Maple Express | August 31, 2026: Ontario agencies' maps label Lake Ontario as 'Lake America'

1. Ontario agencies' maps label Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' amid Google Maps change

Source: CP24

Following Google Maps' change for U.S. users, an online outage map from Hydro One — Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution provider — was also displaying Lake Ontario's name as "Lake America" on Sunday.

In a statement to CTV News, Hydro One said it is aware the name is being "incorrectly labelled," adding the issue stems from a third-party mapping service and it is working with its vendor to correct it. Metrolinx's website map, the LCBO's online map, and a federal Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada map were also showing the change.

Ontario Minister Stephen Crawford said the maps are pulling data directly from Google Maps and the province is reviewing its sites to restore the correct name. Premier Doug Ford responded that "Lake Ontario is and always will be Lake Ontario," while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called the change a mistake and said Google should restore the name.

2. Trump calls Canada one of the 'worst abusers,' says he doesn't want 'Canadian anything'

Source: CP24

U.S. President Donald Trump continued posting on Truth Social on Sunday afternoon, claiming he had "revived and saved" America's auto industry through tariffs and calling Canada "one of the worst abusers."

"One of the Worst Abusers is Canada. I don't want Canadian cars, I don't want Canadian parts, I don't want Canadian anything," Trump wrote, adding that Canada wants "to be treated like a State, but they aren't one."

He then encouraged all Canadian companies doing business with the U.S. to move operations south of the border "immediately," saying there would be "no TARIFFS" when they move back. He also claimed the U.S. has been losing "more than 60 Billion Dollars a year with Canada."

3. Toronto police: suspect made anti-Sikh utterances, racial slurs before waterfront stabbing

Source: CP24

Toronto police are asking for the public's help to identify a man who allegedly made anti-Sikh utterances and racial slurs before stabbing a victim in the leg on Saturday near Queens Quay and Lower Spadina Avenue.

Police say they were called to the area for reports of a person with a knife. Investigators allege the suspect approached the victim and a witness during an unprovoked interaction and made the remarks before attacking the victim. The victim's injuries are non-life-threatening.

The suspect is described as a male standing about five-foot-six with black hair, last seen wearing a navy-blue short-sleeved jersey with an NFL "Sunday Ticket" logo, blue jeans and grey-and-black New Balance shoes. The suspected hate-motivated assault investigation is ongoing.

4. Voters head to the polls in federal byelection for Toronto's Beaches—East York riding

Source: CP24

Voters are heading to the polls today in the Liberal stronghold of Beaches—East York in Toronto, one of three federal byelections being held across the country to fill recently vacated seats in Parliament.

Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith resigned the seat last month after an unsuccessful campaign for the Ontario Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest, and has since announced he is running for Toronto city council.

The other byelections are in Chicoutimi–Le Fjord, Que., and North Vancouver–Capilano, B.C. In the Toronto riding, voting began at 9 a.m. and polls close at 9 p.m.

5. How the Canada-U.S. trade war is shifting Toronto shopping habits toward local brands

Source: CP24

As the Canada-U.S. trade war heats up, more Torontonians are turning to local products. Toronto resident Josh Balon said he decided to support a local butcher shop, arguing small businesses "are going to hurt" and need the support.

New U.S. tariffs took effect Aug. 22, prompting Canada to announce retaliatory tariffs of 15 to 50 per cent that come into effect after Labour Day. Retail expert Bruce Winder said the dispute is top of mind for Canadians.

Loblaw has re-introduced "T" labels to flag tariff-affected products along with a maple leaf symbol for Canadian items. Balon said he has swapped U.S. ice cream brands for the Canadian brand Chapman's.

6. Pedestrian seriously hurt after being struck by vehicle in downtown Toronto

Source: CP24

A pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle in downtown Toronto on Sunday, near Dundas Street East and Sherbourne Street.

Police were called to the area just after 3:40 p.m. for a collision involving a pedestrian and a vehicle; the driver and vehicle remained on scene. Paramedics transported a man in his 50s to a trauma centre in serious but stable condition.

Eastbound Dundas Street East is currently blocked at Sherbourne Street, and police advised motorists to expect delays and consider alternate routes.

7. One charged, another wanted for attempted murder after Mississauga parking-spot fight

Source: CP24

One person has been arrested and another remains at large following a double stabbing Saturday night at a Mississauga shopping plaza in the Cooksville neighbourhood, near Dundas Street West and Parkerhill Road.

Peel police responded around 5 p.m. to a disturbance in a parking lot and found two adult men with stab wounds from a reported parking dispute. Both were taken to hospital and are now stable. Ali Halimi, 30, of Mississauga, was arrested and charged with assault.

A second male suspect, believed to be the stabber and in possession of a knife, is wanted for attempted murder. Police say he is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Const. Tyler Bell-Morena said it all began over a parking spot, and the best response to a heated encounter is to "just walk away."

8. Woman dead after pedestrian struck by light rail train in Waterloo

Source: CP24

Waterloo Regional Police say a woman has died after a pedestrian was struck by a light rail train in Waterloo on Saturday around 11:20 p.m. near Dutton Drive.

Officers found an adult woman on scene. Life-saving measures were attempted, but she was pronounced deceased at the scene. No charges have been laid.

9. Unionized GM workers wrap up voting on new tentative agreement

Source: CP24

Unionized General Motors workers are expected to wrap up voting today on a new tentative agreement. Unifor and GM reached tentative labour contracts for more than 4,600 Ontario autoworkers on Aug. 22.

Unifor National President Lana Payne said the agreements deliver strong wage and benefit increases for workers at GM's Oshawa assembly plant, the CAMI facility in Ingersoll, and operations in St. Catharines and Woodstock.

Talks began earlier this month after Unifor reached a deal with Ford that included three per cent annual pay increases and a renewal of a no-closure agreement.

10. New academic year brings unique challenges for Canada's newest undergrads

Source: CP24

The start of a new academic semester is exciting for many students but brings real challenges. Seventeen-year-old Eli Jones, who starts classes next week at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, has moved into residence and is living on his own for the first time.

He worries about homesickness and staying disciplined with his studies, while tuition and living costs could run more than $20,000. Saint Mary's Students' Association president Liza Zahid says some students are forced to choose between food and course materials amid the affordability crisis.

Dalhousie University offers peer mentors, staff, professors and financial advisors to support first-year students living away from home for the first time.