Toronto Life is readying the release of their annual “Most Influential” issue, and lo and behold, there’s a familiar face on the cover—Drake is “Number 1 in the 6.”
The cover also teases the inclusion of new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's inner circle, members of the Toronto Blue Jays, and “Twitter superstars,” which we can only assume means Norm Kelly. According to a preview in today’s issue of 24hrs, some of the people joining Aubrey on 2015’s power rankings include Mayor John Tory, The Weeknd, President's Choice food magnate Galen Weston, chef and restaurateur Anthony Rose, and and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum. 24hrs columnist Sabrina Maddeaux notes that of the 50 spots available, only 11 went to women. Some of the females on the list include Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, author Margaret Atwood, author/activist Naomi Klein, Chief Planner of the City of Toronto Jennifer Keesmaat, to name a few. Why is it a problem that the list isn't a 50/50 split of men and women? Because it’s 2015.
Since 2012, the magazine has sought to rank Toronto’s most powerful public figures, not limited to politicians, business tycoons, media moguls, entertainers, and athletes. For the inaugural issue, Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank Of Canada topped the list, with Drake sitting at No. 32. In 2013, former Police Chief Bill Blair was No. 1, with Drake rising to the sixth position. In 2014, Drake held steady at No. 6, with Toronto Mayor John Tory taking the top spot. The Boy unseated Tory this year to take the number one position. It's not the top of the Billboard Hot 100, but he'll take it.
Drake once said “you the man in the city when the mayor fuck with you.” Nah, guy. You’re the man in the city when you’re more influential than the mayor. No one could argue that Drake isn't the most influential person in the city right now—he practically renamed it.
Stay tuned for the full list. Toronto Life’s 2015 “Most Influential” issue hits newsstands on November 19th.
