An election, a Blue Jays World Series championship, and a plane crash.
It's been one tumultuous year for the CBC Toronto newsroom. But we tried to look back and remember some of the most important stories of 2025. — especially those that will still matter as we enter the new year.
And if you think we've missed something, please let us know by email. [email protected].
Ford cruises to most
The year began with a frenzy of political speculation before Prime Minister Doug Ford made it official by calling a snap election. win “the largest mandate in Ontario's history.”
Fast forward to February and Ontario. voters gave Ford a majority — ostensibly to do whatever is necessary to counter US tariffs — but his government did not grow.
The NDP remains the official opposition while the Liberals are again looking for a new leader.
What happens next: How will Ford, now in his third term, govern?
Ontario has chosen Doug Ford as its premier for another four years. CBC's Julia Knope is breaking her campaign promises and what's at stake for the province.
Ontario begins recession and cracks appear in Toronto apartment market
Ontario is on track to meet its goal of building 1.5 million homes across the province in 10 years. a “soft” target, according to provincial Finance Minister Rob Flack.
Toronto also received an F grade According to a report from the Housing Council of Ontario, housing starts have dropped by 40 per cent since the start.
But the housing problems don't end there. The Toronto condo market is also weakened this year some compare the situation to the market crash of the early 1990s.
What's next: Several factors could help the GTA recover from the downturn in the apartment market, but can the province similarly get back on track for housing?
Average rents for apartments and condominiums in Toronto have been declining for more than a year, according to the latest data. As CBC's Talia Ricci reports, the slow market has led to more landlords offering incentives to attract tenants.
Pearson plane crash
The world's attention turned to Toronto in February when Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 makes an emergency landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
The plane from Minneapolis flipped onto its side, belching flames and smoke. Fortunately, all 80 people on board were not seriously injured.
Preliminary report The Transportation Safety Board of Canada found in March that the plane was descending at a high speed and slightly deviated from the recommended landing angle.
What happens next: Several passengers are waiting in court after initiation of civil cases against participating airlines
Video posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, shows a Delta Airlines plane flipping onto its back after an emergency landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday.
Crime falls, but anxiety persists
While Toronto's crime rate has dropped, the city's police chief Myron Demkiw told CBC News that youth crime remains low. cause for concern.
The types of crimes youth are involved in are becoming “even more alarming,” he said, adding that they may end up committing crimes due to economic barriers or lack of access to social support.
Demkiw also believes the role of police in mental health crisis calls needs to be reconsidered. officers performing backup functions instead of being on the front line.
In a year-end interview with CBC's Dwight Drummond, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw discusses bail reform, transit policing and the alarming rise in youth crime.
Ford government takes over school boards
The Toronto Public Library has named one of the most borrowed books of 2025. An anxious generation Jonathan Haidt — a book aimed at parents to help children “bring childhood back into the digital age.”
The Ford government's policy of banning cell phones in schools may appeal to some of these parents, but in 2025 the government has intervened in other ways.
Education Minister Paul Calandra announced in June that the government would take control of several school boardsincluding the Toronto District School Board. Calandra said this month that he will decide early in the new year whether he will end school trustees at all.
Some parents have already noted problems communication with government-appointed leaders in their schools.
What happens next: Connected parents will be watching as government changes make their way into the classroom.
Ontario has taken control of four school boards, including the Toronto District School Board, citing “mismanagement.” CBC's Britnay Bilhete addresses frustrated community members who say the real problem is chronic underfunding of schools.
GM faces dismissal
Big changes are looming over the city of Oshawa as the midnight shift at the General Motors Oshawa plant is expected to end.but until January 30, 2026.
The change will change the lives of about 750 GM employees and nearly 1,500 people who work for auto parts suppliers.
Company announced in May that he would move to a double shift due to the “evolving trade environment” – a decision that followed US President Trump's imposition of a 25 percent tariff on auto parts.
What will happen: How will the city cope with potentially rising unemployment rates?
Oshawa native Todd Forbes is one of about 2,000 workers set to be laid off in January when General Motors cuts a third shift at its Oshawa, Ont., plant. Some are considering moving elsewhere amid high unemployment in the city and an auto industry under threat from U.S. tariffs.
The Toronto Blue Jays are very close to World Series glory.
It's a historic season for the Blue Jays. devastating end after the deciding Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a moment that broke hearts not only in Toronto but across the country.
The series had everything: from 18 inning game The final lasted over six hours with tense moments as both teams ran out of the dugout in anticipation of a fight.
Toronto shook benefits of baseball noise Restaurants, bars and other businesses joined the rush of fans during the October season.
What's next: The team was busy rebuilding its roster in the off-season. Spring training, believe it or not, starts in mid-February.
Speaking after the team's heartbreaking loss, Jays manager John Schneider thanked his team for a “great” season and congratulated the Dodgers on their victory.
Ban on the use of speed cameras
Speed cameras were removed across the province in November following Premier Doug Ford's months-long campaign against so-called Money snatch cameras.
The issue has sparked controversy among mayors of several Ontario municipalities, calling on Ford reconsider the banespecially in school zones.
The province has provided Toronto and other municipalities with large signs for camera replacement for school zones after the ban. But the city said the signs were too big for Toronto poles.
As of late November, all speed cameras in Toronto have been disabled. CBC's Lane Harrison reports on how the city went from doubling the number of speed cameras to removing them all in less than a year.
Reagan Tariff Ads
Ford made headlines again, drawing the ire of US President Donald Trump and ending trade talks between the US and Canada. provincially funded advertising against American tariffs.
The one-minute commercial was shown in the USA and was voiced former President Ronald Reagan using excerpts from a radio address he made in 1987 about free trade.
Following discussions with Prime Minister Carney in late October, Ford announced that the advertising campaign would be discontinued to resume trade negotiations.
US President Donald Trump has called an Ontario government ad featuring Ronald Reagan talking about tariffs “fake”, saying it misrepresents the speech. For The National, CBC's Ashley Fraser looks at what it compares to and why Trump is so upset.
Finch LRT opens
New light rail line opened with great fanfare because hey, it's brand new transportation in Toronto!
But then, CBC reporters and others have surpassed him, and one fast Torontonian has outdone him.
Yes, Finch trains are still used with caution – a lesson learned from Ottawa's LRT woes – but that didn't stop city council from approving the plans improve signal priority and look at other ways to make a rapid transit line faster than… a bus.
What will happen: We still don't have an opening date for the Eglinton LRT, but Torontonians have to wonder how fast the line will be when it finally opens.
The TTC's new Finch LRT has been open for a week and is experiencing service outages. As CBC's JP Gallardo explains, one Toronto resident took it upon himself to test whether the new transit line is as slow as reported.
