Certain elements on Toronto city council -- who mainly represent the culturally vibrant suburbs -- don't want any posters cluttering up the cityscape.
I would fall into the camp that says postering is part of what makes a city come alive. To that end, there is a concert tonight at the Bloor Cinema. Details to follow:
The Toronto Public Space Committee Presents:
WELCOME TO OUR LIVING ROOM with seven solo performances by: Sarah Harmer, Bob Wiseman, Jason Collett (broken social scene), Magali Meagher (the phonemes) Andrew Whiteman (apostle of hustle), Andre Ethier (deadly snakes), Gentleman Reg. Please join us for an evening of beautiful voices and urgent politics. Sarah Harmer and six Toronto indie artists will welcome you to our Living Room to raise funds and awareness about Toronto's anti-postering bylaw and the continuing commercialisation of our city's public spaces. Three years ago, Toronto City Council tried to pass a bylaw that would ban public postering on 99% of all utility polls. Posters are an important part of any community, an expression of a vibrant culture and a right that must be defended. The bylaw was successfully opposed by a coalition of community and arts organisations but has now resurfaced and is being championed by City Councillors who see freedom of expression as 'clutter'. If posters are banned while commercial ads continue to appear on billboards, buildings, buses and garbage bins then public space is no longer ours, but the private realm of advertisers. Let's reclaim the streets. Advance tickets available at the Bloor Cinema.