Toronto is the most important city in Canada--NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said so. We knew that already, of course, but it's nice to have our collective ego stroked by the feds for once. As Canada's largest city and a central component of the country's economy, Toronto faces a number of unique situations that will be directly affected by the outcome of the October 19.

From public transit to affordable housing and the possibility of hosting an Olympics, here are 5 key Toronto issues to watch during the election.

Transit in general
The East Bayfront LRT, the Finch West LRT, the Relief Line, and various internal TTC projects all need funding. The NDP's promise of $1.3 billion a year in transit funding may help get some of these projects off the drawing board, as would the Liberals' plan to double federal infrastructure spending. The Conservatives are promising increasing transit funds, up to a $1 billion a year after 2019, if elected.

The Scarborough subway
It might have been one of the most contentious decisions in recent Toronto history, but it looks like the city's decision to close the RT, reject a fully-funded light rail line, and extend the Bloor-Danforth subway to Scarborough Centre is safe.

The Conservatives, Liberals, and NDP have all committed to funding a portion of the cost, if elected. The Conservatives are sticking with their pledge of $660-million while the NDP have promised $1.3 billion a year for 20 years for cities (not just Toronto) to spend on transit.

Affordable housing
As real estate and rental prices continue to climb in Toronto, how best to ensure everyone but the rich isn't priced out? Through capital gains tax, the NDP wants to invest $500 million in 10,000 new affordable units over the next decade.

The Liberals have pledged sustainable, predictable funding for the same purpose without committing to building a specific number of units. The Greens would ensure a percentage of new units are reserved for affordable housing, among other things.

The Olympics
Right now, discussion about whether Toronto will make a $50-65 million bid for the 2024 Games is going on behind closed doors at City Hall. A Twitter account claiming to represent the official bid has suggested that Mayor John Tory will announce public consultations, to be held in September, some time this week.

So far, no federal leaders have commented on the possibility of hosting an Olympics in Toronto, but it's hard to see a bid succeeding without federal support. Critics say courting (and possibly hosting) the Olympics would be a colossal waste of money with unpredictable benefits and potentially serious negative side effects. The deadline for expressions of interest in the is September 15.

Door-to-door mail delivery
The decision by Canada Post to phase out its $500 million a year door-to-door home delivery scheme has proved controversial. Though it doesn't affect Toronto's multitude of condo and apartment dwellers, the move would mean owners of detached homes switching to a shared box.

The NDP and Liberals are both promising to keep door-to-door and reverse changes made under the Conservative government, but haven't said where the money would come from.

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Benson Kua in the blogTO Flickr pool.

The CNE isn't exactly the type of place to wear your finest threads but it's still fun to see what pairs well with poutine cake, giant stuffed dolls and rides on the midway.

Check out all the looks in the Style section.

A popular Japanese-style crepe and gelato place in Kensington Market has opened a new, larger patisserie & creamery near King West. There's still gelato and the ever-popular mille crepe cake, but now there are also Japanese-style cheesecakes, rare cheesetarts and puddings in flavours that include, black sesame, matcha and azuki. It's like the best of Paris and Tokyo combined!

Read my profile of Millie Patisserie & Creamery in the bakeries section.

Photo by Ronaldo Wanyou in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today in Toronto kick off September with a dose of live music. There are tons of bands and DJs performing around the city this evening, including La Luz, Mick Jenkins, and Vallens. If you'd rather take advantage of the last few days of warm weather, head to TIFF in Your Park to watch Pleasantville.

For more events, click on over to our events section.

• TIFF in You Park: Pleasantville (Garden Square)
• Spelling Bae (The Ossington)
• La Luz, Michael Rault, and Vallens (Adelaide Hall)
• Mick Jenkins with STWO (The Hoxton)
• There Will Be Bounce (Smiling Buddha)
• Will Sprott Shannon and The Clams (The Silver Dollar Room)
• Fluevog Street Eats (John Fluevog Lot)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section.\

Photo of Mick Jenkins

You'd think Liberty Shawarma would clean up its act after recently landing on our list of worst restaurant offenders according to DineSafe. Alas, the Spadina location was dealt another yellow card this past week for inadequate temperature control and failing to ensure food safety.

See which other restaurants landed on DineSafe this week.

Queen Street Warehouse (679 St. Clair Ave. West)
Inspected on: August 25, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Churrasco of St. Clair (679 St. Clair Ave. West)
Inspected on: August 24, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 2, Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Liberty Shawarma (4K Spadina Ave.)
Inspected on: August 24, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Maintain hazardous foods at internal temperature between 4 C and 60 C.

O Noir (620 Church St.)
Inspected on: August 27, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Caribbean Queen (10 Dundas St. East)
Inspected on: August 27, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Ferro (769 St. Clair Ave. West)
Inspected on: August 27, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Hogtown Smoke (1959 Queen St. East)
Inspected on: August 28, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 2, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure premises cleaned to prevent food contamination.

Levetto (940 College St.)
Inspected on: August 28, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Significant: 4)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Kensington Cornerstone (2A Kensington Ave.)
Inspected on: August 25, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Note: The above businesses each received infractions from DineSafe as originally reported on the DineSafe site. This does not imply that any of these businesses have not subsequently corrected the issue and received a passing grade by DineSafe inspectors. For the latest status for each of the mentioned businesses, including details on any subsequent inspections, please be sure to check the DineSafe site.

A film festival like TIFF doesn't last 40 years without a few memorable, crazy, or unconventional moments popping up along the way. There are bound to be celebrities misbehaving, screenings gone awry, or a controversy here and there.

Here are ten of the craziest, most memorable things that have happened at TIFF over the years.

1. When The Princess Bride premiered at the festival in 1987, most of the cast attended, including Andre the Giant. Because of his formidable size - he weighed 520 pounds and was 7'4" tall - a special seat had to be constructed just so the wrestler-actor could enjoy the movie.

2. Buzz for Michael Moore's Roger & Me was so strong throughout the 1989 festival that the final screening was oversold and had people sitting in the aisle. The theatre was declared a hazard by a Fire Marshall who demanded that 100 people leave before the movie could be started.

3. When The Fisher King premiered at TIFF in 1991, nobody could find director Terry Gilliam (12 Monkeys, Brazil). He was eventually found enjoying a Blue Jays game at the Sky Dome.

4. In 1995, Robert Downey Jr. attended the festival for Norman Jewison's Only You. While at the Sutton Place Hotel, he infamously lost his temper and began punching walls and crawling around on the floor. It's worth noting these were the years that he was struggling with substance abuse.

5. At a press conference for David Cronenberg's A History of Violence, actor Ed Harris tried to make an indiscernible point about violence by repeatedly slamming his fists on a table, picking up a glass and smashing it against a wall, then saying, "That's what the movie is about." Nobody understood his point.

6. In 2006, Sean Penn decided the press conference for All the King's Men was a good time to have a smoke. Except he didn't know (or maybe care) that it was illegal to smoke indoors in Canada. The hotel was fined $605 for Penn's indulgence.

7. The debut of Borat in 2006 certainly was a TIFF experience to remember. Not only did Sacha Baron Cohen show up in character as Borat on top of a cart being pulled by farm women, but a short while into the movie, the projector broke.

To help keep audiences entertained while the problem got fixed, Michael Moore and Cohen (still in character) hopped on stage at different times for impromptu Q&As. The screening was eventually cancelled because the technical issues couldn't be resolved.

8. In 2007, Colin Farrell came across a homeless man whom he then took on a shopping spree. He not only bought him a new wardrobe, he also gave the man money for first and last month's rent.

9. In 2008, Roger Ebert--mute due to the surgery that removed his jaw--couldn't see subtitles for Slumdog Millionaire because the man - who turned out to be New York Post film critic, Lou Lumenick - in front of him was leaning too far in the aisle. Unable to verbally express his frustration, Ebert tapped Lumenick on the shoulder. Lumenick yelled "Don't touch me."

Ebert tried again, same response. On the third try, Lumenick hit Ebert on the knee with a binder. There was a lot of uproar against the Post film critic, but Ebert, gracious as always, downplayed the resulting hullabaloo as completely overblown.

10. One of the biggest controversies TIFF faced happened in 2009 when the festival decided to highlight Tel Aviv as part of its City to City programme. That prompted celebrities like Jane Fonda and Viggo Mortensen to condemn the festival as being anti-Palestine. That in turn prompted celebrities like Natalie Portman and Lisa Kudrow to condemn the condemners.

What unique moments do you remember most from TIFF's four decade run? Let us know in the comments.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter at @alxhuls for all the latest on TIFF 15, including snap reviews.

Sources: Toronto Life, Hello!. Still of Andre the Giant courtesy TIFF.

The top places for students to shop in Toronto will have you thriving on a budget. Once you've dropped most of your hard-earned dollars on tuition and textbooks, you're going to need to find some places to accommodate you and your last few pennies. From tech accessories to furniture, these places have got you covered.

Here are my picks for the top places for students to shop in Toronto.

Tap Phong
Chances are your new digs won't have stainless steel kitchen complete with Kitchen Aid mixer and Vitamix, but that doesn't mean you have to resort to cooking with plastic cutlery you stole from the closest McDonalds. Tap Phong sells restaurant-grade kitchen supplies, from cutlery to pots and pans, at a very reasonable prices. Also try the Kitchen Plus Stuff Outlet and Cayne's for deals on essentials.

Umbra
Once you've moved into your shoebox-sized dorm or apartment, you'll probably want to make it look more homey. Umbra offers a ton of new student essentials, with all things you've never dreamed you'd need like hangable vanity organizers and shoe racks. If you're on the hunt for bedding, Homesense and Beddington's also offer some good deals on sheets, pillows, and duvets.

IKEA
What is a student apartment without a LEIRVIK bedframe or KALLAX storage unit? The Swedish homeware giant is known for affordable furniture, and now that you're out of the nest with a limited budget, it's time to get yourself some of their cost-effective pieces. If you think having the same furniture as your neighbour is a faux pas, try Small Space Plus or rental company Livio Furnishing.

Binz
When you've got minimal space to work with, you have to stay organized. Binz (very aptly named) sells all the storage you need at a fair price. They also have a few kitchen pieces that will help you with food storage, like tupperware and water bottles. If you have a few extra bucks, MUJI also sells acrylic, plastic and linen storage pieces.

Essence of Life
Initially, you may find great pleasure in eating a solid diet of Kraft Dinner, but that's bound to change down the line. Once you've reached your maximum intake of carbs, head to Essence of Life to find healthy alternatives for prices lower than Big Carrot. Other inexpensive grocery options include Grande Cheese Factory Outlet, Shasha, Peek Freans Cookie Outlet and Almost Perfect.

Apple
To succeed in school, you're going to need the right tools. Luckily, the GTA is stocked with places catering for your technological needs. Apple tends to reign supreme in Toronto schools and they have deals that will get you add-ons (like Beats headphones) when you purchase your computer. If you're a photography student, hit up Aden (it's much cheaper than popular places like Henry's).

Above Ground
Above Ground is an OCAD student's dream, selling everything an artist could possibly need. From gesso to moulding clay, the stock seems almost unlimited - and lucky you, with a student card everything is 10% off. If you're not in reach of Above Ground, there's also Curry's which offers the same discount to students, so you won't have to pay full price for a paintbrush until graduation day.

Vidal Sassoon Academy
Often considered a period of self-discovery, you're career as a student may bring your look to new heights. Maybe you want to buzz off your locks or die your whole head purple, regardless, there are plenty of salons with affordable pricing. Vidal Sassoon Academy is always looking for hair models and have very affordable rates. Alternately, try Parlour or Onyx for cuts (both offer student rates).

Kind Exchange
Kind Exchange will have you looking fashionable while keeping your wallet full. They offer buy, sell, trade and donate services, which means you can actually turn a profit off your old clothes or swap them in for something new. Other student clothing favourites include MEC, TOPSHOP (because who doesn't love a 10% student discount), Winners, and the Banana Republic Factory Store.

Designer Shoe Warehouse
If there's something you should never be without, it's a nice pair of shoes. DSW offers endless options from Guess booties to Converse high tops at discounted rates. If you're in the market for athletic shoes, try SVP Sports on Queen West, you'll find Nikes, Adidas, and more for lower prices than at your average athletic store.

Thanks to RBC for sponsoring this post.

What did I miss? Add more places to shop in the comments.

Photo of Umbra.

283 Kenilworth Avenue is a multi-level tree house in the heart of the Beaches, currently on the market for $1,690,000. A three-storey dwelling, it's a property that makes an impression with wood ceilings and a mahogany staircase spread over seven levels.

The former dilapidated home was purchased about eight years ago for $250,000, and later flipped and sold for almost six times what the owners originally paid. The result is a 2,800 square foot property that rocked this Beach neighbourhood with three bedrooms, four bathrooms and a landscaped backyard with a "dramatic wall of water."

In today's soaring real estate market, you can barely score a condo for the original asking price, and flipping a house might be a tougher sell. The average for a detached house still hovers around the $1 million mark and condo prices have exceeded $400K. Whether you call it "the Beach" or the rebranded "Beach Village," this sandy waterfront neighbourhood is still a hot, hot, hot pocket.

SPECS

• Address: 283 Kenilworth Avenue
• Price: $1,690,000
• Lot Size: 22 x 110 FT
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 4
• Parking: 1
• Taxes: $8,357
• Walk Score: 80
• Presented by: Donald J. Nadea‎u, HomeLife Realty One Ltd. View the Interactive Tour at
  DonaldNadeau.com

NOTABLE FEATURES

• Approx. 2,800 square feet
• Mahogany staircase
• Ensuite with whirlpool tub
• Skylights and fireplace
• Home security system
• Rooftop patio
• Landscaped garden with fountain and in-ground lighting

GOOD FOR

Summers (and winters) in the city. With a rumoured milder January this year (we'll believe it when we see it), this beach property is great for hosting parties year round. The back is very private with a step-down area, and enclosed fence hidden by large shrubs.

MOVE ON IF

You don't like stairs or any type of wood fixtures. Mahogany, cedar, solid birch---this rebuilt house uses wood and custom fixtures in just about every room. The multi-level staircase (mahogany, of course) is a steep climb to the other floors so watch your step.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Read other posts in this series via our House of the Week Pinterest board.

Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd, Brokerage for sponsoring our House of the Week. All content and editorial selected and written by blogTO.

Located on a relatively industrial stretch of Horner Road, this elevated snack bar offers much more than quick, light far. Here you'll find elevated comfort food classics such as steak sandwiches, Jack and Coke braised sliders, and tacos -- all in a friendly and casual atmosphere.

Check out my profile of West City Snack Bar in the restaurants section.

Smoke's is getting ready to open its first Burritorie at Duncan and Adelaide directly below its original poutine shop -- in the very same spot Burrito Boyz recently vacated for larger digs down the street.

Smoke's already dominates the late-night poutine market across Toronto. With outposts in the United States, and plans to expand into Europe, Australia and the Middle East -- along with the new-fangled Smoke's Weinerie -- it's not surprising that this Canadian chain is starting to offer food beyond the holy trinity of fries, cheese curds and gravy.

The new Smoke's Burritorie will be located on a stretch of Adelaide already filled with popular lunch hour and late night spots such as Burgers Priest and Burrito Boyz.

Burrito Boyz helped jumpstart Toronto's burrito craze back in 2004 and it now has 22 locations throughout Southern Ontario. Once Smoke's Burritorie opens up nearly next-door, it'll be intriguing to watch how both burrito-centric restaurants fare.

Food fight, anyone?

Where does your burrito allegiance lie? Let us know in the comments.

Toronto has just under two weeks to decide if it's going to start vying for the 2024 summer Olympics. If the city says yes, Mayor John Tory wants to seek private sector funding to help cover the cost of a bid, which could run between $50-$60 million.

None of the city's budget committee members currently support a bid, as revealed after yesterday's budgetary meeting. Some councillors are wary of spending tens of millions of dollars on an opportunity that may never pan out.

According to the Star, Los Angeles (which is expected to formally submit its bid soon), amassed $35 million in private funding for its bid. Other cities already in the running include Hamburg, Rome, Paris and Budapest.

Toronto has until September 15 to submit a letter to the International Olympic Committee if it plans to follow through with a bid. Tory says city council will ultimately vote on the final decision.

Do you think Toronto should follow through with a bid? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Ernie Kwong in the blogTO Flickr pool

How much would you pay for a much loved Toronto sign? In August 2014, the giant Kromer Radio sign went up for auction and earlier that same year, thousands of Torontonians stood in line for hours to purchase hand-painted advertisements from Honest Ed's -- another Toronto institution that's set to disappear.

Yesterday, Davy Love (of Bristol fame) swapped the Rancho Relaxo sign for a pizza on the Toronto Facebook group Bunz Trading Zone, reports NOW Magazine. Bunz is an online group that lets you barter for an assortment of goods -- from booze to, as it would happen, restaurant signs.

Rancho Relaxo closed its doors on August 15 after 18 years on College Street. Love is turning it into the Old Laurel, a pub and soccer bar that'll focus on British-style fare. True to Rancho Relaxo's roots, it'll also show live music.

What have you traded on BTZ? Let us know in the comments.

Photo via RanchorelaxoTO on Instagram.

After nearly two days of gridlock, the intersection by Toronto's Trump International Hotel and Tower has finally reopened just in time for rush hour.

"Our understanding from City officials is that the spire on top of the Trump Tower is structurally sound and the affected roads are in the process of being re-opened," read a statement from Mayor John Tory's office.

Police closed roads in the financial district Monday morning to ensure public safety after workers on the roof of the 65-storey Trump tower noticed a potential problem at the base of the building's giant antenna. Reports of this apparently swaying antenna blocked pedestrians and vehicles from parts of Bay and Adelaide Streets.

Engineers have since inspected the spire, deeming the area safe. Mayor Tory has since asked for an investigation of this incident, which shutdown a portion of the downtown core from more than 24 hours.

Photo by Tom Ryaboi

This pizzeria has been dishing out pies for 34 years, during which it's become a local institution. While delivery and takeout make up the majority of the business, on weekend nights you'll find the no frills dining room packed with folks chowing down on margherita pizzas, panzos, and pitch-perfect chicken wings.

Read my review of Abruzzo Pizza in the restaurants section.

Photo by ~EvidencE~ in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today in Toronto it's time to see some of the best and brightest talent. Idina Menzel will be at the Sony Centre belting out her best hits. If Broadway isn't up your alley no problem. Cirque Du Soleil is performing its newest show, Varekai, at the Air Canada Centre. If you can't see the show this evening, it'll be on until the 6th.

For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Idina Menzel (Sony Centre)
• TIFF in the Park: Pride and Prejudice (David Pecaut Square)
• Holodeck Follies (The Social Capital Theatre)
• The Bill Comedy Show (Junction City Music Hall)
• Cirque du Soleil Varekai (Air Canada Centre)
• Brett Kissel (Toronto Star Bandshell)
• Fluevog Street Eats (John Fluevog Lot)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section.

Small coffee shops have a certain cozy appeal to them that's hard to explain. There are dozens of indie coffee joints in this city fuelling caffeine fiends in every neighbourhood, so much so that it becomes hard to differentiate. Apart from quality cups of coffee and expertly pulled shots, what sets these cafes apart from the pack is their strong neighbourhood vibes.

Here's a round-up of some of the smallest coffee shops in Toronto.

Haven Espresso Bar
This Bloordale espresso counter is a hot-spot for local coffee fiends looking for a fix. They craft a standard list of caffeinated concoctions punctuated by a few flavoured options out of Rufino beans. Look forward to smooth, mellow lattes or try a quirky iced Canadiano in the summer when they open up outdoor seating. They serve a rotating selection of baked goods from neighbourhood spots.

Oakwood Espresso
Oakwood is a one man show operating out of a bright, but small space. The pièce de résistance is a magnificent carved wood and marble desk that now serves as the bar. The owner likes Rufino beans and uses an Elektra machine to pull decadent, nutty espresso reminiscent of an Italian cafe. Due to space restrictions, customers bag their own baked goods.

Sam James Coffee Pocket
The Pocket is a cash only coffee stop where you can expect to grab a cup representative of the excellent quality Sam James is known for. The menu is short and to the point offering the standard espressos, americanos, cappuccinos and lattés pulled from a La Marzzoco using his own Cut Coffee beans. The service is quick and efficient, but don't plan to linger. This is grab and go only.

Tucana Coffee
Tucana is precisely the opposite of corporate coffee chains. It attempts to be a social space where you stop by for a coffee, chat for a few minutes and then get on your way rather than attaching yourself to your laptop for hours. The small space forces interaction. Pilot coffee beans are used exclusively and espresso shots are pulled from a trusty La Marzocco.

Wibke's Espresso Bar
This tiny, cash only spot in Bloor West Village is the type of neighbourhood joint where regulars are greeted by name. You can choose from a selection of espresso based staples, rotating specialty brews or loose leaf teas. The two tables at the front of the shop are prime real estate, but you have to be lucky to snag one.

Did I miss any? Tell me about your favourite hole-in-the-wall coffee spot in the comments. Photo of Oakwood Espresso.

This Italian restaurant doesn't only use its wood-fired oven for pizza. Veggies and other ingredients get infused with smokey flavours filling owner and head-chef Robert Rubino's menu with unique and creative Italian-inspired dishes. Try as much as you can, but don't miss the pizza.

Read my profile on Cellar Door in the restaurants section.

It's "ess! ess!" (that's eat, eat in Yiddish) no more for the one-year-old Dundas West restaurant Essen, which served its last meal on August 26, reports Toronto Life.

Chef and owner Leor Zimmerman opened Essen in the space formerly occupied by his Portuguese restaurant Quinta. Essen focused on Jewish-style foods and drinks with menu items including tzimmes, matzo ball ramen soup and Manischewitz cocktails.

Earlier this month, the nearby Atlantic closed its doors. Perhaps the Dundas West restaurant scene is suffering from some growing pains?

According to Essen's Facebook page, the restaurant went on hiatus for summer holidays from August 12-25. On Twitter, however, it announced its would be shuttering for good following a closing night party on the 26th.

Will you miss Essen's contemporary take on Jewish classics? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Jesse Milns