Is Toronto slipping in rankings?

Good afternoon — IndyCar ditched Exhibition Place for Markham, the Crosstown got pushed back (again), and TIFF is celebrating 50 years of red carpets.

Meanwhile: police are cracking down in school zones, Scarborough’s long-awaited subway is officially underway, and it’s pierogi season on Roncesvalles.

Let’s get into it.

THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories

🏎️ IndyCar leaving Toronto: After nearly 40 years at Exhibition Place, Toronto’s IndyCar race is moving to Markham in 2026. The new 3.5 km track will run downtown near Kennedy Rd. and Hwy. 407, featuring rare dual pit lanes. The move comes ahead of Toronto hosting FIFA World Cup matches at BMO Field.

🚉 Crosstown delayed again: Metrolinx says train performance and reliability issues have pushed back the Eglinton Crosstown’s 30-day test run slated for September—no new start date yet, though the CEO hopes it’s only a few weeks. The 25-stop line (construction started in 2011) remains on hold.

🇵🇱 Polish festival returns: The Roncesvalles Polish Festival is back Sept. 13–14, filling Roncy with food, music, rides, and culture. Expect 150 vendors, 40 eateries serving pierogi and kielbasa, DJs, and carnival fun. Streets will close for thousands of festivalgoers in what’s billed as Toronto’s largest street festival.

🚸 Back-to-School safety blitz: Toronto police and parking officers are stepping up enforcement in school zones as kids head back to class, promising zero tolerance for speeding and distracted driving in the city’s 636 school zones. Police remind drivers to slow down, watch for kids, and respect crossing guards.

🛏️ Toronto rent reality: A new report says you need to earn $38/hour (≈$78K annually) to afford a one-bedroom in Toronto. With average rents at $2,326/month, minimum wage earners ($17.20/hr) are priced out, leaving roommates or extra jobs as the only options.

🎬 TIFF turns 50: The Toronto International Film Festival is back Sept. 4–14 for its 50th edition. The 11-day event will screen films across five downtown venues, with red carpets at Roy Thomson Hall, the Royal Alex, Princess of Wales Theatre, and TIFF Lightbox.

🚇 Scarborough subway breaks ground: Ontario has broken ground on the new Scarborough Centre Station, the first of three stops in the 7.8-km Line 2 extension. Slated for completion in 2030, the $10B project will replace the old Line 3, add a major bus terminal, and put 38,000 more residents within walking distance of transit.

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

✈️ Cheap flights to Jamaica: Flair Airlines is adding a new nonstop route from Toronto Pearson to Montego Bay starting Dec. 14. Fares start at $189 one-way ($199 return). The ultra-low-cost carrier already flies to Kingston and will offer up to daily service during the holiday season.

🚨 Bike tossed, driver hurt: Toronto police are searching for a suspect after a man threw a bicycle off the Leaside Bridge onto the Don Valley Parkway Sunday afternoon. The bike struck a car, leaving the driver with minor injuries and causing major damage.

📉 Toronto ranks #11: A new report on top Canadian cities based on quality of life puts Toronto at #11, behind Ottawa (#2), Hamilton (#5), and Waterloo (#10). While praised for job opportunities in finance, tech, and healthcare, Toronto’s high living costs kept it out of the top 10.

LOST TORONTO:
The Freehold Loan Building

Then (1892–1901): Originally opened in 1892 as the Freehold Loan Building, this seven‑storey office structure was designed by acclaimed architect Edward James Lennox. It featured Romanesque-inspired detailing and occupied a prominent downtown location.

Later (1901): In 1901, the building was renamed the Home Life Building, reflecting its transition to serve as headquarters for the Home Life Assurance Company.

Now: It was demolished in the 1960s. By the late 1980s, the site was redeveloped and is now occupied by a modern office building at 20 Adelaide Street East.

THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

DesignTO Tours: Garden Laneway House - Step inside one of Toronto’s most stunning laneway homes with DesignTO’s exclusive Garden Laneway House Tour in Roncesvalles. This rare behind-the-scenes experience showcases a beautifully designed 2,300 sq ft, 4-bedroom home by WilliamsonWilliamson architects, with interiors by Suzanne Wilkinson of Figur3 and construction by Wilkinson Construction.
September 13 | 10:15 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Roncesvalles neighbourhood, TBD (see event page)

Editor’s Pick! Roncesvalles Polish Festival - North America's largest celebration of Polish culture returns to Toronto with the Roncesvalles Polish Festival, taking over Roncesvalles Avenue for two days of music, dancing, and family fun. Expect lively Polka and Euro dance bands, traditional folklore performances, tasty eats, and entertainment on three stages — plus family zones and local vendors all weekend long.
September 13 | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
September 14 |11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Location: Roncesvalles Ave (from Boustead Ave to Grafton Ave)

Cowboy Candle Making - Saddle up for Cowboy Candle Making at the Bata Shoe Museum — a hands-on workshop inspired by the bold spirit of cowboy culture and the museum’s Rough and Ready: A History of the Cowboy Boot exhibition. Led by Catherine Chambers of Let’s Make It, you’ll create two custom-scented candles and a fragrance mist using all-natural, paraben-free ingredients. Scents range from earthy and citrusy to seasonal favourites like chai and pumpkin.
September 9 | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Bata Shoe Museum

Cocktail Night in the Grange House - Step into historic charm with Cocktail Night in the Grange House at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Starting September 10 and running every Wednesday and Friday evening through October 31, guests are invited to sip specialty AGO 125 cocktails and enjoy curated small bites in the elegant Norma Ridley Members’ Lounge. A relaxed, artful atmosphere awaits inside one of Toronto’s oldest heritage homes.
Wednesdays & Fridays Sept 10 – Oct 31 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Art Gallery of Ontario

Toronto New Home and Condo EXPO - Looking for a brand-new place to call home? The Toronto New Home and Condo EXPO brings together the GTA’s top builders, developers, and real estate professionals under one roof. Whether you’re buying your first home, investing, or downsizing, this two-day event is your one-stop shop to discover new communities, get expert advice, and explore move-in-ready opportunities across the city.
September 13 & 14 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre

August & September Home Jays Games (schedule):
⚾️ Jays vs. Astros | September 9 - 11
⚾️ Jays vs. Orioles | September 12 - 14
⚾️ Jays vs. Red Sox | September 23 - 25
⚾️ Jays vs. Rays | September 26 - 28
Get your Jays gear here!

RECOS: Things you will love for under $40
 
🏡 Home: The extension cord of the future
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✨ Clean: The TikTok famous cleaner
🦝 Toronto: The one book on Toronto history
🚨 Safety: This could save your life
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

This was once Toronto’s most beautiful street, you won’t believe what the city demolished…

Here is the link: Click here to watch

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