Maple Express | September 8, 2026: Canada's counter-tariffs on U.S. goods take effect

1. Canada's counter-tariffs on U.S. goods take effect as Trump keeps up pressure

Source: CP24

Canada's counter-tariffs on U.S. products took effect Tuesday, covering nearly $28 billion worth of more than 700 American goods, including dairy products, plywood and sunscreen — a response to the 50 per cent tariffs the U.S. imposed on Canadian goods in July.

On Labour Day Monday, a day before the tariffs kicked in, U.S. President Donald Trump posted a series of threats aimed at Canada, including a map covered by a U.S. flag blanketing Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, Iceland and Greenland.

Trump also declared on Truth Social that there would be "no more selling Bombardier in the United States," calling its products "not good enough." Bombardier said it has 3,500 direct U.S. employees and nearly 2,800 U.S.-based suppliers.

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2. Quebec premier backs Bombardier after Trump's threats

Source: CP24

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette voiced support for Bombardier's CEO after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Monday to stop sales of the Montreal-based company's products in the U.S., saying the aircraft aren't "good enough."

Fréchette said she would not "respond to provocation with provocation," calling Bombardier "a source of pride for Quebec" and a flagship of the economy, adding that Quebec "will not allow anyone to dictate where our companies must produce."

Quebec Economy Minister Bernard Drainville called Trump's comments unacceptable, saying "attacking Bombardier is attacking Quebec" and noting the aerospace industry employs more than 40,000 people.

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3. W5 exclusive: Man convicted of femicide lives free in Canada

Source: CP24

Ryan Friesen was convicted of killing his 23-year-old girlfriend, Kiara Agnew, at a Mexican resort in 2023, yet he lives as a free man in Canada while appealing the conviction — a situation that has prompted thousands to sign a petition demanding he return to prison.

Friesen, from Dawson Creek, B.C., was initially found not guilty at his 2024 trial in Mexico. In early 2026, in a rare move, a Mexican judge revoked the acquittal and found him guilty of femicide.

Kiara's aunt Tanya, who has fought for justice for years, says the family will not wait quietly; the petition has drawn roughly 5,600 signatures. This is Part 1 of a three-part W5 investigation.

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4. Federal national parks pass program ends, regular prices return

Source: CP24

The Canada Strong Pass, a federal program that made national parks cheaper and more accessible for Canadians, came to an end Monday, with regular admission prices returning Tuesday.

First introduced in 2025 and brought back this summer, the temporary program offered free or discounted admission to national parks, historic sites, museums and train travel, with no physical or digital pass required.

Parks Canada reported a 13 per cent increase in foot traffic last summer, with more than 14 million visitors. The federal government has not yet decided whether the program will return in 2027.

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5. Steel city Hamilton braces for trade war as counter-tariffs rise

Source: CP24

As the United States' 50 per cent tariffs took hold and Canada prepared to impose counter-tariffs on steel Tuesday, union workers marching through downtown Hamilton on Labour Day Monday voiced uncertainty and anxiety.

Known as the "steel city," Hamilton once produced roughly half of Canada's steel. Since the trade war began, local steel manufacturers have laid off dozens of workers; in June 2025 ArcelorMittal closed its Hamilton wire-drawing mill, affecting 153 employees.

Mayor Andrea Horwath said there is "a sense of foreboding" as Ottawa prepares to double its import tax on U.S.-made steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent on Tuesday.

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6. 7-year-old girl struck by taxi in Etobicoke, taken to hospital

Source: CP24

A 7-year-old girl was taken to hospital after being struck by a taxi driver in Etobicoke Monday evening.

Police say the collision happened shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Bonnyview Drive, near Parklawn Road and The Queensway. The girl was taken to a local trauma centre with minor injuries.

The taxi driver remained at the scene. Police say the cause remains under investigation and it is not yet known whether charges will be laid.

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7. Woman charged with attempted murder after Mississauga stabbing

Source: CP24

A 42-year-old woman has been arrested and charged after a man was stabbed outside a shelter in Mississauga over the weekend.

Peel Regional Police say the stabbing happened Sunday at about 5:30 p.m. near Main Street and Dundas Street East. Officers found a man with a serious stab wound to the neck, who remains in critical condition in hospital.

Police initially arrested a man involved in an altercation with the victim but later released him. They then identified 42-year-old Lorena Sanchez of Mississauga as the suspect and charged her Monday with one count of attempted murder. The charge has not been proven in court.

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8. B.C. police watchdog investigates Surrey crash that injured two

Source: CP24

British Columbia's police watchdog is investigating after two people were seriously hurt, including a pedestrian with life-threatening injuries, during an attempted traffic stop in Surrey.

The Independent Investigations Office says the incident happened around 3 a.m. Monday, when Surrey Police Service officers tried to stop a black Chevrolet Avalanche pickup near King George Boulevard and 96 Avenue; a collision with a police vehicle followed.

The pickup later crashed into a concrete SkyTrain pillar, injuring the driver, and a pedestrian was found with serious injuries. The IIO is examining whether the injuries meet the "serious harm" threshold under the Police Act.

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9. TIFF underway: 6 festival films coming soon to theatres or streaming

Source: CP24

The Toronto International Film Festival is underway, and if you can't attend, here are six festival films coming soon to theatres or streaming.

Director Sean Menard uses never-before-seen footage to chronicle Terry Fox, the 21-year-old whose right leg was amputated due to osteosarcoma, and his ambition to run across the country; Mahershala Ali leads a Texas-set thriller about a family man who is also a contract killer.

Other titles include a documentary on K-pop star Lisa, a crime drama starring John Turturro (with Canada's Tatiana Maslany in a supporting role), and a new film from director Lee Chang-dong exploring two married couples.

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10. Sault Ste. Marie triathlete takes on two world championships in a month

Source: CP24

Sault Ste. Marie athlete Taylor Corelli has a busy month ahead, with two top-level competitions on opposite ends of the globe.

The 35-year-old is preparing for her first-ever Ironman World Championship in Hawaii on Oct. 10, and her third 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France. She qualified for the Hawai'i event last month in Ottawa after finishing fourth in her first full 140.6-mile Ironman.

The full Ironman includes a 3.8-kilometre swim, 180 kilometres of cycling and a 42.2-kilometre marathon; Corelli now trains up to 25 hours a week and hopes to be a role model for women in sport.

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