At a recent family party, some of my in-laws and I were discussing one of our favourite topics: “What happened to Yonge Street?” Which is a conversation that always evolves, surely as the sun rises, into the problem of “What is happening to Toronto?”
The new buildings were just what Toronto needed. More than 800 new rental apartments, about a third of them permanently affordable. These new homes would rise on the site of an old provincial building. The problem: They were too tall. One tower would rise 50 storeys into the air, and so it would cast shadow on a park half a block away – covering about a quarter of its surface – for up to three hours a day.
Experts say real estate has become a game, where investors rather than end users are the main players, buying and selling property to cash in on Toronto’s hottest commodity. In the process, they’re driving up prices and pushing out prospective homebuyers like Jaqueline Belardi, who just want somewhere to live.
Scratch below the surface, and there’s clear problems with the province’s math.
This week, Doug Ford’s government struck a deal with the City of Toronto giving the province fuller control over the future of Ontario Place, in exchange for the province taking on responsibility for the DVP and Gardiner Expressway, as well as additional funding for transit and addressing homelessness.
A prominent landscape architect, known for designing Trillium and Tommy Thompson parks, has walked away from the redevelopment of Ontario Place, citing his opposition to clearing hundreds of trees to make way for a private spa and waterpark on Toronto’s waterfront.
After it became clear he couldn’t influence plans from the inside, Walter Kehm told the Star he could no longer be tied to a project that threatens a decades-old wildlife habitat, likening his professional commitment to protect nature to a doctor’s Hippocratic oath: “Do no harm.”
An iconic Toronto diner and neighbourhood staple is gearing up to permanently close its doors following 45 vibrant years in business.
The Rosedale Diner, located at 1164 Yonge St., has been winning over locals since 1978 with its eclectic decor and bistro comfort food with a Middle Eastern twist.
The City of Toronto wants to hear from you to help make recommendations on which bikeways to build, upgrade and study in 2025 to 2027. Please fill out the survey and submit it by December 10.
Raising the alarm bells in this 19th Toronto’s Vital Signs Report is not enough. The problems are persistent but not new. Let’s focus on the problem that underlies them all—restoring the connection between us and our city. It’s time to get involved and reignite our love for Toronto. ~ Toronto Foundation
The City of Toronto is seeking public feedback on the use of micromobility, e.g. bikes, e-bikes and other small vehicles. The results from this survey will be used to develop a city-wide strategy for micromobility, including what new forms might be allowed in future. The survey will be open until December 13, 2023.
Owning a home in Canada isn’t cheap, but luckily, there are tax credits and benefits that can help you get some extra cash to maintain your dream home. The country is facing a cost of living crisis, which is made up of soaring food prices and unaffordable housing, to name a few.