Maple Express | September 25, 2026: Two rushed to trauma centre after King West assault in Toronto

1. Two rushed to trauma centre after assault in Toronto's King West neighbourhood

Source: CP24

Two people have been rushed to a trauma centre following an assault in Toronto's King West neighbourhood. It happened near King and Brant streets early Friday morning, according to paramedics.

Paramedics say one person suffered serious injuries and the second sustained injuries that could be life-threatening. King Street is currently closed and streetcar service is diverting in the area. The TTC warned of delays up to 20 minutes for passengers travelling on the 504 King route.

Source

2. Police release image of suspect wanted in Scarborough sexual assault

Source: CP24

Police are searching for a man who allegedly sexually assaulted a victim and fled on a bicycle in Scarborough over the weekend. On Saturday afternoon, officers responded to the area of McNicoll Avenue and Birchmount Road following reports of a sexual assault. Police allege the male suspect was riding a bicycle when he approached the victim, then sexually assaulted the victim before fleeing the area.

Police described the suspect as 60 to 70 years old, with a tanned complexion, short black hair and thick bushy eyebrows. He was last seen wearing khaki pants, black shoes and a black jacket while riding a black bicycle with a dark-coloured milk crate affixed to the back. Police have released a video of the suspect and are asking anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

Source

3. Pedestrian in life-threatening condition after collision in Mississauga

Source: CP24

A pedestrian has been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a collision in Mississauga Thursday evening. It happened at 5:26 p.m. in the area of Dundas Street and Tomken Road.

The circumstances behind the collision are currently unclear, and police are advising people to avoid the area. The vehicle remained at the scene. Westbound lanes on Dundas Street are closed west of Tomken Road as police investigate.

Source

4. 'Analyzing risk scenarios' normal, defence minister says amid Carney's U.S. invasion comments

Source: CP24

Defence Minister David McGuinty commented Thursday on Prime Minister Mark Carney's New York Times remarks, telling reporters it is "normal" for federal governments and militaries to analyze "risk scenarios." According to a new report, Carney said he is prepared for the possibility of U.S. President Donald Trump ordering a military invasion of Canada.

Carney described the prospect as an "extreme tail risk," meaning impactful though unlikely, and said it was "just risk management" and would be "irresponsible" not to prepare. McGuinty would not clarify what specific risk scenarios were assessed. Former defence and foreign affairs minister Peter MacKay called it irresponsible for Carney to discuss the matter publicly, saying it "takes us from the realm of retaliation to provocation."

Source

5. Canadians diverting their holiday travel plans from Cuba to other Caribbean destinations: Flight Centre

Source: CP24

U.S. sanctions against Cuba are causing economic turmoil and food and energy shortages, prompting Global Affairs Canada to issue an advisory to avoid non-essential travel, and Canadian airlines have suspended flights to Cuba indefinitely. According to Flight Centre, 20 per cent of Canadians are now choosing other Caribbean destinations this holiday season, with 14 per cent planning to visit Mexico and seven per cent to Florida.

Meanwhile, seven per cent are taking a cruise and 17 per cent are planning to keep their travel dollars in Canada. Anita Emilio, executive vice-president at Flight Centre Canada, said hotels are not operational where Canadians would be visiting, and that smaller supply and higher demand are pushing prices up. She advises travellers to book early and be flexible, noting that going a day earlier or later can help with the price.

Source

6. Ontario announces $1M donation to support Ukrainian energy infrastructure

Source: CP24

The Ontario government has announced a $1-million donation to Ukraine to support its energy and infrastructure sectors to "maintain and repair vital energy infrastructure" damaged by ongoing Russian strikes. Premier Doug Ford announced the donation during a meeting with United for Ukraine, a policy coalition of international lawmakers supporting Ukrainian efforts, and the funds will be directed to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund.

Ford said Ontario will always stand with those defending freedom and democracy as the people of Ukraine continue to defend their country against Russia's illegal invasion. The fund was established by the federal government through the Energy Community Secretariat in 2022. In 2024, the Ontario government donated nearly $5 million in energy equipment to Ukraine, including transformers and replacement materials.

Source

7. What Canadians should know about cellphone searches at U.S. border

Source: CP24

A recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has brought renewed attention to cellphone searches at the border, after the court ruled the U.S. government does not need reasonable suspicion to conduct a cellphone search. The case involved a traveller whose phone was searched at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

Toronto-based lawyer Joel Sandaluk said U.S. border officers have long had broad authority to examine electronic devices, but the practice has become more common, with a January 2026 policy change allowing broader searches of phones and laptops with no reasonable suspicion required. Washington state lawyer Leonard D.M. Saunders said travellers can refuse to provide their password, but officers can consider their device "uninspectable" and deny entry. He advises concerned Canadians not to bring a device with sensitive personal information, while Sandaluk advises being truthful about the purpose of the trip.

Source

8. Ex-RCMP intelligence official convicted in secrets case has been granted day parole

Source: CP24

A former RCMP intelligence official convicted of breaching Canada's secrets law has been granted day parole to help him prepare for his full return to society, including possible employment as an electrical worker. Records show the Parole Board of Canada approved day parole, with specific conditions, for Cameron Jay Ortis, who was found guilty in November 2023 of violating the Security of Information Act and sentenced to 14 years in early 2024.

Ortis, 54, led an RCMP group that assembled secret information on cybercriminals, terror cells and transnational criminal networks. The parole board concluded his "risk to reoffend can be safely managed," noting his offending took place within a very specific set of circumstances related to his past employment that are unlikely ever to reoccur. Conditions imposed include a ban on communicating with known criminals, restrictions on internet-connected devices and regular reporting of financial transactions.

Source

9. Kitchener MP sues local hospitals, midwifery practice over care surrounding son's birth

Source: CP24

Dr. Matt Strauss, the MP for Kitchener South-Hespeler, and his wife, Simone ten Kortenaar, are suing two hospitals, a midwifery practice and 21 healthcare professionals over the care they received before, during and after the birth of their son in September 2024. The couple is seeking $7 million in damages. The 44-page statement of claim alleges a series of failures in ten Kortenaar's care, including that the defendants failed to recognize, diagnose and respond to medical complications.

According to the claim, ten Kortenaar passed a large blood clot the day after her son was born, went to Cambridge Memorial Hospital's emergency department but left before seeing a physician, and about three weeks later, after more heavy bleeding, went to Guelph General Hospital where she underwent a dilation and curettage procedure. The claim alleges she suffered significant physical and emotional harm. The allegations have not been tested in court.

Source

10. MapQuest GM goes where his app says: Lake Ontario

Source: CP24

When MapQuest's general manager woke up in Toronto on Thursday morning, the Texan visiting for a conference made a beeline for Lake Ontario. The vast body of water was an essential stop for Doug Berger because it made his company the talk of the tech world last month, when MapQuest rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's name change to Lake America.

In late August, the MapQuest team began monitoring Trump after he said he was "giving serious consideration" to swapping the lake's name. After Trump signed his executive order, MapQuest took mere minutes to post a map of Lake Ontario captioned, "we're not changing it." Google and Apple adopted "Lake America" for users in the United States while retaining Lake Ontario for those in Canada. Berger said three million new users, including many Canadians, have downloaded the app since the executive order.

Source