Good morning, Etobicoke! I'm Bri, and it's been a good week for sunny, breezy days, even if the news cycle had other plans. Between a waterfront win, a market reality check, and a waste station that just can't quit fire season, there's a lot to catch up on. Grab your iced coffee, we've got a lot to get through.
In this week’s newsletter:
🏢🚫 NIMBY Alert: Microsoft's data centre hits a snag
🔥 Déjà Vu: Waste station catches fire, again
✈️ Grounded: Feds reject Billy Bishop jet plan
📉 Reality Check: Condo sells $168K under asking
Plus: Cirque du Soleil, JerkFest, and a waterfront festival to close out summer 🌟
THE DIGEST
🏢🚫 Data Centres, Meet the NIMBYs 🚫🏢
Mississauga hit pause on new data centres for a year, and now Toronto residents want the same treatment. Protesters showed up outside city hall this week, and Etobicoke has skin in the game: Microsoft wants to build at 48 Lowe's Place, and Coun. Vincent Crisanti isn't rolling out the welcome mat just yet. He's demanding answers on noise, water use, and environmental fallout before council signs off. Stay tuned.
🔥 Same Waste Station, Another Four-Alarm Fire 🔥
A four-alarm fire tore through the Disco Road waste transfer station Tuesday, the second major blaze at this exact site in under a year. Crews found heavy smoke and a deep-seated fire in construction material, and had to cut a hole in the roof just to reach it. Nobody was hurt, which is the good news. The bad news: this building might owe Etobicoke an explanation at this point.
✈️ South Etobicoke Grounds the Jet Plan ✈️
After more than 87,000 public responses, most of them opposed, the federal government said no to Doug Ford's plan to let jets take off from Billy Bishop Airport. Big win for South Etobicoke's waterfront, where flight paths and thousands of housing units were on the line. City council didn't stop there, voting 25-1 this week to demand the province hand back the land it took for the project. Round one goes to the neighbourhood.
🏢📉 A $290K Reality Check on The Queensway 📉🏢
A one-bedroom condo at 1195 The Queensway just sold for $290,000, a full $168,000 under its original 2022 asking price. The lender took over after the original owner defaulted, and after six price cuts, this is what the market decided it's worth. Rough news for anyone still holding onto 2022-era condo hopes, and a pretty clear read on where Etobicoke's market actually stands right now.
🐿️ Introducing Scoop Approved 🐿️
Finding a good contractor shouldn't feel like a gamble on a stranger from the internet. That's why I'm launching Scoop Approved: a short, hand-vetted list of contractors for Etobicoke.
Before anyone gets the stamp, I personally verify their licence and insurance, talk to three recent customers, and interview them myself. Membership is paid. Approval is earned, and I'm capping every category at five pros, this isn't about building the biggest list.
Tell me what kind of contractor you need, it'll help shape which categories I fill first.
IKnow a great contractor (or are one)? Founding spots are open.
My name's on this. If a Scoop Approved pro ever lets you down, I want to hear about it.
Upcoming Events
Through August 30 – LUZIA by Cirque du Soleil
The Big Top | 2150 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Etobicoke
Experience the magic of LUZIA by Cirque du Soleil, a breathtaking journey inspired by the vibrant culture and landscapes of Mexico, right here at Humber Bay Shores. This enchanting show under the big top offers a unique blend of acrobatics and visual artistry. Make an evening of it with a stroll along Marine Parade Drive after the performance. 🌅 🕗 Various showtimes
Through October 31 – Etobicoke Civic Centre Farmers Market
Etobicoke Civic Centre | 399 The West Mall, Etobicoke
Kick off your Saturday mornings with the Etobicoke Civic Centre Farmers Market, a cherished community event running until October 31, 2026. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and explore an incredible variety of Ontario-grown fruits and vegetables. Meet local farmers who know their customers by name and stock up for your weekend barbecue while supporting the local agricultural economy. 🌽🍅 🕗 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Free entry
August 7 – JerkFest 2026
Centennial Park | 256 Centennial Park Rd., Etobicoke
Join us as JerkFest Toronto celebrates 25 years of Caribbean culture, cuisine, and community spirit! From August 7th to 9th, enjoy the best of Caribbean flavors with mouth-watering jerk dishes, vibrant cultural displays, and fun activities for all ages. With market vendors, interactive experiences, and a lively atmosphere, it's the perfect summer festival to celebrate Caribbean heritage. 🌟
🕔 Friday: 5:00 – 10:30 p.m. | Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. | Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. | 🎟️ Tickets: $30 – $175
August 7-8 – Humber Bay Shores Waterfront Festival
Marine Parade Drive | Marine Parade Dr., Etobicoke
Join us at the Humber Bay Shores Waterfront Festival for two days of vibrant community fun! Enjoy live music, a variety of delicious food vendors, and a charming artisan market all set against the beautiful waterfront. It's the perfect way to spend a summer day with family and friends, soaking up the lively atmosphere and gorgeous views. Don't miss out on this free event!
🕙 Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. | 🎟️ Free Event
August 13-15 – TOPS at Bell Manor Park: Going Places Film Series
Bell Manor Park | 1 Bayside Ln, Etobicoke
Join us for a magical three-night open-air film series at Bell Manor Park! After a brief hiatus, the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show returns, offering a delightful lineup of journey-themed films perfect for families and friends. Enjoy pre-show arts & crafts activities and savor delicious treats from local vendors while you get comfy with your blankets and chairs for the evening's feature. 🧺🎥
🕕 Eats & Treats at 6:00 p.m. | Arts & Crafts 6:00-7:30 p.m. | 🎬 Showtime at Sundown (~8:30 p.m.) | 🎟️ Free Admission (Donations welcomed)
Weather
Fri, Jul 31: High 29°C, Low 17°C 🌥️
Sat, Aug 1: High 27°C, Low 20°C 🌧️
Sun, Aug 2: High 23°C, Low 17°C 🌧️
Mon, Aug 3: High 26°C, Low 14°C ☀️
Tue, Aug 4: High 28°C, Low 17°C ☀️
Wed, Aug 5: High 27°C, Low 18°C ☀️
Thurs, Aug 6: High 25°C, Low 17°C ☀️
Fun & Games
🎲 Would You Rather: Etobicoke Edition
A) Live next to a data centre that hums 24/7 and never met a NIMBY it liked
B) Live next to the waste station that's now 2-for-2 on four-alarm fires this year
➡️ Hit reply with your pick, we're taking bets on which one loses fewer nights of sleep.
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
Have an event, local spot, or news tip you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note, and let’s highlight what makes Etobicoke special together. Just hit reply, or reach out to [email protected].
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