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City News

Opera: Simone Osborne gives Rigoletto’s heroine a backbone

Opera: Simone Osborne gives Rigoletto’s heroine a backbone

She had no interest in opera—she wanted to sing jazz. But when Simone Osborne was 17, her voice teacher suggested she learn “O...

David Miller emerges from hiding to tease radio listeners about Transit City

Former mayor and self-professed “carpool dad” David Miller is making a few media stops before delivering a TED Talk this...

Canadian Air and Space Museum gets evicted—cue crying, conspiracy theories and Harrison Ford

We’ve been following the coverage of the Canadian Air and Space Museum’s eviction by Downsview Park on Tuesday for being over...

The provincial election campaign is so boring we’re actually pining for an all-leaders debate

The provincial election campaign is so boring we’re actually pining for an all-leaders debate

Earlier today, we linked to a Toronto Sun column by Mike Strobel that argued the provincial election has been a dull affair...

Calgary stands as proof that livable cities don’t necessarily need Ferris wheels

A city where commuting is essentially carefree and French fries with truffle oil can be purchased on the street might sound like...

Inside the Latest Issue

The July issue of Toronto Life features the monster cottages of Muskoka versus the resistance. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.

Five things we learned about Peter Gatien’s quiet Toronto life

Peter Gatien ’s story is legendary to a generation of New York club kids and would-be New York Club kids who had the bad luck of...

City council may have voted against the new proposal for the Port Lands—but we still have a few unanswered questions

City council may have voted against the new proposal for the Port Lands—but we still have a few unanswered questions

City council voted unanimously last night to leave control of the Port Lands in the hands of Waterfront Toronto, essentially...

Fort York pedestrian bridge returns from the grave to receive an urban design award

Earlier this week, the Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge won a design award—which, of course, is somewhat awkward...

The Sun decries dull election by creating terrifying Frankencandidate

Toronto Sun columnist Mike Strobel claims to have figured out why the provincial election is so undeniably dull: the four main...

Councillors dare you to pay more taxes voluntarily

Turns out disrupted sleep schedules and political procrastination might not be the only products of this week’s all-night...

The Toronto Star continues its steadfast devotion to stalking the police force’s every move

The Toronto Star continues its steadfast devotion to stalking the police force’s every move

In its ongoing effort to burn all bridges with various police forces around the GTA, the Toronto Star is reporting that a man...

Margaret Atwood meets Doug Ford in person; universe refuses to explode

If you’re tired of reading stories about big idea man Doug Ford and literary nobody Margaret Atwood , you can thank Councillor...

Evangelical Christians succeed where lefty activists fail—in protesting a Toronto visit from former U.S. President George W. Bush

Evangelical Christians succeed where lefty activists fail—in protesting a Toronto visit from former U.S. President George W. Bush

George W. Bush —yes, that George W. Bush—gave a speech in Toronto this week and no one seemed to notice. The former...

Doug Ford allegedly threatens fellow councillor with automated wrath

Now and then we hear griping about Doug Ford’ s outsized influence at city hall given the brief time he’s actually spent as a...

Carolyn Parrish loses council by-election, reminding Mississauga politicians never to screw with Hurricane Hazel

Hazel McCallion ’s detractors have even more evidence that messing with the long-serving mayor of Mississauga is a political...

The provincial election is now officially less important than hockey

That’s right—the CBC will be airing the Toronto Maple Leafs opening night match-up with the Montreal Canadiens on October 6 on...

Five highlights—and learnings—from last night’s executive committee marathon meeting (round deux)

Five highlights—and learnings—from last night’s executive committee marathon meeting (round deux)

Sure, it’s often difficult to pinpoint precisely when a meeting falls apart—but we’re going to venture a guess that last...

Justin Bieber is requesting that people all over the world join hands—electronically

Justin Bieber is requesting that people all over the world join hands—electronically

As if people needed another way to embarrass themselves online, Justin Bieber is reaching out to 500,000 fans to make half-hearts...

Tim Hudak barely utters the name of his former barbecue buddy, Toronto mayor Rob Ford

Yesterday, reporters had to lob six questions at Tim Hudak about Rob Ford before the Progressive Conservative leader would even...

Likely suffering from a case of the Mondays, Rob Ford chooses the path of least resistance

Likely suffering from a case of the Mondays, Rob Ford chooses the path of least resistance

Library lovers can rest a little easier, at least for now. The Globe and Mail reported this morning that library closures and...

Doug Ford acquires a new mantle: most recent Toronto city councillor to embarrass himself on the radio

A political rookie, Doug Ford can be forgiven for not knowing that heated calls to talk radio don’t always work out well for...

Ancestry.ca reveals Dalton McGuinty and Tim Hudak are distantly related, generates publicity for itself

Ancestry.ca reveals Dalton McGuinty and Tim Hudak are distantly related, generates publicity for itself

The duel for premier seems to have reached an impasse , and an announcement by Ancestry.ca today could offer an...

Six city hall observers worth following on Twitter in order to keep up with today’s executive committee meeting at city hall

Six city hall observers worth following on Twitter in order to keep up with today’s executive committee meeting at city hall

Mayor Rob Ford and his executive committee are in the early stages of what we assume is the political equivalent of a root...

TTC approves service cuts (or how riding the rocket just got a little squishier)

News broke recently that, apparently, it’s possible for TTC vehicles to be more crowded than they already are at rush hour. The...

Cost of Living

These North York points enthusiasts earn $370,000 a year. How do they spend it?

These North York points enthusiasts earn $370,000 a year. How do they spend it?

“We try to maximize our rewards by using various credit cards plus PC Optimum”

This 22-year-old venture capitalist is on track to make $180,000 this year. How does he spend it?

This 22-year-old venture capitalist is on track to make $180,000 this year. How does he spend it?

“I love a good bargain, so I shop at No Frills”

This globetrotting couple earns a combined $287,000 a year. How do they spend it?

This globetrotting couple earns a combined $287,000 a year. How do they spend it?

“Groceries are our biggest monthly expense after rent”

This Doctors Without Borders marketer earns $100,000 a year. How does she spend it?

This Doctors Without Borders marketer earns $100,000 a year. How does she spend it?

Manpreet Badyal moved from Delhi to Vancouver to Toronto in search of success

How a Gen Z finance enthusiast in Forest Hill spends her money

How a Gen Z finance enthusiast in Forest Hill spends her money

Business analyst and budding TikTok investment guru Chaeeun Lee hopes to visit 50 countries before she turns 30

This policy analyst and stand-up comedian makes $83,000 a year. How does she spend it?

This policy analyst and stand-up comedian makes $83,000 a year. How does she spend it?

“Investing in mental health is important. I have an unlimited membership at Othership in Yorkville”

This entrepreneur is on track to make $23,000 this year. How does she spend it?

This entrepreneur is on track to make $23,000 this year. How does she spend it?

“It was hard to accept financial aid from my parents, but it actually brought us closer together”

Urban Diplomat

Dear Urban Diplomat: My family takes Mother’s Day more seriously than Father’s Day

Dear Urban Diplomat: My family takes Mother’s Day more seriously than Father’s Day

She gets flowers, gifts and breakfast in bed; I get a lousy grill brush. Am I wrong to feel slighted?

Dear Urban Diplomat: What’s the etiquette for EV charging?

Dear Urban Diplomat: What’s the etiquette for EV charging?

Dear Urban Diplomat , What’s the etiquette for EV charging? A few weeks ago, I finally found a spot in my neighbourhood to juice...

Dear Urban Diplomat: My husband thinks I'm a hoarder, but I'm a collector

Dear Urban Diplomat: My husband thinks I’m a hoarder, but I’m a collector

He’s started quoting Marie Kondo and insisting that I get rid of my “emotional support tchotchkes.” How can I get him to back off?

Dear Urban Diplomat: My condo building has zero tolerance for the slightest noise

Dear Urban Diplomat: My condo building has zero tolerance for the slightest noise

They’ve asked us not to shower after 11 p.m. because of “pipe whistling.” Is this normal?

Dear Urban Diplomat: My husband bought us a pass to skip the line at the ski hill. Why do I feel guilty for using it?

Dear Urban Diplomat: My husband bought us a pass to skip the line at the ski hill. Why do I feel guilty for using it?

I can’t help being embarrassed every time I sheepishly walk past the eye rollers in the regular queue

Dear Urban Diplomat: My brother is lying online about Dry January

Dear Urban Diplomat: My brother is lying online about Dry January

He’s preaching the virtues of sobriety on TikTok but still crushing six-packs every weekend, and the hypocrisy is getting on my nerves. Should I call him out?

Dear Urban Diplomat: My co-workers have forgotten how to behave in an office

Dear Urban Diplomat: My co-workers have forgotten how to behave in an office

I actually don’t mind the return-to-office mandate, but it seems like so much working from home has caused my fellow employees’ self-awareness to atrophy