Maple Express | October 13, 2026 Record $85M Lotto Max Jackpot to Be Drawn Tuesday

1. Record $85M Lotto Max Jackpot to Be Drawn Tuesday

Source: CP24

Canada's largest lottery jackpot in history is set to be drawn Tuesday, with the Lotto Max prize reaching $85 million, according to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG). In Friday night's draw the jackpot stood at $80 million, but no ticket matched all seven winning numbers — 6, 10, 19, 25, 29, 39 and 50. The bonus number was 36, so the prize rolled over.

The next draw will also feature 16 Maxmillions prizes worth $1 million each and 85 Maxplus prizes worth $100,000 each. If no ticket wins the $85-million jackpot on Tuesday, the top prize will increase to $90 million. Lotto Max announced in April that the jackpot could now reach $90 million, but so far the prize has always been claimed before approaching the new cap. The previous record was $80.4 million, split between two friends in London, Ont., in December.

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2. Coroner's Inquest Into Toronto Balcony Death Opens Today

Source: CP24

A coroner's inquest is set to begin today examining the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, a Toronto woman who fell from a highrise balcony while police were in her home more than six years ago. Of Ukrainian, Black and Indigenous ancestry, she died on May 27, 2020, after police responded to calls about a family dispute at her apartment. She was 29.

Her death came on the heels of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, spurring protests and calls to defund the police, and it cast a spotlight on how officers deal with people in mental-health crises. Ontario's police watchdog investigated and ultimately cleared Toronto police of wrongdoing, with the Special Investigations Unit finding it happened as she tried to move from her apartment balcony to an adjacent one. The inquest is slated to last 14 days, with 15 witnesses expected to take the stand. The jury does not assign criminal responsibility but may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths, which the chief coroner's office cannot impose.

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3. Six Flags Closes 9 Coasters After One Dies in Georgia Incident

Source: CP24

Six Flags temporarily closed nine roller coasters across six amusement parks on Monday after one person died and several others were injured in an incident involving a coaster in Georgia. The incident occurred at Six Flags Over Georgia, about 15 miles (24 kilometres) northwest of Atlanta. Officials did not confirm how the person died or how the others were injured. Cobb County Police major crimes detectives are investigating.

The parks closed similar attractions out of an abundance of caution, a Six Flags spokesperson said. Local TV stations showed passengers being evacuated from the Goliath coaster, which opened in 2006 and reaches a top speed of 70 mph (113 kph) at a height of 200 feet (61 metres). Lisa Cupid, chairwoman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, said next of kin have been notified. According to a law firm that tallies amusement park accidents, the death would be at least the seventh at the Georgia park. It also comes less than two weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California announced the retirement of its famous X2 coaster following lawsuits.

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4. Eby Slams U.S.-Style Health-Care Privatization; Conservatives Cry Fearmongering

Source: CP24

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby took aim at the premier next door while campaigning in this month's election, promising not to implement what he called the U.S.-style privatization of health care. He told supporters in Delta on Monday that Alberta's United Conservative Party government made vague promises about protecting public health care but is now creating a system where doctors can charge families for medically necessary surgeries.

Eby says B.C. Conservatives are advocating for the same thing, but the Conservatives say they are committed to keeping B.C.'s system universal and publicly funded, and accuse Eby of tired health-care fearmongering. Backed by a large Canadian flag, Eby signed what his party calls its public health-care guarantee. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's UCP government passed a law late last year allowing doctors to work in both the private and public tracks.

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5. B.C. Party Leaders Pitch Business Leaders as Election Nears

Source: CP24

The leaders of British Columbia's three major parties will pitch their plans to business leaders in Vancouver with less than two weeks to go before the provincial election. NDP Leader David Eby, Conservative interim leader Lorne Doerkson and Green Party Leader Emily Lowan are slated to speak at an event this afternoon hosted by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.

The leaders won't debate each other, though each will address attendees, followed by a question-and-answer session with board president Bridgitte Anderson. The board says the event is designed to let people hear directly from the leaders as they present their vision for the province. A televised leaders' debate is set for Wednesday ahead of election day on Oct. 24.

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6. Thanksgiving Meals Served to the Hungry Around Toronto

Source: CP24

Charities around Toronto opened their doors on Thanksgiving to offer those less fortunate a hot meal and a sense of community. At the Scott Mission and Good Shepherd Ministries, hundreds waited patiently to be served, many grateful for programs helping them get back on their feet. Tudor Ciobanu, one of about 300 people digging into a turkey dinner at the Scott Mission, said he was thankful for a roof over his head and a peaceful sleep.

Volunteers filled reusable shopping bags with salads, snacks and turkey for those who couldn't dine in. Scott Mission manager Aldo Hernandez said the goal is to help people regain their dignity and feel part of a community. At Good Shepherd Ministries, residents volunteered to turn a cafeteria into a sit-down dinner for 1,600 people. Executive Director Akilu Wedaferew said demand is rising, with many depending on such agencies for daily necessities, and Scott Mission CEO Rocky Dundas said food insecurity, shelter, clothing and protection needs are all climbing as the agency runs at capacity. The report also cited Ontario's Financial Accountability Office, which estimates the province's homeless population rose 23 per cent since 2022, and Public Health Ontario, which found nearly a quarter of Ontario households are food insecure.

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7. Man Wanted After Woman Sexually Assaulted in Toronto's West End

Source: CP24

Police say they are searching for a suspect after a woman was sexually assaulted in Toronto's west end over the weekend. According to Toronto police, the victim met the suspect on Saturday in the Bloor Street West and Ossington Avenue area. The two then went to the suspect's residence near Bloor Street West and Lansdowne Avenue, where the suspect allegedly assaulted the victim with a weapon before sexually assaulting her. The victim suffered minor injuries.

Police describe the suspect as male, 5-foot-10 with a thin build, last seen wearing a yellow hoodie with a grey shirt underneath, a dark North Face jacket, a black hat, jeans and black-and-white shoes. Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

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8. Timeline of Key Events in the Regis Korchinski-Paquet Case

Source: CP24

A coroner's inquest is scheduled to start Tuesday in the case of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, a 29-year-old Afro-Indigenous woman who fell from a Toronto highrise balcony while police were in her home in 2020. Here is a timeline of key events in the case.

On May 27, 2020, the Special Investigations Unit said it was investigating the death of a woman who fell from a 24th-floor balcony while police were in the apartment. In the days that followed, her mother said she called police hoping they would take her daughter to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. On May 30, 2020, thousands marched in Toronto, and on June 29, 2020, city council voted against defunding police but approved reforms including anti-racism measures and body-worn cameras. On Aug. 26, 2020, the SIU cleared police of wrongdoing, and the family rejected the findings. In June 2022, the family filed a $10-million lawsuit. On April 2, 2026, coroner Dr. Richard Wells announced an inquest would be held; on May 27, 2026, her parents called for reforms at the legislature; on Sept. 15, 2026, the inquest date was announced; on Oct. 13, 2026, the inquest begins.

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9. How to Throw a Holiday Party on a Budget When Everything Costs More

Source: CP24

Hosting a gathering comes with a price tag even if it's meant to be low-key, with disposable plates, cups, decorations, snacks and party favours adding up. Experts say setting expectations and a budget can save hosts from a financial mess. Kalee Boisvert, a financial adviser at Raymond James Ltd., said budgeting can be as simple as researching costs online and writing down how much you're willing to spend in each category in a phone notes app.

Tanya Reynolds, a senior vice-president with MNP's consumer and corporate insolvency group, said whether a party is a last-minute decision or planned weeks ahead also affects the budget. Food is often the most expensive part of a gathering. She helped her 21-year-old daughter set a budget for a dinner party for eight and share some costs with guests. Janine Rogan, a chartered professional accountant and founder of The Wealth Building Academy, said a gathering can be as simple as each person bringing their favourite cheese, and that staying within budget matters more than spending to impress people.

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10. Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Jolts Southern Panama

Source: CP24

A preliminary magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit southern Panama Monday evening, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or property damage. The quake struck around 6:20 p.m. at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles), about 18 kilometres (11 miles) west of Río Grande in the country's south.

The quake comes after two powerful 7.7 and 6.6 magnitude earthquakes and a series of aftershocks roiled southern Panama on Friday afternoon, collapsing buildings near the epicenter and prompting evacuations across the country.

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