Good afternoon — Toronto’s port is going back to its historic name, a 139-year-old church is at the centre of a housing showdown, and the TTC just locked in $2.3B worth of new subway trains.
Meanwhile, a historic snowstorm buried the city, dashcam video shows plows dropping snow onto a car, and winter might not be done with us yet.
Plus: free UP Express rides for veterans, a $6,000 Uber Eats order, and Bo Bichette’s Toronto chapter officially closes.
Let’s get into it.
Presented by: MB Brands
THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories
View east from the Terminal Warehouse toward the Toronto Harbour Commission building, 1945.
⚓️ Name Change: PortsToronto has officially rebranded back to Toronto Port Authority, returning to its historic federal identity after a decade under the newer name. The change reinforces its role as a major economic engine and transportation steward, overseeing Billy Bishop Airport, the Port of Toronto, and key harbour infrastructure that supports billions in economic activity and thousands of jobs.
⛪️ Heritage vs Housing: A plan to partially demolish St. Luke's United Church to build a 48-storey tower has sparked debate in Cabbagetown. Supporters point to roughly 130 affordable units in the proposal, while critics argue reducing a 139-year-old landmark to a few walls sets a troubling precedent.
🔥 Old Vic: Toronto police are searching for a suspect after multiple fires were intentionally set across the downtown University of Toronto campus, including the historic Victoria College building. No injuries were reported, but police say property was damaged and the suspect is wanted on several arson and mischief-related charges.
🚇 New Trains: Alstom will build 70 new subway trains for the Toronto Transit Commission in a $2.3-billion deal, replacing aging trains on Line 2 and supporting future subway extensions. The trains will be designed and built in Canada, creating up to 945 jobs, with final assembly in Thunder Bay and testing in Kingston.
🌨️ Toronto Buried: Up to 22 centimetres of snow fell on Thursday, potentially making it the snowiest Jan. 15 in the city’s history. The storm triggered more than 400 collisions across the GTA, forced school and road closures, and prompted the city to activate its major snow event response plan as cleanup continues.
❄️ Plow Dumps Snow: A driver on Highway 407 says a convoy of plows clearing the Highway 427 overpass sent a “wall” of snow down onto his car, cracking his windshield, according to dashcam video. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation hadn’t commented at the time, as cleanup continues after heavy snowfall in parts of the city.
🍁 Free UP Express: Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members can now ride the UP Express for free year-round between Union Station and Pearson Airport. The move expands Metrolinx’s free transit program for veterans, benefiting more than 460,000 Canadians with valid military ID.
MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW
🍕 Uber Eats Record: Toronto was home to the most expensive Uber Eats delivery in Canada, with a single order topping $6,000 worth of burgers and fries since the app launched 10 years ago. The milestone highlights how Toronto became Uber Eats’ first test city and a major driver of evolving food and delivery habits across the country.
⚾️ Bichette Leaves: Bo Bichette is leaving the Toronto Blue Jays after signing a reported three-year, US$126-million deal with the New York Mets. The move ends Bichette’s tenure as a franchise cornerstone following a strong 2025 season and playoff run.
❆ More Snow Ahead: After a record-breaking January storm dumped over 23 centimetres of snow in the GTA, forecasts suggest Ontario could see several more weeks of active winter weather. Some models predict significantly above-average snowfall through late January, with another round of snow expected as early as this weekend.
New subway train design. Source: bottom of photo
LOST TORONTO:
Chorley Park One of Canada’s Most Expensive Residences (Demolished)
Chorley Park, the official residence of the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario. Today, it’s a park.
What happened to one of the most expensive residences ever constructed in Canada? In 1909, the Province of Ontario wanted to build a new government house, and ultimately selected a 14 acre site in North Rosedale.
Between 1911 and 1915, Chorley Park, or the fourth Government House, was built here. It was a magnificent building, designed in the French Renaissance style with detailed turrets that gave the house a castle-like appearance.
The expenses of maintaining the house became the subject of political debate, and in 1937 the building was closed.
During World War Two, it was used as a military hospital.
In 1960, under Mayor Nathan Phillips, the city bought the house for $100,000 in order to destroy it and create a municipal park.
THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP
Editor’s Pick! CN Tower’s 50th Anniversary - Celebrate the legacy of one of Canada’s most iconic landmarks as the CN Tower officially launches its 50th anniversary celebrations. On January 21, 2026, witness the unveiling of a $21 million renovation to the Lower Observation Level, a refreshed look at one of Toronto’s most breathtaking viewpoints.
January 21 | All Day
Location: CN Tower, 290 Bremner Blvd
The Simpsons Trivia - Test your knowledge of TV’s most iconic animated family at The Pilot’s Simpsons Trivia Night. From steamed hams to stonecutters, this event covers the golden era’s best jokes, episodes, and characters. Gather your Springfield squad, sip on themed drinks, and compete in three rounds of trivia packed with laughs, nostalgia, and bragging rights.
January 19 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: The Pilot, 22 Cumberland St
Close Encounters: Charles Meryon - Explore the haunting beauty of a lost Paris through the eyes of 19th-century French printmaker Charles Meryon. Best known for his Eaux-fortes sur Paris, Meryon captured the soul of the city just as it was about to be transformed by Haussmann’s sweeping urban redesign.
January 21 | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St W
2026 DesignTO Festival - Back for its 16th year, the DesignTO Festival turns the city into a creative playground with over 100 free exhibitions and events across Toronto. From thought-provoking installations to panel talks and immersive design experiences, the 10-day celebration highlights how design can drive change—making the future more sustainable, equitable, and joyful.
January 23 – February 1 | 10:00 AM – 11:59 PM
Location: Multiple Venues Across Toronto
Nature Through a Lens: A Deep Dive Into High Park's Wildlife - Discover the wild side of High Park at the 3rd annual wildlife photography presentation hosted by the High Park Nature Centre. Through the stunning work of local photographers, explore the lives, behaviours, and challenges of the park’s animal residents.
January 25 | 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: HPNC Cottage, 440 Parkside Dr
RECOS: Things you will love for under $50
🔥 Warm: Stay cozy indoors
💧 Water: The water bottle that thousands want
🧹 Cleaning: Cleaning will never be the same
🦝 Toronto: How to learn the history of Toronto
🦶 Feet: This is the self-care you need
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Why is this Toronto street so strange?
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