Good afternoon — Toronto is honouring one of its most iconic voices, quietly saving a landmark building from the wrecking ball, and inching (again) toward opening the Crosstown.
Meanwhile, high-speed rail plans are getting real, World Cup hotel prices are raising eyebrows, and the city is debating how tough to get on e-bikes that won’t stay off sidewalks.
Plus: a classic holiday window tradition lives on, a brand-new nonstop flight opens up an unexpected European destination, and we’ve got a snapshot of what Toronto couldn’t stop reading this year.
Let’s get into it.
THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories
The Toronto Star Building is saved from demolition. Photo source: Arild Vågen
🥅 Holy Mackinaw: The Toronto Maple Leafs will celebrate legendary broadcaster Joe Bowen with a special “Holy Mackinaw Night” at Scotiabank Arena as he enters his final season after 44 years calling games. The tribute includes a ceremonial puck drop, in-game celebrations, and themed merchandise honouring the iconic voice of Leafs Nation.
🏗️ Building Spared: Pinnacle International has shelved plans to demolish the former Toronto Star headquarters, opting instead to convert the site into a 468-suite hotel amid a slowing condo market. The developer says the hotel will operate for several years before revisiting plans for future residential towers at the Yonge Street site.
🚄 High-Speed: Canada’s proposed Toronto–Quebec City high-speed rail line could run up to 72 passenger trains per day, dramatically increasing service and cutting Toronto–Montreal travel times to about three hours. Internal planning documents suggest frequent departures, as often as every 30 minutes at peak, though final service levels and funding approval are still pending.
🪟 Window Shopping: Mars Canada has transformed the former Hudson’s Bay flagship windows into a festive holiday display, filling Yonge Street with candy-themed animatronics and winter scenes through Jan. 2. The installation preserves a beloved Toronto Christmas tradition after Hudson’s Bay’s closure, while also raising up to $15,000 for Food Banks Canada.
⚽️ World Cup Hotel Prices: Toronto hotel rates are expected to rise 78 per cent during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, driven by soaring demand and a new hotel tax tied to the event. While painful for visitors, the increase is actually the lowest among all 16 host cities, with places like Mexico City and Houston seeing far steeper price jumps.
🚉 Crosstown Pushed Again: Toronto’s mayor says the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT will not open before the end of January, with an update expected late next month. The comments signal the city is siding with the TTC’s preference for a February launch, rather than Metrolinx’s push to open sooner.
🛴 E-Bike Crackdown: Toronto city council is exploring tougher enforcement, including possible vehicle seizures, to stop e-bikes and e-scooters from using sidewalks, saying education campaigns haven’t worked. Are we shocked the campaign didn’t work? It was pretty bad (see image below):
Not the best campaign and it didn’t work. Photo source: City of Toronto
MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW
🚊 City Moves to Speed LRT: Toronto city council has approved a plan to give LRT vehicles stronger priority at traffic signals, aiming to speed up the Finch West and future Eglinton Crosstown lines. The move comes after criticism that the new Finch West LRT is too slow, with councillors agreeing transit should no longer be outrun by runners or cars.
✈️ Direct Flights: Toronto will soon have North America’s first-ever non-stop flight to Albania, with Air Transat launching weekly service from Pearson to Tirana starting June 18, 2026. The new route puts one of Europe’s sunniest countries, known for its beaches and Ionian Sea coastline, within direct reach for Canadian travellers.
📚 Most-Borrowed Books: The Toronto Public Library has released its most-borrowed books of 2025, with romantasy dominating once again. Rebecca Yarros’s Onyx Storm topped the list for a second year, as fiction, self-help, and romance titles racked up more than 195,000 total borrows across the top 10.
LOST TORONTO:
The Old Customs House (Demolished)
Toronto’s Old Customs House, completed in 1876 at Front and Yonge Streets, served as the central hub for customs operations during a time when Toronto’s port was booming with trade.
The building was celebrated for its mansard roof, intricate stonework, and prominent clock tower. Despite public protests, it was demolished in 1919 to make way for modern development.
It was replaced by The Dominion Building, which is one of Toronto’s most loved buildings!
THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP
Editor’s Pick! Retail Retrospective Exhibition - Step back in time and explore Toronto’s shopping history through a collection of vintage shopping bags and stories from iconic retailers. This exhibit highlights how design, branding, and consumer culture have shaped the way the city shops — from status symbols to snapshots of style.
October 11, 2025 – January 11, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: TD Gallery, Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St
Festive Lights at Queen’s Park - Celebrate the season at Ontario’s Legislative Building with six days of free, family-friendly holiday fun. Wander through dazzling light displays inside and outside the historic building, enjoy live music, festive crafts, photo ops with Santa and beloved characters, and shop for Ontario-made gifts. With different programming across evenings and weekends, it’s a magical experience for all ages.
December 10, 13, 17, 20, 22, 23 (see website for times)
Location: Ontario Legislative Building, 111 Wellesley St. West
Festive Spirits at The Omni King Edward - Celebrate the season in style with a curated menu of holiday cocktails that blend timeless flavours with modern flair. Sip and savour in The Consort Bar — a cozy, elegant spot in the heart of Toronto’s historic King Edward Hotel.
November 26 – December 31 | 11:00 AM – 11:45 PM
Location: The Consort Bar at Omni King Edward Hotel, 37 King St E
Skate by the Lake - The beloved Harbourfront skating rink returns — now bigger and brighter than ever. In partnership with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, this expanded waterfront rink invites families, friends, and skaters of all ages to enjoy a magical winter experience by the lake.
Until March 1, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Location: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
Celebrate Christmas Day at Your Toronto Zoo - Spend Christmas surrounded by wildlife at the Toronto Zoo! Enjoy a heartwarming holiday experience that brings your family closer to nature while creating unforgettable seasonal memories. From majestic animals to festive cheer, it's a perfect way to start a new tradition.
December 25 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Toronto Zoo, 2000 Meadowvale Rd
Polar Bear Skating 2025 - Toronto’s cheekiest winter tradition is back! Brave the cold and skate the Bentway trail in your skivvies at this bold, 5-minute flash event. Whether you’re skating or spectating, it’s a frosty, festive way to say goodbye to 2025. Warm hearts while you're at it, donate new or gently used winter shoes for those in need.
December 28 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: The Bentway, 250 Fort York Blvd
RECOS: Things you will love for under $50
🌨️ Warm: Why people love these warmers
💡 Lighting: The top solar light is back
☕️ Coffee: How to serve an iced coffee
🦝 Toronto: How to learn the history of Toronto
🧖♀️ Relax: The weird massage tool you need
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK
University Avenue had one of the largest and most grand “castle” armouries in Canada. What did it look like and why was it demolished?
Here is the link: Click here to watch
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