No. 3: Because our best and brightest are leading the fight against Covid

Lockdown, bubbles, nasal swabs—all important measures, but all minor compared to the mammoth undertaking happening in labs and research facilities across the country: developing a vaccine. The key figures who will be part of Canada’s effort to develop and secure our own long-term solution, below:

The infectious disease specialist

Mario Ostrowski, U of T

Ostrowski recently tested Providence Therapeutics’ vaccine on mice in his U of T lab and found that it produced potent antibodies and appeared to neutralize the virus. Those tests continue, but if all goes to plan, Providence should begin human trials of the vaccine early next year.

The biomedical engineer

Sachdev Sidhu, U of T

Sachdev Sidhu and his colleagues are working on synthetic antibody treatments that will stop Covid in its tracks. His lab at the Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research has engineered antivirals that are awaiting the green light for clinical trial.

The researchers

Samira Mubareka (Sunnybrook), Rob Kozak (Sunnybrook, U of T), Dr. Arinjay Banerjee (McMaster)

This dream team was among the first in the world to isolate SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19. Getting the virus into a test tube—partly thanks to Banerjee’s “magic hands,” according to Kozak—allowed others to test antivirals and potential vaccines.

The negotiator

Anita Anand, Oakville MP and minister of public services and procurement

In her previous career as a corporate lawyer, Anita Anand learned very well the art of the deal. Now, she’s in charge of making sure 38 million Canadians get a Covid vaccine as soon as possible, a negotiation as delicate as it is desperately needed.

More Reasons to Love Toronto…

City

21 reasons to love (and not leave) Toronto

To people fleeing the city for more square footage and less density, we say pffft. Pandemic or not, Toronto is thriving. Let us count the ways

Life

No. 1: Because our home chefs are feeding the hungry

The People's Pantry started small and grew fast. Now, nearly 500 volunteers devote their culinary skills, bikes, cars and time to help out

City

No. 2: Because amazing restaurants with great takeout keep opening

Launching a restaurant is risky in the best of times. These fearless folks did it during Covid

City

No. 4: Because we dance away Covid stress

Donté Colley's videos are little pearls of joy

City

No. 5: Because these quaranteens are the future

They spend their free time printing face shields, making music, and helping Torontonians stay connected

City

No. 6: Because breathtaking, feel-good art is everywhere

Plastering everything from 20-storey buildings to small traffic signal controller cabinets

City

No. 7: Because we’ll do anything for quality roti

Here's how Torontonians came together to save Pam’s Roti Shop from closure

City

No. 8: Because we became a wine city overnight

The pandemic turned our best wine bars into streetside patios, bottle bodegas and de facto wine clubs

City

No. 9: Because our bookstores do more than sell books

Their success is one of the few happy small-business stories of Covid

City

No. 10: Because patio season is forever

If we can’t have nice weather, at least we can hold on to the summery vibes

City

No. 11: Because dress sweats are a thing

And Toronto brands have stepped up to meet the demand

City

No. 12: Because prefab is fab

This guy makes really cool all-season backyard office pods for the WFH set—himself included

City

No. 13: Because true love finds a way

The pandemic meant postponement for thousands of bethrothed Torontonians. These four couples made other plans

City

No. 14: Because we take care of each other

Four examples of random kindness in our midst

City

No. 15: Because the war on cars is finally over (bikes won)

By the end of this year, Toronto will have 40 kilometres of new bike lanes—the largest single-year expansion in our history

City

No. 16: Because Hollywood North won’t quit

Even a global pandemic couldn't slow film and TV production for long

City

No. 17: Because our musicians are topping the charts—and local landmarks

Here's just a sampling of the heavy dose of CanCon on the Billboard charts

City

No. 18: Because we’re a beacon for tech geniuses

Here are just a handful of the hyper-talented founders, CEOs, CTOs and managers who’ve brought their skills to the city

City

No. 19: Because wood is good

Toronto is about to get the tallest mass timber structure in North America

City

No. 20: Because the Raptors are so much more than a basketball team

They're a beacon of hope, a catalyst for progress and—oh yeah—a really good team

City

No. 21: Because e-biking is the new biking

And Bike Share added 300 of them to its fleet