đĄī¸ Chilly again today. Temperatures hovering in the mid-teens but it should be sunny.
đŠī¸ The Battle of Billy Bishop made for some entertaining viewing at yesterday’s city council meeting. PortsToronto and some councillors wanted to force a vote on a 40-year lease extension. Mayor Olivia Chow resisted. Instead, council voted to extend the lease from 2033 to 2045 if it’s needed to secure financing to make the runway longer, as per new federal safety regulations.
đī¸ I feel for the Liberty Village folks — it’s already impossible to get in or out of, and a new Metrolinx plan that could see up to 400 trucks per day travel through the area for Ontario Line construction could make preexisting travel problems much worse.
đ§ Ontario Line construction is already causing huge headaches for folks living near Pape Station. Good thing Metrolinx has a sterling reputation for finishing projects quickly.
đ ī¸ The above Metrolinx comment was obviously tongue-in-cheek. This next one isn’t, even though you’d be excused for thinking otherwise. Gardiner construction is going well. Like four months ahead of schedule level well. The current completion date is April 2026 but could be pushed up even further.
đĻ Toronto’s food banks are facing a huge demand surge ahead of Thanksgiving. The Daily Bread Food Bank is only halfway to its financial and food donation goals.
đī¸ Architectural designer Brent Haynes has a column on the Parkshore master plan and how the city can unlock the potential of prime waterfront land between Ellis Ave and the Roncesvalles Bridge.
đ´âī¸ Mayor Chow was on Metro Morning to chat about bike lanes, the Eglinton LRT, and traffic problems.
đ TVO’s Matt Gurney calls BS on the federal government’s plan to build high-speed rail between Toronto and Quebec City by 2035. Loyal readers may remember that we, too are skeptical. Hope springs eternal.
đŗ Author Anna Fitzpatrick is none too pleased with the provincial government cutting down 800 trees at Ontario Place to make way for the massive redevelopment plan. The bigger problem? That taxpayer-funded parking garage.
đī¸ Sticking with the none-too-pleased theme, folks living near Ontario Place are up in arms about a provincial plan to divert waste away from the public beach Therme is building into a popular spot for water sports.
â ī¸ Mayor Chow is in hot water after missing a memorial event for the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. She said a “miscommunication” led to her absence.
đŖī¸ Chow also weighed in on councillor Michael Thompson’s sexual assault case and whether it means he’ll be stripped of certain duties at city hall.
đĸ Even more condos are coming onto the Toronto market. More supply means prices are slightly lower than last year. Good news? Maybe, for some. A slow market also means starts will drop. We’re in for a lot of housing pain ahead.
đē City council meets again today. Watch it here.
Commuter corner
Line 2 will shut down between Victoria Park and Kennedy on the weekend.
From 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. until Oct. 10, riders on Line 1 will have to transfer trains at Sheppard West station. The TTC says to expect delays of about 20 minutes.
Until Oct. 11, subway service on Line 2 between Victoria Park and Kennedy will end at 11 p.m. for track work. Shuttle buses will run instead.
Events, dear boy, events
The St. Lawrence Market hosts the REmarket recycling event. Today, learn how to fix various household items, electronics, appliances, bikes and more.
A sneaker exhibition just opened at the Bata Shoe Museum.
If you missed Nuit Blanche, head down to the waterfront this week to see some exhibits that are sticking around for the week.
DJ duo Tinlicker is at History before heading to Coda on Oct. 10.
Sofi Tukker follows at History on Oct. 11 and 12.
OCAD students will show off their Halloween-themed wares at 100 McCaul St. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Bring cash.
Pumpkinfest takes over Downsview Park from Oct. 11 to Oct. 14.
The Toronto Flower Market is back at the Queen Street CAMH on Oct. 12.
