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graphicmatt.com
City columnist, contributing to the Toronto Star & writing the award-winning City Hall Watcher newsletter. A lot about Toronto Politics and then some nerd stuff. Humber College prof. (he/him)
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Wild @nytimes.com story about the Therme deal at Ontario Place. The company claimed it operated multiple spas while only operting one (and it was losing money), heavily implied they owned spas they didn’t own, and took their name & logo from another company. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/w...

submitted 1 day ago • 5 comments

Councillor Josh Matlow wants a report in Q4 on "options to provide more food and beverage offerings in parks.” Envisions "small huts serving hot chocolate and coffee adjacent to outdoor rinks to kiosks serving sandwiches surrounded by picnic tables.” Cool. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

submitted 1 day ago • 2 comments

Councillor Chris Moise says "certain non-profit organizations” are "hosting large-scale rave parties” (?) with AGCO-issued alcohol sale permits. He wants more municipal oversight of these kinds of permits. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

submitted 1 day ago • 3 comments

Motion on the council agenda from Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik proposes a deal to bring 200 Bike Share bikes to Toronto Island this summer. In exchange for waiving their exclusive rights, the existing bike rental business on the island will get a 5 year lease extension. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

submitted 1 day ago • 3 comments

My @thestar.com column this week: climate change has mostly been relegated to the back burner as an issue during this federal election. But with weirder and wilder weather wreaking havoc on service, the TTC can’t ignore the crisis. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

submitted 2 days ago • 1 comment

Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #327! Council expenses for 2024 are out, and I’ve got a look at the costumes, the meetings, and the podcasts — plus council’s biggest road warriors. Plus: a short recap of a short Executive Committee meeting. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/spider-man...

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

Just walked by the aftermath of this one — pick-up truck hit cyclist on the Queen Street bridge. Scary.

submitted 7 days ago • 10 comments

My @thestar.com column this week: So it turns out allowing drinking in some parks didn’t cause the literal end of days. With that proof, it’s time to start thinking about what else Toronto can do to make its parks more active, appealing and fun. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

submitted 7 days ago • 3 comments

TTC and Metrolinx are at odds over number of bus bays that’ll be installed at the new Scarborough Centre subway station. TTC says they need 17. Metrolinx wants to build just 11. TTC says this will mean "slower, less convenient service.” secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

submitted 7 days ago • 5 comments

New data from Toronto Community Bikeways Coalition counts about 15K cyclists on Bloor West (near Bathurst) during a cold week in Feb. At one point, during a Monday rush hour, cyclists were 22% of all road vehicles. static1.squarespace.com/static/5f07a... (PDF)

submitted 7 days ago • 2 comments

At the Planning & Housing Committee meeting this morning, some North Etobicoke residents and BIA expressing concern about a 51-unit supportive housing project, implying they think it might lead to more… local jewelry store robberies? That’s a new one. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #326! LOBBYIST WATCH returns, with notes on an effort to save a banned contractor, a post-snowstorm lobbying flurry and public washrooms. Plus: student housing, police overspending, traffic management and more. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/a-labour-o...

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

New report confirms that, despite the panic from councillors opposed to the idea, allowing alcohol in some parks has not brought about the end times. No significant increase in service requests related to noise/litter. No increase in calls to the cops. Go figure. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

submitted 16 days ago • 7 comments

My @thestar.com column: Toronto councillors awarded themselves a big raise. Now it’s time to earn it. The “colossal fails” on display at last week’s meeting — on issues like buying ferries, clearing snow, and managing shelter access — have got to stop. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

submitted 16 days ago • 3 comments

Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #325! Your recap of the March Council meeting, with notes on the trade war, some “colossal fails” and a pay hike for politicians. Plus: the Quotable Council and a look at how councillors spend their time. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-ap...

submitted 17 days ago • 0 comments

Quick look at the top 100 City of Toronto salaries on the Ontario Sunshine List for 2024. Departing TTC CEO Rick Leary was the top earner, making $670,373 plus benefits, up from $562,326 in 2023. datawrapper.dwcdn.net/y7yFk/1/

submitted 20 days ago • 7 comments