Maple Express | September 14, 2026 Markham reservist killed on Ukraine's front lines

1. Markham reservist Dante Johnson-Wells killed on Ukraine's front lines

Source: CP24

CTV News Toronto reported today on a 26-year-old former Canadian Armed Forces reservist from Markham who was killed while fighting in Ukraine. Dante Johnson-Wells served seven years in the reserves before heading overseas earlier this year.

His mother, Katherine Paroussis, recalled that he joined the Port Perry Army Cadets at age 12 and completed a firefighter program at Seneca College. After a December 2025 deployment, he voluntarily released from the military, and two months later travelled through Poland into Ukraine to join a foreign brigade for combat medic training.

In early June, his platoon was tasked with clearing tree lines in a warzone. He was shot and died 36 hours later, on June 13, as his comrades carried him more than five kilometres seeking medical help. Paroussis learned of his death on June 24 and confirmed it with the Canadian embassy the next day. His funeral in Port Perry on July 26 drew hundreds.

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2. PM Carney kicks off first-ever investment summit in Toronto

Source: CP24

Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the world's investors to Toronto on Monday for Canada's first-ever investment summit. Hundreds of executives and global asset managers arrived to review major projects at various stages of development.

Over two days, Carney, cabinet members and premiers will pitch opportunities in energy, infrastructure and critical minerals. The event opens Monday evening with a gala dinner at the Art Gallery of Ontario, followed Tuesday by sessions at the Four Seasons Hotel.

The summit is central to Carney's plan to spur $1 trillion in investment over five years. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said invitees come from Kuwait, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, Qatar, Norway, Japan and Australia, with 15 major Ontario projects on offer.

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3. Statistics Canada to report August inflation figures

Source: CP24

Statistics Canada is set to report August inflation figures Monday morning. A poll of economists expects the annual rate to hold steady at three per cent, matching July, according to LSEG Data & Analytics.

RBC economists say inflationary pressure has come mainly from energy prices, up about 23 per cent from a year ago. Crude has hovered near US$100 a barrel as the war in Iran escalates.

The figures come after the Bank of Canada held its key rate at 2.25 per cent earlier this month, its seventh consecutive hold as it balances volatile energy prices and U.S. tariffs.

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4. Motorcyclist killed in Scarborough collision

Source: CP24

A motorcyclist died following a collision in Scarborough late Sunday afternoon in the Eglinton East neighbourhood, near Eglinton Avenue East and McCowan Road.

Toronto police were called around 5:50 p.m. Officers from 43 Division found a male rider with life-threatening injuries; he was taken to a trauma unit where he died shortly after. Insp. Dan Pravica said the motorcyclist was heading east on Eglinton when a westbound car turned left and struck him.

All parties remained at the scene. This is Toronto's 38th traffic fatality of the year, and the intersection is expected to stay closed while Traffic Services investigates.

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5. Google bringing AI age assurance tech to Canada

Source: CP24

Google announced it is bringing its AI-powered age assurance technology to Canada to detect underage users, the company said in a blog post Monday.

The age estimation model uses machine learning to interpret signals tied to an account, such as searches or YouTube video categories. Accounts identified as underage will get added protections, and adults misidentified as under 18 can verify age with a government ID or selfie.

Google Canada director Jeanette Patell said rollout will begin gradually in the coming days. The move comes as governments, including Canada, move toward age restrictions for social media; Meta has already begun using AI to identify underage users in Canada.

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6. Carney: Canada 'not looking to become' EU member

Source: CP24

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Sunday that Canada is "not looking to become a member of the European Union," speaking to reporters at the Toronto Film Festival.

He said Canada is instead seeking a unique alliance with the EU. A senior government source told CTV News Canada is not pursuing membership in any capacity, pushing back on a Wall Street Journal report that Carney was exploring associate member status.

Carney is set to speak to the European Parliament in Strasbourg this week and will meet French President Emmanuel Macron later in the week. Canada is also due to host a Canada-EU summit in late October.

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7. Canadian cities seek more infrastructure funding

Source: CP24

As Canada pitches itself to international investors, municipalities are reminding the federal government that they too need cash, seeking investment for local infrastructure.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities, representing nearly 2,000 communities, says 11 per cent of core infrastructure is in poor or very poor condition, with a $240-billion repair backlog. FCM president Tim Tierney said municipalities cannot keep asking property taxpayers for hundreds or thousands of dollars more.

FCM data says every dollar invested in infrastructure generates $1.05 in GDP and more than $2 in economic activity. The call comes as an investment summit takes place in Toronto this week.

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8. Mississauga mayoral race heats up between Parrish and Crombie

Source: CP24

The Mississauga mayoral race is heating up, with CTV News Toronto's Janice Golding reporting from Mississauga that two political heavyweights are going toe-to-toe for voters.

The candidates are Carolyn Parrish and Bonnie Crombie.

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9. Watermelons scattered on Hwy. 401 after truck crash in Halton Hills

Source: CP24

A transport truck crashed and spilled watermelons onto the road on Highway 401 in Halton Hills early Sunday afternoon. Ontario Provincial Police say the single-vehicle crash happened around noon on the westbound 401 at Trafalgar Road.

The ramp from Trafalgar Road to the westbound 401 and two collector lanes are closed. No injuries were reported, and it is not known when the roads will reopen.

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10. The university expenses students and parents forget to save for

Source: CP24

Financial writer Christopher Liew is flagging the university expenses students and parents often forget to budget for. Statistics Canada puts average undergraduate tuition at $7,734 for 2025-26, up 1.4 per cent.

Beyond tuition, students face roughly $1,200 a year in compulsory fees, plus textbooks, health plans and monthly bills. A TD survey found 76 per cent of post-secondary students say money worries have hurt their wellbeing and studies.

Liew advises pulling the full fee statement before term starts, budgeting for eight months with a 10 per cent buffer, and applying for the Canada Student Grant, worth up to $4,200 a year.

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