This is Toronto

Zohran Mamdani isn't running for election in Toronto. But municipal candidates have surely taken inspiration from his New York campaign – from cribbing his communication style to fully ripping off his ideas. Reporter Haydn Watters breaks it down.

What can the story of a Canadian stunt driver attempting to jump the St. Lawrence River tell us in the era of Elbows Up? Film star Jay Baruchel explains.

With Toronto’s municipal election right around the corner, candidates running for council seats are gearing up their campaigns. In this episode of This is Toronto, CBC’s Chris Glover asks three city hall journalists to break down the races you need to watch.

A 15-year-old teen was struck by a driver and suffered serious injuries at an intersection where a speed camera was removed. His family is now suing the City, the province and the driver. Given the province's speed cam ban, is the government liable?

Officials called it a 100-year storm, testing the city's aging infrastructure yet again. As Toronto's municipal election campaign ramps up, we ask climate experts how the mayoral candidates are addressing this issue — or not.

As Toronto recovers from this week's storm, city crews are clearing debris and restoring power. In this episode, we look at the ongoing cleanup efforts and ask: Why is the city's infrastructure consistently overwhelmed by heavy rain, and what will it take to fix it?

Torontonians will be heading to the polls to choose the city's next mayor in October, and the campaigns will be ramping up over the next few weeks. We ask three city hall journalists a simple question: what is this election really about?

Police say it's a way to identify vehicles tied to potential criminal activity. But privacy advocates worry about the use of and lack of oversight around AI license plate cameras.

The federal government has unveiled its support package for businesses caught up in the trade war with the U.S. But for many, it's not enough. Three businesses in the GTA explain what all this means for them.

After a review found that campus protests have been "symptoms of a deteriorating campus climate" at Toronto Metropolitan University, the university has appointed veteran politician Bob Rae to lead a task force on campus expression, antisemitism and community safety.

U.S. President Donald Trump has paused 50 per cent tariffs on a broad range of Canadian goods. We hear from the Canadian correspondent with the Economist, and the National President of Unifor.

The provincial government has put out a document to "attract data centre investment," as cities across the GTA consider how to deal with them. Hamilton councillor Nrinder Nann and Ontario Economic Development minister Vic Fedeli weigh in.

Construction of the Lower Don Trail was only supposed to take a year. It ended up taking more than three years and it's still not finished. Reporter Haydn Watters explores why it takes Toronto so long to build infrastructure.

Street festivals are synonymous with summer in Toronto, but this year overcrowding has become a top concern for festival organizers. 

You see them in bike lanes, on roads, on sidewalks. E-bikes are everywhere... and increasingly, they're causing fires. Toronto's Fire Chief explains why.

Since the federal government pulled its support for the island airport expansion, several Progressive Conservative MPPs have come out against the Alto high speed rail project. Three strategists unpack the politics behind the move. 

If you live in a condo and have a storage locker, what would you do if you got a letter saying you need to clear everything out? Reporter Haydn Watters delves into why Toronto Fire is telling that to some buildings.

Things may feel a certain way, but according to Statistics Canada, crime in Toronto and around the province is going down. Criminologist Scot Wortley explains why.

Toronto was the fastest growing city in Canada and the U.S. in 2024. In 2025, we placed 412th. Researchers lay much of the blame on people leaving the city for other parts of Canada.

Toronto mayoral candidates Brad Bradford and Olivia Chow have taken very different approaches responding to the deadly shooting at Salsa on St. Clair. City Hall analyst Matt Elliott explains how its playing into this fall’s race for mayor.

Toronto paramedics have gotten a spike in calls for opioid overdoses. We'll hear from a Toronto street nurse and an ER doctor dealing with these calls, who blame Doug Ford's closure of supervised consumption sites.

Plans to expand Billy Bishop airport are facing backlash from Indigenous groups who say they are being left out of the decision-making process.

Three political strategists weigh in on the latest polling numbers indicating the gap between Toronto mayoral candidates Brad Bradford and Olivia Chow may be closing.

How does a community come together, after a usually joyous event was shaken by gun violence? In this episode we hear from people who were at Salsa on St. Clair when gunshots broke out, and try to understand what the shooting means for the community, and the future of street festivals in the city.

The TDSB is shutting the beloved Island Natural Science School as part of its sweeping cuts. Since opening in 1960, it hosted tens of thousands of elementary students on overnight nature trips. Reporter Haydn Watters explores what legacy the school leaves behind.

With the sixth and final FIFA World Cup game hosted in Toronto now behind us, many are starting to reflect on the impact and legacy of the tournament. We hear from a former mayor and an urban planer who studies the impact of mega-sporting events in cities, and we send our reporter to ask fans how they think the city fared as a host.

Toronto has lost so many vital music and party venues, sucking much of the fun out of the city. How does a city of "no-fun" bounce back?

Originally budgeted at $150,000, cost have ballooned for a pilot to pedestrianize part of Church Street this summer. What do those costs reveal about the challenges of changing the city's streetscape in the 21st century?

Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservative government have taken a hit in the polls. But with an election still years away, is this a temporary dip, or a sign of thing to come?

There's been a number of cases lately of youth being linked to shootings and other violent crimes, some as young as 12 or 13. But while teens recruited into gangs may be the perpetrators, do we need to re-think how we approach the problem?

Hundreds of people protested a proposal to bring an AI data centre into a Hamilton neighbourhood. With many more proposals across the GTA, what does it actually mean when a data centre comes to town?

Kenneth Law is tied to at least 147 deaths worldwide. But after pleading guilty to counselling or aiding suicides in Ontario, the murder charges against him have been withdrawn, and he may never face charges internationally. Jerry Cohn's brother Benji is one of the many people whose deaths are linked to products sold by Law.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can use Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline by calling or texting 988. Kids Help Phone is available at 1-800-668-6868, or text 686868.

The City is planning to install new technology to improve safety on the TTC — including platform barriers and AI cameras at TMU station. 

Allegations of corruption, antisemitism and sexual assault -- just some of the issues involving Toronto Police, that have have surfaced in the last few months. The Police Chief, Myron Demkiw, has announced a number of changes to keep officers accountable, but will they be enough to regain public trust?

A Brampton teen’s disappearance is now a homicide investigation in Northern Saskatchewan. An advocate on the issue of missing Black boys discusses why these cases are often mishandled.

Toronto's condo market is in a slump, with thousands of units sitting empty. But in that cold market, Anthony O'Brien sees opportunity. He tells Chris Glover about his firm's plan to spend $500 million buying up condos in the city.

The TDSB's celebrated Model Schools program funnelled extra resources to schools in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Now that's under threat. A trustee and a former Model School teacher tell us what it would mean to lose it.

With less than a month until the World Cup, crews are out cleaning up garbage, removing graffitti, and filling potholes. Journalist Matt Elliott joins to talk about the preparations, and the legacy of this event for the city.

If you’ve been to a restaurant, bar or cafe in Toronto and needed to use the toilet, there's a good chance you've been directed down a steep staircase. Our reporter Haydn Watters explores how so many bathrooms ended up underground.

Our political panel breaks down Doug Ford’s slump in the polls and what it means for the opposition.

Toronto's municipal election is about to officially begin. Rival advocacy groups Progress Toronto and ABC Toronto hope to influence who wins. Here's how they plan to do it.

With customer satisfaction around 64%, and a major international event on the horizon, the TTC's CEO Mandeep Lali is putting together a plan to win back riders.

The province has now re-sold a controversial $28.9 million private jet, even though Premier Doug Ford keeps defending it as a useful way for him to travel around Ontario. A CBC investigation found the plane would have a hard time taking off from most runways in the province.

The Province is proposing making attendance part of students' grades. We hear from students and an education policy expert about whether this is the right move.

Two new Toronto MPs are Ottawa-bound: Dr. Danielle Martin (University-Rosedale) and Doly Begum (Scarborough Southwest). We hear from both, just after their by-election wins.

The Blue Jays have revived BJ Birdy, the team’s original mascot. But as our reporter Haydn Watters found out, it’s much more complicated than that.

When the Ford government moved to close supervised consumption sites, they announced a replacement -- HART Hubs. But a year in, very little is known about how those hubs work. Reporter Haydn Watters got a rare look inside.

Mayor Olivia Chow discusses her opposition to the Billy Bishop expansion and if the city can fight back.

Toronto Police say they will be deploying officers with long guns to places of worship, tourist attractions and busy public spaces "in the coming days." We hear from the police chief and a criminologist.

He was a hero during the Blue Jays' post-season run last year. Now, Ernie Clement is getting ready to don the blue once again. He spoke with Anis Heydari ahead of the Jays' season opener.

The OPP released an explosive report into the Umar Zameer case, looking into if police lied. We hear from Zameer's lawyer on the need for a public inquiry and a collision expert on the differing viewpoints.

Bike Share bicycles have become a fixture on Toronto's streets. But how can the program keep up with the demand? Jarrett McDonald oversees the program, and gives us a preview of how it's going to expand.

The Premier says jets will fly into Billy Bishop Airport and he is willing to take the land away from the city to make it happen. Listen to what the local business community and the Deputy Mayor have to say about the plan.

As the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran escalates, Iranian-Canadians in the GTA are questioning what this means for the country’s future. We hear from locals outside Toronto’s Iranian Plaza, then from Iranian-Canadian historian Arash Azizi.

One of the last strip clubs in downtown Toronto shut down recently. The infamous Filmores Gentlemen’s Club held a liquidation auction this week, selling off almost everything inside. Reporter Haydn Watters went to see who showed up.

The Canadian government says Ukrainians who came under emergency visas will be expected to leave once the war ends. Some say that would mean rebuilding their lives once again.

CBC’s Haydn Watters took a deep dive into the world of transit seat upholstery — looking at why the TTC and other transit agencies use fabric, the role design plays, and just what is lurking beneath you when you sit down on transit.

The beleaguered Eglinton LRT is finally opening after 15 years of construction. But the history behind Line 5 dates much, much further back.

After a record-breaking snow dump in the city, issues around accessibility linger. Angie Seth gets into some of them with Maayan Ziv, founder of AccessNow, and Christopher Arnts of Arnts the Landscape Supplier.

Dr. Andrew Boozary has been leading a University Health Network project to create housing for dozens of homeless people. Now, federal, provincial and municipal governments have gotten together to fund a second phase of the project.

Half a dozen saunas have opened up in Toronto in the past couple of months. Reporter Haydn Watters breaks down why so many people are eager to sweat right now and how much money is behind it.

The first week of the new recycling program was bumpy, we put some of the issues to Allen Langdon from Circular Materials who is in charge of it. But Karen Wirsig from Environmental Defense Canada says the issues are much more complicated than forgotten curbside bins.

Internal divisions at Unifor come to light under the pressure of looming GM layoffs and an uncertain future for automakers.

Metro Morning's political panel talks Ontario politics, tariffs and if pouring out the bottle of Crown Royal was Doug Ford's defining moment.

From property tax raises to LRTs, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow recaps 2025... and what's ahead in 2026 including the upcoming municipal election.

We speak to Toronto's Police Chief Myron Demkiw on preventing violent extremist attacks, tackling youth violence, phasing out mobile crisis intervention teams and the city's improving crime statistics (even though many people don't feel safer).

We check in with two Syrians who fled the war 10 years ago to settle in the GTA. They have found joy, safety and citizenship here but still carry the scars and concerns for those left behind.

The Finch LRT is Toronto's first new transit line in 20 years. It opened to big fanfare.. .and then criticism for its speed -- or lack of. We ask the City what can be done to hit the fast track.

Dozens of women have come forward with allegations against some of the biggest companies in Toronto nightlife, in connection to decades of alleged abuse by a well-known club promoter.

We look at the risks for women in nightlife and what it will take to make the hospitality industry safer, with Emily Murphy, a local DJ and event organizer, and Adriana Berlingieri, a researcher of violence against against women.

The number of assaults on public transit in Toronto more than doubled, from 2015 to 2024. But why?

CBC's Eric Szeto unpacks the numbers, and TTC chair Jamaal Myers explains what might be going on, and what the transit agency is doing about it.

Accidental poisoning including drug overdose is the leading cause of death for adults under 44 in Toronto. Medical Officer of Health Dr. Michelle Murti and drug policy researcher Dan Werb explain how we got here and what they think could be done to save lives.

Premier Doug Ford says he will use the notwithstanding clause to make the sex offender list public. Solicitor General Michael Kerzner says making the list public is a priority.

Mount Dennis station is now going to be served by UP Express and GO Trains... but a new station at St. Clair will only get UP service. Transit consultant Jonathan English breaks down why, and how we could have it all.

It took weeks to dig the city out of a series of snowstorms last winter, and many put the blame on City Hall. With another winter on the horizon, Matt Elliott joins to talk about what went wrong before, and whether the issues have been fixed.

Alex Krawcyzk, daughter of murdered billionaires Honey and Barry Sherman, talks about living under the shadow of the unsolved crime, and how she finds solace in continuing her parents' legacy of giving.

The condo market has been in freefall for months, and that's created an opportunity for some buyers who never imagined they'd be able to buy a home. But how long will the moment last, and how do we avoid another housing bubble?

After 32 years, the Blue Jays are back in the World Series. What went right? Sports writers Aaron Rose, Veronica Chung and Mike Wilner weigh in.

Actor Viggo Mortensen shares what brought him to Toronto to take part in the first-ever Promise of Music festival, including a performance of a symphony based on a children's book.

CBC Toronto reporter Nicole Brockbank explains how it is that crypto ATMs came to be the main way fraudsters get money from their victims, and how other countries are dealing with it.

The federal government is looking to make changes to bail in criminal cases, and that's personal for Paul Henderson and Flo Bellman. They open up about why they believe changes to bail could have prevented the death of their daughter five years ago.

Ontario's Solicitor General, Michael Kerzner, defends the province's move to ban speed cameras. He also speaks with David about bail reform and Marineland.

Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a list of five "nation building projects" including a plan to bring small modular reactors to Darlington, Ontario. Tech columnist Francis Syms explains what that could look like.

Reporter Haydn Watters caught up with two former cast members ahead of the documentary 'Degrassi: Whatever It Takes' TIFF premiere. Plus James Monkman on an immersive exhibit called 'Mekwâc' that imparts ancient stories of the Cree.

Andrea Werhun's memoir largely inspired the Oscar-winning film "Anora". Now one year later, she'll get a starring role on the big screen herself -- in a documentary based on her memoir "Modern Whore." 

Housing prices are falling in major cities across the country. The CBC's Ashley Fraser looks into if now is this the right time for first-time buyers to jump into the market.

The world's leading genocide scholars' association is calling Israel's action in Gaza a genocide. We'll unpack what that means with Omer Bartov an expert on the subject, who is also a former IDF soldier. 

Metro Morning's career coach Emily Durham explains how managing up can actually benefit your whole team. Plus, the adults who are gearing up for summer camp in the GTA.

If you think about artificial intelligence and worry about a world where machines wipe out humans, Nobel Prize winner Geoffrey Hinton shares those concerns. But now he says there is one way to protect ourselves: We need to build A.I. to be like a mother.

Marcell Wilson is an anti-gun violence advocate and a family spokesperson for Javhai Roy's family. David speaks with him about what Javhai Roy's loss has meant for the people who knew him and what it says about gun violence in the GTA.

As the Eglinton Crosstown opening continues to be delayed, located in thick of construction is the neighbourhood of Little Jamaica. Guest host Stephanie Skenderis speaks to Diana Lalor with the Little Jamaica BIA. Plus, the Toronto artist highlighting the beauty of pigeons.

The demands of modern life can be demanding. Kim De Laat is an assistant professor of organization and human behaviour at the University of Waterloo. She explains why people are turning to workplace apps and practices to manage their personal lives.

Plus, Haydn Watters hangs out with the Boys and Girls Club West Scarborough to hear about their visit with mega superstar The Weeknd. 

Take a step through history at Old City Hall. While the City considers what to do with one of Toronto's architectural jewels, they've reopened it for public visits and weddings. Our reporter Haydn Watters takes a tour and we hear from the first couple to be married there in about 35 years.

Plus, worms! Southern Ontario is the worm capital of North America. We dig into this underground economy with reporter Inori Roy.

The CBC's Eric Szeto speaks to David about his investigation into fascist fight clubs operating in Hamilton and Niagara region.

They're a trending. They've got millions of streams. And they don't actually exist. Guest host Stephanie Skenderis explores the A.I. generated music group Velvet Sundown is changing the music industry. She speaks with U of T's Ely Lyonbloom and Toronto musician Skye Wallace about it.

Guest host Jill Dempsey speaks with Managing Director of the Canadian SHIELD Institute Vass Bednar about the growing problem of sludge. Plus, producer Shyloe Fagan hits the streets to hear sludge stories from Torontonians.

Cameron Collins is 12-years-old and loves cars. David spoke to him about how his love of cars inspired his classmates to put on an inclusive car show to raise awareness around autism.

It's name is BeBot and it's cleaning up Ontario's beaches this summer. David speaks with Melissa Young, CEO of Pollution Probe about it. Plus, Environmental Defence's Karen Wirsig speaks to David about the province's proposal to pull back on some of its recycling program.

Depending who you ask, they are either ruining the ecosystem or restoring it. David speaks to Ontario Nature's Andres Jimenez Monge about Cormorants.

Roberta Pike is the director of Indigenous Wellness at Unity Health Toronto. She tells David about a new wellness centre at St. Mike's that is hoping to help mend the relationship between the healthcare system and Indigenous people in Toronto. Plus, why Marsha Shandur is encouraging people in the city to tap into the childhood joy of parachutes.