13,000+ people fuming at 311

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Good afternoon — Toronto just opened a $1.35B mega park and they literally moved a river for it. Meanwhile, thieves are stealing cars without taking the cars, and the city might kiss $30M goodbye over this one zoning decision.

Also, can you guess how many noise complaints the city had last year? You might be surprised.

Let’s get into it.

THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories

🌳 Waste to Waterfront: Biidaasige Park, Toronto’s biggest new park in a generation, opened on July 19. Once a contaminated industrial site, it now features 40 hectares of green space, trails, a new Don River path, and wildlife returning after decades. The park is part of a $1.35B flood protection project and a massive redevelopment that will include 14,000 homes.

💥 Noise is tormenting Toronto: Residents are fed up with nonstop noise — from backfiring cars and motorcycles to midnight garbage trucks, construction, loud events, and amplified protests. Complaints to 311 have topped 13,000 in the past year. Calls are growing for automated noise cameras, stricter enforcement, and modern solutions.

❄️ Systemic Snowstorm Failure: The mayor says city staff “failed in their job” during February’s record-breaking snowstorm, with just 51 of 29,000 snow-related 311 calls answered. A city review found broken plows, ignored protocols and widespread inaction.

🥪 Peameal bacon kings: Brothers Robert and Maurice Biancolin, owners of Carousel Bakery, have been awarded the Key to the City as they retire after nearly 50 years. Known for popularizing the peameal bacon sandwich at St. Lawrence Market, their creation became a symbol of Toronto.

🏎️ Engines roar: The 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto is back this weekend at Exhibition Place, with races running through a street circuit along Lake Shore Blvd. Toronto’s own Devlin DeFrancesco represents Canada, while defending champ Colton Herta looks to hold his title.

🦟 West Nile virus detected: Public Health has confirmed the city's first cases of West Nile virus in 2025, found in three mosquito batches. While the risk of human infection is low, officials urge residents to wear repellent, cover up, and eliminate standing water.

🚘 Stealing VINs, not vehicles: Thieves are exploiting Ontario’s car registration system by copying VINs from legitimate cars, like a Mercedes SUV in Oakville, and using them to register stolen vehicles — a scam known as "re-vinning."

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

📉 Toronto could lose $30M:Toronto risks forfeiting nearly $30M in federal housing funds after city council voted not to allow sixplexes citywide, a condition in its deal with Ottawa. Instead, council limited sixplexes to select wards, defying warnings from the feds that doing so could slash funding.

💰 $22M Muskoka mega-mansion: A luxurious hilltop estate on Lake Rosseau is now on the market for $22.9 million. Designed by the architect behind Drake’s Toronto mansion, the property features panoramic lake views, high-end finishes, and a bold promise: agents say nothing like it will be approved again.

🏡 Celeb Selling: Jordan Peterson and his wife have put their Annex home up for sale, asking around $2.2 million, ahead of their planned move to Arizona.

LOST TORONTO:
Wellesley Public School

The Wellesley Public School once stood as a landmark on Toronto’s Wellesley Street, built in 1873 and expanded in 1876 by architects McCaw & Lennox to accommodate 600 students.

Its mansard roof and iron-railed towers made it a striking piece of Victorian architecture. The school closed around 1956 and briefly served as offices for the Ontario Water Resources Commission before being demolished.

In its place rose the Sutton Place Hotel in 1967—now transformed into The Britt, a 41-storey condo tower that echoes none of the charm of the school it replaced.

THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

National Bank Open - Game, set, match! The National Bank Open presented by Rogers returns to Toronto with 12 days of world-class ATP tennis, primetime showdowns, and fan-friendly fun—featuring music, food, games, and entertainment at the lively Tennis Playground.
July 26 – August 7 | 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Location: Sobeys Stadium, 100-1 Shoreham Drive

Editor’s Pick! Toronto's BEST Vintage Car & Motorcycle Festival - Rev your engines for Toronto’s BEST Vintage Car & Motorcycle Festival, a high-energy day on Eglinton Ave W featuring classic cars, hot rods, motorcycles, live music, tasty eats, family fun, vintage shopping, and show-stopping contests—including Best in Show and the Glamour Pin-Up Contest. July 26 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Eglinton Ave W (Avenue to Castlewood)

Yonge & St. Clair: Diners, Drinks, & Delis Walking Tour - Take a delicious step back in time on the Yonge & St. Clair: Diners, Drinks, & Delis Walking Tour, tracing the evolution of Deer Park’s vibrant food scene from roadside taverns to midtown delis, and how it helped shape one of Toronto’s key commercial hubs.
July 24 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Start Location: 1 St. Clair Avenue East

Taste of Vietnam Food and Cultural Festival - The Taste of Vietnam V Festival returns to Nathan Phillips Square for its fifth year, serving up three days of authentic Vietnamese cuisine, cultural performances, and community celebration—blending tradition, unity, and purpose in the heart of Toronto.
July 24 – 26 | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Nathan Phillips Square

July Home Jays Games (schedule):
⚾️ Jays vs. Yankees - July 21 - July 23

RECOS: Things you will love
 
🇨🇦 Canada: How beautiful is Canada?
🐕 Pets: What are they up to?
🏠 Home: Chores made easy
🏃 Running: Most useful thing I’ve bought
⛑️ Self-care: ONE way to relax
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

1920s - A trip around Toronto: Rare vintage footage of Toronto streets, people, and landmarks in the roaring 20s.

Here is the link: Click here to watch

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