Toronto Life

Toronto Life is the city’s most confident, sophisticated and influential publication by helping readers make smart choices about food, shopping and culture.

Toronto Life

THE CONVERSATION

Who’s Pulling the Strings? • Some 102 people ran in the last mayoral by-election, many of them sparkly-eyed optimists hoping to ride a wave of excitement into office and make positive change in the city they love. It’s a charming idea, but the unfortunate truth is that 99 per cent of them stood no chance. Any serious effort requires a paid campaign manager, an expert communications team and heavyweight fundraising. A polling company doesn’t hurt. And yet, of late, we’ve learned even that’s not enough.

Vicious Cycle • Toronto’s e-mobility stance desperately needs an overhaul

Power Broker • Energy Minister Tim Hodgson never wanted to be a politician. Then Trump threatened annexation and Carney came calling

Moving Upmarket • This 30-something just landed his first downtown apartment. He earns $211,000 a year. How does he spend it?

Flex Time • An owner becomes a renter — and couldn’t be happier

Dear Urban Diplomat, • I’m hosting friends and family for Thanksgiving this year, but my sister’s teens have horrible table manners. The last time I ate with these hellions, they talked with their mouths full and gulped down their food like my condo’s garburator. I want to respect my sister’s family, but I don’t want to disgust my other guests. Should I bring it up with her beforehand?

This Canadian Designer Is Getting a Major Retrospective in Doha • At the upcoming Erdem Moralioglu exhibition, Canadian craftsmanship and Qatari traditions converge

Making a Mayor • The new path to ruling Toronto runs through influential political advocacy groups. How American-style tactics took over city politics

FEEDING THE BEAST • When Beast Games crash-landed in Toronto, it was supposed to be a symbiotic relationship: the local film and TV industry would get an injection of cash and jobs, and the production would enjoy generous Canadian tax credits.

HOSTILE TAKEOVER • Last spring, the Ford government seized control of the TDSB, promising to rein in wasteful spending, improve test scores and restore order to public education. A year and a half later, teachers are angry, trustees are powerless and students are floundering. Inside the disastrous supervision of Canada’s largest school board

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SECRETS AND LIES • Growing up mixed-race in Scarborough, I learned to camouflage my identity when it mattered. It was the perfect training for my double life as a CSIS intelligence officer—or so I thought

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What went down at the Toronto Life Garden Party 2026 presented by Tricon Living • A golden evening of food, music and community at the Toronto Botanical Garden

Breakfast Club • Ten new egg sandwiches worth rising and shining for

Endless Summer • A formerly sleepy ’hood has become a happening hotspot

Bruce Cockburn’s Little Italy • The singer-songwriter takes us on a tour of his favourite haunts

The Hot List • A cheat sheet for everything cool (and occasionally cringeworthy) on our radar this month

Stylebook • Fashion dispatches from the party circuit

Unlock the best of Toronto with TL Insider • Join a community of 2,000 Torontonians who get exclusive access to the city’s top experiences

Designed for University, Built for Life

Bugging Out • As a food scientist, I invented a way to turn insects into tofu. Now I’m shaping the future of food in less weird ways