🌡️ This week might be the first actual sign of fall. There’s a chance of more rain later today but expect a deluge tomorrow.
🛤️ The Yonge North subway extension was originally supposed to go straight north into Richmond Hill. The Ford government changed plans in 2021. According to this recent Toronto Star investigation, the move will benefit certain developers with close ties to the government.
🏙️ Toronto’s main public squares are kinda … square. Take Nathan Phillips Square, for example. Outside of events, what is there to do? Thankfully it has the Toronto sign telling visitors that this is, in fact, the centre of the largest city in the country because the bland concrete plaza wouldn’t be out of place in some sleepy suburb. The Star considers what the city can do to make it less lame.
🚧 Construction companies that block roads or sidewalks could soon pay a price. City council votes on the proposed measure later this month.
🌳 Speaking of lacklustre public spaces, College Park is also terrible. It looks like the Dust Bowl came back in one really small part of the city. John Lorinc chronicles the decline of the park in a rallying cry for better green space.
🚄 Ottawa has a plan to build a high-speed rail corridor between Toronto and Quebec City. But the plan is still short on specifics. The lack of detail is raising concerns that the cash-strapped city might have to shell out some money to help make it a reality.
🏡 Downsizing baby boomers was once seen — by some — as a potential solution to Toronto’s housing crisis. The problem? Accessible housing options for seniors are scarce.
📞 Some good news! The average time spent on hold for 911 calls in the city dropped significantly for the first time in five years. The bad news? The city is still well short of industry standards.
🏊 Can you swim? The TDSB might be in the market for your services. The school board is having trouble hiring new instructors and might need to cancel some aquatics programming.
🍽️ Trouble with your car? Call a mechanic. Don’t know what to read? Turn to this newsletter. Hungry for some good food? These three young Toronto chefs have your back. They also happen to be competing against one another for the title of best chef under 30 in the country.
🎉 On the weekend, 8,000 dominos fell over a 2.5-kilometre path through the city, making it the largest domino-falling event in Toronto’s history.
Commuter corner
No notable road closures or TTC diversions to speak of — for now.
Events, dear boy, events
Oktoberfest starts on Friday after work and runs all day Saturday.
The largest vintage clothing sale in the country takes over the Queen Elizabeth Building this weekend.
Sabrina Carpenter plays Scotiabank Arena this Wednesday. The Espresso singer is bringing the song of the summer to the city right as fall officially starts.
Grammy-winning Canadian DJ Kaytranada is at Budweiser Stage on Friday.
Enjoy an open house and free concert from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thompson Hall this Saturday starting at 10 a.m.
The AGO hosts the annual Art Bash on Thursday.
Carlton Cinema hosts the Toronto Hungarian Film Festival from Friday through Sunday.