Keith Raniere, leader of the secretive cult NXIVM, was sentenced to 120 years in prison Tuesday in New York City. What a revealing saga about the nature of humanity’s villains and victims.

Much support for motion to approve C-19 recovery plan

City Council is meeting into the evening. It’s heard a proposal from James Pasternak (Ward 6) to ask the province once again about tolls on the DVP and Gardiner. But Mr. Pasternak then withdrew his suggestion.

Call it a big lie or just slightly hysterical business promotion, but this kissy-kissy story from Toronto Storeys sees high-rise development in Leaside as a boon to the community. It begins:

Toronto’s historically-exclusive Leaside neighbourhood, beloved for its Bayview strip, many a small business, and an overall elegant vibe, is becoming more accessible, and arguably, more desirable, thanks to a handful of shiny new condo developments and the anticipated Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit (LRT) line.

City Council has voted to hold a byelection early next year to fill the vacancy left by former Ward 22 member Jim Karygiannis. He was removed from Council last month after a lengthy court battle over his 2018 campaign expenses. The date for the byelection is not yet been set by but the earliest it could be held is Monday, January 11, 2021. The vote today was unanimous.

BNN says that Sobey’s is likely to raise fees to suppliers following decisions by Loblaws, Metro and Walmart to do so in previous weeks. The increases are seen by some as likely to cause suppliers to raise their prices. Sobeys next in line to hike supplier fees after Loblaw, Metro: Analysts

Paul Hellyer will be the guest at Manor Road United Church Seniors and Allies at the Manor this Friday. The meeting runs from 1 to 3 p.m. at the church, 240 Manor Road. Among other topics, Mr. Hellyer will speak on his latest book, Liberated! The Economics of Hope. For Zoom coordinates and any questions, contact Manor Road: manorroaduc@gmail.com

Results released in recent hours reveal that the Oxford University lab has produced a prototype vaccine that looks like it will be a knockout blow to C-19. The federal government has ordered 20 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, which will be sold by AstraZeneca. Eric Sorensen tells this heartening story.

Emergency services are attending to a natural gas leak caused by a contractor near or at the corner of Duplex Ave and Craighurst Ave Tuesday morning. Police have closed roads in the area. 

GAS LEAKS: (ROAD CLOSURE)
Duplex Ave + Craighurst Ave
– w/b at Craighurst from Rosewell blocked#GO2036524
^ep2

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) October 27, 2020

Marci Ien, former CTV presenter

Annamie Paul , leader of the Green Party

With 41.7% of polls reporting in Toronto Centre.

INCREDIBLY strong showing by Green Party of Canada leader Annamie Paul in what was supposed to be a "safe" Liberal riding that Morneau won with 57.4% via @ElectionsCan_E #cdnpoli #TorontoCentre
cc @CanadianGreens @AnnamiePaul pic.twitter.com/Gy26bNdiWR

— Jim Harris (@JimHarris) October 27, 2020

Byelections are being held Monday in the downtown riding of Toronto Centre and in the North York riding of York Centre. In Toronto Centre, recently vacated by Finance Minister Bill Morneau, former CTV presenter Marci Ien is battling it out with the new national Green Party leader Annamie Paul. CBC

The OLG says that the weekend’s $14.2 million Lotto 649 ticket was sold in Brampton. An additional $1 million prize was also won by a ticket sold in Oakville. Stay tuned.

British special forces have ended an apparent hijacking scheme by seven stowaways off the Isle of Wight.  Authorities seem uncertain about the ultimate purpose of the hijacking.

A ticket holder in Ontario has won Saturday night’s $14.2 million Lotto 649 jackpot. The draw’s guaranteed $1 million prize also went to a lottery player in Ontario. The jackpot for the next Lotto 649 draw on October 28 will be approximately $5 million.

NDP win a majority in British Columbia

John Horgan’s NDP has won a majority in British Columbia. Horgan is now free to run the province without the support of the Green Party.  The victory may factor into BC’s position on the Trans Mountain Pipeline to the Pacific. The Green splinter members regularly threatened to bring down the government. With more than 80 percent of the polls reporting results, the NDP had won enough seats to form a majority government. The final count won’t be available for three weeks due to the record number of ballots cast by mail, which have not been counted. The New Democrats won 53 seats, the Liberals 27 seats and the Greens three. Four ridings were too close to call.

Lee Kun-Hee, driving force behind Samsung’s rise, dies at 78

Korean electronics magnate took Samsung from a two-bit firm to the world’s largest manufacturer of smartphones.  Euronews