Ben Spurr
@benspurr.bsky.social
City hall bureau chief at the Toronto Star
City of Toronto pauses hiring of non-essential workers www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
City of Toronto pauses hiring of non-essential workers
A memo issued by senior staff said a pause on hiring is necessary to address a projected operating shortfall for 2025.
www.thestar.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:23 PM
City of Toronto pauses hiring of non-essential workers www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
‘A real dark day’: Toronto City Hall reacts to Doug Ford’s move to ban speed cameras thestar.com/news/gta/a-real-dark-day-toronto-city-hall-reacts-to-doug-fords-move-to-ban-speed/article_878b37e6-166d-4cfd-b1d6-45d64e5798fc.html
‘A real dark day’: Toronto City Hall reacts to Doug Ford’s move to ban speed cameras
The Ford government tabled legislation Monday to ban automated speed cameras in Ontario.
thestar.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:59 PM
‘A real dark day’: Toronto City Hall reacts to Doug Ford’s move to ban speed cameras thestar.com/news/gta/a-real-dark-day-toronto-city-hall-reacts-to-doug-fords-move-to-ban-speed/article_878b37e6-166d-4cfd-b1d6-45d64e5798fc.html
All Toronto library branches to be open on Sundays starting this weekend www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
All Toronto library branches to be open on Sundays starting this weekend
The move mars a milestone in Mayor Olivia Chow's plans to extend hours at all the city's branches.
www.thestar.com
October 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
All Toronto library branches to be open on Sundays starting this weekend www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
From me and @andytakagi.bsky.social: ‘It’s been a good ride’: Toronto’s transportation manager to retire after nine years www.thestar.com/news/gta/its...
‘It’s been a good ride’: Toronto’s transportation manager to retire after nine years
Deputy City Manager Will Johnston announced Barbara Gray’s decision in a letter sent to council members and municipal staff on Friday
www.thestar.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:10 PM
From me and @andytakagi.bsky.social: ‘It’s been a good ride’: Toronto’s transportation manager to retire after nine years www.thestar.com/news/gta/its...
At Downsview Park where Mayor Olivia Chow is joined by federal housing minister Gregor Robertson and CEO of Build Canada Homes (and former mayoral rival) Ana Bailao to make a housing announcement.
October 14, 2025 at 2:36 PM
At Downsview Park where Mayor Olivia Chow is joined by federal housing minister Gregor Robertson and CEO of Build Canada Homes (and former mayoral rival) Ana Bailao to make a housing announcement.
TTC beefing up subway service as more commuters return to the office www.thestar.com/news/gta/ttc...
TTC beefing up subway service as more commuters return to the office
Improvements the TTC is planning to implement Sunday will restore service on Line 2, Bloor-Danforth to pre-pandemic levels, the city says.
www.thestar.com
October 9, 2025 at 11:23 AM
TTC beefing up subway service as more commuters return to the office www.thestar.com/news/gta/ttc...
Neethan Shan wins Scarborough-Rouge Park byelection www.thestar.com/news/gta/sca...
Scarborough—Rouge Park byelection results: Neethan Shan wins
Monday’s byelection in Ward 25 Scarborough—Rouge Park was held to replace former councillor Jennifer McKelvie.
www.thestar.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Neethan Shan wins Scarborough-Rouge Park byelection www.thestar.com/news/gta/sca...
Nothing official yet in the Scarborough-Rouge Park byelection, but Neethan Shan has just entered a ballroom at the Scarborough Convention Centre to his supporters chanting his name. He's in the lead with more polls still to report. www.thestar.com/news/gta/sca...
Scarborough—Rouge Park byelection results: Neethan Shan in early lead
Monday’s byelection in Ward 25 Scarborough—Rouge Park was held to replace former councillor Jennifer McKelvie.
www.thestar.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Nothing official yet in the Scarborough-Rouge Park byelection, but Neethan Shan has just entered a ballroom at the Scarborough Convention Centre to his supporters chanting his name. He's in the lead with more polls still to report. www.thestar.com/news/gta/sca...
Mayor Olivia Chow at Wellesley station announcing details of a pilot project that will deploy Toronto Community Crisis Service teams to downtown subway platforms.
September 24, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Mayor Olivia Chow at Wellesley station announcing details of a pilot project that will deploy Toronto Community Crisis Service teams to downtown subway platforms.
The latest in our Waste Not, Want Not series about Toronto's trash: It’s a small sticker slapped on the side of Toronto blue bins, but it signals a big — and possibly difficult — change the city’s recycling program www.thestar.com/news/gta/why...
Why a small sticker slapped on your blue bin has Toronto city hall in a big uproar
New provincial rules will change who is responsible for collecting and disposing of recyclables in Toronto as the city’s landfill nears capacity.
www.thestar.com
September 17, 2025 at 8:43 PM
The latest in our Waste Not, Want Not series about Toronto's trash: It’s a small sticker slapped on the side of Toronto blue bins, but it signals a big — and possibly difficult — change the city’s recycling program www.thestar.com/news/gta/why...
From David Rider: New poll shows how Olivia Chow might fare against possible mayoral contenders — including John Tory www.thestar.com/news/gta/new...
New poll shows how Olivia Chow might fare against possible mayoral contenders — including John Tory
Forum Research surveyed 1,000 adults across Toronto on Wednesday and Thursday, asking about their support for four potential candidates well ahead of the October 2026 mayoral race.
www.thestar.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:45 PM
From David Rider: New poll shows how Olivia Chow might fare against possible mayoral contenders — including John Tory www.thestar.com/news/gta/new...
Scoop: Toronto and the federal government could be headed for another dispute over refugee supports, with Mayor Olivia Chow warning council that Ottawa looks set to "walk away" from its duty to house asylum seekers www.thestar.com/news/gta/ott...
Ottawa shirking responsibility for sheltering refugees, Chow warns, after Carney government offers Toronto just a quarter of requested funds
Mayor Olivia Chow warned the federal government’s new funding formula would leave Toronto $107 million short this year.
www.thestar.com
August 20, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Scoop: Toronto and the federal government could be headed for another dispute over refugee supports, with Mayor Olivia Chow warning council that Ottawa looks set to "walk away" from its duty to house asylum seekers www.thestar.com/news/gta/ott...
A powerful piece from @thekeenanwire.bsky.social, on the unfathomable death of 8-year-old JahVai Roy. "We came to know him only because we failed to protect him — even in his own home, even in his own bed, even in the arms of his mother." www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Edward Keenan: His name was JahVai Roy. We cannot forget him
We must not only remember the loss of this 8-year-old boy, but fight to prevent it from ever happening again.
www.thestar.com
August 19, 2025 at 7:26 PM
A powerful piece from @thekeenanwire.bsky.social, on the unfathomable death of 8-year-old JahVai Roy. "We came to know him only because we failed to protect him — even in his own home, even in his own bed, even in the arms of his mother." www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
‘Horrific, senseless act’: Mayor tells mother of 8-year-old fatal shooting victim JahVai Roy police are doing everything possible to find perpetrator www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
‘Horrific, senseless act’: Mayor tells mother of 8-year-old fatal shooting victim JahVai Roy police are doing everything possible to find perpetrator
Mayor Olivia Chow says she has spoken with Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw and the city and police are doing everything possible to find those responsible for the death of
www.thestar.com
August 18, 2025 at 10:20 PM
‘Horrific, senseless act’: Mayor tells mother of 8-year-old fatal shooting victim JahVai Roy police are doing everything possible to find perpetrator www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
Coun. Dianne Saxe has some stronger words about today's bike lane ruling, saying the Ontario government's "wasteful and dangerous plan" has been "dealt a serious blow."
July 30, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Coun. Dianne Saxe has some stronger words about today's bike lane ruling, saying the Ontario government's "wasteful and dangerous plan" has been "dealt a serious blow."
Statement from Mayor Chow's office on bike lane ruling stops short of explicitly saying she welcomes the court's decision. Says bike lanes keep ppl safe, council should have control of municipal infrastructure, and city is reviewing the ruling.
July 30, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Statement from Mayor Chow's office on bike lane ruling stops short of explicitly saying she welcomes the court's decision. Says bike lanes keep ppl safe, council should have control of municipal infrastructure, and city is reviewing the ruling.
Mayor Olivia Chow's office says she was forced to remove a video she posted to social media in which she welcomed a Palestinian family to Toronto, after they faced a barrage of online abuse www.thestar.com/news/gta/vid...
Video of Mayor Olivia Chow welcoming Gaza refugees to Toronto pulled from Instagram over online abuse
The original Instagram post included a video in which the mayor at city hall holds a video call, greeting a Palestinian family that has fled Gaza as they arrived at Pearson International Airport.
www.thestar.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Mayor Olivia Chow's office says she was forced to remove a video she posted to social media in which she welcomed a Palestinian family to Toronto, after they faced a barrage of online abuse www.thestar.com/news/gta/vid...
'Consultation' is a 'slippery word': Council moves ahead with six shelter sites after heated debate www.thestar.com/news/gta/we-...
‘We have a housing crisis, folks’: Council moves ahead with six shelter sites after heated debate
Some councillors took issue with a previous decision that delegated site selection to city staff rather than elected officials.
www.thestar.com
July 25, 2025 at 5:47 PM
'Consultation' is a 'slippery word': Council moves ahead with six shelter sites after heated debate www.thestar.com/news/gta/we-...
From Ben Cohen: Council has also approved the appointment of a new medical officer of health www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...
Toronto appoints a new medical officer of health
City council on Wednesday approved the appointment of Dr. Michelle Murti as the city’s new medical officer of health, replacing Dr. Eileen de Villa, who stepped down in December.
www.thestar.com
July 24, 2025 at 2:21 PM
From Ben Cohen: Council has also approved the appointment of a new medical officer of health www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...
Meanwhile, Ottawa issued a warning to Mayor Olivia Chow that Toronto's federal housing funding could be at risk over council's refusal to legalize sixplexes city-wide, but gave the mayor six months to sort it out www.thestar.com/news/gta/no-...
‘No compromises’: Ottawa issues warning to Toronto about housing funding over sixplex vote
Housing Minister Gregor Robertson expressed his “disappointment” with city council’s decision last month to not allow sixplexes citywide in a letter to Mayor Olivia Chow.
www.thestar.com
July 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Meanwhile, Ottawa issued a warning to Mayor Olivia Chow that Toronto's federal housing funding could be at risk over council's refusal to legalize sixplexes city-wide, but gave the mayor six months to sort it out www.thestar.com/news/gta/no-...
In a politically charged moment at city hall yesterday, council dredged up a report that found former mayor John Tory violated ethics rules over a World Cup vote and his relationship with his former staffer. Tory is considering running for mayor again. www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...
Toronto council strengthens oversight of major events after watchdog flags potential FIFA risks
Toronto’s auditor general found a lack of transparency around the World Cup bid could have put the city at financial risk.
www.thestar.com
July 24, 2025 at 2:09 PM
In a politically charged moment at city hall yesterday, council dredged up a report that found former mayor John Tory violated ethics rules over a World Cup vote and his relationship with his former staffer. Tory is considering running for mayor again. www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...
From Mahdis Habibinia and me: ‘It looks bad’: Toronto council can meet virtually. Does the city suffer when councillors skip in-person sessions? www.thestar.com/news/gta/it-...
‘Get your butt in that chair’: Do virtual meetings hurt Toronto city council’s effectiveness?
Some say remote meetings have been a boon to overstretched councillors, while others say they are a distraction that has led to bad policy being made.
www.thestar.com
July 24, 2025 at 2:05 PM
From Mahdis Habibinia and me: ‘It looks bad’: Toronto council can meet virtually. Does the city suffer when councillors skip in-person sessions? www.thestar.com/news/gta/it-...
‘No compromises’: Ottawa issues warning to Toronto about housing funding over sixplex vote www.thestar.com/news/gta/no-...
‘No compromises’: Ottawa issues warning to Toronto about housing funding over sixplex vote
Housing Minister Gregor Robertson expressed his “disappointment” with city council’s decision last month to not allow sixplexes citywide in a letter to Mayor Olivia Chow.
www.thestar.com
July 23, 2025 at 4:51 PM
‘No compromises’: Ottawa issues warning to Toronto about housing funding over sixplex vote www.thestar.com/news/gta/no-...
"Four babies have died in the last few weeks in this hospital – not from bombs or bullets, but from starvation." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I’m witnessing the deliberate starvation of Gaza’s children – why is the world letting it happen? | Nick Maynard
A permanent ceasefire, the free and safe flow of aid, and the lifting of the blockade are needed now – all could be achieved with political will, says UK surgeon Nick Maynard
www.theguardian.com
July 22, 2025 at 1:23 PM
"Four babies have died in the last few weeks in this hospital – not from bombs or bullets, but from starvation." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The city stopped this bistro from opening its patio after two neighbours objected. A Toronto councillor wants to stop that from happening again www.thestar.com/news/gta/the...
The city stopped this bistro from opening its patio after two neighbours objected. A Toronto councillor wants to stop that from happening again
Coun. Brad Bradford wants the city to make it easier for businesses to open side street patios by raising the bar on the number of objections needed to stop them.
www.thestar.com
July 17, 2025 at 9:22 PM
The city stopped this bistro from opening its patio after two neighbours objected. A Toronto councillor wants to stop that from happening again www.thestar.com/news/gta/the...