Ben Spurr

Blue bin complaints? Starting next month, they’re not our problem, say Toronto officials Toronto officials are bracing for the transition to privatized curbside recycling pickup starting New Year’s Day, as mandated by the province.

Blue bin complaints? Starting next month, they’re not our problem, say Toronto officials www.thestar.com/news/gta/blu...

After ‘construction hell,’ first rides on Finch West LRT should be free, councillor says Coun. Anthony Perruzza is asking Premier Doug Ford to let residents take their first trip on the Finch LRT this Sunday free of charge.

After ‘construction hell,’ first rides on Finch West LRT should be free, councillor says www.thestar.com/news/gta/aft...

Olivia Chow looks to hike taxes on sale of ‘luxury’ homes Mayor Olivia Chow proposes increasing the land transfer tax on “luxury” homes valued at $3 million and up.

Olivia Chow looks to hike taxes on sale of ‘luxury’ homes www.thestar.com/news/gta/oli...

Is this a sign of Toronto’s future? City looks to cut curbside clutter with clearer parking display Toronto city staff are proposing a pilot project of signage with clearer language and colour-coded diagrams to reduce confusion about parking restrictions.

Confused by Toronto's curbside parking signs? The city is trying to fix that thestar.com/news/gta/is-this-a-sign-of-torontos-future-city-looks-to-cut-curbside-clutter-with-clearer/article_c80f5d57-674f-4967-bcb5-9d04e8119448.html

Toronto suspends contractor with $200M in city projects in the past five years over rules breach City data shows that since 2002 Toronto has awarded Capital Infrastructure and its affiliates almost 350 contracts totalling about $514 million.

Toronto suspends contractor with $200M in city projects in the past five years over alleged rules breach www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...

IntegrityTO has faced blowback for its graphic online posts. Is it showing the ‘stark reality’ of Toronto or making local politics toxic? On Tuesday, IntegrityTO’s Daniel Tate plans to mark the group’s arrival on the political scene with a launch event at the Mod Club, which will be attended by at least two sitting councillors.

IntegrityTO has faced blowback for its graphic online posts. Is it showing the ‘stark reality’ of Toronto or making local politics toxic? www.thestar.com/news/gta/int...

@thesamaracentre.bsky.social Hi there, I'm trying to reach Samara for a story I'm working on, but haven't heard back. Can someone pls be in touch at bspurr@thestar.ca? Thanks.

City of Toronto pauses hiring of non-essential workers A memo issued by senior staff said a pause on hiring is necessary to address a projected operating shortfall for 2025.

City of Toronto pauses hiring of non-essential workers www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...

‘A real dark day’: Toronto City Hall reacts to Doug Ford’s move to ban speed cameras The Ford government tabled legislation Monday to ban automated speed cameras in Ontario.

‘A real dark day’: Toronto City Hall reacts to Doug Ford’s move to ban speed cameras thestar.com/news/gta/a-real-dark-day-toronto-city-hall-reacts-to-doug-fords-move-to-ban-speed/article_878b37e6-166d-4cfd-b1d6-45d64e5798fc.html

All Toronto library branches to be open on Sundays starting this weekend The move mars a milestone in Mayor Olivia Chow's plans to extend hours at all the city's branches.

All Toronto library branches to be open on Sundays starting this weekend www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...

‘It’s been a good ride’: Toronto’s transportation manager to retire after nine years Deputy City Manager Will Johnston announced Barbara Gray’s decision in a letter sent to council members and municipal staff on Friday

From me and @andytakagi.bsky.social: ‘It’s been a good ride’: Toronto’s transportation manager to retire after nine years www.thestar.com/news/gta/its...

At Downsview Park where Mayor Olivia Chow is joined by federal housing minister Gregor Robertson and CEO of Build Canada Homes (and former mayoral rival) Ana Bailao to make a housing announcement.

TTC beefing up subway service as more commuters return to the office Improvements the TTC is planning to implement Sunday will restore service on Line 2, Bloor-Danforth to pre-pandemic levels, the city says.

TTC beefing up subway service as more commuters return to the office www.thestar.com/news/gta/ttc...

Scarborough—Rouge Park byelection results: Neethan Shan wins Monday’s byelection in Ward 25 Scarborough—Rouge Park was held to replace former councillor Jennifer McKelvie.

Neethan Shan wins Scarborough-Rouge Park byelection www.thestar.com/news/gta/sca...

Mayor Chow and Deputy Mayor Malik have arrived.

Scarborough—Rouge Park byelection results: Neethan Shan in early lead Monday’s byelection in Ward 25 Scarborough—Rouge Park was held to replace former councillor Jennifer McKelvie.

Nothing official yet in the Scarborough-Rouge Park byelection, but Neethan Shan has just entered a ballroom at the Scarborough Convention Centre to his supporters chanting his name. He's in the lead with more polls still to report. www.thestar.com/news/gta/sca...

Mayor Olivia Chow at Wellesley station announcing details of a pilot project that will deploy Toronto Community Crisis Service teams to downtown subway platforms.

Why a small sticker slapped on your blue bin has Toronto city hall in a big uproar New provincial rules will change who is responsible for collecting and disposing of recyclables in Toronto as the city’s landfill nears capacity.

The latest in our Waste Not, Want Not series about Toronto's trash: It’s a small sticker slapped on the side of Toronto blue bins, but it signals a big — and possibly difficult — change the city’s recycling program www.thestar.com/news/gta/why...

New poll shows how Olivia Chow might fare against possible mayoral contenders — including John Tory Forum Research surveyed 1,000 adults across Toronto on Wednesday and Thursday, asking about their support for four potential candidates well ahead of the October 2026 mayoral race.

From David Rider: New poll shows how Olivia Chow might fare against possible mayoral contenders — including John Tory www.thestar.com/news/gta/new...

Ottawa shirking responsibility for sheltering refugees, Chow warns, after Carney government offers Toronto just a quarter of requested funds Mayor Olivia Chow warned the federal government’s new funding formula would leave Toronto $107 million short this year.

Scoop: Toronto and the federal government could be headed for another dispute over refugee supports, with Mayor Olivia Chow warning council that Ottawa looks set to "walk away" from its duty to house asylum seekers www.thestar.com/news/gta/ott...

Edward Keenan: His name was JahVai Roy. We cannot forget him We must not only remember the loss of this 8-year-old boy, but fight to prevent it from ever happening again.

A powerful piece from @thekeenanwire.bsky.social, on the unfathomable death of 8-year-old JahVai Roy. "We came to know him only because we failed to protect him — even in his own home, even in his own bed, even in the arms of his mother." www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

‘Horrific, senseless act’: Mayor tells mother of 8-year-old fatal shooting victim JahVai Roy police are doing everything possible to find perpetrator Mayor Olivia Chow says she has spoken with Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw and the city and police are doing everything possible to find those responsible for the death of

‘Horrific, senseless act’: Mayor tells mother of 8-year-old fatal shooting victim JahVai Roy police are doing everything possible to find perpetrator www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...

Coun. Dianne Saxe has some stronger words about today's bike lane ruling, saying the Ontario government's "wasteful and dangerous plan" has been "dealt a serious blow."

Statement from Mayor Chow's office on bike lane ruling stops short of explicitly saying she welcomes the court's decision. Says bike lanes keep ppl safe, council should have control of municipal infrastructure, and city is reviewing the ruling.

Video of Mayor Olivia Chow welcoming Gaza refugees to Toronto pulled from Instagram over online abuse The original Instagram post included a video in which the mayor at city hall holds a video call, greeting a Palestinian family that has fled Gaza as they arrived at Pearson International Airport.

Mayor Olivia Chow's office says she was forced to remove a video she posted to social media in which she welcomed a Palestinian family to Toronto, after they faced a barrage of online abuse www.thestar.com/news/gta/vid...

City Council - July 24, 2025 YouTube video by Toronto City Council

If you missed yesterday's debate, Coun. Amber Morley gave a barnburner of a speech in which she both acknowledged local residents' serious concerns about the shelter slated for her ward, and expressed full-throated support for the plan www.youtube.com/live/JZIRzT5...

‘We have a housing crisis, folks’: Council moves ahead with six shelter sites after heated debate Some councillors took issue with a previous decision that delegated site selection to city staff rather than elected officials.

'Consultation' is a 'slippery word': Council moves ahead with six shelter sites after heated debate www.thestar.com/news/gta/we-...

Toronto appoints a new medical officer of health City council on Wednesday approved the appointment of Dr. Michelle Murti as the city’s new medical officer of health, replacing Dr. Eileen de Villa, who stepped down in December.

From Ben Cohen: Council has also approved the appointment of a new medical officer of health www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...

‘No compromises’: Ottawa issues warning to Toronto about housing funding over sixplex vote Housing Minister Gregor Robertson expressed his “disappointment” with city council’s decision last month to not allow sixplexes citywide in a letter to Mayor Olivia Chow.

Meanwhile, Ottawa issued a warning to Mayor Olivia Chow that Toronto's federal housing funding could be at risk over council's refusal to legalize sixplexes city-wide, but gave the mayor six months to sort it out www.thestar.com/news/gta/no-...

Toronto council strengthens oversight of major events after watchdog flags potential FIFA risks Toronto’s auditor general found a lack of transparency around the World Cup bid could have put the city at financial risk.

In a politically charged moment at city hall yesterday, council dredged up a report that found former mayor John Tory violated ethics rules over a World Cup vote and his relationship with his former staffer. Tory is considering running for mayor again. www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...