LATEST STORIES

Ceasefire Now!

BY THE GRIND EDITORS

Mass slaughter is happening in our names. We must call for it to end. That means keeping the pressure on governments and institutions.

Watching the Destruction of Gaza from Here

BY FARAH QADAN

The last few weeks have only shown a concentrated microcosm of the abuses Palestinians have endured for 75 years, writes Farah Qadan. Qadan moved to Canada with her family from Gaza in 2006, just before Israel and Egypt's 16-year siege of Gaza began. 

A Space to Be Honest and True

BY PHILLIP DWIGHT MORGAN

 It’s Ok* Studios is helping Black artists invest in themselves and the community

Kensington’s Encampments

BY MEGAN KINCH

The city and some neighbours won’t let encampment residents simply live. Now, an application for a pollinator garden threatens to lead to an eviction of a well-established encampment.

Beauty and the Hypebeast

BY CHARLENE K. LAU

No Hurrahs for KAWS at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)

Opinion: Protesting Against Israel's Genocide of Palestinians Isn't Antisemitic

BY ANNA LIPPMAN

Anna Lippman, a member of Independent Jewish Voices, calls out the dangerous conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism that is prevalent in Toronto and beyond.


Opinion: Canada's Political and Media Class Are Endorsing Israel's War Crimes Against Palestinians

BY BĀSSEL ABDEL-QADER

Who is Louie Sanchez?

BY ROSIE LONG DECTER

Getting to know the artist queering Filipino harana songs.

No Convictions for Encampment Defenders

BY JAZZY KIESER

Two years after the Toronto police brutally evicted the encampment at Lamport Stadium, the six civilians facing charges from that day were given "absolute discharges," meaning no convictions were entered and no conditions are required. Twenty-five trespass tickets were also withdrawn. Jazzy Kieser givers her account of the drawn-out ordeal.

Taking Action on Climate

BY DAVID GRAY-DONALD

The climate is changing, and we play a role in how extreme things will get. So, what do we do?

The Grind's Comics Editor Olea Kim Recommends: Roaming

BY OLEA KIM

A review of the new graphic novel.

Gas Plant Plans

BY DAVID GRAY-DONALD

Ontario is increasing its reliance on fossil gas for electricity, expanding the Toronto Portlands facility.

A Rare Opportunity

BY THE GRIND EDITORS

With a new mayor in office, there are big opportunities, but only if we keep pushing.

Workers Continue Labour Day Tradition in Toronto

BY ANDRIA BABBINGTON

Toronto’s Labour Day Parade has its beginnings in a labour struggle in 1872 and the work isn't done yet, writes Andria Babbington, President of the Toronto & York Region Labour Council.

Editors' Letter: Keeping Print Alive in Toronto

BY FERNANDO ARCE, DAVID GRAY-DONALD, PHILLIP DWIGHT MORGAN

When The Grind launched last fall, we weren’t sure if there was an appetite in Toronto for an unabashedly political free print paper that also showcases the arts scene outside the commercial mainstream. We were blown away by your support! Now, to really thrive and grow, The Grind needs to raise $25,000 by the end of July.


Hot New Fiction & Poetry

We asked staff at Another Story Bookshop on Rocesvalles for their fiction and poetry recommendations for summer reading.

OPINION: Olivia Chow's Troubling Start as Toronto's Mayor

BY DAVID GRAY-DONALD

From the corporate-friendly inauguration speech to not immediately acting to shelter asylum seekers, what can we learn from the new mayor's first five days? 

Shelter Hotel Residents Call On New Mayor Olivia Chow to Stop Evictions

BY FERNANDO ARCE

On Olivia Chow's first day as Toronto's mayor, Strathcona Hotel residents being pushed around in the city's shelter system call for immediate action.

Comics Page

Original comics by Patrick Kyle and Christine Wong, in the Summer Issue 2023. Edited by Olea Kim.

How to Take on the Next Mayor
BY THE GRIND EDITORS

Depending on who is steering the ship, we'll need to take different approaches to see real improvements in the city.

Myst Milano is Everywhere this Summer
BY RICHARD TRAPUNSKI

Iconic producer, rapper and DJ shares their fave live acts in the Toronto Queer scene.

Rent Strikes!
BY FERNANDO ARCE

Tenants across the city are taking action on stop landlords from pushing rents even higher, using one of the most potent (and difficult) tactics.

Empowering Fits
BY NICKITA LONGMAN

Trend-setting Anishinaabe fashion designer Lesley Hampton talks her new line, the biz, and the importance of centring community.

What's Next for the Strong Mayor Powers?

BY FERNANDO ARCE

Will Toronto’s new mayor use the new “strong mayors” powers previously granted by Premier Doug Ford to former mayor John Tory? Should they? And for what? These questions are important, but overshadowing them is Ford and his conservative government.

The Mayoral Race

BY DAVID GRAY-DONALD

Leading up to June 26, the big question is whether anyone can catch up to Olivia Chow. And if so, who?

Attacks on Trans Rights Are Only The Beginning

BY MATTEO L. CERILLI

Every trans person has a different experience with their gender, but at the end of the day, we all want one thing: the power to make our own choices.

First Stop the Greedy, Then Call for Help

Electoral First Aid from The Grind

Despite the popular myth, it's not always the most qualified and trustworthy candidate with the best ideas who wins an election...

Indigenous History Recs
BY THE GRIND

These books, films, and podcasts tell powerful stories of Indigenous life, resistance, and thriving with a focus on the land.

Don't call it a Crisis
BY RICARDO TRANJAN


The “housing crisis” has been a recurring story in Canadian news for over 70 years. Which begs the question: if it is something so persistent, does it really fit the definition of a crisis?

Annex Tenants Still in Limbo After 2019 Renoviction
BY GEORDIE DENT 

In 2019, tenants living at 11 Walmer Rd. were renovicted, meaning they were forced to leave their homes in the rental building in the Annex neighbourhood to allow the landlord to do major renovations.

More Hot Air from Big Oil

BY DAVID GRAY-DONALD

Canada’s biggest oil sands companies, banding together as the Pathways Alliance, are getting called out for misleading advertising.

CYCLING: Know Your Rights!
BY DAVE SHELLNUT, THE BIKING LAWYER

As you pull your bike out of storage, here’s a legal rights refresher to ensure safe and fun cycling all season long. You should hit the streets conf ident that you are aware of your rights, and knowing what to do if a collision occurs.

Advice from a Bike Mechanic

We asked Sanjay Patel, bike mechanic at Cyclemania on the Danforth, for tips on getting your bike ready to ride.

WWW: What We're Watching
BY THE GRIND

While many of our favourite TV shows came to an end last year (Ozark and Killing Eve, we miss you!) there are plenty of shows both new and ongoing that have piqued our interest. Here are some of the shows we’re most excited about:

Five Dramatic Ways the Toronto Theatre Scene has changed
 BY GLENN SUMI

Poll any devoted Toronto theatregoer (i.e., someone who knows that the scene consists of a lot more than Hamilton and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), and they’ll tell you things feel a lot different than they did even a decade ago. But how? And why? That’s what I tried to figure out...

TORONTO HARDCORE LEGENDS FUCKED UP BUILD ON THEIR GALVANIZING SOUND ONE DAY AT A TIME
BY TABASSUM SIDDIQUI

"It really does seem like in the last 10 to 15 years, the focus has really changed from Toronto being a weird, cool place to just a sort of cold, sterile assembly of condos..."

SPORTS SHORTS
BY THE GRIND

Updates on the Raptors, Jays, Leafs and Canadian Women's Soccer Team.

CROSSWORD
BY EMMA LAWSON

Are you loquacious logophile? A silver-tongued sleuth? The Grind is back with another crossword to keep you ____________.

HOROSCOPES
BY LEE SUKSI

Horoscopes for all signs, in the May/June 2023 Issue.

Event Listings (Feb + March 2023)
BY THE GRIND

Sound artist apé from the electronic duo Phèdre shares NINE must see events in February and March.
 

Support The Grind

The magazine is free, but it costs a lot to make. Support from readers like you goes a long way to keeping the publication alive. You can support:
 

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