Maple Express Evening | Sept. 6, 2026: Woman Dies in Cape Breton Flooding

1. Woman dies in Cape Breton flooding

Source: CP24

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston confirmed Sunday that a woman died during significant flooding in Cape Breton on Saturday. In a statement, he said Nova Scotians are mourning the loss, adding his thoughts are with her loved ones and everyone grieving the tragic loss.

Richmond County District RCMP said the 46-year-old woman from Cleveland, N.S., was reported missing Saturday around 8:45 a.m. Her vehicle was found parked near her residence on the far side of a flooded bridge, and around 2:30 p.m. a woman's body was recovered in the area. Police said her death is not believed to be suspicious.

Parts of Cape Breton received more than 200 mm of rain over the weekend, more than a month's worth in some areas. Houston thanked first responders, emergency workers and volunteers, and urged residents to stay off the roads.

2. Toronto father demands justice after twins 'manhandled' by police at McDonald's

Source: CP24

A Toronto father is speaking out after video surfaced showing his 15-year-old twins being arrested and "manhandled" by plainclothes police officers at a Scarborough McDonald's last week. Toronto police said Saturday they are aware of the video and have forwarded it to Professional Standards for investigation.

Brian Galindo, the father of the twins, said his children went to the McDonald's at Victoria Park Avenue and Ellesmere Road on Sept. 3 after their phones died. He said two people approached and pushed them without clearly identifying themselves as police. Video shows a plainclothes officer striking the girl in the face and later pushing her inside, then grabbing the boy after he reacted; both teenagers were eventually handcuffed.

The teens were arrested for assaulting a peace officer but no charges were laid, and they were released to their parents. Galindo said his daughter had jaw pain, a cut under her chin and broken glasses. "I want justice," he said, noting they are only teenagers.

3. Thousands of U of T workers vote for strike mandate

Source: CP24

A union representing more than 6,100 University of Toronto program coordinators, academic advisors, lab assistants and IT workers has voted in favour of a strike mandate that could put them in a position to walk off the job on the first day of classes. United Steelworkers said 96 per cent of ballots cast supported the mandate.

The union said the contract negotiation deadline is just after midnight on Tuesday, after which it could call a strike. John Ankenman, president of USW Local 1998, said workers are concerned about job security and workload, noting the school has said it will not replace employees who leave.

The two sides remain at an impasse on wages, health-care benefits, remote work and AI protections, with negotiations ongoing for two months. UTSA president Tamara Vickery said talks will continue through the weekend.

4. Two Toronto fires involving lithium-ion batteries

Source: CP24

Toronto crews responded to two fires involving lithium-ion batteries on Sunday. The first broke out in an alleyway near St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street around 11:23 a.m., where an e-bike caught fire between two buildings. It was later knocked down and did not spread, and two people were assessed for smoke inhalation.

The second fire, around 1:48 p.m., was inside an apartment building near Crescent Town Road and Victoria Park Avenue, where a lithium-ion battery caught fire in a ground-floor unit. No injuries were reported and the fire has been extinguished.

Fire Chief Jim Jessop has called lithium-ion battery fires the greatest public safety risk in Toronto, noting a 200 per cent increase since 2022, and has urged federal and provincial governments to make regulatory changes.

5. Pediatrician shares signs of excessive screen time in kids

Source: CP24

A Toronto pediatrician is sharing signs parents can look for if they suspect their children spend too much time online. A CAMH survey of more than 11,000 students in grades 7 through 12 found 94 per cent use social media every day, with a quarter spending five or more hours daily.

Dr. Richa Agnihotri said youth often fall into a loop of endless scrolling and may be exposed to dangerous content. She said parents can watch for signs such as a strong reaction to coming off screens, difficulty engaging in any non-screen activity, or increasing requests for screen time.

She noted excessive social media use is linked to a higher risk of anxiety, depression and disordered eating, and recommended families create a media plan together. Meta recently agreed to pay up to US$18 billion and cap teen usage at two hours a day.

6. Suspect wanted after 32 vehicles broken into in Mississauga

Source: CP24

Peel police are looking for a suspect who broke into more than two dozen vehicles and stole valuables in Mississauga last week. The break-ins happened on Alpha Mills Road, Falconer Drive and Plainsman Road on Sept. 3 between 3 a.m. and 3:30 a.m., with 32 vehicles targeted.

Police said the suspect smashed the windows of some vehicles and took valuables, while other vehicles were unlocked. The suspect is described as a white man in his 30s with a medium build.

He was last seen wearing a jacket with "POLO" on the back collar, joggers, two-tone shoes with a white sole and a backpack. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.

7. One injured in Richmond Hill home invasion shooting

Source: CityNews

York Regional Police are searching for an unknown number of suspects after a home invasion and shooting in Richmond Hill early Sunday morning. Investigators said they were called to a home in the Leslie Street and William F. Bell Parkway area just after 4 a.m.

Police said one person was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg, described as not life-threatening. According to police, two to three masked suspects fled the scene in a Honda CRV, believed to be grey coloured. The investigation is ongoing.

8. Chicago aquarium says Marineland belugas have health issues

Source: CP24

A Chicago aquarium says several belugas transferred from Ontario's Marineland have health issues. Shedd Aquarium said it is conducting round-the-clock supervision, monitoring the whales' hydration, breathing rates, swim patterns and social interaction.

The update follows last week's report that two of three whales that died at the site in a week were from Marineland, including Peekachu, who died Aug. 25 two weeks after relocation, and Rain, a 20-year-old beluga moved in mid-August. The aquarium said the health of the remaining animals remains uncertain as it awaits lab results.

Marineland, in Niagara Falls, closed after running out of money and is now up for sale. Last week it completed the world's largest collective move of captive whales, sending 30 belugas and four dolphins to five aquariums in the U.S. and Spain, ending whale captivity in Canada.

9. Trump calls Canadian dollar 'unacceptable'

Source: CP24

U.S. President Donald Trump says Canada's exchange rate with the U.S. is "unacceptable." In a Truth Social post Sunday, he wrote that "Canada's (currency) Dollar imbalance with the U.S. is unacceptable" and that "it has been that way for years - but no longer!" He did not elaborate.

The U.S. dollar currently trades at about C$1.38, meaning C$1 is worth about 72 U.S. cents. The Canadian dollar has historically been weaker, making Canadian exports cheaper for American buyers and American goods more expensive for Canadians.

Trump's post comes two days before Canada's tariffs on 700 American goods take effect Tuesday, Sept. 8, in response to Trump's 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports in effect since Aug. 22.

10. U.S. envoys hold Ukraine talks with no breakthrough

Source: CP24

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held "encouraging" talks in Kyiv on Sunday in their first official visit to Ukraine, but made no breakthrough toward ending Russia's full-scale invasion. The trip followed a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy held three rounds of talks with the Americans, the last joined by national security advisers from the U.K., France and Germany. The discussions covered air defence needs, including Patriot systems, and a "winter package" of support for air defence and energy infrastructure.

The sides agreed to hold a follow-up meeting involving Ukraine, the U.S. and Europe. Kushner said his father-in-law, President Donald Trump, is focused not just on ending the fighting but on building a framework that could lead to a durable peace.