Toronto is getting a massive three-storey Lululemon flagship store, right at the corner of the city’s bustling Yonge and Bloor street corner.
The brand, which hails from Vancouver, will occupy roughly 12,100 square feet and span three floors, a huge upgrade from its current, much smaller 3,067 square foot space at 153 Cumberland St.
The store will have concourse and street level access, including a direct connection to the TTC. You won’t be able to miss the new store, which features wraparound glass.
KingSett Capital, the real estate investment firm that owns the building, shared the news last week, noting that the flagship store will be part of a “significant podium renovation.”
Courtesy KingSett Capital
The space was previously occupied by Talbot and Swarovski, both of which have already moved out ahead of the extensive renovations that will be taking place.
The 2 Bloor St. spot is set to open in 2024 and when it does, it will be one of the company’s largest retail locations, second to Chicago’s 20,000 square foot location in Lincoln Park. The new Toronto store will be the largest one in Canada, beating out its over 6,000 square foot Vancouver flagship location.
The Yonge and Bloor area is growing fast; currently, the southeast corner is home to a Nordstrom Rack and the southwest corner is the site of the much-awaited One Bloor building, a multi-use condo project that is set to house a new Apple flagship at its base.
The commercial podium development Lululemon will be a part of still has a few available retail spaces open, so we’ll see who the company’s new neighbours will be come 2024.
Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings and Mattea Roach (Twitter)
Things just keep getting better for Jeopardy! contestant Mattea Roach. On Monday night’s episode, the 23-year-old tutor from Toronto, beat out a college instructor and a marketing manager to secure an impressive five-game winning streak.
To date, she’s raked in a total of $117,200 USD (about 147,00 CDN), and is eligible to play in the shows upcoming Tournament of Champions set to air later this year.
According to the Daily Box Scores, Roach attempted to buzz in 39 times during Monday’s episode and was successful 23 times for a success rate of 59 per cent. Of those 23 buzzes, she was correct 20 times.
During the interview portion of Friday’s episode, Roach was asked by host Mayim Bialik what it was like “to be our very special Canadian Unicorn?” Roach, who is originally from Halifax, responded, “It’s been amazing. Canadians are always very proud of our homegrown celebrities, so to come on Jeopardy! where Alex was such an iconic presence for so many years, it’s really, really special.”
Roach, a U of T grad currently works as a tutor for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and is hoping to attend law school in the fall of 2022.
In a recent interview, Roach said while she did not have much trivia experience she has a knack for remembering things which helped immensely.
“I’m just lucky I’ve got a lot of mostly useless information kicking around in my brain but then in moments like ‘Jeopardy!,’ it becomes useful,” she said.
In a tweet Monday evening, Roach gave a shout-out to her opponents and the difficulty level of the board.
“In all seriousness, that game was not as bad as I remembered, serious kudos to @WolfmanTweets for doing what needed to be done on the DD, and props to him and Vanessa (unsure of she has Twitter) for their performance on some TOUGH boards. more to come tomorrow!!”
The episodes were pre-recorded in Los Angeles in January and due to contractual obligations, Roach has had to keep the outcome of her wins under wraps.
In tonight’s episode, Roach will go head-to-head against Leah Q. Pence, a social studies teacher from Georgia, and Zhe Lu, a software engineer from Massachusetts.
Nicola Wealth clients enjoy the benefits of investing in real estate without some of the stress and headaches.
They seem to be doing something right at Nicola Wealth. The firm’s dedicated real estate division, Nicola Wealth Real Estate (NWRE), led by Mark Hannah, Managing Director, has seen some positive performance from their real estate portfolio regardless of the volatility of the pandemic. Their in-house acquisition and asset-management specialists attribute this success to the diversity of their portfolio, their ability to keep their finger on the pulse, and ultimately being able to act quickly on opportunities in major markets.
Taking an entrepreneurial approach to investing in real estate through which their team of more than 50 professionals employs; NWRE monitors industry trends and acts quickly. Preferring off-market opportunities, they use a creative lens to find opportunities to add value instead of just buying existing real estate to clip a rental coupon. The firm has applied this strategy for years; boasting 19 acquisitions over in 2021 alone, adding to their Canadian income properties, US income properties, and value- add/development opportunities.
While almost everyone can agree that real estate is an attractive investment these days, the team at Nicola Wealth has a few words of advice to help avoid common mistakes that can have significant impacts on your outcome. For example, Alex Messina, Director of Acquisitions at NWRE, warns against treating real estate as anything less than an active business.
“It’s not as simple as clicking a button to buy a property and letting a property manager take it from there,” he says. “There is a lot of work that goes into underwriting good investment opportunities, completing due diligence and closing. From there, the real work begins where you need to understand mortgage financing, asset management, and leasing to maximize value. We have a team with specialists in all of these disciplines.”
It appears that diversity is key. Avoid putting all of your real estate “eggs in one basket,” opting instead for variety by asset class and geography, and watching for opportunities that are open-ended, which essentially equates to liquidity.
Preparing for volatility in the market means conservative underwriting—don’t get trapped into thinking that prices will just keep going up; make sure the numbers work based on today’s value.
“It also means investors need to be disciplined in their approach to acquisitions,” Messina says. “We take the view that if we can’t get a deal at the right price, there is always another bus coming. We also look for multiple ways out of the room.”
For example, if you buy raw land and the development is delayed or stalled, you’re stuck. But if there are existing buildings with holding cash flow income, you can continue to lease those buildings. “We like to have back-up plans,” Messina says.
From a leasing perspective, NWRE always looks at buildings with good leasing appeal that will attract a wide variety of tenants. Remember that when markets turn, premier locations will typically offer more flexibility from leasing, sales, and liquidity standpoints.
“We can’t control if lease rates in the market soften, but we want to make sure that we have properties that will attract strong interest from tenants so we can ensure cash flow,” Messina says.
Finally, investors need to be prepared for the inevitable rise in interest rates. NWRE has been proactive at locking in mortgage rates for the company’s long-term leased assets to hedge against higher interest rates in the mid-term. “This also impacts our acquisition strategy as we look for assets where we can increase rents in the future to off-set rising interest rate costs, instead of acquiring assets that are leased long-term at fixed rents,” Messina says.
While investing in hard-asset real estate can reap rewards and tips from professionals can help you on your way; remember, it requires significant time, capital, expertise, and good ol’ hard work. It might be best to leave it to the experts – and that’s where Nicola Wealth comes in. Messina says. “Our end goal is to relieve our clients of the burden of sourcing and managing properties, while striving for the best possible returns.”
This material contains the current opinions of the author and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This material is distributed for informational purposes only. Forecasts, estimates, and certain information contained herein are based upon proprietary research and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. All investments contain risk and may gain or lose value. Please speak to your Nicola Wealth advisor for advice based on your unique circumstances. Nicola Wealth is registered as a Portfolio Manager, Exempt Market Dealer and Investment Fund Manager with the required provincial securities commissions.
For over 20 years, Ross Hull has been delivering to Canadians the weather news they need for the top news outlets across the country. Since moving to Toronto, Hull has worked at Global News as a meteorologist. If his face looks familiar while sharing the chance of precipitation on your TV, there’s a reason. You might recognize him from his starring role in YTV’s 1990s horror anthology seriesAre You Afraid of the Dark? Hull shared the details of his and his partner Rodson Garcia’s serendipitous meeting and how their Instagram-famous dogs reunited the pair.
How they met
We like to believe it was actually Rodson’s first pet (Jasper the Pomsky) who brought us together! Rodson travelled with Jasper from Calgary to Toronto in July 2016 for a social media pet influencer event. While he was in the city, we connected online and had a great chat, but by that point, Rodson was already returning to Calgary, and we weren’t able to meet in person. We remained in contact online, and we both felt there was something worth exploring . A year later, we finally met in person in Toronto for our first date!
The first date
I had always wanted to do a road trip through the Maritimes, so I booked some time off in 2017 to do just that. After a year of getting to know Rodson virtually, I knew he also wanted to see that part of the country, and he had some friends in Toronto to visit. What better way to get to know someone than to do something we both enjoy — exploring new places and creating travel adventures. So, I casually asked if he’d be interested to go on the trip with me, leaving from Toronto (fully expecting him to politely decline). Surprisingly, he said yes! So we set off on our nine-day “first date” road trip headed toward our first stop, Quebec City — where we finally were able to have our first real sit-down dinner together.
After the trip, we were both sad to see each other go. I was hesitant about starting a long-distance relationship, and after visiting each other back and forth, it became clear that one of us would have to move to keep what we had going.
The pets
In the end, we like to say it’s the CanadianBros [influencers] who played a key role in bringing us together. By 2018, Rodson not only had Jasper [the pomsky], but he had added Louie [the eskiemute] to his pack, so double trouble! The Bros’ followers on Instagram were on the rise, and Rodson saw new opportunities to expand their brand in Toronto. That coincided with him looking to make a change in his own personal career as a project manager. So in August of 2018, Rodson decided to make the big move to Toronto! I had met the boys during my visits in Calgary and fell in love with them, but all of us being together in Toronto on a regular basis really cemented my role in the pack as daddy number two. Now it’s hard to imagine life without them — in fact, they’ve even dug into my work life by regularly appearing on Global News in my at-home segments and in-studio. You can learn more about their howling ventures on Instagram @CanadianBros or watch them on Wildlife Wednesdays on Global News.
Balancing a career and relationship
The pandemic certainly brought this relationship challenge to the forefront — Two Men and Two Fur Babies would be the name of the sitcom. Rodson’s work turned fully work from home, while I’ve been on a hybrid schedule with Global. Trying to manage his meetings with my shoots, while also making sure Jasper and Louie’s playtime/walk needs are being met, all in the relatively confined space of a one-bedroom downtown condo, has led to some hilarious yet sometimes stressful behind-the-scenes chaos. For the record, to date we have both never missed a deadline and no wardrobe malfunctions either, except trying to get Jasper into his many outfits when he is growing his fluffy winter coat.
Family-owned restaurant Jacques Bistro du Parc was a Yorkville staple for over four decades, offering guests the opportunity to step into a “corner of France in Toronto.”
Located at 129A Cumberland St., the second-floor restaurant served up traditional French cuisine courtesy of Chef Jacques Sorin for 43 years. But, with big changes coming in Yorkville, the restaurant is bidding the area adieu.
@elainenewli on Instagram
“Our lease has come to an end, and the new (non-financial) terms make it impossible for us to sign a new lease,” reads Jacques Bistro du Parc’s website. “Our landlord has made it very clear that he no longer wants us to use his space.”
“We are proud to have been part of a cohort of French restaurateurs that helped introduce refined French cuisine to the city, which at the time (1978) was mainly dominated by British cuisine,” it continues. “We introduced new dishes, delicate sauces to enhance the fish or the meat, a glass of wine with the meal, and of course, in true French style, butter took center (sic) stage.”
Jacques Bistro du Parc offered its guests an escape to France, with dishes like chicken supreme, soups, salads and dinner omelettes, all served by authentic, francophone servers. Of course, an extensive French wine list accompanies all of the food items.
“Bloor-Yorkville is home to very unique small and independent businesses, with many of these businesses operating in the neighbourhood for decades,” says Briar de Lange, the executive director of the Bloor-Yorkville BIA. “We are very sad to see Jacques Bistro du Parc close their doors after 43 years and we wish them all the best.”
@oneone1_z on Instagram
With new developments abound in one of Toronto’s most prestigious neighbourhood, there is still pressure on small businesses to stay afloat with massive changes in the area and skyrocketing prices threatening many. But, despite that, the area is still one of the most popular places to open a business. “Despite new developments in the area and the difficult times brought on by the pandemic, the vast majority are continuing to successfully operate and we’ve even seen new small businesses, including wine bars and jewelry shops, open their doors within the last two years,” de Lange says.
126 Cumberland is also home to S’cream Ice Cream + Coffee, which also hosts a small speakeasy but, at the time of writing, there are no announcements about the ice cream spot and speakeasy closing.
Dating in the digital age involves keeping up with evolving trends and terminology. It’s hard enough keeping up with the slang your kids are using, but for those of you getting back into the dating game, there’s a whole new language to learn. So we’ve enlisted a few Toronto daters to share their stories, insights and advice.
High Park dater Sara says she’s been on both sides of some undesirable online dating phenomena.
“Without being aware of the term itself, I ghosted a guy after five dates last year. I met someone else and just didn’t know how to tell him during that awkward phase.” She adds, “But recently another guy ghosted me, and it was awful to be on the other side.”
Ghosting involves disappearing without explanation and can affect self-esteem, as you tend to blame and question yourself. Rest assured that it’s likely not about you, but speaks to your date’s inability to effectively communicate his or her feelings. I suggest blocking the ghoster on all digital sites to avoid the potential of having that person haunt you. Haunting is when the ghoster continues to follow the person they ghosted on social media and often leads to the ghosted’s desire to reach out to the ghoster for closure or validation.
Dater Chris admits to playing games when he jumped back into dating after his divorce.
“I think the whole dating app thing was just overwhelming, so I took it too far. In retrospect, I was a bencher, a breadcrumber, a future-faker and more.”
Benching refers to dating someone in a low-effort, noncommittal way that puts that person on the back burner.
Breadcrumbing is similar and often entails sending sporadic and enticing messages to keep someone interested while avoiding any real connection. If someone is stringing you along or sending mixed signals, adjust your replies, so the person doesn’t benefit from your immediate attention. Reply the next day or ask to meet in person, to gauge that person’s level of interest. State your expectations (e.g., “Text me if you want to meet up Sunday.”) or ask questions that force the person to confront his or her own intentions (e.g., “Are you looking for a text-only relationship or something IRL [in real life]?”). If you’re only getting bread crumbs, let the breadcrumber know you’re looking for more or ignore the person altogether and move on.
The future-fake involves suggesting that you go on another date but not following through. It may be unintentional (you simply change your mind) or purposeful, as you don’t want to convey rejection. If you have trouble with face-to-face communication, use texts and get a friend to help you send a clear and considerate message (e.g., “I had a great time! I don’t feel a romantic vibe, but you’re great, so I know many others will. Wishing you all the best.”).
Chris also admits to the catch-and-release approach.
“I loved the chase, so I’d work hard to reel them in, and as soon as they took my bait, I was out.” He attributes this to his own self-esteem and commitment issues.
“If someone does this to you, call them out. I needed to be called out, and after an ex finally spoke up during a breakup, I smartened up. I have my ex to thank for forcing me to look in the mirror, and now I’m in the best relationship I could imagine,” he says.
Other daters report being hurt by both cushioning and catfishing.
Cushioning is a manipulative way to keep someone in your back pocket while you’re dating another person in order to soften the blow if the first prospect doesn’t work out. You may not know you’re being cushioned, so it’s important to ask a potential partner if he or she is seeing anyone else and inquire as to whether the potential partner is still on any dating apps.
Parkdale’s Safiya admits that she and her friends almost always have a backup plan:
“We don’t call it cushioning, but I suppose they are really a safety net. I’ve never been asked, but I don’t think I’d lie if someone asked me point-blank.”
Catfishing involves creating a fake profile, and kitten-fishing is a toned-down version in which people falsify parts of their profile from their photo to their job title. You can avoid being catfished by verifying a person’s information through social media or performing Google reverse image search on a profile pic. Suggesting an IRL meeting early on will force the catfishers to the surface.
Navigating the ever-evolving world of digital dating may seem daunting, but with 19 per cent of recent engagements and marriages budding online, there are millions of meaningful connections to be made. If you’re unsure about someone, enlist the help of a friend or crowd-source advice from your social network. And when in doubt, be direct. Direct questions can disarm the catfishers, breadcrumbers and submariners (ghosters who reappear with no explanation) alike. And if you do run into a game player, don’t take it personally. It’s not you. It’s them.
For more relationship advice from Dr. Jess, read here.
Sushi Atlantico, new on St. Clair Avenue West, offers a unique Brazilian take on Japanese cuisine that can’t be found anywhere else in Toronto.
“Brazil actually has the biggest Japanese community outside Japan, and 90 per cent of this community lives in São Paulo,” says head chef and owner Vivian Puentes. “In Brazil we love to eat sushi, so the inspiration behind Sushi Atlantico was to have sushi here like the sushi you can find on any corner in Brazil, using ingredients Brazilians like most.”
So, when visiting Sushi Atlantico, expect a menu filled with protein-rich spins on sushi favourites.
The Japanese-Brazilian fusion restaurant first opened its doors in Newmarket in 2020 and has since expanded to open a second outpost at 1154 St. Clair Ave. W.
The combination may sound unique but, according to Puentes, the flavours draw on a long history of Japanese influence in her home country.
“Brazilians love everything with a lot of protein,” she says.
Photo Atlantico Sushi
Popular takeout foods such as pizza will often include 3 or more meat toppings, and sushi follows suit. Bestsellers on her menu feature a lot more fish than you’d typically find at a standard sushi shop, with rolls piled high with salmon and tuna.
Sushi Atlantico’s current bestseller is the salmon, cream cheese, and green onion tempura roll, called a Hotroll, topped with a homemade teriyaki dressing and a side Temaki (known more commonly in Canada as a hand roll).
Other popular dishes up for grabs are Sunomono, a cucumber salad dressing with rice vinegar, salt, and organic sugar, or the Brown Shimeji, a mushroom fried on butter and dressed with light soy sauce and Sake.
There are also traditional Brazilian dishes such as steak picanha (a highly flavourful cut of beef), empanadas, and croquettes.
There is also a selection of fresh, house-made juices, or kick it up a notch with Brazil’s national cocktail, a Caipirinha, an alcoholic drink made with cachaça (rum made from fermented sugarcane juice), sugar, and lime. Think of it as the Brazilian version of a mojito with a subtly sweet, slightly earthy aftertaste.
Puentes immigrated to Canada five years ago and worked her way up to a district manager role in sales. Despite her success, she longed to get back into the kitchen and bring her love of Brazilian-style sushi to the Canadian masses.
Photo Atlantico Sushi
“My family always had a restaurant in Brazil, and I was trained under a Japanese chef of a 5-star restaurant in Brazil,” she says of her food industry experience.
This formal training, coupled with her time working in sales, taught her the ins and outs of opening up a business in this country, familiarizing herself with laws and processes. Once the pandemic hit, she felt compelled to follow her lifelong dream of owning her own spot.
“I decided it was time to dedicate my life to something I am completely passionate about – and that is cooking,” she says.
For Puentes and her team, Atlantico is so much more than a sushi place, it’s home. As an homage to her culture, each sushi roll has a Brazilian city name and every table has a Brazilian state/province name, with unique details and subtle nods to the country that raised her. Patrons can listen to popular Brazilian music and all the servers speak at least three languages (English, Portuguese and Spanish).
“Usually we are fully booked two or three weekends in advance,” says Vivian of the outpouring of support she has received.
Atlantico initially opened in Newmarket but, due to building issues, Puentes says the spot will be relocating. For now, patrons can swing by the 1154 St Clair Avenue West spot, with plans for two new locations coming to downtown Toronto and Vaughan Mills later this year.
“Atlantico Sushi is all about passion, every single person working with us is incredibly dedicated and willing to keep growing with us. Our mission is to become a reference for culinary innovation.”
With an expansion already in the works, the popular Village of Yorkville Park is also getting kitted out with even more tables and chairs to maximize the sunny season in the upscale nabe. After a lengthy lockdown, spending time outdoors has become increasingly popular and essential – especially for urban dwellers with limited access to natural spaces like parks and forests.
According to the 2021 Canadian City Parks Report, 94 per cent of cities reported greater use of parks in the last year, while 71 per cent of Canadians said that parks have had a positive impact on their social well-being during the pandemic.
Soon local residents and those looking to hang with the upscale types in the area will have even more reason to gather outdoors and do some epic people-watching: the award-winning Village of Yorkville Park is set to receive additional seating “due to an increased demand by local residents and use by the public,” said Briar de Lange, Executive Director of the Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area (BIA).
Additional table and chair sets will be installed that will match the existing sets already in the park.
“The furniture has proven to be quite robust and is very well used for much of the year,” said de Lange. “Funds come from fees paid by developers for redevelopment of properties in the immediate area.”
This news comes not long after the city announced plans for an extension of the City of Yorkville Park, which will increase its size by about a third and replace the building at 1240 Bay St.
Considered by some to be the heart of the neighbourhood, the Village of Yorkville Park located at 115 Cumberland St., is a diverse and eclectic urban public space divided into a series of zones representing Canada’s diverse landscape and built on a repurposed parking lot. Standout features include a rain curtain icicle fountain, a large variety of trees including pine, alder and crab apple, gardens exhibiting exotic plant life, and the world-famous 650-ton ‘Yorkville Rock’ taken from the Canadian Shield and estimated to be approximately 1 billion years old.
“Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen historical numbers of people take to our parks and other outdoor spaces to share meals and see their friends and loved ones,” said Mike Layton, city councillor for Ward 11, University-Rosedale. “Providing more spaces for people to comfortably sit and relax, or enjoy their purchase or meal is a service we must continue to provide and expand. I am glad to support the Bloor-Yorkville BIA to help expand the number of these amenities.”
Chica is set to bring elevated sharing plates akin to those of Barcelona, Spain to the King West neighbourhood and will feature an ambitious and innovative menu offering a modern take on the tapas tradition. The restaurant, which opens today, is the latest venture from Scale Hospitality’s Hanif Harji and Charles Khabouth.
Calling itself the “scenester” version of its sister restaurant, Patria, the 75 Portland St. eatery is a contemporary iteration of old-school market counter meets high-end gastrobar. Expect traditional yet innovative small plates paired with creative craft cocktails and an extensive list of Spanish wines and sherries.
Chica’s Tarta de Paté de Hígado.
“Our goal was to transform the space, reinvent tapas in a way that was truly unique to us and provide a bustling and energized environment in which to enjoy the entire experience,” said Hanif Harij, CEO and founder of Scale Hospitality. “Food quality and creativity are at the core of the concept, but we wanted to ensure ‘fun and entertaining’ were also part of the equation; never taking ourselves too seriously.”
On the menu is an edited selection of reimagined takes on tapas classics like Tostadas Con Sardinas with cultured butter, garlic aioli, and ramps; Croquetas de Jamon Con Trufas with black truffle and Manchego, and Patatas Bravas with duck fat potato pavé, purée of parsley, tomato, black garlic, and quail egg.
Vieiras Crudas at Chica
Executive chef Ted Corrado and development chef Zachary Albertsen collaborated with Chica’s head chef Kevin Le to create a menu full of shared plates that pair perfectly with the Spanish-driven wine program, which will feature both classic producers as well as the emerging new generation of Spanish winemakers. Chica will also feature a sherry program curated by sommelier Lauren Hall.
An elegant and inventive cocktail menu includes standouts like the Benidorm, a martini with serrano ham-infused rum, and the Casa Mila, a pastel mauve long drink topped with a Cava float.
Patas Bravas at Chica
Designed by Danielle Adams, the 60-seat restaurant is a balance of old-world Spanish details and modern accents embellished with inviting shades of mauve and moss green, while key features like a handmade mosaic wall of terracotta tiles, oversized wicker light fixtures, and a colourful selection of locally commissioned artwork create a warm and welcoming space.
Spring has finally sprung and while the weather might not be warming up as quickly as some would like, there are still plenty of reasons to get out and about in the form of fun activities and events. Shake off the last of winter and dive into a new season with the help of some of the best events in Toronto over the weekend.
Head to the Interior Design Show
Anyone looking to spruce up their space this spring can get all kinds of inspiration at the Interior Design Show happening through April 10 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Building. Whether you’re in the market for some major home renovations or just some general design ideas, you can expect exhibitors from all around the world, seminars, design talks and more.
Check out the Toronto Artisan Market
Get some fresh air while also shopping locally made goods at the Toronto Artisan Market happening on Sunday at Trinity Bellwoods Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. You’ll be able to pick up everything from original art to handmade jewelry and accessories, organic skincare, ceramics, home goods and even pet products.
Get ready for cottage season at the Spring Cottage Life Show
The Spring Cottage Life Show is the perfect place to find everything you need for cottage season. Running through April 10 at the International Centre, there’s something here for everyone, whether you’re planning a major cottage upgrade, small repairs, or just some ideas for cottage décor or greener cottaging. There are cooking demos, experts to speak with, talks from a variety of experts, a general store and much more.
Shop local artisan goods
If you’re in search of something unique for yourself or someone else, The Maker Bean Café is hosting a two-day market on Saturday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) where you can browse and buy locally-made artisan goods. They’re also hosting an Easter fundraiser in support of Oasis Dufferin Community Centre and guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item.
Stock up on some plants for spring
Now is the perfect time to pretty up your space by adding a dose of greenery. Make your way to Baldwin Village for the Be Leaf Plant Store pop-up happening at Carbonic Coffee. Sip on a caffeinated beverage while you shop a wide range of Ontario-grown plants. If you’re not sure what to buy, experts will be on hand to help out. The pop-up runs Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Support a few local women-owned businesses
Looking to get some shopping done while also fitting in some networking? After the success of their first event, HER Pop-Up Shop is back this Sunday, April 10 at the Annex Hotel. The event will feature 18 women-owned businesses, from plants to food to jewellery.
Take part in a charity scavenger hunt
Grab a team of three or four friends and head downtown on Saturday for Runnin’ Thru the 6ix, a charity scavenger hunt with proceeds going to CAMH, the Centre for Mental Health and Addiction. Each team will have 90 minutes to complete as many tasks and challenges as possible – whichever team completes the most will get the grand prize. The event will be followed by a raffle and silent auction.
As spring nears, there are many things that people need to be mindful of so they do not fall victim to the safety concerns prevalent throughout this season. While everyone is ready for the weather to break, there are a few things that you always need to keep in the back of your mind to protect your personal safety.
One of Canada’s largest personal Injury law firms, Diamond and Diamond Lawyers, are no strangers to the perils that can come with the spring thaw. As Managing Partner Sandra Zisckind says, “each year, we see a rapid increase in slip-and-fall accidents as the winter snow and ice starts to melt. Not only are conditions prime for freezing rain, but there are numerous different safety concerns that individuals should be aware of.” Diamond and Diamond’s Senior Partner, Jeremy Diamond, shares some tips to keep in mind for the incoming Spring season:
Prepare for Freezing Rain
As spring weather approaches, conditions are prime for freezing rain. March and April showers can cause both driving and walking hazards since people may not be anticipating slippery conditions. Always keep an eye out for black ice and use caution when walking or driving if you suspect freezing rain.
Be Mindful of Snow Falling From High-Rises
As the temperatures continue to rise, snow and ice will slowly melt and slide off roofs. As Jeremy Diamond says, “It’s important to be mindful of snow and ice falling off of buildings during the spring months. When walking around any city with high rise buildings, be sure to survey your surroundings and adjust your walking path if necessary.” If you see that the sidewalk has been sectioned off in certain areas, don’t cheat by walking through them. Ice and snow that fall from high heights can be extremely dangerous.
Avoid Thin Ice
Ice fishing is always enjoyable, but as the spring draws near, so too does the time to hang up your ice fishing poles and skates. In particular, you need to watch children around any water because they may misjudge how thin the ice is and can easily fall through.
“At Diamond and Diamond, we recommend making it a firm rule for your family to avoid any bodies of water where ice may be thawing. Furthermore, it’s important to monitor local weather and news outlets for information on the depth of the ice,” says Jeremy Diamond.
Prepare for Increased Flooding Risks
Lastly, it’s important to stay alert for the threat of flooding both inside and outside of your home. In particular, this winter has produced a large amount of snowfall across Canada. “While it’s always a nice sight to watch snow falling from the sky, the reality is that all of the snow will produce large amounts of water as it melts,” says Jeremy Diamond. Consequently, all low-lying bodies of water and rivers will become prone to flooding. Flooding not only leads to safety concerns for those living in areas close to low-lying bodies of water, but it can also cause significant damage to your home.
If you or someone you know has been injured during the Spring season, then you may be entitled to compensation. Call us today at 1-800-567-HURT for a free consultation.
About Jeremy Diamond
Jeremy Diamond is a lawyer and member of both Ontario and Florida Bars. Jeremy practices in the area of Plaintiff personal injury litigation. Click here to learn more about Jeremy Diamond.
Although some experts suggest the impact on the housing crisis will be minimal, the federal government looks to be moving ahead with a ban on foreigners buying real estate in Canada. The move is part of a $10-billion housing plan that is included in the federal budget set to be tabled April 7.
There will also be a slew of new measures to help with the acceleration of housing supply to address affordability.
Although the plan is not yet announced, the ban is reportedly going to extend for two years.
Apparently, there will be a number of exemptions from the new rules including for permanent residents, students, and foreign workers. So, it’s hard to tell what a two-year ban will accomplish, but some experts suggest not much.
“Given the relatively limited share of foreign investors in the market as a whole this is not a game-changer, but will have an impact at the margins,” says Benjamin Tal, Deputy Chief Economist of CIBC World Markets Inc.
On social media, other housing experts such as Jennifer Keesmaat suggest that other domestic speculators in the market should also be taxed.
There is a confusion, or failure to distinguish between, foreign buyers + domestic investors. Gov’ts target foreign buyers, but domestic investors are given a free ride. Taxing revenue from housing investments as employment income would have an immediate cooling effect.
Others contend the recent and ongoing interest rate increases are already cooling the market. The most recent market update for the Greater Toronto Area does suggest some easing of the very tight market conditions, but the average selling price was still up by 18.5 per cent year-over-year. Currently, the average price for a home in Toronto sits at $1,218,546 up from $1,082,896 last year.
Tal suggests that the condominium market will be impacted by the move more than any other sector of the housing market, especially in larger urban areas.
“In some cities such as Vancouver the impact will be more significant,” Tal says. “By category, the impact will be felt more in the condo space. So not a trivial move, it will ease some pressure but not a game-changer.”
Jeremy Diamond is a lawyer and member of both Ontario and Florida Bars. Jeremy practices in the area of Plaintiff personal injury litigation. Click here to learn more about 
