Rest easy, Dean Fortin. Your job as Victoria mayor is safe for now.
A web report that two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash is quitting the Phoenix Suns basketball team to pursue a political career as mayor of his hometown, has gone viral.
The rumours started with a hoax story that appeared in the Phoenix New Times, a publication that apparently confuses November with April Fool's Day.
The story said "Nash is more popular in Canada than bacon" and the result would be a formality with Nash the likely winner in a "Canadian avalanche."
It even quoted Fortin as saying: "He's got my vote."
The story said Nash will close a deal on a house in Victoria on Nov. 15 and move back that day in anticipation of the Jan. 20 election day in the B.C. capital.
The only trouble with that scenario is the next Victoria mayoralty vote isn't until the fall of 2012.
Fortin, himself a basketball coach and avid follower of the game, couldn't be immediately reached for comment.