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City News

More’s the Pity

Several stories appeared yesterday recording Black’s submission to St. Eve to continue his bail pending appeal. Failing...

Urbanism 101

A StatsCan report confirms the obvious this morning: the lower your neighbourhood’s population density, the more likely you are...

A new bio for Black

Not that it matters one iota, but at least one of Black’s allies in this great enterprise has soured on his continuing...

Transportopia! (or, For whom the road tolls)

You can skip tomorrow’s Toronto Star , because here’s what will surely be its front page story: a report recommending every...

Let the appeal shenanigans begin

Let me see if I’ve got this straight: Black’s appeals lawyer, Andrew Frey, is quoted in the Post this morning suggesting that...

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.

Dr. Positive responds again

His is the last word .

Scarlem Scarlem nyah nyah nyah

I missed Tuesday’s meeting of the Scarborough Community Council, which means I also missed the tongue lashing they gave Toronto...

Dr. Florida and me

Have a look at Richard Florida’s take on my Monday post . He provides some context that was sorely missing from Saturday’s...

“Most over-lawyered proceedings in recent history”

News from Chicago this morning: the prosecution’s lead attorney, Eric Sussman, is seeking greener pastures in the private...

Black’s goal (or last hope): A presidential pardon

In a screed orotund even by his standards, Conrad Black ripped the American punditocracy a new one for its failing to make sense...

Toronto’s shit smells of roses, says Dr. Florida

In case you missed it, the weekend Globe featured the latest in its series titled “Richard Florida Ingratiates Himself.” In...

Culling the herd at the Chicago Sun-Times

Two stories hit the papers today that reflect the wide-ranging, ongoing fallout from the Hollinger mess. Peter Atkinson’s plea...

Things I saw that left my jaw swinging: Part 4

One last bit of business is left over from last week’s roundup of year-enders: I recall a July moment when Eddie Greenspan, who...

Bungle and delay: The OSC doesn’t strike again

As I reported in Monday’s post , the Ontario Securities Commission’s effort at holding the Hollinger Four to account for their...

If you want objectivity, go read the Globe

When I started this blog back in March of last year, it was decided that, beyond my opening gambit, I would more or less restrain...

Things I saw that left my jaw swinging: Part 3

Among the milestones in the trial of Conrad Black, this one has about it an air of finality. The Globe and Mail reported this...

Things I saw that left my jaw swinging: Part 2

Besides Times man James Bone, the most theatrical character on offer during the Black trial was Tom Bower. He is a naturally...

The Agitator

The Agitator

When he isn’t teaching math to U of T students, he’s in court representing such motley clients as OCAP’s John Clarke, the...

Things I saw that left my jaw swinging

As much as I dread it, like every other dog and his dog, I’m going to lift my leg and offer up a year-ender. In lieu of the...

In bed with Justice

With the holidays on and media mentions down to year-end wrap-ups (“it was a tough year for convicted felon and soon to be...

The top five political miscalculations of 2007

A look back at the year that was, through the lens of failure: Faith-based schools Under John Tory’s leadership, the whole city...

Mark Steyn vs. the Sun-Times (reprise)

One of the more entertaining sideshows earlier in The Trial of the 10th of This Century So Far™ was the Mark Steyn vs. the...

Toilet trouble

It suddenly occurs to me that, since I previously linked readers to Shirley Hoy’s memo on the toilet-bowl story, I should also...

When victory is small and rare

This morning brought news of a rare victory for his Lordship. In a lawsuit pitting Black against Sotheby’s over the commission...

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