Latest from Shawn Jeffords
Violence in Toronto shelters is on the rise. Here's how the city hopes to tackle it
Toronto is proposing a three-year plan to address rising levels of violence in the city’s shelter system, months after a report showed incidents in the crowded system have spiked by 280 per cent over the last decade.
Council OKs hiking hotel tax to help cover FIFA hosting costs
City council has approved a temporary increase to Toronto’s hotel tax to help pay for the city’s 2026 FIFA World Cup hosting duties. The hike, from six per cent to 8.5 per cent, will come into effect next summer and last until the games in July 2026.
Bikes lanes, FIFA and housing crisis on Toronto council's meeting agenda
Premier Doug Ford's controversial push to remove some bike lanes in Toronto — and whether the city can do anything about it — will be up for debate at a council meeting that starts Wednesday.
Tens of thousands declare early to avoid Toronto's vacant home tax
Toronto's redesigned vacant home tax rollout has begun, with over 59,000 people filing their paperwork in the first week. Some councillors say they were left responding to complaints about the rollout, after the city's online declaration portal experienced technical problems shortly after launch.
Toronto street parking rates could increase for 2nd straight year
On-street parking prices across Toronto could jump by 25 cents per hour, as the Toronto Parking Authority moves to increase rates for the second straight year. A new report headed to the TPA's audit and risk committee recommends rates for nearly 20,000 spaces citywide increase.
Chow announces plan to open all Toronto libraries 7 days a week
Mayor Olivia Chow announced a new plan on Sunday to expand the operating hours of all 100 library branches in the city.
Analysis
Chow facing political, economic headwinds as 2025 budget approaches
Mayor Olivia Chow says she doesn’t yet know what the property tax increase in her second budget will look like. But experts say economic and political headwinds could limit the mayor’s ability — or desire — to introduce a rate hike similar to 2024’s post-amalgamation record.
Crowded field vies for council seat in Don Valley West
A former journalist and the chair of the Toronto District School Board are among a crowded field of candidates vying to fill a city council seat left vacant after the death of veteran politician Jaye Robinson.
Toronto is on the hook for millions to replace failing water meter transmitters
Work to replace parts of 470,000 failing water meter transmitters in homes and businesses across Toronto is underway, but the latest update shows it will cost taxpayers millions of dollars to solve the problem that's only getting worse.
Fines headed up for drivers, builders who snarl Toronto traffic
Drivers blocking live lanes of traffic and builders taking up space in roadways will face increased fines after city council greenlit new measures to fight gridlock on Toronto’s streets.