A troubling report revealed by Global News says there's a high risk a heavy truck could "punch through" the thinning deck of the Gardiner Expressway if the roadway continues to deteriorate. The report also reveals that city crews are actively engaged in preventing more chunks falling on to the road below. The surface is only 185 mm thick in places compared to 225 mm on other elevated sections of road.

The former owner of Darwin the Ikea monkey says she's worried the little macaque will miss her now he's been relocated to a sanctuary in Sunderland. In an interview with CP24, Yasmin Nakhuda said she and Darwin bonded during a trial ownership period and would even travel with her to work. She hasn't ruled out fighting to get the monkey back. "There are no books out there to teach you how to raise a monkey," she said. "I'm what's best for him." Should Darwin stay put?

Since Rob Ford's on vacation our desire for scandals leads us to London, where councillors are set to consider a motion that calls on mayor Joe Fontana to step down while a criminal case against him is pending. The charges stem from allegations Fontana used federal funds during his time as a cabinet MP to cover the cost of his son's wedding reception, something he denies.

We discussed the Beer Store monopoly in the summer but now PC leader Tim Hudak has privatized booze back in the spotlight Star columnist Martin Regg Cohn is also talking ditching the utilitarian misery boxes in favour of, shock horror, suds in convenience stores.

The plight of Darwin the monkey has reignited debate about Toronto and Canada's exotic animal laws. Devised at various times, the mix of regulations allows certain animals in some areas and not others. Should Toronto relax its exotic animal laws provided the owners are checked?

New ideas for Eglinton Avenue in preparation for the arrival of rapid transit are thinking big. Bike lanes, development proposals, and concepts for new public spaces could all be on the cards in the coming years for the previously transit-neglected stretch.

IN BRIEF:

• Toronto's budget committee takes input on how to balance budget [National Post]
• Posted notices about disciplined doctors leave public confused [CBC]
• Anti-native racism common in Toronto health care [The Star]

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Photo: "XTC" by Dominic Bugatto from the blogTO Flickr pool.