City proposes sites to relocate Granville tenants
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
43 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Toronto Mayor confident city's compromise on sixplexes won't risk federal housing funding
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says she's confident that $30-million in federal housing funding is not at risk despite council's refusal to permit sixplexes across the entirety of the city − a condition of its agreement with Ottawa. 'Look at me. Do I look worried?' Ms. Chow told The Globe and Mail on Friday at a meeting with its editorial board. In late June, Toronto City Council passed a motion allowing sixplexes 'as of right' in nine of the city's 25 wards. Those wards are in downtown Toronto, East York and part of Scarborough. As-of-right zoning means property owners don't require additional permission to build up to six units on one lot. The initial proposal was to permit such buildings across the entire city, but it was amended because of fears that it did not have majority support and would be shot down, Ms. Chow said. Earlier this year, then-federal housing minister Nate Erskine-Smith warned Ms. Chow in a letter that any deviation from a citywide policy permitting such buildings would result in 25 per cent less federal funding. That amounts to nearly $30-million of the total $118-million that Ottawa has pledged annually to Toronto from its Housing Accelerator Fund. However, the new Housing Minister, Gregor Robertson, who was appointed by Prime Minister Mark Carney in May, has not indicated whether he will follow his predecessor's lead. On Friday, Ms. Chow said that Mr. Robertson, a former Vancouver mayor, understands the housing crisis and the challenges posed by municipal politics. 'I don't think there should be any clawback because our new housing minister has been a mayor and he would understand that it's not that simple to push things through,' Ms. Chow said. Toronto wrangles with a simple question: What is a multiplex? Allowing sixplexes is one of eight 'milestones' in Toronto's agreement to receive $471-million over four years from the federal government. Ottawa is negotiating funding agreements with more than 170 municipalities. Previously, Toronto permitted the as-of-right building of fourplexes across the city, a policy that was introduced in 2023. Since that time, construction has been completed on 108 multiplexes. The federal funding is meant to boost housing across Canada by rewarding 'ambitious housing initiatives from local governments' a spokesperson for Canada's housing ministry wrote in a statement. Multiplex housing is a key feature of Ottawa's plan. Erecting such housing is attractive to property owners looking to turn a profit or homeowners keen on multigenerational living. The city's zoning changes allow for what's known as 'gentle density,' where an increasing number of people live more closely together. In her interview with The Globe and Mail's editorial board, Ms. Chow said Toronto's housing plan is ambitious, citing faster development approvals and eviction-prevention programs. 'I would dare say we're more ambitious than the federal government,' Ms. Chow said. However, not all agree. The city's housing approach is incremental, not ambitious, said Sean Galbraith, a principal at a private-sector urban-planning company. 'I don't consider these to be bold changes at all. They're not even co-ordinated changes across departments,' Mr. Galbraith said. Mr. Galbraith's developer clients are interested in sixplexes but high city fees stop them from building, even in parts of the city that now allow them by right. To build a sixplex for rentals, developers are charged between $63,000 and $68,000 per unit by the city, he said. 'There is currently a strong punishment if you actually want to do five or six units,' Mr. Galbraith said about building multiplexes. Opinion: On housing, Toronto fails a crucial test The suburbs surrounding downtown Toronto are in demand, Mr. Gailbraith said. The areas have larger lots, schools, shops and are close to the city centre, but these are also the areas that don't permit sixplexes as of right. Suburban councillors say expanding building permissions outside the city centre risks overcrowding and raising prices. 'Why don't we just ask the people what they want?' Councillor Stephen Holyday said during the city council debate. 'They're not satisfied with ramming through sixplexes in communities that were never designed to house them.' On Friday, Ms. Chow said property owners have been slow to embrace the multiplex and said she hopes to make constructing such housing 'simpler, faster and cheaper.' 'We really need to sell it. Three units, four units. It's already allowed. People are not doing it,' she said. In 2024, the city broke ground on 20,999 new homes, fulfilling 88 per cent of a target set by the provincial government.
CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
Calgary Stampede: What the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth says about the economy
The purple toasted cob of corn shines under the afternoon sun as 25-year-old Allison Zhou lifts it up to show her friends on the opening day of the Calgary Stampede. It's ube-flavoured and covered in white and black sesame seeds. The cost? $15. "Overpriced, but it's my first Stampede," said Zhou, who moved to the city a few months ago from Toronto. "It's very unique, so I'm down to try it." At the midpoint of 2025, it's been a tough rodeo for Canada's economy so far, ever since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, sparking a tumultuous trade war with wide-ranging impacts on consumer spending, jobs and travel plans. For all the talk of a recession, there are few signs of economic hardship as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth kicks off in Calgary — a 10-day long celebration with midway rides, bucking broncos and dozens of concerts. Splurging and hunting for deals Colton Denis, 17, bought a SuperPass and plans to attend every single day of the Calgary Stampede. Does he have a budget? "Heck no. Spend all of it," he joked, while walking to the midway looking for pizza. "10 out of 10. This is going to be awesome." It's not just teenagers in the mood to splurge. Doug Coleman, 64, is visiting from the Maritimes to take in the festivities, and he hopes to see singer Shania Twain, this year's parade marshal, who will also be performing. This week, Coleman is firmly putting aside any thought of fiscal restraint. "I'll be OK. It's just a tap," said Coleman, motioning how he'll be paying with his credit card. "I'll buy what I want. I deserve it." There's less talk about being frugal in favour of shelling out cash for a good time. Some of the menu items on the midway include a $26 bucket of crocodile-themed lemonade, a $13 jumbo corndog, and a $16 basket of garlic parmesan fries. General admission tickets are now $25 for an adult, compared to $18 in 2015. For all the extravagant spending and often hefty price tags at an event like the Stampede, some people feel like they can still find a bargain. Fred Parafina, 55, sports a big grin as he holds up two pairs of Lane snake-skin boots he bought for his wife at a western wear shop near the midway. They're her favourite brand, and he called the $200 he spent an "amazing" deal. WATCH | Why the Stampede can be a bellwether for the economy: What the Calgary Stampede reveals about the economy 11 hours ago Duration 2:03 Record-setting chuckwagon auction set the tone The Stampede is home to the most famous chuckwagon race in the world, known as the "Half-Mile of Hell." A few months before the race, companies bid on the chance to sponsor each team and have their logos displayed on the canvas covering each wagon. The 2025 tarp auction set a record for the highest average bid. The total tally of $3.84 million fell just short of the all-time high of $4.015 million set in 2012 — the Stampede's centennial year — which included 36 drivers, compared to 27 this year. At the April auction, reigning chuckwagon champion Jason Glass hauled in the top individual bid of $230,000 from Birchcliff Energy, surpassing last year's biggest bid by $20,000. At the time, Glass called the result of the bidding "a great relief," considering the economic volatility and trade uncertainty was prominently on everyone's mind on the eve of the auction. But the economic worries of a few months ago seem largely in the rearview mirror, at least in Alberta. Oil prices this year have repeatedly soared and plummeted, like riding the Outlaw roller-coaster. Resource-based provinces including Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador are generally fairing better than trade and manufacturing-focused provinces such as Quebec and Ontario. Staycations and American visitors a boon Stampede attendance soared to an all-time high in 2024, with 1,477,953 visitors, surpassing the previous record set in 2012. Organizers are expecting similar numbers this year, possibly even bigger ones. Various passes are selling well, while premium seats for the rodeo and chuckwagons sold out before Stampede began. "There are a lot of people staying closer to home this year," said Stampede spokesperson Julie Forget. "This is one of the biggest events in Canada, and I think it's on a lot of people's bucket list to come and check out." Fewer Americans are travelling north of the border to Canada this year, although Calgary is proving to be an outlier. In April, 8.9 per cent fewer U.S. residents made the trip to Canada compared to the same month in 2024, according to Statistics Canada. The number of Americans travelling specifically by air to major Canadian airports showed a drop of six per cent in April. However, at the Calgary International Airport, the figures were completely different, with U.S. arrivals up by 29 per cent. "We think people are going to be staying closer to home and perhaps going to the Stampede," said ATB Financial chief economist Mark Parsons, who is also expecting another record-setting year for attendance. "We also see Americans continue to come to Alberta and that bodes well for visitor spending." Despite the fact that Canada is in the middle of a trade war and consumer sentiment has been rattled by inflation in recent years, there's optimism in Alberta, Parsons says, with the first-ever liquified natural gas exports this week, renewed enthusiasm to build major energy projects in the country, and relatively low interest rates. Calgary's population is booming, too, with nearly 100,000 new residents in 2024. Parsons says the Stampede is a bellwether of the overall Alberta economy because "it really sets the stage for how people are feeling." And people like Calgarian Todd Scott are feeling excited. He's arrived at the Stampede grounds with four kids in tow. His budget is "unlimited," and with food, rides and carnival games, he expects money will quickly go out the window. "The whole thing is a splurge."
CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
Canada wants new trade partners. But markets like India and China come with major obstacles
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu says Canada has a chance to build new partnerships as U.S. tariffs continue to pummel world economies. But landing deeper ties with major markets like the U.K., India and China means overcoming irritants and fraught diplomatic relationships. "There's an appetite with partners and allies all around the world to do more with Canada," Sidhu said in an interview with CBC's The House. "There is an opportune window that we have to jump on." Sidhu told guest host Janyce McGregor that success to him is "getting businesses more comfortable dealing with overseas markets." He said Canada "should be screaming at the top of our lungs" about what it can offer the world. Since becoming minister of international trade, Sidhu has helped Canada deepen its trade relationship with countries like Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates. But larger markets like the United Kingdom, India and China that could play a big role in easing Canada's reliance on the U.S. are much more complicated. Canada has tried to deepen its economic ties with these countries before, but trade discussions either fizzled out or diplomatic tensions stymied discussions. In January 2024, the British government walked away from trade negotiations. A major sticking point was how much tariff-free access U.K. producers should have to the Canadian cheese market. Sidhu said the U.K. "is an important partner for Canada" and he met with his counterpart, British Secretary for Businesses and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, to discuss how to build up Canada-U.K. relations. When asked whether Canada's new law to protect supply management is blocking the U.K. from returning to trade discussions, Sidhu said Canada "has always remained at the negotiating table," the Liberal government will "never dismantle supply management" and that he wants to focus on trade "opportunities." There are signs of progress. In May, British High Commissioner Rob Tinline said the U.K. wants Canada to put forward a bill ratifying its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Weeks later, Ottawa announced plans to do so this fall, allowing the British to enjoy trade with Canada under the terms of that agreement. Deepening ties with India, China During the G7 summit, Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to designate new high commissioners. Both countries expelled top diplomats after the RCMP accused agents of the Indian government of playing a role in "widespread violence" in Canada, including homicides. When asked whether he sees a path for trade talks to resume between Canada and India, Sidhu said his constituents and Canadians at large are asking for "more connectivity between Canada and India." Sidhu also said trade and other business-to-business dealings have "been continuing over the last number of years on an upward trajectory." He said the government is taking a "step-by-step approach," and that restoring diplomats is an important step. Canada has also been making trade moves with China. Sidhu said the two countries have agreed to convene the Joint Economic and Trade Commission "to work through some of these issues and problems." In March, China announced it would apply tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food products as retaliation against levies Ottawa introduced last year on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel and aluminum. China applied a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola oil, oil cakes and pea imports, and a 25 per cent duty on Canadian aquatic products and pork. Sidhu said he sees an openness to addressing Canada-China trade issues "and so we'll continue building on that. But the first part is to have those conversations being started… "Diplomacy can do wonders and we need to make sure that we're able to have those conversations with countries around the world. And that's exactly what I'll be doing."
