Maple Express Noon | September 17, 2026 - 911 service restored across the GTA after widespread overnight outage

1. 911 service restored across the GTA after widespread overnight outage

Source: CP24

Police services across Ontario warned of widespread 911 outages overnight, but service has since been restored throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Police in Toronto, Peel, York, Niagara and Durham all reported overnight outages.

The Ontario Provincial Police confirmed it was also affected, urging the public to call its non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122 if they were unable to reach 911 and needed emergency police services.

By about 6 a.m., most police services confirmed their lines were back up and running. At least two other provinces, Nova Scotia and Quebec, also dealt with issues Thursday morning. A Bell spokesperson said the issue was first detected shortly before 3:15 a.m., that backup systems were brought online to route calls to emergency services, and that 911 service is now fully restored while the root cause is under investigation.

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2. Documents reveal Toronto officers sold cocaine to each other, 'conspired' to protect illegal dispensaries

Source: CP24

Newly unsealed documents in a sweeping GTA anti-corruption investigation show one of the officers at the heart of Project South was recorded discussing feeding information from police databases to criminals while in his cruiser. Several media outlets, including CTV News, have been contesting a publication ban and extensive redactions, and Ontario Superior Court Justice Laura Bird allowed more of the documents to be published in a decision released Wednesday, noting “the importance of public scrutiny in this case cannot be overstated.”

The documents filed by police to obtain search warrants contain a series of explosive allegations that have not been tested in court. They allege Const. Timothy Barnhardt leaked information from police databases to an individual named Brian Da Costa, enabling an attempted hit on a manager of the Toronto South Detention Centre that police thwarted. Da Costa also faces charges in the case and has been described by police as a “key figure” with alleged links to drug trafficking. The attempted hit was originally called for by a man facing charges in connection with an alleged drug trafficking ring helmed by former Canadian Olympian Ryan Wedding, the documents state.

The documents allege the personal vehicles of Barnhardt, Const. Saurabjit Bedi and others were used to “repeatedly commit” drug trafficking offences, including dealing cocaine to each other. They cite intercepted communications between Bedi and Barnhardt showing repeated discussions about the acquisition, pricing, weighing, quality and redistribution of cocaine, corroborated by surveillance. The documents also allege Bedi stored controlled substances in his vehicle, and that the group “conspired” to avoid bylaw inspectors and law enforcement as they started a ring of marijuana dispensaries and massage parlours.

Barnhardt is one of eight active and retired officers among 27 suspects charged earlier this year in Project South, a York Region police investigation. Police have described Barnhardt as “the genesis” of the probe. Justice Bird said the allegations of widespread police corruption are concerning, and that it is most troubling that York Regional Police only stumbled upon it while investigating a plot to murder a correctional officer. Barnhardt’s lawyer declined to comment; Da Costa’s lawyer did not immediately respond.

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3. Sentencing hearing today for billionaire businessman Frank Stronach

Source: CP24

A sentencing hearing is scheduled today for Canadian auto parts mogul Frank Stronach on the historical offence of indecent assault. The hearing is set to take place even as prosecutors challenge the judge’s decision to declare a rare post-verdict mistrial on Stronach’s sexual assault conviction.

Stronach, who is 94, was found guilty in June of both charges, which relate to separate allegations brought by two women in his Toronto criminal trial. Weeks later, Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy granted the mistrial on the sexual assault conviction after emails from the complainant’s lawyer in a separate civil case were presented in court. Stronach’s lawyer argued those emails told a story inconsistent with the woman’s testimony; lawyer Leora Shemesh told The Canadian Press the court did not hear from the complainant before the judge made her decision.

The Crown’s appeal argues the guilty verdict on the sexual assault charge should be restored and the case sent back to Superior Court for sentencing. Stronach initially faced 12 charges from seven complainants dating back to the late 1970s; the Crown later withdrew one charge and agreed he should be found not guilty on four more. Molloy then said she could not convict him on two charges related to one complainant whose evidence she deemed unreliable. Of five remaining charges tied to three complainants, Stronach was found guilty of two, until the mistrial. He is set to stand trial before a jury in Newmarket, Ont., next year in a sexual assault case involving six complainants.

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4. 16-year-old charged with first-degree murder in fatal North York shooting

Source: CP24

Toronto police confirmed Thursday that a 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a 17-year-old in North York earlier this week. Cashie Auguste was shot at around 3:30 p.m. Monday near a bus shelter at Jane Street and Finch Avenue West, and was pronounced dead in hospital a short time later.

The accused, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has also been charged with failing to comply with a probation order and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday. Investigators have not released a possible motive.

A vigil was held for Auguste earlier this week, where he was remembered as an “all-around good kid” who “lit up any room that he was in.” Anyone with information can contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or www.222tips.com.

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5. Mississauga man charged after 71 vehicle break-ins

Source: CP24

A 34-year-old man has been charged in connection with 71 vehicle break-ins across Mississauga, Peel police say. In a news release, investigators said the incidents occurred during the early morning hours of Sept. 3 and 6 in “targeted” neighbourhoods. The suspect unlawfully entered vehicles, either by smashing windows or taking advantage of unlocked doors, and stole valuables; all of the vehicles were unoccupied and none were stolen.

Police said the break-ins resulted in property damage and financial losses for residents, but did not provide a dollar figure. Cory Lowden, 34, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with multiple offences, including 46 counts of attempting to commit an indictable offence, 16 counts of theft under $5,000 and 15 counts of mischief over $5,000, along with one count of theft over $5,000. The charges have not been tested in court.

Police say Lowden was also arrested on two outstanding warrants, both related to separate fraud investigations. He is being held in custody pending a bail hearing. “This arrest sends a clear message that individuals who target our communities will be aggressively pursued and held accountable,” Chief Nishan Duraiappah wrote in the release.

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6. Assault charge dropped against former Maple Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovski

Source: CP24

A criminal charge of assault against former Toronto Maple Leafs forward-turned youth hockey coach Mikhail Grabovski has been withdrawn by the Crown. The withdrawal of the single count comes six months after Grabovski, 42, was charged by York Regional Police with assaulting a man following a youth hockey game in Markham.

After receiving input from the complainant, the Crown told the court that proceeding with the prosecution was no longer in the public interest. Grabovski played five seasons with Toronto and retired from the NHL about 10 years ago. He was accused of confronting and attacking the coach of the York Simcoe Express, who was taken to hospital with what police described as minor injuries. Grabovski’s team was blown out 11-0 by the York Simcoe Express on the night of March 14, 2026.

Grabovski was back on the ice Wednesday night in Markham, running practice for his U16 AAA Waxers hours after learning the charge had been withdrawn, where parents told CTV News they support their coach. Neither Grabovski’s lawyer Peter Ketcheson nor the York Simcoe Express coach responded to requests for comment on the case being dropped.

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7. Youth charged after fleeing scene of fiery Vaughan rollover

Source: CP24

A young person who fled the scene of a fiery crash in Vaughan late Wednesday night has been arrested and charged. At around 11 p.m., two vehicles travelling north of Pine Valley Drive collided near Embassy Drive, north of Highway 7.

York Regional Police say the driver of a black Audi changed lanes, striking a silver Honda SUV. “As a result of the collision, the Audi rolled and caught on fire. The driver of the Audi, a youth, fled the scene after the collision and was arrested a short distance away,” Const. James Dickson told CP24 on Thursday morning. “Fortunately, there were only minor injuries.”

The minor, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with dangerous operation and fail to remain at an accident. The charges have not been tested in court. Roads in the area were closed as police investigated.

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8. Police search for 2 suspects after girl shot with BB gun in 'completely random' Hamilton attack

Source: CP24

Hamilton police are searching for witnesses and information after two suspects allegedly shot at a girl multiple times with a BB gun in a “completely random” attack Wednesday evening. The incident happened near Valley Park Recreation Center on Stoney Creek Mountain.

Investigators say a female youth was walking on the sidewalk on Mud Street, near First Road West, at around 7:30 p.m. when she was approached by two males on an e-scooter, who allegedly produced a BB gun and fired multiple pellets towards her as they scootered by.

Police say the victim continued walking and encountered the males a second time near a pedestrian tunnel close to Valley Park Recreation Center, where they began firing more pellets as she tried to run away. Police have been unable to obtain a description of the suspects and are collecting CCTV footage from homes and businesses while appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information can contact the on-duty Division 20 Staff Sergeant at 905-546-2963 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

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9. Earthquake shakes residents in B.C.'s Kootenays region

Source: CP24

An earthquake rattled residents in British Columbia’s Kootenays region early Thursday morning. The quake struck at 5:31 a.m. with an epicentre near the community of Crawford Bay, about 40 kilometres northeast of Nelson.

Earthquakes Canada initially reported its size at magnitude 4.4 before revising the estimate to 3.7, while the U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at magnitude 4.2. B.C.’s emergency management office says the shaking was felt in Cranbrook, Nelson and Castlegar, but there were no reports of damage.

Dozens more people in areas as far away as Trail, Creston and the Slocan Valley reported feeling the shaking to Earthquakes Canada. The quake struck at a depth of four kilometres.

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10. Amazon raises average hourly wage in Canada by $1, to $26.27

Source: CP24

Amazon says it is raising the average hourly base wage in Canada to $26.27, up by $1 from last year. A company statement on Wednesday said the bump represents a four per cent year-over-year increase and takes effect on Sept. 27. It says the increase means full-time employees working 40 hours a week would earn more than $54,000 per year on average.

Unifor, the union representing workers at Amazon’s Metro Vancouver warehouse, says the announcement coincides closely with the end of a mediation process ordered by the British Columbia Labour Relations Board. In a statement, Unifor said the company was “feeling the heat” of the contract soon to be awarded to workers at the facility.

The labour board ruled last month in favour of binding arbitration to settle the dispute between the company and unionized workers at its Delta, B.C., warehouse, though Amazon opposed the process. The company had originally rejected a mediator’s recommendation for arbitration, saying it wanted to continue direct negotiation with Unifor. The board had earlier ruled Amazon violated B.C.’s labour code by excluding the unionized Delta workers from scheduled pay increases. Amazon’s latest statement also says certain employees will receive a 10 per cent discount on groceries and daily essentials on its Canadian website starting Oct. 1.

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