Chief of Police Bill Blair has been named the most influential person in Toronto, according to a recent article that appeared in Toronto Life acknowledging the 50 most influential people in the city.
He was named for his role in Project Traveller, a year-long investigation that resulted in the massive raid on "the notorious Dixon Road apartment complex north of Etobicoke." I don't think we need to say anymore.
He was joined by political bigwigs including Premier Kathleen Wynn (2) " her office controls $120 billion in annual spending and makes all the policy decisions that matter most to Torontonians—transit, education, infrastructure" and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty (5), "the third longest serving holder of that office in Canadian history, and the measure of his success will be his ability to balance the federal books by 2015."
Billionaires David Thomson and Peter Thomson tied for third because of large donations to organizations such as Toronto East General Hospital as well as their role in flipping companies. They also control the Globe & Mail and are credited with moving it to its new space on King East, currently in development. In fourth, was George Cope of Bell Canada Enterprise for not only his role in telecommunications, but also his championing of Bell's Let's Talk day, a mental health campaign that has raised $62 million.
The list is rounded out by an assortment of CEOS/COOs, city councillors, real estate moguls, celebrities and personalities, and more. It contains 10 women and 46 men (some listings include multiple people).
Original Source: Toronto Life