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Last Minute Vacations From Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

Quick facts.

One of Ontario’s most important and busiest airports, Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is also known as Lester B. Pearson International Airport , or simply Toronto Pearson . The airport is located in the City of Mississauga and is 22.5km northwest of downtown Toronto.

In 2006, the airport was named the best global airport by the Institute of Transport Management. Toronto Pearson has two operating terminals. In its 58 gates, Terminal 1 handles domestic, international and transborder flights. Terminal 3, with 39 gates, was built in ’91 to offset traffic from old Terminal 1 and 2. Terminal 3 was also built to house a US customs pre-clearance facility.

Considering Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area is the largest metropolitan area in Canada (approximately 25% of Canada’s population), Toronto Pearson International Airport is easy to reach from a range of different directions. This airport is close to many busy roads, including the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway (Hwy 401), and is to the east of Brampton and to the north of Mississauga.

Coming From Downtown Toronto:

• Public Transit: The ‘Airport Rocket’ provides all-day, regular accessible express bus service between Kipling Station on the Bloor-Danforth Subway and Pearson International Airport. Travel time between Union Station and the Toronto Airport would be about 45 minutes and would cost the value of a TTC ticket ($3 CAN).
• Driving: Highways 409 and 427 provide direct access to the Toronto Airport. The easiest way from downtown is as follows:
• Gardiner Expressway West to Hwy 427 North (toward 401)
• Take the Dixon Road exit. Follow airport signs

Coming From Mississauga/Brampton:

• Public Transit: GO Transit has buses running from Brampton to Pearson International. Mississauga Transit leaves from Square One Shopping Centre and Westwood Mall with trips to Pearson International.
• Driving: Take Queen Elizabeth Way via the ramp to Toronto. Merge onto 427N toward 401/Pearson. Take Dixon Road exit. Follow airport signs.

Coming From Barrie:

• Public Transit: See ‘Useful Links’ below.
• Driving: From Barrie, Pearson International is 86km and approximately 1 hour 4 minutes. Take Hwy 400 South to Hwy 401 West. Continue onto Hwy 409 West and follow signs for the airport.

Stopover Hotels & Places to Stay

Sheraton http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=692

Crown Plaza  http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/toronto/yyzca/hoteldetail

Holiday Inn http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/toronto/yyzia/hoteldetail

Hotel Indigo http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/in/1/en/hotel/yyzin

Useful Links

Parking: http://www.torontopearson.com/en/parking/

Public Transit:

• http://www.torontopearson.com/en/toandfrom/public/
• http://foundlocally.com/mississauga/Trans/Trans-AirportTransit.htm
• http://www.gotransit.com/publicroot/en/schedules/schedules.aspx

Airport Limousine and Taxi Service:

• http://www.torontopearson.com/en/toandfrom/taxilimo/

Car Rentals: http://www.torontopearson.com/en/toandfrom/carrentals/

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11 Fun Weekend Road Trips from Toronto

By: Author Jessica Lam

Posted on Published: June 27, 2020  - Last updated: September 19, 2023

Categories Ontario , Toronto

Planning some weekend road trips from Toronto to go on?

Whether you’re looking to do a last minute weekend getaway from Toronto or plan an extravagant long weekend escape, there are plenty of awesome short trips you can do near the city.

As downtown condo dwellers, Adam and I don’t have our own car, and we usually rent one.

If you’re also coming from downtown Toronto, you can typically rent a car on Expedia from Friday through Sunday for around $150, which includes unlimited mileage and free cancellation up to 6 hours before pickup.

If you’re not coming from downtown, car rentals are even cheaper!

Here are some fun and epic weekend road trips from Toronto to go on this summer, whether it’s for a quick getaway or long weekend!

Be sure to also follow me on Instagram and TikTok – I share a lot more content on those platforms that don’t make it to the blog!

If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Ontario , you might enjoy these posts:

• Searching for more road trip ideas around Ontario? Go on one of these day trips from Toronto or winter getaways in Ontario .
• In the mood for a hike? Try one of these hikes in Durham Region .
• Love visiting local farms? Check out these lavender fields in Ontario or pumpkin farms in Ontario .
• Looking for Instagrammable spots? Visit one of these Instagram-worthy spots in York Region .

Weekend trips from Toronto

1. Visit the Niagara Region

Niagara Falls is a classic destination for weekend trips from Toronto.

Stop by Horseshoe Falls, explore Clifton Hill (a street full of tourist attractions and restaurants), and hiking along the Niagara Glen.

You can also check out these other fun activities in Niagara Falls:

• Zipline over the Niagara River Gorge
• Journey Behind the Falls to see the icy falls up close
• Stop into the Butterfly Conservatory
• Head up the Skylon Tower (free entry if you dine at the restaurant)
• Take an epic helicopter flight

If you’re in the mood for a little wine tasting, stop by one of the dozens of wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake, or hit up this icewine and chocolate tasting tour or this Winter Wonderland food tour !

It’s the perfect place for a weekend road trip, but you can also spend a day trip in Niagara Falls .

Niagara Falls is a 1 hour 20 minute drive from Toronto (128 km). Drive west along the 403 and transfer to the Queen Elizabeth Way.

2. Chase waterfalls in Hamilton

Don’t let TLC tell you not to chase those waterfalls.

With over 100 waterfalls, Hamilton is known as the waterfall capital of the world.

Spend a weekend road trip hiking to waterfalls and eating at some of the best restaurants in Hamilton!

If you enjoy hiking, you should definitely do the Dundas Peak hike for the incredible views.

Activities you can do during your visit to Hamilton:

• Hike Websters Falls, Tews Falls, and Dundas Peak (a shuttle takes you to each destination on weekends)
• See other great waterfalls (Tiffany Falls, Albion Falls)
• Take in the city views at Sam Lawrence Park
• Eat at one of the amazing restaurants on King William Street

There are also a bunch of cute and Instagrammable spots in Hamilton , including Motel Restaurant and Hello Baked Sugar Shop .

Hamilton is a 50 minute drive from Toronto (69 km). Drive west along the 403.

3. Delve into the arts in Stratford

Stratford is all about arts and culture, and they’re famous for the Stratford Festival.

This Shakespeare-loving town is filled with quirky boutiques, awesome local eats (the Stratford Chef School is located here), and tons of fun things to do.

There’s even a craft brewery here called the Shakespeare Brewing Company !

Activities you can do during your visit to Stratford:

• See a show at the Stratford Festival
• Explore the Victorian buildings
• Shop at the local boutiques

Stratford is a 1 hour 40 minute drive from Toronto (149 km). Drive west along the 401 and transfer onto highway 8.

4. Explore the Bruce Peninsula

On your way from Toronto, you can explore both the South Bruce Peninsula and Northern Bruce Peninsula.

Gaze at the views of the Georgian Bay, stop by the picturesque Sauble Beach , and swim in the clear waters of the Tobermory Grotto .

You can also take the ferry to Flowerpot Island!

The nice thing about this drive is that you can break it up in the middle so it won’t be as long and grueling.

We stayed overnight in Owen Sound (about two thirds of the way) when we went to Tobermory.

I have a blog post all about how to spend a weekend road trip in Bruce Peninsula !

Tobermory is a 3 hour 30 minute drive from Toronto (296 km). Take the 410 north, then highways 10 and 6 north.

5. Go cottaging in Muskoka

If you’re looking for a more relaxing weekend getaway, hit up Muskoka aka cottage country.

Rent an Airbnb cottage for the weekend and relax at the lake, or get outside and do something active like biking, zip lining, or doing an ATV tour.

There are tons of outdoor activities you can do in Muskoka!

Muskoka is a 2 hour 25 minute drive from Toronto (222 km). Take the 400 north, then highway 11 north.

6. Hike in Algonquin Provincial Park

Algonquin Provincial Park is the perfect weekend escape if you’re looking to getaway in nature and wilderness.

It’s next to Muskoka, so you can also do them both in the same weekend.

From hiking, to canoeing, to fishing, there are plenty of fun things to do in Algonquin during the summertime.

You can also do whitewater rafting on the Madawaska River !

If you’re looking to try camping with an expert, this 2-day group camping adventure is a great option and departs from and returns to Toronto!

Oh, and if you plan on camping, be sure not to watch the horror movie Backcountry before your visit.

Algonquin Provincial Park is a 3 hour drive from Toronto (276 km). Take the 400 north, then highways 11 and 60 north.

7. Wander in the historic town of Port Hope

Port Hope is a charming little heritage town, and there are tons of fun things to do downtown all year round.

It’s also the town they filmed the It  movies in, so you can go around and find all the filming locations!

We visited while they were filming, which is why you see American flags in the photo above.

It: Chapter 2 is available on Crave Canada if you want to watch before scouting locations in Port Hope!

Port Hope is a 1 hour 10 minute drive from Toronto (107 km). Drive east along the 401.

8. Eat your way through Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County is one of the most adorable weekend getaways from Toronto.

Hit up some wineries, sunbathe at the beaches, and taste local eats in the picturesque Prince Edward County.

Here are activities you can do during your visit to PEC:

• Visit one of the 40+ wineries
• Visit the Prince Edward County Lavender Farm
• Watch a movie at the Mustang Drive-In Theatre

Stay at the Drake Devonshire, June Motel, or the Prince Edward County Church for Instagrammable accommodations.

Prince Edward County is a 2 hour 10 minute drive from Toronto (204 km). Drive east along the 401.

9. Go island hopping at the 1000 Islands

The 1000 Islands is an epic weekend getaway just a few hours east of Toronto.

There are 1864 islands divided between Canada and the U.S., and Gananoque is the Canadian gateway to the islands.

You can see the islands by boat, kayak, or helicopter, and you can even rent a weekend property on some islands!

If you’re interested in visiting, I’ve got a weekend guide to the 1000 Islands .

Otherwise, here are some fun activities you can do during your weekend at the 1000 Islands:

• Do a boat cruise around the 1000 Islands
• Kayak around the 1000 Islands
• Do a helicopter ride over the 1000 Islands
• Hike at Landon Bay (a family-friendly hiking spot)

Gananoque is a 2 hour 44 minute drive from Toronto (287 km). Drive east along the 401.

10. Explore Ottawa, the capital of Canada

While Ottawa may not sound like an exciting place to visit to Torontonians, there are actually a lot of fun things to do in Ottawa.

They’ve also got an incredible and multicultural food scene, whether you’re in the mood for shawarma or ramen .

Activities you can do during your visit to Ottawa:

• Explore the historic buildings
• Explore ByWard Market (great shopping and restaurants)
• Go river rafting along the Ottawa River

Ottawa is a 4 hour 10 minute drive from Toronto (452 km). Drive east along the 401.

11. Get cultured in Montreal

Montreal is probably around a 6 hour drive from Toronto including bathroom stops, but you can easily head up early Friday morning and later Sunday afternoon to spend a weekend there.

You’ll also want to visit one of the many incredible Montreal restaurants during your visit!

Activities you can do during your visit to Montreal:

• Explore Old Montreal (European-esque neighbourhood)
• Explore Le Plateau (hipster neighbourhood with lots of cool street art)
• Walk along the Old Port
• Attend the Osheaga Music Festival

Montreal is a 5 hour 10 minute drive from Toronto (541 km). Drive east along the 401.

Best weekend road trips from Toronto:

• Niagara Falls
• Bruce Peninsula
• Algonquin Provincial Park
• Prince Edward County
• 1000 Islands

There are plenty of awesome weekend road trips from Toronto you can go on, no matter what activities you’re interested in doing!

Sometimes we forget how great our own backyard is, and it’s nice to vacation locally every now and then.

If you’re interested, I’ve also got a blog post all about road trip tips that you might find helpful.

Will you be doing any weekend road trips from Toronto this summer? What are some of your favourite road trips to do around Ontario? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram !

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Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!

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Tours From Toronto

5-day toronto to kingston, montreal, quebec city, niagara falls, ice hotel and ottawa tour (free airport pickup) tour code : gol-tor-105a.

Departure City : Toronto ON

Available Days : Special Dates

Highlights :

• Hotel Breakfast.

5-Day Toronto to Kingston, Quebec City, Montreal, Queen's University, Niagara Falls, Olympic Park, Ice Hotel and Ottawa Tour (Free Airport Pickup) Tour code :

Highlights : Hotel Breakfast.

6-Day Toronto to Kingston, Niagara Falls, Montreal, Ottawa, Thousand Islands, Lake Ontario and Quebec Tour (Free Airport Pickup) Tour code : GOL-TOR-111A

Available Days : Tue, Fri & Sun

Highlights : Toronto

• Breakfast Included.

6-Day Toronto to Kingston, Niagara Falls, Peace Tower, Montreal, Ottawa, Thousand Islands, Parliament Hill, Lake Quebec and Ontario Tour (Free Airport Pickup) Tour code : GOL-TOR-112A

9-Day Toronto to Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa, Kings Landing, Peggy’s Cove, Charlottetown, Hopewell Rocks and Covered Bridge Potato Chip Factory Tour Tour code : GOL-TOR-113A

Available Days : Fri & Sun

Highlights : visit all the famous cities and attractions in East Canada  

• Breakfast Included

10-Day Toronto to Quebec City, Ottawa, Montreal, Thousand Islands, Niagara Falls, Charlottetown and Kings Landing Tour (Free Airport Pickup) Tour code : GOL-TOR-110

Available Days : Tue, Fri, Sun & Special Dates

Highlights : Visit all the famous cities and attractions in East Canada.  

• Hotel breakfast.

7-Day Toronto to Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston, Quebec, Montreal, New York and Niagara Falls Tour Tour code : GOL-TOR-104

Available Days :

Highlights : Immerse yourself in the beauty of Toronto, Thousand Islands, Montreal,Boston and New York famous sights. On this 7-day tour guests can also visit the Philadelphia, Washington D.C and Niagara Falls with a professional tour guide and hotel stay.

• Only the guides and drivers who have COVID 19 negative can provide services from now onwards. Drivers and Guides will wear the mask. They will disinfect the bus daily. Travelers will have to wear the mask and their temperature will be monitored regularly. Travelers will be provided with hand sanitizer and wipes. We recommend travelers to bring their own hand sanitizer also. Bus sitting will be based on the standards set by the Government.

8-Day Toronto to Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, Niagara Falls, Montreal, Quebec City and Thousand Islands CA Tour Tour code : GOL-TOR-109

Highlights : Discover the charm of Toronto, Thousand Islands, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Boston, Cambridge, New York, Charging Bull, Liberty Cruise, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Corning, Niagara Falls and much more will offer you to have a pleasant journey. 

9-Day Toronto to Montreal, Quebec, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Thousand Islands and Niagara Falls (U.S & Canadian Side) Tour Tour code : GOL-TOR-108

Highlights : Explore Thousand Island, Parliament Hill, Old Montreal, Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame, Château Frontenac, Harvard University, Quincy Market, Wall Street, Ground Zero, Fifth Avenue, Statue of Liberty, Princeton University, Independence Hall, Amish Farm, White House, Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Hill, Corning Museum of Glass, Niagara Falls, Rainbow Bridge, Skylon Tower, and CN Tower on an exciting 9-day bus tour starting from Toronto with special discounts and buy two get two tickets free offer.

9-Day From Toronto to Niagara Falls, Ottawa, 1000 Islands, Quebec City & Montreal Tour Tour code : GOL-TOR-106

Highlights : Enjoy a nine-day guided tour of Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Fredericton, Halifax, Quebec City, Saint John, Thousand Islands, Niagara Falls and numerous other attractive places.  Hotel stay at night and transport facilities are both part of the price.

Buy 2 get 3rd discounted

•    Only the guides and drivers who have COVID 19 negative can provide services from now onwards. Drivers and Guides will wear the mask. They will disinfect the bus daily. Travelers will have to wear the mask and their temperature will be monitored regularly. Travelers will be provided with hand sanitizer and wipes. We recommend travelers to bring their own hand sanitizer also. Bus sitting will be based on the standards set by the Government.

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15 beach weekend escapes from Toronto to add to your summer list

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Beach weekend escapes from Toronto are a perfect excuse to escape the city and cool off in the waters of one of Ontario's many lakes.

While there are plenty of beaches in Toronto that you can visit on a steamy summer day, these beaches outside of the city make for a more peaceful reprieve from the city atmosphere.

Here are my picks for some beach weekend escapes from Toronto you can take this summer.

Perhaps one of the most popular beach getaways from Toronto is this beach town on the shores of Lake Huron, with a reputation as a party spot. Occasional rowdy crowds aside, you can't go wrong with a trip to Grand Bend's sandy shores.

Fifty Point Beach

Located less than an hour outside of Toronto, this conservation area and beach proves a quiet, peaceful respite from the city noise. You can opt to waste the day away on the sand, hike the 3.7 km loop, or splash around in the water — it's all up to you.

As the name would imply, this provincial park three hours outside of Toronto in Prince Edward County is home to sweeping sand dunes that taper into soft, sandy beaches which get crowded on the weekends (and it's not hard to see why.)

Wasaga Beach

Undoubtedly one of Ontario's most popular beach towns, this spot located two hours north of Toronto boasts more than 14km of sandy shorelines where you can work on your tan.

Wasaga Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Ontario for a summer getaway. Photo by Shutterstock.

Sauble Beach

It's no surprise that this beach, three hours outside of Toronto, is frequently rated the best freshwater beach in Canada — its long stretches of soft white sand and turquoise waters, accompanied by great restaurants and shops, make for a perfect weekend getaway.

Port Stanley

This dreamy beach town on the shores of Lake Erie is home to some of the cleanest and safest water in the country for swimming, not to mention the absolutely adorable beach houses that dot the shoreline.

Point Pelee National Park

Take a stroll along an extensive floating boardwalk before hitting the expansive sandy shores of this national park that's just over three hours outside of Toronto. If you enjoy long walks on the beach, this is the one for you — the beach here seems to stretch on forever.

Burley Beach

Located in Pinery Provincial Park just north of Grand Bend, this beach is a perfect option if you want to dip your toes into the pristine waters of Lake Huron free from the hustle-bustle of its more heavily frequented neighbour.

Burley Beach is a more peaceful retreat on Lake Huron than its neighbour, Grand Bend. Photo by Shutterstock.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park

One of the most ecologically diverse places along the Lake Huron shoreline, you can stroll through a forest therapy trail to lift your spirits before taking a dip at one of the park's breathtaking beaches.

Harmony Beach

If the name of this Northern Ontario beach alone doesn't elicit an immediate sense of calm, one look at its soft sandy expanses, densely forested shorelines, and deep sapphire waters most definitely will. It might be a further trip from the city, but it's well worth it.

Dwight Beach

This hidden gem in the heart of Muskoka is a peaceful retreat from smoggy summer days in the city. Located three hours north of Toronto on Lake of Bays, you can't go wrong with a weekend retreat here.

Point Clark Beach

One glance at the turquoise waters at this beach on Lake Huron might have you thinking you accidentally stumbled upon a tropical paradise, but don't be fooled — you've only travelled three hours west of the city. Also home to a historic lighthouse and waterfront activities, this is a perfect spot for a weekend retreat.

Point Clark Beach is home to stunningly blue waters. Photo by Shutterstock.

Long Point Beach

The name is no exaggeration: this beach is home to a 40 km-long sandspit stretching out into Lake Erie. Recognized as a  UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve , sublime nature can be found at every turn when you visit this beach three hours outside of the city.

Wolfe Island

A short ferry ride from Kingston's waterfront will find you on this breathtaking island on the St. Lawrence River. You'll find a secluded getaway at Big Sandy Bay Beach, which is only accessible via 1.3 km hike and requires a $15 park entrance fee, which is beyond worth it.

One of the lesser-known beaches in the province, this quaint beach town just south of Chatham is located on a tiny peninsula. You'll be likely to experience lower crowds during your visit alongside shallow waters and a mini-lighthouse.

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Toronto summer tourism still recovering as international travel lags

New report says 2023 saw tourism reach close to pre-pandemic numbers, but more growth needed this summer.

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Toronto's tourism industry is still in post-pandemic recovery and projecting how the season will look is difficult even as summer officially kicks off, a leading tourism association says. 

Factors like an affordability crisis are causing travellers to book trips with less notice than they used to, making predictions difficult, according to Destination Toronto, an industry association funded in part by the city.

While people used to book trips months in advance, Destination Toronto's CEO Andrew Weir says they're now waiting until they have greater certainty of their financial situation.

One positive is the city is seeing lots of travel from within the country, but after the pandemic decimated tourism, international travel still isn't where it was, says Weir.

"A lot of our major overseas international markets are still not all the way back," he said, adding travel from the United States is also at about three quarters of what it was. 

"Toronto really is dependent on all of those engines firing at full strength and when only some of them are, then it leaves some gaps."

But things have been trending in the right direction. A report released by the Destination Toronto earlier this month said visitor volume in the city in 2023 reached within five per cent of pre-pandemic 2019 levels, while visitor spending was slightly higher than 2019. The higher dollar amount in 2023 was driven up by inflation, the report notes.

Year-over-year visitor growth was about five per cent through the first fourth months of 2024, but Weir says it's been flat through May and June so far. 

"Flat is not good right now because we're still in recovery mode. We need to be in growth mode," Weir said.

In particular, Toronto isn't seeing as many travellers from China as it used to, he says. In 2019, Toronto saw more than 300,000 Chinese visitors, but is now seeing only a quarter of that. 

Weir believes the dip in Chinese travellers can partially be blamed on  diplomatic tensions between Canada and the country. 

Hotels say business is good, tour guides see slump

On top of that, fewer people are booking walking and cycling tours than last year, says Jason Kucherawy, president of the Tourist Guide Association of Toronto.

"Trends in travel change. I think people are looking for more personalized experiences. They're looking for ways to not feel so much like a tourist," he said. 

"A lot more people are just going to cities and relying on Google to get them around and online apps to give them information. But what they're missing out on is that actual connection, the person-to-person connection."

On the hospitality side, things are looking better, according to the Greater Toronto Hotel Association.

Sara Anghel, the association's CEO, said business travel has been lagging a bit but she's confident her industry will see growth this summer with Canada Day coming up, the Canadian National Exhibition in August and the Toronto International Film Festival in September. 

Looking further ahead, there's also something happening in November that should bring lots of business for hotels: Taylor Swift's the Eras tour. 

She said rooms may be hard to find downtown for that event, but people should take advantage of all the hotels in surrounding areas like Markham or Mississauga. 

"We have many, many hotels connected to our public transit," she said. 

Operators outside Toronto struggling

In other parts of the province, tourism operators are still struggling, according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. 

Claudia Dessanti, the chamber's director of policy, says coming out of the pandemic, the expectation was the industry province-wide wouldn't recover until 2025 and that still looks to be the case. 

"Inflation is a serious concern because the costs for [tourism] operators are going up, but the spending capacity of visitors and the economy is not keeping up," she said. "Last year we did see an uptick in spending, but still the costs are outpacing that. 

• Ontario's tourism sector won't fully recover from pandemic until 2025, report says
• Downtown Toronto's pandemic recovery lags behind other cities, data shows

Another challenge is that the rebound of economic activity has mostly been concentrated to the larger cities, leaving smaller places struggling, she says.

"Ontario is such a diverse province, one thing that we want to always keep front of mind is that the vibrancy of the smaller and rural communities in the province sometimes gets lost in the conversation."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lane Harrison is a journalist with CBC Toronto. Born and raised in Toronto, he previously worked for CBC New Brunswick in Saint John. You can reach him at [email protected]

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