Maple Express | September 1, 2026 Liberals sweep three federal byelections

1. Liberals sweep three federal byelections, re-establishing majority

Source: CP24

The federal Liberals won all three byelections on Monday night, with each candidate taking more than 50 per cent of the vote. The three ridings were Chicoutimi–Le Fjord in Quebec, Beaches–East York in Ontario, and North Vancouver–Capilano in British Columbia.

The wins bring the Liberals to 173 seats in the House of Commons, re-establishing the party's majority standing, which had slipped over the summer amid a series of resignations. With the fall sitting set to open on Sept. 21, the governing party will hold the numbers in any confidence vote.

In the Quebec riding, the Conservative candidate finished third with just 12.5 per cent of the vote, down from the party's 34.1 per cent in 2025. Nik Nanos, chief data scientist at Nanos Research, said the top two issues in his weekly polling are jobs and Trump, though he cautioned those tailwinds could turn into headwinds if Canadians begin to worry about the economy.

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2. Trump officials mock Canadian military as defence chiefs gather in B.C.

Source: CP24

Senior military leaders from Canada, the United States and more than two dozen other nations are gathering in Victoria this week under the theme of solidarity in an increasingly dangerous world. But the unity risked shattering before the Indo-Pacific defence chiefs conference began, after U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth posted an image apparently mocking Canadian cadets at a training centre in Vernon, B.C., captioned "this is real."

The post drew widespread backlash, with critics calling it an attempt to disparage the Canadian military amid heightened tensions after Canada-U.S. trade talks broke down last month. Defence Minister David McGuinty called the post from his U.S. counterpart "below the dignity of the office he holds."

McGuinty, speaking to reporters after opening the conference of senior military officials from 29 Pacific-region countries including China, said Canadians can tell the difference between the "performative nature" of the U.S. administration and the continuing military-to-military co-operation. Gen. Dan Caine, the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also attended.

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3. Canada's housing market 'finally' moving toward recovery: RBC

Source: CP24

A new RBC Economics report says Canada's housing market appears to be "finally taking steps" toward a recovery. Home resales have been on a winning streak since April, with inventory levelling off and prices showing signs of stabilizing.

Robert Hogue, an assistant chief economist at RBC, said the key to the outlook is how many sidelined homebuyers return to the market. He estimated there could be hundreds of thousands of Canadians who put home-buying plans on hold in recent years due to sharply higher ownership costs.

The report expects home resales to fall 3.6 per cent this year to 453,200 units, with the benchmark price index declining 2.3 per cent to $794,200. Next year, sales are expected to grow 6.7 per cent to 483,600 units and benchmark values to rise 0.8 per cent to $800,700. Hogue cautioned there have been four false starts since 2023, and external events such as the trade war could derail this one too.

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4. TTC caps monthly paid trips at 47, ending need for monthly passes

Source: CP24

Starting Tuesday, the TTC is capping paid monthly trips at 47, eliminating the need for monthly passes. Adult, youth, senior and fare-pass customers who pay with a PRESTO card, a PRESTO card in a mobile wallet, an Interac Debit card or a credit card will automatically ride for free after 47 paid trips in a calendar month.

The TTC reminds riders they must tap every time they board a vehicle or enter a station, even after reaching the cap, since tapping is still required to open fare gates and validate trips. It also notes that switching between a physical card, phone, smartwatch or another payment method means trips are counted separately.

Riders were split on whether 47 is a reasonable threshold. One rider said that with 20 to 25 workdays a month and one trip each way, that's only about 50 rides, so 47 won't help much. But a University of Toronto student said he could easily hit 47 trips a month between work and school.

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5. Liberal Tanveer Shahnawaz wins Beaches-East York byelection

Source: CP24

The Liberals have once again come out victorious in Beaches-East York, with Tanveer Shahnawaz winning Monday's federal byelection. With 191 of 200 polls (95.5 per cent) reporting, he earned 14,837 votes, just under 55 per cent.

Shahnawaz was the long-standing constituency office manager for departing Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Nathaniel Erskine-Smith. NDP candidate Shannon Devine came second with 25.9 per cent (7,004 votes), while Conservative Jim Syrbos, a local coffee shop owner, placed third with 16.3 per cent (4,414 votes).

Speaking at his victory party at The Stone Lion pub on Queen Street East, Shahnawaz said it would be the "honour of a lifetime" to represent the only home he has ever known. Born at the former East General Hospital to parents who immigrated from Bangladesh, he said he has never left the riding.

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6. Ford government moves to rip out bike lanes on stretch of Bloor Street

Source: CP24

The Ford government says it is immediately starting to remove bike lanes along a stretch of Bloor Street West and moving forward with plans to strip lanes from two other major Toronto arteries. Following a recent Ontario Court of Appeal ruling, the province has issued a request for proposals to restore motor-vehicle lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, University Avenue, Queen's Park, Queen's Park Crescent and Avenue Road.

The province says it will immediately begin restoring vehicle lanes on Bloor Street West, starting east of a 600-metre section at Clissold Road where lanes were restored in December 2025. Last month, the Court of Appeal reversed a lower-court ruling, confirming the removal of bike lanes is not a Charter violation and can proceed.

Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the government was given a clear mandate to fight gridlock. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has repeatedly spoken out against the decision, saying bike lanes are a local matter and urging the province to focus on the trade war and helping workers and families.

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7. Massage practitioner charged with sexual assault in Richmond Hill

Source: CP24

York Regional Police say a massage practitioner has been arrested after a person was sexually assaulted during a massage appointment in Richmond Hill over the weekend. The victim attended an acupuncture massage appointment Sunday in the area of Major Mackenzie Drive East and Bayview Avenue.

On Monday, police arrested Jianji Li, 61, of Richmond Hill and charged him with sexual assault. The charge has not been tested in court.

Police released an image of Li as they believe there may be additional victims, and asked anyone with information to contact investigators or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

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8. Ontario woman who claimed self-defence convicted of murder in boyfriend's stabbing

Source: CP24

A Newmarket judge has found McKenzie Gill guilty of second-degree murder in the July 2024 stabbing of her ex-boyfriend Blake Bibby. Despite claims of self-defence, Justice Vanessa Christie convicted Gill following an alcohol-fuelled argument inside Bibby's Millard Avenue Newmarket apartment.

After nine days of trial, the 33-year-old testified that Bibby ran toward her and she stabbed him in the chest. The defence argued Gill was defending herself from an abusive on-again, off-again boyfriend.

But the judge rejected that account, finding Gill deliberately stabbed Bibby knowing the consequences of her actions, and called her conduct "retaliation." Christie said "she was not in fear, she was furious," and noted Gill lied to a 911 dispatcher and chuckled at one point. Gill was taken into custody after the conviction.

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9. Popular chicken burger brand recalled over undeclared egg

Source: CP24

A popular brand of chicken burgers is being recalled over undeclared egg, a food allergen that could cause severe reactions in some people. Leadbetter Foods Inc. issued the recall on Aug. 27 for Sobeys' Compliments brand Smashed 100% Chicken Burgers after an egg ingredient was not indicated on the label.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has classified it as a "Class 2" recall, meaning there is a moderate risk of short-term or non-life-threatening health problems. In a notice published Monday, the CFIA wrote: "Do not use, sell, serve or distribute the affected product."

The recall affects the 680-gram Compliments Smashed 100% Chicken Burgers package, which contains eight burgers weighing 84 grams each, with the UPC code 0 55742 58333 5. The CFIA did not say how many packages were sold in Canada or whether any customers were harmed.

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10. Loblaw increases number of new stores planned for 2026

Source: CP24

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. is increasing the number of new stores it plans to open this year. The company behind Loblaws and Shoppers Drug Mart said Tuesday it now expects to open about 75 new locations this year, up from an earlier plan of about 70.

Loblaw chief executive Per Bank said Canadians are being thoughtful about every dollar they spend. The company has opened 38 new grocery stores and pharmacies in Canada so far this year, including 21 grocery stores and 17 Shoppers Drug Mart locations.

The new stores are part of $2.4 billion in planned capital spending for 2026, the second year of a five-year plan to invest $10 billion in Canada by 2030. The grocery expansion has focused on the No Frills and Maxi banners, while pharmacy and health-care services are also expected to grow significantly.

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