Latest news with #GreaterTorontoArea
CBC
7 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
Air quality in Toronto among worst in the world amid wildfire smoke, global tracker shows
Environment Canada says air quality in the city is 'very high risk' as of noon Friday Air quality in Toronto reached "very high risk" on Environment Canada's air quality health index early Friday afternoon as wildfire smoke spreads over the city. As of 12 p.m., Toronto's air quality reached above 10 on the index. A value between four to six is considered moderate risk, while seven to 10 is high risk, according to the federal weather agency's website. Currently, the value is above 10, which means very high risk. Toronto's air quality is currently the second most polluted major city in the world, according to a ranking by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company. That puts it below Santiago, Chile, and above Montreal, which is in third place as it also faces wildfire smoke from western provinces. Parts of the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding communities are under a special air quality statement Friday as wildfires scorch Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Wildfire smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility, Environment Canada said in a statement early Friday morning. The smoke is expected to last from Friday morning into the early afternoon. The air quality statement is in effect for the following areas: Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Durham Region, Pickering, Oshawa, Uxbridge, Beaverton, Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville, Newmarket and Georgina. It is also in effect further north for Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Barrie, Collingwood and Hillsdale. Environment Canada issued a similar special air quality statement for much of Ontario on Thursday. People are advised to limit time outdoors and consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor activities or events, the federal weather agency said in Friday's statement. Those who must spend time outdoors are advised to wear a "well-constructed, will-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask" such as an N95 mask, Environment Canada said. These masks can reduce exposure to fine particles in the smoke, but there can still be risks to health, the statement read. When indoors, people are advised to keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. A clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system or a certified portable air cleaner may help protect indoor air from wildfire smoke, Environment Canada said. People may experience "mild and common symptoms" such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough, the federal weather agency said. More serious and less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. People are advised to seek immediate medical assistance if they think they are having a medical emergency. Seniors, pregnant people, infants, young children, people with existing illness or chronic health conditions, and those who work outdoors are the most likely to be impacted by outdoor health pollution, Environment Canada said. "Check in on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution," the statement read. Toronto Pearson International Airport said it does not "anticipate any impacts to operations" as a result of the smoke, in a post on X on Friday. Students can stay inside Friday: TDSB spokesperson Principals at the Toronto District School Board will keep an eye on the air quality health index throughout the day and decide whether to move outdoor recess or activities indoors, said Ryan Bird, a TDSB spokesperson. They may consider moving indoors if the air quality reaches between seven and 10 on the index, he said. "Students who wish to stay inside and/or students that are at increased risk of experiencing symptoms will be accommodated," Bird said in an email to CBC Toronto. When the air quality reaches level seven or above, schools will use their existing portable HEPA filter units, keep windows closed and minimize the opening and closing of external doors, he said. If the air quality index reading goes above 10, "outdoor physical exertion should be avoided altogether," he said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Toronto home sales rise the most in four months on improved affordability
By Fergal Smith TORONTO (Reuters) -Greater Toronto Area home sales in May posted their biggest increase in four months, and prices edged higher as homebuyers took advantage of the recent improvement in affordability, Toronto Regional Real Estate Board data showed on Wednesday. Seasonally adjusted sales increased 8.4% on a month-over-month basis to 4,693 units, the second straight month of gains and the biggest increase since January. TRREB's home price index edged up 0.1% to C$992,800 ($723,615), which was the first increase since November. The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) includes Toronto, Canada's most populous city, and four surrounding regional municipalities. 'Looking at the GTA as a whole, homebuyers have certainly benefited from greater choice and improved affordability this year," TRREB President Elechia Barry-Sproule said in a statement. On a year-to-year basis, the price index was down 4.5%, while sales declined 13.3% and new listings were up 14%. Lower borrowing costs have also contributed to improved affordability. The Bank of Canada has lowered its benchmark interest rate by 2-1/4 percentage points since June 2024 to support the economy, which is expected to slow as the U.S. wages a trade war. "All else being equal, sales should be up relative to 2024," said Jason Mercer, TRREB's Chief Information Officer. "The issue is a lack of economic confidence." Canada sends about 75% of its exports to the U.S. ($1 = 1.3720 Canadian dollars) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
GTA Homebuyers Benefited From More Listings in May
TORONTO, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) housing market experienced an improvement in affordability in May 2025 relative to the same period a year earlier. With sales down and listings up, homebuyers took advantage of increased inventory and negotiating power. 'Looking at the GTA as a whole, homebuyers have certainly benefited from greater choice and improved affordability this year. However, each neighbourhood and market segment have their own nuances. Buyers considering a home purchase should connect with a REALTOR® who is knowledgeable about their preferred area and property type. In today's market, working with a REALTOR® who brings expertise, the right tools, and a strong network is essential,' said Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) President Elechia Barry-Sproule. GTA REALTORS® reported 6,244 home sales through TRREB's MLS® System in May 2025 – down by 13.3 per cent compared to May 2024. New listings entered into the MLS® System amounted to 21,819 – up by 14 per cent year-over-year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, May home sales were up month-over-month compared to April 2025. This was the second monthly increase in a row. New listings were also up compared to April, but by a lesser monthly rate than sales, suggesting a slight tightening in market conditions. 'Homeownership costs are more affordable this year compared to last. Average selling prices are lower, and so too are borrowing costs. All else being equal, sales should be up relative to 2024. The issue is a lack of economic confidence. Once households are convinced that trade stability with the United States will be established and/or real options to mitigate our reliance on the United States exist, home sales will pick up. Further cuts in borrowing costs would also be welcome news to homebuyers,' said Jason Mercer, TRREB's Chief Information Officer. The MLS® Home Price Index Composite benchmark was down by 4.5 per cent year-over-year in May 2025. The average selling price, at $1,120,879, was down by four per cent compared to May 2024. On a month-over-month seasonally adjusted basis, the MLS® HPI Composite and average selling price both edged up compared to April 2025. 'With the federal government's housing commitments reiterated in the Throne Speech, we now need concrete actions that will restore housing affordability across the GTA and the rest of Canada. This includes lowering high housing taxes and fees, embracing innovative construction technologies, and streamlining processes to reignite the construction of homes. Home construction is associated with huge economic benefits that would help mitigate the negative impact of ongoing trade disputes. Additionally, with inflation remaining low, a rate cut would be a welcome move—particularly for first-time buyers and those renewing their mortgages,' said TRREB CEO John DiMichele. READ THE FULL REPORT Media Inquiries: For all media inquiries, please email media@ About TRREB: The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board is Canada's largest real estate board, with over 73,000 residential and commercial professionals connecting people, property, and communities. Tables accompanying this announcement are available at: in to access your portfolio
National Post
3 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Strategic Storage Trust VI, Inc. Announces Opening of New Self-Storage Facility in Toronto, Ontario
Article content LADERA RANCH, Calif. — Strategic Storage Trust VI, Inc. ('SST VI '), a publicly registered non-traded real estate investment trust sponsored by an affiliate of SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. ('SmartStop') (NYSE: SMA), in partnership with SmartCentres (TSX: is proud to announce the opening of its 14 th facility in Canada and its 12 th in the Greater Toronto Area, located at 1480 Jane Street in Toronto. Article content This six-story, climate-controlled facility spans approximately 105,000 net rentable square feet and includes more than 1,200 climate-controlled storage units. Strategically positioned on a 2.67-acre site, the property offers strong visibility along Jane Street, which averages more than 40,000 vehicles daily. The location is equipped with two elevators and sits south of a recently opened FreshCo grocery store and within the heart of Toronto's Mount Dennis, Brookhaven and Weston neighborhoods. Article content The new facility is well positioned to serve a densely populated and growing urban area. Within a three-mile radius, demand for convenient, secure storage is rising – driven in part by development plans that call for 2,000 new residential units within five miles of the site. Article content SmartStop's newest location will serve the surrounding communities of Maple Leaf, Rockcliffe–Smythe, Richview, Brookhaven–Amesbury, Beechborough–Greenbrook, Glen Park, York and Humber Heights–Westmount. Article content 'Toronto continues to be a key market for us, and this new Jane Street facility strengthens our presence in one of its fastest-growing areas,' said H. Michael Schwartz, Chairman and CEO of SST VI. 'We're committed to meeting the needs of the surrounding communities with secure, high-quality storage, and this location is a great example of how we're delivering on that promise.' Article content About Strategic Storage Trust VI, Inc. (SST VI): Article content SST VI is a Maryland corporation that was elected to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. SST VI's primary investment strategy is to invest in income-producing and growth self-storage facilities and related self-storage real estate investments in the United States and Canada. As of June 3, 2025, SST VI has a portfolio of 13 operating properties in the United States comprising approximately 9,015 units and 1,079,395 rentable square feet (including parking); 11 properties with approximately 10,205 units and 1,067,715 rentable square feet (including parking) in Canada, joint venture interests in four operational and one development property in two Canadian provinces (Ontario and Québec) and one wholly owned development property in Ontario. Article content About SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SmartStop): Article content SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. ('SmartStop') (NYSE: SMA) is a self-managed REIT with a fully integrated operations team of approximately 600 self-storage professionals focused on growing the SmartStop® Self Storage brand. SmartStop, through its indirect subsidiary SmartStop REIT Advisors, LLC, also sponsors other self-storage programs. As of June 3, 2025, SmartStop has an owned or managed portfolio of 222 operating properties in 23 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, comprising approximately 158,900 units and 17.9 million rentable square feet. SmartStop and its affiliates own or manage 42 operating self-storage properties in Canada, which total approximately 35,700 units and 3.6 million rentable square feet. Additional information regarding SmartStop is available at Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content David Corak Article content Article content Article content
National Post
28-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Some homes in Toronto are being listed for $1. Here's why
Some properties in the Greater Toronto Area are being listed for $1 — a meagre price tag compared to the latest data on the average selling price, which was $1.1 million in April, according to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board. Article content Article content Most recently, two adjacent homes in the East Danforth area were listed for a loonie, as was a lot in the Englemount-Lawrence neighbourhood that gives buyers the opportunity to build a detached house, with approved permits, drawings and development charges, according to the listing. Article content Article content A vacant lot in Cabbagetown also comes with a $1 price tag. It has approved zoning for four storeys and is 'a rare and exciting opportunity for investors and developers,' the listing says. Article content 'It tends to come up when sellers and agents have run out of more conventional ways to attract attention to their listing,' he told National Post over email on Tuesday. Article content 'Another time when you are likely to see this strategy is when the objective value is very hard to determine,' he said, pointing out that the listings in the East Danforth, Englemount-Lawrence and Cabbagetown areas fall into that category. Article content 'One is a vacant lot downtown, so the value is entirely in the eyes (and wallet) of the beholder — generally depending on what they plan to do with the space,' he said, referring to Cabbagetown. Article content Per the listing, the lot is located in the heart of Toronto's bustling downtown and is 'just steps away from leading universities, colleges, and hospitals.' It is 'ideally situated to meet the growing demand for student housing, micro-suites, or high-demand downtown living rentals.' Article content Article content As for the East Danforth area listing, Powell said the combined address of two connected sides of a semi being together is 'quite unusual.' Article content Article content 'The value for that could be quite different from the simple combination of each property value on its own,' he said. Article content The listing reads: 'Imagine the possibilities: live in one and generate income by renting the other, or create a multi-generational family residence.' Article content The Englemount-Lawrence lot comes with plans for a house, so 'you are buying the lot, as well as all the plans, permits… the value of which is very personal.' Article content 'The $1 price tag is kind of like saying 'or best offer' without having to commit to an arbitrary bracket. I still feel that more often than not, $1 listings are about attracting attention to unusual properties — heritage homes, unique properties,' said Powell.
