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City News

Welcome back. Now gird yourself

I had a nice holiday. You too? Peachy! Just don’t ask anyone who works for either Mayor Miller or his close allies how their...

Whyte Wash

Following the most spectacular journalistic comeuppances since Dewey Defeats Truman,” I promised myself I’d lay off...

I’ll Be There For You

“News” regarding Baron Black of Crossharbour having been reduced for the moment to sightings at the Palm Beach Kwik-E-Mart, I...

Black Watch: Today’s Top Stories

Word that Marc Martin has asked, on his client’s behalf, that the judge “arrest” the judgment against him, has about it the...

Black Watch: Today’s Top Stories

Never has the phrase “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” been more sorely tested. Among the tsunami of punditing pundits...

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.

Black Watch: Today’s Top Stories

The Chicago papers are full this morning of news and commentary bearing on Black nemesis “Skim” Jim Thompson. Yesterday, an...

Sock It to ’Em

It was the day of the infamous jury note. Conrad arrived at the courthouse on a half-hour’s notice in something of a rumpled...

Black Watch: Today’s Top Stories

One of the more engaging aspects of reading The Globe And Mail day to day is puzzling through some of the abstruse allusions and...

Black Watch: Today’s Top Stories

The idea that Conrad Black might have his house seized by the American government to pay off his forfeiture is just the chum in...

Black Watch: Today’s Top Stories

This morning’s papers featured the first hard news coverage on the fallout from the Black trial in a couple of...

Words of Wisdom

When not marvelling at the Rogers Cup tennis doings of Federer, Djokovic and Dancevic, I spent a good portion of my weekend with...

Black Watch: Today’s Top Stories

A week ago last Wednesday, when Conrad Black walked out the back of Room 1241 condemned to stay in Chicago (possibly ferrying as...

The things I’ll miss while on vacation

I’m off on vacation, so this blog will go dormant until after Labour Day, at which time I’ll be sinking my teeth into the...

Black Watch: Today’s Top Stories

It’s one of those numbers buried in a spreadsheet that, read the right way, opens a rich vein of permutation and implication. A...

Black Watch: Today’s Top Stories

Last evening I received a note from Andrew Clark, the New York correspondent for The Guardian . Headed simply “The Final...

Dalton McGuinty sounds like…

… a premier from a have-not province . Acts like one too. Maybe he is.

Kicking some Ashton

Kicking some Ashton

Updated: Old news : Mayor Miller asked Brian Ashton for his resignation and got it. Not so old news: even though Councillor Gord...

Black Watch: Today’s Top Stories

The press’s late summer hibernation from Conrad Black—following what could be his last real effort to return home before...

A perfect political storm

I wonder if Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty is spending his summer wishing he hadn’t implemented fixed election...

The Lying Game

What with Amy St. Eve having, for the moment, put paid to Lord Black’s shortterm travel plans while she contemplates his longer...

The Bermuda Triangle in West Queen West

Lots of developments in the WQW Triangle file the last two weeks. The most recent development is that the city is being given a...

Good news for sports radio junkies

It’s been a slow week, but this is news to shake up the Toronto sports-media scene: AM640 is going to turn their Leafs Lunch...

Black Talk: A Live Discussion

My conversation with Alan Gold is now on. Please read it here . UPDATE: Our conversation has now concluded. The transcript...

Black Talk: A Live Discussion (Update)

Apologies—my conversation with Alan Gold has been delayed until 3:30 p.m. today. Thanks for your patience.

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