Matt Elliott
@graphicmatt.com
City columnist, contributing to the Toronto Star & writing the award-winning City Hall Watcher newsletter. A lot about Toronto Politics and then some nerd stuff. Humber College prof. (he/him)
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Matt Elliott
@graphicmatt.com
· 20m
Council looks to keep corner stores closed
City Hall Watcher #357: Your complete Council meeting preview for November 2025, featuring debates on local retail, rental protections, snow and encampments
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #357!
Your complete November 2025 Council meeting preview, with notes on debates coming this week about corner stores, tenant protections, encampments, our gifted Amsterdam bridge, and, of course, snow. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-lo...
Your complete November 2025 Council meeting preview, with notes on debates coming this week about corner stores, tenant protections, encampments, our gifted Amsterdam bridge, and, of course, snow. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-lo...
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #357!
Your complete November 2025 Council meeting preview, with notes on debates coming this week about corner stores, tenant protections, encampments, our gifted Amsterdam bridge, and, of course, snow. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-lo...
Your complete November 2025 Council meeting preview, with notes on debates coming this week about corner stores, tenant protections, encampments, our gifted Amsterdam bridge, and, of course, snow. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-lo...
Council looks to keep corner stores closed
City Hall Watcher #357: Your complete Council meeting preview for November 2025, featuring debates on local retail, rental protections, snow and encampments
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #357!
Your complete November 2025 Council meeting preview, with notes on debates coming this week about corner stores, tenant protections, encampments, our gifted Amsterdam bridge, and, of course, snow. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-lo...
Your complete November 2025 Council meeting preview, with notes on debates coming this week about corner stores, tenant protections, encampments, our gifted Amsterdam bridge, and, of course, snow. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-lo...
My @thestar.com column: Gardiner Expressway construction getting done 18 months ahead of schedule is a big win for drivers. But I’ll hold off on celebrating until I see the city and Queen’s Park take lessons from the project and deliver big wins for transit riders too www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: Gardiner repairs wrapped up 18 months early. How that big win reveals some much needed lessons for Toronto
The victory of an early end to Gardiner construction would be much sweeter if the lessons learned from it were applied to transit projects.
www.thestar.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:05 PM
My @thestar.com column: Gardiner Expressway construction getting done 18 months ahead of schedule is a big win for drivers. But I’ll hold off on celebrating until I see the city and Queen’s Park take lessons from the project and deliver big wins for transit riders too www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
These are absurd timelines for installing speed bumps and doing road redesigns. Twelve motions to investigate speed bumps? Sixteen months to install? A decade for a road redesign? www.thestar.com/news/gta/dou...
November 4, 2025 at 4:56 PM
These are absurd timelines for installing speed bumps and doing road redesigns. Twelve motions to investigate speed bumps? Sixteen months to install? A decade for a road redesign? www.thestar.com/news/gta/dou...
Reposted by Matt Elliott
The latest column by @graphicmatt.com highlights the need for Toronto to apply the lessons learned from accelerating the Gardiner Expressway construction to other projects. Especially transit ones like the Eglinton Crosstown. #TTC #TOpoli #ONpoli www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: Gardiner repairs wrapped up 18 months early. How that big win reveals some much needed lessons for Toronto
The victory of an early end to Gardiner construction would be much sweeter if the lessons learned from it were applied to transit projects.
www.thestar.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:39 PM
The latest column by @graphicmatt.com highlights the need for Toronto to apply the lessons learned from accelerating the Gardiner Expressway construction to other projects. Especially transit ones like the Eglinton Crosstown. #TTC #TOpoli #ONpoli www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
That “transit won’t wait” post was truly terrible comms, but this TTC story today is weird. John Tory shows up here to rub salt in the wound even though it sounds like he... managed to take the subway home from the game without much trouble beyond some crowding? torontosun.com/news/local-n...
November 3, 2025 at 10:03 PM
That “transit won’t wait” post was truly terrible comms, but this TTC story today is weird. John Tory shows up here to rub salt in the wound even though it sounds like he... managed to take the subway home from the game without much trouble beyond some crowding? torontosun.com/news/local-n...
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #356!
Not the jubilant edition I hoped to write, but we’ve still got a new LOBBYIST WATCH to ease your baseball pain. It’s got tales of Rick Leary, snow clearing, a sixplex, AI Drones, and more! toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/lobbyists-...
Not the jubilant edition I hoped to write, but we’ve still got a new LOBBYIST WATCH to ease your baseball pain. It’s got tales of Rick Leary, snow clearing, a sixplex, AI Drones, and more! toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/lobbyists-...
Lobbyists hunker down for a long winter
City Hall Watcher #356: LOBBYIST WATCH returns in the shadow of a devastating loss, with stories about snow removal, sixplexes, Rick Leary and more
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #356!
Not the jubilant edition I hoped to write, but we’ve still got a new LOBBYIST WATCH to ease your baseball pain. It’s got tales of Rick Leary, snow clearing, a sixplex, AI Drones, and more! toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/lobbyists-...
Not the jubilant edition I hoped to write, but we’ve still got a new LOBBYIST WATCH to ease your baseball pain. It’s got tales of Rick Leary, snow clearing, a sixplex, AI Drones, and more! toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/lobbyists-...
Councillor Josh Matlow on the neighbourhood retail report: “I’m perceiving that this is either going to be an utter failure through council, or it’ll be a version that will be so watered down that it’ll look like a glass of water thrown into a swimming pool on a rainy day.”
Sensing some pessimism.
Sensing some pessimism.
October 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Councillor Josh Matlow on the neighbourhood retail report: “I’m perceiving that this is either going to be an utter failure through council, or it’ll be a version that will be so watered down that it’ll look like a glass of water thrown into a swimming pool on a rainy day.”
Sensing some pessimism.
Sensing some pessimism.
Deputing at today’s Planning & Housing Committee meeting on neighbourhood retail: a xenomorph.
October 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Deputing at today’s Planning & Housing Committee meeting on neighbourhood retail: a xenomorph.
Not sure why Toronto's police chief feels the need to weigh in on expanding permissions to allow more corner stores, but here he is, suggesitng more consultation is needed? www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis... (PDF)
October 30, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Not sure why Toronto's police chief feels the need to weigh in on expanding permissions to allow more corner stores, but here he is, suggesitng more consultation is needed? www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis... (PDF)
Councillor Stephen Holyday suggests permitting more neighbourhood retail will… increase residential break-ins? So, like, people who are in a neighbourhood to go to a store will decide, on a lark, to commit some spontaneous burglary? www.thestar.com/business/tor...
October 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Councillor Stephen Holyday suggests permitting more neighbourhood retail will… increase residential break-ins? So, like, people who are in a neighbourhood to go to a store will decide, on a lark, to commit some spontaneous burglary? www.thestar.com/business/tor...
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #355!
An attempt to build a better housing dashboard to track Toronto’s actual progress. Plus: a new angle on corner store permissions and City Hall’s last chance power drive to keep speed cameras. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/housing-pl...
An attempt to build a better housing dashboard to track Toronto’s actual progress. Plus: a new angle on corner store permissions and City Hall’s last chance power drive to keep speed cameras. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/housing-pl...
Housing plans by the dashboard light
City Hall Watcher #355: An attempt to build a better housing dashboard, plus one last ride for Toronto's speed camera program and another angle on corner stores
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #355!
An attempt to build a better housing dashboard to track Toronto’s actual progress. Plus: a new angle on corner store permissions and City Hall’s last chance power drive to keep speed cameras. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/housing-pl...
An attempt to build a better housing dashboard to track Toronto’s actual progress. Plus: a new angle on corner store permissions and City Hall’s last chance power drive to keep speed cameras. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/housing-pl...
Here are the new speed camera warning signs Toronto will start installing on Nov 15, if speed cameras are still permitted. City also targeting that date for change limiting operating hours of cameras to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays only. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
October 22, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Here are the new speed camera warning signs Toronto will start installing on Nov 15, if speed cameras are still permitted. City also targeting that date for change limiting operating hours of cameras to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays only. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
My @thestar.com column this week: after Toronto Council requested reports on potential new rules for activities like raves, jet ski riding and pickleball, I’ve got an important reminder: it is a very good thing that people are having fun in the city.
Fun is good.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Fun is good.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: Now, Toronto has noisy pickleball games in its crosshairs. Are we becoming the City That Fun Forgot?
Tending to the whims of grumblers might make for good politics in election season, but it often makes for lousy governance.
www.thestar.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:54 PM
My @thestar.com column this week: after Toronto Council requested reports on potential new rules for activities like raves, jet ski riding and pickleball, I’ve got an important reminder: it is a very good thing that people are having fun in the city.
Fun is good.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Fun is good.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by Matt Elliott
Wild-eyed hippie @graphicmatt.com thinks "it’s undoubtedly good news that people are doing fun things in Toronto"
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: Now, Toronto has noisy pickleball games in its crosshairs. Are we becoming the City That Fun Forgot?
Tending to the whims of grumblers might make for good politics in election season, but it often makes for lousy governance.
www.thestar.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Wild-eyed hippie @graphicmatt.com thinks "it’s undoubtedly good news that people are doing fun things in Toronto"
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #354!
A look at some new data on Toronto’s emptiest public parking lots, including a little-used brand new one.
Plus: Craven Road controversy, City Hall exits, and Doug Ford’s unpopular speed camera ban. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/the-parkin...
A look at some new data on Toronto’s emptiest public parking lots, including a little-used brand new one.
Plus: Craven Road controversy, City Hall exits, and Doug Ford’s unpopular speed camera ban. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/the-parkin...
The parking spaces between us
City Hall Watcher #354: Some new data on the Toronto Parking Authority's many empty parking spots, plus a controversial compromise on Craven, the unpopularity of the speed camera ban, and more
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
October 20, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #354!
A look at some new data on Toronto’s emptiest public parking lots, including a little-used brand new one.
Plus: Craven Road controversy, City Hall exits, and Doug Ford’s unpopular speed camera ban. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/the-parkin...
A look at some new data on Toronto’s emptiest public parking lots, including a little-used brand new one.
Plus: Craven Road controversy, City Hall exits, and Doug Ford’s unpopular speed camera ban. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/the-parkin...
My @thestar.com column: City hall is finally hiring a traffic czar. But I worry it’s a sucker gig.
With too many cars and limited roads, there’s no fixing Toronto traffic for drivers. To make any progress, this car czar should be ready to tell some hard truths.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
With too many cars and limited roads, there’s no fixing Toronto traffic for drivers. To make any progress, this car czar should be ready to tell some hard truths.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
Matt Elliott: Without acknowledging hard truths, Toronto’s traffic czar isn’t likely to get very far
It’s probably good that this new position will come with a handsome salary because this traffic czar will be given an impossible task. There’s no solving Toronto traffic, writes Matt Elliott.
www.thestar.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:20 PM
My @thestar.com column: City hall is finally hiring a traffic czar. But I worry it’s a sucker gig.
With too many cars and limited roads, there’s no fixing Toronto traffic for drivers. To make any progress, this car czar should be ready to tell some hard truths.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
With too many cars and limited roads, there’s no fixing Toronto traffic for drivers. To make any progress, this car czar should be ready to tell some hard truths.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #353!
Your complete recap of the October 2025 meeting of Toronto Council, featuring a scorecard votes on speed cameras, some Ford fact checks, some quotable quotes, a look at how Council spent its time, and more. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-fa...
Your complete recap of the October 2025 meeting of Toronto Council, featuring a scorecard votes on speed cameras, some Ford fact checks, some quotable quotes, a look at how Council spent its time, and more. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-fa...
Council offers Ford a fast fact check on speed cameras
City Hall Watcher #353: Your complete Toronto Council meeting recap for October 2025, featuring votes on speed cameras, crisis workers, the Bathurst bus, and noisy pickleball
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #353!
Your complete recap of the October 2025 meeting of Toronto Council, featuring a scorecard votes on speed cameras, some Ford fact checks, some quotable quotes, a look at how Council spent its time, and more. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-fa...
Your complete recap of the October 2025 meeting of Toronto Council, featuring a scorecard votes on speed cameras, some Ford fact checks, some quotable quotes, a look at how Council spent its time, and more. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-fa...
Toronto Council meets today! It's their first meeting since July, so we're all feeling a bit rusty. Mayor Chow has designated an item about — what else? — speed cameras as her first key matter, so that'll be up first.
Streaming live here. I'll post what transpires. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxu2...
Streaming live here. I'll post what transpires. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxu2...
City Council - October 8, 2025
YouTube video by Toronto City Council
www.youtube.com
October 8, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Toronto Council meets today! It's their first meeting since July, so we're all feeling a bit rusty. Mayor Chow has designated an item about — what else? — speed cameras as her first key matter, so that'll be up first.
Streaming live here. I'll post what transpires. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxu2...
Streaming live here. I'll post what transpires. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxu2...
In a letter responding to a Councillor Holyday inquiry, City Manager Paul Johnson has provided a breakdown of revenue and expense numbers related to Toronto’s speed and red-light camera programs. Notably, about 24% of fine revenue goes to the provincial gov.
www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis... (PDF)
www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis... (PDF)
October 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
In a letter responding to a Councillor Holyday inquiry, City Manager Paul Johnson has provided a breakdown of revenue and expense numbers related to Toronto’s speed and red-light camera programs. Notably, about 24% of fine revenue goes to the provincial gov.
www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis... (PDF)
www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis... (PDF)
Seems like everyone’s gone gaga for gondolas these days. Report on the Toronto Zoo Board agenda recommends making a deal with EcoTrek Adventure Group to install a “SkyPod” gondola ride at the zoo. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
October 7, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Seems like everyone’s gone gaga for gondolas these days. Report on the Toronto Zoo Board agenda recommends making a deal with EcoTrek Adventure Group to install a “SkyPod” gondola ride at the zoo. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
My @thestar.com column: Toronto’s condo market has crashed. Development charge revenue has cratered with it.
It’s bad news for city finances, but this crisis could also be an opportunity to break from Toronto's long reliance on DCs — and to build something new.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
It’s bad news for city finances, but this crisis could also be an opportunity to break from Toronto's long reliance on DCs — and to build something new.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: How the popping of the condo bubble led to a looming budget crisis in Toronto
Toronto’s condo boom finally going bust isn’t just a concern for developers and investors. The collapse is also causing major financial woes for the city.
www.thestar.com
October 7, 2025 at 3:13 PM
My @thestar.com column: Toronto’s condo market has crashed. Development charge revenue has cratered with it.
It’s bad news for city finances, but this crisis could also be an opportunity to break from Toronto's long reliance on DCs — and to build something new.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
It’s bad news for city finances, but this crisis could also be an opportunity to break from Toronto's long reliance on DCs — and to build something new.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #352!
An epic-length DOUBLE issue. LOBBYIST WATCH has news for #TeamGondola and stuff about robot chefs. Your COUNCIL PREVIEW, meanwhile, looks at the speed camera debate, budget woes, noisy pickleball, and more. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/gondola-lo...
An epic-length DOUBLE issue. LOBBYIST WATCH has news for #TeamGondola and stuff about robot chefs. Your COUNCIL PREVIEW, meanwhile, looks at the speed camera debate, budget woes, noisy pickleball, and more. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/gondola-lo...
Gondola lobbyists pull up to City Hall
City Hall Watcher #352: LOBBYIST WATCH returns, with stories about gondolas and a soccer pitch. Plus your October Council meeting preview, with speed cameras, a new addition and more.
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #352!
An epic-length DOUBLE issue. LOBBYIST WATCH has news for #TeamGondola and stuff about robot chefs. Your COUNCIL PREVIEW, meanwhile, looks at the speed camera debate, budget woes, noisy pickleball, and more. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/gondola-lo...
An epic-length DOUBLE issue. LOBBYIST WATCH has news for #TeamGondola and stuff about robot chefs. Your COUNCIL PREVIEW, meanwhile, looks at the speed camera debate, budget woes, noisy pickleball, and more. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/gondola-lo...
My @thestar.com column this week: Doug Ford thinks flashing lights are a reasonable alternative to speed cameras. He’s wrong, of course.
To try to save a program that improves (and funds) road safety, I’ve got three changes Mayor Olivia Chow should put on the table.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
To try to save a program that improves (and funds) road safety, I’ve got three changes Mayor Olivia Chow should put on the table.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: Doug Ford wants to kill speed cameras. Olivia Chow wants to save them. Here are three ways she could change his mind
If Mayor Olivia Chow and other mayors want to stop Premier Doug Ford from getting rid of the speed cameras, they’ll need to come up with some concessions to make him reconsider.
www.thestar.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:09 PM
My @thestar.com column this week: Doug Ford thinks flashing lights are a reasonable alternative to speed cameras. He’s wrong, of course.
To try to save a program that improves (and funds) road safety, I’ve got three changes Mayor Olivia Chow should put on the table.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
To try to save a program that improves (and funds) road safety, I’ve got three changes Mayor Olivia Chow should put on the table.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Really striking how vague the actual policy ideas are here for a sitting councillor announcing a 2nd mayoral bid: more special constables on TTC, vague DC relief, don’t raise property taxes so much. Think this Bradford for Mayor sequel will need more substance. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Fed-up residents say Toronto’s best days are behind it. Let’s build a safer, more affordable city
When more than half of residents feel less safe today than they did a few years ago, it’s clear that City Hall needs to do better.
www.thestar.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Really striking how vague the actual policy ideas are here for a sitting councillor announcing a 2nd mayoral bid: more special constables on TTC, vague DC relief, don’t raise property taxes so much. Think this Bradford for Mayor sequel will need more substance. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by Matt Elliott
New Ward 25 Councillor Shan's previous voting record on cycling:
-voted in favour of Cressy's Hail Mary to save Reimagine Yonge for another day (good)
-voted with Cressy, Layton, et al against making Bayview more dangerous (good)
-voted in favour of making Bloor pilot permanent (good).
Promising!
-voted in favour of Cressy's Hail Mary to save Reimagine Yonge for another day (good)
-voted with Cressy, Layton, et al against making Bayview more dangerous (good)
-voted in favour of making Bloor pilot permanent (good).
Promising!
September 30, 2025 at 3:42 PM
New Ward 25 Councillor Shan's previous voting record on cycling:
-voted in favour of Cressy's Hail Mary to save Reimagine Yonge for another day (good)
-voted with Cressy, Layton, et al against making Bayview more dangerous (good)
-voted in favour of making Bloor pilot permanent (good).
Promising!
-voted in favour of Cressy's Hail Mary to save Reimagine Yonge for another day (good)
-voted with Cressy, Layton, et al against making Bayview more dangerous (good)
-voted in favour of making Bloor pilot permanent (good).
Promising!