Good afternoon — The cost of the Ontario Line has now ballooned to an estimated $34 billion, West Queen West has officially been named the “Brooklyn of Toronto,” and a piece of Honest Ed’s is making a comeback at Bathurst and Bloor.

Meanwhile, Toronto police are cracking down on e-bikes and e-scooters, the ruins of St. Anne’s Church are reopening for a unique art exhibition, and TTC riders will soon get free rides after hitting a new monthly fare cap.

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💰 Ontario Line Costs: The projected cost of Toronto’s 15.6-kilometre Ontario Line has more than tripled from $10.9 billion to $34 billion, with Metrolinx blaming supply chain disruptions and trade uncertainty for the increase. Originally expected to open by 2027, the new rapid transit line is now expected to begin service in the early 2030s.

🛍️ Honest Ed’s: Mirvish Village is bringing the spirit of Honest Ed’s back to Bathurst and Bloor with a revamped “Ed’s Alley” filled with retro signs, lanterns and replicas inspired by the legendary bargain store. The laneway will eventually feature micro-retailers and pop-ups, blending the neighbourhood’s history into the massive new development.

⛔️ E-Bike Crackdown: Toronto police have launched a two-week enforcement blitz targeting unsafe and illegal use of e-bikes, e-scooters and other micromobility vehicles after 514 related collisions were reported this year. Officers will focus on offences like sidewalk and wrong-way riding, while also enforcing Toronto’s ban on e-scooters on public roads, sidewalks, bike lanes and trails.

🚇 Leslieville Station: Construction is about to go vertical on the Ontario Line’s new elevated Leslieville Station, with crews beginning work on 16 massive support columns next month. The station will rise above Queen Street East, with major construction continuing through 2029, although the $34-billion Ontario Line still has no firm opening date beyond the 2030s.

🪙 TTC Fare Cap: Starting Sept. 1, TTC riders will automatically travel for free after paying for 47 trips in a calendar month, eliminating the need to buy most monthly passes upfront. Riders simply need to use the same PRESTO card or payment method for every trip, with the count resetting each month.

🏆 West Queen West: Travel publication Brooklyn Of has named West Queen West the “Brooklyn of Toronto,” ranking it the city’s coolest neighbourhood for its mix of independent shops, restaurants, nightlife, street art and creative culture. Kensington Market and Davenport were named runners-up.

🖼️ St. Anne’s Church: The burned-out ruins of St. Anne’s Anglican Church will reopen temporarily for a public art exhibition exploring transformation, resilience and renewal. Running Aug. 22 to Sept. 13, Where Walls Meet Sky will feature installations including a wood-fired oven built from bricks salvaged from the devastating 2024 fire.

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

📚 Reference Library: Toronto Reference Library is entering the final phase of a major window renovation, with skylight replacement causing intermittent closures and reduced access through late October. Floors three to five will close, while the first two floors remain open with limited seating, computers and study spaces.

🏡 U of T Housing: The University of Toronto plans to build a 49-storey student residence at College and McCaul as part of a major push to add up to 5,500 new student beds near its campuses. Along with a second 13-storey residence on Harbord Street, the projects are expected to add more than 1,200 beds to the downtown campus.

🎾 National Bank Open: Toronto’s Sobeys Stadium won’t be getting a retractable roof anytime soon, despite rain disruptions at this year’s National Bank Open. Tennis Canada is instead focusing on a major modernization of Montreal’s IGA Stadium, while Toronto’s tournament still drew an estimated record 215,000 attendees.

LOST TORONTO:
The Toronto Armouries (Demolished)

The Toronto Armouries (also called the University Avenue Armouries) was a massive Romanesque military building constructed between 1891 and 1894. Located on University Avenue just north of Osgoode Hall, it was designed by Chief Dominion Architect Thomas Fuller and served as a vital training hub before its demolition in 1963.

It featured heavy towers, turrets, and castellations resembling a British castle. The armouries contained a massive drill hall measuring 125 feet by 280 feet, with a ceiling rising 72 feet high. When it opened, it held the title of the largest armoury in North America!

The building served as the main home base for The Queen's Own Rifles and other key Toronto militia regiments. Over 250,000 Canadian soldiers trained here and deployed for the Boer War, World War I, and World War II. As well, it hosted civilian events including car shows, school functions, public dances, and athletic matches.

It was sold to the Metropolitan Toronto government in 1961 and demolished in 1963 to clear space for the University Avenue Courthouse.

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THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

Editor’s Pick! YORKVILLE MURALS 2026 - Yorkville Murals returns for its seventh year, transforming the neighbourhood into a vibrant open-air celebration of art, fashion, photography, music, poetry, and design. The free festival brings together internationally acclaimed artists and emerging creative voices, with monumental public art and live cultural experiences taking over Yorkville’s streets, courtyards, and public spaces.
August 22 – 23 | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Location: Yorkville Village, 99 Yorkville Ave

Canadian National Exhibition 2026 - The Canadian National Exhibition returns to Exhibition Place for another summer of rides, food, entertainment, shopping, and family-friendly attractions. One of Toronto’s biggest annual traditions, the CNE brings together midway rides, live performances, exhibits, games, vendors, and some of the city’s most talked-about festival food.
August 21 – September 7 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Location: Exhibition Place

Where Walls Meet Sky - Where Walls Meet Sky is a free contemporary art exhibition that will reopen the fire-damaged St. Anne’s Anglican Church to the public for the first time in its current state since the devastating 2024 fire. Curated by Rui Pimenta of Art Spin, the exhibition features 12 Canadian artists working across sculpture, installation, photography, and multidisciplinary art.
August 22 – September 13 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: St. Anne’s Anglican Church, 270 Gladstone Ave

Patty Party at your Toronto Zoo! - Patty Party at the Toronto Zoo celebrates one of Scarborough’s most beloved foods with a special one-day event featuring the legendary Warden Station patty from Fahmee Bakery. Visitors can enjoy the flavours that have made the Jamaican patty a local favourite while celebrating Scarborough’s food culture and community.
Saturday, August 22 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Toronto Zoo, 2000 Meadowvale Rd

The 105th Anniversary Warriors' Day Parade - The Warriors’ Day Parade returns to the Canadian National Exhibition for its 105th anniversary, continuing a Toronto tradition honouring veterans, military personnel, and first responders. This year’s theme, “Supporting Our Veterans Since the First World War,” recognizes more than a century of service and remembrance.
Saturday, August 22 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Canadian National Exhibition, Exhibition Place

Toronto Korea Festival - The Toronto Korea Festival returns to Mel Lastman Square for a three-day celebration of Korean food, culture, and entertainment. The festival brings together the sights, sounds, and flavours of Korea, offering visitors a chance to experience Korean culture in the heart of North York.
August 21 – 23 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Location: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St

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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

The Toronto Neighbourhood That Declared Independence From Canada

Here is the link: Click here to watch

MAP OF THE WEEK

This hand-drawn 19th-century map reveals High Park through the eyes of the man who once owned it.

Here is the link: Click here to see the map

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