Picture: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/05/17/rob-ford-video-star-gawker_n_3290180.html

The Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, has recently been involved in a highly publicized drug and alcohol scandal. Many of the businesses in Toronto are worried that the bad publicity and damaged image of the city will reflect poorly on their ability to bring in new investors and customers. For example, Bruce Poon-Tip, founder of the adventure travel company, G Adventures, has expressed his fear that Mayor Ford’s reputation is causing Toronto, as well as the entire nation, to look unstable.  Poon-Tip was introduced three times as being from the home of the “Crack Mayor” while on a speaking tour in Australia. Though some others in the business community argue that investors won’t be distracted by Mayor Ford’s erratic behaviour, I would agree with Poon-Tip in being weary of the effects of Ford’s damaging reputation. I believe that the smaller, local businesses will feel the impact of the bad publicity the most if tourism in Toronto decreases because of the negative coverage. Most of the bigger corporations and companies can still count on investors since there are greater profits to be made, but I don’t believe investors will be willing to fund small businesses in a city with a crack smoking mayor.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/torontos-business-community-gives-ford-a-thumbs-down/article15465346/