According to the The Star, a new poll says Toronto is split on how to finance a downtown relief line. 45 per cent of respondents said they were willing to pay for the infrastructure with a $50 annual property tax hike, while 40 per cent said they were opposed. 15 per cent said they weren't sure. The proposed line would connect Pape and King stations to take pressure off the Yonge line. Does these results surprise you? Where do you stand on a property tax hike for transit?

The 108th annual Santa Claus parade brought festive cheer to late November this weekend. The parade, which featured Rob Ford handing out candy canes, ran from Christie Pits Park to the St. Lawrence Market. CTV helpfully notes the candies were stored in a "reusable black canvas bag." The parade was shown on TV in New Zealand, Norway and Ireland, apparently. We'll have pictures shortly.

Doug Ford defended his "workaholic" brother on a special solo edition of their weekly this weekend. Guest starring councillor Frances Nunziata while Ford was busy on parade duty, the show featured a justification of the mayor's dedication to time spent coaching the Don Bosco Eagles. Is the coaching justified now his team is seeing success?

Speaking of councillors, the Toronto Taxpayers Coalition, a group dedicated to monitoring municipal spending, has handed out report cards for each member of the 45-person council, rating them A+ to F. Doug Holyday, Cesar Palacio and Denzil Minnan-Wong all received the top grade. Rob Ford got a B.

The reversible centre lane on Jarvis Street is set for its first major workout this morning. Two bike lanes made way for the additional vehicle lane, which has been open since Saturday. Perhaps the hardest pill to swallow for cyclists still smarting from the loss: the reappearance of on-street parking on the west side of Jarvis. Will you use the street if you commute by car? Will you still ride if you're a cyclist?

Also in transportation, the Spadina streetcar is back this morning between King and Bloor streets. The TTC was replacing sections of track on the street and renovating stations.

The Toronto Sun's fixation with Christmas trees and what people choose to call them continued this weekend. Coverage of the Eton Centre's weirdo pink tree made the front page this Sunday.

Finally, in case you missed it this weekend, the Toronto Argonauts are heading to the Grey Cup thanks to their closely-fought win over the Montreal Alouettes Sunday. The championship game will be played against the Calgary Stampeders at Rogers Centre next weekend.

IN BRIEF:

• Toronto public school board ponders selling land from 127 school playgrounds [The Star]
• Loved ones voice more concerns about Sunnybrook veterans [CBC]
• TTC reinstates 'brave' streetcar driver suspended for chasing assault suspect [National Post]

FROM THE WEEKEND:

• Mighton's The Little Years bends time and space
• Shrunken heads, 2-headed calf at Toronto auction
• That time when Toronto went stadium crazy
• New Ryerson gallery unveils world-class photography
• Flash Forward 2012 showcases new photography talent
• This Week in Theatre
• This Week In Comedy
• Toronto butcher makes over 60 varieties of sausage
• Sunday Supplement: Nathan Phillips Square, streetcars, and the Beach Motel
• City Hall gets a zip line (for a limited time)

Photo: "18/365 - ROM" by mcdux from the blogTO Flickr pool.