Dave Gray-Donald

Our Toronto municipal election coverage is all here: www.thegrindmag.ca/tag/municipa...

NEW: Another Five Wild Ward Races With Toronto's municipal election happening tomorrow, we check in on what could be tight races in: Scarborough—Rouge Park, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, Etobicoke North, Parkdale—High Park, and Davenport. www.thegrindmag.ca/another-five...

Given how big of an issue traffic is in Toronto, it's kind of incredible Chow doesn't mention getting the Gardiner construction fast-tracked at every opportunity. It would still be under construction today under the Tory-era plan.

Thousands of Torontonians who mobilized for Palestine in recent years feel Mayor Olivia Chow has been hostile to the cause. Bradford, meanwhile has called for even harsher crackdowns. Olivia Bowden and @rdassaly.bsky.social spoke to people in the movement about how they're approaching voting.

Chow hasn't once used the veto available in the "strong mayor powers." Bradford said in 2023 he would use the powers, and this election he's dodged questions about it. Ryan Kelpin on how Bradford could override council and reshape the government:

NEW: Can Bradford Be Trusted with the Strong Mayor Powers? With veto power over many city council decisions and the ability to set the budget, appoint civil servants and restructure committees, Bradford could remake Toronto’s government in his image, writes Ryan Kelpin.

Where the Toronto mayoral race stands now: some thoughts!

Bradford hasn't responded to election surveys from: - ACORN Toronto (renters) - TTCriders - Toronto Environmental Alliance - Cycle Toronto Genuinely hard to know where he stands on their issues.

NEW: Bradford Doesn’t Respond to Surveys from Renters, Cyclists and Environmentalists Olivia Chow committed to nearly everything in surveys from the Toronto Environmental Alliance, tenants group ACORN and from Cycle Toronto. Bradford didn't respond to any of them.

Tobi Lütke! Paul Godfrey! Ezra Levant! All the stars are here! Here's a non-comprehensive list of public figures lining up behind Brad Bradford for @thegrindto.bsky.social

A billionaire, conservative media moguls and a long list of controversial public figures are lining up behind Toronto mayoral hopeful Brad Bradford. We've compiled a non-comprehensive list:

Transit advocacy group @ttcriders.bsky.social did an extensive survey of Toronto election candidates, asking if they would commit to 18 priorities. Chow committed to all of them. Bradford didn't respond. Christian Malong digs into it for @thegrindto.bsky.social.

It’s an alarming trend. Bradford didn’t respond to surveys from us, Cycle Toronto, Toronto Environmental Alliance, ACORN and many others. It’s important to know where candidates stand on the most important issues facing the city. Transit. Cycling. Climate change. Housing. Who is he listening to?

Transit advocacy group @ttcriders.bsky.social did an extensive survey of Toronto election candidates, asking if they would commit to 18 priorities. Chow committed to all of them. Bradford didn't respond. Christian Malong digs into it for @thegrindto.bsky.social.

NEW: Chow Commits to Transit Advocates’ Priorities, Bradford Doesn’t Respond to Survey TTCriders asked mayoral and council candidates if they would make 18 commitments to improve the TTC. Christian Malong digs into what the responses tell us.

Cold Lake First Nations filed an application today for judicial review in Federal Court, challenging Ottawa's decision to designate the Pacific Link pipeline as a project in the national interest.

An OPP investigation, a councillor in office since 1988, a code of conduct violation, a last-minute drop-out and two big-name entries at the deadline. In our new issue, we detail seven of Toronto's wildest races for city council seats.

Incumbent mayor Olivia Chow isn't just trying to hold her seat this election, she's also trying to secure a strong majority on council. Who is Chow hoping gets elected, who not, and what does she want to accomplish? @dgrdon.bsky.social gets into it.

The decision means that Canadians will not recoup the $40 billion in public funds spent on the project during the 20 year lifespan of its oil shipping contracts, according to regulatory filings.

We’ve got a great food and drink guide to Toronto’s Little Manila in the new issue of @thegrindto.bsky.social Comes with a handy map, too! www.thegrindmag.ca/5-essential-...

I had breakfast with Brad Bradford and asked him what I think is the defining question of his campaign: Why do so many people from all ends of the political spectrum seem to dislike him so much as a person? www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Aside from the section of Bloor in Etobicoke which could be changed any time now, bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge and University being targeted by the province likely won't see changes until spring 2027 at the earliest, if not significantly later.

This is reminiscent of the Trudeau-era promise to spend all the money earned by Trans Mountain on climate action — a promise that has since been quietly abandoned

Carney begins his announcement of a new oil pipeline by acknowledging the climate-linked wildfire that came close to levelling the town where he's announcing the new oil pipeline. A flat circle.

For three decades, Canada has voted against the United States’ embargo on Cuba at the annual UN General Assembly vote held in October. The U.S. is now applying economic pressure to prevent that from happening again this year.

"Justice Laura Bird ruled that some transcripts of recordings will remain under a publication ban, concluding that inflammatory comments attributed to Constable Barnhardt would 'deeply offend' the public and create an indelible impression on potential jurors." www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

"Turtle Island Rap" tells the story of three Indigenous artists navigating different stages of their music careers. But the doc also probes a messier, more compelling question: What does it actually mean to “make it”? 🖊️ @vernonayiku.bsky.social

For @thegrindto.bsky.social I spoke with Hosam Abu Dan from Gaza about Thirteen in Gaza. And there's something so special about loving film enough to make one where so little makes it easy. This is the kind of film that buyers often leave behind unfortunately www.thegrindmag.ca/thirteen-in-...

In the lead-up to the World Cup, Toronto police built up permanent surveillance infrastructure for a threat that never came. Its centrepiece is a counter-drone system that may be linked to an Israel Defense Forces’ intelligence unit. The latest Cops and the City column by @aliyapabani.bsky.social.

Will selling off Canadian infrastructure like airports and offering big subsidies for AI data centres, pipelines and weapons manufacturing really help working people in Canada? A coalition is coming together to ring the alarm on Carney's investment summit.

This is damning, and appropriately so. The federal government was one of the last bulwarks for climate action in Canada. Now they're dozing asleep at the wheel. "At the current rate, [Canada] ... will be lucky to hit its 2030 target in 2050." 440megatonnes.ca/insight/net-...

Nearly 300 civil society organizations in Canada have called on the government to investigate an immigration raid at a peaceful protest in Calgary last month. pressprogress.ca/civil-societ...

Can Ken Carter, played by Jay Baruchel, land a one-mile-long jump over the St. Lawrence in a rocket car? Based on a real NFB documentary, Baruchel's magnetic performance propels 'The Stunt Driver' film from start to finish. Our first review from TIFF, by @dgrdon.bsky.social.

Jay Baruchel gives another fantastic, hilarious performance as the real life Canadian daredevil Ken Carter in 'The Stunt Man.' It's at TIFF and has wide theatrical release on Sept. 25. Got a short review coming soon.

As the Polaris Music Prize Gala approaches, we're taking a look at the 10 Canadian artists on the shortlist. To kick things off, we asked Aquakultre about his ambitious album '1783,' a concept album that delves into the overlooked history of Afro-Nova Scotians. @polarismusicprize.bsky.social

We're now taking ad bookings in our next six issues, til summer 2027. The next issue is out Oct. 3. Break through the digital noise and reach tens of thousands of Torontonians! Advertising with The Grind is also a great way to support local media. Get in touch with ads[at]thegrindmag[dot]ca

“Ontario taxpayers should be asking: Why should money intended for public classrooms be funneled through a U.S.-based, private-equity-owned corporation, rather than strengthening the public education system itself?” #OntEd

The Ontario government is forcing public school teachers to buy classroom supplies through Staples, a major U.S. corporation. This won't fix what ails schools, not by a long shot, argues Nigel Bariffe of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto.

If you live in this part of Toronto and you're a Canadian citizen, you can vote today in the federal by-election. Info: www.elections.ca/content.aspx...

New info has come out about the government-commissioned campus antisemitism report, revealing something that was totally hidden in the published report. Story coming soon from @thegrindto.bsky.social.

From YouTube pranks in Toronto to rubbing shoulders with Trump and giving Netanyahu a softball interview, Ryan O'Connor digs into how the the Nelk Boys have become a potent force driving young people to right-wing politics.

The new book 'A Nation of Tinkerers: A History of Electronic Music in Canada from 1945 To 1985' by @therewasnosound.bsky.social is out now. Read an excerpt about how public institutions and scientists in Canada were at the leading edge of developing the synthesizer.

Thank you so much to the 575 people who donated to our legal defence. We reached the $50K goal! There are a few fundraising activities still happening, so we've extended the goal to $60K, but we'll (mostly) stop posting about it. Your support has meant so much. Thank you!!!

Mulroney gutted funding for what was a very functional passenger rail service, and Chretien privatized rail lines, making Via the lowest priority. Then every subsequent federal government made it even worse.