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City News

Long-time columnist Rob Granatstein mysteriously let go from the Toronto Sun

After 17 years at the Sun , most recently as the head of the editorial page, Rob Granatstein was let go by the paper on...

The Scene: Topshop launches, to what appears to be mostly hipsters, at The Bay on Queen Street

The Scene: Topshop launches, to what appears to be mostly hipsters, at The Bay on Queen Street

By now, most people know that The Bay is bringing Topshop to Toronto, and last night it held a fete and shopping event to...

Can Dalton McGuinty’s bland-and-boring image withstand the increase in Internet attack campaigns?

Can Dalton McGuinty’s bland-and-boring image withstand the increase in Internet attack campaigns?

Premier Dalton McGuinty has a personal image (as opposed to a political image) that’s about as likely to inflame passion as...

Mayor Rob Ford receives another death threat, but apparently that’s just part of the job—or so says Mel Lastman

Mayor Rob Ford receives another death threat, but apparently that’s just part of the job—or so says Mel Lastman

Criticizing the mayor is one thing, and we recognize that sometimes even a little violent rhetoric and some obvious hyperbole help...

Could the London riots happen in Toronto? The Star’s Christopher Hume says yes

Could the London riots happen in Toronto? The Star’s Christopher Hume says yes

Aside from the obvious, it’s difficult to know what, exactly, to say about the riots in London. But it’s on the top of...

Inside the Latest Issue

The June issue of Toronto Life features the best new restaurants of 2026. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.

Giorgio Mammoliti wants panhandling banned from Toronto’s streets—but encouraged at Queen’s Park

Giorgio Mammoliti wants panhandling banned from Toronto’s streets—but encouraged at Queen’s Park

Taking a break from sniffing out wayward communists on Facebook, Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti has joined forces with fellow...

Is the mayor’s office stacking Toronto’s boards with lackeys?

Is the mayor’s office stacking Toronto’s boards with lackeys?

A lot of the decision-making that keeps Toronto’s services running doesn’t happen at city hall—it happens at the boards that...

Welfare recipients can skip the Money Mart: Toronto to start handing out debit cards instead of cheques

Welfare recipients can skip the Money Mart: Toronto to start handing out debit cards instead of cheques

News like this is enough to make anyone believe there really might be gravy to be found at city hall. Toronto’s latest to...

See, Hear, Read: Experts from Black Dog Video, Soundscapes and Type Books offer their selections

See, Hear, Read: Experts from Black Dog Video, Soundscapes and Type Books offer their selections

They love it. We want it. Three red-hot releases “The Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami was a big deal back in the ‘90s and...

Dear Urban Diplomat: Can you slap your friends with invoices for a fun weekend at the cottage?

Dear Urban Diplomat: Can you slap your friends with invoices for a fun weekend at the cottage?

Dear Urban Diplomat, I invited a crew of friends and their kids to my cottage last weekend. They brought snacks and lunches, but I...

Reformed commie Giorgio Mammoliti can smell communism, and he doesn’t want its sour scent on his Facebook page

Reformed commie Giorgio Mammoliti can smell communism, and he doesn’t want its sour scent on his Facebook page

“I will be monitoring their comments and if I get a smell of communism, they’re off the page.” — Giorgio Mammoliti That...

With Hazel McCallion’s last mayoral run behind us, Mississauga politics is starting to get interesting

With Hazel McCallion’s last mayoral run behind us, Mississauga politics is starting to get interesting

Now that Mississauga is set to host an actual contested political election, all eyes will be on the city’s council for the...

Danforth business owner and arsonist may get 10 years in the slammer—but he’ll also get to profit from his crime

Danforth business owner and arsonist may get 10 years in the slammer—but he’ll also get to profit from his crime

This story reads more like a true crime novel with each passing day: a Danforth family business is burned to the ground, killing...

North York’s Cara Ricketts’s inner strength ignites Harold Pinter’s The Homecoming this summer at Stratford

North York’s Cara Ricketts’s inner strength ignites Harold Pinter’s The Homecoming this summer at Stratford

It took an old chestnut—a raisin, actually—for Toronto theatregoers to appreciate Cara Ricketts’ ability to breathe new life...

Convicted felon offers political advice to conviction-less NDP separatists and praise for blonde conservative commentators

Convicted felon offers political advice to conviction-less NDP separatists and praise for blonde conservative commentators

Conrad Black may have spent the last few years of his life watching events in Canada from afar—and from behind bars—but that...

The Conversation: Colm Wilkinson and Deborah Hay discuss melodic storytelling at the TIFF Bell Lightbox

The Conversation: Colm Wilkinson and Deborah Hay discuss melodic storytelling at the TIFF Bell Lightbox

The place: Luma at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. The people: musical theatre legend Colm Wilkinson and actor-turned-singer Deborah...

Dear Urban Diplomat: Can your boss force you to wear a degrading uniform?

Dear Urban Diplomat, I recently got a job at a certain over-the-top sports bar that requires its female staff to wear tight tops...

Rob Ford’s mysterious meeting schedule released only to reveal something everybody already knew anyway

Rob Ford’s mysterious meeting schedule released only to reveal something everybody already knew anyway

The recent release of a copy of Mayor Rob Ford’ s meeting schedule confirmed something we—and everybody else—already...

PMO killed the YouTube star: fishin’ buddies Stephen Harper and Rob Ford (briefly) go viral

PMO killed the YouTube star: fishin’ buddies Stephen Harper and Rob Ford (briefly) go viral

Prime Minister Stephen Harper , Mayor Rob Ford and a 39-centimetre fish became instant viral sensations last week when a video was...

Is Rob Ford’s commitment to customer service actually doing more harm than good?

Is Rob Ford’s commitment to customer service actually doing more harm than good?

The Globe and Mail put Mayor Rob Ford’ s much-vaunted commitment to customer service—and his pledge to return all the city’s...

Dear Urban Diplomat: Is it okay to announce on Twitter that a friend came out of the closet?

Dear Urban Diplomat: Is it okay to announce on Twitter that a friend came out of the closet?

Dear Urban Diplomat, I’m 30 years old, and I recently came out of the closet to a few friends and my parents. I was still...

Two more Rob Ford allies pledge their allegiance to Toronto’s new Mayor of the Moment, Margaret Atwood

Two more Rob Ford allies pledge their allegiance to Toronto’s new Mayor of the Moment, Margaret Atwood

If the week that was is any indication, the one thing that scares Toronto’s right-leaning councillors more than being caught...

Toronto designer Photoshops Margaret Atwood book covers to gravylicious effect

Toronto designer Photoshops Margaret Atwood book covers to gravylicious effect

A couple of days ago, we told you about Margaret Atwood’ s criticism of the Ford Brothers and their habit of, as she put...

With the Brett Lawrie call-up, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos’s makeover is nearly complete

With the Brett Lawrie call-up, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos’s makeover is nearly complete

The current edition of the Toronto Blue Jays is a far cry from the team general manager Alex Anthopoulos inherited from...

Cost of Living

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”

How an actor, influencer and amateur investor managed to earn a six-figure salary

How an actor, influencer and amateur investor managed to earn a six-figure salary

“My family taught me to invest. It’s probably the wisest advice they’ve ever given me”

Urban Diplomat

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

Dear Urban Diplomat: My friends are getting into sober raves, and I just can't see the appeal

Dear Urban Diplomat: My friends are getting into sober raves, and I just can’t see the appeal

How does one cut loose in a well-lit room while the sun is shining and no one is even a little intoxicated?