Now, there is a lot to criticize Chow for in her first year in office: A 9.5% tax hike, the Sankofa Square fiasco or her attending just about everything in town but the largest ever Walk for Israel event. However, when it comes to celebrating Toronto, its diverse communities and diving in to partake in the fun, Chow is always game.
She can gussy it up with the best of them.
In recent times, she has got into full dress to celebrate a truck pull, a running race, cycling events, Eid and Ramadan, and LGBTQ events. And don’t forget that she posed with C3PO in Hollywood, went swimming in a municipal pool, appeared on social media in a Maple Leafs sweater.
Whether it’s celebrating holidays or events marked by the Dutch, Chinese, Tamils, Sikhs, Hindus or the Indigenous community, Chow appears willing to dress the part. The mayor’s job in 2024 seems to now be one big photo op where you dress up, play a part and try to make people happy.
Chow may be the best of any of Toronto’s mayors when it comes to the art of playful pretend. As they say, when it comes to celebrating Toronto, she wears it well, and she wears it often.
Below are a collection of X postings in which Chow did not disappoint:
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