Toronto Life March 2025

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Early bungling cemented the public image. When Edward sought to replace Paul Beeston with a new Blue Jays president, he rang up the head of the White Sox, who promptly tipped off his old pal Beeston. As an executive VP, Edward refused to consistently attend meetings under the new CEO. At company events, Edward made awkward, head-scratchy speeches. Before he died, Ted named Edward chair of the Rogers Control Trust—which ensured the company would stay in the family—but not CEO, which read like a lukewarm endorsement of his son. Even worse, he surrounded Edward with siblings and lieutenants who had their own designs on the empire. As much as life can be challenging for a billionaire heir, Edward was in a bad spot—underestimated, boxed in by doubters and yet expected…

“We’re talking about fire and knives here, so it’s going to be intense”—Gail Simmons, p. 16 In 2010, when David Miller was mayor and St. Lawrence Market’s northern cousin was a decrepit brick box, the city promised a sparkling new building to make patrons proud. They said it would cost $60 million and be ready in about four years—and Torontonians ate it up. Then came bureaucratic bungling, supply-chain snafus, design errors and other delays. But, just when the market faithful thought there would be no end to the protracted absurdity, the building is, finally, ready for its close-up. Opening in phases this spring, it comes with a cool orange exterior, a curvy green roof, a vast atrium and city courts. It will also be the permanent home of the farmers’…

Bravo’s Top Chef has toured dozens of American cities over its 20-odd years on air, but never Canada. Why now? Actually, we briefly visited Vancouver and Whistler in season nine, but this time we’re in Canada for the full season. And why not? We go wherever there’s good food, and that’s definitely true of Toronto and the rest of the country, now more than ever—though I could have made that statement five years ago. Lots of Americans know Toronto, but they’re still catching up with its food scene. You grew up in Forest Hill. Did your Toronto roots play into the team’s choice of city? There was already reason enough to come, but once Toronto was confirmed, I started sharing great locations, chefs and guest judges with the team. I…

Pickering mayor Kevin Ashe halts in-person meetings at city council over threats from alt-right supporters of rabblerousing councillor Lisa Robinson. Premier Doug Ford warms to the idea of buying back Highway 407 to ease gridlock… …while doubling down on his idea to build a tunnel under the 401, which could cost $60 billion. Developer Cortel Group announces plans to transform the Hearn Generating Station into a massive residential and cultural centre. Giant Coors Light billboards at Sankofa Square encourage consumers to indulge in some “mountain cold refershment.” In other gridlock news, Toronto quadruples its traffic agents for 2025 to 100. Following the lead of America’s big banks, BMO, TD and CIBC withdraw from the international Net-Zero Banking Alliance, which requires members to ensure all activities are carbon neutral by 2050.…

“Last year, I didn’t use the subway once. I prefer Uber” BRIDGETTE VONG, 26 WHAT SHE DOES She’s a content creator WHAT SHE MAKES $130,000 WHERE SHE LIVES A one-bedroom condo in West Queen West REGULAR EXPENSES RENT: $2,450 a month. “I applied for this place in April of 2024. I offered four months’ rent up front to sweeten the deal.” PHONE: $132 a month with Bell. “I’m on a plan to pay down my iPhone 16.” GROCERIES: $300 a month. “I shop almost exclusively at No Frills because it’s close to my condo and relatively cheap. If I need special ingredients, I’ll go to the St. Lawrence Market.” PET CARE: $210 a month. “Ivy and Jewel are my two cats. I love them.” TRANSIT: $200 a month. “In 2024, I worked…