Ben Spurr
@benspurr.bsky.social
4.9K followers
100 following
130 posts
City hall bureau chief at the Toronto Star
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Ben Spurr
@benspurr.bsky.social
· Sep 5
New poll shows how Olivia Chow might fare against possible mayoral contenders — including John Tory
Forum Research surveyed 1,000 adults across Toronto on Wednesday and Thursday, asking about their support for four potential candidates well ahead of the October 2026 mayoral race.
www.thestar.com
Ben Spurr
@benspurr.bsky.social
· Aug 20
Ottawa shirking responsibility for sheltering refugees, Chow warns, after Carney government offers Toronto just a quarter of requested funds
Mayor Olivia Chow warned the federal government’s new funding formula would leave Toronto $107 million short this year.
www.thestar.com
Ben Spurr
@benspurr.bsky.social
· Aug 18
‘Horrific, senseless act’: Mayor tells mother of 8-year-old fatal shooting victim JahVai Roy police are doing everything possible to find perpetrator
Mayor Olivia Chow says she has spoken with Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw and the city and police are doing everything possible to find those responsible for the death of
www.thestar.com
Ben Spurr
@benspurr.bsky.social
· Jul 30
Video of Mayor Olivia Chow welcoming Gaza refugees to Toronto pulled from Instagram over online abuse
The original Instagram post included a video in which the mayor at city hall holds a video call, greeting a Palestinian family that has fled Gaza as they arrived at Pearson International Airport.
www.thestar.com
Ben Spurr
@benspurr.bsky.social
· Jul 24
‘No compromises’: Ottawa issues warning to Toronto about housing funding over sixplex vote
Housing Minister Gregor Robertson expressed his “disappointment” with city council’s decision last month to not allow sixplexes citywide in a letter to Mayor Olivia Chow.
www.thestar.com
Ben Spurr
@benspurr.bsky.social
· Jul 24
‘Get your butt in that chair’: Do virtual meetings hurt Toronto city council’s effectiveness?
Some say remote meetings have been a boon to overstretched councillors, while others say they are a distraction that has led to bad policy being made.
www.thestar.com
Ben Spurr
@benspurr.bsky.social
· Jul 23
‘No compromises’: Ottawa issues warning to Toronto about housing funding over sixplex vote
Housing Minister Gregor Robertson expressed his “disappointment” with city council’s decision last month to not allow sixplexes citywide in a letter to Mayor Olivia Chow.
www.thestar.com
Ben Spurr
@benspurr.bsky.social
· Jul 22
I’m witnessing the deliberate starvation of Gaza’s children – why is the world letting it happen? | Nick Maynard
A permanent ceasefire, the free and safe flow of aid, and the lifting of the blockade are needed now – all could be achieved with political will, says UK surgeon Nick Maynard
www.theguardian.com
Ben Spurr
@benspurr.bsky.social
· Jul 17
The city stopped this bistro from opening its patio after two neighbours objected. A Toronto councillor wants to stop that from happening again
Coun. Brad Bradford wants the city to make it easier for businesses to open side street patios by raising the bar on the number of objections needed to stop them.
www.thestar.com
Ben Spurr
@benspurr.bsky.social
· Jul 16
Ben Spurr
@benspurr.bsky.social
· Jul 16
Ben Spurr
@benspurr.bsky.social
· Jul 15
Toronto’s most famous sandwich is a celebrity favourite. Now, the brothers who perfected it are leaving the St. Lawrence Market after 48 years
Robert and Maurice Biancolin of Carousel Bakery on the peameal bacon that started it all and the beloved customers who joined them on the journey.
www.thestar.com