Good afternoon — The Snowbirds could soon disappear from Toronto skies, a proposed 91-storey tower beside St. James Cathedral is sparking backlash downtown, and Toronto’s endless spring delay may stretch well into June.

Meanwhile, FIFA just revealed a stacked opening ceremony lineup for the World Cup, a Google Maps glitch sent drivers the wrong way down a one-way street, and people across the city still can’t agree on where “downtown” actually begins.

Plus: the Leafs landed the No. 1 pick, TTC special constables are getting new arrest powers, and there’s a push to bring a brand-new planetarium back to Toronto.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms across Toronto!

Let’s get into it.

THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories

🛩️ Snowbirds May Disappear: The iconic Canadian Forces Snowbirds could be grounded starting in 2027 due to concerns over their aging aircraft fleet. If the program is paused, this year’s Canadian International Air Show at the CNE may be the last chance to see the team perform in Toronto for several years.

🏗️ 91-Storey Tower: A proposed 91-storey condo tower beside St. James Cathedral is facing criticism from heritage advocates worried it could cast major shadows over the 177-year-old landmark. The developer says the impact would be minimal, while supporters argue the project would add more than 800 new homes downtown.

🏭 Leslieville Stink: Toronto officials say a mechanical failure at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant caused weeks of foul odours reported across Leslieville. The city says repairs are complete and councillors are now pushing for better public notification systems during future incidents.

⚽️ World Cup Performers: FIFA World Cup 2026 has revealed the lineup for Toronto’s opening ceremony on June 12, featuring Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, and Michael Bublé. The performances will take place ahead of Canada’s first match on home soil at Toronto Stadium.

📍 Google Maps Glitch: A Google Maps error sent drivers the wrong way down a one-way street in Oakwood Village, leading to days of confusion and safety concerns for residents. City officials now want answers from Google after locals were forced to install their own warning signs.

🌸 Spring Still Delayed: Meteorologists say Toronto may not see consistent spring warmth until late May or even June, following an unusually cold and rainy start to the season. The city has already seen double its normal rainfall over the past two months, with cooler temperatures expected to continue for a few more weeks.

🗺️ Downtown Boundaries: Residents across Toronto have wildly different opinions on where downtown begins and ends, with answers ranging from Yonge and Bloor to nearly the entire old city core. According to the City of Toronto, downtown is officially bounded by Bathurst, Queens Quay, the DVP, and Dupont.

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

🏒 Leafs Land First Pick: The Toronto Maple Leafs won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery despite having just an 8.5 per cent chance, giving them the No. 1 overall selection for the third time in franchise history. Toronto is now expected to choose between top prospects Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg at next month’s draft.

⛔️ New Arrest Powers: Ontario will allow TTC special constables to arrest people using illegal drugs on transit starting in July. The move aims to improve rider safety, with fines up to $10,000 and potentially six months in prison.

🪐 New Planetarium: Advocacy group Space Place Canada wants to bring a new $100 million to $200 million planetarium to Toronto following renewed interest in astronomy and the demolition of the old McLaughlin Planetarium. The proposed facility would include immersive 8K space projections, exhibits, classrooms, and event spaces.

LOST TORONTO:
The Toronto Armouries (Demolished)

The Toronto Armouries, a Romanesque Revival military facility designed by Thomas Fuller, was built in 1894 on University Avenue and served as Canada’s largest armoury, training over 250,000 soldiers for multiple wars.

Despite public and historical opposition, it was demolished in 1963 to make way for the new Toronto Courthouse, which officially opened in 1967.

A commemorative plaque and repurposed stone now mark the site, while the military units relocated to facilities like the Moss Park Armoury, which opened in 1965.

THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

Editor’s Pick! Wine Fest Toronto: Spring 2026 - Wine Fest Toronto returns to Exhibition Place for a full weekend of wine, spirits, food, and tastings over the May long weekend. Held inside Heritage Court, the festival brings together drinks from around the world in an expanded tasting experience designed for both experienced enthusiasts and casual attendees.
May 15 | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
May 16 | 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
May 17 | 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Heritage Court at Exhibition Place, 19 Nunavut Rd

Lunching with Lady Eaton - Recreate the elegance of Toronto’s historic Eaton’s College Street and its famed Round Room restaurant for a one-day immersive heritage event at The Carlu. Guests will step back into the atmosphere of a classic Eaton’s luncheon experience, complete with vintage-inspired dining, live music, and fashion from the decades when the department store was at its height.
May 17 | 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: The Carlu, 444 Yonge St

From Balconies to Backyards: Planning a Successful Vegetable Garden - A beginner-friendly gardening workshop led by a Toronto Master Gardener. The session covers the basics of growing vegetables at home, whether you’re working with a full backyard garden or a small balcony setup.
May 13 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: S. Walter Stewart Library, 170 Memorial Park Ave

AGO Speakeasy: A '60s Cultural Revolution - Transform the historic Grange House into an immersive, after-hours experience inspired by the music and counterculture of the 1960s. Set behind closed doors at the AGO, this event blends craft cocktails with a curated soundtrack spanning soul, Motown, the British Invasion, and early funk.
March 18 – June 5 | 5:45 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St W

Lecture: The Edges of The Roman Empire - Explore how the Roman Empire expanded across continents and interacted with the diverse cultures living along its frontiers. Presented by Dr. Kate Cooper, Mirkopoulos Associate Curator of Ancient Greece & Rome at the Royal Ontario Museum, the lecture examines daily life in regions stretching from Britain and North Africa to Syria.
May 13 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St. W.

Shokkan: Japanese Art through the Sense of Touch at ROM - A ROM-original exhibition exploring the relationship between Japanese art and the human sense of touch. The concept of shokkan goes beyond physical sensation, combining memory, language, sight, and sound into how objects are experienced and understood. The exhibition features more than 100 works including textiles, armour, ceramics, lacquerware, paintings, prints, and contemporary art.
February 7 – July 19 | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park Ave

RECOS: Things you will love for around $50

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🌃 Toronto: One of the coolest books on our history
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

There’s a stone building in Toronto that solved one of the biggest mysteries in the British Empire. It’s one of the oldest and most important scientific buildings in Canada.

Here is the link: Click here to watch

MAP OF THE WEEK

This is one of the most important maps of Toronto. The P.A. Gross Bird’s Eye View Map (1876) is an extremely detailed record of Toronto. Gross walked every street and sketched 14,000 private and public buildings. But it shows a very different city than we have today.

Here is the link: Click here to see the map

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