Thousands of people are expected to pay their respects to Jack Layton today as he lays in state at Toronto's City Hall today. Invited guests are expected to arrive as early as 8 a.m. this morning, while the public are allowed to visit and sign a book of condolences from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. As the hearse made its way into the city from Ottawa, dozens of horns honked and people were heard applauding and shouting, "We love you, Jack." As many as 10,000 people paid their respects in Ottawa, and I would expect an even larger turnout in Toronto.

Margaret Atwood wants everyone to know she doesn't think the twin Fordmayor(s) are stupid, and Doug Ford appreciates that. At a launch for the library union's next stage in their campaign to save libraries, Atwood told reporters,"Don't make the mistake of thinking the Fords are stupid. So given that they're not stupid, they will think this through." Ford's response: "I appreciate Ms. Atwood saying that, but I also appreciate she's a very smart lady. She should go in and find efficiencies for us." And so the weirdest verbal sparring continues...

Not surprising that the Sun would report on this. Okay, so there's a topless protest going on Sunday at Ashbridges Bay because this group that's inspired by space aliens or something wanted to have a National Go Topless Day there, but the City rejected their permit, so now they're going to go around topless anyway. The city suggested Hanlan's Point, but the group was offended: apparently, there's a big difference between going topless and going nude (no need to state exactly what that is).

Apparently if you bike or walk to work, you're a lot happier than those who drive to work. This is according to a recent study by Statistics Canada who released a study on travel time to work. Two-thirds of cyclists are satisfied with their commute, while only six per cent are not. But I'm sure that number might grow once the city rids itself of some bike lanes.

IN BRIEF:

• Lots of road closures this weekend
• F1 tornado confirmed between Cambridge and Burlington
• Jays beaten by Royals
• Ontario picks up the tab for new French school in Etobicoke

Photo by arcticlamb in the blogTO Flickr pool