Maple Express | October 29, 2026: Toronto traffic agent, 42, killed by dump truck while on duty

1. Toronto traffic agent, 42, killed by dump truck while on duty

A 42-year-old City of Toronto traffic agent was killed Thursday morning after being struck by a dump truck while directing traffic in the city's east end. Police were called to the area of Millwood Road and Overlea Boulevard at about 9 a.m. for reports of a pedestrian-involved collision.

Speaking to reporters at the scene shortly after 2 p.m., Duty Insp. Peter Wallace said a 33-year-old man driving the dump truck was making a left turn from southbound Millwood Road onto eastbound Overlea Boulevard when he struck the agent. Emergency crews began life-saving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators.

Mayor Olivia Chow said she was "heartbroken" to learn of the death, calling it a "painful reminder" of the risks traffic agents take while working in live traffic in all weather conditions. City spokesperson Russell Baker said support services are being made available to affected employees, while CUPE Local 79 president Nas Yadollahi said fellow agents are grieving and in shock. "The worst thing that can happen to an organization and to a group of workers is to lose a worker on the job," she said. Premier Doug Ford called the death a "sober reminder" of the sacrifices traffic agents make. Police said the investigation is active and ongoing, and several road closures remained in effect.

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2. Ontario deficit grows to $16.9 billion as U.S. tariff pressure drags on

Ontario's deficit is now projected at $16.9 billion for 2026-27, up more than $3 billion from the $13.8 billion forecast in the March budget. The figure came in Thursday's fall economic statement. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said in a written statement that the government "continues to face significant economic uncertainty driven by U.S. tariffs on Canada," but has a plan to protect workers, businesses and communities.

Part of the increase comes from a boost to the province's contingency and reserve funds, which rose from $1.5 billion to $2.2 billion to reflect "ongoing extraordinary circumstances, including significant trade-related risks." Most of the spending measures had already been announced, including a joint $8.7 billion Canada-Ontario action plan to bolster the steel, automotive and critical mineral sectors, and $8 billion in provincial tax relief that lets businesses write off a wide range of assets.

Deficits of $12.7 billion and $6.7 billion are expected over the next two fiscal years, with a small $200 million surplus projected for 2029-30 — later than the spring budget's hope of balancing in 2028-29 with a $600 million surplus. Overall revenue is actually $2 billion higher than the $232.6 billion forecast, helped by higher federal transfers, $878 million more in sales tax and about $1.5 billion more in corporate tax, but personal income tax revenue is $1.7 billion lower and land transfer tax is $497 million below forecast at $3.28 billion, blamed on a sluggish housing market. The province is borrowing $3.9 billion more, bringing long-term borrowing to $51.1 billion. Real GDP is projected to grow 0.5 per cent in 2026 and 1.5 per cent in 2027, with unemployment at 7.2 per cent this year, falling to 6.1 per cent by 2029.

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3. Pedestrian, 27, killed in Richmond Hill hit-and-run

York Regional Police say a pedestrian died after a hit-and-run crash involving two vehicles Wednesday night in Richmond Hill. Officers were called to Yonge Street, just north of Jefferson Forest Drive, at about 9:20 p.m. and found a male victim on the roadway with critical injuries. The 27-year-old, of no fixed address, was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts by first responders.

Investigators believe the pedestrian was first struck by the driver of a northbound vehicle, which pushed him into the southbound lanes. A second motorist travelling south then struck the victim and did not remain at the scene. The first vehicle and its driver stayed, and police have no description of the second vehicle.

Duty Insp. Rich Gaudet told reporters at the scene that police received "numerous" 911 calls about a pedestrian being struck, and that the victim has not been named as investigators work to identify next of kin. "It's very early in the investigation and investigators are keeping all of the options open," he said, adding that there are still many witnesses to speak with and that police hope to obtain video of the collision. The Major Collision Investigation Unit has taken over the case. Roads in the area were closed for several hours but have since reopened. Anyone with information or dashcam footage is asked to call 905-830-0303, ext. 7704.

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4. Woodbridge man, 70, sentenced to life for murdering his wife

A 70-year-old Woodbridge man who murdered his wife nearly two years ago has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 13 years. Trevor Wheeler's sentencing hearing was held Thursday morning in Newmarket. He was convicted late last month of second-degree murder in the March 2024 stabbing death of his spouse, Estella Wheeler.

The Crown had sought parole ineligibility of 14 to 15 years, while counsel appointed to assist Wheeler — who represented himself — suggested 12 years. During his trial, Wheeler testified that his wife was going to kill him after he confronted her about being unfaithful, describing the 64-year-old as difficult and evil, and telling the court after his arrest that she was not following the teachings of their pastor. Asked by the Crown what happened, he said: "(Estella) was the problem, not me."

Police found Estella Wheeler on March 6, 2024 at her residence suffering from more than 60 stab wounds; three kitchen knives were located in the home. She was a popular Grade 7/8 teacher at an Africentric Alternative school in Toronto and had worked for the Toronto District School Board for just over seven years. In a letter to parents, principal Hugh Reynolds described her as a "beloved" teacher and a "well-known, dedicated team member." Brookwell Park, near Sheppard Avenue West and Keele Street, has been renamed in her honour, with a ceremony held Sept. 29.

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5. Toronto man charged after anti-Chinese slurs and death threats

Toronto police have arrested a man accused of yelling anti-Chinese slurs at two people and threatening to kill them. Police said the victims were in a coffee shop near Bloor Street West and Keele Street on Wednesday when the suspect entered and allegedly yelled slurs at them.

When the victims left the shop, the suspect followed and raised a wooden stick above his head while making death threats, police allege. Officers responded and the suspect was later arrested.

In a news release Thursday, police identified the suspect as 37-year-old Hesameddin Bazargan of Toronto. He has been charged with two counts of offence motivated by hatred relating to assault with a weapon, two counts of offence motivated by hatred relating to uttering death threats, and one count of failure to comply with a release order.

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6. Youth sexually assaulted on TTC LRT in North York; police seek suspect

Police are searching for a suspect after a youth was sexually assaulted in North York on Wednesday evening. It happened around 6:30 p.m. in the area of Finch Avenue West and Sentinel Road. Toronto police say the youth was waiting on the TTC light rail platform when the suspect struck up a conversation.

The suspect then followed the youth onto the train, sat next to them and sexually assaulted them, police allege. He was last seen walking south on Jane Street from Finch Avenue West.

Police describe the suspect as 50 to 60 years old, five-foot-eight, with grey facial hair. He was last seen wearing a black and grey hooded winter jacket, dark pants, a white toque, grey shoes and a gold watch. Investigators are asking anyone with information to come forward.

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7. Regis Korchinski-Paquet inquest put on hold indefinitely

A coroner's inquest into the death of a Toronto woman who fell from a 24th-floor balcony while police were in her home was put on hold indefinitely Thursday, just as it reached the final stretch of proceedings. "I will be adjourning the inquest until further notice," said Dr. David Cameron, the coroner presiding over the inquest into the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet. "The reason for this is that we have some quite unanticipated investigation that needs to be done before we can continue." He gave no details on the nature or focus of that investigation.

The inquest finished hearing evidence Wednesday and was set to reconvene Thursday afternoon so lawyers for about a dozen parties could make closing remarks and suggest recommendations to the jury. Korchinski-Paquet, a 29-year-old woman of Afro-Indigenous and Ukrainian descent, died on May 27, 2020 after police were called to the west-end apartment she shared with relatives. Ontario's Special Investigations Unit cleared police of wrongdoing, finding that she fell while trying to move from her apartment's balcony to the one next door; her family disputed the findings, and the SIU did not participate in the inquest.

Last week, her mother Claudette Beals alleged while testifying that officers pushed her daughter toward the balcony, temporarily throwing the inquest off course. Two officers who were in the apartment, Const. Shane Beaudoin and then-Const. Adam Vandenbrink, had testified that Korchinski-Paquet was allowed in to use the bathroom and then moved quickly to the balcony, and that they did not know at the time about postictal delirium or psychosis. Her brother Reece Korchinski told the inquest: "If the police never showed up that day, Regis would still be alive." Jurors heard that six officers and two paramedics responded, and that Korchinski-Paquet had experienced two seizures earlier that day.

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8. An unseasonably warm end to October has Ontarians asking: What about winter?

With October winding down, Ontarians enjoyed unseasonably warm weather Thursday, with temperatures soaring to 19 degrees in Barrie. As the mild conditions kept people outdoors, many were already wondering what winter has in store and when the season's biggest blasts of snow and cold will arrive.

According to the Farmers' Almanac, Ontario could be in for frequent snowfall, lake-effect snow, freezing rain and temperature swings. Southern Ontario could see more snow than usual despite a drier season overall. The publication predicts "above-normal snowfall" across the province, with the snowiest periods in early and late January and again in mid-March, and the coldest stretches in mid- and late January and early and late February. Temperatures are expected to be below normal in eastern Ontario, while western areas could see above-normal temperatures.

One of the biggest concerns may be how often conditions change: the almanac warns of storms that begin with snow, switch to freezing rain and then turn icy as temperatures drop, while lake-effect snow could bring heavy accumulations downwind of the Great Lakes and northern Ontario is expected to see "more consistent" winter conditions. Rather than months of steady cold, the forecast points to sharp swings between mild spells and Arctic air, storms and sudden freezes. Last year, the City of Barrie declared a significant weather event on Dec. 28, beginning what officials said became the longest continuous period the city has ever spent under such a declaration. First issued in 1818, the Farmers' Almanac's predictions are not guaranteed and actual conditions will vary.

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9. Tumbler Ridge shooting survivor released from hospital

Maya Gebala, who survived the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., has been released from hospital — 262 days after she was airlifted to B.C. Children's Hospital. Her father, David Gebala, shared the update in a social media post Thursday.

"There was never a day I stopped believing we would get here. The road ahead is still long, but this is a milestone no one thought we would reach. Maya, you are the bravest person I know," he wrote. "Giving up was never an option for me, and it clearly never was for you either." He also shared a video of his daughter reacting to the news that she would finally be going home.

David's post outlined multiple surgeries and alarming setbacks during her prolonged hospital stay, as well as milestones including the moment Maya breathed on her own, opened her eyes and spoke for the first time after the shooting. He thanked the nurses, doctors and therapists who "walked every step of this with us," adding: "Now it's time to leave these hospital walls behind and keep moving forward." On Feb. 10, an 18-year-old shooter killed six people inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and two family members at a second location before dying of self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

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10. Rescue group says cannabis poisonings of dogs at 'epidemic' level

A Sudbury, Ont.-based animal rescue organization is sounding the alarm after seeing a steady increase in cannabis toxicity in dogs following legalization. Petsave director Jill Pessot said she gets a terrified phone call from one of her foster parents about every two months. "It's at an epidemic level. It's now happening daily in vet offices. As a rescue, we're seeing it about every second month in a foster home," she said, adding that "it's not about which neighbourhood you live in. It's throughout the entire city."

One case happened last week. Sarah Roy had taken her foster dog, Tori, for an evening walk around her neighbourhood when the dog began acting strangely. "The symptoms progressively got worse and more concerning. Tori started to be agitated. Walking in circles," Roy said, and when Tori's head began bobbing around 2 a.m. she called Pessot. "We've had dogs that come in comatose and require entire lipid treatment to absorb the cannabis," Pessot said, noting vet bills have ranged between $2,000 and $3,000 in some cases. Tori is now doing well and has since been adopted.

Dr. Darren Stinson, a veterinarian at the Chelmsford Animal Hospital, said he has also seen an increase. With 11 practices sharing an on-call rotation, he covers roughly one weekend every six and usually sees at least one case each time — about six to eight a year, compared with one every couple of years before legalization in 2017. Symptoms typically start two hours after ingestion and range from uncoordinated, high-stepping walking and dilated or constricted pupils to intention tremors, depending on the size of the dog and how much was ingested. Pessot is urging cannabis users to carefully discard any remnants. "Dogs can be like a little vacuum cleaner," she said, and advised contacting a vet immediately if ingestion is suspected.

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