Will Ford’s 401 Tunnel Actually Happen?

Good afternoon — Only in Toronto can you dodge bison on your morning drive, watch a guy outrun five streetcars, and still make it home in time to catch a meteor shower.

Also: Shake Shack is expanding like it’s on a burger-fuelled mission and could we see a 401 tunnel to help alleviate traffic congestion?

Let’s get into it.

THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories

🚨 New 3-Digit Non-Emergency Police Line: Toronto residents can now dial *877 from mobile phones to reach police for non-emergencies, reducing strain on 911. Landline users should still call (416) 808-2222. The change follows a 2022 report showing over half of 911 calls weren’t true emergencies.

🦬 Bison escape: Keele St and Davis Dr in King, Ont., were closed Monday morning after several bison got loose. Most were recaptured within an hour, and by 12:40 p.m., all had been found and returned safely home.

🌠 Perseids Meteor Shower Peaks Aug. 12–13: Ontario’s best stargazing spots, like Torrance Barrens, Killarney Provincial Park, and Manitoulin Eco Park, will offer prime views of up to 100 meteors per hour. Head to dark, clear skies and start watching around 11 p.m. for the best show.

🍔 Shake Shack Expands in GTA: Following the buzz of its first Toronto locations, Shake Shack is adding six more spots, creating 400+ jobs. New sites include Castlefield (open now), Square One, Yonge & Eglinton, Vaughan Mills, King West, Yonge & Bloor.

🛣️ Ford Vows 401 Tunnel Will Happen: Premier Doug Ford doubled down on plans for a three-level tunnel under Highway 401 from Mississauga to Scarborough, despite a 2021 study flagging safety and cost concerns. A new feasibility study is underway and due in 2027, with Ford calling it a long-term solution to congestion.

🚇 Yonge North Subway Extension: Ontario has awarded a contract to design and build twin tunnels for the Yonge North Subway Extension, extending Line 1 from Finch to Richmond Hill. The 8 km project will add five stations, cut commutes by up to 22 minutes, and handle 90,000+ daily trips once complete.

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

🏃‍♂️ Toronto Man Outruns Streetcars: Frustrated by slow commutes, runner Mac Bauer has raced five TTC streetcars on foot and won them all, often by large margins — including beating the 504 King by 18 minutes. He says it shows how badly Toronto’s transit is lagging behind the city’s growth.

🍝 All-You-Can-Eat: On Sept. 19, Eataly Sherway Gardens is bringing back its All You Can Eataly event with unlimited pasta, pizza, pastries, charcuterie boards, fresh mozzarella, gelato, and an open bar. Early-bird tickets available until Aug. 11.

🚤 Toronto’s New Water/Fall Festival: Spanning 2 km of Queens Quay, the free event runs Sept. 27–28 and Oct. 4–5 with markets, art installations, boat tours, live performances, and a 100-canoe art spectacle. Locations include Harbourfront Centre, HTO Park, and Toronto Music Garden.

LOST TORONTO:
Chorley Park ‘Government House’

Completed in 1916, Chorley Park was a lavish French château-style mansion built as Ontario’s official Government House—once hailed as the finest in Canada, with turrets, grand ballrooms, and a polar bear rug in the main hall.

Deemed too costly, the mansion was stripped, repurposed as a military hospital, and ultimately demolished in 1959. Today, only a bridge and forecourt remain in what is now Chorley Park—a public green space in Rosedale.

THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

The 104th Anniversary Warriors' Day Parade - Marching into history once again, the 104th Anniversary Warriors' Day Parade returns to the CNE, honouring veterans, the Canadian Armed Forces, and First Responders. This year’s commemorative event marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and the Liberation of the Netherlands—a moving tribute to those who served. Spectators are welcome to witness this powerful display of gratitude and remembrance.
August 16 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Canadian National Exhibition Grounds

Editor’s Pick! The King’s Plate - The King’s Plate returns for its 166th running at Woodbine Racetrack, blending elite horse racing with high fashion, gourmet fare, and electric entertainment. As Canada’s oldest and most prestigious Thoroughbred race, it’s a day where tradition meets spectacle—and where the crowd is just as dazzling as the race itself.
August 16 | 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Location: Woodbine Racetrack

Wheels on the Danforth - Rev up for Wheels on the Danforth, a full-throttle summer street festival blending classic cars, live entertainment, family fun, local vendors, and more! Hosted by Crossroads BIA, this beloved event transforms Danforth Avenue into an open-air celebration of horsepower, community, and summer spirit.
August 16 | 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Location: Danforth Ave (Byng Ave to Warden Ave)

East Side Double Decker Tour - Discover the character of Toronto’s east end on the East Side Double Decker Tour—a guided open-top bus experience. From Chinatown East to Greektown, the Gerrard India Bazaar to Leslieville, you’ll explore murals, marketplaces, and landmarks while enjoying sweeping skyline and valley views.
August 5 – September 1 | 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM
Location: Departs from Yonge-Dundas Square

Paws in the Park - Get ready for belly rubs, wagging tails, and local treats at Paws in the Park, Toronto Humane Society’s biggest pet-friendly summer celebration—presented by Amazon. Enjoy food, drinks, and community vibes while celebrating furry friends of all kinds in a fun, family- and dog-friendly setting.
August 16 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Toronto Humane Society, 11 River St

1918 Anti-Greek Riots Walking Tour - Walk through one of the darkest chapters in Toronto’s past on the 1918 Anti-Greek Riots Walking Tour. Discover how a clash between a WWI veteran and a Greek café owner escalated into a violent three-day riot that devastated Greek-owned businesses downtown and revealed deep post-war tensions. Presented by the Hellenic Heritage Foundation.
Sunday, August 17 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Start Location: White City Café, 433 Yonge Street

August Home Jays Games (schedule):
⚾️ Jays vs. Cubs | Aug 12 - 14
⚾️ Jays vs. Rangers | Aug 15 - 17
⚾️ Jays vs. Twins | Aug 25 - 27
⚾️ Jays vs. Brewers | Aug 29 - 31

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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Toronto has many hidden gems, but this one is overlooked every day.

Here is the link: Click here to watch

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