Maple Express | September 29, 2026 — Stelco to lay off 350 steelworkers at Hamilton plant

Source: CP24

1. Stelco to lay off 350 steelworkers at Hamilton plant

The union representing steelworkers at Stelco has confirmed to CTV News that 350 employees at the company's plant in Hamilton, Ont., will be laid off. United Steelworkers Local 1005 verified the planned layoffs on Monday afternoon but did not provide further details. Stelco declined an interview, but in a statement to BNN a spokesperson said its Hamilton Works facility is idling its finishing operations while continuing to concentrate steel production at Lake Erie. The spokesperson said job opportunities at Lake Erie Works will be offered to Hamilton employees, and that a significant number of those affected are expected to be absorbed there. Overall production volume will not be affected, though the product mix will change, with a higher concentration of hot rolled steel products. U.S.-based steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs acquired Stelco Holdings in a $3.4-billion deal in 2024. A spokesperson for Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli said the Ford government will “use every tool we have” to help affected workers, including increasing funding at Hamilton's POWER Centre by nearly 50 per cent. Premier Doug Ford publicly criticized Stelco's owners last August, accusing them of “signing away” Canadian steel. The U.S. imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Canadian steel imports on Aug. 22.

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2. Trump says he expects a Canada trade deal within weeks as import ban looms

Just hours before import bans on certain Canadian goods were set to take effect, U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he thinks he can make a trade deal with Canada in the coming weeks. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he thinks the Canadian side will contact him in the next three or four weeks, and that the United States will “win everything.” The bans — which mainly affect some alcoholic drinks, dairy byproducts and motorcycles — were set to begin at 12:01 a.m. ET Tuesday, the latest escalation of the trade war. The office of Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said it takes note of the coming into force of the administration's previously announced measures, adding that Ottawa's first priority remains protecting Canadian workers, farmers, families and businesses, and on building strength at home and diversifying partnerships abroad. Negotiations fell apart in late August, with both countries claiming the other added last-minute changes to the deal. Prime Minister Mark Carney accused U.S. negotiators of attempting to restrict Canada's ability to negotiate other trade deals and to curb its protections for language and culture. The U.S. then used Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to hit an array of Canadian goods with 50 per cent tariffs, prompting Ottawa to respond with its own tariffs.

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3. Internal Montreal police documents describe 'radicalized' subculture among officers

Newly released internal briefing notes say a “radicalized” subculture formed among officers at a Montreal police station in a multicultural neighbourhood before it was rocked by allegations of racism and criminal misconduct. The documents, obtained by The Canadian Press through access to information legislation, are part of a package prepared for Montreal police chief Fady Dagher's appearance before a municipal public safety committee in August. The internal records confirm police had enough evidence to take action against members of the patrol unit a day before they dismantled it and informed the public late on a Friday night in mid-June. Draft speaking notes say a subculture was developing within the patrol unit, involving “a marginalized fringe of our employees who were radicalized” and who resisted efforts to eliminate misconduct and change the force's culture. The documents indicate one allegation under review concerns officers who allegedly cut the hair of racialized civilians to keep as trophies. Police said Monday they had sent the evidence to Quebec prosecutors, who will determine whether criminal charges should be laid. On the evening of June 12, all 16 members of the unit were disarmed — two were suspended, three reassigned to administrative duties and 11 relocated; by mid-August, four officers had been suspended.

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4. Female sexually assaulted at Scarborough park, suspect at large

Toronto police are searching for a male suspect after a female was sexually assaulted at a park in Scarborough over the weekend. Police say the incident happened on Sunday near Kingston Road and Rouge River, and that they were called to the area at around 3 p.m. for a sexual assault. Investigators say the female was walking along the Mast Trail, within the Rouge River Park pathway, when an unknown male approached her and sexually assaulted her. The suspect is described as a male with a dark brown complexion, dark brown eyes and bushy eyebrows, last seen wearing a black ski mask and black gloves. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sex Crimes Unit at 416-808-7474 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

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5. Tesla driver outstanding after allegedly hitting 2 police officers in Oshawa

Police in Durham Region are searching for a 23-year-old man after a Tesla SUV struck two officers during an investigation in Oshawa. Police say the incident happened at around 1 a.m. on Sept. 22, when officers on proactive patrol spotted a separate vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed without its lights on near Simcoe Street North. Officers tried to stop the vehicle, identified as an Acura sedan, but the driver fled. The Acura was later found abandoned in a residential driveway, and the driver was located allegedly hiding in a backyard. Police say the driver was allegedly under conditions prohibiting him from driving and requiring him to remain at his residence overnight; officers also found a replica firearm and drugs inside the vehicle. As officers continued their investigation, a Tesla SUV entered the area at a high rate of speed. Police tried to speak with its driver after it stopped, but the SUV then reversed, hitting two officers before fleeing. One officer was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, while the second suffered minor injuries. Investigators identified the Tesla driver as 23-year-old Yaseen Waggan, of Ajax, who is wanted on several charges, including flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation of a conveyance, assault causing bodily harm, failing to identify himself and failing to remain, and two counts of failing to comply with a release order.

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6. Chaos breaks out at Ontario university's Homecoming celebration

Homecoming weekend at the University of Guelph put people's safety at “serious risk,” leading to “several” criminal charges and a strain on the city's emergency department, according to officials. Police say thousands turned out Saturday for an unsanctioned street party on Chancellors Way that descended into chaos. Guelph Police said that as the situation escalated and the risk to public safety increased, additional resources — including members of its Tactics and Rescue Unit — were deployed to assist frontline officers and emergency responders working within the crowd, helping restore order. Police also laid several charges related to Homecoming, including causing a disturbance and alcohol-related offences. Guelph General Hospital said approximately 60 people were hurt, with head injuries caused by thrown bottles, lacerations and intoxication. Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie said in a video posted to social media that what he saw and heard was “not good” and that he is “beyond upset” after emergency responders had bottles thrown at them and businesses had windows smashed. University of Guelph president Rene Van Acker said in a statement Monday that the school is “deeply disappointed” and clear that “this cannot happen again,” adding it will work with community partners to review the events and strengthen prevention measures.

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7. Ontario transparency watchdog warns government is dodging its orders

Ontario's transparency watchdog is warning that the government is dodging its orders more frequently, including orders that would shed light on how a multi-billion-dollar government fund pushed grants to supporters. The Information and Privacy Commissioner said it is powerless to stop the evasion of its legal orders because, unlike in other provinces, it cannot take government agencies to court. In one example, Ontario's Ministry of Labour was ordered to respond by Aug. 21 to nine freedom of information requests by CTV News relating to the operation of the Skills Development Fund, which were initially filed in September 2025. The ministry has not responded. That is the same fund where reporting revealed troubling spending: the province sent over $100 million to clients of a lobbyist who managed Doug Ford's campaign, millions to a company connected to the Ford family's dentist, and $10 million to a numbered company. Ontario's auditor general previously found the administration of the fund was “not fair, transparent, or accountable.” Opposition leaders Marit Stiles and John Fraser both said the government is avoiding accountability and transparency. James Turk, director of the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University, called it “preposterous” for the government to claim it is complying with the law while ignoring orders, calling it a “boldly anti-democratic move.”

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8. Quebec candidates have six days left to make their pitch before election day

Election day is less than a week away in Quebec. Candidates have six days left to pitch to voters ahead of election day on Oct. 5, and advance polls closed on Monday evening. Talk of possible U.S. interference in the election continued to swirl going into the final week of the campaign. Rivals criticized claims by Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette that American officials might try to support the sovereigntist Parti Québécois to weaken Canada. Fréchette tried to distance herself from the controversy Monday by blaming members of her own party for trying to get journalists to pursue a story about foreign interference. The party leaders' schedules for Tuesday have been released: Liberal Leader Charles Milliard will be in Greater Montreal to discuss his “100,000 homes” priority; Fréchette is set to start in Val-d'Or; Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon will hold a briefing on improving Quebecers' food security; Québec Solidaire spokesperson Ruba Ghazal will stay in Montreal for a briefing; and Quebec Conservative Party Leader Éric Duhaime will hold a news conference in Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce.

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9. Canada's federal prisons to distribute paper straws to inmates for 'safer snorting'

Canada's federal prisons will begin issuing safe supplies for inmates to use while taking illegal narcotics. An internal notice of the change issued to Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) employees was posted on social media on Sept. 22, detailing plans to issue paper straws and foil for “safer snorting.” The notice said the straws will reduce harm by lowering the risks of cuts or tears inside the nose, reduce the risk of blood-borne infections spreading, and provide a safer option for snorting while recognizing that overdose and toxicity risk remain. Prisoners will also be given access to drug testing strips for fentanyl, benzodiazepine and xylazine. CSC confirmed the strategy in an email to CTVNews.ca on Monday. CSC spokesperson Laurence Cote said the service maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the introduction of illicit drugs, but is aware that drugs still enter facilities, and that harm-reduction measures help CSC better understand offenders' consumption and direct them to addiction programs. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized CSC's harm-reduction efforts on Sunday, proposing a return to a “zero tolerance for drugs in prison” policy.

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10. Volkswagen recalls nearly 3M vehicles over possible steering problem

Thousands of Volkswagen vehicles are being recalled in Canada due to a defective screw that could cause a steering problem. Volkswagen Canada said in an email to CTVNews.ca on Monday that nearly 35,300 vehicles from the 2018 models of the Atlas and Tiguan are affected. Volkswagen spokesperson Thomas Tetzlaff said the company will notify all owners of affected vehicles once a repair is available to schedule an appointment with an authorized dealer, which will conduct any necessary repairs at no cost to owners. Volkswagen Canada said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the recall. The Canadian recall is part of a wider one the German carmaker announced last week over the defective screw. According to The Associated Press, Volkswagen Group is recalling 2.86 million Volkswagen and Audi vehicles as a precautionary measure. Germany's federal KBA motor vehicle agency said there is no known damage to property or injuries. Volkswagen said the screw could be affected by environmental conditions and road salt, and that it will provide a more corrosion-resistant screw to affected owners.

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