Good afternoon — Yonge Street just landed on a global “best streets” list, Toronto is considering paying residents to shovel sidewalks, and a new report says fixing gridlock might be simpler than we think (but not easy).

Meanwhile, the Jays walked off their season opener, police could soon be stationed at every subway stop, and the World Cup will bring major road closures and a “transit-first” push.

Plus: a construction fire sent smoke over downtown, City Hall is banning foreign flags, and winter has one last shot before spring finally shows up.

Let’s get into it.

THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories

🏆 Global Recognition: Yonge Street has been named one of the world’s best streets for a stroll by The Telegraph, praised for its mix of shops, culture, and major landmarks. It was the only Canadian street to make the global list.

❄️ Paid Sidewalk Shovellers: Toronto city council has approved a plan to create a program that pays residents to clear sidewalks during major snowstorms. Inspired by cities like New York and Montreal, the initiative could roll out as early as next winter to improve snow removal and keep the city moving.

🚘 New Plan Targets Toronto Gridlock Crisis: A new report from the Toronto Region Board of Trade outlines five low-cost ways to reduce congestion, including stricter enforcement and fewer lane closures, as traffic continues to worsen. Experts say the ideas could help, but won’t be a major fix on their own.

🔥 Explosion-Linked Fire Downtown: A fire tied to ruptured propane cylinders broke out on a construction site near Richmond Street W. and John Street, sending thick black smoke into the air before crews brought it under control. No injuries were reported, and nearby roads reopened later that evening.

⛳️ Toronto Bans Foreign Flags At City Hall: City Council has voted to ban the raising of foreign national flags at City Hall and civic centres starting Dec. 1, while still allowing certain flags like Indigenous and community-related banners.

🚨 Police At Every Station: Toronto City Council has approved a motion to expand police presence across all TTC subway stations, aiming to improve safety and rider confidence. The plan would increase visible security throughout the transit system.

⚽️ Road Closures For World Cup: Toronto will implement major road closures and increased transit service during the FIFA World Cup to handle an expected surge of visitors. Officials say the “transit-first” plan aims to reduce congestion and keep the city moving during the tournament.

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

⚾️ Walkoff Win Kicks Off Season: Toronto Blue Jays opened their 50th anniversary season with a 3–2 walk-off victory over the Oakland Athletics, powered by Kevin Gausman’s 11 strikeouts and Kazuma Okamoto scoring the winning run in his debut.

🌨️ Final Blast Of Winter: The Weather Network says southern Ontario will see one last burst of winter this weekend, with wind chills dropping near -13°C before a warmer trend returns next week. Temperatures are expected to rebound into the double digits shortly after, signaling a gradual shift toward spring.

💰 Crackdown On Ticket Scalping: Ontario is proposing a ban on reselling tickets above face value to protect consumers, but experts warn it could push sales to unregulated markets and make scams more common.

LOST TORONTO:
Loretto Abbey (Demolished)

The first Loretto Abbey in Toronto was a prestigious Catholic girls' school and convent established in 1847 at 403 Wellington St W. It was founded by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loretto Sisters) as a finishing school for young women.

It served as the motherhouse and school until the institution moved to its current location on Mason Boulevard in the late 1920s/early 1930s.

After being sold, the original building stood for some time before being demolished in the late 1950s or early 1960s. The site housed the Telegram Publishing Company and subsequently the Globe and Mail newspaper.

Today, that site is part of The Well, a massive modern mixed-use residential and commercial development.

THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

Editor’s Pick! The Easter Chocolate Express 2026 - The Easter Chocolate Express returns with a unique tasting experience set inside a beautifully restored vintage train car at the Toronto Railway Museum. This one-hour session takes guests on a guided journey through the world of Canadian craft chocolate, from the origins of cacao to modern small-batch production. Led by a chocolate expert, participants will sample a curated flight of artisanal chocolates while learning how to taste and appreciate flavour like a true connoisseur.
April 4 & 5 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Toronto Railway Museum, 255 Bremner Blvd

Made By Many: 50 Years of the Textile Museum of Canada - Made By Many: 50 Years of the Textile Museum of Canada celebrates five decades of exhibitions, artists, and communities that have shaped one of Toronto’s most unique cultural institutions. This retrospective brings together works by Bev Koski, Marimekko, Melinda Patterson, Thor Hansen, You Wenfeng, and more, highlighting the depth and diversity of the museum’s collection.
Ongoing (Wednesday – Sunday) | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Textile Museum of Canada, 55 Centre Avenue

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

Spirits of the Distillery District Ghost Tour - Spirits of the Distillery District Ghost Tour offers a lantern-lit walk through one of Toronto’s most historic and haunted neighbourhoods. As night falls, explore the cobblestone streets and hidden corners of the Distillery District while hearing stories of tragedy, mystery, and reported paranormal encounters tied to the area’s past.
Ongoing (Daily) | 8:00 PM – 9:15 PM
Location: Front Gates of the Distillery District, 55 Mill Street

Evergreen Brick Works Farmers Market - Evergreen Brick Works Farmers Market is Toronto’s largest weekly farmers market, running every Saturday year-round in one of the city’s most unique heritage spaces. It brings together Ontario farmers, food producers, and small businesses offering fresh seasonal produce, artisanal goods, and ready-to-eat local favourites.
Ongoing (Saturday) | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave

RECOS: Things you will love for around $50

🐕 Dogs: How to drive with your dog.
✈️ Travel: The right way to travel!
🥛 Drink: Why are these so popular?
🎯 Games: The perfect basement game.
📱 Tech: How to get more battery.
InsiderToronto may collect an affiliate fee on these items

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Toronto's planned some of the most ambitious plazas, monuments, and streets in the early 1900s. It would have transformed Toronto into a completely unrecognizable city. Should the city have built these?

Here is the link: Click here to watch

WANT MORE FREE & EXCLUSIVE CONTENT?

Join our Facebook page where we post more exclusive content: maps, videos, historical photos, walking tours, landmarks, and much more!

Here is the link: Join our Facebook page

Your GitHub stars won't save you if you're behind on tech trends.

That's why over 200K engineers read The Code to spot what's coming next.

Join 200k+ engineers

Run a business in the GTA and want to reach 10M+ Torontonians? Advertise with us!
email [email protected]

Most news outlets tell you what to think. The Flyover just tells you what happened.

Quick, fact-focused coverage across politics, business, sports, tech, science, and more — delivered free to your inbox every morning.

No paywall. No political agenda. No endless scrolling.

Join over 2.3 million readers who start their day informed, confident, and ahead of the curve.

Join Free Today

LOVE OUR CONTENT? HELP US MAKE MORE.

If you enjoy the newsletter and want to support what we do, consider dropping a little something in our tip jar.

Every bit helps us keep highlighting the community that we love: