I am heartened to read that I am not the only one who has not been impressed with the change of name of the chain from Canadian Pacific to Fairmont. If the name on top of the Royal York had been "Canadian Pacific" instead of "Royal York" there would be a better argument for changing it. A Fairmont spokesperson is quoted in today's Star as saying that the old sign has to go in the interest of providing "a little clarity and brand consistency to our loyal guests." What piffle. A guest stepping out of an airport bus or cab or coming out of Union Station is not going to see the sign. It is obviously meant as a marker of a landmark to be viewed from afar (a little more difficult these days with all the high-rises in the area.)

What next: will the attractive "Empress" sign at the grand old hotel in Victoria be replaced? I suspect there will be riots in the streets if that happens.