Maple Express | August 28, 2026 Trump signs order renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America', sparking fierce backlash

1. Trump signs order renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America', sparking fierce backlash

Source: CP24

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario as "Lake America," drawing sharp criticism from both sides of the border. Prime Minister Mark Carney responded that Canadians will recognize it as "Lake Ontario – then, now and always," noting the name predates both the Confederation of Canada and the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

The backlash kept growing on Friday. Former Conservative foreign affairs minister Peter MacKay told CTV News Channel the move is "ludicrous" and "another attempt to rile up Canadians," adding it "seems to be the height of insanity." Former ambassador Derek Burney said the Americans are now "going wild with all kinds of nonsense," calling the renaming "absolutely unacceptable."

Chief Margaret Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation said in a statement Friday that Trump "cannot rename away our history." New York Governor Kathy Hochul opposed the change, noting the Great Lakes acronym HOMES would become "SHAME." U.S. officials also called the move "pathetic" and a "distraction" from failed trade talks that saw tariffs imposed on nearly $28 billion worth of Canadian goods, with counter-tariffs set to take effect after Labour Day.

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2. 10 Toronto residents unaccounted for after deadly Nepal flash flooding

Source: CP24

Ten Toronto residents who were taking part in a Nepal trip organized by a nonprofit organization remain unaccounted for after deadly flash flooding in the country earlier this week. According to a spokesperson for the group, the Toronto residents were among 12 Canadians taking part in the trek organized by the Isha Foundation who remained unaccounted for as of Friday.

Global Affairs Canada has previously said at least 30 Canadians and permanent residents are missing after catastrophic flash floods and mudslides swept through the Nepal-Tibet border region. As of Friday, the disaster has killed more than 500 people, destroyed villages and triggered a massive rescue effort. Local police have warned another surge could erupt today after a reported dam breach on the Tibet side.

The Isha Foundation said in a statement that one of its Kailash Yatra groups was at an immigration facility in Gyirong, Tibet while returning from Mount Kailash when the flooding struck, severely impacting the facility and surrounding areas. So far, more than 3,700 people have been rescued in Nepal, but 977 remain unaccounted for. On the Chinese side, state media reported five deaths and previously said 558 people were missing.

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3. Carney condemns suspected arson at Scarborough home of MP Salma Zahid

Source: CP24

Prime Minister Mark Carney has condemned a suspected arson at the Scarborough home of Member of Parliament Salma Zahid, calling the act "cowardly."

The suspected arson resulted in several cars being burned in front of the MP's home.

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4. Command post set up for missing 28-year-old woman in Markham

Source: CP24

A command post has been set up for a missing 28-year-old woman who was last seen in Markham in the early morning hours on Friday. York Regional Police say she left her home sometime between 2 and 4 a.m., and was last seen near Highway 7 East and Birchmount Avenue.

Const. James Dixon told reporters police have "serious concerns for her well-being," and her family says this is "very much out of character." The woman, identified by police as a vulnerable person named Andrella, is East Asian, five-foot-eight with shoulder-length black hair and a reddish complexion.

Police say she may have been wearing a hijab and black glasses, and may have been carrying a black bag. Dixon noted the area's many multi-storey buildings, green spaces and shopping centres make it "difficult" to search, urging anyone with information from the 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. window to come forward.

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5. EB 401 collector lanes closed for hours after transport truck fire in Mississauga

Source: CP24

All eastbound collector lanes of Highway 401 are closed in Mississauga due to a transport truck fire, Ontario Provincial Police say. The collector lanes were shut down at Winston Churchill Boulevard shortly before 2 a.m., while express lanes remain open.

Police said around 4 a.m. they expect the lanes to be closed "for several more hours" to facilitate cleanup. CP24 Traffic Specialist Meital Sperling said "what a mess this morning," noting heavy traffic from Winston Churchill Boulevard to Mississauga Road.

Sperling suggested drivers try the 407 or allow extra time. The lanes are expected to be closed until at least 10:30 a.m.

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6. Stabbing in Toronto's downtown core leaves one man injured

Source: CP24

Toronto police are investigating a stabbing in the city's downtown core early Friday. Officers were flagged down near Dundas and Sherbourne streets shortly before 2:15 a.m.

Police located a male in his 30s who had been stabbed. He was rushed to hospital and his injuries were determined to be non-life-threatening.

There is no suspect information available at this time, and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact 51 Division at 416-808-5100.

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7. GTA mayoral candidates pitch plans to fight U.S. tariffs

Source: CP24

As the trade war deepens, mayoral candidates across the GTA are pitching plans to protect small businesses, ranging from tax relief to enhanced "buy local" initiatives. The proposals come as new U.S. tariffs of up to 50 per cent and looming Canadian counter-tariffs put pressure on businesses that rely on cross-border trade.

Toronto mayoral candidate Olivia Chow is urging residents to support local businesses and buy Canadian, warning continued tariffs could push grocery prices higher. Brad Bradford is proposing 25 per cent property tax relief for roughly 3,500 industrial businesses, while Chris Alexander is proposing a seven-step plan that includes expanding the EDGE program and cutting municipal licensing costs by 30 per cent.

In Mississauga, incumbent Carolyn Parrish says about 89,000 local jobs are tied to U.S. trade and the situation is "a huge worry." Candidate Bonnie Crombie is proposing interest-free property tax deferrals for affected businesses, while Alvin Tedjo notes one in five Mississauga jobs depends on U.S. trade and argues the city should use the dispute to diversify its economy.

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8. Senior out $12K after custom gold jewelry stolen in Durham distraction theft

Source: CP24

A 71-year-old Port Perry senior, Susan Beatson, is speaking out after losing about $12,000 in custom gold jewelry in a distraction theft. "I was mad. Bob was heartbroken because jewelry has sentimental value," she said.

The incident happened last Friday around 3:15 p.m., when a car stopped in the middle of the road and a passenger asked Beatson and her friend Bob, 77, for directions to the nearest pharmacy. The man, who identified himself as Ahmed, first gave them fake rings as thanks, then offered Bob a gold necklace.

After the car drove away, Bob found his gold mariner chain replaced with a fake one, and about 15 minutes later his gold link bracelet was missing. The necklace was custom-made for Beatson more than 20 years ago, with a lighthouse pendant; the appraisal of both stolen pieces was around $12,000. Durham police confirmed the Aug. 22 report and said distraction thefts are common, with 114 recorded so far this year as of Aug. 26.

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9. Five vehicles damaged in northeast Calgary fire

Source: CP24

Five vehicles were extensively damaged in an overnight fire in Calgary's northeast community of Cityscape. Calgary police and fire crews were called to Cityline Common N.E. shortly after 2 a.m. Friday.

A section of the roadway was closed while crews dealt with the damage, and four damaged vehicles were towed away by early morning while a badly burned white van remained at the scene.

Resident Lak Sadhu said he was awakened by a loud bang he thought was a collision: "This whole part was engulfed. The car exploded, essentially." The Calgary Police Service arson unit has been notified, but investigators have not confirmed whether the fires were deliberately set.

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10. 30,000 power banks recalled in Canada due to fire hazard

Source: CP24

Health Canada has recalled 30,000 units of the XO Poppy 5000 MagSafe power bank due to a fire hazard.

The recalled products were sold at Homesense, Winners and Marshall's stores.

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