New spending to expand hospital capacity is suddenly all over Ontario via Queen’s Park, as if an election was imminent. But for the NDP, a promise of universal mental health care was unveiled at a campaign launch—which was the opposite of Liberals unmasked indoors. Andrea Horwath even did a cringe rhyme outside.
No letterhead scandals for Mikey
After nearly six years on Toronto council that started with a byelection to replace his uncle Rob in Etobicoke North, the premier’s nephew Michael Ford is running for the Ontario PCs in York South-Weston. The odds of winning raises questions about which Ford family member wants to enter city hall next.
“The dangerous ambition of Patrick Brown.” The Pointer continues to analyze his run as Brampton mayor in light of a Conservative leadership campaign in which Brown is taking aim at cancel culture. Meanwhile, the quirks of Pierre Poilievre’s run keep making good copy for ideas like being the world’s crypto capital.
KLOE got his statue to-go
Before his Miami Heat arrived in town, Kyle Lowry wrote a note to his Toronto family, building anticipation for an emotional game that the Raptors lost 114–109. Part of what the mayor declared a day in Lowry’s honour was a lifesize sculpture created by TSN, which made its way around the city, as it was John Tory’s assertion he deserved one after leaving:
The retirement of the Kraft Peanut Butter bears was marketing for April Fool’s Day. This despite it being announced on March 30 at noon, although the company blamed it on Crunchie and Smoothie. But then, Mr. Peanut died in February 2020 only to be revived in May 2021 as the Planters brand changed its American ownership from Kraft to Hormel.
Finally, definitely not Silk Sonic
Slik Toxik was the Toronto band whose debut album, Doin’ the Nasty, was released 30 years ago by EMI Music Canada into a scene eclipsed by grunge. Finally arriving in digital form has frontman Nick Walsh reflecting on how they missed their shot, even if it led to a career singing Classic Albums Live. Being on the shelf for a year didn’t help the bad timing:
