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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...

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.

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...

Best of the City 2011: Our picks for Toronto’s top services—from beard trimming to doggie fitness

Best of the City 2011: Our picks for Toronto’s top services—from beard trimming to doggie fitness

Spray paint removal Beard maintenance Canine workout Bedbug exterminator Personal shopper Tattoo removal Artful mani Cleaver care...

Dalton McGuinty learns an important lesson from Rob Ford

Dalton McGuinty learns an important lesson from Rob Ford

We know that the provincial Liberals are watching the Toronto political scene closely (mostly because they keep telling everybody...

Things Margaret Atwood likes: libraries, book clubs, strong language; things Margaret Atwood does not like: Doug and Rob Ford

Things Margaret Atwood likes: libraries, book clubs, strong language; things Margaret Atwood does not like: Doug and Rob Ford

We’re guessing by now the Brothers Ford know exactly who Margaret Atwood is. After Doug Ford caused a bit of a brouhaha amongst...

Trendwatch: “swatting”—as in SWAT teams in your home—comes to Toronto

Trendwatch: “swatting”—as in SWAT teams in your home—comes to Toronto

On the list of things that might interrupt a nice quiet day at home, a visit from a fully armed SWAT team probably ranks near the...

How the G20—with its burning cars, broken storefronts, violent beatings and mass arrests—ruined Bill Blair’s popularity

How the G20—with its burning cars, broken storefronts, violent beatings and mass arrests—ruined Bill Blair’s popularity

On June 26, 2010, Bill Blair was in the middle of the most complicated week of his career. The G20 summit had transformed the...

Is Rob Ford a self-loathing, Tea Party–parroting mayor?

Is Rob Ford a self-loathing, Tea Party–parroting mayor?

Seriously, we’re not even kidding here. After reading a thought-provoking piece by Toronto Star urban affairs bureau chief David...

Sheila Copps rumoured to be interested in becoming the next president of the Liberal Party

Sheila Copps rumoured to be interested in becoming the next president of the Liberal Party

As the Liberal Party of Canada attempts to put itself back together in the wake of its crushing defeat on May 2—after spending...

The List: 10 things zoologist, lion tamer and host of the new reality TV show Expedition Impossible Dave Salmoni can’t live without

The List: 10 things zoologist, lion tamer and host of the new reality TV show Expedition Impossible Dave Salmoni can’t live without

My pocket knife I’ve had my single-blade, foldaway Buck knife for more than 20 years. It’s probably been around the world with...

Will Melanie Aitken, the Competition Bureau’s feisty and fearless chief, ax the Maple Group’s bid for the Toronto Stock Exchange?

Will Melanie Aitken, the Competition Bureau’s feisty and fearless chief, ax the Maple Group’s bid for the Toronto Stock Exchange?

Recently, the Competition Bureau —that part of the Canadian government designed to protect consumers from anti-competitive...

How to treat the scourge of modern medicine—bad bedside manner

How to treat the scourge of modern medicine—bad bedside manner

When I was pregnant and working as a foreign correspondent in Beijing, my obstetrician suggested an amniocentesis test for...

To cap off the week, a look at the five best and worst recent logo redesigns

After much anticipation the new incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets revealed its team logos last week, and, in case you were...

Toronto’s marathon Executive Committee meeting wrapped up this morning—a glimpse at the next 38 months?

If the nearly 24-hour ordeal that was the latest Executive Committee meeting produced anything to cheer, it was probably 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