News In The Municipality of Toronto

Toronto is the 13th richest city in the world

According to the 2024 report on the world's richest cities, published by the investment company Henley and Partners (H&P), ranking in first place among Canadian cities is Toronto, which is listed as the 13th city in the world by the number of rich people per capita. There are currently 106,300 millionaires living in Toronto, and their number has increased by 25% in the period from 2013 to 2023. Toronto ranks 16th for the number of billionaires living in the city, of which there are 18.

New town planning conditions along "main streets" voted on by the Toronto Town Planning Committee 

The intent of this study is to approve the construction of mid-rise buildings along major streets in low-rise suburbs. The goal to be achieved is to increase the number of residential units with a slight residential intensification along the main streets. Main streets are defined as streets that provide connections within the city and are transport corridors for the delivery of goods. This study with the proposed amendments still needs to be voted on by the municipal assembly in order to enter into fruition.

 Toronto offices are being vacated

The municipality is considering options

The City of Toronto is putting up for public debate the question of what to do with the vacant office space that continues to increase. The percentage of vacant office space in Toronto increased during each quarter last year, reaching 17.3% at the end of 2023, which is a three percent increase compared to the same period in 2022 and 13.6% more compared to the last quarter of 2019. The municipality opened the discussion to the public, with proposals put up for discussion ranging from the conversion of office space into housing to even the demolition of office buildings.

A ‘zombie virus’ (canine distemper) is rampant amongst raccoons

A virus that can turn a raccoon into a "zombie" has been around for years and has been seen more recently in Toronto. Raccoons infected with this virus behave strangely, as if possessed, no longer afraid of people, walking in the middle of the day and stumbling as if drunk. It is not recommended to approach such raccoons because the disease can be transmitted to pets, although they are generally vaccinated against the virus. It is recommended to report the case to humane society.