Toronto Life December 2023

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Cop and Robber Katherine Laidlaw’s feature about a crooked cop, his lovesick mistress and their sordid scheme to steal $800,000 from a dead man’s estate pushed all kinds of buttons. Readers commented on police corruption, paid long-term suspensions and the vulnerability of our public institutions. “The most punchable face in town. Disgusting!” —askinghrquestions, Reddit “Such a good read, exposing flaws in the system.” —@MandyinMorocco, X “Until we get a professional police force, we’ll keep seeing this kind of thing. The Toronto Police Service is a sort of guild, whose members feel they are entitled to unlimited tax money to do their jobs as they see fit (or not, as is the case with the TPS). Taxpayers have no oversight of the TPS. The justice system seems to have no oversight…

Debate and dissent are essential to what we do at Toronto Life. As a staff, we regularly spar over all manner of topics. One of my favourite annual traditions begins in midsummer with the kick-off to our search for the year’s most influential Torontonian. It’s a frothy verbal fisticuffs where opinions aren’t worth much without facts to back them up. Eventually, out of the fray emerge contenders for the top spot. This year, by late August, we had three compelling options. One of them was Tiff Macklem, the governor of the Bank of Canada. Over the course of 12 months, he had juiced the key lending rate 3.5 points to sit at a ghastly five per cent. The tick-tock of a rate hike may not be cinematic, but its effects…

“There was a period when we were doing cocaine just to keep the energy up”—Geddy Lee, p. 24 Statistically speaking, this car shouldn’t be here. That’s because it’s a Lexus in the Etobicoke neighbourhood of West Humber-Clairville: one of the most commonly stolen cars in the most commonly targeted area. A record 9,800 vehicles were boosted in Toronto in 2023, many stashed in shipping containers and lost to parts unknown. Still, there are signs of progress. In October, Toronto police charged 228 people—mostly small-time crooks working for international networks—and recovered 1,080 vehicles with a total value of $60 million. But, until they catch the ringleaders, all we can do is park indoors, buy Faraday boxes and cross our fingers.…

Let’s start with the title: My Effin’ Life. What’s that about? I’ve been known to drop F-bombs. Originally, I wanted to call the book My Life in Comedy, because I often pause at the absurdity of it all. But my publisher was convinced such a title would be mis-leading. My jokes tend to be very inside. You turned 70 in July. Did your age make you want to write it all down? I prefer to look forward, not back. But a few things happened to me recently. My mother was diagnosed with dementia before the pandemic. When I finally got to see her after lockdowns, there was a second where she didn’t recognize me. That really freaked me out. Also, Rush’s drummer, Neil Peart, lost his battle with glioblastoma in…

Imagine feasting on fresh lobster and sipping a tasty craft cocktail at a beachfront restaurant overlooking a dormant volcano as the golden Caribbean sun dips into the deep-blue ocean. Towering green palm trees softly rustle in the breeze, soca and reggae rhythms float through the air, sweet aromas waft from the kitchen—the sights, sounds and tastes of St. Kitts intrigue all the senses. When the Canadian winter is in full swing, St. Kitts makes the ultimate tropical getaway—especially for adventurous foodies—offering an abundance of fresh seafood, colourful local produce and incredible experiential dining. This sought-after island is an emerging culinary hotspot with its wide selection of fine dining restaurants, casual pubs serving traditional Caribbean grub and eclectic eateries for intimate evenings—all with a sumptuous view. With St. Kitts’ friendly, welcoming…