Maple Express | Aug 13, 2026 Markham collision leaves one dead and knocks out power to thousands

1. Markham collision leaves one dead and triggers large power outage

A serious collision in Markham on Thursday afternoon left one person dead and knocked out power to more than 6,000 residents.

The crash happened near McCowan Road and Highway 7. The affected area stretched from Highway 7 south toward Steeles Avenue East, bounded by Kennedy Road to the west and McCowan Road to the east, and also touched major routes including 14th Avenue and Highway 407. At the peak, 6,252 customers lost power; as of 3:48 p.m., 23 customers were still without electricity.

Ontario's Ministry of Labour said it was notified of a workplace fatality and sent an inspector to the scene, with an investigation ongoing. Police are warning drivers to expect heavy delays and to avoid the area.

2. Hwy. 401 eastbound closed in Pickering after crash leaves child critically injured

The eastbound lanes of Highway 401 remained closed in Pickering on Thursday afternoon following a single-vehicle crash that left a child critically injured.

The crash happened near Brock Road around 2:20 p.m. Ornge confirmed it airlifted a critically injured pediatric patient from the scene to the Hospital for Sick Children.

The highway was initially closed in both directions. The westbound express and collector lanes reopened at 3:15 p.m., but there is no word on when the eastbound lanes will reopen. The cause of the crash is not yet known.

3. Man stabbed in downtown Toronto, police searching for suspect

Police are searching for a suspect after a man was stabbed in downtown Toronto on Thursday afternoon.

The incident happened at about 2 p.m. near Church and Shuter streets. Officers found a man suffering from stab wounds, and he was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect fled before officers arrived. He is described as a male wearing a black ski mask and a black-and-white T-shirt. Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

4. Two Romanians accused of installing cash-trapping devices on ATMs in York Region

Two Romanian men are facing nearly 40 charges after allegedly tampering with ATMs using cash-trapping devices in York Region.

York Regional Police said financial institutions reported 14 incidents between June 17 and July 27. The suspects would install double-sided tape inside the cash-dispensing slot, preventing victims from retrieving their money, then return later to take out the trapped cash.

The two suspects, aged 41 and 52, were arrested last week, and officers recovered a large quantity of double-sided tape and fabricated metal slides. They face a combined 19 counts of theft under $5,000 and 19 counts of mischief under $5,000. Police urge people to confirm the cash dispensed matches the amount requested and to report any suspicious ATM activity.

5. TTC monthly fare cap set at 47 trips starting Sept. 1

Starting Sept. 1, TTC riders will only be required to pay for 47 trips each month under a new fare-cap policy.

Once a rider reaches 47 paid trips in a month, all further rides will be free. The move is designed to ease the financial burden on commuters who rely on transit daily, including workers and students.

6. Ford believes Toronto island airport will ultimately expand despite federal roadblock

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Thursday he believes his government will ultimately succeed in expanding Toronto's island airport to allow jets to land, though he did not indicate how.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's government rejected Ford's proposal last month following a consultation largely opposed to jets. Carney said the results were clear but did not permanently rule out allowing jets, noting "forever is a long time."

Speaking in Guelph, Ford said "let the people decide, let the market decide," arguing an expanded airport would boost the economy and offer passengers more convenient travel options and lower fees.

7. Charges withdrawn against three suspects in 2025 fatal shooting of 15-year-old Jahkai Jack

Charges laid against three suspects in the 2025 shooting death of 15-year-old Jahkai Jack in Toronto's west end have been dropped.

Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General confirmed that charges against Abdul Yeberebaba, 20, Jayden Samuel-James, 19, and Rajveer Gill, 21, were withdrawn on Wednesday. Yeberebaba had been charged with second-degree murder, while the other two faced accessory after the fact charges.

The shooting occurred on June 7, 2025, in the Mount Dennis neighbourhood. Police said Jahkai, who was not involved in gangs or criminal activity, was simply meeting friends on a summer night.

8. New data centres in Ontario will pay all energy costs, get no cash incentives

New data centres in Ontario will need to cover all their energy costs and could pay more for electricity than other industrial users, the government said Thursday, while ruling out financial incentives to lure new projects.

Premier Doug Ford lauded data centres as "the way of the future" but made clear there would be no free rides: "If any data centre thinks they're coming into Ontario and getting a freebie — not happening."

Ontario has seen a surge in data-centre connection requests, now at roughly 7,000 megawatts — double what was reported in March and more than a quarter of the province's peak demand of about 25,000 megawatts. Oakville has enacted a one-year moratorium, and Mississauga is set to vote on its own pause next month.

9. Lithium-ion batteries may face regulations in Canada after recent fires

Lithium-ion batteries used to power e-bikes, e-scooters and many other products are being blamed for a rising number of fires across Canada and may face new regulations.

In Toronto alone, there have been roughly 80 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries so far this year — an increase of 35 per cent that includes 14 injuries and two fatalities. Three separate battery-related fires occurred in the city over the past week.

Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop warned that cheap, unregulated batteries can be ordered online without knowing who tested them or what standards they meet. Health Canada recently completed a public consultation that showed "broad support for the introduction of mandatory safety requirements."

10. Cultural sector urges Carney not to scrap streamers' CanCon financial contributions

Dozens of Canadian cultural organizations are calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney not to scrap rules requiring foreign streaming companies like Netflix to make financial contributions toward Canadian content.

The government has promised to replace the 15-per-cent contributions with direct government funding, but a letter signed by 50 organizations says that is no substitute. It argues that the $600-million-per-year pledge is subject to budget and political pressures, unlike a regulated contribution framework.

Signatories include the Canadian Media Producers Association and unions representing Canadian actors, writers and directors. The government said in June it would issue a new policy directive and instead provide direct annual funding to the industry.