A city's greatness is manifest in a people confident in their ability to take risks, to encounter

A city's greatness is manifest in a people confident in their ability to take risks, to encounter

A city without passion is just a city of artistic events.

When civic leaders are in love with their cities they are listened to; they are credible.

In the future, all cities will be distinguished by one thing only. The nature of their enthusiasm.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of my esteemed colleague and fellow poet Mr. Dennis Lee, it will be with pride and passion that I carry forward the mandate of the Poet Laureate position for the City of Toronto and its residents.

True creative cities produce the legacy of an idea that does what funding cannot do: to foster.