Canada’s king of the costume is quickly being pushed off the throne by a queen of dressing up — for just about any occasion.
Move over, Mr. Dressup. Meet Ms. Dressup.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was well known for dressing up like it’s Halloween at any time of year. Whether it was as a Superman, Sherlock Holmes, Han Solo, Aladdin — or one of the times he wore blackface or his choice of attire during his famous family trip to India — Trudeau set the standard for politicians wearing the clothing of other cultures or from popular culture.
But Mayor Olivia Chow is quickly catching up.
Sure, other leaders — from former prime minister Stephen Harper to one-time premier Kathleen Wynne — have put on a cultural piece of clothing from time to time. Former mayor Rob Ford even dressed up as a cannon doll for a cameo in a performance of the National Ballet’s The Nutcracker.
But Chow has made the mayor’s office an official costume party.
And she does it loudly and proudly – displaying most of it on her social media for all to see.
At a time when a cop was shot, seniors stabbed, and of frequent protests which often call for “intifada” — not to mention fears of a crash in the economy and a looming world war — she’s played so many roles, they may need to hire a full-time wardrobe department to keep up with her.
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She has put on a hockey sweater from Toronto’s Professional Women’s Hockey League club, she’s been seen in a traditional Vietnamese dress for the Taste of Vietnam, went with her stylish hat to the recent Guld Alive with Culture Arts Festival, and jammed at the Beach’s Jazz Festival. She also went inside the wrestling ring at the Oss Fest on Ossington, shot hoops at the Olympics fan fest at the Shops on Don Mills, posed with the cooks at Scarborough’s rib fest, dressed up and danced with the performers at the Toronto International Dance festival and hung out with the cyclists at the Friends for Life Bike Rally.
In the past she has dressed in Islamic, Hindu and even cricketer clothing, but it was showing up at Toronto’s Caribbean Festival in full performance dress that caught so many people’s eyes — and brought out so much commentary.
She sported a full Caribana-style Jump Up costume, just like the performers wore. Not a T-shirt like Premier Doug Ford, but a full outfit that would take a lot of time to get into.
Anthony Furey, who came fourth in the byelection that saw Chow become Toronto’s 66th mayor, said there is a time for fun and there is a time to take the job of running a city seriously.
Toronto has a lot of serious issues to contend with — including congestion, affordability and public safety — that negatively affect the quality of life of residents, said Furey, who has announced he will run in the Nov. 4 byelection for the vacant council seat on Don Valley West (Ward 15).
Said Furey: “It’s important that the mayor and council conduct themselves with a level of seriousness that shows they’re aware of and focused on these issues. Right now, that’s not always the case. But that’s what I’ll be doing should I have the honour of serving on council.”
Many members of the public and political world agree with Furey on this.
“Instead of focusing on policy, Olivia Chow literally just wears costumes at cultural events to try and secure the ethnic vote,” said independent MPP Goldie Ghamari, who was thrown out of PC Premier Doug Ford’s caucus this summer after meeting with controversial far-right British activist Tommy Robinson. “She’s turned into an international joke.”
Said Nima on X: “Perhaps if less time was spent dancing the streets and more time was dedicated to work, we could start to heal our fractured city.”
So many similar comments.
“I do see it was a wonderful event, and you have every right to attend and have fun,” posted Miriam Delicado on X. “However, you have chosen to ignore other events and groups that deserve your professional attention.”
“Glad you enjoyed it. Now do something about the pro-terrorist groups that terrorize our streets every weekend,” posted GenXintheGame.
“Laughing stock of the world, you clown,” posted PM Toronto.
But many expressed how much they loved seeing the mayor out there supporting Caribana.
“Good for you,” posted Elaine. “Having fun.”
“Wow this is cool,” posted Arian Marke. “Good going, Olivia.”
“Beautiful costumes. Don’t let the haters get you down,” posted Marina. “You’re doing a great job representing Toronto.”
As I wrote back in June about this mayor’s penchant for costumes, it’s harmless in one sense but problematic in another.
When you skip the Walk for Israel event because you “can’t be everywhere” but then seem to be everywhere else, it does open oneself up for criticism. The Jewish community have expressed a lot of concern about this – especially when last week there were four Jewish sites hit with fire or vandalism.
“Mayor Chow, step up now and take decisive action to ensure the safety and security of Jewish students in Toronto,” wrote B’nai Brith in an X post July 30.
After that alleged terror plot bust in Richmond Hill, in which the RCMP say an attack was imminent, and when there are so many struggling to pay for housing, grocery and energy costs, could it be time for a more serious approach to being mayor?
Or does the public appreciate the constant virtue signalling and distraction of a mayor constantly playing a role along with the city’s many communities?
Whatever you’re view, Toronto’s mayor is now rivalling the prime minister for holding the title of Canada’s dress-up boss.