Gabe Oatley

Some locals upset over Halloween display they say is ‘too real’ and ‘over the top’ The neighbourhood Halloween display features a graphic mannequin of a woman with a pickaxe to the skull

NEW: What’s an appropriately scary Halloween display, and what’s offside? Residents of a west end toronto neighbourhood are debating just that, after a homeowner created a display that included a realistic female mannequin with an axe to the head. www.torontotoday.ca/local/family...

Palmerston residents look to fight housing redevelopments using heritage status Residents are concerned about two recent proposed housing redevelopments, which they say will detract from the character of the neighbourhood without adding affordable housing

NEW: Proposals for two new multiplexes on Palmerston Boulevard have rankled locals. They’re concerned the projects will demolish existing affordable rentals and detract from the street’s character. They’re putting their hopes on a heritage designation. www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...

Over 100 TDSB students walk out over claims of pro-Palestinian censorship Some students alleged a provincial directive restricting political speech in schools is being used selectively to prohibit expression about Palestine

NEW: Over 100 students from Toronto District School Board high schools walked out of class on Thursday morning to protest what they claim are efforts by school administrators to silence expressions of support for Palestine.
www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...

Construction proceeds on 5G tower in Etobicoke amid resident outrage Some residents have protested the tower over alleged health concerns, but Health Canada denies 5G technology poses any threat

NEW: Within the next few weeks, a 5G tower that has sparked significant concern from some Etobicoke locals will be completed. www.torontotoday.ca/local/policy...

Dufferin Grove homeless encampment residents fear imminent forced eviction Encampment residents have received trespass notices from the city saying tents must be removed from the park by Tuesday

NEW: Residents of the longstanding Dufferin Grove homeless encampment are fearful they could face a forced clearing as soon as tomorrow morning. In an emailed statement, city spokesperson seemed to suggest this could indeed occur. Full story: www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-h...

Landlord-tenant mess: How a multi-year ceiling leak spiralled into assault allegations, a lost job and eviction threats Tenants claim their landlord’s negligence has left them living in slum-like conditions, but the landlord denies it, alleging tenants have blocked much-needed repairs

NEW: In a city with more than half a million renters, hostility between landlords and tenants often simmers just below the surface. But rarely do disputes become as heated and have such significant consequences for both sides as this one has. www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...

CNE delights disabled guest with ‘liberating’ new support service The free new service provides fair attendees with on-demand personal care attendants, who support guests with using the washroom, eating and getting around

NEW: The CNE's got a new accessibility service that disability advocates say is unlike any they've seen before in Toronto's event or festival scene. They say it helps increase autonomy and independence for disabled guests. www.torontotoday.ca/local/lifest...

AI, social media and independence on minds of TMU first-years on dorm move-in day About 1,100 first-year Toronto Metropolitan University students began moving into on-campus housing on Sunday

NEW: Spoke with six students moving into their TMU dorms today on-campus. It was a mix of age-old worries and hopes (will the workload be too much? yay for making friends!) and some new stuff unique to this Gen Z cohort. www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...

Sneak peak: Inside the new Junction Triangle library branch on opening day The new library is more than three times the size of the neighbourhood’s prior facility and offers more space for kids, reading and computer work

NEW: The Junction Triangle community has a sexy new library. It's more than three times as big as the old community branch, and locals are stoked about it. www.torontotoday.ca/local/family...

Daycare operator says TDSB putting a ‘price tag’ on kids with high fees for air conditioned rooms Though most TDSB schools have a libraries or gyms with air conditioning, some daycares cant afford the thousands the board charges to use them in the summer, leaving kids sweltering

NEW: Though most TDSB schools have a libraries or gyms with air conditioning, some daycares cant afford the thousands the board charges to use them in the summer, leaving kids sweltering www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...

Want a backyard chicken? For the foreseeable future, city says forget it The UrbanHensTO pilot program was paused in 2023 over avian flu concerns and will remain so until further notice, says the city

NEW: Want a backyard hen? Don't count your chickens before they...OK, so this saying admittedly doesn't quite make sense here, but I wasn't able to get enough bird puns in this story, so you're stuck with it. www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-h...

TDSB adult education courses too costly for some after 45% fee hike The Toronto District School Board has nearly doubled Learn4Life course fees in a bid to make the program cost-neutral

NEW: Registration for the TDSB's Learn4Life adult education courses opened today, but some learners have opted not to sign up after the board hiked fees 45% to try to bring the program into cost neutrality. www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...

Hi @brendagladstone.bsky.social, thanks for the comment. Could we connect for a potential story about the price increase you're seeing? If so, could you give me a shout at gabe@torontotoday.ca or lmk the best email to reach you. Thanks!

Proposed 5G tower faces push back from Etobicoke residents over alleged health concerns A local city councillor and TCDSB trustee have also voiced concern about the project

NEW: A company’s plan to install a new 5G cell tower in Etobicoke has met significant opposition from local residents and elected officials, in part, over fear the new infrastructure could cause health problems. www.torontotoday.ca/local/health...

Popular nightclub Cafeteria suffers long-weekend break-in and robbery The venue’s owners say the majority of the club’s DJ and sound equipment was stolen as well as the entire stock of alcohol

NEW: Hip nightclub spot Cafeteria suffered a break-in and robbery last Friday. Police are investigating. The owners say the vandals took off with most of their sound and DJ equipment and all of the club's booze. www.torontotoday.ca/local/crime-...

Striking PSWs say elder care charity using ‘scabs’ to replace workers The organization says they have a ‘legal and moral responsibility’ to ensure uninterrupted care for their clients

NEW: For more than 2 months, a group of about 25 PSWs employed by a supportive living charity in North York have been on strike. Meanwhile replacement workers, or "scabs" have been caring for their elderly clients inside. www.torontotoday.ca/local/senior...

‘Shocking’ report alleges Toronto passenger flights have carried weapons supplies to Israel The report is based on shipping logs between Canada and Israel and alleges Canadian officials have misled the public about arms exports

NEW: In the past 6 months, commercial flights have travelled from Toronto to Paris and Frankfurt carrying not only passengers, but also weapons parts and equipment bound for Israel, according to newly-obtained commercial shipping data. www.torontotoday.ca/local/politi...

Should read 2,500 people*

Local corner store may be forced to close if city says ‘no’ to neighbourhood retail After public outcry, the city postponed enforcement of its own bylaw, allowing the Finch Store to stay open. But the business’ fate now hangs on a city council decision

NEW: Last year, more than 2,500 signed a petition demanding the city let a neighbourhood grocery store keep serving coffee, despite bylaws restricting local retail. The Finch Store got a temporary reprieve, but where's it at now? We got the deets. www.torontotoday.ca/local/busine...

Churches see alarming overdose spike on-site since safe consumption site closures ‘It's just carnage all the time. I feel like I’m staring at a bad motor vehicle accident,’ says one church property manager

NEW: Since 4 Toronto safe consumption sites were forced to close, the number of overdoses per week at Metropolitan United Church has gone from 1 to as many as 6. "It's just carnage all the time. I feel like I’m staring at a bad motor vehicle accident."
www.torontotoday.ca/local/health...

Tracking Canada’s fascist fight clubs CBC’s visual investigations team reveals where some of Canada’s white nationalist 'active clubs' gather to prepare for violence.

Read our latest investigation, looking at the rise of fascist "fitness" groups called "active clubs".

www.cbc.ca/newsinteract...

City misleading public about climate benefit of trash incineration: report The city has claimed burning Toronto’s trash would result in less greenhouse gas emissions than landfilling, but a new report says that’s not true

NEW: As the city’s main landfill nears capacity, a new report by a Toronto environmental organization claims the municipality has not accurately represented the environmental impact of burning residents’ trash.#topoli www.torontotoday.ca/local/enviro...

‘I can’t even breathe’: Toronto condo owners suffer amid months-long AC malfunction Residents say several people have needed to go to the hospital as a result of the extreme heat in their Downsview condo units

NEW: Since the summer began, residents of a Downsview condo have been struggling to stay cool after their building’s AC broke down and has remained unfixed. Several people have had to go to the hospital as a result of the heat, according to residents. www.torontotoday.ca/local/enviro...

E-bike courier charged with careless driving after collision leaves Toronto woman injured The 68-year-old victim said she wants food delivery app companies to be forced to change their algorithms so couriers can’t use their phones when biking

A 68-year-old west end resident was struck by an e-bike courier while crossing the street in June. She suffered a broken arm, a split lip and bruises. She wants app companies to be forced to change their algorithm to prevent distracted cycling. www.torontotoday.ca/local/crime-...

Plaque commemorating the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games in Toronto, titled “41 Trees.” The plaque features the Toronto 2015 logo, and logos of major partners including CIBC, the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, City of Toronto, Government of Canada, and Government of Ontario. Text (English side): ⸻ 41 TREES In the summer of 2015, Toronto hosted the XVII Pan American and V Parapan American Games, the largest international multi-sport Games in Canada’s history. These 41 trees, which stand on the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, are in tribute to the 41 participating countries and territories, and the talent, commitment and teamwork of the athletes who were here in pursuit of a dream. More than 10,000 athletes, coaches and officials participated in the TORONTO 2015 Games, thanks to the funding and leadership of the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the City of Toronto, Lead Partner CIBC and 15 other municipalities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, three universities and more than a dozen other civic-minded corporate sponsors. None of it would have been possible without the passionate dedication of 23,000-plus Games-time volunteers. United We Play.

🌳🌳🌳 Welcome to Tree Thread: The Sequel.

Ten years ago today — July 10, 2015 — Toronto kicked off the 2015 Pan Am Games.

To mark the event, 41 trees were planted along a section of Front Street East — one for each country or territory.

In this thread, again, I'll review the state of every tree.

Here's @gabeoatley.bsky.social on what the TDSB takeover looks like on the ground for Toronto's elected trustees.

EXPLAINER: The province has ‘taken over’ the TDSB. What does that mean and why should you care? The province’s appointment of a TDSB supervisor means trustees are sidelined — no pay, no board meetings and no input on policies that impact students

NEW: Just before student's summer break, the province appointed a new "supervisor" for the TDSB. But what the heck does it mean? In short, it means trustees are sidelined — no pay, no board meetings and no input on policies that impact students. www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...

GALLERY: Thousands attend sunny Dyke Rally and March in downtown Toronto Attendees at this year’s march want people to know ‘lesbian isn’t a bad word’

A fun assignment for a Saturday shift. Earlier today, I attended the annual @pridetoronto.bsky.social Dyke March, spoke to some folks and took some snaps 📸. www.torontotoday.ca/local/lifest...

York University president announces resignation Rhonda Lenton is ending her second 5-year term early — after a tenure marked by the university’s launch of a new Markham campus, but also faculty strikes and program cuts

Scoop: York University's president Rhonda Lenton has announced she will depart from the top job 18-months early. Her term has been marked by institutional expansion, but also by protest, a significant faculty strike in 2018, and recent program cuts --> www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...

TDSB says school covered yearbook photo of students in keffiyehs over ‘political’ concern Students at Ursula Franklin Academy alleged faculty told them the photo was covered due to a “misprint,” but the school board later confirmed it was due to politics

#NEW: A TDSB school covered a yearbook photo of two students wearing keffiyehs. Educators initially claimed it was because of a "misprint" but the school board later confirmed it was due to politics. www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...