Toronto's Take on Mayor Sam Adams

Early reports are in on Mayor Sam Adams' travels to Canada.

And if these accounts from Toronto are any indication, Adams—who spoke at a green-building conference—is probably going to feel like he should hit the road more and leave behind his political and personal travails in Portland.

The Toronto Star called it a a "shame not a single mayoral candidate showed up for what was arguably the most inspirational talk on city building that's been heard during this year's municipal election -- and it came from a guy who's not even running, at least not here -- Portland Mayor Sam Adams." The Star piece went on to laud Portland's "vibe" and "green culture" (while adding "A quick Google and it's clear that Adams is no saint -- his personal problems have received a full public airing -- and he doesn't claim his city is Nirvana.")

The (Toronto) Globe and Mail wrote the "bespectacled, moderately jet-lagged mayor of Portland, Ore." was in town to pitch hometown companies and products (among the local businesses on the trip are Gerding Edlen, Glumac, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca, McKinstry, RDH, Green Building Services and Columbia Green Technologies) that can deliver "enviro-friendly, efficient solutions" to Toronto. The piece notes, however, that the leading mayoral candidates in Toronto seem to be headed in an opposite direction from Green-ville.

Adams' office has said the Share the Road Cycling Coalition of Ontario and the Port of Portland paid for Adams' trip as well as that of a staffer, Catherine Ciarlo, the mayor's transportation director.