How many people avoid downtown?

Good afternoon — Toronto says the Crosstown LRT is finally close, but the TTC isn’t so sure. A new poll shows nearly everyone is avoiding downtown, and the city just gave a raccoon its own heritage plaque.

Meanwhile, a $35M ravine trail fix is being privately funded, and the Jays hot streak is getting expensive for fans.

Plus, how many drivers actually slow down for speed cameras? We have the numbers.

Let’s get into it.

THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories

🚉 Crosstown LRT... coming soon? Toronto’s city manager says the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT is in its final testing phase and insists it's “very, very close” to opening. Originally due in 2020, the line has faced years of delays. While Premier Ford says September is still the goal, TTC officials call it “a reach.”

⚾️ Jays win streak sends ticket prices soaring: The Jays' red-hot streak is driving up demand. Verified resale tickets for midweek games can start at over $150 per pair, even in the nosebleeds. Fans are paying to witness the streak live. Is this our year?

🦝 Raccoon immortalized: 10 years after going viral, Conrad the Raccoon — the critter who lay on a Toronto sidewalk for 14 hours as residents built a makeshift shrine — has been immortalized by Heritage Toronto with a commemorative plaque at Church and Yonge. The sign even has a QR code for condolences.

🚇 Ontario Line vs heritage grounds: Excavation has begun at Osgoode Hall as part of the Ontario Line subway expansion. Crews are now digging up the northeast corner of Queen & University, where 158-year-old trees once stood, to build a new station entrance despite public backlash and legal pushback.

🚫 Is downtown dead?: A new poll shows that 91% of respondents actively avoid downtown Toronto because of traffic congestion, marking a major shift in public behaviour. Downtown businesses are concerned about the drop in foot traffic.

🏖️ Jet skis banned: Toronto City Council has approved a new 150-metre no-go zone for jet skis and motorized watercraft off Woodbine Beach, following safety concerns and illegal rentals. Enforcement will continue this summer, with a full ban in place for 2026.

📸 Speed cameras: A new survey shows 73% of Ontario drivers hit the brakes when they see a speed camera, with more saying the cameras are shifting driving habits. While some see them as a cash grab, councillors argue they’re saving lives by reducing speeding citywide.

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

🍺 Beer Store closures: With over 20 Toronto-area locations shuttered or set to close by September, locals are losing more than just a place to buy beer. The closures are also limiting where people can return empty bottles and cans.

🛣️ New traffic czar: Toronto is close to hiring its first Chief Congestion Officer, tasked with untangling the city’s gridlock nightmare. Experts say their first job should be fixing uncoordinated construction, which has shut down a quarter of city streets.

💰 $35M ravine trail: A century-old trail in Toronto’s Vale of Avoca ravine is getting a $35M makeover. Residents in midtown, led by the Midtown Ravines Group, are raising private funds to restore the badly eroded path, dubbed the "missing link" in the city's crosstown trail system.

LOST TORONTO:
The Toronto Board of Trade Building

The Toronto Board of Trade Building once proudly occupied the northeast corner of Front Street East and Yonge Street, completed in the early 1890s as a striking seven‑storey blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles.

In 1958, the building was demolished—soon replaced by a parking lot, and later by the EDS office tower.

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! Titanic: The Official Exhibition - Step aboard history at Titanic: The Official Exhibition, an immersive experience making its Canadian debut in Toronto, featuring authentic artifacts, multimedia displays, and virtual reality that bring the story of the ill-fated ocean liner to life.
June 27 – September 30 (open daily) | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: YZD Hangar Bay 12, 30 Hanover Rd

The Heritage Antique Market - Hunt for hidden treasures at The Heritage Antique Market – Outdoor Edition, a one-day vintage shopping experience under the big tents at Centerpoint Mall, featuring antiques, collectibles, and curios from across Ontario.
August 3 | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Centerpoint Mall, 6464 Yonge St

Investigating Crime & Footwear - Step into the world of crime-solving at Exhibit A: Investigating Crime & Footwear, a fascinating exhibition at the Bata Shoe Museum that explores the role of shoes in forensic science, criminal justice, and cultural perceptions of criminality from the 1800s to today.
Until September 28 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St W

Canadian Photographs: 1900 - 1950 - Explore Canada’s identity through Canadian Photographs: 1900–1950, a thoughtfully curated exhibition at Stephen Bulger Gallery showcasing iconic images of people, places, and moments that helped shape the nation—highlighting both historical milestones and the artistic legacy of Canadian photographers.
July 17 – August 30 | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Stephen Bulger Gallery, 1356 Dundas St W

August Home Jays Games (schedule):
⚾️ Jays vs. Royals | Aug 1 - 3
⚾️ Jays vs. Cubs | Aug 12 - 14
⚾️ Jays vs. Rangers | Aug 15 - 17
⚾️ Jays vs. Twins | Aug 25 - 27
⚾️ Jays vs. Brewers | Aug 29 - 31

RECOS: Things you will love
 
🇨🇦 Canada: How beautiful is Canada?
🐕 Dogs: Training 101
🏠 Home: Chopping made easy
📚 Books: How to discover yourself
🍸 Drinks: The ONE vintage glass
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Front St West had some of the finest buildings in North America! Toronto DESTROYED them. Check out this incredible then and now.

Warning: this might upset you when you see what Toronto lost.

Here is the link: Click here to watch

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