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National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada: its meaning, history and the day-off question
10 min readRead the story
Toronto, at a glance
Toronto news
Stories, election explainers and city updates, with the context behind the headlines and sources you can follow.
Explore storiesStories & explainers
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada: its meaning, history and the day-off question
June 21 celebrates First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures and contributions. Here is the history behind it, its place in Toronto, and what it means for your workday.
10 min read
Olivia Chow and Jack Layton: a Toronto love story and political partnership
From a charity auction to an Island wedding, two political careers and a very public goodbye: the history of a partnership rooted in Toronto.
11 min read
Toronto’s 2026 municipal election: the candidates, the stakes and how to vote
A crowded mayoral ballot, a consequential budget debate and a changed school-board map. Here is how to make sense of Toronto’s October 26 election.
11 min read
The GTA’s 2026 municipal elections: a closer look at Mississauga, Brampton and Markham
One election day, three very different ballots. The candidates, voting options and council decisions that matter across Peel and York.
12 min readHousing, arts, streets and community news, with the details that matter and a link to each City announcement.
By Steven Van · City announcements and useful local updates.
217 affordable rental homes open at West Square in Etobicoke
The City says 217 affordable rental homes have opened at 15 Gibbs Road, with studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts. They form part of the larger West Square redevelopment, which is planned to include 1,135 homes altogether, including 347 affordable rentals. The announced affordability period is at least 40 years. This opening announcement does not establish which homes are currently available to apply for.
Read the City’s announcement ↗Nuit Blanche returns October 3 with free overnight art
Toronto’s 20th-anniversary Nuit Blanche is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, October 3, through 7 a.m. Sunday, October 4. The City has announced more than 70 free art projects, including new commissions and returning works. A disability-led Remote Access Hub will also stream programming with audio description, ASL and captions. Check the official project locations before choosing your route; the overnight hours do not mean every transit service runs all night.
Read the City’s announcement ↗School return brings a reminder about safer street crossings
With students returning to class, the City is asking road users to pay particular attention around schools. Its announcement describes more than 950 crossing guards, over 660 school safety zones and more than 1,700 intersections with pedestrian head-start signals. These citywide figures describe the safety program; they do not indicate whether an individual crossing has a guard or a new signal.
Read the City’s announcement ↗Toronto Book Awards shortlist announced ahead of November ceremony
Five titles are on the 2026 Toronto Book Awards shortlist. The winner is due to be announced Tuesday, November 10, at Toronto Reference Library. The City’s announcement links to the complete shortlist, a Toronto Public Library borrowing collection and reservations for the free public ceremony. Check the linked booking page for remaining places; a free event can still require a ticket.
Read the City’s announcement ↗How we cover city announcements
Each brief links to the City’s full announcement and highlights the practical details. Planned projects, scheduled events and completed changes are identified so you can see what is happening and when.
The announcement date and source-check date appear with each update. Read our editorial standards.