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This $750,000 Ontario townhouse is a first-time homebuyer's dream

Phoebe Knight — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:02:00 -0400

Whether you're in the market for your first home, looking to downsize or are simply on a mission to escape city living, this $775,000 Ontario townhouse might just be the perfect place for you.

A beautifully upgraded and maintained gem located just over an hour's drive from Toronto in Alliston, 16 Buchanan Dr. is a comfortable and contemporary place to hang your hat — and it's on the market for a whole lot less than properties just down highway 400 in the city.

The town of Alliston offers magical small-town charm despite being conveniently connected to major arteries like highways 400 and 27, making it a perfect spot for commuters to Vaughan, Barrie or Toronto, so if you haven't already been considering saying goodbye to the city smog, you may just find yourself thinking about it now.

The kitchen.

1680 sq. ft. of bright, modern living space, 16 Buchanan Dr. teeters off the ledge of "charming" into "downright luxurious" territory, featuring refined finishes like warm hardwood floors and spacious windows throughout.

The spacious kitchen is a perfect example of the luxe living you'd be doing here, complete with a large quartz island with dining seating, modern white cabinetry, matte black hardware and stainless steel appliances.

The dining room.

A cozy dining area offers direct access to the serene backyard, posing some serious entertaining potential during the summer months.

Though if you, like me, prefer to eat your meals at the kitchen counter, it also makes for a great space to adapt into a home office space.

The living room.

The nearly 200 sq. ft. living room is a serene spot for relaxing at the end of the day or to spend a little extra family time together.

The open-concept floor plan gives the whole main floor a sense of unity and flow regardless of where you plant your feet, so even if everyone wants their own personal space, you can still do that together.

The primary bedroom.

Upstairs, the primary bedroom is a resort-level refuge at over 200 sq. ft.

It features soaring ceilings, a deluge of natural light from several large windows and, perhaps most importantly, if you're as devoted to your skincare routine as I am, a spacious four-piece ensuite bathroom with ample counter space.

Another bedroom.

In total, the home boasts three bedrooms and three bathrooms, making it the perfect spot for growing and established families alike for a fraction of what a comparable property would set you back in downtown Toronto.

The property also comes with its own garage and driveway, as if its location didn't already make it perfect for commuters.

The backyard.

16 Buchanan Drive is currently listed by Ana Bastas Realty at $774,900.

If you're interested in checking out the property for yourself, open houses are happening on Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., where you can enter to win a Tassimo Single-Cup Home Brewing System. Sounds like a win-win.

Costco Canada just added more perks for some members

Irish Silvestre — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 16:06:42 -0400

If you're a Costco Canada shopper who's been on the fence about signing up for a membership, a new perk might help you decide.

On June 11, Costco announced in a press release that Executive Members will receive a $10 monthly credit if they place their order online.

So, how does it work?

If you're a Costco Canada Executive Member, you'll receive a $10 credit each month when you place an online order on Sameday.costco.ca or through Instacart. The credit is then automatically applied when you place an order worth $150 or more.

"Costco Executive Members expect exceptional value — and now, they can get even more delivered to their door," said Daniel Danker, chief product officer at Instacart.

"Our new monthly credit makes it easier than ever for members across North America to get Costco's warehouse items with the convenience of fast and reliable delivery through Instacart."

The new benefit kicks in on June 30.

If you're thinking of signing up for an Executive Membership, Costco Canada is also currently offering a pretty sweet deal.

Sign up for the membership for $130 per year (plus applicable taxes) and get $80 off a $200 purchase on Costco.ca using the promo code COSTCO80. But just a note — this promo isn't valid on purchases made on Sameday.costco.ca or Instacart.

The $10 credit isn't the only perk that Costco shoppers in the U.S. will enjoy.

On June 9, Business Insider reported that, according to an email sent to employees, Costco announced that Executive Members will be able to shop in U.S. locations one hour earlier than Gold Star Members. The additional perk also starts on June 30.

We reached out to Costco to inquire if this early access benefit will also be available to Executive Members in Canada. However, the company didn't immediately respond.

Toronto's hottest patio parties are back this week

Phoebe Knight — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:58:08 -0400

Some of the best patio parties in Toronto are making their grand return for the 2025 season this weekend.

Could there possibly be a more blissful feeling than kicking back on a local patio with your closest crew and a cold drink in hand? As a Toronto resident who suffers through winter every year just to finally return to patio season, I don't think there is.

While there's no shortage of sun-drenched spots in the city to enjoy eating and drinking al fresco, the folks behind Garden Garden, which is perhaps Toronto's hottest weekly patio party, do it particularly right.

Somehow, unlike most other good things in the city — and particularly many of Garden Garden's neighbours — it also doesn't tend to be too terribly overrun with the who's who trying to see and be seen.

So, whatever you do, just stay cool, everyone.

Kicking off their summer 2025 season on Sunday, June 15, the pop-up takes over a perfectly positioned garden space at the intersection of Ossington and Dundas West every Sunday with food, beverage, and beats from some of the city's hottest purveyors.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GardenGarden (@itsgardengarden)

In the case of this weekend's event, you can expect food shuttled in from Matty's Pattys paired with tunes spun live by John Kong and The Patchouli Brothers.

Last year, various installments featured eats from the likes of Takja BBQ, DAM Sandwiches, Bear Steak, Banu and Gloria, so regardless of whether you can make it out this weekend or not, you can rest assured that you'll be eating good while you soak up the sun.

Best of all, admission to Garden Garden is free before 7 p.m., and will only set you back $5 after that, so it really is the ideal summer night out in the city.

Garden Garden's inaugural 2025 garden party is running from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. this Sunday at 248 Ossington Ave. For updates on the rest of their upcoming events, check out their Instagram.

Toronto is getting a super-cheap $15 bus to Montreal for the summer

Becky Robertson — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 13:58:37 -0400

Enjoying summer in Canada is all about jamming as much fun as possible into the few warm-weather months we get each year, which includes hitting up all of your local parks and patios, getting out into nature, taking part in the flurry of events on offer, and escaping for a day trip or weekend getaway while the temps are high.

On that latter point, there are countless cutesy small towns and charming cities that you can get to within a few hours' trip from Toronto — a trip that is going to be even cheaper and easier this summer thanks to a new promotion from Megabus.

Starting later this month and lasting nearly all summer long, the North American travel operator is running a sale for seats on its routes between Toronto and Kingston, as well as Toronto and Montreal.

A total of 10,000 tickets will be lowered to as cheap as just $9.99 plus a reservation fee for the former line, and $14.99 for the latter.

In comparison, at the time of publication, round-trip flights from T.O. to MTL range from $218 to $507 for a few-day trip during the next few weeks (per Google Flights), with many fares not including carry-on baggage. Trains with VIA Rail are anywhere from $71 to over $200 per direction.

🚨HUGE SUMMER SALE🚨

Looking to save big on summer travel in Canada? We're offering 10,000 discounted seats for as low as $9.99*! From 6/24-8/27, we'll have these MASSIVE discounts:

• Toronto & Kingston from $9.99*
• Toronto & Montreal from $14.99*https://t.co/4tUrKCGDe0 pic.twitter.com/vMOn9dYT1z
— Megabus (@megabus) June 12, 2025

The deal runs from June 24, 2025 until August 27, 2025, but tickets must be booked at least two weeks out. Megabus also notes that "fares may vary based on date and time of travel and are based on availability on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays."

It also notes what appear to be blackout dates of June 28, July 1, July 2, August 2 and August 5-6.

Other new low-cost bus routes can take you from Toronto to prime summer destinations like Bruce Peninsula and Wasaga Beach, Niagara Falls, New York City, Owen Sound, Ottawa, Tobermory, Peterborough and more.

Canada's Wonderland drops first on-ride views of new record-breaking coaster

Jack Landau — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 13:03:51 -0400

Canada's Wonderland continues to tease the public with eye-popping construction updates for the new record-breaking roller coaster that will open as the park's new flagship attraction this season.

The new launch coaster, dubbed AlpenFury, crossed a huge milestone this month when the final section of track was installed, and work continues to advance toward the finish line ahead of a yet-to-be-announced opening date.

The park offered up another tease this week with the reveal of the very first on-ride footage captured on the coaster's twisting track, which features a record-breaking nine inversions, the most of any coaster on the continent. Once operational, AlpenFury will also boast the longest, tallest and fastest experience of any launch coaster in the country.

🎥 It's not the official POV but it's the first ride-through of #AlpenFury! 🤯

Now that the track is fully installed, we sent out clearance-check crawler though the mountain! ⛰️ 🎢 #CanadasWonderland #RollerCoaster #TrackCrawler #POV #UnofficialPOV #AmusementPark #LaunchCoaster pic.twitter.com/YQ3v4OlbjV
— Canada's Wonderland (@WonderlandNews) June 10, 2025

Though the time-lapsed clip doesn't quite show the ride as it will be experienced in real time, the slightly shaky video — captured using a clearance check crawler on the newly-completed track — offers up a pretty decent idea of what awaits thrill-seekers once the attraction opens.

When that will occur, however, is still a mystery.

AlpenFury was previously announced with a vague spring 2025 opening timeline.

But Wonderland opened for the season on May 8 with the ride still in the midst of construction, and with the first day of summer fast approaching on June 20, that spring opening window may close before the ride debuts.

Amid speculation that construction for the ride had encountered issues following reports of track disassembly and reinstallation, Wonderland spokesperson Grace Peacock told blogTO earlier in the month that "adjustments to columns [are] normal during the installation process."

In that early June statement, Peacock explained that, while "things look finished, we still have a lot of work [involving] testing and commissioning the ride, which will take a couple of weeks. This process involves cycling the trains hundreds of times, plus a final inspection by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)."

"Guests should see the first AlpenFury train moving on that track shortly, which will be very exciting," she said.

Celebrate Father's Day with a trip to this Canadian fresh-market grocer

Katy Brennan — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:17:23 -0400

This Father's Day, ditch the cliche gifts and treat Dads to something they'll really get excited about — like a perfectly grilled steak, a refreshing summer drink, and maybe even a decadent dessert (or two) — all with a "Farm Boy Fresh Twist" that turns the everyday into something unforgettable.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, packing up a picnic, or planning a laid-back family dinner, Farm Boy is your one-stop shop for Father’s Day food celebrations.

For 44 years, the local grocer has been proudly serving Ontario families with high-quality, fresh, wholesome food. And this summer, they're bringing the heat with some awesome new products.

From locally-sourced produce to chef-prepared meals, Farm Boy makes it easy to build a Father’s Day menu that’s big on flavour and full of heart!

Get grilling

If your Father’s Day plans involve a BBQ, Farm Boy has everything you need to impress the grill master himself!

Cook up some hot dogs with the new and juicy Farm Boy Stadium Smokies (Pro tip: top with Farm Boy Sweet Relish) or try out the bold and flavourful Farm Boy Korean-Style Marinated Meats — perfect for creating a main course that’s big on flavour and low on effort.

Of course, no meal is complete without some epic sides. To round out the plate, Farm Boy offers everything from Deli-Style Pickles to Farm Boy Falafel and frozen, ready-to-cook crowdpleasers like their Dim Sum Classics.

Not in the mood to cook? Farm Boy’s made-from-scratch meals, made fresh in-store daily, are an easy way to pull together a delicious and thoughtful dinner if you're short on time.

Plus, with over 2,000 curated private-label products you're sure to love — including more than 150 new items introduced each year—there's always something new to try, taste, and share.

Raise a glass, and a treat

Looking for the perfect summer sip to toast Dad? The refreshing Farm Boy Peach with Apple Iced Tea is a real summer staple — sweet, smooth, and ideal for garden sipping. Or try the fresh Watermelon Lime Fruit Drink, which is only available during the summer months!

And when it comes time for dessert, Farm Boy's fan-favourite bakery treats feel like a celebration in themselves. Shoppers can mix and match with a pack of Cinnamon Bun Flavoured, Cookies & Cream, & Raspberry Donuts.

Bottom line? If you’re planning a celebration for Dad, Farm Boy has everything you need to make it fresh, flavourful, and full of love.

Visit your local Farm Boy store to discover good food from good neighbours for yourself. Happy Father's Day!

Thousands raised for mom who suddenly died visiting Toronto for daughter's graduation

Irish Mae Silvestre — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:20:35 -0400

A GoFundMe has been established to support a family with repatriation efforts following the unexpected death of a woman visiting Canada from the Philippines to attend her daughter’s graduation.

May 22 was a happy day for Chanah Bernadas.

A student from Centennial College in Toronto, she welcomed her mom, Cynthia, who had travelled from the Philippines for her daughter's graduation. The crowdfunding page set up for the family states that it was "a moment that was supposed to be filled with pride and celebration."

But just over a week after arriving in Canada, Cynthia complained of severe chest pains and difficulty breathing before she was rushed to the hospital. At the hospital, doctors found fluid buildup around her heart. She was then hospitalized for four days and underwent urgent procedures to drain the fluid.

By June 4, doctors deemed Cynthia fit enough to go home, but before leaving, she was advised to return the next day for treatment due to fluid in her lungs. Despite her health challenges, she managed to attend Chanah’s graduation on June 6, "a moment that meant the world to both of them."

A photo shows the mother and daughter next to each other under a flower arch with the sign "Class of 2025."

But tragedy struck on June 8, when Cynthia's condition worsened.

As she struggled to breathe, the family called 911; however, she had stopped breathing by the time the paramedics arrived and required CPR. Although paramedics managed to revive her heartbeat, doctors said that a blood clot had formed around her heart.

"They informed us that she would not survive," reads the fundraiser statement written by Chanah's friend, Alyssa Tejada.

"This sudden loss has left my friend and her family devastated — not only emotionally, but also financially. They are now faced with unexpected medical bills, funeral expenses, and the cost of returning her mother to the Philippines so she can be laid to rest in her home country."

As of Wednesday afternoon, the family had raised $11,200 of their $30,000 goal. Tejada said that donations will be used to cover the family's urgent expenses.

According to a public Facebook post shared by Chanah's sister, Clarabelle, the family has decided to cremate Cynthia's remains.

"Since it's too expensive to bring mama's body back to the Philippines, my family plans to have her cremated in Canada," she wrote in Tagalog, adding that they will host a viewing online. "Thank you so much to everyone who helped and continues to help."

On June 11, Clarabelle shared a photo of a white rose with the caption, "I love you, mom. Always and forever."

Toronto Raptors Superfan Nav Bhatia reps Canada courtside at NBA Finals

Adam Laskaris, Offside — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:17:56 -0400

If there's an important basketball game going on somewhere in the world, don't be surprised to see Toronto Raptors Superfan Nav Bhatia there.

Bhatia, the 73-year-old car dealership owner who has attended nearly every Raptors home game in Toronto in the franchise's history — save for a few COVID-19-related absences — was spotted on basketball's stage on Wednesday night.

With Game 3 of the NBA Finals taking place in Indianapolis between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, Bhatia was front and centre in his usual courtside seats.

The Raptors superfan at a Pacers game? pic.twitter.com/twLLbbN8Yh
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) June 12, 2025

Instead of his usual Raptors get-up, Bhatia was wearing a Canada basketball No. 95 jersey, which stuck out quite a bit in a sea of mostly yellow and dark blue, mixed in with the odd Oklahoma City fan.

Seeing Bhatia travel for a big game is hardly anything new for him, as we've spotted him cheering on the Raptors during road games in the playoffs. He has also travelled to B.C. and even as far as the Philippines to root for the Canadian men's national team.

Though we're not exactly sure if Bhatia was cheering for either team based on his dress code for the day, there are plenty of connections for him (and most other Raptors fans) to this year's Finals.

Four Canadians are taking part in the Finals this year: Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort, as well as Indiana's Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin. And then, of course, there's former Raptors All-Star Pascal Siakam, who Toronto sent to Indiana in a blockbuster deal back in January 2024.

Regardless of his affiliation, Bhatia got treated to a pretty good contest during his time in Indiana. With the 68-win Thunder heavy favourites going into the series, the Pacers shocked them with a 116-107 win to take a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 is set for Friday in Indianapolis, and we'll be keeping a close eye to see if we can spot him in the crowd once again.

Toronto's favourite retro tiki bar turning into a Christmas-themed pop-up all summer

Phoebe Knight, Dished — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:08:24 -0400

The people behind Toronto's most iconic tiki bar are giving the city an unexpected dose of holiday cheer with their new pop-up that just so happens to run all summer long.

With the sun finally making somewhat regular appearances on Toronto's weather forecast and that ever-present pool of sweat on your back staking its claim for the season, wintertime festivities could quite possibly be the last thing on your mind.

I, on the other hand, am a Christmas fan year-round, and it looks like the team behind Toronto's iconic Shameful Tiki Room is, too, as they prepare to launch their summer-long Vegas Christmas pop-up on Friday, June 13.

Now that the Parkdale staple has officially relocated to its new home at 777 Queen West, owner Alana Nogueda tells me that she was left to brainstorm ways to breathe new life into the former space before she moves out for good.

"We have the space [until the] end of August," she tells me, "so we were thinking of ideas and Christmas in July was one."

The "we" in question being herself, bartender Parker Littell and his partner Mackensey Phibbs, and the dream team settled on Not Today Santa. Yes, it is a 'Christmas in July' concept, but you may want to park your Christmas bar biases at the door.

"We were about [the idea,] but not like in the jolly crazy Christmas type bars you automatically think of," Alana tells me. "I was like, 'what if it was a Christmas bar with a Vegas vibe in our old Tiki space?'"

Las Vegas meets Christmastime at Not Today Santa. Photo from Not Today Santa.

If you're expecting the typical tinsel-laden vibes of Toronto's December staples like Miracle Bar or Mistletoes and Margaritas, you might be disappointed. But only until you step inside Not Today Santa, and realize what the team has put together is, in my opinion at least, way cooler.

There's a definite dive bar feel to the pop-up, adorned with disco balls and ephemera, invoking a scene of 1970s Las Vegas at Christmastime. Christmas lights and retro Santa Claus decorations tastefully clutter every corner, but holly-jolly holiday spirit won't be shoved too far down your throat.

You can expect to sip on a pared-down selection of tiki drinks and local craft and domestic beers, with the house cocktails crafted by a rotating lineup of the best dive bartenders in the city doing guest spots behind the bar. No peppermint-eggnog-espresso-martini brouhaha here.

Parker and Mackensey will keep the vibes impeccable with live music and karaoke almost every night of the week for the pop-ups, which run until the end of August, making the entire summer the most wonderful time of the year.

Not Today Santa officially opens at 1378 Queen St. W. on June 13, and will be open from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays until the end of August.

Toronto is getting direct flights to a European capital after an 11-year hiatus

Jack Landau — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:07:52 -0400

A direct flight between Toronto and a Northern European capital is resuming after an 11-year pause.

Finnair announced on Wednesday that it will resume its long-scrapped direct flight between Helsinki, Finland and Toronto starting next year, after over a decade.

The route is set to officially return on May 4, 2026, and will operate with three flights a week during the busy tourist season for both cities, until August 29, 2026.

Finnair last operated this flight in fall 2015, and by the time the route resumes next May, it will have been 11 years since the carrier flew a Helsinki-Toronto route.

Flights will depart on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays using Airbus A330-300 aircraft, and total flight times from Helsinki to Toronto will span approximately 8 hours and 45 minutes.

Mistervlad/Shutterstock

"We are excited to grow our North American network and bring Canada back as a destination. Toronto is a popular travel destination and offers, especially our European customers, great connections also to other parts of Canada," said Finnair Chief Revenue Officer Christine Rovelli in a press release.

Ahead of the return of this long-lost route, Finnair has updated its website with a blog post about the many tourist must-see destinations and experiences in Toronto.

Here's what to do with your empties in Ontario as Beer Stores close down

Becky Robertson — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 10:31:03 -0400

As Beer Store locations across Ontario gradually shut down, residents are wondering where the heck they're supposed to return their empty alcohol cans and bottles if and when their neighbourhood outpost of the chain closes.

Since 2007, The Beer Store (TBS) has been accepting these returns for deposits under the Ontario Deposit Return Program (ODRP), which is administered by it, the provincial government, and the LCBO.

But, with alcohol sale rules amended last year to allow convenience stores and a wider range of supermarkets to offer select adult beverages, these points of purchase will now also become part of the program.

Under a new agreement, starting January 1, 2026, all grocery stores over 4,000 sq. ft. will be required to accept empty containers from consumers, and refund the deposits that are rolled into the price of canned and bottled drinks as a condition of their liquor licence.

(As of October 31, 2024, some already are, while all must have signage directing consumers where they can bring back their empties for recycling. Convenience Stores are exempt, but can partake if they so choose.)

As outlined by the Province, The Beer Store is still "responsible for handling the reverse logistics and the collection of all empty liquor containers, including empty Beer containers," but must also now "manage and bear the costs of the TBS Beer Container Recovery System, including extending the TBS Beer Container Recovery System to all retailers."

A representative from the provincial government told us over email that the retailer will continue to helm Ontario's recycling program for these containers "until at least 2031," during what is a huge transitionary period for the market.

"Stores that accept empties have the opportunity to follow the standard arrangement with The Beer Store, or they can enter into their own alternative arrangement for empty drop off and pick up," Colin Blachar at the Ministry of Finance explains.

"Options include being able to join together for the process or using alternative locations for empty pick up and drop off."

Unfortunately, as of late May, it seems that some grocers are actually considering opting out of alcohol sales altogether to avoid having to participate in the recycling initiative. Per CityNews, only 13 of 70 supermarkets more than 5km from a Beer Store have opted in thus far.

An interactive online map provided on the Ontario website indicates where consumers can procure alcoholic beverages provincewide, as well as at which locations they can return their empties.

But, it appears that nearly all of the copious listings on this crucial tool are Beer Store outposts. In and around Toronto, for instance, the nearest non-Beer Store shops taking alcoholic bottles and cans are LCBO Convenience Outlets located at:

Food Basics, 9600 Islington Avenue, Vaughan, ON
Esso Gas and Convenience Store, 2250 Highway 7 East, Pickering, ON
Ultramar Gas and Convenience Store, 5267 Aurora Road, Stouffville, ON
Esso Gas and Convenience Store, 1521 Charleston Sideroad, Caledon, ON
Ultramar Gas and Convenience Store, 311 Brock Road South, Guelph, ON
Carlisle Cleaners & Alterations, 278 Carlisle Road, Carlisle, ON
Four Leaf Clover Ltd., 10779 Guelph Line, Campbellville, ON
Foodland, 209 Alma Street, Rockwood, ON
Lyndon General Store, 128 Lynden Road, Lynden, ON
Foodland, 19263 Highway 48, Mount Albert, ON

The province lists countless places for customers to return their empties. But, the vast majority are still Beer Store locations, when the future of the chain and what its future footprint will look like are very much up in the air.

Meanwhile, the Beer Store has been downsizing and selling off some of its properties in recent years, even before last year's rollout that increased its competition by thousands of stores.

The new legislation also requires the company to keep fewer and fewer stores open as time goes on — terms state that The Beer Store must have at least 386 locations open until July 1, 2025, but can close another 86 by the end of 2025 (maintaining at least 300).

Following that, there is no minimum requirement, meaning the chain could completely fold its retail offerings if desired. And, many have speculated that it more than likely will go this route as the brand focuses on the distribution side of things.

"In 2024 and beyond, The Beer Store is planning to adapt and thrive. We will expand our distribution fleet and network to service the new retail outlets, increasing our presence from approximately 1,500 private sector outlets to more than 10,000 during the term of this contract," reads a statement from the outlet in May 2024, just after Doug Ford announced the expedited timeline for getting beer, wine and seltzers into corner stores.

Canada wants people to weigh in on practice of 'algorithmic pricing'

Bradly Shankar, MobileSyrup — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 08:28:42 -0400

The Competition Bureau is seeking feedback from Canadians when it comes to algorithmic pricing.

The agency has published a new paper, Algorithmic Pricing and Competition, from which it seeks public consultation. As the bureau notes, various sectors, including hospitality, concerts and ridesharing, are turning to algorithms to help set prices for products and services.

The paper defines algorithmic pricing as "using automated algorithms to set or recommend prices for products or services, often in real time, based on a set of data inputs." It goes on to warn that algorithmic pricing could help and hurt competition, such as by making it easier for consumers to switch companies or limiting consumer choice by consolidating market power.

Therefore, the bureau wants those with "experience with algorithmic pricing and its potential impacts on competition" to help provide guidance on how to better respond. Specifically, the bureau says it wants to highlight the following key questions about algorithmic pricing:

How it is used in Canada, and how prevalent it is.
Where the data for pricing algorithms comes from.
How it could impact markets and consumers.
What challenges it presents for competition authorities.

The bureau is accepting feedback until July 22 through its online feedback form or by mail (Competition Promotion Branch, Competition Bureau, 50 Victoria Street, Gatineau, Quebec, K1A 0C9).

The bureau has been especially busy in recent months, having filed lawsuits against the likes of Cineplex and DoorDash over deceptive pricing practices.

Canada to let telecoms hand over your personal data to cops without warrant

Dean Daley, MobileSyrup — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 08:28:34 -0400

On June 3, 2025, the House of Commons of Canada introduced Bill C-2.

Bill C-2 is described as "An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures."

This new federal bill is intended to address border-related issues and proposes significant amendments to certain statutes, including the Criminal Code. The government justified the changes by claiming they will help protect children, battle organized crime and combat fentanyl.

However, the bill sparked concern over potential impacts on Canadians' digital privacy due to warrantless data access. One of the areas of concern is the new definitions Bill C-2 introduces. In Part 14, the bill amends the Criminal Code with "subscriber information" and "information demand" definitions, which are as follows:

Bill C-2 Part 14 (I): "facilitate access to basic information that will assist in the investigation of federal offences through an information demand or a judicial production order to persons who provide services to the public."
Bill C-2 Part 14 (iii): "specify certain circumstances in which peace officers and public officers may obtain evidence, including subscriber information, in exigent circumstances."

An information demand allows law enforcement to seek subscriber information from a service provider without a warrant. Also of concern is that the bill prohibits service providers from disclosing information demands for a year, and offers legal immunity for providers who voluntarily offer the information without requiring an information demand request.

The Supreme Court has previously defined subscriber information as "the name, address, and telephone number" of a customer associated with a particular IP address.

However, Bill C-2 is more expansive and can include your contact information, as well as account numbers and "information relating to the services provided to the client," which includes type of services, timeline of services and information that identifies specific devices or equipment.

How can this affect you?

Bill C-2 permits an officer with reasonable suspicion that an offence has been or will be committed to demand preliminary information from a service provider. This could then be used to obtain information from other service providers who might have data about the suspect.

This could include when the service began, when it ended, and other communications services used by the suspect, like Gmail or WhatsApp. Receiving information from these apps would require a warrant; however, this could supply officers with knowledge on where to look for certain information. It could enable access to information about who you were speaking with as well.

Another worrying part of Bill C-2 is this: "allow a justice or judge to authorize a peace officer or public officer to make a request to a foreign entity that provides telecommunications services to the public to produce transmission data or subscriber information that is in its possession or control."

In theory, this means that an officer can receive information such as metadata, including the time and date of information used to identify users. A 'foreign entity' also allows officers to get this information beyond Canada's borders and receive information from international telcos.

Bill C-2 is supposed to be used by an officer with "reasonable suspicion" of a crime that will be or has been committed. However, 'reasonable suspicion' isn't descriptive, has a low threshold, and can be easily circumvented.

Potential scenario

To understand why Bill C-2 is causing alarm, University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist gives an example in his blog post about the bill.

Imagine if you attended a protest. While there, law enforcement could use an IMSI catcher (a surveillance device that can interpret and analyze communications between a mobile phone and network), which could be used to gain phone identifiers from the attendees and confirm the cellular services they use.

If authorities deem the protest unlawful, they could demand information from the carrier to identify the people at the protest via phone identifiers gathered by the IMSI catcher, and can get names, phone numbers, addresses, e-mail addresses, see what apps they were using and who they were speaking with, all without a warrant. This could even be used to identify if you were at an event in a different country.

This dazzling Toronto home just reduced its price by $1.5 million

Phoebe Knight — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:01:00 -0400

If you're in the market for mansion living but you're working with a house budget, this breathtaking Toronto property, whose price was just reduced by $1.5 million, might just be the place for you.

...Assuming that "house" budget is $5 million, that is.

Located on a serene street steps from Bayview Avenue and York Mills Road, 37 Rollscourt Drive is the stuff Toronto property dreams are made of, boasting luxe-yet-tasteful finishes at every corner.

With a prime location just minutes from Highway 401 and local schools, though, that serenity doesn't come at the expense of true city living.

The grand entrance.

Soaring over the centrepiece of the main floor — an elegant cascading staircase that leads to the bedrooms and amenities on the second storey — you'll spy a refined domed skylight that gives the whole space a regal feel.

The living room.

The sleek 333-sq.-ft. living space provides a comfortable and stylish spot for social gatherings or unwinding after a long day and, with lofty ceilings and large windows, it manages to escape the trap of feeling stuffy or confined, which so many formal living spaces fall into.

The dining room.

Cross the grand entrance and you'll land in a similarly light-drenched dining room.

The open-concept floor plan allows a seamless flow throughout the entire level, while enormous windows, a stylish contemporary light fixture and warm hardwood floors give the dining space a feel that's entirely its own.

The kitchen.

The enormous kitchen is a must-see for any home chef.

A whopping 375-sq.-ft. footprint is masterfully filled with an oversized island, custom cabinetry and top-of-the-line appliances, such as two Wolf wall ovens, a SubZero refrigerator and freezer, and a Miele dishwasher.

The family room.

Just beyond the kitchen, you'll find an additional dining area and adjoining family room for more casual and cozy get-togethers.

The regal fireplace bestows the room with a homey feel, while floor-to-ceiling windows gazing onto the backyard assert a more contemporary sensibility.

The primary bedroom.

With so much living space spread across the house, it would be a crime to put all your eggs in one basket when it comes to how you spend your time. On the other hand, though, I wouldn't blame you if the primary bedroom had you seriously considering never leaving the room again.

Featuring its own sitting room and spacious his-and-hers closets, it's the type of spot where sweet dreams would be a guarantee every night.

The primary ensuite.

The crowning jewel of the primary bedroom is its grand seven-piece ensuite bathroom, which, featuring checkerboard tile floors, a sumptuous bathtub and gold fixtures, feels utterly fit for royalty.

Another bedroom.

On top of the primary bedroom and ensuite, the home boasts an additional four bedrooms and seven bathrooms, so lack of personal space won't even cross your mind.

An extra bedroom, outfitted as a pilates studio.

If you don't need all of those bedrooms for, you know, sleeping in, they also pose the perfect opportunity to be transformed into anything else you may desire, whether it be an at-home pilates studio, recreational room or home office.

The lower level.

Similarly, the lower level offers ample living space to be used however you see fit, with a walkout, sprawling recreation room, nanny or guest quarters and a mudroom for extra storage.

The backyard.

The backyard is a fairytale to boot, brimming with meticulously landscaped gardens and lush trees.

A stone terrace and saltwater pool beyond provide the ultimate refuge during summer months — no cottage needed. Although with the aforementioned $1.5 million price reduction, you could probably buy a whole cottage, too.

Additionally, the property features a three-car garage, an electric vehicle charger, a barbecue gas line, an updated irrigation system and a backup generator. In other words, it's more than just a pretty face.

37 Rollscourt Drive,

37 Rollscourt Dr. is currently listed at $4,998,000 by Sarvy Barghgir of Prestige World Realty Inc.

Enormous open-air movie and arts festival coming to Toronto this month

Daniel Chai — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:37:34 -0400

Summer is just around the corner, and Toronto's historic Distillery District will once again transform into an open-air cinema village for the season, starting this month.

The 2025 Lavazza IncluCity Festival, one of Canada's premier multicultural arts celebrations, takes place this year from Friday, June 27, to Sunday, July 29.

The Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF), organizer of IncluCity, has grown the event to spotlight 15 different local communities, drawing more than 250,000 attendees annually.

Each year features unique programming showcasing music, art, dance, design and cinema. And, 2025 has a stellar lineup.

The festivities will kick off with an ICFF opening night party with a special North American premiere screening Naples to New York, directed by Gabriele Salvatores.

ICFF

Opening night will feature the Canadian premiere of Timothy Scott Bogart's Juliet and Romeo, a modern musical that reimagines the timeless love story featuring a pop-driven soundtrack. The director, producers and lead cast of the film will all be in attendance during the festivities, too.

ICFF also has a new initiative as part of IncluCity, called Toronto Screens Toronto, which celebrates the city as both a filming location and star in its own right. Highlights of the program include screenings of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World by Edgar Wright, What If by Michael Dowse and The Darkest Miriam by Naomi Jaye.

The fan-favourite Dark Side of Lavazza IncluCity Festival will also return this year, with horror flicks taking centre stage.

Additionally, screen legend Susan Sarandon will serve as this year's guest of honour and will appear at the Closing Gala.

Tickets for Toronto screenings at the Distillery District include a tasting experience with Masi Prosecco, Birra Moretti or a Campari cocktail, along with Lavazza coffee and delicious bites from Ferrero, Barilla and Eataly.

There will also be a blend of free daytime programming and ticketed evening events so that everyone can enjoy this year's fest.

"In a year that has tested festivals nationwide, I'm proud of the bold program we're launching," Cristiano de Florentiis, co-founder and artistic director of ICFF, says in a release.

"With all-day public concerts at the Distillery District, over 30 film premieres and a spectacular Closing Gala at the Hearn featuring one of Hollywood's elite, this is without a doubt our most ambitious edition yet."

Tickets are on sale now — be sure to check out the full schedule to reserve your spot.