By Jerad Gallinger

Federal deficit hits $50B as economy crumbles (Toronto Star): “Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s startling revelation that the federal budget deficit has skyrocketed beyond $50 billion has deepened opposition impatience over the Harper government’s handling of the economy and the country’s crumbling finances.” [More from the Globe. Previous coverage on Torontoist: Once More, With Feeling.]
Your (Metro)pass to top attractions (Toronto Sun): “Starting this summer, a TTC Metropass might get you into more than a subway station. As of Canada Day, it will also score you discounts of up to 20% at the Toronto Zoo, CN Tower, Ontario Science Centre, Casa Loma and Ontario Place, thanks to a new, cross-marketing initiative, dubbed Metropass Hot Dealz.”
Building bike lanes good for business: report (CBC): “Storeowners on streets redesigned to incorporate bicycle lanes have complained that a loss of on-street parking would translate into a loss of business. But a recent study of the Annex neighbourhood has revealed some surprising results.” [Previous coverage on Torontoist: Four Wheels Good, Two Wheels Bad.]
Council votes to force large stores to have public washrooms (Toronto Star): “When retailers larger than 3,230 square feet go to renew their licences, they’ll get a notice that the Ontario Building Code requires their washrooms be open to the public, and have signs.” [More from the National Post.]
Ontario to unveil cap-and-trade plan (Globe and Mail): “The Ontario government will unveil plans today to adopt a cap-and-trade system as part of its plan to combat climate change. Ontario becomes the third province that would require companies to register their levels of greenhouse gas emissions.”
Does Caledon mansion belong to Elton John? (Toronto Star): “The house may be larger than 20,000 square feet. It is mostly obscured by trees and it is surrounded by barbed wire. Though nobody in its vicinity seems to have actually seen John there, much of the town appears convinced it belongs to him.”