What Toronto Life readers loved and loathed in our August issue

Paradise Lost

Caitlin Walsh Miller’s exposé on the short-term rental ruckus in cottage country generated fiery responses from both sides of the property line.

“The article describes one owner who rents out his five-bedroom cottage to help cover his mortgage, and he claims to be mentally and emotionally exhausted? Good. Nobody wants to live beside a party house with strangers coming and going nonstop. Can’t afford your $6,000 mortgage? Sell! I hope his hairline recedes and his property taxes go up.” —@Muffinzzztop, X

“Neighbours need to mind their own business. Without those short-term rentals, their local businesses would suffer.” ­ —@StrategicMove1, X

“Good read from @torontolife—an eye-opening article that describes what’s really going on in cottage country, highlighting racism, NIMBYism, classism and the lengths that residents will go to maintain the ‘character’ of their community.” —@RohitdoGood, X

“The article’s insinuation of racism in Horseshoe Valley relies on incomplete research and falls short of expectations for investigative reporting. The Horseshoe Valley Property Owners Association was never approached for our side of the story, and it contains factual inaccuracies. For example, the family’s application for a basement apartment was not similar to others whose basement apartments were approved. Their request was too large for their home, using the entire basement to create a duplex versus an accessory unit. This was upheld by the Ontario Land Tribunal. Their decision shows how the term ‘character of the neighbourhood’ is commonly used in community planning to refer to the size and style of homes in an area. It was used in that context and not in reference to the skin colour of the applicants, who were warmly welcomed when they first arrived.

“The family’s allegations against us are pending adjudication at the Human Rights Tribunal. Were journalistic standards breached by publishing an article advancing their position without contacting our association to ensure a balanced story?” —Sonia Faryna, Horseshoe Valley Property Owners Association

“Short-term rentals are not the problem. The problem is unruly tenants. However, in Canada, we don’t punish those who are inconsiderate. We go after the easy target—the owners. If a short-term renter got drunk and unruly in cottage country, they would be fined. Why not do the same with noisy renters? The first few fines would set the tone for others.” —Brian Newlands, West Vancouver

“As someone who has lived, and loved, the slow, sweet life of a small town, I can see both sides of the short-term rental debate. The changes that come with these rentals can be unsettling for locals; noise, overcrowding and a lack of respect can erode a community over time. But there’s a path here that doesn’t require us to become adversaries, lawyer up or create associations that just deepen the divide. What’s needed are clearer boundaries and firmer parameters, especially for big corporate hosts like Airbnb. Stricter rules around noise, guest numbers and neighbourhood well-being could make a difference.

“I’m no expert on the business of short-term rentals, but I am a frequent guest. My personal motto is simple: leave it better than you found it. If we could make that the spirit of the whole short-term rental culture, maybe we’d have less reason for a locals vs. visitors war in the first place.” —Shayne Traviss, LinkedIn

Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Everyone loves a good urban mystery. Harley Rustad’s neighbourhood french fry saga whetted some appetites.

“Great lunchtime read; wish I had ordered fries.” —zlex, Reddit

“I thought from the title that it was going to be about why french fries in this city suck.” —thevoiceinsidemyhead, Reddit

“Porch cam would have solved this pretty quickly and easily.” —PocketNicks, Reddit

Who’s Your Granddaddy?

The story of Joshua Haldeman, as told by John Lorinc, would have been a great yarn even if Haldeman hadn’t been a forebear of the world’s weirdest billionaire. That the farmer, chiro­practor and leader of the Canadian techno­cracy movement was also Elon Musk’s grandfather was a bonus. Readers had thoughts.

“Wild how much Musk’s grandpa was into fringe stuff—chiropractor, conspiracy theorist and anti-democracy? Guess the apple doesn’t fall far…” —@ElizabethB24399, X

“So crazy runs in the family. Good to know.” ­ —Greekmom99, Reddit

“Trump’s German grandfather ran a brothel in the Yukon. The curse runs through us.” —lw5555, Reddit

“Looks like grandpa failed to graduate from nine universities before ending up at a chiro college.” —TorontoBoris, Reddit

“I had no idea Elon Musk’s grandfather was this wild! The Canadian technocracy movement sounds like something straight out of a movie. Makes you wonder what other crazy family stories are out there.” —@TanDuran239317, X

Please email your comments to letters@torontolife.com. All comments may be edited for accuracy, length and clarity.