Comedian Russell Peters named Toronto's tourism envoy
16.05.2008 21:04
Arts
- Source: cbc.ca
 Russell Peters, seen here hosting the Juno Awards in Calgary April 6, says he encourages people to visit Greektown, Chinatown and Little India when they visit Toronto. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)Officials in Toronto are hoping humour will have tourists laughing and flocking to the city after naming comedian Russell Peters as the city's first global ambassador for tourism. The comedian, known for his off-colour ethnic jokes, was in fine form during the announcement Thursday, riffing on other cities in Canada. "People keep going up to Vancouver and I'm like, 'Why? Are you a heroin needle? Why do you need to go there? Why don't you come to Toronto, the good city in Canada?' " said Peters, who admits he's quite comfortable putting down other places. "There are a lot of great international cities in the world, but Toronto's the best," Peters told the Toronto Star. "Toronto is one of the only cities a black, an Asian, an Indian, gay, straight, Italian, Portuguese, a Jewish or Muslim person can walk into a bar without a punch line happening after … that's just what Toronto is," said Peters. Tourism Toronto officials say they hope Peters' international image as a kind of hipster comedian who symbolizes the city's multicultural face — his parents hail from Calcutta, India — will attract more people to the city. "I think he'll blow people out of the water," said Andrew Weir, vice-president, communications, for Tourism Toronto. While the 37-year-old performer will not be getting a salary, his expenses will be paid as he travels to conventions and events promoting the city. He'll also be trying to recruit other notable Torontonians such as Mike Myers, Jim Carrey and Eugene Levy to boost the city. Peters said he always tells people to visit Chinatown, Greektown, Little India and Little Italy when they come to Toronto. In 2007, hotel occupancy for the Toronto region soared to 68.3 per cent, the highest level since 2000, according to Tourism Toronto. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKMore Media HeadlinesCBC Digital Archives captures major awards00CBC's Digital Archives has won two major awards in a month: the most recent one is an EPpy award, one of the most prized honours for online content. Jury chosen in R. Kelly child porn trial00A Baptist preacher and criminal justice student are among 12 jurors who have been selected for the trial of rapper R. Kelly, accused of having sex with a girl who may have been as young as 13. Comedian Russell Peters named Toronto's tourism envoy00Officials in Toronto are hoping humour will have tourists laughing and flocking to the city after naming comedian Russell Peters as the city's first new global ambassador for tourism. Mad magazine pioneer Will Elder dies00William Elder, the illustrator who pioneered the visual style for iconic humour title Mad magazine, has died at the age of 86.Hollywood private eye guilty of racketeering00A Hollywood private investigator was convicted Thursday in Los Angeles on charges that he schemed to dig up dirt for his well-heeled clients to use in lawsuits, divorces and contract disputes against the rich and famous.More Arts HeadlinesOttawa rallies for portrait gallery on deadline day00More than 100 people rallied in Ottawa to show they want the Portrait Gallery of Canada to be in the nation's capital. The crowd gathered two hours before the deadline for cities across Canada to submit bids for the gallery.Works of 'world's worst poet' sold at auction00A collection of 35 poems by William Topaz McGonagall, often referred to as the "world's worst poet" in the English language, has sold for $12,900 Cdn at an auction in Edinburgh.Ellen DeGeneres tells TV audience she and Portia de Rossi to marry00Ellen DeGeneres is putting the California Supreme Court ruling in favour of gay marriage into action — she and Portia de Rossi plan to wed, DeGeneres announced on her talk showFox cuts ad time for two new prime-time shows00Fox Broadcasting says its trying a "potentially revolutionary" concept in North American television by cutting the amount of commercials by half for two of its new prime-time dramas airing this fall. Ont. premier's arts prize expands to include arts organizations00Ontario is expanding the Premier's Award, its fledgling arts honour, to recognize not only individual creators but arts organizations as well. Nominees include writer Afua Cooper, composer Alex Pauk and the Hot Docs film fest. Arts FeaturesKeys to the kingdomThe Narnia sequel needs more heart, fewer talking animalsOutta sightMemorable musical performances on late-night talk TVLighter than airThe Taiwanese film Flight of the Red Balloon is pretty but dullSketchy charactersThe touring Kids in the Hall get back to their comedy rootsBreaking sound barriersVictoriaville festival celebrates 25 years Disc of the weekDeath Cab for Cutie's Narrow StairsPeople who read this also read …
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