Good morning, Etobicoke! I’m Bri, the voice behind Etobicoke Scoop. Every Thursday, I’ll bring you the latest news, events, and stories from our community—all in one easy read.

You know spring is really here when the cherry blossoms start showing up! I’m planning a little stroll through High Park soon, camera in hand of course. The blooms aren’t at their peak just yet, but they’re getting there. As of April 22, they’re in Stage 2 of blooming, with that iconic pink and white show expected sometime between late April and early May. Centennial Park is also a great spot to catch the blossoms, especially if you’re staying local.

In this week’s newsletter:

🚦 Congestion Czar?: Etobicoke councillor questions Mayor Chow’s traffic fix
🚙 Tariffs Stall a Dream Ride: Classic Bronco blocked from showroom over import fees
🚧 Heads-Up TTC Riders: Line 2 shuts down between Kipling and Jane this weekend

Plus: your federal election reminder, vacant home tax deadline, and a trivia question!

THE DIGEST

🚦 Etobicoke Councillor Weighs In As Mayor Chow Pushes for Traffic Boss🚦
Mayor Olivia Chow wants a single point person to lead Toronto’s congestion response and coordinate construction—but not everyone is on board. At Wednesday’s city council meeting, Chow proposed appointing a “congestion czar” after a city report blamed construction for peak traffic delays last summer. Etobicoke Centre Councillor Stephen Holyday questioned how the czar’s success would be measured and whether council would be setting them up to fail. The motion passed with an amendment calling for city staff to report back in July with details about the proposed role.

🚙 Tariffs Stall This Etobicoke Dealer’s Dream Ride 🚙
Scott Vickers had big plans for a 1996 Ford Bronco, hoping to bring the vintage ride to his Etobicoke showroom. But a surprise $8,750 import tariff made the deal fall apart. The classic car came from the U.S., which triggered Canada's counter-tariffs in response to Trump's trade policies. Vickers says the extra cost made it impossible to move forward and calls it unfair to apply steep penalties on vehicles made decades ago. He estimates the sale would have brought more than $10,000 in taxes to the federal government. Ottawa says the tariffs are a measured response and offers a relief process for exceptional cases, but for now, Vickers feels like his classic car business has hit a major roadblock.

🚧 Line 2 Shutdown This Weekend Between Kipling and Jane 🚧
Heads-up, west-end riders: there’ll be no subway service between Kipling and Jane stations this Saturday and Sunday due to track work. Shuttle buses will fill in, and the 149 Etobicoke-Bloor bus will run every 30 minutes. Runnymede, High Park, Lansdowne, and Dufferin stations will be completely closed, but all others remain open for transfers and fare purchases. Service is set to resume Monday at 6 a.m. — but expect early nightly closures from Ossington to Jane next week as the work continues.

Civic Updates

🏛️ Federal Election Day 🏛️
Canada heads to the polls on April 28, 2025. 🗳️ Make sure your voice is heard. Check your registration, find your local polling station, and bring valid ID to vote. Visit elections.ca for more details. Every vote counts!

📅 One Week Left to Declare Vacant Home Tax 📅
Etobicoke homeowners, time’s almost up. The deadline to submit your 2024 Vacant Home Tax declaration is Wednesday, April 30 at 11:59 p.m. If you don’t declare, your property will automatically be considered vacant — and you could be hit with a tax bill worth 3% of your home’s assessed value. Even if your place is your primary residence, you still need to declare. Not sure how? You can do it online, by phone, or in person at City Hall and civic centres, with extra staff on hand to help. More than 812,000 declarations have already rolled in — make sure yours is one of them.

Upcoming Events & Happenings

• April 26th - Handmade Art and Fine Craft Sale
  Neilson Park Creative Centre | 56 Neilson Dr., Etobicoke
  Shop a wide selection of unique handmade art and crafts from talented local artisans at this annual spring sale. From decor to jewelry to fine art, find one-of-a-kind pieces to treasure. 🕜 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free admission and parking.
  

• April 27th - Kids Fest Toronto
  Royal Event Centre | 181 Rexdale Blvd, Etobicoke
  Get ready for an action-packed day at Kids Fest Toronto. From TikTok Funday and a bouncy castle village to a huge talent dance show, there’s something for every kid to love. 🕜 Runs 2–8 p.m. Tickets: $20 for kids, $10 for parents.

• May 3rd - From Reference to Essence: Studio Series with Darlene Kulig
  Arts Etobicoke | 4893A Dundas St. W.
  Join artist Darlene Kulig for a full-day creative workshop exploring how to move from photo reference to expressive, stylized art. 🕜 Runs 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on two consecutive Saturdays. Cost: $100 per workshop (art supplies included). Ages 16+.
  

• May 3rd - Etobicoke Lawn Bowling Club Open House
  Tom Riley Park (just behind Montgomery Inn)

  Try something new this spring! The Etobicoke Lawn Bowling Club invites you to their Open House—learn the basics of the game, meet members, and roll a few bowls. Great for all ages and skill levels!

  🕜 1:30 p.m. | Free lessons, equipment, and refreshments
  

• May 4th - Spring Market by Sweetpea and Rose
  Old Mill Toronto | 21 Old Mill Rd.
  Celebrate the season at this vibrant Spring Market filled with fresh blooms, handmade goods, baked treats, local maple syrup, artisanal soaps, craft beer, and live music. Shop one-of-a-kind creations from local makers, enjoy the festive energy, and relax at the Beer Tent with a cold brew. 🕜 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission—fun for all ages!
  
  

Weather

• Thurs., Apr. 24: High 22°C, Low 7°C ⛅

• Fri., Apr. 25: High 13°C, Low 9°C 🌧️

• Sat., Apr. 26: High 12°C, Low 7°C 🌧️

• Sun., Apr. 27: High 16°C, Low 5°C ☀️

• Mon., Apr. 28: High 17°C, Low 6°C ⛅

• Tues., Apr. 29: High 23°C, Low 9°C ☁️

• Wed., Apr. 30: High 18°C, Low 7°C ⛅

Fun & Games

🌸 Blossom Brain Teaser! 🌸

Cherry blossom season is here! While High Park gets the spotlight, Etobicoke has its own spring gem.

Roughly how many cherry blossom trees bloom each spring in Centennial Park’s sakura grove?

Reply with your guess and the first correct (or closest!) answer gets a shoutout in next week’s issue! 🌸📸

The answer to last week's trivia question—"Which Etobicoke park is known for its long-running, family-friendly Easter festivities?"—is Centennial Park. Congrats to Valerie Shields for being the first to reply with the correct answer!

Like being in the know? Share the love! Forward this newsletter to friends and neighbors who’d enjoy staying up-to-date on all things Etobicoke. 📬

Thanks for reading! See you next week for more of what’s happening in Etobicoke.

-Bri