Toronto's Rob Ford, left, and Calgary's Naheed Nenshi.Peter Power / Chris Bolin/The Globe and Mail
Many people visit Craigslist to swap stuff, but the election of Rob Ford in Toronto and Naheed Nenshi in Calgary inspired one visitor to the website to suggest something new: a mayor swap. Mr. Nenshi, a Harvard-educated management consultant and university teacher, took office on Oct. 25 as the first Muslim mayor of a major Canadian city. Mr. Ford, a city councillor and executive in his family's label and tag business, was elected the same day and takes office Dec. 1.
The item, posted on Toronto Craigslist on Oct. 27, runs as follows:
We have a newly elected mayor who we would like to swap for your Calgary mayor elect.
About Our Mayor:
- A few credits short of a degree
- Runs his family's lucrative adhesives business
- Loves football & long drives to/from work
- Hates "gravy", graffiti, bike lanes, and streetcars
- Frequents Swiss Chalet and The Keg (always pays out of pocket)
- Hosts regular Conservative party BBQs at mom's house
- Has a bit of a temper and several brushes with the law
About Your Mayor:
- Holds BComm and Harvard Master's of Public Policy degree
- Runs large not-for-profit organizations
- Associate Professor of Management
- Loves theatre, city-building, and publishing civic essays and articles
- Is the first Muslim mayor in a major Canadian city
- Born to immigrants who came to Canada with little money
- Never been arrested
Looking to exchange starting December 1st for four years (or longer???)