North York Post June 2026

While you were hanging out at Yorkdale... Some of the city’s boldest chefs and shops were busy reinventing retail

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Brockton Village eats

Thrifting Bloorcourt

Bloorcourt coffee break

THORNHILL DENTAL

POST INTERVIEW

FAST FACTS

NAME: Andrea Martin

BORN: Portland, Maine

FIRST FILM ROLE: Played Girl Next Door in Ivan Reitman’s debut feature ‘Foxy Lady’

TORONTO TIES: Moved to T.O. in 1970

GODSPELL: In the 1972 production of ‘Godspell’ alongside Gilda Radner, Martin Short and Eugene Levy

Beloved star Andrea Martin gets her flowers

Timeless Toronto comic actor in town to accept Icon Award

There is a long list of honorary Torontonians, but sitting near the top would likely be comedy legend Andrea Martin, who has lived and worked in the city for decades since the early days of SCTV and Second City. Martin was back in town recently to receive the Icon Award at the Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Canada event in Toronto. We checked in with Martin to talk about her career, her time at SCTV and Second City and her love of the city.

Toronto claims you as one of its own. Is there a place in the city that instantly takes you back to your early days here? Sadly, they might be gone. I remember what Yorkville was like in the ’70s. People playing guitars on the street corners. It was kind of off the beaten track. I don’t remember that it was an enclave of wealth. I just remember it was kind of bohemian. I remember Honest Ed’s and getting a set of steak knives for $3. But more than anything, when I think of Toronto, I think of being on my bicycle. I’d go along the bike path from High Park all the way to Cherry Beach and stop along the way and be in those beautiful parks along Lake Ontario. Our beautiful green city became a city of metal, and it makes me sad.

put me up against Meryl Streep or George Clooney or Zelenskyy or Putin, I don’t think I’m well-known. I think I’m known in some circles of comedy, so that’s lovely.

You’ve played so many memorable women over the years. Is there one character that has stayed with you most? That’s a tough one. I’m just trying to think about when people come up to me and what they usually reference. My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a big one. [Living] in New York City, people reference theatre that they’ve seen, particularly a musical I did called Pippin. I was 65 when I did that and I was on a trapeze. I think people were very celebratory around that because it seemed like a big challenge, which it was, but also the happiest time in my life.

“OUR BEAUTIFUL GREEN CITY BECAME A CITY OF METAL, AND IT MAKES ME SAD.”

You were being honoured with the Icon Award. How does that sit with looking back on your career? You know, I’m going to look “icon” up. I don’t even know what it means. OK, let’s see here … “An icon is a typically small pictorial symbol, image representation used to signify an object, action or concept.” That’s not what we want, is it? No, that can’t be right. It continues: “What makes a person an icon could include being well-known, respected for their work, having a large following and being able to transcend traditional boundaries.” Being well-known? Look, I don’t think I’m well-known. If you

Which medium brings you most to life?

Those seven or eight years of SCTV were so focused on sketch comedy, which gave me the most freedom and the most opportunities to be varied in the comedy characters that I did.

But in theatre, I’ve been allowed to be funny in many, many shows. I would say film the least, and then television and theatre are tied.

For so many people, SCTV is the touchpoint. When you think back on it now, what feelings does it bring up for you?

I think less about the work, frankly, because it lives on YouTube and other mediums. I feel that’s alive without me having to work hard to remind people of what I did or even remind myself. What really stands out to me is the enduring friendships and the losses that we had with SCTV in the last few years. That’s been really tough. I hold on to those memories more than specific characters and sketches that I did.

—Sadaf Ahsan

CITY HACKS

Looking for a weird and wonderful night out? Here are some of the best new date nights in town.

Craft Rave

Craft Rave blends low-fi nightlife with knitting, crochet, drawing and other hobbies while DJs spin in the background. Hosted by the Toronto Crochet + Knit Collective.

Treasure Bingo

Other People’s Treasure Bingo turns bingo night into a mix of thrift swap, storytelling and social mixer, where players bring strange or sentimental items from home to become the evening’s prizes. Hosted at the Rhino on Queen West, the event has featured everything from mannequin torsos to ex-husbands’ desk chairs.

dd.convenience

This Bloor West convenience store transforms into a unique micro-venue known for its intimate, DIY-style live music shows and indie events for emerging artists.

Crafting and raves? Yes, please.

L-R: Andrea Martin started her career in Toronto; Martin with SCTV crew including the late Catherine O’Hara (centre)

Toronto in June is here, and it is spectacular

RON JOHNSON is the editorial director of Post City Magazines.

It happened so quickly. First, a trendy bodega with craft spirits, a cool new coffeehouse, an Instagrammable sandwich and then, yes, a ukulele store. Suddenly, a sleepy little strip of shops near my house was cool.

It’s one of those areas that in-the-know Torontonians love to hear about. A destination. Something different. And, in a city like Toronto that is always changing. They aren’t always easy to find.

And that brings us to this month’s cover story: This city’s burgeoning micro-neighbourhoods.

Here, with the warm weather arriving and the spirit of urban adventure at hand, we map out the best new neighbourhood finds worthy of a summer afternoon.

The FIFA World Cup is landing, and so many areas of the city will be overrun with tourists. So this is not only a discovery guide to these new areas, it’s also a bit of a survival guide to steer clear of the football-crazy hordes. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

In addition to this big soccer tournament, June is probably the most lively and enjoyable time to be in Toronto. If you don’t get out and enjoy the city this month, you’re missing something magical. Toronto comes alive like nowhere else — patios overflow, music drifts through the streets, outdoor movies light up the parks, and all feels right with the world.

From NXNE to Luminato, Pride to the downtown jazz festival, every weekend offers a reason to explore. And with the FIFA World Cup in full swing, the city hums with energy, whether you’re dodging the crowds or joining in the fun.

For more insider tips and stories from Toronto’s ever-changing streets from vintage boutiques to the hottest new restaurants, visit us online at StreetsofToronto.com and follow us on social media. The city is waiting — and these micro-neighbourhoods are calling your name.

ULTIMATE CITY GUIDES

Craine

Strebel Carly Roebuck

George Redak

TRENDING T.O.

What is making news and who is making us snooze. This month’s biggest stories.

No, You’re Heated

Some spicy billboards depicting Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams arrived in Toronto. And, oh yes, people are taking note, and photos and.… What were we talking about?

Caitlin Who?

Toronto’s new WNBA team, the Tempo, is off to a fast start with a few impressive wins and enthusiastic home crowds that are the talk of the league.

Bye

Scalpers

Ontario is cracking down on ticket sellers looking to profit by reselling tickets at inflated prices to make a quick buck to the detriment of music fans. Good.

Kiefer Blue Dotted

Toronto-born actor and musician Kiefer Sutherland had to cancel his 24-stop U.S. tour due to low ticket sales, a trending phenomenon for many concerts and shows dubbed blue dot fever.

Speeding Up

As soon as Doug Ford put the kibosh on speed cameras, speeding increased by 200 per cent, we’re guessing safety hasn’t improved either.

World Cup Cost

When news broke that the per game cost of the World Cup was pegged at $82 million, some jaws dropped. But, hey, you can’t put a price on becoming a world class city.

Canadians might be shocked to learn how much of our natural resources are owned by foreign entities

Who really owns Canada’s resources?

Beyond economics, nature provides essential ecosystem services, including climate regulation, carbon storage, flood mitigation, air filtering and biodiversity.

Canada is among the world’s most resource-rich countries. Forty per cent of its land is covered in forests. It holds 20 per cent of the world’s freshwater reserves. It’s the fourth-largest crude oil exporter. It produces more than 60 minerals and metals and ranks in the top five for 14 of them.

Our natural resources sector is important to communities throughout the coun-

try and to the national economy.

What is surprising is the lack of scrutiny around foreign ownership of this country’s natural resources. Who owns and controls Canada’s natural wealth has implications far beyond a balance sheet. It affects who benefits and who bears the risk in an increasingly volatile world.

The share of foreign-controlled assets outside the financial sector sits at 22.9 per cent. In the oil and gas industry, that rises to 33 per cent.

It’s hard to notice ownership structures when companies have deceptive names such as “LNG Canada,” which has no Canadian ownership but is a massive joint venture between five multinational corpo-

Not so fast Mr. 43 Per Cent

During the last election, 43 per cent of Ontarians voted for Doug Ford and the Ontario PC party, which apparently gives them a majority and allows them to run roughshod over local democracy and overrule Toronto City Council at every turn. That’s bad for us, bad for democracy and bad for our city.

The latest — as if the hilariously mismanaged debacle of a private spa on our waterfront isn’t bad enough — is the proposed massive extension to the Billy Bishop Airport at the Toronto Islands.

It’s an issue that has long been disputed. We’ve had elections decided over it — congrats David Miller. Now, Ford is ignoring our entire city and declaring it a done deal. Not so fast Mr. 43 Per Cent. Before you ruin another part of our waterfront, why not let the people have a say for once. Despite what you and your party might think, last time I checked we still live in a democracy.

rations, some foreign state owned.

Companies not headquartered here direct more profit out of the country with little concern or accountability.

Most Canadians want limits on foreign ownership. A recent survey found almost 60 per cent believed outside possession of Canada’s critical minerals was a greater threat than “missing out on development and jobs because of a lack of investment.”

Where are the critics?

If industry supporters see supposed foreign funding of environmental organizations as a threat to sovereignty, why doesn’t foreign ownership of Canada’s natural resources ring alarm bells?

Sure, you can scurry about enacting legislation to limit freedom of information and evade investigation, but you can’t hide from the people. We need a referendum on whether or not we want an additional three-kilometre runway on our waterfront, on our lake, on our land. Yes, our land. Not yours.

And what perfect timing.

There is an election coming up this fall with our mayor Olivia Chow, your buddy, facing off against someone cut from the same populist cloth as you — Brad Bradford. He’s already trailing in the polls, so no doubt he will jump at the opportunity to get behind any scheme and debate it ad nauseum.

If he wins, then democracy rules and it happens. But we need a say and we need it right now.

So get over yourself and get with democracy. —Ron Johnson

DAVID SUZUKI with files from Stefanie Carmichael

Keesmaat plans wood condo in Dufferin Grove

A new mid-rise housing development is being proposed by the Jennifer Keesmaat–led development company Collecdev Markee for the Dufferin Grove neighbourhood. If approved, it would bring dozens of new rental homes built using mass timber construction, a method designed to reduce environmental impact while speeding up building timelines.

The project, planned for 1280–1286 College St. near College Street and Lansdowne Avenue, would replace a longstanding low-rise commercial site and introduce an eight-storey residential building with purpose-built rental units.

Developers said the project will include about 77 apartments, with a mix of one- and two-bedroom units. A portion of the homes would be designated as affordable rentals, part of a broader effort to increase housing options for middle-income residents in established neighbourhoods.

The use of mass timber in the design is a construction approach that relies heavily on engineered wood products instead of traditional steel and concrete. Supporters say that it can reduce construction emissions and allow buildings to be assembled more quickly through prefabricated

components.

The development is also being planned without on-site parking, with a focus on transit access and cycling infrastructure. The site is close to streetcar routes, nearby subway connections and cycling corridors.

The proposal is part of a wider push in Toronto to increase “missing middle” housing — midrise buildings that add density to established residential areas without highrise towers.

According to the development application, the project is the second of five CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) “Missing Middle” projects by Collecdev Markee, delivering purpose-built modular mass-timber rental housing with at least 10 per cent of the units designated as affordable.

“The proposed development will replace the existing vacant car wash,” reads the project application cover letter, in part. It is “designed to accommodate households of varying sizes, incomes, and ages, with a particular emphasis on providing a healthy proportion of family-sized units.”

The project requires City of Toronto approval before moving forward, including zoning changes and a detailed planning review process. —Ron Johnson

Former Toronto chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat

Summerhill stunned as condo plan balloons from 13 to 47 storeys

A proposed condo development in Summerhill near St. Clair Avenue has gone through a dramatic growth spurt since it was first submitted to the City of Toronto.

The site is located at the southeast corner of Yonge Street and Woodlawn Avenue and contains a low-rise rental building with 40 rental apartments, as well as a detached house on Woodlawn that contains three commercial units.

In late 2021, the developer pitched a much more modest mid-rise project for the complex: a 13-storey mixed-use building with 110 residential units, including 40 replacement rental units and ground-floor retail space. But the plan didn’t stay small for long. City documents show that a revised submission in May 2023 reimagined the project as a 49storey mixed-use building. Another revision in October 2024 pushed the concept even higher, to 52 storeys, before the latest version was revised down slightly to 47 storeys.

The current proposal calls for 730 dwelling units in total, including 40 replacement rental units for the existing apartments that would be demolished, as well as 92 studios, 418 one-bedrooms, 112 two-bed-

rooms and 68 three-bedroom units. At street level, the development would also include retail space fronting Yonge.

The project reflects a growing shift in Toronto development: fewer parking spaces and a much bigger emphasis on transit and cycling. For now, tenants can expect 17 parking spaces (eight for residents and nine for visitors), along with 732 bicycle parking spaces. This is helped by the site’s proximity to Sum-

“This development does not fit harmoniously.”

merhill subway station (it's only about a four-minute walk away).

Still, the project has drawn a lot of pushback.

The Summerhill Residents’ Association said it supports “reasonable intensification” and previously endorsed the 2021 mid-rise proposal, but it strongly opposes the current 47storey plan, arguing that the height and density are too much for a site immediately beside a lower-scale neighbourhood.

“This development does not fit harmoniously into the exist-

ing and planned context. It is not in conformity with the Official Plan policies on transition in scale to lower scale Neighbourhoods and the public realm. It fails to apply angular planes, stepping height limits, setbacks and stepbacks of building mass, and separation distances to balance growth with the impacts of intensification in a way that is both repeatable and predictable in its impacts,” the association states in a March 2026 letter to the Toronto and East York Community Council.

The association also pointed to the change in parking provisions, noting that the earlier 110-unit version contemplated far more spots than the current 730-unit proposal.

“[T]he parking ratio of 1 space per 1.9 units is materially different from the 1 space per 42.9 units here.”

For city staff, however, the proposal fits within the planning direction for growth near rapid transit. Although the building would be tall, the city argues that the height is acceptable within the Yonge and St. Clair planning area, especially given nearby approvals for other tall buildings such as 1251–1311 Yonge St. approved for 43- and 47-storeys.

—Nisean Lorde

Rendering of proposed condo with Yonge and St. Clair towers in the background

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Councillors push for missing subway station

Toronto’s Yonge North Subway Extension is already moving ahead, but a new Toronto City Council motion is reviving one stop that was left off the current plan: Cummer station.

The motion, It’s Time to Reinstate Cummer Station for the North York Centre, is being spearheaded by councillor Lily Cheng and seconded by councillor Jamaal Myers. It asks city council to ask the federal and provincial governments to consider funding the previously descoped Cummer station.

According to the city, the Yonge North Subway Extension will extend Line 1 service roughly eight kilometres from Finch station to Richmond Hill. The project includes five stations (Steeles, Clark, Royal Orchard, Bridge and High Tech), but a station at Cummer Avenue is noticeably absent.

“This omission results in a notably long station spacing of approximately two kilometres between Finch and Steeles, which is atypical for a high-density urban context and inconsistent with established Toronto Transit Commission network patterns,” the motion states, noting that downtown Line 1 stations are spaced at approximately 500 to 700 metres, reflecting a “planning ap-

proach that prioritizes accessibility and walkable station catchments in dense urban environments.”

The area around Yonge Street between Finch and Steeles is expected to grow significantly in coming years.

“Once construction proceeds beyond a certain point, the opportunity to incorporate a future Cummer Station will become increasingly cost-prohibitive and technically complex,” the motion adds. Cheng made a similar point when advocating for the station in the past, saying the issue was funding and timing.

“It’s really about money, right?” she said at the time. “So I don’t think anything is ever beyond the point of no return until it’s all built because the boring machines are going to go down at Yonge and Cummer because it’s being extended from Yonge and Finch all the way up north. So they’re going to be there.”

City modelling indicates that the current five-station extension is projected to serve about 94,000 daily riders, whereas a station at Cummer alone is forecast to accommodate over 23,000 daily boardings by 2051.

The new item was scheduled to be considered at a council meeting in late May.

—Nisean Lorde

L-R: City councillor Lily Cheng, and the Yonge subway line

City considers enhanced heritage protection for Yorkville

Bloor-Yorkville may be best known for its luxury storefronts, designer flagships and dense highrise towers, but the City of Toronto is now formally taking steps to recognize another layer of its identity: its older, more textured built history.

In April, Toronto City Council adopted a heritage planning item identifying 88 properties across Bloor-Yorkville as having potential cultural heritage value or interest. The move signalled that parts of Yorkville could eventually see stronger heritage protections, potentially shaping how future development unfolds in one of Toronto’s most development-intensive neighbourhoods.

The list includes a mix of apartment buildings and commercial structures, such as the Manulife Centre at 55 Bloor St. W., a major mid-century complex that anchors the intersection of Bloor Street West and Bay Street. Although supporters said the initiative is a necessary step to preserve remaining heritage character, others argued the scope of the list is too broad and risks placing unnecessary constraints on property owners and future redevelopment.

At the March Toronto Preservation Board meeting, CPA Ontario specifically objected to

the inclusion of 69 Bloor St. W., and cited concerns over “maintenance costs associated with such a designation and the limitations that would come with such a designation in the future.”

Critics of the approach suggested that casting too wide a net at this stage could create uncertainty for owners and investors, particularly in a corridor where land values and redevelopment pressure are already high.

“There is a strong and compelling case to proceed.”

Supporters, however, argued that without early action Yorkville risks losing the remaining traces of its earlier identity altogether. Although the neighbourhood is now synonymous with luxury retail and condo towers, pockets of low-rise buildings and village-scale streetscapes still survive on quieter side streets. Preservation advocates say those fragments are increasingly vulnerable as redevelopment intensifies.

A joint letter from the ABC Residents Association, the Greater Yorkville Residents’ As-

sociation, and the Bloor East Neighbourhood Association strongly endorsed the city’s staff recommendations. The groups argue that delays in identifying heritage value have historically left important buildings exposed and that proactive designation is necessary in a neighbourhood experiencing constant redevelopment pressure.

They also emphasized that the area being studied — the Yorkville Village Core — is relatively compact, covering roughly 28 properties. In their view, that limited scale makes it a practical and manageable candidate for a broader Heritage Conservation District study.

“Given its limited scale, cultural significance, and economic importance to the City, there is a strong and compelling case to proceed without further delay,” the groups said in a joint submission to the city.

For now, no new heritage protections have been finalized. Instead, city staff have been directed to continue the process, which will include further public and community consultations to determine whether the Yorkville Village Core, or parts of it, should advance to a formal Heritage Conservation District study.

—Nisean Lorde

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Yorkville’s unique historic character draws crowds alongside its luxury boutiques

L.A. café, Montreal’s fave snack bar & more

Chrome Hearts might finally be making its Canadian debut with the upcoming opening of a new boutique in Yorkville. Not much is known about the new store — rumours have been swirling about the luxury lifestyle and accessories brand entering Toronto since 2024. But if the rumours are true, 97 Scollard St. will soon have a new tenant.

Arthur’s Snackette is a new gourmet bagel spot in the city! Tucked in a laneway off St. Clair West, customers have been lining up for these sourdough, open-faced bagels on weekends (the eatery at 684 St. Clair Ave. W. is currently only open on Saturdays and Sundays).

Kafe 002, a café concept from L.A., is opening in Toronto this summer. The new location is opening at 1024 Queen St. W., and it has its own unique identity its sister café in the U.S. is Kafe 001. The location here will be collaborating with Frano Pizza and Panini in Mount Albert, Ont.

Hank is the latest men’s retailer to join Canada’s fashion landscape. Founded by Canadian clothing company Caulfield Apparel Group, the multi-brand menswear retail concept will be

launching at three locations this summer — including Bayview Village (2901 Bayview Ave.).

Crudo, one of Toronto’s top sandwich joints, has gone north and launched in the 905! Known for its panuozzo, a loaded panini served on pizza bread, now residents in Woodbridge can try out these sandwiches at 40 Innovation Dr. And there are apparently plans in the works to expand to North York soon too.

Mom's Recipes is one of the city’s latest breakfast spots, and it focuses on Ukrainian comfort food. Located in midtown, in between Rosedale, Yorkville and the Annex, it already got its first celebrity visitor: Margaret Atwood! You can visit the new eatery at 136 Avenue Rd. and try dishes like syrniki and varenyky (Ukrainian dumplings).

Som Tum Jinda, a Michelinrecommended Thai spot in the city, has expanded to Little Italy. Now open at 356 College St., it’s serving up 11 varieties of som tum along with classics like pad see ew and pad krao pao.

Arthur’s Snackette does open-faced sourdough bagels

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Toronto’s cool market is heating up the open house scene

Over the past 60 days, Toronto saw a shift: home sales actually ticked up year-over-year, while the supply of listings began to decline. But there’s still plenty of pent-up demand, meaning the city is still pretty solidly a buyer’s market — and sellers and agents are getting creative to try to make the sale.

One such strategy? The open house. Though they’re commonplace in Toronto, not every seller wants to open their home to virtually the entire public to make a sale.

“A lot of homeowners simply don’t want their nosy neighbours in their home,” says Odeen Eccleston Wiltshire, broker of record at Wiltshire Eccleston Realty.

She’s spoken to sellers who turn down open houses because they know they have neighbours who have been dying to see the inside of their home and “get in their personal business.”

But in a market like this one, some sellers might be thinking twice before shutting their doors.

“At this point, people are like,

whatever it takes,” she says.

Eccleston says open houses lately have definitely been slower, a sentiment Michael Kalles, president of Harvey Kalles Real Estate, echoes. He suspects this is largely due to weather, however.

“It’s been an interesting spring. It’s been colder than usual, so people keep inside a little bit more,” he says.

The spring market is usually the busiest time in Toronto,

though that hasn’t necessarily been the case this year. Kalles suspects that the city will “borrow” some of the spring market in the summer months, instead — noting that sales at his brokerage were already up 97 per cent year-over-year in dollar value. And if that surge happens, Kalles says open houses will be more valuable than ever.

He says many clients will visit a neighbourhood they’re interested in over a weekend, and

then walk it or drive it to get a feel for the area — and visit any available open houses.

“Let's say there's eight homes available in a neighbourhood and three are doing open houses. A buyer may go into a home, one of the three that are open to the public, and fall in love with that property. And if you're one of the five that's not open to the public, you might lose that live buyer right then and there.”

Eccleston notes that, though

open houses are typically more for an agent to meet prospective clients, at her brokerage, they lead to an actual sale 10 to 20 per cent of the time in her experience.

“And in this market, that 10 per cent more of a chance is still 10 per cent more,” she says.

She says open houses also encourage a sale in two other key ways: creating buzz and competition.

“In a great location with a great price point, you’re going to see an open house filled with people, filled with excitement, and that creates buzz around the property,” she says. “And if someone has fallen in love with a house from a regular showing and they know that an open house is coming up on the weekend, they may say, ‘Let me hurry up and put an offer on this property. I don't want anybody else falling in love with it at the open house.’”

—Julia Mastroianni

Brooklyn brownstones with a T.O. twist are all the rage

L–R: Real estate broker Odeen Eccleston Wiltshire; open houses can help to encourage offers

These townhomes hitting the market in the GTA have plenty of N.Y.C. charm

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T.O. star brings a fairy tale with a twist to the stage arts

This month, Soulpepper Theatre will see the world premiere of the gritty new production Tiger Bride. We got the scoop on this punkinfused new show, running until June 14, from star Hailey Gillis.

You had a hand in creating Tiger Bride. Where did the initial spark come from?

I first came across this short story, “Tiger’s Bride,” in a collection of short stories by Angela Carter called The Bloody Chamber in my children's lit class at University of Toronto.

Are they all fairy tale rewrites?

Yes, The Bloody Chamber is actually the main story, which is based on “Bluebeard,” and then “The Tiger’s Bride” is based around “Beauty and the Beast,” and that’s the one I really loved. I just kept carrying that book with me. I just always knew that it might have music involved in it. I could hear the music when I read it.

How did you land on the rock cabaret, gothic fairy tale soundscape?

We [Gillis along with collaborators Andrew Penner and Frank Cox-O’Connell] knew that we loved this story. We came to Soulpepper, and we didn't really know what we would do

— but we came into the black box [Tank House Theatre] with a bunch of instruments. We wrote for three days, and it was wild. It just poured out of us.

Is that kind of rapid creation rare in your experience?

Yes, it's really rare. I think we all had the same thing happen to us, where we heard what we wanted it to sound like, and then we all have our own esthetics, which are very similar.

Supersized sightseeing

Take a giant detour on your next Ontario road trip and see these monumental attractions that will surely stop traffic

A fish with a tall tale

Kenora’s 40-foot-tall muskie looks like it launched straight out of Lake of the Woods. Husky the Muskie, located in McLeod Park, celebrates the region’s world-famous fishing culture: those who grew up fishing know the lure of trying to catch this notoriously elusive fish. It has also endured decades of weather, tourists and kids climbing all over it.

Where does this production sit in your artistic journey?

It's the first big realized written piece I’ve done here at Soulpepper, a place which has been a part of my journey in such a big way. I've been through amazing things and hard things and then great things again. It feels like the whole company has come out on the other side of big changes over the past 10 to 11 years since I started here, and so I feel this piece is really tied to this building and the journey of being here.

What inspired you to get into theatre originally?

I was in a really musical family, and I was put into a kids’ choir. But I couldn't stay still. I could not focus. So my parents put me in a Saturday afternoon theatre class at Theatre Aquarius, and I just found my thing, and I kept doing it.

What keeps you rooted in theatre and working in Toronto and Canada?

Luck. I don’t know what I would be doing if I didn’t come to the Academy [at Soulpepper] and start working with Mike Ross. He used to trust me to do wild things onstage, and that kind of belief made a big difference.

—Ron Johnson

The apple of Ontario’s eye

Along Highway 401 near Colborne sits one of Ontario’s most beloved fruit-themed monuments: a giant red apple standing more than 10 metres tall. Built in the late ’80s, The Big Apple has since grown into a full roadside institution, complete with fresh pies, mini golf, a petting zoo and a steady stream of travellers. 262 Orchard Rd., Colborne

A towering Canada goose

If you’ve ever driven Highway 17 toward Lake Superior, you’ve seen it. Towering over visitors at the entrance to Wawa, the giant Canada goose — with a wingspan of 20 feet — has been welcoming travellers since the ’60s, though it got a stainless steel makeover in 2017. Unsurprisingly, it’s become one of North America’s most photographed landmarks!

KAITLIN NARCISO is Streets of Toronto’s social media director and Great Escapes guide. daytrpr

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Hailey Gillis stars in ‘Tiger Bride’ at Soulpepper

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OF OUTSIDERS, INDIE ROCKERS & POST MALONE

The biggest and best concerts, events and shows this month from the All Things Go and NXNE music festivals to Luminato and Medusa. By Ron Johnson

POST MALONE

Catch one of the biggest moments of the summer as Post Malone brings his Big Ass Stadium Tour Part 2 to Rogers Stadium on June 16. Joined by special guests Jelly Roll and Carter Faith, the show blends hip hop, country and pop for an epic concert experience.

MEDUSA

A reimagining of myth arrives with Medusa at Soulpepper from June 19 to July 12, at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Written by Erin Shields and directed by Mitchell Cushman, this legend transforms into a powerful exploration of female rage and identity.

LIGHTHOUSE

Celebrate Canadian rock history as Lighthouse returns to the Concert Hall on June 27 for an anniversary performance, marking 55 years of One Fine Morning The One Fine Evening concert features a full live re-creation of the iconic album that started it all.

AMERICAN DEVOTION

Get a slice of literary and Hollywood history with the world premiere of American Devotion at Crow’s Theatre, June 3 to 21. Set around a tense evening between Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller, the play blends fact and fiction during the McCarthy-era America.

TORONTO JAZZ FEST

Immerse yourself in 10 days of music during the Toronto Jazz Festival, from June 19–28, as jazz, soul, funk, global sounds and performances take over venues across the city. Highlights include Cassandra Wilson, Hiromi’s Sonicwonder and Emilie-Claire Barlow.

ALL THINGS GO

Get ready for a big weekend of indie pop and alternative music as the All Things Go Festival lands at RBC Amphitheatre on June 6 and 7. This year’s headliners and notable acts include Lorde, Kesha, Wet Leg, the Beaches and Holly Humberstone.

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN

Catch post-punk legends

Echo & The Bunnymen live at History on June 13, as they bring their More Songs To Learn & Sing tour to the city for a one-night performance of classic tracks, such as “Killing Moon,” along with fan favourites.

FORTÉ

Forté – Toronto Gay Men’s Chorus performs In Our Nature on June 13 at the Winter Garden Theatre. This Pride Month concert features choral works and contemporary arrangements celebrating connection, warmth and self-discovery through music.

THE OUTSIDERS

Experience the Tony Award–winning musical The Outsiders at the Princess of Wales Theatre from June 17 to July 26. Adapted from S. E. Hinton’s classic novel, this electrifying production brings the stor y of Ponyboy Curtis and the Greasers to life.

NXNE

One of Toronto’s most enduring and important music festivals, NXNE returns to Toronto from June 10–14 with more than 300 artists performing across 30-plus venues throughout the city. Be the person who sees them before anyone else does.

LUMINATO

The Luminato Festival returns this June with an exciting lineup of theatre, dance, cabaret and immersive performances across Toronto venues from June 3 to 28. Highlights include Theatre of Dreams, Heartbreak Hotel and Penn & Teller.

KEVIN MORBY

Singer-songwriter Kevin Morby brings his Little Wide Open world tour to History on June 5. Joined by special guest Liam Kazar, Morby, a dynamic and captivating musician, will perform songs from his new album alongside fan favourites in an intimate live setting.

DADCORE DECODED:

FOUR FITS FOR FATHER’S DAY

Calling the dads who love to hang out on the water, in the stands, on the green or by the racetrack! Jeanne Beker is ready to style you head to toe in these sports-inspired outfits, sourced from Toronto's top menswear shops.

A. TEAM CANADA JERSEY, Canada Soccer Store, $229.99, canadasoccerstore.com

B STRAIGHT LEG JEANS, Over the Rainbow, $324, 55 Bloor St. W. “These have that kind of lived-in look that a lot of guys crave. I love that they're a bit faded.”

C. BELT BAG, Get Outside, $179.99, 437 Queen St. W.

“This looks nice and roomy, just so convenient to wear and great for sporting at a World Cup match!”

D. SNEAKER, Foot Locker, SALE $108.75, 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr. “A white sneaker is always cool, and these would pair perfectly with a jersey.”

E. RACING JACKET, Roots, $798, 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.

F. T-SHIRT, Lost & Found, $120, 12 Ossington Ave.

“I love this colour. It's so upbeat for the season.”

G. SUNGLASSES, MEC, $59.95, 300 Queen St. W. “These are super sporty, with that strong, wraparound aviator kind of look.”

H. JOGGERS, Reigning Champ, $168, 3401 Dufferin St. “These are really clean cut and comfortable, with great side pockets. These would be great for travel, too.”

I. SNEAKERS, Gravitypope, $110, 1010 Queen St. W.

J. SUNGLASSES, Muddy George, $140, 973 Bloor St. W. “I love a pair of sungglasses that are a little retro and vintage style, and these are so cool with the blue lenses.”

K STRIPED SHIRT, Uncle Otis, $175, 329 Spadina Ave. “This definitely says south of France!”

L. CASHMERE SWEATER, Good Neighbour, $385, 1212 Yonge St. “This is a great splash of colour to tie over your shoulders.”

M. SHORTS, Muddy George, $120, 973 Bloor St. W. N. BOAT SHOE, Heel Boy, $165, 773 Queen St. W. “These are the perfect boat shoe for summer.”

O. POLO, Gravitypope, $175, 1010 Queen St. W. “This looks really classy and comfortable, very cool and simple.”

P TROUSERS, Gerhard Supply, $275, 2949 Dundas St. W. “Stripes are always fun, and these really speak to summer and those golf vibes.”

Q. BASEBALL CAP, Province of Canada, $54, 104 Ossington Ave. “I love this one, and from a great Canadian brand!”

R. LOAFERS, Get Outside, SALE $99.99, 437 Queen St. W. “This is a classic shoe, and they're great for any Father's Day adventure.”

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Designers reimagine the Leafs, Jays & Raptors

Here in Toronto, we love our sports teams so much that we don’t want to reserve the jerseys and sports gear for game day only. Why not rep the Jays on a night out or don your favourite Raptors gear as an accessory? These Toronto designers are turning sportswear into high fashion.

Tapped

by top athletes

Longtime athlete and sports fan Sukhdeep Kalsi launched her brand Skalsi in 2020, and while it wasn’t exclusively a sportswear upcycling brand, it was the pieces that repurposed jerseys that caught the eyes of the public — and the athletes themselves.

Kalsi ended up designing a custom vest for Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes, using Barnes’ own jerseys. She also was tapped by Alysha Newman, an Olympic pole vaulter from Ontario, to create a twopiece upcycled Leafs look, and designed a custom jersey dress for Canadian WNBA player Aaliyah Edwards earlier this year. And this past spring, Kalsi

Honest Ed’s

Mirvish Village is already shaping up to be one of Toronto’s biggest new neighbourhood hubs, with restaurants, a massive food hall and restored heritage buildings all coming together at the former Honest Ed’s site. But one of the most interesting pieces of the project has only recently been announced.

The laneway that runs through the interior of Mirvish Village between Markham Street and Bathurst Street will soon be lined with tiny microretail shops, and it will be dubbed Honest Ed’s Alley! The smaller shop sizes are meant to give emerging businesses a lower-barrier way to reach customers, all without having to put down a major deposit or commit to a long-term lease.

brought a totally Torontothemed collection to her first fashion show with fashion club

Rchive — each of the four upcycled looks represented a different Toronto sports team. In the shop right now (Skalsi is available online for purchase) is a reworked Vladimir Guerrero Jr. puffer jacket, alongside some

other upcycled sportswear pieces from non-local teams.

Runway-ready gear

Aby Stanger, the Ontario designer behind AB.0 Project, turns upcycling into a true art. Her pieces combine sportswear with stylish elements like denim, ruffles, lace and shirting

details. The result is edgy, experimental designs that belong on the runway — including, as they did in May, at Fashion Art Toronto. Stanger presented a collection titled HER Runway with an all-athlete runway to celebrate professional female athletes, featuring upcycled pieces created from deadstock and discarded athletic wear.

Turning basketballs into bags

Natalya Amres doesn’t just take jerseys and sportswear to make her designs — she’s been known to turn Raptors print bedsheets into anorak jackets and literal basketballs and footballs into bags. Amres has been making custom client pieces through the Altered Label for years, and her label has dressed the likes of Migos, TakeOff and former Raptor Chris Boucher. In 2025, she founded Circle Theory, where she crafts one-of-one reworks in small-batch drops — including a line of tote bags made out of Toronto jerseys.

— Julia Mastroianni

Alley will give corner its soul back

Expect 25 move-in-ready incubator-style spots ranging from 150 to 300 square feet, with a design that takes its cues from Tokyo alleyways: think bright neon signage and lantern-style lighting. The bold

signs and bargain-hunting energy will also help to give the space a throwback Honest Ed’s feel.

Units are still being leased, but a few names are already showing up. Look out for food

and drink options like Unruly Smoothie, which will serve up plant-based and antioxidantrich drinks, as well as Batch Cookies for chunky chocolate chip treats.

On the retail and services side, check out small-format shops like the Alley Flea Market, Bazaar Gift Shop, Neutron Starr Gift Store and Good and Fast Cleaners.

Another name already drawing attention is Shyne On Jewelry. After spending more than 20 years on Rideau Street in downtown Ottawa, the shop will bring its iconic gold, silver and diamond jewelry to the Alley.

Follow @mirvish.village on Instagram for more updates.

— Nisean Lorde

Forecast for T.O. markets is

hot, hot, hot

When warm weather hits the city, it’s only a matter of time before every weekend is filled up with pop-up markets for every taste! Here are some of the highlights.

Handmade crafts at Trinity

An open air market is taking over Trinity Bellwoods from June 26 to 28. Toronto Summer Makers Market promises handmade crafts and goodies by local artisans, from home decor and jewelry to artwork and beauty products.

Fair fun at the Brick Works

From June 19 to 21, Evergreen Brick Works will travel back in time with the Toronto Vintage & Retro Fair. Offering thrift finds, antique decor and vinyl records from decades past, there will also be a DJ spinning retro tunes and food vendors serving up nostalgic treats from different eras.

A flea at a heritage estate

Shop around at a flea market with totally historic vibes, thanks to the return of the Toronto Flea on June 7. Located on the front lawn of Ashbridge Estate, expect plenty of storybook whimsy — like a bookstore out of a van and a tiny trailer filled with vintage clothes.

A vintage market in a café

It’s been almost a year since Hogtown Flea has graced the city with its extremely cool vintage market. Finally, on June 13, it’s coming back, this time taking over Bevy, a café and event space. Run by the team at Hogtown Vintage, you can expect plenty of workwear, graphic Ts, denim and maybe even a tattoo artist on site.

L–R: Scottie Barnes with a Skalsi vest, an AB.0 Project design

Tokyo-inspired micro-retail is coming to Mirvish Village

Vendor at the Toronto Flea

My boyfriend is joining my gym — RIP my vibe ADVICE

Dear Sangita: My boyfriend wants to switch gyms to join me at mine, but I've been enjoying a flirtation with a guy at my gym for years now. I think this will ruin it. There's something fun to me about going to the gym and getting to be single — or at least appear single. And having a no-strings-attached, regular flirtation with this guy does plenty for my ego. I'd really be sad to have to stop flirting (and have this guy realize I'm taken) if my boyfriend joins. Is there any way to explain this to him without sounding like a total asshole?

Crushing it at the gym

Dear CIATG: I have a feeling you’ve gotten to the point in your relationship where it’s gotten too comfortable, so you are trying to find something else that makes you feel beautiful and gives you that feeling you’ve been missing. So I think this behaviour is an indication that the thing you’re missing with your boyfriend right now, which is that flirting, that excitement. This happens a lot. When people have work crushes or gym crushes and there’s flirting happening, they don’t actually expect anything, just like you said. It’s more that you’re really comfortable in this relationship and maybe your boyfriend isn’t treating you the way you want to be treated — or you’re missing a component of your relationship that you’re now seeking elsewhere. I’m not against flirting, it happens all the time and it’s often harmless. But this is a signal that you should talk to your boyfriend about how you can bring that feeling back into your relationship. If your boyfriend can do it, then you’ll probably find you won’t even be seeking out that flirtation with your gym crush anymore.

Dear Sangita: My sister got Botox. How do I tell her it looks really, really bad? She's got that classic Botox face now where

she literally can't move her forehead and when she laughs or smiles or frowns it looks like she's making the exact same expression. I can tell she keeps expecting me to compliment her, but we're always honest with each other. I feel the need to tell her: this isn't working, don't do it again! — No to the needle

Dear NTTN: There’s a way to approach this conversation kindly: don’t make fun of it or say it’s all wrong; instead, phrase it as, “Maybe you should go try somebody else so that you can look more like you.” If she genuinely does want Botox, there are better people out there to do it without giving her that extreme “Botox face,” as you say. It’s a tough conversation because this isn’t just about trying out a haircut that didn’t work. This choice may have come from a place of insecurity, and it’s important to approach it gently. So even if you do think she would look better without Botox, she doesn’t seem open to that kind of feedback right now (if she were, I think she would have openly asked you whether you think it looks good or not). The best feedback you can give her for now is some grace — and maybe the number to a more reliable practitioner.

Have a relationship or life question for Sangita? Send it to advice@postcity.com.

SANGITA PATEL is our advice columnist and was previously a host on ET Canada.

Cirque du Soleil couple turns death-defying acts into life together

When Cirque du Soleil rolls into town on June 18 with its brand new show LUZIA, it’ll be taking the audience to a make-believe Mexico filled with old movie sets, beaches, deserts and plenty of colour. Although the show isn’t a love story, there’s actually a real one unfolding onstage — between pole dance and trapeze artist Morgane Tisserand and aerial artist Jérome Sordillon. They share the story of finding a match made in midair.

How they met

We met at École Nationale de Cirque de Montréal in 2010 when we were both studying circus there. Maybe it’s because we are both from France, but we quickly connected and became friends.

The relationship

One thing led to another, and before we knew it, we were spending all our time together and officially dating. We spent the first two years together in Montreal while studying circus. When we graduated, we both got contracts but on different circus shows. Between working in Germany, Las Vegas, Australia and more, we managed to see each other once every two to three months. This long-distance relationship lasted for

about five years. We finally got to work together on a Cirque du Soleil show in 2017 and were able to travel together, just as we had always dreamed.

The proposal

For Jérome, marriage is for life, and he didn’t want to propose until we had shared the biggest life commitment of all: having a child. Sohan arrived in our lives on March 30, 2020. One month later, Jérome invited me to the beach for a family lunch. He proposed at the end of lunch with Sohan right beside us.

The wedding plans

We are constantly on the road for work, and we just haven’t found the time to make a wedding happen yet. We know for sure that it will be in Spain. We both love Greece, so it wouldn’t be surprising if that became our honeymoon destination.

The kids

Sohan is six years old, and he has been on tour with us since he was one, when we joined LUZIA. We love showing him the world and different cultures. He currently speaks French, English and Spanish. A couple of weeks ago, he told us he would love to learn Russian because his best friend on tour is from Belarus.

The secret to success

It’s probably our communication. We likely wouldn’t have survived five years of a long-distance relationship without it. Also, the fact that we were friends first gave us a very solid foundation for our relationship.

Balancing careers and a relationship

When you live on the road together for work, it can be easy to lose the balance between your career and your relationship because everything blends together. We try as much as possible to create quality moments for ourselves and our family. Between cities, whenever we have time off, we love travelling somewhere else and disconnecting from the circus world. We also try to keep our days off dedicated to family time with our son.

The future together

We’d love to do this as long as we can, but we know there is an expiration date to our lives as circus performers. We would still love to stay in the arts industry. Maybe one day we’ll have our own creative company. We would still love to travel, but we hope to settle down in our home in Spain, enjoy being close to the beach and continue creating unforgettable memories for our son.

L–R: Jérome Sordillon, their son, Sohan, and Morgan Tisserand; Tisserand onstage

Meet Toronto’s micro-’hoods

While you were hanging out at the mall, some of the city’s boldest chefs & shops were busy reinventing retail

West end indie

Think of Bloorcourt as Ossington’s more laid-back sibling. Along Bloor West, it mixes indie bookstores, vintage shops and a stretch that still feels genuinely local.

Trade espresso for R & B

Now & Later pours premium Subtext espresso by day, then pivots at 6 p.m. into a moody wine bar pumping old school R & B. Grab a seat on the killer back patio and pair your drinks with Now & Later’s legendary Caribbean steamed buns — like the fiery, sweet honey ginger pork bao.

Catch a quirky flick

Originally opened in 1937, Paradise Theatre is a beautifully restored art deco landmark hosting everything from indie film screenings and retro double-features to live talk shows, comedy acts and local community events.

Score rare finds

Hip and fun hideaway

This tiny but mighty area is everything that makes Toronto great, and trendy new openings make it clear the neighbourhood is the city’s next best thing.

A DIY vintage crawl

Start at the Wanderly, a newer addition to the city’s vintage scene that is a flurry of cotton and linen. Then head to Chosen, a curated second-hand boutique that is especially great for true vintage shoes. And don’t forget to stop in at Easy Tiger, an airy lifestyle boutique that stocks coveted Canadian designers, heirloom tomato candles and a neat little stack of zines and poetry.

Skate ’n’ sip

you haven’t — like local, eye-catching food mag Serviette.

A taste of Japanese fashion

When Blue Button Shop opened in Brockton Village, it made the hunt for stylish designs from across the globe effortless. They import brands that are often exclusive to the Japanese market — prepare to find your new fave designer here.

Bright blue on the outside and lined with skateboards on the inside, Brockton Haunt got an upgrade from just a coffee shop to Toronto’s first women- and queer-owned skate shop a few years back. So now you can recharge with a coffee and cookie or sandwich while browsing for a new board.

An independent magazine shop

Visit Issues Magazine Shop and learn all at once that print maybe, definitely, isn’t dead. Independent magazines line all the shelves, including some you’ve heard of (Interview, the Paris Review, Wonderland) and many

ultimate one-two punch when your wardrobe needs something with actual personality.

Hunt for literary oddities

Famous for its "Biblio-Mat" — the world’s first vending machine for randomized antiquarian books — The Monkey’s Paw specializes in the beautiful, the bizarre and the wonderfully obscure for anyone who loves the smell of old paper and unexpected history.

Escape the concrete

Anchored by two massive outdoor woodfired ovens, Dufferin Grove Park acts as the ultimate neighbourhood backyard. The leafy haven hosts a legendary year-round farmers market, a bustling campfire area and a DIY playground built for people-watching with an iced coffee.

Sip in secret

Bloorcourt is a treasure trove for style hunters. Hit Siberia Vintage for an impeccably curated blast of ’70s, ’80s and ’90s streetwear, then head over to Gigi’s House of Frills to browse gorgeous, retro-inspired lingerie. Together, they make for the

Whether you want a sun-drenched afternoon or a moody latenight vibe, this block has you covered. Sip meticulously crafted cocktails with a cheeky Australian twist at Electric Bill, or wander over to Paradise Grapevine’s legendary backyard patio for natural wines and exceptional local beers.

A bistro with a comeback

A sure sign of an area on the rise?

Comebacks and revivals. Last year, a familiar Brockton face made a return: Wallflower, the cosy bar and bistro that shut its doors at the start of the pandemic. Brought back by the same owner with the same candlelit, casual vibe, stop in here after a day of shopping for a comfort dish (and maybe a slice of Barbara’s famous cheesecake).

A by-the-ounce wine bar

New this year to the neighbourhood is Pinot Grouchio’s. With a handwritten menu of small-batch wines, it’s all priced by the ounce. So kick up your feet at this laid-back bar and opt for sample sips or a very full glass or the signature baby ‘tini if a cocktail is more your style.

Clockwise from top: Issues Magazine Shop, The Wanderly, Brockton Haunt

Clockwise from top: Now & Later, Siberia Vintage, Electric Bill Bar

BROCKTON

The next Geary Avenue

This wonderfully offbeat little industrial pocket is tucked between the Don Valley and O’Connor with Eglinton Avenue to the north that’s becoming one of the city’s most unexpectedly rewarding afternoons out.

Café with artsy vibes

Start your day with coffee and a treat at Circles & Squares Bakery Cafe, a stylish creative hub and café space that attracts the neighbourhood’s artists, designers and freelancers.

Stunning gallery space

Mosey over to the remarkable Sandra Ainsley Gallery, one of the most respected contemporary glass art galleries in the country, tucked into an unassuming industrial building converted to house a 6,000-squarefoot gallery space with a 22-foot ceiling. The gallery is home to a number of notable artists, none bigger than Dale Chihuly.

Shred some concrete

North west industrial

Around Lawrence and Keele, this industrial stretch looks like an auto repair maze from the street. Inside the warehouses, it opens into fashion studios, Italian markets and craft breweries.

Sit down for an artisan dinner

By night, Speducci Mercatto evolves from an upscale butcher shop into an incredible sit-down dinner destination. The industrial-chic dining space serves up awardwinning charcuterie boards, house-made pastas and their famous, perfectly grilled lamb spiedini.

Browse like an Italian nonna

A neighbourhood staple right on Keele, Cataldi Fresh Market is like stepping directly into Italy. Beyond the rows of specialized imported goods, the hot counter is legendary. Come for the massively satisfying veal or chicken cutlet sandwiches and don't dare leave without picking up some fresh arancini or a jar of imported wild cherry jam.

Source vintage treasures

ing interior design enthusiasts looking to add genuine character, artisanship and history to their homes.

Grab a secret pint

Everyone knows the bustling Ossington location, but real beer nerds head north to Bellwoods Brewery’s massive production facility. The space is dominated by giant shiny tanks and a sprawling barrel-aging program, featuring a low-key taproom and bottle shop to enjoy a fresh pint of Jelly King.

Play some bocce

Every industrial micro-neighbourhood needs a breath of fresh air, and this massive 12-hectare park delivers. Amesbury Park acts as the community’s ultimate outdoor hangout, boasting tree-lined walking paths and iconic outdoor bocce courts to relax with your takeout sandwiches.

Hunt down the warehouse panini

Hidden among the area's industrial facades is a haven of pure elegance. Cristina’s Antiques specializes in a hand-picked, beautifully curated collection of high-quality vintage furniture and one-of-a-kind treasures, draw-

press and build their own decks. The smell of fresh-cut wood alone is worth the stop.

Surf the Great Lakes

Nearby, you’ll find one of the city’s more unexpected retail experiences: Surf Ontario, a surf shop improbably located far from any ocean but fully committed to the lifestyle. The shop has become a cult favourite for surfers heading to the Great Lakes, carrying boards, wetsuits and enough coastal energy to briefly convince you Lake Ontario has tides.

BERMONDSEY

A few minutes away, Roarockit Skateboard Company offers a completely different kind of artisanship. The long-running Toronto company manufactures handcrafted skateboards and even teaches people how to

Industrial-sized suds

Bermondsey has its own craft brewery in a converted warehouse. Goldenfield Brewery opened up shop in 2023 and has some quality suds and a very cool taproom to unwind in following an afternoon of exploring the ’hood.

Peek cookie monster

Then lean fully into Bermondsey’s weird-and-wonderful energy with a stop at the legendary Peek Freans Cookie Outlet. Where you can find discount Oreos, Cadbury chocolate and much more.

Tucked away inside an unassuming industrial plaza, Cucina Mauro is a certified hidden gem serving serious, scratch-made Italian comfort food. Grab a stool at the counter for a beastly porchetta panino loaded with crispy crackling and bitter rapini, and wash it down with an espresso and a freshly piped cannoli.

Clockwise from top: Cucina Mauro, Bellwoods Brewery, Speducci Mercatto

Clockwise from top: Circles & Squares Bakery, Surf Ontario, Goldenfield Brewery

INGRAM-KEELE

West end style heads to midtown

Long thought of as the quiet cousin to big and brassy Rosedale, the Summerhill nabe is finally coming into its own, attracting some of the city’s top chefs and fashionistas to a quiet strip of Yonge that is not going to stay quiet for much longer.

Shuck the status quo

Summerhill is waking up thanks to a heavyweight crew from Union and Quetzal. The loud, high-energy room at Seahorse pairs a stellar raw bar with massive seafood ice boxes and rich bouillabaisse. Grab a seat at the stone bar and order the charred runner beans — they completely steal the show.

Snag a Muskoka bar

Two sisters have brought Bar32, their beloved Port Carling cottage country pop-up, straight to Summerhill for the summer. Drop by the ultra-cute, photo-filled space for artisanal scoop flavours or their signature handmade, gourmet ice cream bars in weekly rotating flavours like dark chocolate and strawberry, hazlenut and salted vanilla.

East end beach vibes

The Beaches and its pub-heavy Queen Street strip get all the attention, but why not let that fresh Beach air allow you to drift just a little north to the easy breezy Kingston Road strip of the Upper Beach.

Café culture

Try strolling up through the drop-dead gorgeous oakfilled Glen Stewart Ravine, which ends at Balsam and Kingston, and cross the road for a coffee and pastry at one of two wonderful coffee shops: Black Dog Coffee and Black Canary. Both offer delish coffee, and tasty snacks.

Ukes, paddles and SUPs, oh my One of the most unique little shops on Kingston is one dedicated to both ukuleles and paddleboards. Here, the tiny colourful storefront is part office space for Ukes Abroad, a non-profit, as well as a teaching space and store.

Spaghetti Western

Beach reads unlocked

Tucked into this ‘hood for more than 50 years, the Great Escape Book Store is a beloved gem filled floor-to-ceiling with new and used books for every kind of reader. This is a place to linger and dig deep into the stacks to find a hidden gem to read on the beach later. A true destination for book lovers.

Craft spirits and Parisian vibes

Prefer a drink and a snack? The very cool 99 Bottles bottle shop is open 364 days a week, and has a fantastic patio. Come for the Parisian vibe. Leave with a bottle of craft spirits for home.

The perfect finish

Ready for lunch? Check out Spaghetti Western for some gigantic and delish sandwiches on freshly baked sourdough or homemade pasta. The sammies are perfect for a picnic. Think housemade stracciatella, fig jam and spicy bomba sauce.

casing emerging and established Canadian artists that always has something on the go. Founded in 2005 by artist-director Jay Belmore, the gallery offers a creative break from the boutiques. This summer Muse hosts Summer Days (June 18 to July 8), a group exhibition featuring more than 25 artists.

Wellness

unlocked

Looking for the latest and most innovative treatments to nourish the skin and feed the soul, Fig Bar Summerhill offers a tech-forward approach in a minimalist, spa-like setting. Fig Bar caters to the neighbourhood’s wellness-minded clientele with a menu of options that include the latest in injectables and longevity treatments as well as facials, light therapy and more.

A boutique boom

Creativity loading

Tucked along Yonge just north of Summerhill station, Muse Gallery is an intimate contemporary space show-

Over the past year and a half, seemingly everyone wants to open up shop in Summerhill. There’s T.Line, dedicated to crafting the perfect button down shirt; Luxton, a women’s outerwear brand that found a permanent home in the neighbourhood just this year; the Lobby by Heaps Estrin, featuring pop-ups and a rotating display of local artisans; and, just recently, Wynona Studio, an ultra-elegant T.O.-based tailoring house.

Chocollata Gourmet began as Toronto’s first dedicated brigadeiro shop, opened by Igor and Talitha in a small Upper Beaches storefront shortly after the birth of their son. The cozy boutique quickly became known for its handcrafted Brazilian sweets in inventive flavours that elevate the brigadeiro into something truly special. With its warm atmosphere and artisanal approach, the shop feels like a hidden neighbourhood treasure for chocolate lovers in the east end.

Clockwise from top: Spaghetti Western, Ukes Abroad, Great Escape Book Store

Clockwise from top: T.Line, Bar32, Seahorse

Secret cultural corner

This area of Toronto is easy to overlook. But, on your way to the Distillery District or Riverside, you might find that you can spend a day in this vibrant district.

A plant store and gelato hybrid

Enter through the front door to Plant Society, a green oasis of beautiful plants, succulents and dried flower bouquets. Hidden downstairs is Moss Park Espresso: a little coffee shop that draws crowds for its ultra-fluffy gelato made in-house. Any flavour can be turned into an affogato, one of the café’s most popular menu items — try it with the pistachio.

The city’s coolest menswear

oodles of homewares organized by colour, mid-century modern couches and countless treasures.

An art gallery and cultural centre

At 183 Gallery, you’ll discover exhibitions by local artists. This artist collective is also dedicated to highlighting the Moss Park neighbourhood, hosting walking tours, live music events and still life classes. Check their Instagram (@183gallery) to see what’s on before you go!

OLD TOWN

Haven may be tucked away in a less traversed part of the city, but the hulking black brick shop has been attracting Toronto’s most stylish residents for decades. The selection here is unbeatable, with hard-tofind Japanese brands, but it’s the staff that make shopping feel like a luxury experience all on its own.

A perfectly pink vintage furniture shop

Just east of Moss Park is a quirky little stretch of multicoloured storefronts, including a pink one. Step inside the Apartment and you’ll feel like you’re visiting someone’s actual home. This vintage furniture spot features

5 pockets undergoing a serious glow-up

While these neighbourhoods might not be established destinations just yet, they’re certainly on their way — and renovations, revitalizations and new openings point to serious evolution.

Milliken Mills

Milliken Mills skips the tourist traps for real cultural density. The main draw is the strip mall food scene — think unpretentious spots along Kennedy and Steeles packing a massive range of South Asian, Chinese and Southeast Asian eateries, including HK-style cafés and dim sum. Toss in Milliken Mills Park for weekend cricket and ongoing upgrades at the GO station, and the whole area is quietly turning into one of the most reliable food neighbourhoods outside the core.

Carlaw Avenue

Carlaw Avenue is gearing up for a massive shift, mostly because the future Ontario Line subway is putting a station right at Gerrard. For the moment, the strip is keeping its artistic edge, remaining home to indie photo studios, small workshops and Crow’s Theatre.

East Harbour

Toronto is taking a massive 38-acre gamble here,

turning an old industrial site into a mini downtown from scratch. Although it is mostly dirt right now, the real tourist draw will be the century-old Unilever factory, getting transformed into a bustling indooroutdoor public market packed with local food stalls. Toss in major new music venues and bike trails connecting straight to Ookwemin Minising (formerly known as Villiers Island), and it becomes a massive cultural hot spot worth visiting.

The Port Lands

The Port Lands is getting one of the biggest waterfront facelifts the city has ever seen. Workers are literally moving the earth to change where the Don River flows into the lake, a massive engineering trick to stop local flooding and build the foundation for Ookwemin Minising. It’s a massive construction zone for now, but the goal is a proper community with parks, trails and water views.

Mill Pond and Old Richmond Hill

This historic pocket is shaping up to be one of the 905’s best emerging spots. A major revitalization project is giving the walking paths around Mill Pond a serious upgrade, which is a massive win since the park sits right next to the historic main street on Yonge.

A cinematic diner

With a bright red painted brick exterior and cosy, retro booths inside, it’s no surprise that George Street Diner has featured in countless films, TV shows and even music videos (Hi, Shawn Mendes) filmed in the city. Start here in the morning and enjoy an Irish breakfast (choose the basic, ultimate or massive version).

A bookstore filled with oddities and cats

Considered Toronto’s oldest bookstore, Acadia Art & Rare Books originally opened in 1931. Pore over crates of vintage prints and postcards, say hello to the resident cats lounging about and leave with a piece of history in tow.

Clockwise from top: Haven, George Street Diner, The Apartment

Clockwise from top: Rendering of Ookwemin Minising, Chang Rai in Milliken Mills, Crow’s Theatre

SUMMER HOME DESIGN

STONEWORK AND SOFTSCAPE

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BASEMENTS MADE PERMANENTLY DRY

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She cooked like her nonna and changed T.O. forever

For 25 years, Rosa Marinuzzi has led the charge for female chefs

Twenty-five years ago, Rosa Marinuzzi left her cousin’s spot, Gio Rana’s, to do things her own way. The goal was simple: more heart, more family and honest Italian food. It worked. Decades later, she has served everyone from local legends to Madonna, while still obsessing over niche ingredients like cardoons that remind her of home. For Marinuzzi, there was never some grand master plan. She just cooks every day, takes care of people and quietly builds a Toronto classic.

Take us back to 2001. When you first opened the doors, what was the dream? We wanted a place that people would feel comfortable at, and we always wanted to work together as a family. That was the dream. And I love to cook and I love to feed people. For me, that is everything.

Your cousin’s spot, Gio Rana’s, is pretty legendary. How did your time there shape your own kitchen philosophy? Gio’s was very important for us. We learned a lot there. But we wanted to do it our way — more family, heart and simple food done right.

You’ve had some massive names sit at your tables over the years. Who gave you the ultimate “we made it” moment?

Bonnie Stern, the famous cookbook author, and local celebrities, like Kiefer Sutherland, the Tragically Hip and the Barenaked Ladies,

were always special for us. But when Madonna came, I knew we did something right.

What’s one ingredient you wish more people appreciated?

Cardoons, when we can get them. They remind me of home. They are not easy, but when you cook them simply — olive oil, garlic, maybe a little tomato, sometimes with egg — they are so good. Food tastes better when it’s fresh, local and simple: good ingredients, handled right, without overcomplicating things.

Looking back on 25 years of feeding Toronto, how does it feel to see the impact you’ve made on your diners?

I feel incredibly greatful. We have the best customers, and all these years they have supported us. I want to say thank you so much to all of them. I didn’t think about 25 years. I just cook every day and try my best to take care of people. If people are still coming back after all these years, that means everything to me.

—Megan Gallant

Why bar hop when you can just table dance?

All’s well that ends well

Bringing Dubai-level opulence to the Well, this 7,000-square-foot Mediterranean-Asian fusion spot is pure theatre. By day, it’s all truffle lobster and A5 wagyu sandos; by night, Noyaa flips into a jungle disco with international DJs. It nails the 50/50 split, where Silk Road cocktails meet high-energy nightlife. 437 Wellington St. W.

Trading chaos for caviar

Perched above Cibo in Yorkville, this 4,000-squarefoot lounge swaps frenzied King West energy for Michelin-adjacent polish. Backed by Don Alfonso 1890 expertise, Powder Room is a supper club for the caviar-and-wagyu crowd, with live soul music and elevated bites, like chicken nuggets topped with 30 grams of sturgeon roe. 129 Yorkville Ave.

FORKCAST

The midtown McQueen Ultra is the matured, midtown resurrection of Queen West’s iconic 2000s nightlife staple. Designed with an Alexander McQueen–inspired edge, it spares locals the downtown trek and delivers the ultimate supper club experience, pairing pan-Asian robata and sake with late-night partying until 2 a.m. 12 St. Clair Ave. E.

Chef Rosa Marinuzzi celebrates 25 years

Opening soon in Thornnhill

Bring Your Backyard to Life

SPARE NO EXPENSE: THE ULTIMATE FATHER’S DAY RIB-OFF

We’ve got no time for boring BBQ. Between the World Cup and the summer heat, we’re taking Dad’s favourite feast global. Chefs Anthony Rose and Nuit Regular sampled everything from Wuxi spareribs to Argentine asado. Consider this your guide to global grilling.

ANTHONY

ROSE WINNER

GREEN DAY: El Inka, 21 St. Clair Ave. E., Seco A La Norteña, $36. Between the corn beer and the cilantro sauce, this was the most interesting dish. The Verdict: Anthony was floored by the execution: “This is a whole complex dish.” Nuit was equally impressed by the presentation.

GRILLIN’ ME SOFTLY: Seoul Gamjatang, 475 Yonge St., LA Galbi, $36.99. This plate nearly took the whole competition. The Verdict: “This might be my favourite,” Nuit exclaimed during the tasting. Anthony agreed, noting the subtleness of the flavours.

NUIT

REGULAR WINNER

MEAT CUTE: Vos Restaurante, 847 College St., Asado de Tira, $45. The judges loved the simplicity of olive oil and sea salt. The Verdict: Anthony liked the rare cut: “You don’t see this other than at Argentinian places.” Nuit was a big fan of the chimichurri-style finish.

SOY DIVISION: Lee Chen Asian Bistro, 813 Yonge St., Wuxi Spareribs, $27.99

The judges felt that the spices overpowered the flavour of the ribs. The Verdict: “The sauce tastes mainly of five-spice,” Nuit observed. Although they enjoyed the fun idea of the dish, it didn't quite land.

Chef Anthony Rose runs Fat Pasha; Nuit Regular leads the new Tha Phae Tavern.

BONE APPETIT: SmoQue N’ Bones, 869 Queen St. W., Pork Side Ribs, $26

The texture here was a standout, hitting that sweet spot between tender and juicy.

The Verdict: Anthony praised the technical skill, however, both judges felt a deeper marinade was needed.

JERK REACTIONS: The Real Jerk, 842 Gerrard St. E., Specialty Jerk Ribs, $34. The judges were impressed but wanted more of that signature Caribbean fire. The Verdict: “It has a little heat but it needs more of the flavour,” Nuit noted, while Anthony felt the jerk essence was missing.

Top foodie shares his current hits list

Digital creator Jordan Shore (@jordshore) is back with another hit list of Toronto openings worth knowing about. From hidden gems on King East to already-packed date night spots, these are the new restaurants and buzzy hangs everyone’s about to pretend they discovered first.

1. The Rosebud

A true hidden gem on King Street East, the Rosebud is a chic neighbourhood spot, from chef Eric Valente and partner Tam Phan, serving dishes with Asian, French and Italian influences. The beloved scallop dish may be gone with the new spring menu, but there’s still plenty worth going back for. 498 King St. E.

On the table: The ricotta lemon agnolotti and potato bread with honey butter are non-negotiables.

2. The Dirty Laundry

Major Toronto industry players Robin Goodfellow and Aldo Pescatore-Tardioli are behind this funky new West

Queen West spot bringing a much-needed sense of affordability back to the city. Come for the cocktails (most are just $13–$16) and stay for the TexMex-inspired menu. 1186 Queen St. W.

On the table: The club and the blistered shishitos are the move.

3. Liliana

One of the hardest reservations to score in Toronto, Liliana has quickly become a go-to date night spot thanks to chef Marvin Palomo’s Asian-influenced Italian cuisine. It’s the kind of place made for sharing plates and stretching the night out.

1198 Queen St. W.

On the table: The tuna crudo, octopus and aglio e olio are it.

4. Bar Allegro

Bar Pompette was once again named Canada’s second-best bar, and the team has recently opened Bar Allegro a few doors down on College Street — a stylish, New York–inspired aperitivo bar made for easygoing drinks and snacky plates with friends. Sip wine by the wine well at the front and settle in for a slow, casual night that still feels a little special. 597 College St. On the table: Order the deviled eggs and bone marrow, I’m still craving them weeks later.

5. Eggslut

King West is now home to Eggslut, the massively popular California breakfast sandwich chain that I admittedly have mixed feelings about. There’s no denying the sandwiches hit, but fair warning: this is not your cheap morning breakfast run. 545 King St. W.

On the table: Try the Fairfax with bacon, plus a Cinnamon Toast cold brew on the side.

Queen West has a new pizza obsession

There is a specific art to a good all-day neighbourhood spot, and Queen West just landed one.

Opened a few months ago, Sovily Pizza Bar & Café is a total passion project. The husband-and-wife team behind it designed the entire space themselves, swapping out typical cafe minimalism for massive, custom wall art you can actually stare at while drinking your morning coffee. They are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., covering everything from early espresso runs to mid-afternoon cravings. The kitchen balances thincrust pizzas, heavy-duty Italian pizza sandwiches and a breakfast menu that doesn't skimp on carbs.

Yorkville

gets a new Tokyo speakeasy

Yorkville has a new late-night spot, and it's not another thumping club. Toki is a small speakeasy tucked behind an unmarked door inside W Toronto, spinning vinyl the way Tokyo jazz cafés did back in the 1950s.

Instead of standard, uninspired morning fare, Sovily serves up massive plates such as its protein omelette — stuffed with beef sausage, pas-

trami and fried onions — served alongside roasted potatoes and fresh, airy panuozzo bread. Then there is the item currently blowing up local

feeds: the breakfast pizza. At Sovily they open the sourdough crust flat, layer it with a creamy spinach mix and blistered cherry tomatoes and bake it to order.

On the pizza front, the immediate standout is the truffle mushroom, a slice loaded with smoked mozzarella, mascarpone and truffle oil. If you are leaning toward lunch, skip the standard deli slices. They use that same warm, freshly baked pizza crust to build their sandwiches — like the Montreal turkey or the massive roast beef pocket jammed with pickles and garlic aïoli.

Find Sovily at 779 Queen St. W.

—Jennifer Schembri

Named after the Japanese word for time, the space is designed around a slower, more intentional pace for both music and service. Inside, velvet drapery softens the room and helps with the acoustics, and low lighting and a vinyl setup, backed by Canadian hi-fi brand Kanto Audio, keep things grounded in sound. The cocktail program is structured around flavour sensibilities rather than traditional categories. Standouts include the Spring Wind — which captures the brief moment when late citrus meets early spring strawberry — and the Green Samurai, inspired by the stillness of a moss garden. There's also a dedicated machine ensuring each signature highball is perfectly chilled, highly carbonated and executed with technical precision.

To pair with the rare Japanese whiskies, Michelin-starred chef Akira Back has curated a shareable menu of small plates weaving together light, crisp elements and deeper, umami-rich flavours Toki, 90 Bloor St. E., is open Thursday through Sunday, 6 p.m. to late. —JS

Jordan enjoying a decidedly not-cheap sammy from Eggslut

Toki spins vinyl late into the night

One of Sovily’s unique breakfast pizzas

Meet a chef named Lasagna

Toronto chef Kaitlyn Lasagna has a name almost too perfect for the job. Raised in an Italian household where food anchored every occasion, she spent years in the city’s top kitchens, including Woodlot and Robinson Bread. Most recently, she helped shape the menu at Tutto Panino, the buzzy collaboration with Charlotte Day Wilson, before stepping away to launch her own concept: Buon Riso.

The journey is set to begin June 14 as a pop-up at Pasta Forever, where Lasagna works. Pre-orders open the Monday prior, with a potential Sunday residency throughout the summer.

Although many know Sicilian arancini, supplì are their smaller, oblong Roman cousins. Traditionally filled with sauce and mozzarella, they are nicknamed al telefono for the cheese pull that resembles a telephone cord.

For Lasagna, the format offers room to play. Alongside classic flavours, she is leaning into nostalgia with Toronto-inspired ideas, like an elevated Kraft Dinner version.

“I want to make something that feels comforting,” she says. “Who doesn’t love fried foods?”

The name Buon Riso (“good rice”) honours the instinctive cooking Lasagna learned from

Back in 2018, chefs Doug Stephen and Lindsey Mann started serving a late-night Nashville hot chicken special at their Vancouver restaurant. It was supposed to be a secret — something to keep on the down low. Instead, the West Coast went absolutely feral for it, prompting a stand-alone shop that quickly became a Vancouver institution. Now, the team has brought its fiery, cult-favourite phenomenon, DownLow Chicken Shack, to Toronto, tucking a brand new outpost into a cosy spot at 538 Manning Ave.

The team isn’t compromising on the philosophy that made them famous, boldly promising "good-ass, wholesome chickens, not them cheap, sad little birds." To back that up, every piece of poultry is GMO-, hormone- and antibiotic-free, raised on an all-vegetarian diet and fully halalcertified. For the Toronto expansion, they’ve part-

her mother and nonna.

“Growing up in an Italian household, food is the centre of everything,” she says. “It’s how I show love.”

Eventually, she hopes to open a storefront to supply bars across the city.

“I want it to be something that feeds people and brings people together,” she says. “That’s how you know it’s good.

For a chef named Lasagna, this project feels inevitable — rooted in tradition and exactly the kind of comfort Toronto needs.

Visit the Buon Riso pop-up at Pasta Forever, 1693 Dundas St. W. —Lauren DiBenedetto

nered with Ontario’s Giannone Poultry, alongside B.C.’s Rossdown Farms, to ensure premium quality.

The menu centres around birds that are brinesoaked, flawlessly dredged and fried to a shatteringly crisp crunch with customizable heat levels. The star of the menu is The OG Sando, featuring a massive thigh dusted in Nashville spice, topped with crunchy slaw, pickles and DL sauce. Other standouts include the sticky-sweet Cool Honey Sando, the Paisano and the decadent Waffle on the Downlow. There are also budget-friendly picks like a $12.99 Chicken Melt, alongside massive 20-piece tender platters for a crowd. Toronto’s fried chicken scene is crowded, but DownLow’s focus on quality birds and serious heat makes it a serious contender.

—Jennifer Schembri

L-R: Chef Kaitlyn Lasagna, perfecting the sugo

The 905’s newest destination for Tokyo-style udon

Richmond Hill’s food scene has a bit of everything. You can get multi-course dim sum feasts in massive banquet halls or wait in long lines for the newest bubble tea chain. Hinode Udon & Tempura stands out for making its udon from scratch. Inside, the restaurant looks like a quick-service shop in Tokyo. There are solo dining counters, storage baskets under the seats and a self-serve kiosk by the door.

Behind the counter sits a massive noodle machine, which the owner imported from Japan after spending five years there learning the trade. Every morning, they use premium Japanese flour to mix, rest and cut the dough. Because the noodles are fresh, the texture changes depending on how you order them. If you get the cold zaru udon, the noodles are shocked in ice water, making them firm and snappy. or a hot option, the nikutama udon comes with ginger beef and a hot spring egg, and the brothless maze udon lets you mix seasoned minced pork and a runny egg straight into the noodles. There is also a rich curry udon that features a thicker, slightly sweet Japanese curry base that coats the noodles perfectly, as well as a comforting duck breast udon served in hot broth.

UDON MASTER

The owner spent five years in Japan mastering the techniques of kneading and cutting udon dough perfectly.

The kitchen doesn’t rely on instant powders or heavy-handed MSG to carry the flavour. Instead, they simmer their dashi broth daily using niboshi (dried fish) for a clean, savoury base that lets the natural taste of the wheat shine. If you want to round out the meal, the sides skip the usual prefrozen traps. The tempura is fried to order in a remarkably light batter that turns a pale golden colour rather than a heavy brown, so you actually taste the sweet potato, pumpkin, or eggplant inside. There is also a shatteringly crisp, deeply marinated chicken karaage that arrives piping hot.

It gets busy with the local office crowd for the weekday lunch promo, which takes 10 per cent off the bill between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. But because of the ordering kiosks and the fast kitchen turnaround, you can grab a stool, eat a phenomenal bowl of noodles and be out the door in 20 minutes.

With basic bowls starting at just $8, it’s the perfect spot to get a high-quality meal and get on with your day in twenty minutes flat. Hinode Udon & Tempura is located at 324 Hwy. 7, Richmond Hill and is open daily at 11 a.m.

—Jennifer Schembri

X DIAMOND & DIAMOND

What Toronto Bettors Need to Know About Ontario's Gambling Law in 2026

Tips from Sandra Zisckind of Diamond & Diamond Lawyers

SANDRA ZISCKIND

Sandra Zisckind is a lawyer who was called to the Bar in 2003 and practices in the area of Plaintiff personal injury litigation in Toronto

Walk into any Toronto sports bar this season and the same screenglow shows up on a dozen phones, the live odds, the same-game parlay, the next push notification. Four years after Ontario opened its online gambling market, the scale is staggering: $82.7 billion wagered through licensed operators in 2024–25, a 32 per cent jump in one year. Calls to Ontario's problem gambling helpline have climbed 254 per cent since the iGaming market launched in 2022, with the sharpest increases coming from young men and teenage boys.

Sandra Zisckind, Managing Partner at Diamond & Diamond Lawyers, sees the human side of those numbers regularly.

"What people don't appreciate is that gambling can be as addictive or even more so than drugs."

The design of the modern betting app is the part most people miss until it is too late.

"The problem with these gambling apps is the way they make

the most money is the parlays, and the parlays give you that feeling of the near miss that people are chasing."

That "near miss", almost winning on a multi-leg parlay, is the same reward mechanic that drives slot machines.

What Ontario Law Says, and What's Changing in 2026

Two developments matter for anyone who bets online. First, Ontario is launching its long-awaited Centralized Self-Exclusion program, known as BetGuard, in mid2026. A single registration through iGaming Ontario will cut a person off from every licensed online gambling site in the province within 24 hours, replacing the patchwork of operator-by-operator opt-outs in place since 2022. Exclusion periods of up to five years will be available, and operators will be legally required to honour them.

Second, Ontario courts have already established that gambling

providers can be held financially liable when self-exclusion programs fail. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has settled multiple lawsuits brought by people with gambling addictions who were allowed back into casinos despite registering on the self-exclusion list. That precedent, combined with growing "addictive by design" litigation across Canada and the United States is the foundation for civil claims against operators who profit from players they should have blocked.

What to Do Right Now

If gambling has stopped being a hobby, get help right away addiction is treatable, and acting early protects both your recovery and any future claim: Use BetGuard the moment it launches. Until then, register operator-by-operator and call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600.

Keep records: deposits, marketing emails, push notifications, and

any promotions sent after you asked a platform to stop. Speak with a lawyer before signing anything an operator sends you.

Talk to a Lawyer Who Knows Ontario's Gambling Files

When an operator's design choices fuel an addiction and that addiction destroys finances, jobs, and families, the law gives Ontarians options. The team at Diamond and Diamond Lawyers has experience handling gambling addiction claims and related class action litigation across Ontario. For a free consultation, call our 24/7 injury hotline at 1-800-567-HURT or visit diamondlaw.ca to speak with someone now.

Freshly made udon noodles

LO O K I N G B AC K

Before you go... take a look back at when The Beaches was Toronto’s OG summer cottage getaway!

Life’s a beach — and it has been since 1910

Let’s be real, nobody did summer chic quite like early 1900s Toronto! Long before it was a bustling neighbourhood, the Beaches was the ultimate seasonal escape. If you took a stroll down Kew Beach in 1918, the fashion alone would turn heads. Imagine trading your modern bikini for a heavy, woolen one-piece to go canoeing or hitting the sand in a full-length Edwardian dress complete with a matching parasol. Talk about dedication to the look! Life back then was all about community, sunshine and a little bit of lakeside drama. Neighbours gathered for social hours at the

stunning Kew and Balmy Beach clubhouses, which served as the absolute heart of the social scene. For the thrill-seekers, nothing beat screaming down the massive Scarboro Beach Park water chute ride. But the real stars were the fierce women of 1909 paddling war canoes at Balmy Beach, proving they could rule the water in style. With the heroic lifeguards keeping watch from the historic Leuty Station, the neighbourhood established a legacy of lakeside leisure that we are still chasing today. Some things — like a perfect beach day — never go out of style!

Top: Kew Beach postcard circa 1912 First row: Strolling Kew Beach in style, 1918; Scarboro Beach Park water chute, 1908; keeping the paddling tradition alive into the 1930s; the fierce women of Balmy Beach, 1909 Second row: the historic Balmy Beach Clubhouse; the stunning Kew Beach Clubhouse; the iconic Leuty Lifeguard Station; a perfect beach day in 1910

Robin Simpson/Facebook