Maple Express | Sept. 9, 2026: Canada responds to new U.S. trade measures

1. Canada responds to new U.S. trade measures

Source: CP24

The White House announced Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump signed executive orders banning several Canadian imports, including certain alcohols, dairy products and motorcycles. The ban is set to take effect on Sept. 29, and came hours after Trump said he would direct American agencies to block Canada from access to U.S. contracts.

Earlier Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney warned Canadians of tough times ahead, after Canada's retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods took effect just after midnight. Trump's 50 per cent tariffs on nearly $28 billion worth of Canadian products had already come into force after trade talks broke down last month.

Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said he is in contact with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and that Canada is assessing the latest measures. Canada's counter-tariffs target roughly 700 American imports, including dairy, plywood and sunscreen.

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2. Ontario mom charged $358 to fly with mountain bike helmets

Source: CP24

An Ontario family that flies to the West Coast every summer says they were charged more than $350 in carry-on fees for three mountain bike helmets on their return flight from Vancouver. Shelley Watson, of Minesing, just northwest of Barrie, said her family was charged $358 while flying home with Flair Airlines.

Watson said they have always brought the helmets on their trips and had never been charged before, noting the helmets normally fit under their seats. "I was angry. I was really angry and frustrated... It's never ever been mentioned that this was a problem," she said.

After Watson complained, Flair Airlines said it would refund the charges and apologized, adding it is reviewing its sporting equipment policy to provide clearer guidance. Watson said she has received her refund.

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3. Widow speaks out after deadly industrial accident in Richmond Hill

Source: CP24

A Toronto-area widow is speaking out two weeks after her husband was killed in an industrial accident in Richmond Hill, as Ontario's Ministry of Labour continues to investigate his death. Kamal Kumar, a millwright at Gamma Foundries, was killed when the large sand mixing machine he was inside was switched on.

His wife, Anu Rani, said through tears that he leaves behind an 11-year-old son as well as a wife and mother he supported. "I lost that man who is my whole life," she said.

Company president Ryan Bishop said the firm is co-operating with the investigation. Ministry figures show fewer people are dying in Ontario's industrial workplaces, down from 48 in 2021-2022 to 28 in 2024-2025, though critical injuries climbed from about 1,500 to almost 2,200.

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4. Motorcyclist killed in Scarborough collision

Source: CP24

A man in his 20s died after a collision with a vehicle in Toronto's east end on Tuesday afternoon. The crash happened just after 2 p.m. at the intersection of Bertrand Avenue and Crockford Boulevard in Scarborough's Wexford-Maryvale neighbourhood.

Toronto police said a 22-year-old man was driving a black motorcycle westbound on Bertrand Avenue while a 44-year-old woman was driving a grey Subaru SUV southbound on Crockford Boulevard. They say the Subaru made a left turn onto Bertrand and collided with the motorcycle.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver remained. Traffic Services is investigating, and Bertrand Avenue is closed between Warden Avenue and Thermos Road.

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5. Man stabbed in Scarborough; suspect in custody

Source: CP24

A man was rushed to hospital after a stabbing in Scarborough on Tuesday afternoon. Toronto police said they responded just before 4 p.m. in the area of Sewells and Neilson roads.

Footage from the scene suggests the incident occurred at an apartment complex. Police said the victim, a man in his 40s, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

A male suspect has been arrested and there is no risk to public safety. The circumstances are unknown, and it is unclear whether the victim and suspect knew each other.

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6. Major changes as students return to school across the GTHA

Source: CP24

More than two million students across Ontario are heading back to school this week, and they will be greeted by major changes in and outside the classroom. The provincial government has revealed elements of its education system overhaul for the 2026/2027 school year and beyond.

For secondary students, most courses will now require a written exam worth 20 per cent of the final mark in Grades 9 and 10, and 25 per cent in Grades 11 and 12. Attendance and participation will count for 15 per cent of final grades in Grades 9 and 10, and 10 per cent in Grades 11 and 12.

Grade 9 students will see the EQAO test account for 20 per cent of their math grade, and students must pass a new financial literacy test to graduate. A new Kindergarten curriculum adds science, technology, coding and financial literacy, while the Grade 10 history course will cover Black Canadians, the Holocaust and other topics.

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7. Uxbridge crash sends motorcyclist to hospital

Source: CP24

A motorcyclist was rushed to hospital after a collision in Uxbridge late Tuesday afternoon. The crash happened on Regional Highway 47.

Durham Regional Police said they were called to the area around 4:20 p.m. for reports of a collision involving a motorcycle and a vehicle. The motorcyclist was taken to hospital with serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.

The eastbound lanes of Regional Highway 47 are closed between Paisley Lane and Uxbridge Concession Road 2 while police investigate. Motorists are asked to find an alternate route.

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8. Telus sues ex-employee over nearly $1.1M in company-card purchases

Source: CP24

Telus is suing a former employee for more than $1 million, alleging he purchased thousands of items including household appliances using company credit cards. The company says the man, employed in 2015, held a position with significant authority over procurement, equipment acquisitions and budgets.

Telus Communications alleges he began directing employees to make purchases through an Amazon business account linked to a company credit card starting in 2020, buying more than 2,500 items including home theatre equipment, a refrigerator, a dishwasher, cameras and consumer electronics.

The company says the items reached almost $1.1 million in value, with some allegedly re-sold online. None of the allegations in the civil claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court last week have been proven in court. Telus says the man was terminated with cause on Aug. 13.

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9. China reveals military talks with Canadian officials

Source: CP24

As the Carney government pursues deeper relations with Beijing, the Chinese government reports it held "a candid and in-depth exchange" on military issues with Canadian officials. Last week's meeting followed years of diplomatic strain and is raising concerns among Conservatives.

China's defence ministry revealed the two countries held their fifth defence co-ordination dialogue last week, and Canada's defence department confirmed the report days later. Ottawa says it does not publicize working-level meetings, but adds the talks are about protecting Canadian interests.

In early 2024, Canadian military officials said they were pursuing more open dialogue with their Chinese counterparts. China's ambassador at the time said the effort had been hindered by Canada sending navy ships through the Taiwan Strait.

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10. Ont. man convicted of manslaughter hears from best friend's family

Source: CP24

Gabriel DiCecco heard directly from the family of William Schernhammer, two-and-a-half years after he shot and killed his friend and dumped his body on the side of the road in Alliston. DiCecco, 27, was convicted of manslaughter after a Barrie jury found him not guilty of second-degree murder.

Schernhammer's mother, Rachelle, told the court her son's killing was "an act of total annihilation" that has devastated his siblings, parents and grandparents. His father told the court that no counselling or court decision can change the fact that his son is gone.

During trial, the court heard DiCecco shot Schernhammer four times in his car on the night of Jan. 12, 2024, and the defence argued DiCecco killed him in a chaotic panic. DiCecco returns to court next week to continue his sentencing hearing.

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