Torontonians have a new way to celebrate their city and support local charities.
Toronto Police Chief James Ramer and SickKids youth ambassador Ethan Hayes tested the new Monopoly: Toronto edition board game at police headquarters on November 10.
Licensed by Hasbro Inc., it is a limited-edition version of the classic board game that features many of the most iconic Toronto brands, venues and destinations.
From the CN Tower to Canada’s Wonderland, the bright lights of Mirvish Theatre, the vibrancy of CF Toronto Eaton Centre and the wonder of Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, the game is a shining example of all this great city has to offer.
Diagnosed with brain cancer in 2019, the 10-year-old underwent successful treatment over a year.
“Ethan is now cancer free,” said his mother, Cindy Shoot. “He is a quiet kid who loves video games and is happy to be part of this event.”
Chief James Ramer said the Service is proud to partner with ProAction Cops and Kids that is the initiative’s lead charity. ProAction funds youth programs where police officers act as mentors from sports to artistic to job training initiatives.
“Through our partnership with ProAction and our community policing initiatives that engage Neighbourhood Community Officers, Toronto Police officers are able to build trusting relationships between police and the communities we serve and give kids life-changing opportunities that lead to success,” he said. “I am proud to say that many Toronto Police officers are currently involved with a leading ProAction program in neighbourhhoods across the city.”
Ramer said the programs help participating youth build important life and social skills that allow them to succeed in school, achieve career aspirations and become mentors to other young people and contribute positively to their community.
“Initiatives like this help to provide the necessary funding to allow great charities to continue the essential work they do in our communities and make Toronto a safer and stronger place for us all to live,” added the Chief. “We encourage everyone to consider supporting this initiative and the many charities involved.”
Since its inception in 1991, ProAction Cops & Kids has been the largest private funder of Toronto Police programs for young people.
ProAction Cops and Kids President Stephen Kouri said the idea to create a Toronto version of the game was brought forward by a council member who had a friend that created the Ottawa version that is the only other official version of Monopoly in Canada.
“We believed that we could spearhead the creation of the Toronto version on a larger scale as a way of fundraising for multiple charities across the Greater Toronto Area, all of whom have had to deal with their own significant challenges over the last two years,” he said. “Designing the game was a truly collaborative effort and it would not have been possible without the support of each sponsor and iconic destination named on the board.”
They include the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, the Toronto Zoo, Exhibition Place and Cadillac Fairview (CF) Toronto Eaton Centre, Sherway Gardens and Toronto-Dominion Centre.
CF invests in, owns and manages commercial real estate.
“Real estate is our game,” noted Sheila Jennings who is CF Toronto Eaton Centre General Manager. “So it is only fitting that we are part of a board game that not only teaches youth important financial negotiations and property management strategy, but is a gaming tradition that brings families and friends together. We are pleased to have three of our iconic buildings featured alongside other notable landmarks. These properties are not only unique in how they are designed, but in their role as community destinations where Torontonians and members of the GTA live and work.”
In the last 31 years, ProAction Cops and Kids has distributed over $8.8 million to support police-led programs that have benefitted over 425,000 young people.
