A settlement has been reached regarding the future of 484 Spadina Ave., home to the Waverley Hotel and Silver Dollar Room. The Wynn Group of Companies’ application to build a 22-storey private student residence on the site had been decried by local residents, who had raised concerns about the proposed height, the heritage value of […]

[Read more →]

Trip marks 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Canada By Beth McKay Toronto’s Esprit Orchestra is fearless when it comes to musical innovation, and its brave musical style has recently landed them on the opposite side of the world. In late May, 30 Esprit musicians left Toronto for the orchestra’s debut tour of China. Esprit’s […]

[Read more →]

Inclusionary zoning is used in 300 U.S. cities By Joe Cressy What makes a great city? Arts and culture, diversity, economic growth, and civic engagement. All these things matter a great deal. But, if you ask me, the test of a truly great city is whether we adequately care for the residents who live here. […]

[Read more →]

A native plant garden is taking root in a derelict canoe positioned on what was once the shore of a lake dating to the last ice age. Located in Tollkeeper’s Park at Bathurst Street and Davenport Road, it is one of 20 urban installations that will make up the Community Canoe Garden Network, itself part […]

[Read more →]

Government urged to act now to reduce the risk of a rail catastrophe By Arthur White About 200 people attending an April town hall on rail safety learned that little has changed since they last met in November. “I was asked to tell you what progress we’ve made,” said Josh Matlow (Ward 22, St. Paul’s), […]

[Read more →]

Toronto should join the chorus By Mike Layton As Canadians, we celebrate our differences from coast to coast, but there is one important thing that we all share in common, our natural environment. As spring blooms we are reminded of the beauty of the world around us. We reflect on the importance of the natural […]

[Read more →]

Avoiding the consumer trap that awaits new parents About five years ago, the first of my friends had a child. I was viewing the periphery of this mega-industry and didn’t really appreciate what the environmental impact of having a First World baby was until I was faced with having one of my own. The industry […]

[Read more →]

Ride-along reveals unique perspective on policing in Toronto By Cole Burchell At the start of every shift, each member of the Toronto Police Service straps on a bulletproof vest before hitting the streets for a night that could bring anything. It isn’t often that the ranks of the service approve a member of the public […]

[Read more →]

Four island airport expansion studies underway By Annemarie Brissenden Torontonians attending an open house on Mar. 31 got their first look at what changes could result if jets were to begin flying in and out of the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA). PortsToronto (formerly the Toronto Port Authority) hosted the meeting to report on […]

[Read more →]

Toronto Police responded to a call about a man with a knife near 140 Spadina Rd., just south of Dupont Avenue, at approximately 9 p.m. on Feb. 18. The armed man was shot when an exchange resulted between him and the officers shortly after they arrived at the scene. The man, David Andrew Doucette, 49, […]

[Read more →]

Amenities matter in city intensification By Joe Cressy I’m proud to live in downtown Toronto. I was born downtown, raised on Walmer Road, and my wife and I live in the Annex, near Bathurst and Bloor streets. Downtown Toronto is a great place to live, but we have much to do to make sure we […]

[Read more →]

The recent unveiling of plans to redevelop the Honest Ed’s site and adjoining Mirvish Village left a largely local audience in awe. At the opening curtain on the proposed plan, yet to be submitted to the City for approval, Westbank Corp. of Vancouver displayed an innovative plan of multiple residential towers, “small-grain” retail, open public […]

[Read more →]