Toronto police have arrested three men and are looking for additional suspects after yet another brazen jewellery store smash-and-grab robbery that occurred in the city on Monday.

Police allege that on Monday, April 22, 2024, officers responded to a robbery call in the Danforth Avenue and Pape Avenue area.

A group of suspects said to be travelling in a stolen vehicle were captured on security camera raiding a jewellery store wearing masks and armed with weapons including hammers and pepper spray. Police allege the suspects made off with "a quantity" of stolen jewellery.

Police have shared shocking security footage of the incident that supports the allegations.

Toronto Police share video of another brazen robbery at local jewellery store pic.twitter.com/zyNjeOYcP0

— blogTO (@blogTO) April 24, 2024

Following the events seen in the video, responding officers from 55 Division say they located several suspects nearby, who are alleged to have fled the scene only to be arrested after a short foot pursuit.

Three of the five suspects were arrested and charged with a list of offences.

Police further allege that, at the time of the arrests, a stolen vehicle, a can of pepper spray and some of the stolen jewellery were recovered.

Three men from Toronto — Jahvon Nurse, 26, Malachi Holness, 19 and Fils-Aime Clerge, 18 — were charged with a long list of offences related to the case.

All three are scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on Tuesday morning.

This is just the latest in a string of high-profile jewellery store robberies occurring across the Greater Toronto Area in recent months, including several incidents in malls and shopping plazas since 2023 that were caught on film.

An Ontario consumer is speaking out about another case perceived price gouging by Canada's supermarket chains after he spotted the exact same basic staple for two very different prices at two stores in his neighbourhood — stores that are only a kilometre apart on the same street.

During a standard grocery shop, the resident visited his local Foodland at 990 Division Street in Cobourg over the weekend, followed by the town's No Frills down the street at 550 Division Street.

At the first of the two locations, he noticed what he thought was a fairly ridiculously high price for 1 L of Bertolli extra light olive oil, which was on the shelf for a whopping $25.49.

Upon his trip to No Frills, he spotted the exact same bottle of oil for just $15.99 — nearly $10 cheaper.

The same olive oil was more than 1.5 times pricier at Foodland than at a No Frills just down the road. 

Although he was floored by the 60 per cent markup, it's something that he says (and that other Canadians would agree) has just become the norm. 

"I see it so much here in Cobourg between Foodland, Metro, No Frills and Shoppers Drug Mart," he tells blogTO, calling out the disparity as yet another "poor activity" that the nation's grocery giants practice.

"I've seen many more examples in these two stores specifically," he adds, joking that he "can't even afford to enter the Metro in town," so he hasn't conducted any price comparisons there lately.

Foodland is owned by Empire, the parent company of Sobeys, and No Frills is, of course, the discount subsidiary of Loblaw Companies Ltd. 

While these companies have pointed to slowing food inflation and said, in the case of Loblaws, that they are making "ongoing efforts to lower food prices," customers just aren't buying it.

Many don't believe there is any good reason for these contrasts in cost, for recent price increases or for the gradual shrinking of products aside from a hunger for more profits at the expense of the consumer.

And, food suppliers that chains like Loblaws have blamed for higher price tags on the shelf are being hurt by fee hikes and other problematic practices — like billing suppliers for store renovations that have nothing to do with them— too.

A pair of twinned proposals aim to completely redefine the skyline of Toronto's midtown area with an architectural statement that would set the neighbourhood apart from other high-rise clusters in the city.

Two separate proposals from developer Madison Group at 110 and 150 Eglinton Avenue East have been resubmitted to city planners, calling for two pairs of mixed-use condominium towers with standout designs unlike anything that exists in the city today.

In a surprising twist from a developer not exactly known for breaking the bank on architecture, the proposals now boast brand-new complementary designs from acclaimed firm Rafael Viñoly Architects.

The 110 Eglinton site, currently home to a pair of mid-rise office buildings, would be demolished and built out with two 58-storey towers.

A few doors to the east, the 150 Eglinton site includes a handful of mid-rise and low-rise commercial buildings along Eglinton, wrapping around Redpath Avenue. These buildings would also be demolished and replaced with a pair of 61-storey towers.

All four towers will feature matching designs boasting red aluminum cladding forming vertical piers that accentuate the towers' heights, though there will be some key differences between the pairs at 110 and 150 Eglinton.

150 Eglinton East

The 58-storey towers at 110 Eglinton East will be linked via an enormous floating bridge spanning levels five through 10, framing a large open public space below and supporting an elevated residential amenity floor above.

The 61-storey towers lack a skybridge, but will also feature amenity levels with panoramic views, including spaces on the 28th and 40th floors.

At heights of just over 236 metres, these four towers all stand taller than anything that exists in the neighbourhood as of 2024.

The combined proposals would add a staggering 3,364 condominium units to the neighbourhood, along with new retail and office space to maintain employment uses along this evolving corridor.

One standout of the proposals is a series of privately-owned publicly accessible spaces measuring over 5,000 square metres across the combined sites.

Among the publicly-accessible spaces proposed are the aforementioned area below the bridge at 110 Eglinton, along with pedestrian walkways that will allow foot traffic to filter through the block between Eglinton and Roehampton Avenue to the north.

It's the type of proposal one would expect to be met with significant local backlash. However, early feedback from the neighbourhood is surprisingly positive.

Local city councillor Josh Matlow took to X to voice his support for the project, calling it "genuinely exciting."

"The architecture is beautifully designed," said Matlow, hyping up locals with a promise that renderings of the new public space would wow the community. It's remarkable for our community and city — like bringing Rockefeller Center to midtown Toronto," said Matlow.

Ontario residents can expect some weather whiplash in the days to come, as temperatures will dip from the minus single-digits to the mid-20s by Sunday — and humidex values will drive temps up even further, making it feel more like mid-summer than late April.

Much of Ontario is currently under a spell of Arctic air as of Wednesday, with temperatures hovering in the low single digits in locations like Toronto, and overnight lows still dipping into the sub-zero range.

However, things are going to change — and change fast — in the days to come. Locals can say goodbye to frosty conditions as the weekend approaches, and some might even want to get their summer wardrobe ready for the tropical conditions that will descend on the region starting Sunday.

Toronto should experience a high of 23 C on Sunday afternoon, with humidex factors making it feel more like a balmy 25 C. Aside from a 40 per cent chance of showers that would deposit, at most, 1 mm of rain, Toronto is looking at some near-perfect weather on Sunday.

Some areas of Ontario will experience even warmer conditions. Parts of southwestern Ontario, including London, are forecast to witness a high of 25 C on Sunday, but the humidex will make it feel like a summerlike 31 degrees.

Windsor and Hamilton are also expected to see humidex values break the 30-degree mark on Sunday afternoon.

Meteorologists at The Weather Network note that, while above-seasonal conditions are set to persist into May, it might not be quite time to pack away that winter attire for the season.

After days with a frost and freeze threat, temperatures will be heating up in southern Ontario this weekend. An active storm track will drag both warmth and moisture into the region, introducing a summer-like humidex. #Onwxhttps://t.co/VrAxAVLsXr

— The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) April 24, 2024

The agency points out that Toronto has experienced temperatures below freezing as late as May 28, a record logged at Pearson Airport back in 1948.

IKEA is continuing its mission to make life a little more affordable for Canadians.

In January, the Swedish furniture giant announced that it would be investing over $80 million to slash prices on over 1,500 IKEA products.

The company says it has reached another milestone this April, lowering prices on another 800 popular items.

If you've been eyeing the iconic Kallax bookshelves or the Malm bed frame, now's your chance to get it at a reduced price.

These price reductions come after a recent report from the furniture store found that 45 per cent of Canadians say their household finances and disposable income are a top concern, while 37 per cent are concerned about the state of the economy in the country.

"IKEA Canada's commitment to affordability is a promise to our customers – it's about siding with the many Canadians during challenging financial times, and our promise to live up to our vision of creating a better everyday life at home by taking price reductions on the products Canadians value and need the most," said Selwyn Crittendon, CEO and chief sustainability officer at IKEA Canada, in a news release.

In addition to the discounts, customers now have options to spread their payments out over time.

Through Afterpay, shoppers can split purchases into four interest-free payments. The first payment is taken when the order is placed and the remaining three are automatically processed every two weeks.

Afterpay is currently available for online purchases between $50 and $1,000, including any services and taxes.

The company says lowering prices has been a pillar of the brand's "Democratic Design" philosophy for the past eight decades.

It adds that despite the need to tweak some prices to reflect increased costs the business faces, it is committed to reducing prices where possible to make it more attainable for Canadians to shop there.

Here are some of the new additions to IKEA's lower prices:

• Kallax shelving unit $99, previous price $109
• Malm bed frame $349, previous price $399
• Nymane floor lamp $49.99, previous price $64.99
• Hallbar Bin with lid, $14.99, previous price $17.99
• Millberget Swivel chair, $179, previous price $329

You can view more products with slashed prices here.

This isn't the only initiative the company is taking to help Canadians with the cost-of-living crisis.

Earlier this month, Canadians applauded IKEA after the company started a petition calling on the government to end taxes on used items.

Toronto's Yonge and Eglinton interesection has been doomed with ceaseless construction in the last decade plus, with various stages of numerous new condo complexes and transit projects now completed, in progress or still on the way.

Pedestrians, drivers and cyclists have long been bewailing the nightmare of navigating the corner, the surface of which has been dug up and relaid multiple times as Metrolinx makes the necessary infrastructure upgrades for the forthcoming Eglinton Crosstown LRT.

And, for what feels like the umpteenth time in recent memory, the streets and pedestrian crossways in the area appear redone yet again this week after they were completely torn up just a few days ago, resulting in a mess of gravel, pylons, fencing and lane closures.

Cursed Toronto intersection once again under construction just weeks after reopening https://t.co/kOnWV1MSfA

— blogTO (@blogTO) March 5, 2024

One local took to the Yonge and Eglinton Community Facebook Group —where many venting discussions on the subject have taken place — to share photos of what looks to be new tarmac and paint at the intersection.

The person wrote that the paving and painting of road markings looked to be complete as of Saturday, to which another neighbour added that "crews were very busy paving and painting last night, while also ensuring that vehicles went through the intersection as easily as possible."

That commenter called the progress "a good sign for spring 2024," though others begged to differ.

Photos from April 20 show the corner looking refinished once again, though it was seen ripped up just three days earlier. Post from the Yonge and Eglinton Community Facebook group.

"Don’t get your hopes up…… more construction to come," one person remarked. "More road blockages for at least another decade would be my guess. Sigh, it's never-ending."

"I’ll give $1,000 to this [group] if they don't make another cut here less than 3 weeks," another joked.

And still another: "Oh don't worry, they will have to redo it... that's how it happened at my intersection."

This latest round of roadwork consisted of road milling, paving and line painting work after Metrolinx reconnected utilities that were impacted by the expansion and relocation of the subway platform beneath, which was (as much of the chaos at the corner is) part of the Crosstown LRT's construction.

Though just 10 days were allotted for the work, it seems like it may be wrapped up ahead of schedule, though the transit agency has warned that "short-term periodic lane reductions may be required to facilitate special activities" after this phase.

Comment
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There is also the fact that those who live and work in the neighbourhood have witnessed it returned to near-normal many times in the past only to see it reduced to a construction site once more.

While Metrolinx finishes off the finer details of its repairs (for now), citizens won't likely be too thrilled about the latest proposal for the area: a gargantuan set of more condo complexes on the northeast side.

Toronto is representing in a big way with three bars in the city ranking among the best in North America.

The time of year has come around again when the top 50 bars in North America are crowned — and Toronto has once again found its way into multiple spots on the list.

While last year the city shook, stirred and sipped its way into four placements on the list, and this year has only managed to snag four placements, it's still great to see Toronto's innovative bar scene get the credit it deserves.

Topping the ranking of Toronto bars on this year's list (and defending its title for a second year running) is Bloorcourt's Civil Liberties— known and named for their reputation for creating bespoke cocktails based on the customer's tastes — ranking in at 21.

In the 29th slot is Bar Pompette, which has slipped from its number 15 finish last year, but continues to be lauded for its chic, French-inspired interiors and creative takes on classic French cocktails.

Dundas West's Bar Mordecai rounds out the selection at 40, earning points for its eclectic and vivacious bar bites alongside, of course, their carefully perfected classic cocktail offerings.

Notably absent from this year's list is West Queen West's Mother, which ranked in at 37 in 2023, but has since slipped off the ranking. 

It's not just Toronto that's been heralded for its fantastic bars this year, though. Fellow Canadian establishments Botanist Bar and Keefer Bar in Vancouver and Montreal's Cloakroom and Atwater Cocktail Club also found their ways onto the list.

You can explore the full list of North America's top 50 bars here.

For more local bar inspiration, make sure to check out our own list of the 60 most essential bars in Toronto as well as our list of Toronto's best new bars.

Thousands pass below a busy Toronto underpass every day without paying much attention to an unassuming archway walled off with bricks — the sole remnant of a long-lost train station once used by daily commuters, and even by royalty at one point.

The 1898-built underpass at Queen and Dufferin, known as the Queen Street Subway, is home to the last vestige of the former Parkdale railway station (later known as North Parkdale).

Fareen Karim

You'd be forgiven for not knowing of the long-vacated train station at this site, as the last train serving the former stop on the Grand Trunk/Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways departed a half-century ago in 1974.

Fareen Karim

A small wooden station was first built along the east side of the rail line at this site in 1856, later expanded, and then growing again with the addition of a new building west of the tracks in 1879.

The station in 1900. Public domain.

In its early years, the station was crossed at street-level by Queen Street. This changed when the current underpass opened in 1898, allowing Queen Street traffic and streetcars to pass below converging rail lines and the multi-building station.

The station in 1898. Public domain.

It was during the construction of the underpass that a staircase was built, providing pedestrians access from the sunken underpass to the rail platform above.

Fareen Karim

The station would fall out of relevance in the decades that followed, though the stop did see a high point in its final decades of operation, when it was visited by Princess Margaret during a 1958 royal tour, travelling from Parkdale to Stratford, Ontario.

The station met its ultimate demise after GO Transit started operating a new competing route, stopping nearby at a new station near the Line 2 subway along Bloor.

The building itself was destined for preservation and relocated to Queen and Roncesvalles in 1977, but it was sadly destroyed by fire later that year before any reuse plans could be implemented.

None of the buildings remain today. The original station's footprint is now occupied by a northerly extension of Sudbury Street to Queen, while a former CPR yard on the western lands was redeveloped with condos.

Fareen Karim

While the train station and associated structures are long since gone from this site, the walled-off staircase entrance dating to 1898 serves as a reminder of the area's largely forgotten rail history.

There are actually several such forgotten staircases in Toronto, detailed in an informative blog post by local geographer Sean Marshall.

Toronto Maple Leafs fans are not happy with one of the city's major publications.

On Wednesday, the Toronto Sun published a front-page story entitled "The Invisible Leaf: When Buds need him most, Mitch Marner pulling his usual playoff disappearing act."

Accompanying the headline of Steve Simmons' story was a photo of Marner in team gear with his face erased, making him appear invisible.

THE INVISIBLE LEAF: When Buds need him most, Mitch Marner pulling his usual playoff disappearing act

From @simmonssteve: https://t.co/OdzAPXM3C4

+ Cops offer $1M reward total in hunt for top 25 fugitives, via @JaneCStevenson: https://t.co/fEhewhr1lXpic.twitter.com/HE28jyI1qm

— Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) April 23, 2024

Unsurprisingly, the controversial cover has sparked online outrage by Marner's fans and critics alike.

Some have argued that with the series tied 1-1, it's too early to throw the winger under the bus.

It’s been 2 games… the series is tied….

— noneya (@ambermjpontes) April 24, 2024

Others, who agree with Simmons' assessment of Marner, still view the cover art as disrespectful.

Like, I agree with the narrative, but that presentation is over the top….its mean, and it’s tasteless

— Mark Lew (@FOTW85) April 24, 2024

Even a self-proclaimed Leafs hater found the article to be "mean-spirited."

I hate the Leafs but this is such a mean-spirited article.

— Lee Ellis (@ThreeStarPet) April 24, 2024

Meanwhile, some took the opportunity to take shots at Simmons and the tabloid paper.

Only thing disappearing is your relevance

— Nealer (@Nealerrr) April 24, 2024

This is not the first time the Sun has come under fire for its framing of a hockey story. In January, writer Lance Hornby was called out by the Anaheim Ducks organization for referring to Lukas Dostal as a "no-name goalie" in a headline.

And back in 2021, former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas criticized the publication's use of a cover photo that showed team captain John Tavares on his knees, bloodied while trainers tried to stabilize his neck. It was accompanied by the headline "Captain Crunched."

As for Marner, the 26-year-old, who has 10 goals, 37 assists and a plus-minus of +8 in 52 career playoff games, will get the chance to prove the naysayers wrong tonight as the Leafs and Bruins square off for Game 3 at Scotiabank Arena.

A substantial number of condo complexes that were supposed to open their doors to residents in and around Toronto recently have now been halted indefinitely due to the faltering market.

While interest in single-family homes, mansions and resale condos appears to be picking back up after high interest rates and cost of living increases undermined sales last year, there hasn't been the same return of buyers for new condos — a housing type known for being popular primarily among investors.

As indicated by the fact that the number of sales of new condo units in the GTHA dropped to a 15-year low in the first few months of this year, developers are running out of funds and confidence to complete projects, even those already in the works.

According to a new report from real estate experts at Urbanation this week, 60 condo communities that were due to open in the last two years or so have now been put on hold indefinitely as dwindling sales have "hit construction activity hard."

These buildings make up 21,505 units that were expected to come to market, with anyone who bought a unit preconstruction now left in the lurch and facing rising home prices.

Toronto has been addicted to these cheaply constructed, overpriced monstrosities for years, and now the market is oversaturated. Its clear that instead of condos, the city should have been concentrating on rental apartments.https://t.co/eDhNnYLN26

— Phil Rickaby (@philrickaby) April 24, 2024

Looking at the first quarter of 2024 specifically, Urbanation says that only 50 per cent of units in pre-construction were pre-sold, which is well below the construction financing requirements of 70 per cent.

It is also down from the same time last year, when 61 per cent had been pre-sold, and the year before that, a heydey when this figure was 85 per cent.

As a result, construction starts have fallen off a cliff, with the firm noting that the 2,361 new condominiums that began construction in the GTHA marked a 52 per cent drop from how many broke ground during the same period last year.

The number of condos at any stage of unfinished progress in the region is now 91,590 units, which is actually not the worst thanks to a high number of completions so far this year, amounting t0 12,132 units.

But, it is worth noting that most new condos are now in the 905 rather than Toronto proper. Of the 17,076 units across 56 projects that Urbanation says have released marketing materials ahead of a planned launch in the next few quarters, 70 per cent were in the 905 area code.

Realizing that paying 700,000 to live in a dusty skybox with no green space turned out to be a bad idea I guess.

— Kat🦁 (@artlvr68) November 3, 2023

This latest analysis anticipates that the lower mortgage rates expected to come later this year will help things, but that activity in the new condo market "will likely remain subdued as the industry works it way through current inventory and digests the numerous government policies on housing recently released."

Get ready for a taste of some delicious Irish whiskey, Toronto! That's right, Jameson's iconic Distillery Tour is coming to the city for a limited-edition pop-up and you simply cannot skip it.

We're talking live music from local bands, master whiskey cooper demonstrations, deliciously crafted cocktails, good vibes and more! 

For more than two centuries, Jameson has been crafting delicious Irish whiskey and now they're bringing their award-winning Bow St. Distillery from Ireland all the way to Toronto for an immersive tour stop.

Touching down at STACKT Market from May 2 to May 12, the Jameson Distillery on Tour kicks off with a legendary live instrumentation and DJ set by none other than Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene! 

This interactive distillery experience and free performance is meant for the city to come together (19+) and enjoy the exceptional taste and tradition of one of the world's smoothest whiskeys. 

An award-winning experience

This is Toronto's first time experiencing the Jameson Distillery on Tour after successful trips to New York, Mumbai, and Johannesburg.

You'll find the tour housed inside a series of custom shipping containers, with a packed schedule of specialty whiskey tastings, live gigs from local bands and DJs, and cocktail masterclasses throughout the activation.

Running from May 2 to May 12, with tours available from noon to 5 p.m., you can reserve your spot online.

Live barrel charring

For the first week of the tour, fifth-generation Jameson Master Cooper Ger Buckley, will be flying in from Ireland to demonstrate the art of charring barrels — with a flamethrower — to house the whiskey as it matures, locking in Jameson's famous smooth taste.

Guests will actually feel the char's heat and smell the whiskey's vanilla notes through this demo.

Don't forget to sip on the signature cocktails inspired by specific Toronto neighbourhoods and made with Jameson Original, Black Barrel, or Single Pot Still.

Learn about the intricate process of crafting one of Toronto's most loved whiskeys and dive headfirst into the Jameson spirit. Drinks and merchandise are available for purchase while the tour and tasting itself are free to experience.

Live entertainment 

Jameson is also providing platforms for Toronto musicians to perform, from emerging artists to headlining acts.

Musicians will take the stage throughout the two-week tour stop in a nod to the Irish busking tradition but with a special Toronto twist. Don't miss out on local acts tearing up the stage like Jane Inc., Pkew Pkew Pkew, and ISO Radio DJs, to name a few.

How does hanging out with friends and bonding over Jameson's triple-distilled process and famous smooth taste sound? Reserve a tour! 

You don't have to be a whiskey connoisseur to enjoy this event! It's all about good vibes, connecting with new and old friends, and welcoming Toronto to the Jameson community with some seriously delicious drinks.

Operating through STACKT Market's daily hours, visit the Jameson Distillery on Tour from May 2 - May 12 and enjoy the smooth taste of Dublin!

Jameson Distillery on Tour Toronto 

• When: May 2 to May 12
• Time: Noon to 11 p.m. (closed Mondays)
• Where: STACKT Market — 28 Bathurst St, Toronto
• Cost: Free

Canadians are increasingly perturbed about the state of grocery prices, and Toronto residents in particular are feeling the burn of rising living costs and harkening back to more affordable days through nostalgic advertisements and flyers from times when food seemed reasonably priced.

But some things never change.

Public outrage directed at major grocers, for instance, is nothing new for Toronto. Even 175 years ago, long before the era of supermarket chains, locals were fuming over a near-monopoly held by St. Lawrence Market on the sale of meat in the city.

The Toronto Archives this week shared a photo to X of a ten-foot-long petition from November 18, 1849, covered in signatures requesting an alteration to a law relating to butcher shops.

According to the Archives, the petition pointed out that St. Lawrence Market's control of the meat market at that point in history was "practically a monopoly and a hardship."

You know something needs to change when Torontonians send a petition THIS long! This ten-foot document from 1849 is a request to the City to allow butchers to open their own shops, and end the St. Lawrence Market's near-monopoly on selling meat. https://t.co/ea9nCbBj1L#TOHistorypic.twitter.com/r9xzH8LXLY

— Toronto Archives (@TorontoArchives) April 23, 2024

The timing of the post seems like a knowing nod to the current attitude towards grocers in Canada.

It's also an interesting eye-opener about how Toronto residents are still complaining about some of the very same issues that their distant relatives fumed about 175 years earlier.

Having to visit your healthcare provider and acquire a sick note to help justify time off work may soon be a thing of the past in Ontario, as the provincial government is planning on making some "common sense changes" to healthcare that include moving away from the use of doctors' notes.

The document, which patients usually have to pay for out of pocket, is just one of the many contributing factors to an untenable surge in the administrative work placed on physicians amid a serious shortage of family doctors in the province.

To ease this burden, Health Minister Sylvia Jones revealed on Wednesday the changes the province is working towards. These will include moving referrals and consultations online rather than relying on paper copies and fax machines, simplifying a number of key forms that doctors regularly use, using AI transcription services, and "encouraging employers to use other tools instead of sick notes."

Last year, the OCFP surveyed our members and +1300 family doctors responded. We heard loud and clear that they wanted OCFP to help cut the administrative burden. Today's announcement is one more step in that direction. We will continue to advocate. https://t.co/FCfhkSDPbShttps://t.co/smvKuDv0DB

— OCFP (@OntarioCollege) April 24, 2024

The Ontario College of Family Physicians has been raising alarm bells about the state of the job for MDs across the province for months. The College notes that doctors are largely overwhelmed with clerical tasks like notes, which they say are often "unpaid and unnecessary" and eat up an additional five hours per full day of seeing patients.

"Family doctors need and want more time for direct patient care, but right now about 40 per cent of their time is spent on admin," the overseeing body wrote in a release on the subject last May.

Some practitioners say their paperwork load has increased more than 10 times faster than their salaries have in recent years, something that is pushing many to leave the profession altogether.

Completely lost! Ford’s government has slashed and burned public health care.

— Jennie St Martin (@JennieS85384) March 17, 2024

The College called this latest move by the province an important change that it has long asked for.

"While we know that much more needs to be done to address the administrative issues that take up to 19 hours a week, this is an important step to ensure that more Ontarians can see their family doctor," the group's president said.

"We remain committed to continuing to work with the Ontario government on solutions to ensure that family doctors have the support they need to help ensure every Ontarian has access to a family doctor."

Physicians in the province are also currently fighting the feds' capital gains tax increase, which they say disproportionately impacts the profession and will lead to even fewer doctors, many of whom incorporate their practices.

A brand-new hotel is scheduled to open in Toronto this summer, featuring not only unobstructed views of the city, but a collection of long-term residences.

Weary travellers and staycationers alike are about to get some new digs, as the highly-anticipated TOOR Hotel puts on the finishing touches before opening to the public this summer.

The latest from Manga Hotel Group and Canadian hotelier Sukhdev Toor, the property will offer 232 guest rooms alongside 181 residential units for both short- and long-term stays.

The TOOR will also be home to a French-inspired bistro called Muse Bistro + Bar, which will feature a casual ground-floor space, formal second-floor dining room and menu designed by The Fifteen Group.

The hotel, which is designed by award-winning international design studio DesignAgency, also includes a 1,500 square-foot fitness centre and yoga studio, expansive terrace, and valet parking, a true blessing in its Moss Park digs.

The 33-floor development is just the first of four boutique hotel concepts by Manga Hotel Group in the next five years, and, hey, it's nice to know that when homes in the city are in short supply, chic hotels seem to be popping up like mushrooms.

The TOOR Hotel will be located at 203 Jarvis, directly across the street from the Haven Toronto facility for men 50+ experiencing homelessness.

Opening is expected sometime this summer.

The ire against Loblaw stores continues as someone has released a jingle about the controversial and heavily condemned "Steal From Loblaws Day" movement.

A TikToker and musician who goes by Callum released his comedic jingle on social media a few days ago, and it's garnered a ton of reaction.

"Galen Weston is a man with 15,000 times more money than the average man," the song starts out, taking a jab at the chairperson and director of Loblaw Companies Ltd.

"He inherited a grocery chain from his dad and stole millions of dollars in a price-fixing scam," he continues, referring to the scandal where Canada Bread and Weston Foods (which was previously owned by the Weston family and sold off in 2021) conspired to overcharge customers on bread products by artificially raising prices.

"That was then, this is now. Make more money, Galen, you know how," Callum raps monotonously over a soft synth beat.

@schcallum Nobody steal from Galen Weston Jr. on May 12th im serious #cdnpoli#galenweston#loblaws♬ original sound - Callum 🌸

The song points to the many ways Loblaw has frustrated customers, and finally, Callum mentions Steal From Loblaws Day.

Posters encouraging people to steal from the company's grocery stores recently started popping up around Toronto.

West End Phoenix, a community newspaper in the city, shared a photo of a poster last week.

The posters read: "The first annual Steal From Loblaws Day! May 12, 2024."

On the bottom are the logos of Loblaw-owned stores like Real Canadian Superstore, T&T, No Frills, Fortinos and Shoppers Drug Mart.

The sign does not indicate who is organizing the event.

Critical mass pic.twitter.com/twSU6W9ouB

— West End Phoenix (@westendphoenix) April 18, 2024

The movement has been denounced by both Loblaw and the Loblaws Is Out of Control Reddit group, which started the Canada-wide Loblaw boycott, set to kick off in May.

"This is extremely concerning to read about," Emily Johnson, creator of the Reddit group, said in a previous statement. "We have not heard anything about this and explicitly condemn this kind of behaviour."

In his jingle, Callum shares a different stance about the Steal From Loblaws Day movement.

"You shouldn't steal from Loblaws on May 12," he sings sarcastically. "It's only okay when they steal from you."

"Steal from Loblaws Day is May 12 but why stop at May 12? May 13, May 14, May 15 — steal from Loblaws Day is every day of the week. If you see someone stealing, no, you didn't. If you see someone forgetting to scan items, no, you didn't," he continues.

The tune has garnered quite a response online, with many people condemning theft from any store, including those owned by Loblaw.

"I despise the Loblaws, Sobeys and Walmart oligopoly, but shoplifting is a criminal act which deserves punishment. No excuses. One wrong doesn't make a right," said one TikTok user in the comments.

Others noted that if people start stealing, those who are just genuinely trying to boycott the chain would be painted in a negative light.

"r/loblawsisoutofcontrol is against stealing from Loblaws during the boycott, starting May 1. We don't want the media to paint all boycotters as criminals," said another.

"Don't steal from Loblaws! This is going to be used to show that the protesters are just criminals and will hurt the cause. Don’t do it," stated one comment. 

"Stealing will make our society worse. There are smarter ways to hurt Loblaws," someone else suggested, while another added, "We are supposed to be having a boycott of Loblaws in May. Stealing is wrong."

Other commenters had some wild theories, with some believing that Loblaw is involved with the Steal From Loblaws Day posters.

"Be careful of using that poster. People on the boycott Reddit believe that it may be planted by Loblaws to discredit the boycott," said one person. 

"That Steal from Loblaws Day is an astroturfed ploy by Loblaws to discredit the boycott and garner sympathy from the public."

One person deemed it "a PR stunt by Loblaws to discredit the boycott group."

Some people were simply supportive of Callum's artistry.

"Voice of a nation," reads one comment. "Put it on Spotify, my dude," encourages another commenter.

The Loblaws Is Out of Control Reddit group has made it very clear on its subreddit that it is against any act of stealing.

"While we are more than aware that times are tough for Canadians, we encourage our peers to adhere to local laws and raise their concerns via proper channels," Johnson previously said.

"This is not the way to have your voice heard."