Gabe Oatley
@gabeoatley.bsky.social
Reporter with @torontotoday.ca, covering Toronto's downtown core. Bylines with: CBC, Future of Good, Xtra! etc. He/Him
NEW: What’s an appropriately scary Halloween display, and what’s offside? Residents of a west end toronto neighbourhood are debating just that, after a homeowner created a display that included a realistic female mannequin with an axe to the head. www.torontotoday.ca/local/family...
Some locals upset over Halloween display they say is ‘too real’ and ‘over the top’
The neighbourhood Halloween display features a graphic mannequin of a woman with a pickaxe to the skull
www.torontotoday.ca
October 31, 2025 at 8:54 PM
NEW: What’s an appropriately scary Halloween display, and what’s offside? Residents of a west end toronto neighbourhood are debating just that, after a homeowner created a display that included a realistic female mannequin with an axe to the head. www.torontotoday.ca/local/family...
NEW: Proposals for two new multiplexes on Palmerston Boulevard have rankled locals. They’re concerned the projects will demolish existing affordable rentals and detract from the street’s character. They’re putting their hopes on a heritage designation. www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...
Palmerston residents look to fight housing redevelopments using heritage status
Residents are concerned about two recent proposed housing redevelopments, which they say will detract from the character of the neighbourhood without adding affordable housing
www.torontotoday.ca
October 28, 2025 at 10:15 PM
NEW: Proposals for two new multiplexes on Palmerston Boulevard have rankled locals. They’re concerned the projects will demolish existing affordable rentals and detract from the street’s character. They’re putting their hopes on a heritage designation. www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...
NEW: Over 100 students from Toronto District School Board high schools walked out of class on Thursday morning to protest what they claim are efforts by school administrators to silence expressions of support for Palestine.
www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...
www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...
Over 100 TDSB students walk out over claims of pro-Palestinian censorship
Some students alleged a provincial directive restricting political speech in schools is being used selectively to prohibit expression about Palestine
www.torontotoday.ca
October 17, 2025 at 8:57 PM
NEW: Over 100 students from Toronto District School Board high schools walked out of class on Thursday morning to protest what they claim are efforts by school administrators to silence expressions of support for Palestine.
www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...
www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...
NEW: Within the next few weeks, a 5G tower that has sparked significant concern from some Etobicoke locals will be completed. www.torontotoday.ca/local/policy...
Construction proceeds on 5G tower in Etobicoke amid resident outrage
Some residents have protested the tower over alleged health concerns, but Health Canada denies 5G technology poses any threat
www.torontotoday.ca
September 24, 2025 at 8:52 PM
NEW: Within the next few weeks, a 5G tower that has sparked significant concern from some Etobicoke locals will be completed. www.torontotoday.ca/local/policy...
NEW: Residents of the longstanding Dufferin Grove homeless encampment are fearful they could face a forced clearing as soon as tomorrow morning. In an emailed statement, city spokesperson seemed to suggest this could indeed occur. Full story: www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-h...
Dufferin Grove homeless encampment residents fear imminent forced eviction
Encampment residents have received trespass notices from the city saying tents must be removed from the park by Tuesday
www.torontotoday.ca
September 15, 2025 at 8:53 PM
NEW: Residents of the longstanding Dufferin Grove homeless encampment are fearful they could face a forced clearing as soon as tomorrow morning. In an emailed statement, city spokesperson seemed to suggest this could indeed occur. Full story: www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-h...
NEW: In a city with more than half a million renters, hostility between landlords and tenants often simmers just below the surface. But rarely do disputes become as heated and have such significant consequences for both sides as this one has. www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...
Landlord-tenant mess: How a multi-year ceiling leak spiralled into assault allegations, a lost job and eviction threats
Tenants claim their landlord’s negligence has left them living in slum-like conditions, but the landlord denies it, alleging tenants have blocked much-needed repairs
www.torontotoday.ca
August 27, 2025 at 9:02 PM
NEW: In a city with more than half a million renters, hostility between landlords and tenants often simmers just below the surface. But rarely do disputes become as heated and have such significant consequences for both sides as this one has. www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...
NEW: The CNE's got a new accessibility service that disability advocates say is unlike any they've seen before in Toronto's event or festival scene. They say it helps increase autonomy and independence for disabled guests. www.torontotoday.ca/local/lifest...
CNE delights disabled guest with ‘liberating’ new support service
The free new service provides fair attendees with on-demand personal care attendants, who support guests with using the washroom, eating and getting around
www.torontotoday.ca
August 25, 2025 at 8:58 PM
NEW: The CNE's got a new accessibility service that disability advocates say is unlike any they've seen before in Toronto's event or festival scene. They say it helps increase autonomy and independence for disabled guests. www.torontotoday.ca/local/lifest...
NEW: Spoke with six students moving into their TMU dorms today on-campus. It was a mix of age-old worries and hopes (will the workload be too much? yay for making friends!) and some new stuff unique to this Gen Z cohort. www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...
AI, social media and independence on minds of TMU first-years on dorm move-in day
About 1,100 first-year Toronto Metropolitan University students began moving into on-campus housing on Sunday
www.torontotoday.ca
August 24, 2025 at 8:44 PM
NEW: Spoke with six students moving into their TMU dorms today on-campus. It was a mix of age-old worries and hopes (will the workload be too much? yay for making friends!) and some new stuff unique to this Gen Z cohort. www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...
NEW: The Junction Triangle community has a sexy new library. It's more than three times as big as the old community branch, and locals are stoked about it. www.torontotoday.ca/local/family...
Sneak peak: Inside the new Junction Triangle library branch on opening day
The new library is more than three times the size of the neighbourhood’s prior facility and offers more space for kids, reading and computer work
www.torontotoday.ca
August 20, 2025 at 8:24 PM
NEW: The Junction Triangle community has a sexy new library. It's more than three times as big as the old community branch, and locals are stoked about it. www.torontotoday.ca/local/family...
NEW: Though most TDSB schools have a libraries or gyms with air conditioning, some daycares cant afford the thousands the board charges to use them in the summer, leaving kids sweltering www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...
Daycare operator says TDSB putting a ‘price tag’ on kids with high fees for air conditioned rooms
Though most TDSB schools have a libraries or gyms with air conditioning, some daycares cant afford the thousands the board charges to use them in the summer, leaving kids sweltering
www.torontotoday.ca
August 18, 2025 at 9:19 PM
NEW: Though most TDSB schools have a libraries or gyms with air conditioning, some daycares cant afford the thousands the board charges to use them in the summer, leaving kids sweltering www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...
NEW: Want a backyard hen? Don't count your chickens before they...OK, so this saying admittedly doesn't quite make sense here, but I wasn't able to get enough bird puns in this story, so you're stuck with it. www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-h...
Want a backyard chicken? For the foreseeable future, city says forget it
The UrbanHensTO pilot program was paused in 2023 over avian flu concerns and will remain so until further notice, says the city
www.torontotoday.ca
August 14, 2025 at 9:05 PM
NEW: Want a backyard hen? Don't count your chickens before they...OK, so this saying admittedly doesn't quite make sense here, but I wasn't able to get enough bird puns in this story, so you're stuck with it. www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-h...
NEW: Registration for the TDSB's Learn4Life adult education courses opened today, but some learners have opted not to sign up after the board hiked fees 45% to try to bring the program into cost neutrality. www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...
TDSB adult education courses too costly for some after 45% fee hike
The Toronto District School Board has nearly doubled Learn4Life course fees in a bid to make the program cost-neutral
www.torontotoday.ca
August 13, 2025 at 9:02 PM
NEW: Registration for the TDSB's Learn4Life adult education courses opened today, but some learners have opted not to sign up after the board hiked fees 45% to try to bring the program into cost neutrality. www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...
NEW: A company’s plan to install a new 5G cell tower in Etobicoke has met significant opposition from local residents and elected officials, in part, over fear the new infrastructure could cause health problems. www.torontotoday.ca/local/health...
Proposed 5G tower faces push back from Etobicoke residents over alleged health concerns
A local city councillor and TCDSB trustee have also voiced concern about the project
www.torontotoday.ca
August 12, 2025 at 9:53 PM
NEW: A company’s plan to install a new 5G cell tower in Etobicoke has met significant opposition from local residents and elected officials, in part, over fear the new infrastructure could cause health problems. www.torontotoday.ca/local/health...
NEW: Hip nightclub spot Cafeteria suffered a break-in and robbery last Friday. Police are investigating. The owners say the vandals took off with most of their sound and DJ equipment and all of the club's booze. www.torontotoday.ca/local/crime-...
Popular nightclub Cafeteria suffers long-weekend break-in and robbery
The venue’s owners say the majority of the club’s DJ and sound equipment was stolen as well as the entire stock of alcohol
www.torontotoday.ca
August 5, 2025 at 8:57 PM
NEW: Hip nightclub spot Cafeteria suffered a break-in and robbery last Friday. Police are investigating. The owners say the vandals took off with most of their sound and DJ equipment and all of the club's booze. www.torontotoday.ca/local/crime-...
NEW: For more than 2 months, a group of about 25 PSWs employed by a supportive living charity in North York have been on strike. Meanwhile replacement workers, or "scabs" have been caring for their elderly clients inside. www.torontotoday.ca/local/senior...
Striking PSWs say elder care charity using ‘scabs’ to replace workers
The organization says they have a ‘legal and moral responsibility’ to ensure uninterrupted care for their clients
www.torontotoday.ca
July 31, 2025 at 5:43 PM
NEW: For more than 2 months, a group of about 25 PSWs employed by a supportive living charity in North York have been on strike. Meanwhile replacement workers, or "scabs" have been caring for their elderly clients inside. www.torontotoday.ca/local/senior...
NEW: In the past 6 months, commercial flights have travelled from Toronto to Paris and Frankfurt carrying not only passengers, but also weapons parts and equipment bound for Israel, according to newly-obtained commercial shipping data. www.torontotoday.ca/local/politi...
‘Shocking’ report alleges Toronto passenger flights have carried weapons supplies to Israel
The report is based on shipping logs between Canada and Israel and alleges Canadian officials have misled the public about arms exports
www.torontotoday.ca
July 29, 2025 at 9:11 PM
NEW: In the past 6 months, commercial flights have travelled from Toronto to Paris and Frankfurt carrying not only passengers, but also weapons parts and equipment bound for Israel, according to newly-obtained commercial shipping data. www.torontotoday.ca/local/politi...
NEW: Last year, more than 2,500 signed a petition demanding the city let a neighbourhood grocery store keep serving coffee, despite bylaws restricting local retail. The Finch Store got a temporary reprieve, but where's it at now? We got the deets. www.torontotoday.ca/local/busine...
Local corner store may be forced to close if city says ‘no’ to neighbourhood retail
After public outcry, the city postponed enforcement of its own bylaw, allowing the Finch Store to stay open. But the business’ fate now hangs on a city council decision
www.torontotoday.ca
July 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
NEW: Last year, more than 2,500 signed a petition demanding the city let a neighbourhood grocery store keep serving coffee, despite bylaws restricting local retail. The Finch Store got a temporary reprieve, but where's it at now? We got the deets. www.torontotoday.ca/local/busine...
NEW: Since 4 Toronto safe consumption sites were forced to close, the number of overdoses per week at Metropolitan United Church has gone from 1 to as many as 6. "It's just carnage all the time. I feel like I’m staring at a bad motor vehicle accident."
www.torontotoday.ca/local/health...
www.torontotoday.ca/local/health...
Churches see alarming overdose spike on-site since safe consumption site closures
‘It's just carnage all the time. I feel like I’m staring at a bad motor vehicle accident,’ says one church property manager
www.torontotoday.ca
July 22, 2025 at 7:54 PM
NEW: Since 4 Toronto safe consumption sites were forced to close, the number of overdoses per week at Metropolitan United Church has gone from 1 to as many as 6. "It's just carnage all the time. I feel like I’m staring at a bad motor vehicle accident."
www.torontotoday.ca/local/health...
www.torontotoday.ca/local/health...
Reposted by Gabe Oatley
Read our latest investigation, looking at the rise of fascist "fitness" groups called "active clubs".
www.cbc.ca/newsinteract...
www.cbc.ca/newsinteract...
Tracking Canada’s fascist fight clubs
CBC’s visual investigations team reveals where some of Canada’s white nationalist 'active clubs' gather to prepare for violence.
www.cbc.ca
July 18, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Read our latest investigation, looking at the rise of fascist "fitness" groups called "active clubs".
www.cbc.ca/newsinteract...
www.cbc.ca/newsinteract...
NEW: As the city’s main landfill nears capacity, a new report by a Toronto environmental organization claims the municipality has not accurately represented the environmental impact of burning residents’ trash.#topoli www.torontotoday.ca/local/enviro...
City misleading public about climate benefit of trash incineration: report
The city has claimed burning Toronto’s trash would result in less greenhouse gas emissions than landfilling, but a new report says that’s not true
www.torontotoday.ca
July 16, 2025 at 8:58 PM
NEW: As the city’s main landfill nears capacity, a new report by a Toronto environmental organization claims the municipality has not accurately represented the environmental impact of burning residents’ trash.#topoli www.torontotoday.ca/local/enviro...
NEW: Since the summer began, residents of a Downsview condo have been struggling to stay cool after their building’s AC broke down and has remained unfixed. Several people have had to go to the hospital as a result of the heat, according to residents. www.torontotoday.ca/local/enviro...
‘I can’t even breathe’: Toronto condo owners suffer amid months-long AC malfunction
Residents say several people have needed to go to the hospital as a result of the extreme heat in their Downsview condo units
www.torontotoday.ca
July 14, 2025 at 8:57 PM
NEW: Since the summer began, residents of a Downsview condo have been struggling to stay cool after their building’s AC broke down and has remained unfixed. Several people have had to go to the hospital as a result of the heat, according to residents. www.torontotoday.ca/local/enviro...
A 68-year-old west end resident was struck by an e-bike courier while crossing the street in June. She suffered a broken arm, a split lip and bruises. She wants app companies to be forced to change their algorithm to prevent distracted cycling. www.torontotoday.ca/local/crime-...
E-bike courier charged with careless driving after collision leaves Toronto woman injured
The 68-year-old victim said she wants food delivery app companies to be forced to change their algorithms so couriers can’t use their phones when biking
www.torontotoday.ca
July 11, 2025 at 8:54 PM
A 68-year-old west end resident was struck by an e-bike courier while crossing the street in June. She suffered a broken arm, a split lip and bruises. She wants app companies to be forced to change their algorithm to prevent distracted cycling. www.torontotoday.ca/local/crime-...
Reposted by Gabe Oatley
🌳🌳🌳 Welcome to Tree Thread: The Sequel.
Ten years ago today — July 10, 2015 — Toronto kicked off the 2015 Pan Am Games.
To mark the event, 41 trees were planted along a section of Front Street East — one for each country or territory.
In this thread, again, I'll review the state of every tree.
Ten years ago today — July 10, 2015 — Toronto kicked off the 2015 Pan Am Games.
To mark the event, 41 trees were planted along a section of Front Street East — one for each country or territory.
In this thread, again, I'll review the state of every tree.
July 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
🌳🌳🌳 Welcome to Tree Thread: The Sequel.
Ten years ago today — July 10, 2015 — Toronto kicked off the 2015 Pan Am Games.
To mark the event, 41 trees were planted along a section of Front Street East — one for each country or territory.
In this thread, again, I'll review the state of every tree.
Ten years ago today — July 10, 2015 — Toronto kicked off the 2015 Pan Am Games.
To mark the event, 41 trees were planted along a section of Front Street East — one for each country or territory.
In this thread, again, I'll review the state of every tree.
Reposted by Gabe Oatley
Here's @gabeoatley.bsky.social on what the TDSB takeover looks like on the ground for Toronto's elected trustees.
July 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Here's @gabeoatley.bsky.social on what the TDSB takeover looks like on the ground for Toronto's elected trustees.
NEW: Just before student's summer break, the province appointed a new "supervisor" for the TDSB. But what the heck does it mean? In short, it means trustees are sidelined — no pay, no board meetings and no input on policies that impact students. www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...
EXPLAINER: The province has ‘taken over’ the TDSB. What does that mean and why should you care?
The province’s appointment of a TDSB supervisor means trustees are sidelined — no pay, no board meetings and no input on policies that impact students
www.torontotoday.ca
July 10, 2025 at 8:31 PM
NEW: Just before student's summer break, the province appointed a new "supervisor" for the TDSB. But what the heck does it mean? In short, it means trustees are sidelined — no pay, no board meetings and no input on policies that impact students. www.torontotoday.ca/local/educat...