🌡️ Forget all that talk of fall. We’re back. It’s gonna be 20 degrees today. Bust out your best pair of shorts.
🚴♂️ Doug gets what Doug wants. Last month, nearly every outlet at Queen’s Park reported the Ford government was primed to crack down on bike lanes. The premier wanted to do something about them after the city expanded the cycling network into Etobicoke. Mayor Olivia Chow got the message and is considering reworking the lanes along Bloor Street West.
🏘️ The Toronto Star has a piece blaming investors — not the politicians who made housing scarce in the first place — for Toronto’s housing woes. Apparently, they’re the reason — not the myriad restrictive zoning rules and high taxes levied by the government — why we won’t have enough homes every new build is a shoebox.
🔍 City council passed a motion politely asking the province to please call a public inquiry into the delays and cost overruns of the Eglinton LRT project. I wish them luck.
🧐 Spacing’s John Lorinc doubts the public area around the new Therme spa and waterpark will truly be open and accessible to the public.
⚖️ City councillor Michael Thompson’s sexual assault case continued on Thursday. A witness said one of Thompson’s friends acted like infamous human trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
🌌 Last night, the aurora borealis were so strong you could even see them in the heart of the city despite all the light pollution. I was not as lucky as some of you.
🚤 If you’ve ever used a water taxi to get to the island you probably enjoyed it more than the ferry. Waiting for the latter can feel like you’re penned up in a zoo. Not to mention the rather infrequent service. Taxis, however, aren't without problems. When a woman fell into the water trying to get off one this summer, it renewed calls for a better docking process at Centre Island.
🛍️ On top of regular donations, Toronto’s food banks will also take all those reusable bags off your hands.
🚁 Toronto’s chief of police will provide more details on the new helicopters the province bought at 11 a.m., right after I finish writing this newsletter. Tune in on Monday if you want all the details!
Commuter corner
Line 2 will shut down between Victoria Park and Kennedy on the weekend.
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
If you missed Nuit Blanche, head down to the waterfront this week to see some exhibits that are sticking around for the week.
Sofi Tukker is at History tonight.
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.
