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Hamilton Spectator
8 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
I fell in love with Sicily watching iconic films like ‘The Godfather.' What would it be like?
We asked Star readers to tell us about trips they have taken and to share their experience and advice: Where: Sicily When: May 2024 Trip rating: 4.5 out of 5 What inspired you to take this trip? I fell in love with Sicily watching iconic films like 'The Godfather' and 'Cinema Paradiso.' The beauty of its volcanic landscape and the richness of its history and culture attracted me to this region. What was the best sight? I have several favourites. The Temple of Concordia, Agrigento, is one of the largest and best-preserved Doric temples in Sicily. A bronze sculpture of the fallen Icarus by the late Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj, placed near the site, creates a dramatic vista. Villa Romana del Casale near Piazza Armerina is decorated with some of the finest mosaics in the Roman era, with themes ranging from hunting scenes to bikini-clad female athletes. The villa may have once been owned by co-emperor Maximian. The town of Taormina has dramatic views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, which can be seen from the top of its ancient Greek theatre and also around its main square, Piazza IX Aprile. This town also has a charming botanical garden originally built by Lady Florence Trevelyan back in the late 1800s. What was your favourite activity? I liked exploring the vast temple sites and the colourful side streets of Taormina. Hiking up to some of the peaks and craters on Mount Etna was also exhilarating and offered some great panoramic views of the surrounding area. What was the most delicious thing you ate? Food is delicious everywhere in Sicily. I had grilled octopus and shrimp for dinner on my first day in Palermo. The ingredients were so fresh that I could almost taste the sea. I also liked to try all the different flavours of gelato, especially on a hot day while sightseeing. What was the most memorable thing you learned? Sicily is much more than the mafia portrayal in the movies; it is a land with a proud heritage where many great civilizations had once risen and fallen, including Greek, Roman, Arab and Norman, among others. This mix of cultures has influenced Sicily's language and tradition, which are distinct from the mainland. What is one piece of advice you 'd give? During peak travel season, the population of Italy more than doubles in size due to the influx of tourists. To avoid the heat and massive crowds, early May and October would be better times to visit. Helen Chan, Toronto READERS ' TIPS ON CANADIAN TRIPS We've launched a series that invites Star readers to share places they've visited recently and would recommend, whether it's a weekend getaway in Elora, a Banff canoe trip, or a road trip to Quebec City or Newfoundland. If you've been, loved it and want to tell us about it, we'd like to hear from you. Email us with 'CANADIAN TRAVEL TIPS' in the subject line at travel@ . Please include brief responses to these questions. If your holiday experience is chosen, we'll be in touch. 1. Where did you go and when was it? 2. Where did you stay? 3. What was a highlight of your trip? Why? 4. Any travel tips?
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Science
- Toronto Star
This Toronto entrepreneur is betting millions on getting to space. Inside Canada's space race
July 19, 2025 6 min read Save By Mark ColleyStaff Reporter This might be the biggest gamble Rahul Goel has ever taken. He's always been a risk-taker, like when, as a kid in Toronto, he snuck a TV remote into class and switched the channel to SpongeBob. This time, though, there's a lot more on the line — about $5 million of Goel's own cash, to be exact. And he's using it to fuel his ambitious goal: to build a rocket and send it to orbit. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Mark Colley is a Toronto-based general assignment reporter for the Star. Reach him via email: mcolley@ Related Stories Reaction Dynamics CEO Bachar Elzein speaks with the Star about building a Canadian space company How studying what space travel does to astronauts' health is leading to innovations on Earth She dreamed of going to space. After her death, her husband is making sure she gets there 'He had the weight of Canada on his shoulders': An oral history of Canada's first trip to space, 40 years later Report an error Journalistic Standards About The Star More from The Star & partners
Toronto Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
I just returned from a French town with the perfect weekly summer ritual. If only we could have such a thing in Toronto
By Staff Columnist Andrew Phillips is a Toronto-based staff columnist for the Star's Opinion page. Reach him via email: aphillips@ For the past couple of summers I've had the good fortune to spend time in a lovely town in southwestern France called Nérac. It's half-way between Bordeaux and Toulouse, set in an idyllic rolling landscape of prosperous farms and vineyards. There is, as you can imagine, an awful lot to like. One of the nicest things happens every Tuesday evening in the summer. That's when the town holds what they call a 'night market,' which is basically a communal dinner held in a park near the centre of town. Other towns in the area stage similar events on other nights of the week.
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Severe weather caused a record $8 billion in insured damage in 2024. Are you sure you're covered?
Damage caused by severe weather broke records last year and if this summer's forecast is any indication, we could be gearing up for another rough season. Severe weather events, including wildfires, floods and hailstorms, caused more than $8 billion in insured damage in 2024 for the first time in Canada's history, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. July and August were particularly bad, with four catastrophic weather events that resulted in more than 250,000 insurance claims and more than $7 billion in insured losses. Flash floods in Toronto and southern Ontario last July and August alone caused more than $940 million in insured damage. Are you a Gen Z or Millennial (18 to 44) living in the Toronto area who needs help with a financial challenge or goal? Do you have questions and want some free advice from a financial adviser? Email Lora Grady at lgrady@ and you could be featured in an upcoming story. Frequent showers and powerful thunderstorms are in store for southern and eastern Ontario this summer, according to the Weather Network, with a threat of wildfires in northern Ontario. 'It's super important to have home insurance, including tenants' insurance or condo insurance,' says Morgan Roberts, vice-president of insurance at RH Insurance, Ratehub's insurance brokerage. Fire, wind, flooding and hail can cause significant damage, and most people can't afford to shoulder the recovery costs on their own. Roberts says you could be looking at upwards of $100,000 in damages depending on the circumstances. A recent survey from found that while nearly half of Canadian homeowners feel 'somewhat confident' about their home insurance policy's coverage and terms, some 70 per cent admit to having little or no understanding of their policy exclusions. That means many Canadians won't realize what their home insurance policy covers until they're dealing with a loss and have to file a claim. 'The devil is always in the details,' says Nainesh Kotak, founder of Kotak Personal Injury Law. 'Insurance policies vary, and fire and flood coverage may depend on certain terms and conditions,' Kotak adds. Consumers should pay particular attention to what type of water damage is covered, says Anne Marie Thomas, director of consumer and industry relations for the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Standard home insurance policies will typically cover water damage caused by a pipe bursting or a leaking fridge. However, standard home insurance policies don't cover overland flooding (water entering a property from an accumulation of water from the outside) or sewer backup. Most insurance companies will allow you to purchase additional coverage to fill those gaps — but it depends on the circumstances, including where you live. 'Some insurance companies may not offer water damage coverage if you live in an area that has frequently flooded,' says Thomas. Torontonians are increasingly looking to buy their spouse out of the matrimonial home after Most policies cover fire and wind. However, if you live in an area where there's an active wildfire season, 'it's very unlikely that they're going to give you fire insurance because the insurance company could be setting itself up for a claim,' Kotak says. It's also important to be aware of any coverage limits, Thomas says. For example, some sewer backup coverage is maxed out at $25,000. 'If your basement water damage is $40,000, that other $15,000 is yours to cover,' Thomas says. 'If you think that you require more coverage, find another insurance company or buy more — ask an insurance broker what your options are.' Another couple of terms to get familiar with: replacement cost coverage (the actual cost to replace an item) versus actual cash value (the cost of the item when it was new minus depreciation). 'If you bought a 50-inch television three years ago and you paid $5,000, and today you go on Facebook Marketplace and somebody's selling that same TV for $2,000, that's the actual cash value,' Thomas says. With replacement cost coverage, the insurance company will replace that $5,000 television with a similar year, make and model. 'If that TV would cost $6,000 by today's standards, that's what they will pay.' When it comes to rebuilding costs, Roberts recommends guaranteed replacement cost coverage. Standard coverage reduces payouts based on depreciation, whereas this protection pays the full replacement amount — even if actual costs exceed their policy's stated limits. 'With Canada experiencing an increasing frequency of severe weather events, guaranteed replacement costs provide crucial peace of mind, ensuring that your home will be fully rebuilt regardless of how much construction costs have escalated since your policy was originally written,' Roberts says. Budget-friendly activities for the nature enthusiasts, kids, teens and even date night. Keep in mind that while guaranteed replacement cost covers construction costs, it won't pay for upgrades or improvements beyond the original specifications of your home. If your home is damaged due to severe weather, reach out to your insurance company as soon as it's safe to do so (most insurance companies have 24-hour claims lines) and document your losses. Take photos and record videos that survey the damage so that 'an insurance adjuster can see the scope and scale of the damage to the home,' Thomas says. If you don't have receipts for damaged items, videos and photos can be particularly helpful. Depending on the scope of the severe weather event, it can take an insurance adjuster days to get to your home because of the number of claims. If you rent a shop vacuum or dryers for water damage, keep receipts. 'Your insurance company will reimburse you for steps you have taken to mitigate further damage,' Thomas says. If you have a history of multiple home insurance claims, your premium will go up. Some insurance companies will also raise your deductible. 'If you normally have a $1,000 deductible and then have one or two sewer backup claims, your deductible might change to $5,000,' Roberts says. They could exclude that coverage altogether. A few useful tips to mitigate potential damage: Make sure your downspouts are directed away from your home's foundation and not toward it. Clean eavestroughs regularly so the water flows through properly. Don't pour fats or oils down your drains — they can coagulate and cause blocks so water can't escape. Raise large appliances like hot water heaters up off the floor in the basement, along with any other any valuables. Ensure any sewer backup drains in your basement are free of debris. You may want to install a sump pump (a device that removes water to prevent flooding) with a battery backup and/or a backwater valve (which prevents sewage from the public sewer system from flowing back into your home when it's backed up), Thomas says. Many insurance companies offer discounts when you install equipment (backwater valves, sump pumps, storm shutters, sprinkler systems) that helps prevent damage to your home. 'If you're less likely to have something go wrong with your house, you're less likely to make a claim,' Roberts explains. 'Insurance companies like that, so they'll often give you a break on your premiums as a reward for being proactive about protecting your home.' Some municipalities and even insurance providers offer incentives or subsidies for installing preventative measures in your home. In Toronto, homeowners can apply online for the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program, which offers a subsidy of up to $3,400 to install flood protection devices (including backwater valves and sump pumps). Check with your provider to see if they offer any reimbursements for weather-prevention upgrades. Typically, your insurance policy only needs to be reviewed with your broker once a year when it comes up for renewal. However, if you make any upgrades or big purchases (think renovating your kitchen, adding a bathroom or buying an expensive bicycle), you should talk to your broker to add those items to your policy. 'You want to make sure you have coverage and up your liability,' says Roberts. 'It could change the premium, but you're also now insuring a finished basement.' Kotak says it's a good idea to take photographs of any upgrades or valuables (such as a wine collection) that you would seek to replace. 'It's nice to have a before photo to have that comparison, just to make someone's life a little bit easier when they have to make a claim and justify the claim,' he says. Due to last year's severe weather, many Canadians will see higher home insurance policy renewal rates this year, even if they haven't filed a claim. Roberts recommends working with an insurance broker to find a company with rates that fit your budget. Here's the good news: You're not falling behind if you don't have everything figured out right You can typically get a discount if you have your car and home insurance with the same company, Thomas says. You should also check with your broker to see if there's a group discount that you might not be aware of. 'Some insurance companies offer discounts if you're an alumnus of a university or you're employed by a certain company,' Thomas says. It's great to have coverage, but it's crucial to understand the coverage you have, Thomas says. If you don't understand what severe weather your policy covers, consult an insurance broker or contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada's consumer information centre.
Hamilton Spectator
7 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Splitting up but want to stay in the house? Here's how a spousal buyout works
There's a lot of uncertainty that comes with divorce, but when Alessia Scauzillo separated from her now ex-husband in 2022, she knew one thing for sure: she wanted to stay in the Toronto house they'd purchased together five years prior. 'The market had largely gone up and it would be extremely difficult to find another house like this,' says the 34-year-old content creator, adding that the home had recently been renovated. 'I really just didn't want to let go of it.' Many Torontonians like Scauzillo are considering buying their spouse out of the matrimonial home (the home they occupy at the date of separation) after divorce, due to an increasingly unaffordable housing market. 'When a married couple have joint ownership of the matrimonial home, meaning they're both on title, they have options when they separate,' says Olivia D'Ammizio, a family law lawyer and associate at Shulman & Partners LLP. They can choose to list and sell the home, or they can choose a spousal buyout, where one spouse pays the other for their equity in the home and takes sole ownership. For example, if a home is valued at $600,000 with a $200,000 remaining mortgage, the equity would be $400,000. If splitting this equity 50/50, one spouse would need to pay the other $200,000. In today's market, more people want to buy their spouse out 'because they're not going to be able to sell for as much as they'd like,' explains Mary Sialtsis, a mortgage broker with Concierge Mortgage Group. 'If somebody's been in a house for 10 to 15 years, there's probably significant equity built up,' Sialtsis says. Buying back into the same neighbourhood may be impossible. Are you a Gen Z or Millennial (18 to 44) living in the Toronto area who needs help with a financial challenge or goal? Do you have questions and want some free advice from a financial adviser? Email Lora Grady at lgrady@ and you could be featured in an upcoming story. When pursuing a spousal buyout, one of the first steps is to determine the value of the matrimonial home, which is typically done through an appraisal from a neutral third party. If both spouses have appraisals done and there's a difference, they can negotiate a number somewhere in the middle. You and your ex can also get a letter of opinion from a real estate agent, D'Ammizio says. Whatever option you choose, both partners must agree on the number. Once the value of the home is established, any debts associated with the home (such as a mortgage or home equity line of credit) are subtracted from the value. 'That gives you the equity of the home to then divide,' D'Ammizio says. In Ontario, the full value of the matrimonial home must be shared equally between spouses — even if one spouse owned the home before the marriage or inherited it. This is important when it comes to the calculation for the equalization of net family property. This process ensures that the wealth accumulated by both spouses during the marriage is shared equally. The spouse with the higher net family property (including the value of their interest in the matrimonial home) may have to make what's called an 'equalization payment' to the other spouse. The person doing the buying has to ensure that they can secure financing and afford to cover the mortgage going forward. That means qualifying for a mortgage independently. A lender will consider factors like income and credit score. A mortgage broker can determine if you would qualify for a spousal buyout mortgage, says Sialtsis, adding that many people who initially consider a spousal buyout don't realize how much money is involved. People often think they only have to pay for half of what the house is worth, but they're actually taking on all of the debt associated with the home plus an equity payment (their ex-spouse's half of the home's value after the mortgage is paid off). That means 'the person who wants to buy the other partner out is taking on almost three quarters of the value of the home,' Sialtsis says. That's where things can get tricky; it can be hard to qualify for a higher mortgage on your own. All three of Canada's mortgage insurers (Sagen, Canada Guaranty and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) offer a spousal buyout program, which allows one spouse to pay off the other spouse's share of the equity and become the sole owner. If the value of the matrimonial home is $500,000 or less, the spousal buyout mortgage can cover up to 95 per cent of the value of the home. In a traditional refinance, you can only borrow 80 per cent, Sialtsis says, but with a spousal buyout, you get access to an extra 15 per cent of financing. A signed separation agreement is required to qualify. There's also mortgage default insurance, which is mandatory for mortgages where the down payment is less than 20 per cent of the home's purchase price. If you're purchasing a property for $500,000 or less, you can make a down payment as low as five per cent. Sialtsis says you should look into whether or not you are on title before considering spousal buyout as an option, because it is a requirement for both parties to be on title to qualify for a spousal buyout mortgage. Other than that, the qualifying rules are the same as any other mortgage. Most lenders will require that there's a fully executed, legally binding separation agreement in place before you can qualify for a spousal buyout mortgage, Sialtsis says. The agreement should outline the terms of the buyout. Cutting off accounts. Withholding money. Hiding assets. Financial abuse is a common tactic used If the buying spouse is not on title, says Sialtsis, then the purchase of the home would have to be done as a regular purchase and mortgage. It could be handled as a private sale. D'Ammizio says some people may take out private loans to finance the purchase of the home, or they may get a co-mortgager to be able to afford taking it on. Scauzillo and her now-ex-husband owned the matrimonial home as well as a condominium they rented out to tenants. They decided that she would buy him out of the house and he would buy her out of the condo. Scauzillo wasn't aware of spousal buyout mortgages, but luckily, 'there was no animosity' between her and her ex-husband, so negotiations were smooth. In a common-law relationship, if both partners are on the property title, they get the same options of a buyout or sale. If only one partner is on title, the other could make a claim that based on significant contributions to the property, it would be 'fair' for them to be compensated. That claim would have to be proven before any kind of payment for equity would be made, D'Ammizio says, adding that the outcome would depend on the specific facts. If both parties can't agree on the terms of a spousal buyout, they'll likely need court intervention. A court can't order a spousal buyout, but it can order the sale of a jointly owned property where proceeds would then be split 50/50. Before deciding to pursue a spousal buyout, check in with a mortgage broker or your bank to see if you are in a position to take over whatever debts are associated with the home, says D'Ammizio. You may also want to get legal advice from a family law lawyer. There's no rule about who must move out of a shared home when a couple separates, write Lisa If a buyout is an option, there are other moving parts that can come about when dealing with the financial issues, D'Ammizio says. For example, in some cases, an ex-spouse may choose to deduct any future spousal and/or child support from the proceeds as part of an equalization payment. A year after buying out her ex, Scauzillo realized the mortgage was too expensive for her and there was a lot of space she didn't need, so she rented out the home and moved into a smaller, more affordable apartment. Now, she's planning to move back into the house with her new partner. 'I still feel so grateful that I did the spousal buyout, because now it's giving my partner and (me) the opportunity to have this beautiful life in a home in Toronto that we may not otherwise be able to afford.'
