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This Toronto park is over 20 times bigger than Central Park and has breathtaking views
There are so many trails to explore.
You don't need to go far from Toronto to discover open air and endless trails. This massive park is a gorgeous spot for a hike, and it will have you forgetting you're anywhere near the city.
Open year-round, it's a dreamy destination to soak up the last of the fall colours, or enjoy a snowy-weather stroll once winter sets in.
Rouge National Urban Park is one of the largest urban parks in North America, according to Parks Canada, spanning Toronto, Markham, Pickering and the Township of Uxbridge.
Covering more than 19 square miles, the sprawling natural area is 23 times bigger than New York City's Central Park.
Before planning your visit, though, there are a few access restrictions to keep in mind.
The Zoo Road Day Use Area is closed for construction of a new visitor centre until 2027, and Rouge Beach and Marsh is also closed for construction. While other areas of the park remain open, some popular trailheads and parking options are affected, so it's worth checking your route before heading out.
There are several trails to choose from, with hikes ranging from a quick 15-minute stroll to a four-hour adventure. Here are a few worth adding to your bucket list:
- Vista Trail: This route is a favourite for soaking up the season's vibrant colours, thanks to its two-level viewing platform overlooking the Rouge Valley.
- Orchard Trail: You can wander through a landscape filled with wetlands and traces of the area's early European settlers, including historic orchards, former residences and a mill.
- Woodland Trail: With a mix of forests, meadows and water, this trail is a good pick if you want a more relaxed hike.
- Glen Eagles Vista Trail: Short on time? This 15- to 30-minute walk leads to a scenic lookout where you can take in views of the Rouge River and Little Rouge Creek, framed by colourful autumn leaves. Keep in mind that the Glen Eagles Vista parking lot closes seasonally from November 1 to May 1, so it's not an option for parking during an early-November visit.
- Northeast Trail: At over 10 kilometres one-way, this longer route winds through marshes and farmland. Along the way, you'll encounter seven boardwalks and a pergola overlooking the marsh.
The park offers free admission year-round and free guided walks on select days. Upcoming events include a spooky Halloween walk and an autumn senses experience.
During the winter, you can enjoy snowy hikes, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and more, so it's worth keeping this spot in mind for some cold-weather adventures.
Planning your trip from Toronto? Rouge National Urban Park has multiple access points, but getting to a specific trail may take a little extra planning right now.
For the Vista and Orchard trails, Twyn Rivers Day Use Area remains open and can be reached from the Altona Road side in Pickering.
However, parking is limited, particularly on weekends, and the walk from nearby transit stops can involve a stretch of road without a sidewalk.
Check the official Parks Canada directions and current park bulletins before leaving, as closures and access conditions can change.
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B.C. billionaire's real estate firms allege 'pattern of misconduct' by CRA in tax row
B.C. billionaire's firms fight ballooning tax bill
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Companies controlled by billionaire B.C. property developer Terry Hui allege that the Canada Revenue Agency has engaged in a "pattern of misconduct" in its attempts to collect on ballooning tax debts dating as far back as 2007.
Five companies within Hui's real estate development group are targeted in the audit by the CRA, including Adex Securities, One West Holdings, a B.C. numbered company and two Luxembourg-based shell companies.
The companies filed an application in Federal Court this month, claiming the government has wrongfully moved to collect on tax debts totalling nearly $330 million, most of which is accrued interest.
The application says the group is involved in capital-intensive real estate projects in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary and the audit, initiated in 2013, focused on transactions that relied on Canada's tax treaty with Luxembourg.
The companies say in the application that they've received tax debt assessments this year, with Adex owing $45 million and interest of more than $65 million, while the two Luxembourg based companies owe together more than $92 million and $127 million in interest.
They want the court to stop the government from collecting on the debts until a related case filed earlier this year is concluded, while objecting to the CRA wanting $115 million security payment from Adex.
Requiring a payment that large and not allowing the company to defer will cause the real estate group to "lose significant capital that is currently being used to fund active development projects."
The application is one of at least three filed in Federal Court this year related to the dispute, where they claim that being forced to pay will cause "irreparable harm" and that no advance notice from the CRA means that they "could not have reasonably planned for a debt … of this magnitude."
The companies claim the revenue agency has exhibited a "pattern of misconduct," alleging its officers acted outside established policies and procedures and "without regard to the impact of their actions on taxpayer businesses."
Lawyers for the companies were not immediately available for comment, but Justin Kutyan with KPMG Law in Toronto told The Canadian Press earlier this year that the transactions in the case were similar to a tax structure upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2021.
The court ruled 6-3 in favour of Alta Energy Luxembourg, which had claimed a tax exemption on a capital gain of more than $380 million under Canada's treaty with Luxembourg, described in the decision as being "well known as an international tax haven."
The court found in Alta's favour, ruling that Canadian tax authorities couldn't use anti-tax avoidance rules to "judicially amend or renegotiate a treaty."
The dissenting justices in the case, however, said "the federal government did not deliberately set out to create the conditions for unlimited tax avoidance by means of schemes" used by the company.
The dissenters wrote that "the court should not legitimize such blatantly abusive tax avoidance based on the view that Canada should have negotiated different treaty terms."
The CRA said it did not have a spokesperson available for an interview to comment on tax treaty abuse.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.
By Darryl Greer | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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CRA is hiring for tax jobs in Canada that pay up to $149,000 a year
There are auditor, advisor, and specialist positions.
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is hiring for tax-related positions across the country right now.
You can make up to $149,000 a year with these Government of Canada jobs.
The federal agency is looking for tax professionals to work in the Compliance Programs Branch, Legislative Policy and Regulatory Affairs Branch, and Appeals Branch to resolve complex compliance and regulatory issues.
The tax professional positions that the CRA is currently staffing are Regional Technical Advisor/Auditor, Senior Technical Specialist, Senior Technical Advisor, Regional Computer Audit Advisor, Industry Sector Specialist, Tax Appeals Case Specialist, and Appeals Policy Specialist.
If you're hired for any of these CRA jobs, the salary is between $125,309 and $149,779 per year.
The duties of the various tax jobs include:
- conducting extensive research and analysis
- interpreting policy and recommending solutions
- mentoring and providing technical guidance and expert advice on emerging, highly sensitive, or contentious tax issues
- providing direction and support to enhance program delivery within field operations
You must have a degree from a post-secondary institution with a specialization in accounting, business administration, commerce, economics, finance or tax, a post-secondary law degree, or eligibility to receive a designation from a recognized professional accounting association.
Experience requirements vary because the jobs span different branches of the CRA.
You must be willing to work overtime, travel, work evenings, weekends and statutory holidays, and work shifts or a flexible schedule.
A valid driver's license is required or personal mobility equivalent to having a driver's license.
The deadline to apply for these federal government jobs is Monday, October 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Various tax professional positions
Salary: $125,309 to $149,779
Company: Canada Revenue Agency
Who Should Apply: You need a post-secondary degree with a specialization in accounting, business administration, commerce, economics, finance or tax, a law degree from a post-secondary institution, or eligibility to receive a designation from a recognized professional accounting association.
Since the jobs are in different branches of the CRA, there are various experience requirements related to the departments.
You must be willing to work overtime, travel, work evenings, weekends and statutory holidays, and work shifts or a flexible schedule.
A valid driver's license is also required for these jobs.
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Le départ volontaire de Marie-Chantal à Big Brother fait jaser sur les réseaux sociaux
Lors de l'élimination du 31 janvier à Big Brother Célébrités, Marie-Chantal Toupin a décidé de quitter la maison d'elle-même, après avoir tenu des propos à l'égard de certaines personnalités dans l'aventure qui ont déplu aux autres participants.
Lors de l'épisode du 25 janvier, le public apprenait qu'une tension entre la chanteuse et Varda s'était installée dans le manoir après que Marie-Chantal ait passé un commentaire sur la santé mentale de Varda, en étant sous l'influence d’alcool et de médicaments.
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Après que ces événements aient semé de fortes réactions sur les réseaux sociaux, les téléspectateurs ont vu le dimanche suivant qu'elle aurait également parlé des babines de Varda à Richardson et désigné Jean-François (Rita Baga) avec une appellation discriminatoire.
Lors de cette même soirée d'éviction, elle a rencontré chacune des vedettes qu'elle a offensées afin de présenter ses excuses, tout en spécifiant qu'elle ne se souvient pas des événements. Elle a ensuite choisi de quitter.
Sur la sphère publique, le départ de Marie-Chantal est loin de passer inaperçu et plusieurs se disent contents qu'elle soit partie de son plein gré.
Des commentaires lui souhaitent d'être bien entourée et d'aller chercher de l'aide à l'extérieur afin de faire une importante introspection sur les propos qu'elle tient.
D'autres fans ne sont pas d'accord avec le fait que Marie-Chantal serait partie la tête haute et pensent plutôt que ses comportements la suivront en dehors de l'aventure.
Alors que Marie-Chantal a blessé son amie de longue date à travers ses paroles, des internautes saluent la réaction de Varda qui a su garder son calme, la conseiller et l'écouter.
Ces événements ont été comparés à ceux qui se sont produits à Occupation Double en 2020 avec la situation d'Éloïse, la candidate qui a triché en visionnant des épisodes de la saison pendant un confinement de quelques jours.
Selon les commentaires, elles auraient toutes deux posé des gestes qui mériteraient une expulsion immédiate, mais aux deux occasions, la production a plutôt laissé la décision entre les mains des candidats pour un résultat identique : un départ volontaire avant l’élimination par les pairs.