Toronto possibly set a world record for the number of vaccines administered in one day at one clinic, which drew fake doctors with an anti-vaxxing message—and a mayor with a ponytail promoting the return of salons. Scotiabank Arena was also a symbolic spot to get closer to victory over COVID-19, even if hockey fans are left cheering for Montreal.
Banker eyes a new exchange
Catherine McKenna wanting to spend more time with her kids, and fight climate change, were cited as the reason she won’t seek re-election, which stoked speculation that Mark Carney will seek that opening to become a Liberal MP. Meanwhile, the PM stuck up for Carolyn Bennett after a text he acknowledged was wrong, because he knows her heart.
Toronto’s city manager supports a full renaming of Dundas Street. John Tory endorses the $6 million idea, which will be presented to his executive committee before going to city council. A year ago, a popular petition drew attention to the street named for a politician who delayed the abolition of slavery, whose legacy also lives in Hamilton.
One less underdog to answer
A headline about a perceived “KKKookies” company name getting changed by Doug Ford’s daughter Kyla was followed by an apology from the Toronto Sun for being “inflammatory.” The paper also has Sue-Ann Levy bidding farewell as a columnist while decrying the lack of civility by critics and boasting of the thick skin she developed:
Keith Radford is signing off after over 33 years in Buffalo. The Canadian anchorman who crossed the border to WKBW in 1987 was the heir to Irv Weinstein on Eyewitness News. A retirement interview with the Buffalo News had Radford lamenting the decline of the channel, whose owner E.W. Scripps is attempting to reinvent local TV newscasts.
Finally, forever in leg warmers
Heavenly Bodies was the 1984 Canadian drama film that attempted to exploit the Toronto-based momentum of 20 Minute Workout. Both of these are crucial components of the canon that influenced Apple TV series Physical, even if it’s set in San Francisco. But a new podcast episode revisits the source material with enthusiasm: