Who is clamouring so much for beer and wine in corner stores and at every grocer that the province feels compelled to exit its deal with The Beer Store early? The financial penalty to leave the contract now is between $225 million and $1 billion depending on whose numbers you buy. The current arrangement with The Beer Store (TBS) is set to expire in 16 months, with no penalty from Ontario taxpayers. Could it be that Premier Doug Ford is planning an early election, wants to get this campaign promise fulfilled ahead of time, and doesn’t mind a bit wasting taxpayers’ dollars to check that box?  Read more

[Read more →]

City council working through the summer

By Dianne Saxe

Thank you to everyone who turned out for our two Environment Days in May and June at Central Technical School and Fred Hamilton Park! I hope you have also enjoyed our first long weekends as we kick off the summer weather. I have managed to plant some cherry tomatoes and herbs in pots this year; so far they are withstanding the hungry rabbits.  Read more

[Read more →]

Elections, housing, and schools are the hot topics

By Jessica Bell

Is it election time? 

The Conservatives closed the legislature a week early and extended our return date to Oct. 21.   Read more

[Read more →]

Albert Koehl launches first book

By Meredith Poirier 

The groovy L’Espresso Bar Mecurio, a bright Italian cafe at the intersection of Bloor and St. George streets hosted Albert Koehl’s book launch on May 27.   Read more

[Read more →]

Local man, asset afficianado

SEE MORE EDITORIAL CARTOONS:  Read more

• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice: NIMBYism 101 (Apr. 2024)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: Why can’t they get along??? (Mar. 2024)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How to drive in Toronto (Feb. 2024)
• EDITORIAL CARTON: “Someone’s getting rich!” (Dec. 2023)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Fall 2023)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Summer 2023)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (May/June 2023)

[Read more →]

New housing bills encourage sprawl and thwart democracy

By Jessica Bell

The Conservatives have introduced another housing bill and revamped the Provincial Policy Statement which sets planning rules for the province.  Here’s what you should know about the Conservatives’ latest moves.   Read more

[Read more →]

Club promises new features and new excitement for Leafs baseball

By R.S. Konjek

A new season of Toronto Maple Leafs baseball will soon get underway at Christie Pits.  Read more

[Read more →]

READ MORE:  Read more

• NEWS: Laneway suites taking hold (Mar. 2024)
• FORUM: Addressing a housing shortage (May/June 2023)
• NEWS: City green-lights garden suites (Spring 2022)

[Read more →]

How residential properties are evolving 

By James Bullanoff

A recent influx of laneway suites has hit the Annex area as homeowners explore alternative housing options for their properties.  Read more

[Read more →]

Resurgence of sustainable wood beams and columns 

By Ammara Khan

The University of Toronto is currently in the process of constructing the tallest academic timber building in the world, predicted to be complete by mid-2026.   Read more

[Read more →]

Post-pandemic economic woes mean the Bloor needs your help

By Brian Burchell

After having some record attendance of 225,000 visitors in 2019, the Hot Docs/Ted Rogers Bloor Cinema is now enduring a post-pandemic hangover, and is urgently seeking financial support to keep going.  Read more

[Read more →]

Soil Soul Wholeness and the impacts on agriculture 

By James Bullanoff 

Soil Soul Wholeness, a recent mural installed in the Annex, invites those to consider the work of farmers and the impacts of large grocery chains on agriculture.    Read more

[Read more →]

SEE MORE EDITORIAL CARTOONS:  Read more

• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How to drive in Toronto (Feb. 2024)
• EDITORIAL CARTON: “Someone’s getting rich!” (Dec. 2023)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Fall 2023)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Summer 2023)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (May/June 2023)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How nice (April 2023)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: Scale of badness (Mar. 2023)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: Winter’s not as cold as these deals! (Feb. 2023)

[Read more →]