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These coaches have been linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs' vacancy

Marley Dickinson, Offside — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:58:41 -0400

With former head coach Craig Berube now out of the picture, the Toronto Maple Leafs have an opportunity for a fresh start heading into the 2026-27 season.

Armed with the first-overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft and star players like Auston Matthews and William Nylander, both still under contract for the next two seasons, Toronto appears to still be an attractive spot for any coaching free agents.

But before any talks of what the Maple Leafs will look like with the addition of a first-overall pick, general manager John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin need to decide who will lead the team behind the bench.

The two are reportedly expected to cast a "wide net" in their coaching search, and several names have already surfaced as potential candidates, according to several NHL insiders.

Jay Woodcroft

Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images

Jay Woodcroft, the former Edmonton Oilers coach and current assistant coach of the Anaheim Ducks, has been mentioned as a candidate for the Leafs' vacant role, according to NHL Network's David Pagnotta and Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Speaking on Woodcroft, Friedman said on the May 15 episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast that he thinks Woodcroft will be interviewed by Toronto for this role at some point.

Woodcroft had a bumpy start to his head coaching career in Edmonton, lasting less than a year, but he has since joined Anaheim as an assistant in 2024, helping guide them back to the playoffs.

There's been no word on whether the Leafs have reached out to the Ducks for permission to interview Woodcroft. That's something Toronto would have to do to move forward with any NHL coach still under contract with another team.

David Carle

University of Denver head coach, David Carle, is currently viewed as one of the brightest minds in hockey, and his name has already been mentioned for this vacancy by several insiders, including Friedman.

Friedman said on Monday's episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast that there has been initial contact between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carle to gauge his interest.

In his eight years with Denver's NCAA program, Carle has won three NCAA national championships and held an impressive .694 winning percentage.

Carle reportedly wants to make the jump to the NHL, but the question remains a matter of when. He has reportedly passed on previous opportunities to prioritize his young family.

If the 36-year-old were hired by Toronto, it would make him the youngest head coach in the NHL.

Derek Lalonde

James Guillory/USA TODAY Sports

Derek Lalonde is already inside the organization and will be interviewed as an internal option for head coach, according to David Alter of The Hockey News.

Lalonde is currently serving as the Maple Leafs' assistant coach and played a major role in improving Toronto’s penalty kill this past season, despite the team’s overall disappointing result.

The 53-year-old previously coached the Detroit Red Wings for parts of three seasons before being fired and replaced by Todd McLellan midway through the 2024-25 season.

In his two complete seasons with Detroit, he missed the playoffs on both occasions.

John Gruden

Although the legendary NFL football coach might be what the Maple Leafs locker room needs, this Gruden isn't the same guy.

John Gruden has served as the head coach of the Toronto Marlies since 2023, and currently has the team in the third round of the AHL playoffs. Friedman said on the May 15 episode of 32 Thoughts that Gruden is someone who's had a decent track record with Toronto's AHL squad and remains an internal option.

Like Lalonde, Gruden is currently under contract with the organization and would offer some familiarity to the players. He could also be a strong fallback option if Toronto misses out on bigger-name targets like Woodcroft or Carle.

Transit in Toronto area bound to cause headaches again this weekend

Natalia Buia — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:49:09 -0400

If your weekend plans involve galavanting around the city, you'd better flex your patience muscle as a couple of transit-related shutdowns are scheduled for this weekend.

With so much going on in the city this weekend, such as the return of Doors Open Toronto, the Bruno Mars concert at Rogers Stadium, outdoor markets like Kensington Flea, plus the Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre on Saturday, streets will be more crowded than usual, and travel times may move at a snail's pace.

As I always say, it's not a real Toronto weekend without traffic congestion and gridlock.

If you have access to a car, it looks like it might be a safer bet. There are no planned closures on any of Toronto's major highways, like the Don Valley Parkway or the Gardiner, this weekend. The caveat: finding (and paying) for parking.

However, if you rely on public transit to get around, you may come across a few hiccups, so brace yourself.

Lakeshore West GO

To accommodate the GO Expansion, a portion of the Lakeshore West line will be out of service Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24. Trains will not be running from Toronto Union Station to Aldershot, so if you're in Burlington and want to visit the city, you'll have to hop on a bus instead.

Metrolinx says train service will only run between Niagara Falls and Aldershot, but GO buses will make stops at West Harbour, Aldershot, Burlington, Oakville, Clarkson GO and Bramalea GO.

Line 2 Bloor-Danforth

Subway service will be limited this weekend, as well as over seven kilometres of track, to be shut down on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24. Kennedy and Woodbine stations on the Line 2 Bloor-Danforth will be out of service this weekend, meaning you'll have to use shuttle bus service or GO Transit to get in and out of the downtown core.

Aside from all that, there aren't any major road closures scheduled for this weekend, so hopefully this doesn't completely spoil your weekend plans. Have fun out there, Toronto.

Costco Canada recalls pill bottles with potential 'loose metal pieces'

Irish Mae Silvestre — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:35:36 -0400

Costco Canada shoppers might want to check their cabinets, as the warehouse retail chain has just issued a new recall.

On Tuesday, Costco Canada shared an email on its website alerting shoppers to a nationwide recall of the Kirkland Signature Women 50+ (multivitamin and minerals) Tablets. According to Canadian manufacturer Vita Health Products, the company initiated the voluntary recall due to "the potential presence of loose metal pieces in the pill bottle."

The recall only affects bottles with <L>5J46568W7 and EXP FE/2028 printed on the neck of the pill bottle, and no other lot numbers have been impacted by the recall. The affected lot was sold online and at Costco warehouses between February 2026 and May 2026.

Customers are urged not to consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute the recalled product.

Costco.ca

The recall has been categorized as a type two. According to Health Canada, a type two designation applies to a situation in which "the use of, or exposure to, a product may cause temporary adverse health."

"We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and ask you to please pass this letter along to anyone to whom a bottle of Kirkland Signature Women 50+ (multivitamin and minerals) Tablets may have been given," states Vita Health Products.

If you have the recalled product, you can head to a Costco warehouse to return it to receive a full refund.

For information, customers can contact Vita Health Customer Service at 1 (877) 637-7557 or vitacs@vitahealth.ca.

Costco Canada has several ongoing recalls.

On May 15, an email warned Ontario shoppers to immediately stop using a specific brand of shampoo and conditioner due to "possible elevated microbial levels." In April, Costco issued a nationwide recall for a pizza kit due to "the potential for mould growth."

Here are all of the free outdoor movies you can watch in Toronto this summer

Katy Brennan — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:00:32 -0400

Free outdoor movies are once again returning to Toronto parks next month, giving you the perfect excuse to get out and make the most of those long summer evenings.

Toronto Outdoor Picture Show has just announced its full movie lineup, and there's lots to look forward to.

Things kick off on opening weekend at Christie Pits Park (June 26 to 28) with Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, a comedy set right here in Toronto and end on August 23 with an audience choice. Pick between Millenium Actress (2001), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Life of Pi (2012), Roman Holiday (1953), Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985), or Little Miss Sunshine (2006). To vote, simply make a charitable donation of $25 or more and choose your favourite!

Highlights of the festival include a special appearance from actors Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol, as well as a 35th anniversary screening of Thelma & Louise (1991).

Showtimes start at sundown, but be sure to arrive early to get a good spot.

Here's all of the movies you can catch this summer.

Christie Pits Park

June 26 — Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (2025)
June 27 — One of Them Days (2025)
June 28 — Güeros (2018)
July 5 — Arrival (2016)
July 12 — The Muppet Movie (1979)
July 19 — It Must Be Heaven (2019)
July 26 — O Brother, Where art Thou? (2000)
August 2 — Titanic (1997)
August 9 — Thelma & Louise (1991)
August 16 – Faces Places (Visages Villages) (2017)
August 23 — Audience choice

Corktown Common

July 2 — Back to the Future (1985)
July 9 — Wildhood (2021)
Jul 16 — Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
July 23 — It Was Just an Accident (2025)
July 30 — Speed (1994)

Bell Manor Park

August 13 — The Queen of My Dreams (2023)
August 14 — The Princess Bride (1987)
August 15 — Paddington (2014)

TTC offering free rides from Rogers Stadium in Toronto

Natalia Buia — Thu, 21 May 2026 11:36:31 -0400

Toronto's newest and most inconveniently located concert venue, Rogers Stadium, caused a lot of headaches for concertgoers when it first opened in 2025, but at least transit was free.

This summer, the TTC will once again be offering free rides home from the venue.

Thanks to a renewed partnership between the transit agency and Live Nation, the world's largest live entertainment company, fans can hop on the TTC at Downsview Park, Sheppard West, or Wilson stations after concerts at no cost.

Riders just need to show their event ticket to TTC staff before boarding.

Transit is the best way to get to and from the stadium, and we’re excited to offer all ticket holders free rides home on the TTC after the show! pic.twitter.com/beEYLuC7IV
— RogersStadium (@Rogers_Stadium) May 21, 2026

To accommodate the thousands of music lovers travelling north for concerts, the TTC says it will run additional service on both Line 1 Yonge-University and Line 2 Bloor–Danforth on concert nights.

The 2026 concert season at Rogers Stadium kicks off this weekend with five back-to-back Bruno Mars shows beginning May 23. Other major concerts on the calendar include Mumford and Sons, Noah Kahan, and the Foo Fighters.

The stadium also unveiled its new food and drink menu for 2026, which includes guitar-shaped wine glasses and performance-inspired items like Uptown Funky Fries.

Toronto Blue Jays fans are questioning player's new Batman-themed tattoo

Marley Dickinson, Offside — Thu, 21 May 2026 11:33:05 -0400

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Nathan Lukes has been sidelined for the past month with a hamstring injury. As he begins his rehab assignment in Florida, something completely unrelated to baseball has become a major talking point among fans.

On Wednesday, Lukes had his first rehab game with the Dunedin Blue Jays. Lukes went a rare zero-for-zero in three plate appearances with two walks and a sac-fly, but it wasn't his unique stat line that made headlines.

Instead, fans focused on a new tattoo visible on Lukes' left forearm via a Dunedin Blue Jays X post. The tattoo features what appears to be a Batman logo filled with the American flag and a thin blue line through the middle.

Traditionally, the thin blue line symbol is associated with support for law enforcement officers and first responders. What confused fans was the inclusion of Batman, who is obviously a fictional vigilante character often portrayed as operating outside the law.

That's a tattoo choice... #bluejays https://t.co/hkQsP8EHIo pic.twitter.com/RHR3lQdERf
— Liz McGuire (@lizzzzzzzzzzy) May 21, 2026

"Batman is basically a guy that ignores the law and takes matters into his own hands because he believes police are ineffective," one fan wrote.

"Ah, yes, Batman. The superhero who famously goes behind the back and against the orders of the police because they can't do their job. Big cop guy that one is," wrote another.

According to reports online, the meaning behind the tattoo is more personal than political.

Lukes' older brother, Shea, has worked as a deputy sheriff in Sacramento County for nearly a decade, and the two brothers bonded over Batman growing up. Lukes' tattoo appears to be a combination of those two influences.

Before suffering the hamstring injury on April 24, Lukes had quietly become one of Toronto's hottest hitters at the plate. In his last 20 plate appearances before going on the injured list, he was batting above .500.

His offensive turnaround came after a brutal start to the season, where he couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat. It was later revealed that Lukes had been dealing with vertigo during the opening weeks of the year and even saw a specialist during Toronto's mid-April series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The 31-year-old also played an important role in Toronto's World Series run last fall, and with the Blue Jays searching for more offensive consistency as of late, getting him back would provide a much-needed boost.

Ikea China's extensive food menu will make Canadians a little jealous

Irish Mae Silvestre — Thu, 21 May 2026 10:46:37 -0400

Those familiar with the food options at Ikea Canada might get just a tiny bit jealous of what diners can get at locations in China.

From steak to regional desserts, Ikea restaurants in China serve options that are far different from what shoppers in Canada are used to seeing. Content creator Zaza is based in China, where he films videos of home cooking, grocery hauls, and what it's like to live "alone in a tiny room on a tiny budget."

In a recent video, he shared his experience dining at Ikea in the city of Guangzhou.

"Most people know Ikea for its furniture, but in China, it became known for something completely different: the food," stated Zaza. "Some people even come here just to eat. So today, we're exploring what food in Ikea China is really like."

@zazaeatschina/YouTube

He added that when Ikea first opened in China, it became more than just a store, but a place for "room inspiration, cheap meals, dates, photos, and even weekend hangouts."

In addition to the iconic Swedish meatballs, Canada currently has its own local offerings: chicken balls in tikka masala sauce, falafel balls, and Swedish poutine. However, Guangzhou has its own menu items that we definitely wouldn't mind trying in Canada.

The options look pretty amazing: vegetarian rice (CNY9.99/C$2.02), salmon korokke (croquette) (CNY9.99/C$2.02), salmon wellington (CNY34.99/C$7.07), chicken leg (CNY14.99/C$3.03), cheezy beef rolls (CNY17.99/C$3.64), lamb skewer (CNY12.99/C$2.63), yam and chicken soup (CNY9.99/C$2.02), and pollock fingers (CNY7.99/C$1.61). And while Ikea Canada offers plant balls, the vegetarian equivalent of the meatballs, in Guangzhou, you can order a veggie burger; however, Zaza doesn't seem too impressed.

"The veggie burger uses soy-based products instead of meat," he explained. "It's a nice texture, but the taste is just okay."

It turns out that Ikea in Guangzhou also offers several meatier options, such as the steak pasta dish for CNY66.98 (C$13.54).

"The steak is cooked perfectly — not dry or tough, with a pleasant chew and just the right seasoning," states Zaza. "The past is cooked just right, nice and springy, and the sauce is flavourful without being heavy."

Next up is the black pepper beef rice for CNY29.99 (C$6.06), which, according to Zaza, is the only Chinese main dish left on the menu.

"Back when Ikea was at its peak, the food variety was way bigger; they had several Chinese dishes, too. But now, they're mostly gone," he said.

To wrap up his meal, Zaza opts for a cinnamon roll and tiramisu, and he has a clear favourite.

"We Chinese aren't big on super-sweet desserts, but this tiramisu is a winner," he shared. "It's smooth, just sweet enough, and the flavour is wonderfully rich."

But it's not quite the end of his Ikea culinary tour.

@zazaeatschina/YouTube

On his way out, Zaza stops at the bistro to order an ice-cream cone, and the flavours are impressive: avocado-flavour ice-cream for CNY3 (C$0.61), and a colourful earth-coloured sorbet made with matcha and coconut for CNY4 (C$0.81).

Safe to say, we wish at least some of these menu items would make their way to Ikea restaurants in Canada.

Watch the full video below:

Ontario's Best Butter Tart Festival presented by Chapman's is back this June

Staff — Thu, 21 May 2026 09:00:45 -0400

Heads up, Toronto. There's a very important event on the horizon — one that celebrates a monumental Canadian dessert and all of its mouthwatering interpretations across a single day of buttery deliciousness.

Yes, Ontario's Best Butter Tart Festival presented by Chapman's is back for its 2026 iteration, and you don't want to miss out.

The best of the butter tarts

Picture downtown Midland lined with vendors selling everything from butter tarts to unique handmade items. And no, these aren't just any old butter tarts – along with classic plain, raisin, pecan, and walnut, you can also expect innovative flavours such as Skor, bacon, PB&J, cheesecake, and more.

There will be gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free options available so that everyone can enjoy the art of the tart.

And in good festival fashion, you can also expect live music, kids' activities, and family-friendly fun. Is there a better way to spend Father's Day weekend?

A sweet surprise

This year, Chapman's is serving up something special. Not only will this much-anticipated event have over 300,000 butter tarts onsite, but visitors can also enjoy free samples of Champan’s new Premium Pecan Butter Tart ice cream flavour.

This exciting interpretation of the iconic Canadian dessert has a luscious butter tart flavour with gentle hints of maple, and is filled with praline pecans and pieces of sugar cookies. It's layers upon layers of sweet Canadian goodness, reminiscent of the nostalgic flavours of the butter tarts your grandparents used to make.

If you think it can't get much more Canadian than that, think again. Not only is Chapman's a Canadian-owned and operated company, but it also only uses Canadian dairy in all of its ice cream products.

Celebrating Canadian desserts

With convenient and free shuttle service, free bike valet service, and free transit, it's as easy as ever to check out Ontario's Best Butter Tart Festival presented by Chapman's.

Head on down to downtown Midland on June 14, to see who emerges victorious in the Traditional and Wild Style Best Butter Tart categories, and to sample Chapman's new Pecan Butter Tart ice cream.

Ontario's Best Butter Tart Festival presented by Chapman's

Where: Yonge Street to Bayshore Drive, Midland, ON
When: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free

FIFA World Cup price tag could exceed $1 billion in Toronto and Vancouver

Kenneth Chan, Daily Hive — Thu, 21 May 2026 07:49:37 -0400

Canada's role in hosting the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup in Vancouver and Toronto is becoming more expensive than originally anticipated, according to a new report today from Canada's Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO).

When the spending by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments are combined, the total Canadian public expenditures connected to the tournament could reach about $1.07 billion. This includes $473 million coming from the federal government, and $593 million from the Government of British Columbia, Government of Ontario, City of Vancouver, City of Toronto, and other public entities.

Vancouver is hosting seven matches at BC Place Stadium, including two group stage matches with Team Canada and two knockout rounds, while Toronto is hosting six matches, including the country's first-ever FIFA World Cup match played on home, which includes the country's opening ceremony for the tournament before the opening match (with Team Canada playing) and one knockout round. Both cities are also providing dedicated practice facilities for the teams and hosting major official free FIFA Fan Festivals throughout the tournament's duration.

The Government of British Columbia's latest budget update for Vancouver's hosting costs was made in June 2025, when it was announced that the total costs would reach a range of between $532 million and $624 million, including between $171 million and $181 million for BC Place Stadium renovations and tournament-time operational costs and up to $145 million for a generous contingency fund to cover any unexpected costs and market inflation. This total cost estimate is up from the April 2024 update of between $483 million and $581 million. From the outset, when Vancouver was named as a host city in 2022, it was assumed the city would host fewer matches — a total of five or six matches.

The PBO's report states Vancouver's overall FIFA World Cup-related costs are now projected to approach approximately $578 million, while Toronto's commitments may reach roughly $380 million. This is up from $300 million in 2022, when Toronto was confirmed as a host city and also assumed to host fewer matches — five matches.

According to the City of Toronto's 2025 budget, the allocated $380 million for the tournament includes $236 million for operating costs — including a contingency fund of nearly $31 million — and $144 million for capital costs.

A major driver behind the escalating costs is security. The 2026 tournament will feature 48 national teams and 104 matches across North America, with millions of international visitors expected to travel throughout the host countries.

More than one million visitors could arrive in Canada for the FIFA World Cup leading up to and during the five-week-long tournament period. Large-scale international sporting events increasingly require sophisticated and expensive security frameworks involving numerous law enforcement, intelligence, and federal authorities and departments. Security costs for major sporting events have risen sharply worldwide over the past two decades due to evolving global threats and the logistical complexity of protecting massive crowds and high-profile athletes.

According to the PBO, out of the $473 million being spent by the federal government to support both host cities, $220 million will go to the federal government's Canadian Heritage department to directly support the operating costs of the host cities, $145 million will go to Public Safety Canada to support security activities, $79 million will go to the RCMP for its security operations, and the remaining $29 million will go to Canada Border Security Agency, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, Public Safety Canada, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Invest Canada, and Canadian Heritage.

The $145 million in federal funding for Public Safety Canada's security expenditures was announced in April 2026.

Furthermore, the host cities have signed agreements with FIFA outlining detailed expectations and hosting responsibilities.

The PBO's report acknowledges that the costs could increase over the coming weeks, given the likelihood that provincial and municipal governments may make public their latest estimated cost figures closer to the tournament.

During a press conference last week to unveil BC Place Stadium's upgrades, Premier David Eby said an updated total cost estimate for the tournament in Vancouver will be made before the end of May. He maintains that the costs are worth the short- and long-term benefits.

"It is a key piece of information for the public, but the legacies that will be created by this game, whether it's community sports fields or the improvements here to the stadium that will create lines of revenue, or the opportunity to develop and enhance relationships with business partners or tourists from around the world, is significant and hard to understate," said Eby.

"We have a number of partners that we're coordinating with in terms of releasing full disclosure. We do have a desire to release it all at once rather than in pieces. As you know, we just recently finalized an agreement with the federal government in terms of contribution to the security costs. This is ongoing work that we're doing with our partners and I look forward to having a full accounting for the public by the end of the month."

Chris May, the general manager of BC Place Stadium, told us last week the combined upgrade and tournament-time operating costs for the venue are within the established budget envelope of between $171 million and $181 million for the work.

Another key partner is, of course, the City of Vancouver, which is serving as the role as FIFA's local organizing committee in Vancouver. In the June 2025 budget update, it was noted that out of the estimated $532 million to $624 million in total costs, Vancouver's municipal government would be responsible for $246 million to $276 million, which covers a major part of the tournament operating costs, public safety, security, traffic management, training sites, and the FIFA Fan Festival at the PNE fairgrounds in Hastings Park.

However, the overwhelming majority of the City of Vancouver's FIFA World Cup costs is set to be covered by the temporary FIFA hotel sales tax applied on overnight hotel room bookings within Vancouver's jurisdiction. This tax paid by visitors to the city first began in 2023 and it is set to end in 2030, with the municipal government anticipating roughly $230 million in revenues over the seven-year lifespan of the additional tax on nightly stays.

From the outset, during the bidding process, before FIFA chose Canada, the United States, and Mexico to jointly host the 2026 tournament, the approach taken to bring the FIFA World Cup back to North America was to use existing stadiums and infrastructure, with relatively minimal capital costs compared to previous hosts. This is very much unlike past FIFA World Cup hosts in 2014 (Brazil), 2018 (Russia), and 2022 (Qatar), which invested significantly in building brand-new stadiums, transportation infrastructure, accommodations, and other city-building measures.

However, even with this modest approach on capital costs, according to the PBO, Canada's costs are still relatively comparable to past hosts with exponentially larger construction efforts. The average per match hosting costs for the Canadian cities will reach US$59.6 million — lower than Russia's US$79.6 million per match and Brazil's US$91 million per match.

The host countries of the subsequent FIFA World Cup tournaments in 2030 (Morocco, Portugal, and Spain) and 2034 (Saudi Arabia) will be completely deviating from the 2026 approach by building new stadiums and extensive infrastructure. For instance, Morocco is building not only new stadiums but also a high-speed rail line to connect its host cities, while Saudi Arabia's total costs could reach up to US$250 billion.

A 100-year-old Toronto bungalow is going for under $600,000

Misha Gajewski — Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Toronto real estate listings love to describe run-down homes as "full of potential," but very few are brave enough to openly admit a property "reflects its age and may be considered dated."

But that's exactly how 25 Madelaine Ave. is being marketed.

The 100-year-old detached two-bedroom bungalow near Victoria Park Station is currently on the market and, well… yeah. It's definitely dated.

The front entrance.

Not in the chic "carefully preserved vintage charm" kind of way either.

The living room.

More in the "why are there cabinets there?" kind of way.

One of two bathrooms.

The house has a slightly chaotic energy throughout. There are shutter blinds everywhere, some oddly placed built-ins, and the floors and walls seem to have entered into a mild disagreement about what "straight" means.

A bedroom.

Even the AI-generated redesign photos somehow make the place feel more confusing.

Another bedroom.

And yet, despite all that, this house weirdly isn't a total lost cause because underneath the quirks, there's a pretty compelling opportunity here.

The backyard.

The bungalow sits on a quiet cul-de-sac, backs directly onto a schoolyard, and faces a park, which is the kind of setup Toronto buyers usually have to fight 14 other bidders to get.

The living room.

The house itself is probably either a full gut renovation or a complete teardown depending on your budget, vision, and emotional tolerance for surprise plumbing discoveries.

The kitchen.

But the lot is 25 by 113 feet, so there's enough space here to potentially build a solid family home in an area where detached houses can sell for upwards of $1.4 million, which makes the current $599,900 asking price feel surprisingly reasonable by Toronto standards.

The unfinished basement

The listing positions the property as an alternative to condo living since the home currently only has two bedrooms, though it also notes there's potential to convert it into a three-bedroom home down the line.

A hallway.

And honestly, even in its current state, it still offers something a condo can't: actual outdoor space, privacy, and freedom from condo board emails about "acceptable balcony decor."

The view from the street.

Honestly, that alone might be worth the renovation chaos. Add in the fact that 25 Madelaine Ave. is within walking distance of Victoria Park Station and suddenly that ancient wall-mounted air conditioner from the '90s doesn’t seem so bad after all.

Ontario Line subway station looking spectacularly massive in new photos

Jack Landau — Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Toronto's new Ontario Line subway is taking shape across various sites across the city, though much of this generational transit investment is happening deep underground, away from the prying eyes of passersby.

But Metrolinx is letting us all in on the behind-the-scenes action of this large-scale subterranean undertaking that will introduce the first new subway tunnels to downtown Toronto in generations, and relieve overcrowded TTC interchanges.

The 15.6-kilometre Ontario Line, set to connect Exhibition Place with the Line 5 Eglinton, will feature two separate tunnelled sections, two major bridges, and an elevated guideway, and add 15 stations to the local rapid transit network when it opens in the 2030s.

Construction of the tunnelled stretch through downtown Toronto has been one of the over $27 billion project's most mammoth jobs. Twin tunnel boring machines recently launched near Exhibition Place, while work continues on downtown stations below major intersections.

Among these underground downtown stops, the line's future King West station is rapidly beginning to resemble, well, a station.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ontario Line (@ontarioline)

The excavation of caverns below intersections — accessed via pits carved behind the sound cover of massive acoustic shelters — has progressed ahead of the tunnel boring machines' arrival at the station sites, and new behind-the-scenes photos shared by Metrolinx offer a glimpse at the colossal scale of the tube-shaped cavern below King and Bathurst.

Here's hoping we'll all be seeing these impressive underground voids in-person just a few years down the road.

Toronto's first post office is facing a financial crisis and uncertain future

Kimia Afshar Mehrabi — Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Toronto's First Post Office, located on Adelaide Street East just east of Jarvis Street, is not only still fully functioning but is also a National Historic Site, museum, and one of the city's most important educational spaces.

Despite this, it's facing an uncertain future due to ongoing financial shortfalls.

Operated by the non-profit charity, the Town of York Historical Society, the site is Canada's oldest purpose-built post office that's still in operation and the country's only museum dedicated specifically to postal history.

Originally restored by the Society and reopened in 1983, the building was brought back to life with its original purpose in mind (as a working post office) while also expanding into a museum space that showcases early Toronto life, between 1793 and 1867.

Today, the site functions as a hybrid space: a museum, research centre, stationary hub, archival collection, and an authorized full-service dealer for Canada Post.

Its programming focuses on the history of the Town of York as well as the City of Toronto through exhibitions, walking tours, talks, workshops, and educational events. The museum also maintains a curated collection of artifacts, archives, and library materials, which are often showcased through rotating exhibits and community events.

One of its current exhibitions, titled "Love is in the Mail", runs until Oct. 1 and was curated by students from the University of Toronto's Master of Museum Studies capstone project. The temporary exhibit shares "detailed examples of historic love letters from Torontonian residents" in the 19th century, and explains the courting regulations and social customs of the time.

Despite its historic significance, the joint museum and post office is facing financial hardships and relies heavily on donations, memberships, and annual grants to keep its operations up and running.

The non-profit charity has even launched a GoFundMe campaign, which has so far just raised $575 out of its $1,100 target. Without immediate financial support, the Town of York Historical Society warns that programming reductions (and in a worst-case scenario, closure) could be on the table, which would result in a major cultural loss for Toronto.

Admission to the site is by donation (no tickets required), which can be made via the museum's website.

Toronto's First Post Office is located at 260 Adelaide St. E.

CNE is hiring for summer jobs in Toronto

Kimia Afshar Mehrabi — Wed, 20 May 2026 22:00:00 -0400

If you're currently on the hunt for a summer job in Toronto, make sure to start cleaning up your resume as soon as possible, because the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is hiring for dozens of seasonal positions ahead of the annual end-of-summer fair.

With well over a million visitors every year, "The Ex" is searching for tons of hard-working candidates to ensure its operations run smoothly this year, with jobs ranging from bartenders to attendants and ticket sellers.

On Wednesday, the CNE announced that applications are now open for summer roles, including costume characters, lost and found attendants, info booth attendants, traffic controllers, entertainment runners, admission ticket sellers, and gate attendants.

The CNE is now hiring for seasonal roles! 🎉

Join Canada's most iconic summer tradition this August and be part of something unforgettable.

Apply now: https://t.co/C9vPOUzxpZ pic.twitter.com/4ptetl1D7K
— letsgototheex (@LetsGoToTheEX) May 20, 2026

For most of the seasonal positions, you must be at least 14 to 18 years old, and available to work all 18 days of the fair, which takes place between Aug. 21 and Sept. 7, 2026.

On top of being available to work flexible hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays (Labour Day), you'll also need to attend mandatory HR and job-specific orientations in early to mid-August.

Last year, the CNE reported a record 54,000 online applications for its annual job fair, which typically takes place a few weeks before the summer festival begins. Despite this, there were approximately 5,000 positions available, including game attendants, food service staff, cashiers, and midway operators.

If none of the positions listed spark your interest so far, you can hold off until the job fair later in the summer — but expect even more competition.

You can find a full list of the available seasonal positions on the CNE's website.

Canadian iPhone users eligible for proposed class-action lawsuit against Apple

Irish Mae Silvestre — Wed, 20 May 2026 20:00:00 -0400

Canadian iPhone users could be part of a new class-action lawsuit proposed against Apple, accusing the brand of falsely advertising Apple Intelligence features.

On May 11, Consumer Law Group filed the class-action lawsuit against Apple Inc. and Apple Canada Inc. in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice over claims of "deceptive marketing and advertising of the Apple iPhone 16 suite of products."

In addition to iPhone 16 users, the lawsuit applies to Canadians who purchased certain iPhone 15 models. A separate lawsuit was filed on behalf of Quebec residents.

The proposed lawsuit comes after Apple agreed in May to settle a similar U.S. class-action lawsuit for at least US$250 million.

The allegations

According to the Statement of Claim, Apple began promoting its latest iPhone products in the summer of 2024, emphasizing its Apple Intelligence range of features, including a more advanced AI-powered Siri.

However, the lawsuit alleges that the company "convinced customers to purchase either or both of these iPhones on the basis of Artificial Intelligence features that were not actually available at the time of the advertisement, or at the time of purchase, and some of which remain unavailable today."

It also alleges that Apple failed to disclose the fact that several features were unavailable at the time of purchase and remain "in development" and won't be available until at least late 2026.

"As a result, consumers got less than their money's worth in purchasing a phone that did not have features Apple prominently advertised," states the law firm's website.

The court document alleges that Apple violated several laws, including the Consumer Protection Act, the Competition Act, and the Sales of Goods Act. Apple is also being accused of breaching its contract with consumers by selling them phones that weren't equipped with all the advertised features.

Are you eligible?

You could be eligible if you meet the following criteria:

You purchased an iPhone 16 (any model)
You purchased an iPhone 15 Pro and/or Pro Max

If you qualify, you can join the class action by signing up online and providing your personal information and contact details.

How much could you receive?

For now, the amount isn't available yet as the class-action lawsuit is still in the proposal stage and still has to be certified. The law firm is seeking compensation for out-of-pocket and inconvenience expenses, as well as restitution for class members.

We reached out to Apple Canada for a comment and will update this story once it receives a response.

Apple has previously faced a class-action lawsuit in Canada involving its iPhones.

In 2024, a B.C. Supreme Court judge approved the $14.4-million settlement in a class action against Apple in Canada, claiming that performance mitigation features of Apple's iOS software (versions 10.2.1, 10.3, 11, and/or 11.2 for iPhones) caused defects, leading the iPhones to "prematurely age, degrade, or shut down unexpectedly."

Disgraced former MLB star surprises Ontario youth team days before prison sentencing

Marley Dickinson, Offside — Wed, 20 May 2026 14:18:30 -0400

When the Toronto Maple Leafs baseball team signed former MLB All-Star Yasiel Puig last month, many locals were in disbelief.

It might have been a mix between the Canadian Baseball League's amateur status and why a former MLB star would want to play here, or the fact that the 35-year-old is currently awaiting prison sentencing in a high-profile U.S. federal sports gambling case.

Despite the off-field attention, Puig has certainly embraced this new baseball opportunity with Toronto. The former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder homered in each of his first two at-bats with the Maple Leafs and has made appearances all around the city.

On Tuesday night, Puig surprised two youth baseball teams at a U11 game between the Vaughan Vikings and the Orillia Royals at Tudor District Park in Vaughan, Ont.

"Nice visit from Yasiel Puig with our friends from the Orillia Royals," the Vaughan Vikings shared on Instagram alongside photos of the two teams posing with Puig.

Former MLB star Yasiel Puig pulled up to a York Simcoe Baseball Association game between Vaughan Vikings and Orilla Royals. (@vaughanvikings2015aa/Instagram)

In February, Puig was found guilty in U.S. federal court of running an illegal sports betting operation and lying to federal prosecutors. He could reportedly face up to 20 years in prison.

Puig's final game for Toronto could come Saturday on the road against the defending CBL champion Welland Jackfish. However, Maple Leafs CEO Keith Stein previously said the organization is not concerned about the controversy or potentially losing the former MLB star.

"The issues have been dealt with by the justice system and more qualified parties," Stein told the Toronto Star. "We are focused on putting the best talent we can on the field that we can be proud of. We think Puig is on the right track in his personal life."

Puig's future in the Canadian Baseball League could become clearer in the coming days, as he is scheduled to appear in federal court in Los Angeles for sentencing on May 26.