Ben Spurr

Toronto

City Hall Bureau Chief at The (Toronto) Star

Toronto Star city hall bureau chief. If you've got a story, email me at [email protected], or call 416 869-4547.

Articles

John Tory is weighing a comeback. Here’s what the fallout could be at Toronto City Hall — and when he’s expected to decide

1 week ago | therecord.com | Ben Spurr |Ben Cohen

John Tory is weighing a political comeback, and insiders expect him to decide by the end of this summer whether he will run for mayor of Toronto again in 2026, according to multiple sources. Next year’s Oct. 26 municipal election is more than 16 months away but, behind the scenes, potential candidates and their backers are already having discussions about how the race is shaping up.
Olivia Chow asks Mark Carney for a 'fair deal' as city seeks help on affordable housing, LRT lines

1 month ago | therecord.com | Ben Spurr

Mayor Olivia Chow is asking Prime Minister Mark Carney to prioritize the construction of new affordable housing and LRT lines in Toronto, and to consider a “fair deal” for the city that would provide it with a permanent cut of GST or federal gas tax revenue.
Olivia Chow asks Mark Carney for a 'fair deal' as city seeks help on affordable housing, LRT lines

1 month ago | thespec.com | Ben Spurr

Mayor Olivia Chow is asking Prime Minister Mark Carney to prioritize the construction of new affordable housing and LRT lines in Toronto, and to consider a “fair deal” for the city that would provide it with a permanent cut of GST or federal gas tax revenue.
Niagara in 30 minutes? Toronto hovercraft service clears major hurdle — but could still face choppy waters

1 month ago | wellandtribune.ca | Ben Spurr

They’re amphibious, they float on a cushion of air, and they could be coming to Toronto’s island airport. An Ontario company that plans to use marine hovercraft to run a high-speed ferry service to Niagara has reached a deal with Toronto’s port authority to operate out of Billy Bishop Airport, the Star has learned. Representatives of Hoverlink Ontario Inc. said its service is still in the planning stages and it could be three years until its maiden voyage.
Niagara in 30 minutes? Toronto hovercraft service clears major hurdle — but could still face choppy waters

1 month ago | thespec.com | Ben Spurr

They’re amphibious, they float on a cushion of air, and they could be coming to Toronto’s island airport. An Ontario company that plans to use marine hovercraft to run a high-speed ferry service to Niagara has reached a deal with Toronto’s port authority to operate out of Billy Bishop Airport, the Star has learned. Representatives of Hoverlink Ontario Inc. said its service is still in the planning stages and it could be three years until its maiden voyage.
Toronto to appoint traffic ‘czar’ to help fight gridlock

2 months ago | thespec.com | Ben Spurr

At a council meeting Wednesday, members approved a motion from Mayor Olivia Chow that asked the city manager to create a new position called congestion lead, or “czar.”The official will be responsible for finding “creative, cross-divisional solutions” to traffic problems, and “pre-emptively identifying” obstacles and remedies, according to the motion.
Here’s what 500 businesses say Donald Trump’s tariffs will mean for Toronto residents

2 months ago | thespec.com | Ben Spurr

Toronto businesses are bracing for job cuts and widespread cost increases as a result of U.S. tariffs, according to a new survey conducted by the city. A report headed to Mayor Olivia Chow’s executive committee on Monday detailed the results of an online survey intended to gauge the impacts of President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies on the city’s economy.
Here’s what 500 businesses say Donald Trump’s tariffs will mean for Toronto residents

2 months ago | therecord.com | Ben Spurr

Toronto businesses are bracing for job cuts and widespread cost increases as a result of U.S. tariffs, according to a new survey conducted by the city. A report headed to Mayor Olivia Chow’s executive committee on Monday detailed the results of an online survey intended to gauge the impacts of President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies on the city’s economy.
Toronto councillors vote to give themselves 24 per cent pay raise

Mar 27, 2025 | thespec.com | Ben Spurr |Mahdis Habibinia

Toronto city councillors voted to give themselves a 24 per cent raise on Thursday after a report concluded they made less than their peers in other municipalities. While a majority of council members felt the pay increase was overdue, it was criticized by Mayor Olivia Chow as well as some staffers in councillors’ own offices, whose wages have been frozen as they attempt to unionize.
‘Canadians take care of each other’: Toronto council approves response plan to Donald Trump’s tariffs

Mar 26, 2025 | thespec.com | Ben Spurr

Toronto city council has unanimously approved Mayor Olivia Chow’s plan to fight U.S. tariffs, despite reservations expressed by some members that the measures were “performative” and would do little to deter American trade aggression. In a speech on the council floor, Chow again accused U.S. President Donald Trump of launching a “senseless” trade war against Canada that had upended relations between the two countries.

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Ben Spurr @BenSpurr

27 May 25

RT @mahdishabibinia: Exclusive from me today in the @TorontoStar: Behind the scenes of Toronto’s ‘bubble zone’ debate: The confidential le…

Ben Spurr @BenSpurr

21 May 25

RT @mahdishabibinia: From me and @BenSpurr: Premier Doug Ford’s government says it won’t kick in any more money for Toronto’s 2026 FIFA Wor…

Ben Spurr @BenSpurr

21 May 25

‘It is shameful’: City staff slammed for leaving Toronto rooming-house tenants in ‘inhuman conditions’ https://t.co/AqDScTGdFy

Ben Spurr

Articles

John Tory is weighing a comeback. Here’s what the fallout could be at Toronto City Hall — and when he’s expected to decide

Olivia Chow asks Mark Carney for a 'fair deal' as city seeks help on affordable housing, LRT lines

Olivia Chow asks Mark Carney for a 'fair deal' as city seeks help on affordable housing, LRT lines

Niagara in 30 minutes? Toronto hovercraft service clears major hurdle — but could still face choppy waters

Niagara in 30 minutes? Toronto hovercraft service clears major hurdle — but could still face choppy waters

Toronto to appoint traffic ‘czar’ to help fight gridlock

Here’s what 500 businesses say Donald Trump’s tariffs will mean for Toronto residents

Here’s what 500 businesses say Donald Trump’s tariffs will mean for Toronto residents

Toronto councillors vote to give themselves 24 per cent pay raise

‘Canadians take care of each other’: Toronto council approves response plan to Donald Trump’s tariffs

Journalists covering the same region

Nairah Ahmed

Declan Finucane

Mike Bax

Steve Cornwell

Kate Allen

Contact details

Emails

Socials & Sites

Coverage map

X (formerly Twitter)