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Ben Spurr

@benspurr.bsky.social
5.1K followers 126 following 257 posts

City hall bureau chief at the Toronto Star

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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Great story from Ben Cohen: Ontario Big City Mayors spent two years fighting disclosure of a WhatsApp group chat among municipal leaders. Once you see the contents you've got to wonder: why the secrecy? www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
thestar.com
We fought 2 years to see the Ontario mayors’ group chat. Here’s what we found
One organization fought ceaselessly, with the help of a large, well-respected Bay Street law firm, to conceal this correspondence from the public.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Following our story yesterday about Brad Bradford questioning Olivia Chow’s role in cracking down on the landlord at 500 Dawes, tenant advocates Toronto Acorn and the Dawes Acorn Tenants’ Association issue a statement praising the mayor.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford spar over enforcement crackdown at troubled East York apartment www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
thestar.com
Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford spar over credit for landlord crackdown at troubled East York apartment
The troubled property at 500 Dawes Road has become a political flashpoint in the upcoming municipal election, with incumbent Olivia Chow taking credit for a crackdown on the landlord, and
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Deleting this post because the headline has been changed and I don’t want ppl responding to something out of date. But saving the original here for posterity.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
From Mahdis Habibinia and me: Why Brad Bradford’s campaign promise of a major budget review is reviving memories of a wild night at city hall 15 years ago www.thestar.com/news/gta/why...
thestar.com
Why Brad Bradford’s plan to freeze Toronto property taxes is raising the spectre of Rob Ford
Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford is promising a property tax freeze and a budget review to fund campaign promises.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The Star is co-hosting tonight's mayoral debate with the Toronto Region Board of Trade. You can watch along here: www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
thestar.com
The Star hosts Toronto mayoral debate in advance of Oct. 26 election
The debate will be moderated by Editor-in-Chief Nicole MacIntyre from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Toronto mayoral race tightens as Olivia Chow’s lead over Brad Bradford shrinks in a new poll thestar.com/news/gta/city-hall/toronto-mayoral-race-tightens-as-olivia-chow-s-lead-over-brad-bradford-shrinks-in-a-new-poll/article_e2670248-f3bd-450d-994d-1d0f4f7406b0.html
thestar.com
Toronto mayoral race tightens as Olivia Chow’s lead over Brad Bradford shrinks in a new poll
A new Liaison poll shows Olivia Chow’s lead over Brad Bradford has shrunk to seven points in the Toronto mayoral election. Read the full results.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
From Ben Cohen and me: Brad Bradford opts out of tonight’s Toronto mayoral arts debate over alleged moderator bias www.thestar.com/news/gta/bra...
thestar.com
Brad Bradford opts out of tonight’s Toronto mayoral arts debate over alleged moderator bias
Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford pulled out of the TAPA arts debate, alleging moderator Jill Andrew is biased. Read the latest details.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The first 2026 Toronto mayoral debate featuring the leading three candidates--Chris Alexander, Brad Bradford, and Olivia Chow--is set to kick off at 7 pm. It's hosted by the Daily Bread Food Bank, and is being aired live on CP24.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Why Chris Alexander’s public musings about dropping out have raised eyebrows in Toronto’s mayor race www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
thestar.com
Why Chris Alexander’s public musings about dropping out have raised eyebrows in Toronto’s mayor race
Chris Alexander, polling at 10 per cent, says he might consider getting out of the race for Toronto mayor as observers question his campaign.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
From Mahdis Habibinia: Olivia Chow launches her campaign for re-election at Danforth Music Hall www.thestar.com/news/gta/oli...
thestar.com
Olivia Chow launches her campaign for re-election at Danforth Music Hall
Among the roughly 1,000 attendees were labour union representatives, elected officials from all levels of government, local advocates, candidates for ward races, a local comedian and a prominent Canad...
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
I am off until the end of August to work on an important project (hanging out with my baby). In the meantime the Star’s excellent city hall team has you covered.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Longtime Toronto councillor Gord Perks signs off with an ovation, a hug — and cheeky advice: ‘capitalism is trash’ www.thestar.com/news/gta/lon...
thestar.com
Longtime Toronto councillor Gord Perks signs off with an ovation, a hug — and cheeky advice: ‘capitalism is trash’
The councillor for Parkdale—High Park said goodbye to 20 years as a municipal politician with a speech at his final session of city council on Thursday.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
New from Ben Cohen: "Exactly what Bradford didn’t want" - Mayoral election poll shows a slip in support for Beaches-East York councillor as Chris Alexander enters the race www.thestar.com/news/gta/new...
thestar.com
New mayoral election poll shows a slip in support for Brad Bradford with Chris Alexander in the race
A Forum Research survey Wednesday showed Alexander debuting with the support of 11 per cent of respondents. Mayor Olivia Chow leads with 47 per cent and Bradford is in second place at 32 per cent.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Brad Bradford takes aim at Chris Alexander as Toronto mayor’s race heats up: ‘unfit for this office’ www.thestar.com/news/gta/bra...
thestar.com
Brad Bradford takes aim at Chris Alexander as Toronto mayor’s race heats up: ‘unfit for this office’
The entry of the former Conservative MP into the Toronto mayor’s race has the potential to split the centre-right vote.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Goldsbie is posting about #TOpoli again. I have goosebumps.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Ahead of the final regular council meeting before the October election, Mayor Olivia Chow is joined at her morning press conference by 14 council members. She’s delivering a campaign style speech about her accomplishments in office
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
I'll be on CBC's Metro Morning in a few minutes talking about former Harper cabinet minister Chris Alexander entering the race for Toronto mayor
thestar.com
Former Harper cabinet minister Chris Alexander is running for Toronto mayor — and it could upend the race
The former Ajax-Pickering MP, who backed the Conservatives’ 2015 “barbaric cultural practices” hotline proposal, said residents feel the city is “adrift.”
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
SCOOP: Former Harper cabinet minister Chris Alexander says he’s running for Toronto mayor — and it could upend the race www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
thestar.com
Former Harper cabinet minister Chris Alexander is running for Toronto mayor — and it could upend the race
The former Ajax-Pickering MP, who backed the Conservatives’ 2015 “barbaric cultural practices” hotline proposal, said residents feel the city is “adrift.”
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Toronto’s pricey World Cup Fan Festival tickets proved a hard sell. Here’s how many were bought www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...
thestar.com
Toronto’s pricey World Cup Fan Festival tickets proved a hard sell. Here’s how many were bought
The city said its sale rate of 44 per cent for VIP tickets to the World Cup watch party generated $5 million, but it’s not clear how much the cash strapped municipality will get to keep.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Big news: Federal government grounds Billy Bishop airport expansion www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Federal government grounds Billy Bishop airport expansion
The just-concluded public survey suggested strong public opposition to the project, according to a federal government official.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
I'll be on CBC Metro Morning shortly to talk about this scoop in today's Star: A prominent Liberal strategist who helped Mark Carney to victory last year will play a leading role in Olivia Chow's re-election bid www.thestar.com/news/gta/oli...
thestar.com
Olivia Chow’s surprising pick to help her run for re-election in Toronto — and how it might change her campaign
Olivia Chow’s pick to co-chair her re-election campaign suggests she’s hoping to win over more centrist Torontonians.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
New from me: Controversial online activist says he’ll run against the Toronto councillor who accused him of having a ‘white supremacy view’ www.thestar.com/news/gta/con...
thestar.com
Controversial online activist says he’ll run against the Toronto councillor who accused him of having a ‘white supremacy view’
Daniel Tate’s online advocacy group IntegrityTO has gained thousands of followers for his gloves-off approach to criticizing Toronto progressives, and has faced allegations of toxifying local politics...
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Mayor Olivia Chow declares Toronto's World Cup a success, although full cost, economic impact still being assessed www.thestar.com/news/gta/que...
thestar.com
Questions linger over Toronto’s World Cup ‘additional expenditures’ even as Olivia Chow declares the games a success
Olivia Chow said Toronto had seized a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity by co-hosting the World Cup, although city officials couldn’t confirm whether the games had stayed on budget.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
At a press conference at city hall with other municipal officials, Mayor Olivia Chow declares Toronto’s co-hosting of the World Cup was an “unquestionable success”
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Frances Nunziata registers to run for ninth Toronto city council term. ‘I’ve been waiting four years for this rematch,’ opponent says www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
thestar.com
Frances Nunziata registers to run for ninth Toronto city council term. ‘I’ve been waiting four years for this rematch,’ opponent says
Nunziata beat Chiara Padovani in the last election in York South-Weston by just 94 votes.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
From Mahdis Habibinia: Salsa on St. Clair shooting has Toronto asking these four key questions about its street festivals www.thestar.com/news/gta/sal...
thestar.com
Salsa on St. Clair shooting has Toronto asking these four key questions about its street festivals
Residents and councillors are rethinking how Toronto handles its street festivals in the wake of the fatal shooting Saturday at the Salsa on St. Clair.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
From Ben Cohen: Brad Bradford blasts Toronto police for ‘tone deaf’ comments about Salsa on St. Clair shooting thestar.com/news/gta/brad-bradford-blasts-toronto-police-for-tone-deaf-comments-about-salsa-on-st-clair-shooting/article_f64f6792-7918-4c7c-9a7d-2a1f9928999c.html
thestar.com
Brad Bradford blasts Toronto police for ‘tone deaf’ comments about Salsa on St. Clair shooting
Brad Bradford, the city councillor who is running for mayor of Toronto, said Tuesday that the Salsa on St. Clair shooting has shaken the sense of safety and security of Torontonians.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
This is happening now 👇
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
I'll be hopping in the comment section of this story at noon today to answer readers' questions about Bradford's campaign and the state of the mayor's race. Post a comment at the bottom of the story if there's something you'd like me to address. www.thestar.com/news/gta/bra...
thestar.com
Brad Bradford has already raised $1.8 million for his Toronto mayoral campaign. Here’s what that might mean for his chances of beating Olivia Chow
In just a little over two months, the Beaches-East York councillor has already raised more than twice what he took in for his unsuccessful 2023 mayoral run.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
‘Disgusting’ Salsa on St. Clair shooting won’t stop Toronto street festivals, vows Mayor Olivia Chow
thestar.com
‘Disgusting’ Salsa on St. Clair shooting won’t stop Toronto street festivals, vows Mayor Olivia Chow
Mayor Olivia Chow said she had spoken to the federal minister of public safety about preventing illegal U.S. guns from entering Toronto.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
ICYMI: Brad Bradford says he's already raised $1.8 million for his Toronto mayoral campaign. Here’s what that might mean for his chances of beating Olivia Chow
thestar.com
Brad Bradford has already raised $1.8 million for his Toronto mayoral campaign. Here’s what that might mean for his chances of beating Olivia Chow
In just a little over two months, the Beaches-East York councillor has already raised more than twice what he took in for his unsuccessful 2023 mayoral run.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
New from me: Chris Alexander, former Conservative immigration minister, considering a run for Toronto mayor www.thestar.com/news/gta/chr...
thestar.com
Chris Alexander, former Conservative immigration minister, considering a run for Toronto mayor
The former Ajax-Pickering MP said he was encouraged to run by several people he’d spoken to, including former mayor John Tory.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
From @fxplante.bsky.social: Nate Erskine-Smith rules out bid for provincial Liberal leadership, still considering run for city office www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Nate Erskine-Smith rules out bid for provincial Liberal leadership, still considering run for city office
On Thursday, Erskine-Smith said he’s ruled out provincial ambitions after losing the Scarborough Southwest Liberal nomination. “Having gone through what I went through in Scarborough, it just doesn’t ...
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
From @mahdishabibinia: Mayor Olivia Chow accuses federally mandated port authority of hiding early plans for Billy Bishop www.thestar.com/news/gta/may...
thestar.com
Mayor Olivia Chow accuses federally mandated port authority of hiding early plans for Billy Bishop
The Toronto Port Authority has repeatedly promised that all of its stakeholders, including the city, will eventually be consulted before a final version of the Billy Bishop expansion plan is made publ...
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Outgoing Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith has discussed a potential Toronto city council run with Mayor Olivia Chow. He says no decision on his future yet. www.thestar.com/news/gta/nat...
thestar.com
Nate Erskine-Smith considering run for Toronto city council. Outgoing Liberal MP discussed idea in meeting with Chow
Outgoing MP Nate Erskine-Smith told the Star he's weighing his next steps after losing a nomination for the Ontario Liberals. "No decision's made, that's for sure," he said.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
From Victoria Gibson and me: Councillor under OPP investigation recuses himself from decisions on more Scarborough developments www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
Toronto councillor under OPP investigation recuses himself from decisions on more Scarborough developments
As OPP anti-rackets squad investigates, Coun. Parthi Kandavel has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. He says recusal made out of 'abundance of caution.'
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
The mayor aquatic. Olivia Chow and other officials arrive at Biidaasige Park to launch the pilot for a future seabus service
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
All aboard the Toronto ‘seabus’? New harbour shuttle service starts public testing tomorrow www.thestar.com/news/gta/all...
thestar.com
All aboard the Toronto ‘seabus’? New harbour shuttle service starts public testing tomorrow
The three-year pilot will use a rebranded water taxi vessel, and connect three destinations on the shore side of the inner Toronto harbour downtown.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Toronto promised up to 12 mini-pitches as a FIFA World Cup legacy project. Here’s how many have been built. thestar.com/news/gta/toronto-promised-up-to-12-mini-pitches-as-a-fifa-world-cup-legacy-project-heres-how-many-have-been-built/article_513205b9-2ec4-4964-a402-668a2a015314.html
thestar.com
Toronto promised up to 12 mini-pitches as a FIFA World Cup legacy project. Here’s how many have been built.
Among the proposed plans for the lasting impact for the World Cup in Toronto were 12 mini-pitches. But only a few have been built so far.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
From Victoria Gibson and me: As the OPP investigation into Parthi Kandavel continues, two sources linked to developments in his ward allege he asked them to arrange six-figure payments to third parties. The councillor denies any wrongdoing. www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
Growing number of developers contacted for OPP investigation of city councillor, source says
Councillor Parthi Kandavel discussed payments to third parties, according to new allegations. He has denied wrongdoing.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
New: Toronto police received complaint about Scarborough councillor Parthi Kandavel last summer, says city watchdog www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...
thestar.com
Toronto police received complaint about Scarborough councillor Parthi Kandavel last summer, says city watchdog
The office of integrity commissioner Paul Muldoon confirmed Tuesday that it received a complaint about Parthi Kandavel in July 2025 and referred it to Toronto police.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
New details emerge in allegations against Toronto city councillor Parthi Kandavel www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
thestar.com
New details emerge in allegations against Toronto city councillor Parthi Kandavel
Dealings with developers appear to be at centre of OPP probe; councillor denies any wrongdoing
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Exclusive: Police investigating Toronto city councillor have asked questions about highrise project, source says www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
thestar.com
Police investigating Toronto city councillor have asked questions about highrise project, source says
Parthi Kandavel said he was surprised to learn that the OPP is investigating allegations against him.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Breaking: Toronto city councillor announces the OPP is investigating allegations against him www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
thestar.com
Toronto city councillor announces he’s being investigated by Ontario Provincial Police
Parthi Kandavel said he was surprised to learn that the OPP is investigating allegations against him.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
This, from Carole Corbeil’s Voice-Over (1993), is probably the most astute description of Toronto I’ve read in fiction, or at least of the version of Toronto I grew up in. (Also a very fine book)
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Toronto’s election is underway. Shawn Allen is the first candidate to register, he’s running for council in Scarborough-Rouge Park. Voting day is October 26.
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Toronto city council is meeting for its second day of the session today, with Premier Doug Ford's takeover of Billy Bishop airport and a councillor's request for the city to cover his legal bills on the agenda. You can follow the Star's coverage here: www.thestar.com/news/gta/tod...
thestar.com
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Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Toronto set to scrap plan to charge for most World Cup Fan Fest tickets www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...
thestar.com
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Reposted by Ben Spurr
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 22/04/2026
What to know what's happening at Toronto council today? Mahdis Habibinia, Ben Cohen, @benspurr.bsky.social, and @alyshah.bsky.social have you covered.
thestar.com
Today at Toronto council: Doug Ford’s takeover of Billy Bishop airport, a councillor’s legal bills — and making FIFA Fan Fest free
Toronto council today and tomorrow is expected to tackle jets at Billy Bishop airport, Jet Skis along the waterfront and lifting a moratorium on hot dog vendors.
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