Maple Express | October 10, 2026 — Toronto food banks see record demand as mayoral candidates join Thanksgiving food sort

Source: CP24

1. Toronto food banks see record demand as mayoral candidates join Thanksgiving food sort

Source: CP24

Toronto mayoral candidates Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford joined Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Saturday at the Daily Bread Food Bank's annual Thanksgiving food sort, where hundreds of volunteers gathered. Organizers said more than 200 volunteers turned out to sort and pack food donations for local residents in need over the holiday weekend. Chow, Bradford, Ford and other elected officials joined volunteers for the first shift at 9 a.m., with the event scheduled to run until 4 p.m.

In a news release, Daily Bread said its network recorded more than 2.5 million client visits between January and August 2026 — nearly four times the 664,876 visits recorded during the same period in 2020. About one in 10 Torontonians now regularly rely on a food bank, the organization said, amid what it called "record demand for food assistance." CEO Neil Hetherington said the holidays can be among the hardest times for families struggling to put food on the table, adding that the level of need in the city is unlike anything seen before. Daily Bread has set a $5-million fundraising target for its Thanksgiving drive and has raised roughly $2.5 million so far, while aiming to collect 185,000 pounds of food.

Saturday's event came as Toronto's mayoral candidates continue to campaign ahead of the Oct. 26 election. A recent Nanos Research survey conducted for CP24 and CTV News Toronto found that nearly three-quarters of Toronto voters feel the city has become less affordable than four years ago. This past week, Chow unveiled a 4-point plan to cut grocery prices and provide property tax breaks for community grocers, while Bradford's campaign accused her of re-hashing previously announced policies. Advance voting closes on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.

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2. Fatal Vaughan collision: police release video of 60-year-old woman's final moments

Source: CP24

Newly released security video shows the final moments of a 60-year-old Richmond Hill woman who was fatally struck by a vehicle and left undiscovered for nearly two days. The collision happened earlier this week on Sunday, Oct. 4, in the Vaughan area of Pine Valley Drive, just north of Major Mackenzie Drive. The video, released by York Regional Police on Friday, appears to show the woman walking northbound at around 8:30 p.m. when she was struck by a vehicle travelling in the same direction. At the time, she can be seen carrying what appears to be a small suitcase and a flashlight.

Moments later, three vehicles are seen travelling in the same direction, one after another, but police have not yet identified which vehicle struck her and hope to speak with the drivers of all three. Investigators are also asking residents north of the collision site, between Ballantyne and Teston roads, to review home security and dashcam footage recorded between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 4. Police previously identified the victim as a live-in caregiver who had just stepped off a bus and was walking to work when she was struck. Const. Kevin Nebrija has said the woman was walking along a stretch of roadway with a "narrow shoulder and no sidewalk."

Investigators say they believe the driver would have been aware they had struck someone, given the extent of the woman's injuries. Her body was found off the roadway in an area police described as "isolated" and "not well lit"; it was not until a passerby spotted her suitcase on the road at around 3 p.m. Tuesday that she was discovered in nearby grass. Police have not publicly identified the victim by name but say her next of kin has been notified, and they are urging the driver responsible to seek legal advice and turn themselves in. Police also warned that anyone who helps conceal evidence by repairing, altering or repainting a vehicle to hide collision damage could face criminal charges.

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3. Truck driver killed in workplace incident at Vaughan warehouse

Source: CP24

A truck driver has died following a workplace incident at an industrial warehouse in Vaughan on Friday night. The City of Vaughan said Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service responded to an industrial accident at 9501 Highway 50 shortly after 10:30 p.m. In an email to CP24, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development confirmed it was notified of a workplace incident involving a truck driver on Saturday, Oct. 10, and sent an inspector to the scene.

The ministry confirmed the incident was fatal but has not released further details as its investigation continues. York Regional Police are also investigating. The circumstances surrounding the truck driver's death remain unclear, and this is a developing story.

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4. Durham police issue public safety alert about ‘high-risk offender’ being released

Source: CP24

Police in Durham Region are advising the public about a 48-year-old man being released into the community, saying he "poses a significant risk to the community, especially children." In a social media post on Saturday, Durham Regional Police said Keith Theodore Constantin has a history of "serious criminal convictions," including sexual assault, assault with a weapon, robbery, possession of explosives, and uttering threats. He will be released on Sunday and is bound by several conditions, including wearing a GPS monitoring device, abiding by a curfew, and not communicating or engaging in any activities with anyone under 16 years old.

Constantin must also not be present in any daycare, swimming area, school ground or playground where one might reasonably expect children to be present, or any community centre where children under 16 are present. He is also not allowed to go to any public place, such as a mall, where persons under the age of 16 are present. Durham police said its Offender Management Unit will monitor Constantin's whereabouts and activities, and they are asking anyone who sees any suspicious or dangerous behaviour to call them immediately.

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5. Hamilton police officer accused in historical domestic incident faces additional charge

Source: CP24

A Hamilton police officer has been charged after allegedly breaching conditions while out on bail. In a news release on Saturday, Hamilton police said the unnamed 47-year-old officer was arrested following an investigation by Halton police and has been charged with breach of recognizance. The officer has been a member of Hamilton police for 18 years.

He was first charged in August 2025 in connection with a historical domestic incident, when he was charged with assault level 1 and mischief under $5,000, and was subsequently released on conditions. Hamilton police said they will not be providing additional comment, as the case is now before the courts.

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6. ‘Our pride and joy’: Sask. parents see son’s legacy live on with Henry’s Law

Source: CP24

Two Regina parents are feeling proud that their son's legacy will live on in hopes of preventing future tragedies. Henry's Law, a measure to boost Saskatchewan's carbon monoxide regulations, is set to come into effect on Nov. 1. It is named after Henry Losco, an 11-year-old boy who was killed last December as the result of a carbon monoxide leak. The law requires all multi-unit residential buildings to have carbon monoxide alarms in every suite.

"I want parents to know that safety starts at home. You need to be having these talks with your children, among your family — that (carbon monoxide) is odorless and that you don't know it's there until it's too late," said Marina Hills, Henry's mother. "You can't ignore it when it goes off. You have to leave the house and call 911." Sergio Losco, Henry's father, also looks forward to the law coming into effect, saying it is very important because it will bring Henry's legacy alive and help many families understand the danger and protect themselves. He said the family hopes it is the first step and that the law will be extended to other provinces and at the federal level.

The incident which took Henry's life occurred on Dec. 19, 2025, at an apartment complex on the 1800 block of Albert Street. An investigation from Regina Fire and Protective Services determined that a delayed ignition caused one of the apartment's boilers to explode, resulting in carbon monoxide being emitted into the building. Hills returned to the apartment that night to find Sergio struggling to breathe on the floor and Henry in his room, before 911 was called and the building was deemed unsafe. Henry was pronounced dead at the scene. The couple said Henry was an avid lover of soccer who dreamed of playing goalie for Team Canada one day, and also loved chess, music and going to the park.

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7. Top lottery prize becomes the largest-ever Canadian jackpot

Source: CP24

The Lotto Max jackpot just reached a record. Now at $85 million, the top prize is the largest ever available in Canada, across all Canadian brands. The popular lottery saw no jackpot winner in Friday night's draw, pushing the top prize close to the maximum allowable amount. The winning numbers for that draw were 6, 10, 19, 25, 29, 39 and 50, with a bonus number of 36.

According to news releases from Loto-Quebec and OLG on Saturday, the lucky winner of the next draw could claim an $85-million prize if they play the right numbers. There are also an estimated 16 Maxmillions prizes (worth $1 million each) up for grabs in Tuesday's draw, and another 85 MaxPlus prizes of $100,000 each. OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti told CTV News by email Saturday that if no one wins Tuesday's draw, the prize will jump to $90 million; the jackpot will stay at $90 million if no one wins the following draw, but the Maxmillions and MaxPlus prizes will grow. There's a cap of 90 MaxPlus prizes.

Lotto Max announced back in April that the jackpot could now reach $90 million, but so far the prize has always been claimed before approaching the new cap. The previous jackpot record was $80.4 million, a prize split between two friends in London, Ont., in December.

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8. Overlapping local, provincial elections in B.C. causing confusion: candidates

Source: CP24

Cori Ramsay, a candidate for city council in Prince George, B.C., says a voter told her they can't wait to cast a ballot for her on Oct. 24 — but that voter would surely be disappointed, as Ramsay's election is a week earlier, on Oct. 17. As British Columbians contend with local and provincial elections in October, some candidates say the overlap is confusing and overwhelming voters. The local elections on Oct. 17 will see voters elect mayors, councillors, school board trustees and other local officials, while a provincial vote will be held Oct. 24 to elect 93 members of the legislature, which will determine B.C.'s next premier.

NDP Leader David Eby's decision to call a snap election came as the local election campaign period had already begun, and earned swift condemnation from the Union of BC Municipalities, which represents local governments in the province. Ramsay, the union's former president, said she thinks the decision has put an unfair strain on the electorate. "I'm hearing candidates going door-to-door for the municipal election being told that 'I can't vote for you because I'm voting for our MLA,'" she said. The union's current president, Jenna Stoner, who is running for mayor in Squamish, said she has seen voters confused about where and when to vote.

Ramsay said the dual elections are hurting voters' ability to assess candidates in a crowded field, and that one frustrated and overwhelmed voter said she would base her vote on a "vibe check." Tanya Webking, who is running with the BC Green Party for Vancouver-Strathcona in the provincial election, said she has had voters mistake her as running for the Green Party of Vancouver. Vancouver voter Paul Thompson said it has been difficult to get a handle on the more than 100 people on the city's municipal ballot. When asked about the overlapping elections, Eby said he had confidence in electors' ability to vote in two elections. Elections BC said it has received a "large number" of applications for election officials and other staff, more than the last provincial election. This report by Marissa Birnie of The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2026.

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9. More changes at the pumps in the Maritimes as the Thanksgiving weekend gets underway

Source: CP24

Diesel prices for two Maritime provinces increased Saturday following a slight drop Friday. The price of diesel on P.E.I. increased by 8.1 cents, with the new minimum price at 263.6 cents per litre. The price of regular self-serve gasoline did not change, remaining at 202.9 cents per litre. Diesel prices in New Brunswick went up by 9.7 cents, with the new maximum price at 277.9 cents per litre, while the maximum price of regular self-serve gasoline did not change, remaining at 195.4 cents per litre.

There were no changes in the prices of diesel or regular self-serve gasoline in Nova Scotia on Saturday. In the Halifax area, the minimum price of diesel is 260.5 cents per litre and gasoline is 192.9 cents per litre. In Cape Breton, the minimum price of diesel is 262.5 cents per litre and gasoline is 194.8 cents per litre.

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10. Experts weigh in on the online terrorism group 764 following Sask. arrest

Source: CP24

It has been over two weeks since an 18-year-old from Yorkton was charged with terrorism-related offences, after allegedly posting a series of videos connected to the group "764." According to the RCMP, 764 is an online group that has extreme ideological views and victimizes children with a broader goal of generating the collapse of society. Supt. Matthew Johnson, the officer in charge of the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region's Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, said members can largely be found on online gaming platforms such as Roblox and Minecraft, as well as mobile apps like Discord and Telegraph, targeting vulnerable youth.

"Routinely, the victim of choice of these groups and these offenders are minors," Johnson said. "We've seen a particular spike in what I call 'extreme minors,' so children between 10 and 14, but all the way up until they hit adulthood at 18. We've also seen offenders and victims in their early 20s and late teens." 764 was officially designated as a "terrorist entity" by the Government of Canada in December 2025 and was started in late 2020. Experts are hoping digital literacy can be taught to youth to protect them from 764, which is described as "transnational."

Colleen Bell, an associate professor in the Department of Political Studies at the University of Saskatchewan, said that because of this the chances of it being quite widespread are likely, and she advised parents to keep an eye on their children's online activity. "Just talk to your kids, tell them what concerns you, what you want them to be wary of," she said. Johnson said the Yorkton teenager is the first group member to be arrested in Saskatchewan; the suspect cannot be named as the crimes were allegedly committed when they were a youth. The teen is scheduled to appear in Yorkton Provincial Court again next week.

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