Good afternoon — Riders on the Finch West LRT still can’t see real-time arrivals, the Blue Jays are building a new Hall of Excellence at the SkyDome, and Ontario is weighing stricter rules for e-bikes as complaints continue to climb.

Meanwhile, Pearson just ranked best in North America, the Scarborough subway tunnel is now over halfway complete, and the province is moving to crack down on ticket scalping.

Plus: the TTC still hasn’t fully mapped out its World Cup plan, winter refuses to let go, and Canada’s population just posted its first decline in decades.

Let’s get into it.

THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories

🚇 Finch LRT Data Blocked: A Metrolinx firewall is preventing third-party apps like Google Maps from accessing real-time arrival data for the Finch West LRT, forcing riders to rely on less accurate scheduled times. The TTC says it doesn’t control the data, but is working with partners to resolve the issue and improve real-time service information.

⚾️ Hall of Excellence: The Toronto Blue Jays are creating a new Hall of Excellence at Rogers Centre, with longtime player, manager, and broadcaster Buck Martinez named as the first inductee. The team plans to honour more franchise legends over the coming years.

🚴 New E-Bike Rules: Ontario is considering stricter regulations for e-bikes and e-scooters as their use surges across Toronto. Officials say details are still unclear, but the move comes amid growing concerns over sidewalk riding, safety, and enforcement, with thousands of tickets already issued in recent crackdowns.

✈️ Best In North America: Toronto Pearson International Airport has been ranked the best in North America for airport staff service and departures experience at the World Airport Awards. The recognition, based on feedback from millions of travellers, highlights service quality across everything from check-in to security and customer support.

🏗️ Record-breaking tunnel: Toronto’s Scarborough Subway Extension tunnel is now over halfway complete, with a massive single-bore design set to become the largest subway tunnel in Canada. Despite past delays, construction is pushing forward toward extending Line 2 deeper into Scarborough.

💰 Ticket Scalping: Ontario is proposing new rules that would make it illegal to resell event tickets for more than their original price, targeting scalpers and bot-driven resales. The move marks a reversal from the Ford government’s earlier stance and aims to improve affordability and fairness for fans attending concerts and sporting events.

⚽️ TTC Plans Unclear: With just three months until kickoff, the TTC has yet to fully outline how it will handle tens of thousands of fans heading to the waterfront for World Cup matches. While officials promise increased service, transit-only lanes, and more staff, concerns grow about potential crowding and congestion.

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

❄️ Record-breaking winter: Toronto is on track for one of its snowiest winters ever, with snowfall totals already far above average and more snow still expected. Despite spring officially arriving, winter conditions are lingering with freezing rain and continued snowfall in the forecast.

🍰 Costco Backlash: Costco Canada’s new caramel brownie sundae is drawing mixed reactions after fans were hoping for the return of the popular chicken bake. While some are excited about the dessert, many customers say they want more savoury options added to the food court menu instead.

📉 Canada’s Population: Canada’s population has dropped for the first time since 1946, falling by over 100,000 people in late 2025. The decline is largely driven by fewer temporary residents and a sharp drop in international students, alongside more deaths than births during the same period.

LOST TORONTO:
Bank of Toronto Building (Demolished)

The Bank of Toronto building, located at the northwest corner of Church and Wellington Streets, was a prominent 19th-century bank headquarters constructed in 1863 and designed by architect William Kauffmann in an ornate Italian Renaissance style. The building served as the bank's main hub before being replaced in the early 1960s by modern structures.

The 1863 building featured a limestone facade, round-arched windows, and a grand entrance, heavily influenced by Venetian palaces. It served as the first headquarters for the Bank of Toronto and served as a branch following a move by the bank.

George Gooderham, president of the Bank of Toronto, famously built an underground tunnel linking this branch to the iconic Gooderham Building across the street.

The original 19th-century building was deemed outdated due to post-war urban renewal and was demolished in the early 1960s.

THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

Editor’s Pick! Toronto Blue Jays vs. The Athletics [Home Opener] - Baseball is back in Toronto. The Blue Jays kick off their 2026 season at the SkyDome with the home opener against the Athletics, one of the most electric nights of the year in the city.
March 27 | Starts at 7:07 PM
Location: SkyDome (Rogers Centre), 1 Blue Jays Way

Toronto Vintage Show - The Toronto Vintage Show returns for a two-day shopping event packed with some of the best vintage finds in the country. Known as Canada’s largest sale of vintage clothing, the show brings together more than 125 dealers offering curated collections of iconic fashion, statement jewellery, accessories, handbags, and even vintage home décor.
March 28 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
March 29 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place, 180 Princes’ Blvd

Shokkan: Japanese Art through the Sense of Touch at ROM - A ROM-original exhibition that explores the powerful relationship between Japanese objects and the human sense of touch. Known as shokkan, this concept goes beyond physical sensation to include memory, language, sight, and sound, offering a deeper way to experience and understand Japanese art.
February 7 – July 19 | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park Ave

Cocktail Shakers & Makers - Cocktail Shakers & Makers is an interactive mixology experience where guests can taste, learn, and create their way through one of Toronto’s most dynamic cocktail events. Held at Queens Harbour, this immersive evening invites attendees to explore flavour stations, discover new techniques, and learn how to craft elevated cocktails at home.
March 27 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Queens Harbour, 245 Queens Quay West

A History of Public Transportation in North Toronto - A History of Public Transportation in North Toronto takes a deep dive into how transit shaped one of the city’s most important neighbourhoods. Led by urban planner and North Toronto Historical Society member Eli Aaron, this illustrated talk explores the evolution of public transit from the 1800s to today, and how it influenced growth, development, and daily life in the area.
March 25 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Northern District Library Room 200, 40 Orchard View Blvd

RECOS: Things you will love for around $50

🐕 Dogs: How to walk your dog at night.
✈️ Travel: The right way to travel!
🪴 Plants: Love your plants (if you have them).
☕️ Coffee: The right way to brew coffee.
📱 Tech: How to get more battery.
InsiderToronto may collect an affiliate fee on these items

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Toronto's Most Brutal Prison Is Gone, But Its Chapel Still Stands in Liberty Village.

Here is the link: Click here to watch

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