News without the noise · Toronto Edition
Friday, March 27, 2026 · 181 stories
Provincial funding cuts could impact Toronto's Transit Oriented Communities program, which aims to build mixed-use communities near transit. The cuts affect both environmental transit users and those who rely on public transportation as their only option.
A fire broke out on the roof of a downtown Toronto building where construction work was underway, causing propane cylinders to rupture and produce explosions. Toronto Fire Services responded to the incident, which resulted in no injuries.
Lake Shore Boulevard West will be closed for 10 hours from Bathurst Street to British Columbia Road, potentially diverting traffic to King Street where parking may be suspended. During weekday peak hours, the King streetcar will run every four minutes, the Harbourfront line every seven minutes, and the Bathurst line approximately every five minutes.
Ontario's latest budget projects 64,800 housing starts this year, down 10,000 from last year's projection and 30,000 from the 2024 plan. The government has shifted focus from its 1.5-million-home target to affordability measures, including a temporary HST rebate expansion aimed at spurring 8,000 new units.
Ontario has expanded eligibility for the HST rebate on new homes to include repeat buyers who plan to live in their properties and some investors intending to rent units. The price cap for partial rebates has been raised to $1.85 million, up from the previous $1.5 million limit that applied only to first-time buyers.
Toronto City Council has approved a motion to prohibit the raising of foreign flags at City Hall and civic centres. The decision passed with a vote of 19 to 7.
Heavily armed state forces maintain control of Tehran's streets with checkpoints and patrols, some operated by the IRGC's Basij force, police, or plainclothes forces. These checkpoints have been targeted by drone strikes over the past two weeks, leading them to frequently relocate to highways, tunnels, and under bridges. A senior IRGC official stated that children aged 12 or older can now participate in security patrols and checkpoints.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated in an interview that the war with Israel was 'imposed upon us.' Israel launched air strikes and sent ground troops into south Lebanon following Hezbollah rocket fire on March 2, aiming to control a zone up to the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the border. Salam noted that negotiations with Israel, recently mentioned by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, remain 'on the table.'
The UN human rights chief has urged the U.S. to conclude and publish its investigation into a missile strike on an Iranian primary school that killed at least 168 people, including about 110 children, according to Iranian officials. U.S. media reports indicate American military investigators believe U.S. forces were likely responsible for hitting the school unintentionally, with the intended target being a nearby military base.
The Rogers Centre in Toronto has undergone renovations ahead of the Blue Jays' home opener. The changes include updates to seating, concessions, and fan amenities.
The Toronto Blue Jays will host the Oakland Athletics for their 2026 season home opener on Friday night. Coverage of the game begins on Blue Jays Central at 5:30 p.m.
The Toronto Blue Jays begin their new season on Friday, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returning as a key player. The team's stated goal is to win the World Series.