Toronto_Life_08.2021_MagBoxIR

Inside the Markham casino fiasco P.64

An urbanite’s adventures in rural life P.92

The splashiest backyard pools P.81

Life at the Mohawk Institute: a memoir
by a residential school survivor P.72

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august 2021 | vol. 55 no. 8

Succulent pork belly
bao from Momofuku
at Stackt Market,
p. 44

the conversation features navigator
24 | What you loved and 81 | Great Spaces The city’s
loathed last month 44 | Summer’s Best Street Food splashiest backyard pools
Post-lockdown Toronto is one big outdoor buffet, 86 | The Chase A family of four
editor’s letter with freshly shucked oysters, Japanese fried chicken upsize for $1.5 million in
26 | Preserving a painful sticks, sidewalk spit roasts, boozy freezies and other Guildwood
history amazing finds from food trucks, streetside barbecues
and walk-up windows. An edible bucket list culture
this city By Alex Baldinger and Rebecca Fleming 88 | What notable
29 | The Moment It happened Torontonians are watching,
this month 64 | House of Cards reading, playing and listening
30 | Q&A Never Have I Ever When York police raided an underground casino to this month, including
star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan in a Markham mansion, it was their biggest a full-throttle docuseries,
on life in lockdown, shooting gambling bust ever. Then their investigation came a gut-wrenching folk-rock
season two and the importance crashing down By Leah McLaren album and an extraterrestrial
of extracurriculars war game
32 | Ego Meter What’s making 72 | Survivor
and shaking the city’s self- The discovery of hundreds of Indigenous children’s memoir
image remains in the spring was particularly hard for 92 | After 50 years in the city,
34 | Cost of Living What me—because I knew I could have been one of them. I traded in my apartment
Torontonians make and how How I made it through Canada’s residential school on Dupont for a five-acre plot
they spend it system By Roberta Hill of land east of Guelph.
36 | The Audit A penny-by- I’ve learned how to take down
penny reckoning of the on the cover: photograph by Daniel Neuhaus; illustrations by a 50-foot tree, operate a wood
month in money Alëna Skarina splitter and repair a shed.
38 | The Upstart A look at Best decision I ever made
who’s doing what in the tech toronto life is published by toronto life publishing co. ltd. all rights reserved. By Eya Donald Greenland
sector contents may not be reprinted without written permission. mail registration no. 9189.
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AMS15STARTING AT

$

+ FREE PROGR

an Ontario government agency
un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario

THE CONVERSATION

Cottage Industry have to deal with freezing snow in gives civil servants and public
Our June cover package on the mad the winter.” service a bad name.
rush for a lakeside property generated
much debate—about overpaying, —Spencer Keith Sprinkle, Facebook “What I found disappointing
underthinking, and just how far people about your article is that it focuses
will go to get what they want. “Sounds like Muskoka is being more on Madan and what his
turned into just another congested wife and sons did or didn’t know.
“When the city reopens and rates suburb but with better views.” (As an aside, if you want to believe
go up due to inflation you’ll get they didn’t know anything, then
cottages a lot cheaper. Those who —Justin Groen, Facebook sure, go ahead, but I’ve got some
bought now on impulse will feel of that proverbial swampland in
the pain.” To Catch a Thief Florida to sell you.) It’s also rather
Readers were both riveted and infuri- strange, don’t you think, that four
—Darryl Martin, Facebook ated by our exposé on Sanjay Madan, members of the same family were
the Ontario bureaucrat who reportedly all essentially working in the
“Great story of people working embezzled tens of millions of dollars at same area of government. Perhaps
hard, enjoying life and doing right Queen’s Park. “Should be imprisoned you can devote a future article
by their family…with a little luck for life,” “Stealing millions of dollars to hiring practices in the Ontario
thrown in for good measure.” from kids! Heartless,” “Special place Public Service.
in hell…” and “Cowardly, whining
—Tom Weihmayr, Facebook sociopath!” were among the many “As a civil servant, I have some
heated responses, as well as “Wow, familiarity with IT services.
“I have mixed emotions when I see what a scheme” and “Best article I’ve Questions regarding the cost of IT
stuff like this. On one hand, it’s read all week.” services and projects are often met
great for the families that cash out. with stonewalling and bafflegab
On the other, it fills my soul with “You have to imagine that the and ‘Why do you want to know
a desperate feeling regarding issues raised in your ‘Easy that, don’t you trust us?’ The issue
ever-soaring home prices, and how Money’ article are the talk of the of short-term IT contracts raised
there seems to be no way to catch Ontario Public Service and have in your article is not unique to
up short of being born wealthy been for quite some time now. Madan, but is common across the
or pure luck.” What Sanjay Madan engaged in bureaucracy. Someone needs
to look at how the government
—Jason Dickson, Facebook procures and manages its IT
resources and not assume that
“If someone offered me 2.6 mil for Madan is one bad apple.
the house in the pic, I would have
jerked that money out of their “The type of behaviour that
hand so fast they might have lost Madan engaged in makes me and
a few fingers. You can buy an other civil servants angry. What
amazing, luxurious home on the makes us even angrier is the failure
Gulf Coast for that price and not to hold those who let it happen to

24 toronto life August 2021

account and address broader sys- government discount is well- “Detestable and disgusting; a tale
temic issues in the Ontario Public known and much too accepted. of a thief and his family.”
Service IT world.” Far too many think of government
money as ‘free’ money, and this —@CascadeTessa, Twitter
—Todd Kilpatrick needs to change.”
“The patronage and nepotism
“At such a high level, Madan was —Cheryl Robertson, Facebook within the public service is sicken-
the oversight. He lied to his subor- ing. And the fact that salaries are so
dinates and had the safety measures “To say that Queen’s Park had a much higher than those of the
to help prevent fraud removed culture of fraud is taking the blame average taxpayer is just wrong.”
from the programs. As for the away from the individual scammer.
contracts, if he thought companies I would say Queen’s Park more —@NATAadvocacy, Twitter
were being paid too much or their likely had a culture of over-trusting
workers didn’t have the right and not overseeing the person “A thief stealing from thieves.
skills or weren’t being paid well, managing the funds.” Ali Baba beat him to it.”
he was in a position to change that
by asking for budgets to be —Iris Kerr, Facebook —@refinishersTO, Twitter
reduced for contracts or changing
the contract criteria, but instead “I’m glad he’s been caught, but it’s “A great example of how power
he made it worse by giving con- shocking that he wasn’t satisfied corrupts and absolute power
tracts to the companies that gave with the generous wage he was corrupts absolutely! Taxpayers
him kickbacks, and it seems the making. Greedy and ungrateful.” in Ontario deserve much better
companies giving him the kick- accountability and control of how
backs were the ones that didn’t —Joe D’Amours, Facebook our money is spent.”
have culture of fraud extends
beyond Queen’s Park to all “Unbelievable graft and incompe- —@TDaviddc, Twitter
governments—the joke of the tence by the Ontario government
under several political regimes.” Please email your comments to [email protected].
All comments may be edited for accuracy, length
—George Lewis, Facebook and clarity.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Preserving a Painful History

There’s a former residential school in Brantford, Coming up
just over an hour’s drive southwest of Toronto, A celebration of Toronto’s post-lockdown
called the Mohawk Institute. For decades, the summer, in words and pictures; what the
children who lived there were forced to farm the pandemic-induced e-health revolution
land. They harvested fruit and vegetables and means for patients and doctors; a dog-
milked cows. But in an act of breathtaking cruelty, lover’s guide to the city; plus a ranking
they were never allowed to eat the fresh food. of Toronto’s best tacos.
The produce was for sale only. For breakfast, the
kids were served pasty oatmeal and powdered Stay in touch
milk. The gruel was so notoriously bad that the Toronto Life’s free newsletter This City
children nicknamed the school the Mush Hole. is all about Toronto during this
extraordinary time and is sent directly
The Anglican Church and the Govern- dining halls and dormitories, see where the to your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays photograph by christopher wahl
ment of Canada ran the Mohawk Institute kids carved their names into the plaster and Fridays. It features stories about
from 1828 until about 1970, and survivors walls, and listen to survivor testimonies. It how Torontonians are adapting to the
describe a soul-crushing experience. Kids has the potential to be a national destination, city’s reopening, as well as essential
suffered from physical abuse, neglect and a one-of-a-kind storytelling space and an information about what’s going on in
malnutrition. It was so awful that many important force in Canada’s reckoning with the real estate market, the best patios,
ran away and a few even set fire to the the residential school system. cultural events and everything else
building. In this issue, Roberta Hill, a you need to know right now. Sign up
70-year-old retired nurse who was taken Some people might find it ghoulish to at torontolife.com/newsletters
to the Mohawk Institute at age six, tour a property with such a dark history,
describes her time there in chilling detail but campuses of hate have been trans- TL Insider
(“Survivor,” page 72). formed into powerful experiential learning Toronto Life’s membership program,
centres all over the world. The Auschwitz- TL Insider, provides members with
Community leaders say that between Birkenau museum in Poland and the Anne a fantastic range of cultural events,
30 and 50 children are thought to have Frank House in Amsterdam are two intimate experiences and discussions,
died at the Mohawk Institute, but the famous examples. The Whitney Plantation both online and in person, through
records are incomplete and they suspect Historic District in Louisiana opened in our TL Insider POP event series.
the number could be much higher. Mark 2014 to great acclaim. It’s a museum, Membership is just $95 a year, and it
Hill, the chief of the nearby Six Nations memorial and educational centre devoted includes a subscription to the print
of the Grand River, is campaigning for to the history of slavery on a 2,000-acre magazine, which supports Toronto Life’s
federal and provincial money to be allo- former sugar cane plantation, offering award-winning journalism. To sign up,
cated to searching the area’s grounds. tours, installations and lectures. There’s visit members.torontolife.com
nothing quite like it anywhere else.
The Mohawk Institute is still standing,
but the building no longer belongs to the The Mohawk Institute could be an
church or the government. Survivors and equally significant global institution.
descendants of survivors have reclaimed Schoolkids from Toronto could visit as
the property to use as an educational space, part of their Canadian history curriculum.
museum and research institute. It’s run Books and videos and survivor memoirs,
by the Woodland Cultural Centre, which like the one Toronto Life is publishing in
operates on the grounds and serves to this issue, are essential parts of exposing
preserve and promote Indigenous history, and preserving the past. But nothing
art, language and culture. Thousands of compares to touring the physical grounds
people have passed through the Mohawk of history. The Woodland centre’s fund-
Institute to learn about its history and to raising campaign is aptly called “Save
meet survivors. the Evidence.” It’s a project we should all
get behind.
Now, the Mohawk Institute is undergoing
an ambitious $23.5-million restoration effort, —Sarah Fulford
spearheaded by the Woodland centre. In Email: [email protected]
2024, when the place reopens, visitors will
be able to take guided tours through restored Twitter: @sarah_ fulford

26 toronto life August 2021

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“I bought a new Ego Meter .........p. 32
phone—my first Cost of Living....p. 34
The Audit .........p. 36
that wasn’t a The Upstart.......p. 38
hand-me-down!” The Urban

—Maitreyi Diplomat ........p. 40
Ramakrishnan, p. 30

photograph by steve russell/toronto star via getty images THE MOMENT

Jab Fest

Thousands of Torontonians showed up to get
vaxxed, setting a record in the process

Ever since this whole thing started, Scotiabank Arena, typically a locus of immense joy,
has transformed into a bunker of disappointment. Concerts were cancelled, the Raptors

moved to Florida, and the Leafs, well, they did what they always do. But something
shifted at the beginning of summer. The arena used all its square footage to create
a mega vaccination clinic, delivering 26,771 doses in a single day, shattering the North
American record previously set at the Texas Motor Speedway. Pre-pandemic, it would
have been impossible to imagine a society in which getting vaccinated was a can’t-miss
item on people’s summer checklist. And yet here we were, lining up in droves,

impatiently waiting to get the most exciting needle of our lifetime.

August 2021 toronto life 29

Q&A Have fame and success lived up
to your expectations? I guess your
A Star is Reborn fantasy didn’t involve Covid.
Yeah, definitely not. My original
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, the lead of the Netflix megahit Never dream job was to be an animator for
Have I Ever, became a star during lockdown. Season two Pixar. Then I played Velma Kelly
premieres this month, and she’s ready for the red carpet in Chicago, high school edition, and
realized that I love acting. I thought
by courtney shea maybe I could work at a theatre com-
pany in Toronto. I never thought,
Okay, you’re going to play the lead on
a hit Netflix show.

Your show became an overnight hit in pandemic, we’ve been glued to our Now that you have, how has life photograph by nolwen cifuentes/netflix
April 2020. What was it like to have phones and social media, so that was changed?
your dreams come true while the world an opportunity to start important
fell into a global pandemic? conversations. I was careful Well, I got my first iPad. I remem-
It was weird and almost felt fake. The to make sure what I said was ber as a kid when iPads first
hype was online only. The cast didn’t well researched and not just dropped, I really wanted one,
get together or do a red carpet. I was at performative. but I never got one. I also
home in Mississauga for the premiere, bought a new phone. It’s the
which was at 3 a.m. I remember feeling This was not your first foray first one I’ve ever had that
like something big was supposed to into protest culture. wasn’t shared or a hand-
happen, but then nothing did. That You were part of a me-down.
was a blessing and a curse—I’ve group of students who
retained some normalcy in my life, protested Doug You filmed season two
which is nice. Ford’s education in L.A. What was life
cuts in 2019. like there?
How well did you manage lockdown life? We had more than I haven’t spent that
I was with my whole family—my parents 400 kids walk out, much time there
and grandparents. At first, I was dying which was pretty
to go out and do things, see friends. dope. I remember because of travel
I was extremely bored and thinking, learning about the restrictions. Filming
Okay, well at least it’s just a couple of cuts and thinking, was a very contained
weeks—ha! But then I got used to the This really sucks. I was situation, protocol-
routine and found things to keep graduating, but I have
me busy. little cousins who are wise. I got tested
still in school. If I hadn’t every day before
Were you a bread baker? had extracurriculars work. I will say that
I’m no baker, but I did learn new songs growing up—doing plays, it was great to see all
on the piano, I picked up a new instru- especially—I would
ment, played some new video games. never have discovered the billboards
I was on the cautious side in terms of my love for acting change from “Stay
Covid protocols. I was the one making or landed Never Have Home” to “Let’s All
sure everyone had their mask when we I Ever. Get Vaccinated.”
went out. I had hand sanitizer in every It’s hard to believe
corner of the house and the car. You attended your prom
and graduation before you how fast every-
You brought attention to last summer’s started work on the show in thing moved in
BLM protests on your social media. 2019. Do you feel bad for terms of being
Did you stress about the risks of the grads who missed out able to get vacci-
speaking out given your suddenly this year? nated in Canada
vast audience? Some of my friends are in that and the U.S. That’s been
No. Speaking up about injustice is situation. I told them these a huge privilege.
something my parents raised me to do, things are generally overhyped.
so it just felt really normal. I wasn’t able My memory of grad is a lot of While your many, many
to attend any of the protests for safety sitting in silence, and prom is fans watch the season two
reasons—I live with my grandparents. not what you see in the movies. debut this month, what will
What I could do was encourage my But I guess people have the you be doing?
followers from all around the world to right to experience that let- I’ll be watching the reac-
educate themselves. Throughout the down for themselves. tions online. And then
maybe I’ll go to Canada’s
Wonderland.

This interview has been edited for
length and clarity.

30 toronto life August 2021

Rising 30-storeys over Leaside’s stunning tree canopy, and with an abundance of grocery, retail
and urban conveniences on-site, The Frederick offers an everyday escape, without going far.

Coming soon.

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Brokers Protected. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Proposed LRT subject to Government approval and construction. Illustrations are artist’s concept. E. & O.E.

Ego Meter What’s making and shaking
the city’s self-image

EGO

BOOST

Zanzibar Tavern hosts a Summer McIntosh, a 14-year- Vladimir
“low-barrier” vaccination old swimmer from Toronto, Guerrero Jr.,
clinic, with no appointment, outpaces Penny Oleksiak in the the big-swinging,
identification or address 200-metre freestyle final at the always-smiling
required, dishing out doses Canadian Olympic swimming cornerstone of
of Pfizer to exotic dancers trials, earning a spot at Tokyo the Blue Jays’
and sex workers. The internet 2020 and establishing herself young core, leads
applauds the effort.  as the country’s next chlorine- the major leagues
soaked prodigy.  in all-star voting.  
START
END

Mustafa the Poet, Auston Matthews— mustafa, zanzibar, yoon and liu, matthews and bellwoods by getty images; mcintosh by cp images; knife by istock; history courtesy of live nation
a 24-year-old rapper known for his goal-scoring
from Regent Park, ability, stylish outfits
receives heaps of and friendship with the
praise from the New Biebs—gets voted
York Times following “most fashionable” in
the release of his a poll of his NHL peers. 
debut EP, When
Smoke Rises.  Drake and Live Nation
announce plans for a 2,500-seat
+- entertainment venue in the
Beaches, called History, slated
to open later this year. The
news causes concert-starved
Torontonians to salivate. 

Jean Yoon and Simu Liu, As unmarked burial At Trinity Bellwoods,
stars of Kim’s Convenience, grounds are discovered residents of the
speak out against “overtly across the country, homeless encampment
racist” storylines and a lack a video circulates of and a large group of their
of diversity in the writer’s Mississauga pastor supporters violently
room, respectively, Owen Keenan clash with police, who
just as the final season discussing the “good were attempting to clear
debuts on Netflix.  done” by the Roman the site. Three people
Catholic Church in are charged with assault
residential schools. A screaming, knife- and possession of a
Keenan apologizes and wielding individual dangerous weapon. 
resigns after facing stands outside Premier
Roughly 200 people severe online backlash.  Doug Ford’s house for
attend an illicit several minutes until
rave at Riverdale authorities apprehend
Park, featuring two him. In the aftermath,
DJs, a bumping police charge former
sound system Caledon mayoral
and an elaborate candidate George
light show. It takes Niras with possession
the police more of a weapon and 11
than five hours to counts of mischief. 
disperse the crowd. 

EGO

BRUISE

IT HAPPENED LAST MONTH: A LOOSE CHRONOLOGY

32 toronto life August 2021

Q&A With TL Insider

Adrienne Giroux

How this founding member

SPREACTIAEL finds inspiration in the city

$75/year Why did you decide to join TL Insider?
Reg$u9l5a/ryeparirce I’m a long-time subscriber to Toronto Life, so I was

immediately interested when I heard about the launch

of Insider, and I’ve been a member since day one.

BINKS HEADSHOTS What have been some of your favourite virtual
experiences?
Tell me about your relationship with the city. One favourite was a ragu alla bolognese cooking class
I’ve seen the city grow in ways that really inspire me, with chef Lauren Mozer of elle cuisine. My seven-year-old
especially the way it’s become a cultural and culinary hub. daughter joined me for the whole two hours, which surprised
I live off Ossington now and consider myself spoiled because me. I also joined the garden brunch and floral design
I have some of the city’s top restaurants practically at my demonstration with my mother. Both our birthdays are in
doorstep—CÔte de Boeuf, Manita and Foxley to name three. May, so it was a fun gift for us to enjoy together.

How has the city inspired you? How does membership fit into your busy schedule?
It was here in Toronto, during the pandemic, that I chose Virtual events are a great way to carve time out for myself
to take my love for food and pair it with my passion for and escape from everyday stresses. With so much variety
entertaining to create Chef in the House, a culinary in the scheduling, there are a lot of options to choose from.
concept that serves up an intimate dining experience in
the comfort of people’s kitchens. The way Toronto’s What Insider perks have you enjoyed most?
food scene is expanding in such exciting ways, I couldn’t I love shopping the TL Insider Chef’s Pantry. The events offer
imagine doing this anywhere else. great networking opportunities as well.

What type of in-person events would you like to attend
again in the future?
I really love the intimate conversations. Supporting the
arts is another scene I’m eager to get back to. I think
we’ll see slow signs of reopening over the summer, but
I’m feeling really optimistic about a resurgence of life in
Toronto come fall,

Visit members.torontolife.com PROMO CODE: TLAUG21

OFFER VALID UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2021

Cost of Living
What Torontonians make and how they spend it

“I’m trying to save $20,000 to renovate my kitchen”

DAWN GREEN, 44 REGULAR EXPENSES SUBSCRIPTIONS $10 a month, for Spotify.
MORTGAGE $1,140 a month. “I bought my SAVINGS $250 a month, split between an
WHAT SHE DOES RRSP and a TFSA. “I’m trying to save
Donor relations manager place for $741,000 back in 2019. I should be $20,000 to renovate my kitchen.”
at the CAMH Foundation able to pay off the mortgage in 21 years.” CAT-RELATED EXPENSES $45 a month,
OTHER HOUSING COSTS $855 a month, for for food and litter for Punkie.
WHAT SHE MAKES maintenance, utilities and property taxes.
$90,000 INTERNET $68 a month, for an unlimited RECENT SPLURGES
plan with TekSavvy. BATHROOM RENOVATIONS $14,o00, for
WHERE SHE LIVES PHONE $79 a month, for five gigs of data
A two-bed, two-bath loft and unlimited calling with Telus. a new toilet, walk-in shower, vanity, tiles
near Dufferin and Castlefield, GROCERIES $400 a month, from Sobeys, and paint. “It was a total gut job.”
with her 14-year-old cat, Fortinos and No Frills. BIKE $300, for a purple CCM Annette
Punkie TAKEOUT $100 a month. “I really like the comfort bike. “Local shops have been
key lime cheesecake from the Cheesecake sold out since the start of the pandemic,
Factory.” but I found this one at a Canadian Tire photograph by ebti nabag
TRANSPORTATION $0 a month. “I’ve been in St. Catharines.”
working from home during Covid, and if RING LIGHT $30, from Amazon. “It sits on
I need to go grocery shopping or anything, my desk, right behind my computer, and
I borrow my boyfriend’s car.” brightens my face for video calls.”

34 toronto life August 2021



Summer Promotion! The Audit An appraisal of the house by daniel neuhaus, streetcar by istock
month in money
30% Off All Ready To Wear
20% Off All Accessories $5
Happy Shopping!
Original purchase price for a painting by David Bowie, “DHead
www.mad-dash.ca XLVI,” discovered at a thrift store near North Bay. The piece,
mad_dash_yorkville which was created in the ’90s, just sold at auction for $108,120. 

416-906-2302 $25

36 toronto life August 2021 Hourly price to rent a 60th-storey downtown
condo balcony for photo shoots. The owner, Ryan
Alrushud, had to shut down his side hustle after
complaints from building management. 

$400

New fine for illegal parking at Sandbanks and Lake on the Mountain Provincial
Park in Prince Edward County. The County upped the penalty from $35 to deter
city slickers, among other tourists, from overcrowding the area this summer.

$6,250

Fine issued to a Toronto woman who walked across the border into Canada at
Niagara Falls with an invalid Covid-19 test. She presented authorities with a negative
result from Mexico, but according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, travellers
entering the country on foot must get swabbed in the States.

$650,000

Amount that Oshawa couple Robert and Senna Laraby scammed from two elderly
churchgoers. The Larabys, who recently pleaded guilty to several fraud charges,
falsely claimed they needed the money to cover medical expenses for their children.

$1,750,000

Sale price for Toronto’s “Skinny House,” a four-storey detached
in Riverdale that’s about 10 feet wide. The place first hit the
market back in 2018 for roughly $3 million.

$61,000,000

Estimated street value of drugs seized by Toronto Police as part of Project Brisa,
which investigated smugglers using hidden compartments in tractor-trailers
to transport cocaine, meth, marijuana and oxycodone from Mexico to Canada.

$568,000,000

Cost of 60 new electric streetcars, purchased by the
city after a unanimous vote from council members.
The vehicles are expected to arrive in 2023.

Share your dedication.

So we can be #TogetherAgain

THIS IS OUR SHOT.CA

Coalition of Canada’s communities, companies and front-line workers.

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TORONTO LIFE
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HOW MUCH YOU SPENT INITIALLY: TECH JARGON YOU USE TOO MUCH:
“$100,000 for product development, “ ‘Pace.’ It basically describes doing
research and marketing, as well as hiring
a head of strategy and a medical director.” things quickly. The world moves
really fast, so I’m always focused on

ways to help the company grow.”

YOUR TURNING POINT: COOLEST THING IN PAST LIFE: bordo by allison clark photography
“The pandemic really accelerated YOUR OFFICE: “In the 2000s, before
everything for us. Suddenly, the rise in
pet adoption, combined with everyone “A painting of some Airbnb existed, I
being stuck at home, increased the demand of the most famous started the vacation
goal celebrations rental marketplace
for virtual veterinary visits.” in Canadian hockey
history, featuring CanadaStays.
YOUR BIG-TIME BACKERS: Henderson, Gretzky I eventually sold it to
“We got $12.5 million from angel investors
and venture capital firms like Whitecap, and Crosby. Expedia in 2019.”
I bought it online
Brightspark and Hedgewood.” TYPICAL WORK-FROM-
for $250.” HOME ATTIRE:
THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED:
“‘Be persistent.’ Being an entrepreneur APP YOU CAN’T “I’m a big baseball
is difficult, but every good idea can LIVE WITHOUT: fan. I like to wear
“MLB.com. When T-shirts with the
be successful if you execute and I’m not focused on Blue Jays or Yankees
overcome the day-to-day hurdles.” work or family, I
turn my attention to logo on them.”
THE WORST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED: sports, which helps
“ ‘That idea won’t work.’ Some of the biggest me decompress.” IF YOU WEREN’T
RUNNING A START-UP:
tech success stories probably heard this
at some point along the way. You just need “I’d love to be the
general manager
to block out the negativity.” 
of the Leafs or
Blue Jays.”

THE MAGAZINE FOR
SOPHISTICATED WOMEN

AVAIL ABLE ON VISIT US ONLINE AT
NEWSSTANDS S M AGA Z I N E O FFI C I A L .C O M

Urban
Diplomat

I’ve been single throughout the entire pandemic, which, won our rec league three seasons in a
as you can imagine, has led to a lot of lonely nights. So when row. I recently messaged the crew to
I got my second dose, I downloaded every dating app in see if they would be interested in
existence and proudly wrote “double-vaxxed” in my bio. restarting our reign of dominance. To
When my best friend found out, she said displaying my my surprise, it caused a group-chat
vaccination badge made me seem like a “desperate weirdo.” shitstorm. Two teammates insisted
Should I remove it? there was still a risk of spreading
Covid, then a few others responded by
—Moderna Love, Liberty Village calling them cowards. How should I
handle this?

—Chat Spat, Malvern

People put all kinds of cringeworthy worth having a candid conversation There’s no point trying to change any-
details in their dating profiles: GPA, with him about his finances. Stop one’s degree of Covid comfort. Rather
salary, “Leafs fan.” Vaccination status short of a full-on intervention, though— than blaming or shaming, stick to facts:
might become commonplace in our brave if he insists he can buy his way into let everyone know that outdoor sports
new world. (In the U.K., jab badges are heaven, you may just have to learn to leagues are permitted in the second stage
built directly into the apps to expedite live with his newfound conviction. of Ontario’s reopening plan. Round up
matters.) Telling your matches that any willing players and start hucking
you’re fully vaxxed saves you from a Dear Urban Diplomat, again; the rest of your squad can join at
buzzkill of a conversation—if you agree I tweet a lot about local politics, and I’ll their own pace.
to meet up, you’re bound to inquire about be the first to admit my posts are fiercely
each other’s status anyhow. So I say keep opinionated. I have more than 10,000 Dear Urban Diplomat,
it in your profile. Bonus: your new bio followers, including—I recently learned— My husband and I are empty-nesters,
will ward off any anti-vaxxers who might a clerk at my local grocery store. Almost and we want to put our semi up for
otherwise have swiped right. daily, he trolls me on Twitter, calling me sale. There’s only one problem: our
a “libtard” or a “cuck.” The thing is, I neighbours. They’ve covered their
Dear Urban Diplomat, don’t think he knows who I am: his front yard in “Stop the Ontario Line”
Now that gatherings are allowed, I’ve profile picture is his face, but mine is signs and homemade environmentalist
been hanging out with my buddies at an anonymous illustration. I’m losing placards. We have no problem with
Stanley Park. One of them recently patience with his online idiocy. Should I their politics, but we’re worried they’ll
started going to one of those new-age confront him IRL? scare buyers away. How do we ask
hipster churches where everyone seems them to clean up without causing a
to be an Instagram influencer. To be —Social Mania, Davenport blow-up?
honest, I’m a bit concerned about him.
I’ve heard those churches demand steep Usually, I’m all for taking feuds offline— —Sell-Preservation Tactics, Danforth
donations, and he’s been bumming people are more reasonable when they
beers from the rest of us during our can’t hide behind the anonymity of a If your neighbours want their porch
get-togethers. Am I overstepping if I screen. In this case, however, I suspect to be a round-the-clock protest site,
say something? that trying to exact revenge in the that’s their right, but there’s no harm
checkout aisle would only make things in trying to talk to them. Before show-
—Bad Tithings, the Junction worse. Even if you were able to talk ings start, knock on their door with
some sense into your assailant, do you a tray of baked goods (preferably vegan
Before you jump to conclusions about really want to endure an awkward and non-GMO). Give them a heads-up
your friend’s finances, ask him whether encounter with him every time you that people will be passing through
his congregation requires members to pick up eggs? Instead, give this guy the and gently ask if they’d be willing to
fork over 10 per cent of their income to treatment he deserves: block him on tidy up their yard. If they resist, don’t
attend. Not every church requires tithes, Twitter and, if possible, start using push it, or they might put up a lawn
so his recent insolvency may have a different checkout counter. sign that says, “My neighbour hates
nothing to do with his newfound faith. the planet.”
But if he’s mooching booze because he’s Dear Urban Diplomat,
spending all his money on Sunday service Before the pandemic, my Ultimate Send your questions to the Urban Diplomat
and ’Gram-worthy streetwear, it’s Frisbee team was unstoppable—we at [email protected]

40 toronto life August 2021

They Were
Loved

The magnitude of COVID-19’s impact on Canadians’ lives
is difficult to fathom. Canada has already lost more than
20,000 people to the pandemic; each of those losses has

cascaded through families and communities, leaving
many more thousands bereaved.

They Were Loved is a years-long project to commemorate
everyone who has died of COVID-19 in Canada, and every
Canadian who has died of the disease abroad. In partnership
with Carleton University’s Future of Journalism Initiative and
journalism schools across the country, Maclean’s is striving to

capture the richness of each life lost.

To read the hundreds of obituaries written to date,
visit macleans.ca/they-were-loved/

If you would like your loved one to be included,
please contact us at [email protected]

CANADA’S M AGAZINE SINCE 1905

FOUNDING SPONSOR Maclean’s is published by
SJC Media, Canada’s largest
publisher of trusted brands.



CREATED FOR TOURISM NIAGARA

A kid-free
escape to Niagara’s

South Coast

Parenting and travel writer Yashy Murphy
and her husband leave the kids at home
for a romantic cycle through Pelham,
Welland and Port Colborne

T he moment we exit the QEW, I feel my shoulders relax. transport us to days when we could whisk away spontaneously.
Every single time. The air is naturally soothing, and as I see Here, we refuel with a house-blend espresso inspired by the
the vineyards dotting the horizon, my mind feels clear. I owner’s visit to Rome.
love city living, but I’ve considered Niagara home since my parents
immigrated to the region in 2013. It’s been my family-of-four’s We pedal our way through Welland, enjoying the drumming of
fortress of solitude throughout the pandemic—here, we have the steel as we zip across the Welland Canal Bridge. Wrapped in
extra child support and are graced with the ability to enjoy life at the tranquility of this carefree afternoon, we take in the quiet
a slower pace, breathe in the great outdoors and build memories. beauty of the “Upbound at Midnight” mural, offering a nighttime
perspective of Port Colborne Lights. The late Ross Beard is one of
In Niagara, I also play pretend, sneaking out of the house like a the many Canadian artists to capture the charm and community
rebellious teenager. Only this time, I’m sneaking away with my of the region, where other large-scale pieces from Welland’s
husband and my parents approve of the clandestine act, and it’s open-air art gallery tower over us—some work stretching up to
Niagara’s South Coast where we escape. three storeys high.

We decide to venture through Niagara by bike, starting at Our reward for the next 40-minute stretch on Canal Bank and
Comfort Maple in Pelham. Believed to be the oldest and finest Colborne Streets, along the historic Welland Canal, is a slice of
sugar maple tree in Canada, we marvel at the sight, which calls to hot honey Calabrese Neapolitan-style pizza from The Lock, owned
mind the generations of those who have stood at its base feeling and operated by a family that has lived Port Colborne since the
small underneath it. Under the shade of the tree, we start talk- 1950s. Their recipes have been passed down three generations,
ing—really talking—enjoying the chance to finish a conversation and today we savour the tradition by bringing our slices to Reebs
without an urgent request for a snack causing us to lose the thread. Beach. A peaceful lunch on the sand, where we didn’t have to worry
about one kid running into the water or another having a meltdown
Our ride continues at a leisurely pace. The quiet streets are a over a lost spade (memories from this very beach that I can now
refreshing break from the city traffic that we’re used to, and with- laugh at) feels like a luxury.
out speeding cars, it’s easy for us to chat as we ride. This jaunt
takes us to the travel-agency-turned café, aptly named the Travel And biking more than 30 leisurely kilometres together, we agree
Café. Inside, decorations of vintage suitcases and departure signs that we should steal time away together more often—and we
should definitely call my dad to rescue us by car.

S U MM E R ’ S B E S T
STREET FOOD

BY ALEX BALDINGER PHOTOGRAPHY
& REBECCA FLEMING BY DANIEL NEUHAUS

Schmoozing over tall
cans on the patio at
Bread & Wine by
Bar Neon, a back-
alley pop-up in
Bloordale Village

Post-lockdown Toronto is one big outdoor buffet, with streetside —>
barbecues, walk-up windows and open-air snacking spots galore.
Here, 25 insanely delicious things to try right now

S TRE E T F OOD
S UMME R 2 0 2 1

1 A Trini chicken sando

YOUNG long before toronto restaurants were given the green light
ANIMAL (yet again) to reopen patios, one Junction bar found a way to
at least pretend a party was in full swing. People drawn to the
happy reggae blasting from 3030’s speakers were rewarded
with the sight of chef Adisa Glasgow (a.k.a. Young Animal)
cooking up a storm in the tiny outdoor dining space (it’s like a
patio version of a Juliet balcony). With the garage door rolled
way up, music playing and a table lined with beer and wine
available to go, it really did feel like takeout-plus. The thing to
get here is the Colonel: juicy fried chicken topped with cheddar,
slaw, spicy mayo and pickled onions, and shoved between
flaky Trinidadian bara. 3030 Dundas St. W., Instagram:
@younganimalto

T SIDE the cloud of smoke over the inter- ridiculously unctuous hunks of roast
E section of Bathurst and Wilson is no pork—the belly is the pig’s pièce de
ST cause for alarm. It’s actually a cause for résistance—with shatteringly crispy,
S T R2 A RK a celebration, because it means there’s salty, slow-roasted skin. A combo
E about to be some porky, charcoal- comes with rice and spring rolls, and
RO grilled goodness from whole-hog can easily feed two—or one person
PO enthusiasts hard at work in front of banking on a long nap afterward.
WILSON’S HAUS Wilson’s Haus of Lechon. As the name 365 Wilson Ave., Instagram:
OF LECHON suggests, they specialize in platters of @wilsonshausoflechon

46 toronto life August 2021

3 NOSTALG I C
SNACKS
HOME APPLIANCE
FOOD CO.

remember when food trucks were a thing but
then the city put the squeeze on them? Well, this
summer is their time to shine—red tape pending,
of course. This new, pastel-hued diner on wheels
(its name is Gerty, by the way) is from a couple of
folks who were working at SoSo Food Club when
the pandemic hit, and then found a safe place to
park Gerty near Yonge and Eg. Bonus: there are
even a few picnic tables with umbrellas, so you
don’t need to find a curb to crouch on. Pay them a
visit from Wednesday to Sunday for smash
burgers, fried chicken, fully loaded Fries Supreme
(think Taco Bell but way better), sugary sprinkle
doughnuts and more. 2444 Yonge St., Instagram:
@homeappliancesfoodco

August 2021 toronto life 47

4GODSPEED A it’s hard to improve on the classic
JAPAN E S E pairing of a cold beer and a sunny
BREWERY summer day, but Godspeed Brewery
chef Ryusuke Yamanaka has just the
thing. His street-style snack cart at
the entrance to the brewery’s Little
India retail shop is stocked with
fried Japanese snacks of the crispy,
golden-brown variety. His two
mainstays: wooden skewers of
craggy karaage fried chicken, which
are like darts aimed at the bull’s eye
of your brain’s pleasure centre (espe-
cially when paired with one of the
brewery’s equally crispy lagers); and
the curry pan, deceptively delicate
football-shaped dough pockets filled
with spiced veggie or beef curry.
242 Coxwell Ave., godspeedbrewery.com

SNACK

WA G O N

S TRE E T F OOD
S UMME R 2 0 2 1

Super cool
artisanal ice pops

5GELADONA young enough to still love freezies but old enough to feel
guilty about all that dye and refined sugar? Enter Geladona,
a new maker of artisanal frozen treats. Their chubby ice
pops come in all kinds of fun Brazilian flavours—soursop,
redcurrant, guava, passionfruit, açai—and they’re made
with 100 per cent real fruit and all-natural ingredients.
Order the guilt-free freezies on their website for delivery to
your door, or pay a visit to Geladona’s Dickie Dee–style bike

cart parked outside of midtown bakery Padaria Toronto.

5 Manor Rd. E., geladona.com

August 2021 toronto life 49

PEPPER’S ROAD
FOOD & DRINK TRIP
E AT S

once your average neighbourhood BEACH
watering hole, Pepper’s Food & Drink
now wears many fun hats: snack shop, 8B U R G E R S
bottle shop, lunch counter. It’s like the GG’S
American truck stop of your dreams (if BURGERS
American truck stops are something you
dream of). Beneath the softly glowing there’s a new burger option for beachgoers this summer: GG’s (short
bowling alley menu board, chef Julian for Goodness Gracious) sits at the mouth of Ashbridge’s Bay, serving a
Ochangco cooks up kimchi steamed nostalgia-packed assortment of smash-patty burgers (chef Rob McKim’s
buns, burgers and curly fries, boxes of custom blend, or Beyond Meat) on plump sesame buns, fried chicken
fried chicken, chili cheese dogs, Hamburg sandwiches, chili cheese dogs, homemade pies and freshly spun milk-
steak plates and deep-fried mango-peach shakes, all ready for a nearby picnic table or beach blanket. We’re partial
pies. Enjoy your haul on the streetside to the patty melt—which packs finely diced beef on buttered Texas toast
patio, or take it to go and wander the with caramelized onions, cheddar and mustard into a tidy, take-it-with-
nearby railpath. 189 Wallace Ave., you bundle—and a side of onion rings. Just be sure to grab extra napkins.
Instagram: @peppers.189 1681 Lake Shore Blvd. E., ggsburgers.com

UCK WI T H
CH E FS

A FOOD TRTOP
ROTAT I NG
CHEESE

BOUTIQUE

as if there weren’t already enough
reasons to visit the west end’s church of
cheese, Cheese Boutique co-owner Afrim
Pristine has parked a food truck down
the street and is handing over the keys to
a different chef every weekend until fall.
Restaurant guests have included Le
Swan for smash burgers and juice bags
of rosé, Antler with confit duck poutine,
and Coco Hot Plate serving up spicy
Sri Lankan sandwiches. Still to come:
Lauren Mozer of Elle Cuisine, Kyle
Rindinella of Enoteca Sociale and more.
Go for the artisanal goods, stay for
lunch—or get it to go for a lakeside picnic.
6 Ripley Ave., Instagram: @cheese_boutique

50 toronto life August 2021