The Night the Blue Jays Won — and What It Showed Me About a Connected Ontario

How One Train Ride Captured the Power of Connection and Shared Prosperity

A Train Full of Joy

I was driving my train the night the Blue Jays won.

When I pulled into Union and St. Andrew stations, the platforms were packed with fans — waving flags, singing, cheering, high-fiving strangers. The train filled up with that contagious energy — a sea of blue, laughter, and celebration moving together through the city.

That ride wasn’t just memorable because of baseball. It was a glimpse into how powerful connection can be — how moments of shared joy bring people together, and how movement itself becomes part of the story.

The Ripple Effect of a Single Game

Toronto came alive that night.

Hotels filled up, restaurants overflowed, and every transit route pulsed with excitement. During this playoff run, local hotels saw bookings jump by 22%, and restaurants near Rogers Centre reported up to 15% more business than usual. Experts estimate Toronto could earn tens of millions in local revenue from these games alone.

That’s the impact of one connected event — when a city moves together, its economy moves too.

Now imagine what happens when that connection expands beyond Toronto.

What if Games Were Played Across Ontario?

Imagine playoff or qualifying games held in Hamilton, Ottawa, Kitchener-Waterloo, Kingston, or Sudbury — all connected by fast, reliable trains.

• Fans could follow their team across the province.
• Hotels in smaller cities would see record bookings.
• Local restaurants and retailers would thrive.
• Transit systems would stay busy long after the final pitch.

When Ontario is connected, every community wins — not just the host city.

A Connected Ontario Means Shared Prosperity

Connectivity isn’t just about trains. It’s about giving everyone access to opportunity. It means:

• Fans can explore new cities before or after games.
• Businesses see growth from increased tourism.
• Communities gain visibility and pride.

This is what Ontario Connected stands for — a future where hosting one major event sparks economic benefits across the entire province.

The Vision

A concert in Ottawa. A championship in Hamilton. A major festival in Sudbury. All easily accessible, all supported by fast intercity connections. A future where Ontario’s cities don’t compete — they collaborate.

That night, surrounded by cheering Blue Jays fans on my train, I saw what’s possible: When Ontario plays together, Ontario wins.