Good afternoon — Toronto is planning a $577M streetlight overhaul, opening the door to more food trucks and street vendors, and rolling out a $299M plan to tackle gridlock ahead of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, the Northlander finally has ticket prices, the TTC is dealing with repeated Line 2 disruptions, and a record $50M donation is renaming a major Toronto hospital.

Plus: small businesses are getting fined over sidewalk signs and the city is handing out free AC units ahead of another hot summer.

Let’s get into it.

THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories

💡 $577M LED Streetlights: City council announced a $577 million plan to upgrade all streetlights to energy-efficient LEDs by 2035, improving safety and reducing emissions. The city says that project will modernize aging infrastructure and deliver long-term cost savings.

🍕 Food Trucks & Street Vendors: The city is considering new rules to allow more food trucks, sidewalk vendors, and buskers, including lifting a long-standing downtown ban and extending operating hours. The proposed changes aim to boost local business, increase vibrancy, and create more opportunities for vendors and performers.

💰 $299M Congestion Plan: The mayor announced a $299.4 million plan to tackle gridlock using transit upgrades, smart traffic signals, and stricter construction controls. The strategy aims to ease worsening congestion as the city prepares for major events like the FIFA World Cup.

🚇 Repeated Outages: Toronto Transit Commission faced its third major disruption this week on Line 2 due to a hydraulic fluid spill, sparking growing commuter frustration. The repeated outages and upcoming closures are adding to concerns about reliability.

🏥 $50M Donation Renames Toronto hospital: Humber River Health will rename its main site to Hennick Humber Hospital after receiving a record $50 million donation from the Hennick Family Foundation. The funding will support new technology, research, and improved patient care across the hospital system.

🌕 Artemis II Returns To Earth: NASA’s Artemis II mission successfully completed its 10-day journey around the moon, with astronauts splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean. The historic mission included the first Canadian on a lunar flight and marks a major step towards future moon exploration.

🚂 Northlander Fares Revealed: Ticket prices have been confirmed for the returning Northlander train, with fares reaching about $188 from Toronto to Timmins and Cochrane. The long-awaited service, set to launch soon, will cost slightly more than bus travel but offer a faster, upgraded experience.

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

🛬 Runway Incidents Rising: Runway safety incidents in Canada have reached record highs, driven by increased air traffic and staffing shortages, though high-risk near-collisions remain rare. Experts warn risks persist without improved systems and oversight.

🛍️ Queen West Businesses Fined: Small business owners on West Queen West are facing $830 fines for A-frame sidewalk signs, sparking backlash over strict bylaws and a complicated permit process. Many say the penalties are excessive and unfairly target struggling local shops.

☀️ Free AC This Summer: The City of Toronto is distributing about 1,000 free portable air conditioners to low-income residents through its Air Conditioner Assistance Program. The initiative aims to protect vulnerable groups from extreme heat as eligibility expands in 2026.

LOST TORONTO:
Dufferin Park Racetrack (Demolished)

Dufferin Mall in Toronto stands on the former site of the Dufferin Park Racetrack (1907–1955), a popular half-mile thoroughbred track known as "Little Saratoga". Owned by Abe Orpen, it held racing and community events before being demolished to make way for a shopping plaza.

It was nicknamed "Little Saratoga" for its top-tier racing, but sometimes called "Sufferin Park" during wet weather when the track became mud.

Established in 1907, the track thrived until it was sold to the Ontario Jockey Club and closed in 1955. The final race was on November 8, 1955, won by a horse named Honeybelloo.

Following the closure, the land was redeveloped into an open-air shopping centre called Dufferin Plaza in 1956, which officially opened in 1957. It was later enclosed in the 1970s and became the modern Dufferin Mall.

THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

Editor’s Pick! TO Food and Drink Fest - TO Food and Drink Fest returns for a three-day celebration of everything food, drink, and nightlife at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This high-energy festival brings together top chefs, mixologists, food vendors, and live entertainment for one of the city’s biggest culinary events.
April 17 | 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
April 18 & 19 | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street W

Chocolate & Parfum Pairing, Making Sense of Scents - Come along for a sensory adventure as we explore taste in the traditional way, but with an emphasis on the human nose, and how we can heighten tasting with our sense of smell. With your host Gustologia and Marina Bertozzi, we will be savouring chocolate, but also a pairing it with the power of fruit, flower, and fragrance. Guided by Level III Certified Taster Mary Luz Mejia, and perfume expert Kimmyberry Atelier we will delve into the not often explored subject of, well, odours and the brain. Ticket price includes a small group guided tasting of fine chocolate, along with refreshments and nibbles, and a one-on-one session to explore fragrance.
May 7th | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Spear Realty, 78 Queen Elizabeth Blvd

Evergreen Brick Works Farmers Market - Evergreen Brick Works Farmers Market is Toronto’s largest weekly farmers market, bringing together local farmers, food producers, and artisans every Saturday in a unique heritage setting. Visitors can shop fresh seasonal produce, baked goods, and ready-to-eat meals while supporting Ontario’s local food community. Grab a coffee or hot chocolate, explore the historic brick factory with free guided tours, and take in the surrounding trails and green space.
April 18 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave

One Of A Kind Spring Market - The One Of A Kind Spring Market returns to Exhibition Place with more than 500 Canadian artisans showcasing handmade goods across home décor, fashion, art, beauty, food, and wellness. Known as one of Toronto’s top seasonal shopping events, the market offers a chance to meet the makers behind the products and discover truly one-of-a-kind pieces you won’t find anywhere else.
April 9 – 12 | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Location: Enercare Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd

Toronto Knife Show - The Toronto Knife Show brings together skilled makers and collectors for a one-day celebration of handcrafted blades and craftsmanship. This event offers a chance to meet artisans, explore a wide range of knives, from practical tools to collectible pieces, and learn more about the techniques and dedication behind the craft.
April 18 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport, 6257 Airport Road

Afternoon Tea inspired by Paul McCartney's photographs - Afternoon Tea inspired by Paul McCartney’s photographs offers a unique culinary experience tied to the AGO’s exhibition Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm. This all-vegetarian afternoon tea draws on American and British classics, reflecting the cultural energy and behind-the-scenes moments captured through McCartney’s lens.
March 21 – May 3 | 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St W

RECOS: Things you will love for around $50

🐈 Pets: Remove fur like a pro
☺️ Blankets: Weighted blanket therapy
🖥️ Computer: Protect your eyes
🎯 Boardgames: Your family will play for hours
📱 Tech: How to get more battery
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

This building was once described as “the greatest addition to Toronto’s Manhattan-like skyline.” Inside is one of the most impressive interiors in the country, a massive vaulted banking hall modelled directly after the Baths of Caracalla in ancient Rome.

Here is the link: Click here to watch

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