Subscribe

Courtney Shea

Courtney Shea is a freelance journalist in Toronto. She started her career as an intern at Toronto Life and continues to contribute frequently to the publication, including her 2022 National Magazine Award–winning feature, “The Death Cheaters,” her regular Q&As and her recent investigation into whether Taylor Swift hung out at a Toronto dive bar (she did not). Courtney was a producer and writer on the 2022 documentary The Talented Mr. Rosenberg, based on her 2014 Toronto Life magazine feature “The Yorkville Swindler.”

Latest from Courtney Shea

Inside the weird world of cryotherapy, biocharging and fecal transplants

Inside the weird world of cryotherapy, biocharging and fecal transplants

The members of Longevity House are united by two things: a willingness to hand over $100,000 and a burning desire to live forever

The New Cottage Country: This family found a four-bedroom bungalow in Magnetawan for $910,000

Real Estate News

The New Cottage Country: This family found a four-bedroom bungalow in Magnetawan for $910,000

“When I told my son it was ours, he ran across the room and jumped into my arms and we both fell on the floor"

"I don't have Twitter. I don't need any more anxiety in my life": A Q&A with the Blue Jays' all-star closer, Jordan Romano

“I don’t have Twitter. I don’t need any more anxiety in my life”: A Q&A with the Blue Jays’ all-star closer, Jordan Romano

Jordan Romano is one of baseball’s best closers. As the Blue Jays’ lone Torontonian, he’s also the team’s go-to guy for the city’s hotspots and attractions.

"They're a very passionate fanbase": Thornhill’s Hayden Christensen on playing Vader and feeling the love from fans

“They’re a very passionate fanbase”: Thornhill’s Hayden Christensen on playing Vader and feeling the love from fans

Earlier this month, the actor returned to the screen in the new Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi

Noah Reid has a role on Broadway, a new album and a baby on the way

Noah Reid has a role on Broadway, a new album and a baby on the way

We asked the former Schitt's Creeker all about his busy life

Tennis phenom Bianca Andreescu wrote her new book during lockdown, and it's all about her as a kid

Tennis phenom Bianca Andreescu wrote her new book during lockdown, and it’s all about her as a kid

It's called Bibi's Got Game, and it hits bookshelves this week

Fenton Jagdeo is the youngest TTC commissioner in history. Here's how he plans to get transit back on track

Fenton Jagdeo is the youngest TTC commissioner in history. Here’s how he plans to get transit back on track

A few examples: WiFi, accessibility and an open pay system

“I had a feeling my time was coming to an end”: Jeopardy! champ Mattea Roach on her epic winning streak and final game

“I had a feeling my time was coming to an end”: Jeopardy! champ Mattea Roach on her epic winning streak and final game

“I had hoped to continue, but I’m okay with how I lost. The information just wasn’t in my brain"

Because these moms created a vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free condom

Reasons to Love Toronto Now

Because these moms created a vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free condom

The design duo behind Jems is bringing sexy (and safe) back

"We should have waited to lift mask mandates": A Q&A with Dr. Peter Juni, head of Ontario's Science Advisory Table, about the recent surge of infections

“We should have waited to lift mask mandates”: A Q&A with Dr. Peter Juni, head of Ontario’s Science Advisory Table, about the recent surge of infections

He also dished about his decision to take a job at Oxford University

Emily St. John Mandel's new book, Sea of Tranquility, is a time-travelling escape from lockdown

Emily St. John Mandel’s new book, Sea of Tranquility, is a time-travelling escape from lockdown

It's the highly anticipated follow up to Station Eleven, which earned her the reputation of "the author who predicted the pandemic"

"I realized pretty quickly that we were going to have a problem": A Q&A with the owner of the former, Soviet-themed Pravda Vodka House

“I realized pretty quickly that we were going to have a problem”: A Q&A with the owner of the former, Soviet-themed Pravda Vodka House

The Wellington Street bar has a new name and a new look

Three Q&As on the new rules of the workplace

Three Q&As on the new rules of the workplace

Including stuff you need to know about back-to-the-office anxiety, the rise of the four-day workweek and the right to disconnect

“I think we need to embrace the awkwardness”: How a Toronto brewery is helping people relearn the art of small talk

“I think we need to embrace the awkwardness”: How a Toronto brewery is helping people relearn the art of small talk

It's like platonic Tinder for tech-averse beer lovers

Ontario froze $20 million in Freedom Convoy assets—now what? We asked Monique Jilesen, the Toronto-based lawyer who filed the injunction

Ontario froze $20 million in Freedom Convoy assets—now what? We asked Monique Jilesen, the Toronto-based lawyer who filed the injunction

Jilesen wants the courts to take the assets and redistribute them to Ottawans impacted by the protests

"I’m looking out for our customers": Why this restaurant owner isn't ready to do away with vaccine passports just yet

“I’m looking out for our customers”: Why this restaurant owner isn’t ready to do away with vaccine passports just yet

"I respect the freedom of people who don’t want to come here, just like they should respect my freedom to make this choice”

“They used a sledge hammer to kill a fruit fly”: Why the CCLA is taking the Feds to court over the Emergencies Act

“They used a sledge hammer to kill a fruit fly”: Why the CCLA is taking the Feds to court over the Emergencies Act

Noa Mendelsohn Aviv says invoking the Emergencies Act was an example of massive government overreach

"I love the entrepreneur life, and it’s nice feeling like I’m in charge": Chef Brandon Olsen on his new in-home restaurant experience

“I love the entrepreneur life, and it’s nice feeling like I’m in charge”: Chef Brandon Olsen on his new in-home restaurant experience

Life after La Banane

"The accuracy of PCR with the convenience of rapid": A Q&A with a molecular biologist developing a Covid-19 super test

“The accuracy of PCR with the convenience of rapid”: A Q&A with a molecular biologist developing a Covid-19 super test

"This is billion-dollar technology, and we’re in a global competition. Whatever information I have, the Chinese also have it, the Indians, the Brazilians"

"All the marijuana charges we laid back then seem so ludicrous to me now": Police chief James Ramer on the push to decriminalize drug possession

“All the marijuana charges we laid back then seem so ludicrous to me now”: Police chief James Ramer on the push to decriminalize drug possession

He was on the verge of retirement when he accepted the top job. Multiple pandemic waves later—plus his own case of Covid—and he's still standing, and advocating for change

What does the future of work in Ontario look like?

What does the future of work in Ontario look like?

The Ministry of Labour tapped economist Rohinton Medhora to find out. A four-day workweek? He’s not saying no

The $50-million man

The $50-million man

Garry Hurvitz was a low-profile entrepreneur until he made a thunderous donation to create a mental health centre at SickKids

"Shopping habits have changed in the last two years": A Q&A with the co-founder of Aisle 24, Toronto's new cashierless convenience stores

“Shopping habits have changed in the last two years”: A Q&A with the co-founder of Aisle 24, Toronto’s new cashierless convenience stores

They're taking self-checkout one step further

"Deconstructing Drake and the Weeknd" is not a bird course

“Deconstructing Drake and the Weeknd” is not a bird course

Dalton Higgins is teaching the class next semester at the soon-to-be-renamed Ryerson University, and students expecting an easy A are in for a surprise

Private School Guide

The Private and Independent School Directory Spring 2025

The Private and Independent School Directory Spring 2025

Big Stories

Inside the rise and fall of the Vaulter Bandit, the 21st century’s most notorious bank robber

Inside the rise and fall of the Vaulter Bandit, the 21st century’s most notorious bank robber

To fellow tourists he met around the world, Jeffery Shuman was a semi-retired developer with a bright smile, an even tan and a fat wallet. In truth, he was a legendary bank robber on the run from the Toronto police and the US Marshals

Anchor Man: Fox News host John Roberts on Trump, the trade war and the American psyche

Anchor Man: Fox News host John Roberts on Trump, the trade war and the American psyche

If Fox News seems an unlikely landing spot for a guy who got his start pumping out Platinum Blonde on MuchMusic, you probably haven’t heard his thoughts about joining the notorious network, the Canada–US relationship and what he misses most about Toronto

Trump's Loss, Toronto's Gain: Meet the artists, professors, scientists and other luminaries ditching the US and moving north

Trump’s Loss, Toronto’s Gain: Meet the artists, professors, scientists and other luminaries ditching the US and moving north

They’re coming from Big Law, the Ivy League, arts institutes and beyond, brimming with smarts and energy and united by a common cause: avoiding the carnage of Donald Trump. True tales from the brain gain

Dancing Queens: Patrons, staff and performers share their wildest memories of Crews and Tangos, Toronto’s most storied drag bar

Dancing Queens: Patrons, staff and performers share their wildest memories of Crews and Tangos, Toronto’s most storied drag bar

Crews and Tangos has been enforcing the rules of the Village for more than 30 years: wear what you want, kiss who you want, but don’t forget to tip the drag queens. With a condo development looming, we asked around for tales from the iconic spot

The Joy of Sex with Strangers: A Toronto hotwife’s adventures in ethical non-monogamy

The Joy of Sex with Strangers: A Toronto hotwife’s adventures in ethical non-monogamy

Three months ago, I was a suburban mom in a monogamous relationship. Now I’m sleeping with people I meet online—with my husband’s blessing—and we’ve never been happier. Don’t judge us until you’ve read our story

The Scandal, the Firing and the Fallout: Anatomy of a Bay Street fiasco at RBC

The Scandal, the Firing and the Fallout: Anatomy of a Bay Street fiasco at RBC

Nadine Ahn was a high-ranking executive at the bank. Ken Mason, her subordinate, was rapidly promoted. Then someone claimed to see them canoodling at the Royal York, tipped off HR and triggered an inquisition

Edward the Conqueror: The unlikely ascent of Canada’s telecom king

Edward the Conqueror: The unlikely ascent of Canada’s telecom king

Edward Rogers was dismissed as a meddling nepo baby—until he muscled out his siblings, acquired his competitors, cornered the telecom market and became the dominant force in Canadian sports

Lady Parts: Inside Meredith MacNeill and Jennifer Whalen’s new show, Small Achievable Goals

Lady Parts: Inside Meredith MacNeill and Jennifer Whalen’s new show, Small Achievable Goals

The Baroness von Sketch Show alumnae have elevated joking about women’s issues to an art. Their new show takes aim at menopause. How funny is that?

Murder in the Blue Mountains: The story behind the killing of Ashley Schwalm

Murder in the Blue Mountains: The story behind the killing of Ashley Schwalm

Ashley and James Schwalm had what seemed like a fairy tale life—two wonderful children, fulfilling careers and a gorgeous home close to the private ski club where they’d fallen in love. Then Ashley’s remains turned up in a burned-out car at the bottom of a ditch, and all signs pointed to her husband

Dark Horse: Inside the fall of Eric Lamaze, Canada’s most famous equestrian

Dark Horse: Inside the fall of Eric Lamaze, Canada’s most famous equestrian

For years, Lamaze was the world’s top-ranked show jumper, living an enviable life filled with fancy cars, international travel and adoring fans—the kind of life a person might do anything to protect

Dividing Line: How the Bloor Street bike lane turned the city into a battlefield

Dividing Line: How the Bloor Street bike lane turned the city into a battlefield

A few kilometres along Bloor has become Toronto’s most contested strip of concrete, igniting fights over congestion, safety and the future of downtown

The Chosen One: At just 23, Scottie Barnes is the new face of the Raptors—and the team’s best chance of salvation

The Chosen One: At just 23, Scottie Barnes is the new face of the Raptors—and the team’s best chance of salvation

Barnes is shouldering the weight of an impatient, basketball-mad city, a hit-and-miss team, and his own colossal ambitions. Does he look worried?

Almost Famous: Inside the Beaches’ rise to rock stardom

Almost Famous: Inside the Beaches’ rise to rock stardom

A viral earworm about a breakup turned the Beaches into Toronto’s hottest export. Now, the panty-throwing, stage-diving, all-girl rock band is seducing fans around the world

"I was nearly beaten to death by my partner. The case was dismissed because it took too long to get to trial"

“I was nearly beaten to death by my partner. The case was dismissed because it took too long to get to trial”

How an overburdened justice system is failing survivors of intimate partner violence

Buy Canadian

"We felt disconnected from the outdoors before": What St. Lawrence Market North vendors think of their new home

“We felt disconnected from the outdoors before”: What St. Lawrence Market North vendors think of their new home

And what locally made and grown goods they’re selling

Sort-of Secret: Amelia’s Market, a Geary Avenue grocer selling local goods and light lunches

Sort-of Secret: Amelia’s Market, a Geary Avenue grocer selling local goods and light lunches

Like lovely cheese plates paired with glasses of Ontario-made wine

“There’s more attention now on shopping close to home”: How Broadfork Produce is connecting Toronto’s top chefs with Ontario farmers

“There’s more attention now on shopping close to home”: How Broadfork Produce is connecting Toronto’s top chefs with Ontario farmers

And the west-end supplier is opening to the public soon

The US tariffs are coming for your espresso martini

The US tariffs are coming for your espresso martini

With Kahlúa no longer available at the LCBO, Toronto bartenders are getting creative