Matt Elliott
@graphicmatt.com
City columnist, contributing to the Toronto Star & writing the award-winning City Hall Watcher newsletter. A lot about Toronto Politics and then some nerd stuff. Humber College prof. (he/him)
Pinned
One Council meeting after another
City Hall Watcher #370: A recap of a short Council meeting and a preview of another one, with notes on the tiny details in Mayor Olivia Chow's budget, visitor parking, a SmartTrack audit, and more
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #370!
A recap of one council meeting, and a preview of another! I’ve got notes on visitor parking stats, a small biz tax break, a SmartTrack audit, and some big little details in the city budget. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/one-counci...
A recap of one council meeting, and a preview of another! I’ve got notes on visitor parking stats, a small biz tax break, a SmartTrack audit, and some big little details in the city budget. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/one-counci...
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #370!
A recap of one council meeting, and a preview of another! I’ve got notes on visitor parking stats, a small biz tax break, a SmartTrack audit, and some big little details in the city budget. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/one-counci...
A recap of one council meeting, and a preview of another! I’ve got notes on visitor parking stats, a small biz tax break, a SmartTrack audit, and some big little details in the city budget. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/one-counci...
One Council meeting after another
City Hall Watcher #370: A recap of a short Council meeting and a preview of another one, with notes on the tiny details in Mayor Olivia Chow's budget, visitor parking, a SmartTrack audit, and more
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #370!
A recap of one council meeting, and a preview of another! I’ve got notes on visitor parking stats, a small biz tax break, a SmartTrack audit, and some big little details in the city budget. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/one-counci...
A recap of one council meeting, and a preview of another! I’ve got notes on visitor parking stats, a small biz tax break, a SmartTrack audit, and some big little details in the city budget. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/one-counci...
This is so cool. Only thing that would make it better would be if the Konami code unlocked a bonus level where you get to battle Phil Verster in a mech suit.
The long-winding saga for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT goes back further than you think...
Check out this super fun and interactive timeline made by McKenna Hart with words from me!
thestar.com/interactives... via
@thestar.com
Check out this super fun and interactive timeline made by McKenna Hart with words from me!
thestar.com/interactives... via
@thestar.com
Relive the twists and turns in the Eglinton LRT’s 50-year odyssey before Sunday’s launch — if you’re game
For more than five decades, rapid transit along Eglinton Avenue has been a must-have in any city plan. What took it so long?
thestar.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:57 PM
This is so cool. Only thing that would make it better would be if the Konami code unlocked a bonus level where you get to battle Phil Verster in a mech suit.
Interesting transit tidbit buried in this budget report: staff are recommending council approve a review of options for the (largely unfunded) Eglinton East LRT, like whether it should be on-street, grade-separated or underground. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
February 5, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Interesting transit tidbit buried in this budget report: staff are recommending council approve a review of options for the (largely unfunded) Eglinton East LRT, like whether it should be on-street, grade-separated or underground. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
City Council meets today! Kinda. It's the customary mid-budget mini-meeting, with very few agenda items.
The most notable is a planning change that'll make it harder to build a backyard swimming pool.
Pool enthusiasts and Council fans can watch live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozla...
The most notable is a planning change that'll make it harder to build a backyard swimming pool.
Pool enthusiasts and Council fans can watch live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozla...
City Council - February 4, 2026
YouTube video by Toronto City Council
www.youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:33 PM
City Council meets today! Kinda. It's the customary mid-budget mini-meeting, with very few agenda items.
The most notable is a planning change that'll make it harder to build a backyard swimming pool.
Pool enthusiasts and Council fans can watch live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozla...
The most notable is a planning change that'll make it harder to build a backyard swimming pool.
Pool enthusiasts and Council fans can watch live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozla...
My @thestar.com column: The Eglinton Crosstown is finally opening this Sunday, but please, spare us the celebration. We don’t want a party — we want an apology, an explanation, and a reason to believe a bungled project like this won’t ever happen again. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: When the Eglinton Crosstown LRT finally opens, they should offer us an apology, not a party
Due to Metrolinx’s veil of secrecy, there are still too many unanswered questions about why everything related to this project has been so slow.
www.thestar.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:17 PM
My @thestar.com column: The Eglinton Crosstown is finally opening this Sunday, but please, spare us the celebration. We don’t want a party — we want an apology, an explanation, and a reason to believe a bungled project like this won’t ever happen again. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #369!
LOBBYIST WATCH returns to look at the first month of 2026. There are tidbits about Waymo, a yacht club, Michael Ford and more.
Plus: Chow’s budget, and a mini preview of this week’s mini council meeting. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/lobbyists-...
LOBBYIST WATCH returns to look at the first month of 2026. There are tidbits about Waymo, a yacht club, Michael Ford and more.
Plus: Chow’s budget, and a mini preview of this week’s mini council meeting. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/lobbyists-...
Lobbyists start the new year with some yacht talk, Waymo wayfinding, and more
City Hall Watcher #369: LOBBYIST WATCH for January 2026, plus the latest on the mayor's glossy budget and this week's pint-sized Council meeting.
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #369!
LOBBYIST WATCH returns to look at the first month of 2026. There are tidbits about Waymo, a yacht club, Michael Ford and more.
Plus: Chow’s budget, and a mini preview of this week’s mini council meeting. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/lobbyists-...
LOBBYIST WATCH returns to look at the first month of 2026. There are tidbits about Waymo, a yacht club, Michael Ford and more.
Plus: Chow’s budget, and a mini preview of this week’s mini council meeting. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/lobbyists-...
My @thestar.com column this week: Blame it on the snow. This week I write about an absurd idea that maybe isn’t actually that absurd — heated pavement! What if Toronto just heated some of its busiest sidewalks, bike lanes and roads, and melted the snow away? www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: After Toronto’s snowstorm, the city should look at this wild idea to make clearing sidewalks easier
City hall’s ability to clear snow may have improved this year compared to its woeful showing last year, but there’s a limit to what’s possible.
www.thestar.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:43 PM
My @thestar.com column this week: Blame it on the snow. This week I write about an absurd idea that maybe isn’t actually that absurd — heated pavement! What if Toronto just heated some of its busiest sidewalks, bike lanes and roads, and melted the snow away? www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
If this is just a “soft launch”, treat it like one — hold off on the ribbon-cutting hullabaloo until the line is running like it’s supposed to. (I’d also suggest offering free rides until then, but doubt there’s budget. Sucks that riders have to pay for a beta test.) www.thestar.com/news/gta/egl...
Eglinton Crosstown LRT to open Feb. 8? Not so fast, says TTC CEO
Mandeep Lali, CEO of the TTC, spoke Tuesday at a Toronto Region Board of Trade meeting.
www.thestar.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:16 PM
If this is just a “soft launch”, treat it like one — hold off on the ribbon-cutting hullabaloo until the line is running like it’s supposed to. (I’d also suggest offering free rides until then, but doubt there’s budget. Sucks that riders have to pay for a beta test.) www.thestar.com/news/gta/egl...
Report on TTC merch recommends against establishing a physical TTC store selling swag, but says the TTCshop.ca online store will be improved with more items added. There will also be a TTC vending machine with various transit-themed items in place for the World Cup. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
secure.toronto.ca
January 28, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Report on TTC merch recommends against establishing a physical TTC store selling swag, but says the TTCshop.ca online store will be improved with more items added. There will also be a TTC vending machine with various transit-themed items in place for the World Cup. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
A pair of notable presentations set for next week’s TTC Board: @englishrail.bsky.social on speeding up streetcar/LRT lines, and Narayan Donaldson from @mobycon.bsky.social on better signal priority. They (with @rmtransit.bsky.social) wrote this Star op-ed last year: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
January 28, 2026 at 3:52 PM
A pair of notable presentations set for next week’s TTC Board: @englishrail.bsky.social on speeding up streetcar/LRT lines, and Narayan Donaldson from @mobycon.bsky.social on better signal priority. They (with @rmtransit.bsky.social) wrote this Star op-ed last year: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #368!
Take a break from shovelling and read the municipal news. I’ve got the latest on the budget process, a Council Scorecard update with housing data, and a look at the potential for a seabus on the waterfront. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/a-blizzard...
Take a break from shovelling and read the municipal news. I’ve got the latest on the budget process, a Council Scorecard update with housing data, and a look at the potential for a seabus on the waterfront. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/a-blizzard...
A blizzard of housing data
City Hall Watcher #368: A new Council Scorecard update helps to keep track of housing progress in your ward, plus let's go for a ride on the seabus
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #368!
Take a break from shovelling and read the municipal news. I’ve got the latest on the budget process, a Council Scorecard update with housing data, and a look at the potential for a seabus on the waterfront. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/a-blizzard...
Take a break from shovelling and read the municipal news. I’ve got the latest on the budget process, a Council Scorecard update with housing data, and a look at the potential for a seabus on the waterfront. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/a-blizzard...
Bike Share Toronto is surveying its members about Presto integration, like potentially providing a fare discount when you ride a Bike Share bike to a TTC station. Neat.
January 23, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Bike Share Toronto is surveying its members about Presto integration, like potentially providing a fare discount when you ride a Bike Share bike to a TTC station. Neat.
On the left: Councillor Brad Bradford in 2020, joining with a small group of councillors to support taking a look at heated pavement as a way to encourage more winter cycling.
On the right: Brad Bradford in 2026, doing whatever this is.
On the right: Brad Bradford in 2026, doing whatever this is.
January 23, 2026 at 3:48 PM
On the left: Councillor Brad Bradford in 2020, joining with a small group of councillors to support taking a look at heated pavement as a way to encourage more winter cycling.
On the right: Brad Bradford in 2026, doing whatever this is.
On the right: Brad Bradford in 2026, doing whatever this is.
Number of cars ticketed for parking on snow routes following major snowstorms in Toronto, per the Star’s Mahdis Habibinia:
Feb 2025: 3,627 (over two weeks)
Jan 2026: 10,551 (over four days)
Pretty good progress.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/her...
Feb 2025: 3,627 (over two weeks)
Jan 2026: 10,551 (over four days)
Pretty good progress.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/her...
Here’s how many tickets Toronto police wrote for illegally parking in a snow route after last week’s storm — and why drivers still need to beware
Toronto police issued nearly three times as many tickets this year as last — over a much shorter time period.
www.thestar.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Number of cars ticketed for parking on snow routes following major snowstorms in Toronto, per the Star’s Mahdis Habibinia:
Feb 2025: 3,627 (over two weeks)
Jan 2026: 10,551 (over four days)
Pretty good progress.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/her...
Feb 2025: 3,627 (over two weeks)
Jan 2026: 10,551 (over four days)
Pretty good progress.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/her...
New briefing note looks at how Doug Ford’s bike lane ban is affecting Toronto’s cycling plan. About 30% of council-approved bike lane projects need to be modified or cancelled. Lists Sheppard East bike lanes as a “paused” project, Dupont Street is “deferred.” www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis... (PDF)
January 22, 2026 at 3:59 PM
New briefing note looks at how Doug Ford’s bike lane ban is affecting Toronto’s cycling plan. About 30% of council-approved bike lane projects need to be modified or cancelled. Lists Sheppard East bike lanes as a “paused” project, Dupont Street is “deferred.” www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis... (PDF)
My @thestar.com column this week: The Finch West LRT’s biggest problem isn’t signal priority. It’s not maintenance either. Instead, the biggest issue is a total lack of clear accountability.
Without fixing that, this train’s always going to struggle. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Without fixing that, this train’s always going to struggle. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: The troubled Finch West LRT has made a lot of people angry. Here’s one thing Doug Ford can do to get it back on track
Most of Finch West LRT’s troubles will likely be fixed over time, but this one problem will dog it for years.
www.thestar.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:14 PM
My @thestar.com column this week: The Finch West LRT’s biggest problem isn’t signal priority. It’s not maintenance either. Instead, the biggest issue is a total lack of clear accountability.
Without fixing that, this train’s always going to struggle. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Without fixing that, this train’s always going to struggle. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Check your inbox: it's City Hall Watcher #367!
Budget season continues! I've got far too many budget notes, about things like rooftop police drones, new ways to get married, reserve fund ratios, and, naturally, goats.
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/wedding-be...
Budget season continues! I've got far too many budget notes, about things like rooftop police drones, new ways to get married, reserve fund ratios, and, naturally, goats.
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/wedding-be...
Wedding bells, rooftop police drones, eco goats and other notes from Toronto's 2026 budget
City Hall Watcher #367: Notes from a spending plan under development
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
January 19, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Check your inbox: it's City Hall Watcher #367!
Budget season continues! I've got far too many budget notes, about things like rooftop police drones, new ways to get married, reserve fund ratios, and, naturally, goats.
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/wedding-be...
Budget season continues! I've got far too many budget notes, about things like rooftop police drones, new ways to get married, reserve fund ratios, and, naturally, goats.
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/wedding-be...
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #366!
The 2026 Budget Launch Spectacular! A night of too many charts! Find out what’s up and what’s down with Toronto’s draft spending plan for the year ahead. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/the-2026-b...
The 2026 Budget Launch Spectacular! A night of too many charts! Find out what’s up and what’s down with Toronto’s draft spending plan for the year ahead. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/the-2026-b...
The 2026 Budget Launch Spectacular
City Hall Watcher #366: Toronto's budget launches with a spectacularly low property tax increase. Here's a look at what changed.
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #366!
The 2026 Budget Launch Spectacular! A night of too many charts! Find out what’s up and what’s down with Toronto’s draft spending plan for the year ahead. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/the-2026-b...
The 2026 Budget Launch Spectacular! A night of too many charts! Find out what’s up and what’s down with Toronto’s draft spending plan for the year ahead. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/the-2026-b...
Toronto's budget committee is about to meet to hear about the draft 2026 budget. Most of the headlines — a 2.2% residential property tax increase, a fare freeze — are already written, but let's see if there are any other newsy tidbits.
Meeting will stream live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7ar...
Meeting will stream live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7ar...
Budget Committee - January 8, 2026
YouTube video by Toronto City Council
www.youtube.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Toronto's budget committee is about to meet to hear about the draft 2026 budget. Most of the headlines — a 2.2% residential property tax increase, a fare freeze — are already written, but let's see if there are any other newsy tidbits.
Meeting will stream live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7ar...
Meeting will stream live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7ar...
Geez, a 2.2% residential property tax hike — just 0.7% after you account for the City Building Fund —seems risky as hell. Sets up a hugely difficult post-election budget situation in 2027, unless there’s a new New Deal brewing. www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...
Toronto property taxes are going up. Here’s how much
The city was facing an estimated $1 billion operating shortfall heading into 2026, as well as lower revenues.
www.thestar.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Geez, a 2.2% residential property tax hike — just 0.7% after you account for the City Building Fund —seems risky as hell. Sets up a hugely difficult post-election budget situation in 2027, unless there’s a new New Deal brewing. www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...
An owner that denies problems. An operator that has no ability to fix problems. And a maintainer that just doesn’t respond to questions. Doesn’t seem like a great way to run a railroad. www.thestar.com/news/gta/why...
January 7, 2026 at 6:19 PM
An owner that denies problems. An operator that has no ability to fix problems. And a maintainer that just doesn’t respond to questions. Doesn’t seem like a great way to run a railroad. www.thestar.com/news/gta/why...
My @thestar.com column this week: The good news about Toronto’s new traffic czar? He helped push for the tough choices that led to the only Toronto traffic fix that ever worked.
Here’s what we should remember about the 2015 Pan Am Games transportation plan.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Here’s what we should remember about the 2015 Pan Am Games transportation plan.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: Toronto’s new traffic ‘czar’ once unjammed this notoriously traffic-jammed city. Here’s how he did it
City hall may have hired the right guy for the right job, given Andrew Posluns’s track record.
www.thestar.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:10 PM
My @thestar.com column this week: The good news about Toronto’s new traffic czar? He helped push for the tough choices that led to the only Toronto traffic fix that ever worked.
Here’s what we should remember about the 2015 Pan Am Games transportation plan.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Here’s what we should remember about the 2015 Pan Am Games transportation plan.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #365!
LOBBYIST WATCH wraps up 2025, with the crowning (?) of City Hall’s busiest lobbyist. Also: notes on Waymo, robot house builders, and a TTC budget that comes with some real risk for next year. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/and-2025s-...
LOBBYIST WATCH wraps up 2025, with the crowning (?) of City Hall’s busiest lobbyist. Also: notes on Waymo, robot house builders, and a TTC budget that comes with some real risk for next year. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/and-2025s-...
And 2025's busiest lobbyist award goes to...
City Hall Watcher #365: Lobbyist Watch for December 2025, with notes on Waymo, tow trucks, house-building robots, and 2025's most prolific City Hall lobbyist
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #365!
LOBBYIST WATCH wraps up 2025, with the crowning (?) of City Hall’s busiest lobbyist. Also: notes on Waymo, robot house builders, and a TTC budget that comes with some real risk for next year. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/and-2025s-...
LOBBYIST WATCH wraps up 2025, with the crowning (?) of City Hall’s busiest lobbyist. Also: notes on Waymo, robot house builders, and a TTC budget that comes with some real risk for next year. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/and-2025s-...
Check your inbox: it's City Hall Watcher #364!
The year in charts! A look at the legends and plots that told Toronto City Hall's story in 2025.
Plus: a new chart looking at Toronto Council's longest debates of 2025.
🔓No paywall. Happy holidays!
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/2025-the-y...
The year in charts! A look at the legends and plots that told Toronto City Hall's story in 2025.
Plus: a new chart looking at Toronto Council's longest debates of 2025.
🔓No paywall. Happy holidays!
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/2025-the-y...
2025: the year in charts
City Hall Watcher #364: A look back at the legends and plots that moved Toronto City Hall in 2025.
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Check your inbox: it's City Hall Watcher #364!
The year in charts! A look at the legends and plots that told Toronto City Hall's story in 2025.
Plus: a new chart looking at Toronto Council's longest debates of 2025.
🔓No paywall. Happy holidays!
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/2025-the-y...
The year in charts! A look at the legends and plots that told Toronto City Hall's story in 2025.
Plus: a new chart looking at Toronto Council's longest debates of 2025.
🔓No paywall. Happy holidays!
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/2025-the-y...
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #363!
Before you slam that laptop shut, enjoy a recap of Council’s 2025 swansong, with quotable quotes about the Finch LRT & intolerable cruelty. Plus: a look at income and councillor votes on the luxury tax hike. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-de...
Before you slam that laptop shut, enjoy a recap of Council’s 2025 swansong, with quotable quotes about the Finch LRT & intolerable cruelty. Plus: a look at income and councillor votes on the luxury tax hike. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-de...
Council decks the halls with votes on a faster Finch, a luxury land transfer tax and a TTC guarantee
City Hall Watcher #363: What Council did at their final meeting of 2025, featuring a look at ward incomes versus support for a luxury land transfer tax, the debate on LRT speed, and more.
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #363!
Before you slam that laptop shut, enjoy a recap of Council’s 2025 swansong, with quotable quotes about the Finch LRT & intolerable cruelty. Plus: a look at income and councillor votes on the luxury tax hike. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-de...
Before you slam that laptop shut, enjoy a recap of Council’s 2025 swansong, with quotable quotes about the Finch LRT & intolerable cruelty. Plus: a look at income and councillor votes on the luxury tax hike. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-de...