Good afternoon — Toronto is drawing a line when it comes to basements, pushing its waterfront farther into the lake, and quietly making medical history with a world-first heart surgery you probably didn’t hear about.
Meanwhile, winter weather is throwing travel plans into chaos, 911 wait times are finally improving, and you can now watch snow plows crawl across the city in real time.
Plus: libraries are taking on senior loneliness, ancient life is resurfacing beneath the waterfront, and World Cup tickets are already slipping out of reach for most fans.
Let’s get into it.
THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories
Thousands stranded at Pearson after winter storms. Photo credit: ImagePerson
🧊 Iceberg Homes: City staff are moving to regulate so-called iceberg homes, luxury houses built largely underground, citing concerns over tree loss, disruptive construction, and excessive excavation. Proposed zoning changes would limit how far below grade low-rise homes can extend, with council set to revisit the issue in January.
📚 Libraries Tackle Senior Loneliness: The Toronto Public Library is launching a new five-year initiative aimed at reducing isolation among older adults, funded by a $7 million donation from the Waltons Trust. The program will expand in-branch programming and community outreach to help seniors connect, socialize, and stay engaged across the city.
🏗️ New Waterfront Land: The city has reclaimed a wedge of Toronto Harbour by partially filling in Parliament Slip, officially expanding the waterfront. The new land will help extend Queens Quay East, realign Parliament Street, support future housing, and make room for the planned Waterfront East LRT.
🫀 Heart Surgery: Doctors at St. Michael’s Hospital have successfully completed the world’s first heart surgery performed using a robotic system. The breakthrough highlights how robotics could expand surgical capabilities, improve precision, and shape the future of patient care in hospitals worldwide.
✈️ Grounded Flights: Severe cold and snow have stranded thousands of travellers across Canada, with 67 flight cancellations and more than 437 delays hitting major hubs like Toronto Pearson and Vancouver. Airlines including Air Canada, Porter, and WestJet are urging passengers to check flight status frequently as extreme winter weather continues to disrupt holiday travel.
🚨 911 Wait Times: Toronto police say average 911 wait times are dropping after recent changes to the communications centre, following years of staffing shortages and call backlogs. Officials credit new hiring, scheduling adjustments, and operational tweaks aimed at getting emergency calls answered faster.
❄️ Track Snow Plows: Toronto residents can now see snow plows, sidewalk plows, and salt trucks in real time using the city’s PlowTO map, which shows how recently streets have been cleared. The tool, run by the City of Toronto, uses colour-coding to help drivers and pedestrians check road conditions before heading out.
Snapshot of the PlowTO map. Source: City of Toronto
MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW
🐛 Ancient Life Awakens: Scientists restoring Toronto’s waterfront uncovered seeds, microbes, and tiny creatures buried for more than a century that sprang back to life once exposed. The discovery highlights the hidden resilience of ecosystems beneath the city and the surprising power of soil to revive lost wetlands.
⛔️ No Go: Fodor’s No List 2026 is urging Canadians to reconsider trips to several wildly popular destinations facing overtourism, environmental strain, and rising housing costs for locals. The list isn’t a boycott, but a reminder to give certain places a break as communities grapple with the impact of too many visitors.
🎟️ Sticker Shock: Toronto’s FIFA World Cup tickets sold out fast, leaving most fans facing massive resale prices, sometimes in the thousands, with no provincial cap to rein in scalpers. Ontario scrapped its resale price limit in 2019, and critics say the lack of regulation is turning once-in-a-lifetime sporting events into luxury experiences only the highest bidders can afford.
LOST TORONTO:
The Toronto Board of Trade Building (Demolished)
The Toronto Board of Trade Building, completed in 1892 at the corner of Front and Yonge Streets, was once one of Toronto’s most iconic landmarks. It was one of the city’s first skyscrapers, standing at seven stories with a Romanesque Revival style. Despite its architectural significance and prominent location, the building was criticized for poor lighting and ventilation. It was eventually demolished in 1958.
THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP
Editor’s Pick! Fireworks at Distillery District - Ring in 2026 under the stars with live music, DJs, and a midnight fireworks finale. Arrive early, this one gets packed.
December 31 | 10:00 PM – Midnight
Location: Distillery Historic District Trinity Square, 55 Mill Street
35th Annual Small Gems & Holiday Boutique Fundraiser Showcase - Discover over 130 original artworks by 49+ women artists at this beloved annual showcase by the Women’s Art Association of Canada. From paintings to photography, each piece is thoughtfully priced for the season. Don’t miss the charming Holiday Boutique next door, filled with vintage treasures, jewellery, china, and one-of-a-kind gifts.
December 4, 2025 – January 10, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Dignam Gallery & Ruth Upjohn Gallery, 23 Prince Arthur Ave
Board Game Night at Bickford Brewing in Downtown Toronto - Roll the dice, shuffle the deck, and meet your next favourite people. This cozy night of connection and competition welcomes all skill levels, from Catan champions to curious newcomers. Play from a curated collection (Coup, Codenames, Splendor, and more), bring your own, or let on-site experts guide you through.
December 30 | 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Bickford Brewing, 290 Harbord Street
A YUK YUKS TORONTO NEW YEARS EVE! - Laugh your way into 2026 at Toronto’s legendary comedy club. With high-energy sets, big crowd energy, and a midnight champagne toast, this is the kind of night you’ll talk about all year. Doors open at 9, show starts at 10. Food, drinks, and good vibes all night.
December 31 | 10:00 PM – Midnight
Location: Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club, 224 Richmond St W
Holidays at Arcadia Earth, The Planetarium Experience Returns - Step out of the cold and into a 360° immersive universe. Arcadia Earth’s hit Planetarium Experience is back for the holidays with daily showings (except Christmas). Watch A Vision for Tomorrow, a powerful short film on sustainability, inside a dome of light, sound, and storytelling.
Until January 4, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM daily
Location: Arcadia Earth, 486 Front St W, Building C
RECOS: Things you will love for under $50
🌨️ Winter: Why people love these warmers
💧 Water: The water bottle that thousands want
🛌 Bed: The best sheets for comfort
🦝 Toronto: How to learn the history of Toronto
🦶 Feet: How to keep your feet warm in January
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Toronto once had an amusement pier that extended into Lake Ontario. A grand vision that most people forget.
Here is the link: Click here to watch
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