Since manufacturing left Toronto, the air has gradually cleared and we can no longer be called "The Big Smoke"...because there is no smoke.
There are no factories here. There are no plumes of fumes and gases spewing upwards and spilling sideways. The yellow-orange haze has faded. It's fairly clear, during all seasons, except if there's forest fires in the north. But that doesn't happen often enough to qualify. Really.
So, we need a new name. What could it be? The Big Clear? On any day you can see Niagara Falls?
I don't know. But, I do think we could capitalize on our newly-found air purity. It is rare for a world-class city to have nice air. We should rebrand ourselves and position our city as a gateway vacation spot. People could fly into Pearson International, rent a car and a room, catch a show or concert, lounge lakeside at Hanlan's (don't) Point Clothing Optional Beach, and then drive off to explore. Niagara Falls, the wineries of the escarpment, fishing villages along Lake Erie, Six Nations Indian Reserve, The Grand River, Ipperwash, Wasaga, up to Haliburton for some rope-walking in the tree tops, Algonquin Park, Ottawa and then back again. There's so much to see here. Especially now that it's clear.
The up-side of lost manufacturing. Clean air.
