Where do Toronto hospitals rank worldwide?

Good afternoon — Doug Ford vows to scrap speed cams, a high-speed rail line between Toronto and Montreal is in the works, Toronto plans to redevelop a 130-year-old heritage building, and there are several fall events to check out (from salmon runs to harvest festivals).

Meanwhile, do you know where Toronto hospitals rank worldwide? We have the results.

Let’s get into it.

THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories

🚄 High-speed rail push: Ottawa says construction on the long-awaited Toronto–Montreal high-speed rail line could begin within four years. The $60–90B project, with trains reaching 300 km/h, would cut travel time between the cities to just three hours.

🏎️ Ford vs. speed cams: Premier Doug Ford says Toronto’s speed cameras are “nothing but a tax grab” and vowed to scrap them this fall unless the city acts first. The warning came as police confirmed 16 cameras were vandalized overnight across Toronto, from downtown to Scarborough and North York.

🏥 SickKids ranked #1: Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children has been named the world’s top pediatric hospital in Newsweek and Statista’s 2026 global rankings, beating out 249 other centres. Several other Toronto hospitals also placed in the top 25 worldwide, including Sunnybrook, Princess Margaret, Toronto General, and Mount Sinai.

🎃 Fall Harvest Market Returns: Toronto’s HTO Park will transform into a free autumn festival on Sept. 27–28 and Oct. 4–5, featuring a pumpkin patch, fire pits with s’mores, apple bobbing, food vendors, and live music as part of the Water/Fall Festival.

🚫 Bubble Zones Multiply: Toronto has approved nearly 50 “bubble zones” since July, creating 50-metre protest-free areas around schools, child care centres, and places of worship. Critics argue it infringes on Charter rights by broadly restricting expression without legal review.

🏗️ Tower over Stewart: City staff recommend approving a redesigned plan to add a 60-storey mixed-use tower above the 130-year-old Stewart Building at 149 College St. The Romanesque Revival landmark by E.J. Lennox (designated in 1978) would be preserved, including its arched windows and stone-brick façade.

🐟 Salmon Run Returns: Toronto’s annual salmon run is back, with Chinook, Coho, and Atlantic salmon leaping through the Humber and Don Rivers on their upstream migration. Top viewing spots include Etienne Brulé Park, Don River Fish Ladder, and Raymore Park Dam.

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

🏡 GTA’s Pricey vs. Cheap: New August 2025 data shows GTA homes are selling well below asking, with huge gaps between the most and least expensive areas. On the high end, Eastlake in Oakville tops the list at $3.88M, followed by Toronto’s Forest Hill at $3.37M. On the low end, condos in Yorkdale average just $472K, with Brampton’s Queen Street Corridor and Mississauga’s Fairview also under $500K.

🏆 Toronto Design Honours: The City has unveiled the winners of the 2025 Toronto Urban Design Awards, celebrating projects that showcase architectural and urban design excellence.

📉 Missed Attendance Checks: A TDSB audit found 4 of 25 schools weren’t properly following safe arrival protocols, leaving absent students unaccounted for. Officials say more staff training is needed, though compliance has improved since last year.

Public Buildings in Context

Union Station Revitalization

LOST TORONTO:
King St W & York St (looking east)

Then (1878): A stretch of 19th-century Toronto streetscape, marked by the kind of architecture that gave the city its early grandeur. The buildings feature Italianate and Second Empire influences. You can see the tall, arched windows, heavy cornices, and elaborate stonework along the rooflines.

Today: Nothing remains of this once beautiful street. It has all been replaced by glass and steel skycrapers.

THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

Save 10%! Unlock an exclusive perk just for our readers! Use the code INSIDER to save 10% on sightseeing tours. Choose from a breezy Harbour & Islands Cruise or the unforgettable Double-Decker Toronto Night Tour. It’s the perfect way to see the city from a whole new perspective, even if you’re a local. Click here to find the right tour for you and remember to enter in the promo code INSIDER to save 10%.

Editor’s Pick! Canadian Walk for Veterans - Join a cross-country movement of gratitude and support at the Canadian Walk for Veterans, happening in Toronto on Saturday, September 20. This meaningful walk honours our Veterans, military members, and their families while raising funds for vital mental health, youth, and rehabilitation programs. The route starts at Fort York Armoury and winds through historic sites before concluding at HMCS York on the waterfront.
September 20 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Fort York Armoury (Start), 660 Fleet St

Toronto Vintage Show - Canada’s largest vintage clothing sale returns this September for two full days of retro treasures. The Toronto Vintage Show transforms 50,000 sq. ft. of the Queen Elizabeth Building into a curated haven of rare fashion, statement accessories, classic menswear, streetwear, jewelry, barware, and timeless home décor.
September 20 & 21 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place

Last Day! 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 14 |11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Location: Roncesvalles Ave (from Boustead Ave to Grafton Ave)

Toronto Cactus & Succulent Club, Annual Show and Sale - Discover rare and exotic plants at the Toronto Cactus & Succulent Club’s Annual Show and Sale, hosted at the Toronto Botanical Garden. Whether you're a longtime collector or a curious newcomer, you'll find unique cacti and succulents for sale, expert advice, and a vibrant community of fellow plant lovers—all in one green-filled day.
September 21 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue E

Pape Village Block Party - Celebrate local spirit at the Pape Village Block Party, a free two-day street festival that brings the community together with family-friendly entertainment, live music, and local vendors. Hosted by the Pape Village BIA, this neighbourhood celebration transforms Pape Avenue into a festival for all ages.
September 20 & 21 | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Pape Ave (between Mortimer & Cosburn)

August & September Home Jays Games (schedule):
⚾️ 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
 
🧑‍🍳 Cooking: Iron that doesn’t break the bank
🚨 Safety: The outdoor camera for every home
🌳 Backyard: How to handle fall leaves
🦝 Toronto: The one book on Toronto history 
🎵 Music: Great sound for a wild price
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

This was Toronto’s largest market in the west end. Just wait until you see what it looked like…
Today, there is no trace of it left.

Here is the link: Click here to watch

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