Maple Express | August 13, 2026 Toronto officer shot while responding to stolen e-bike call

1. Toronto police officer seriously injured after being shot while responding to stolen e-bike call

A Toronto police officer was shot in the upper thigh early Thursday while responding to a call about a stolen e-bike in the city's St. James Town neighbourhood.

Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue said officers were called around 3:20 a.m. for reports of a robbery involving an e-bike. A brief foot pursuit ensued, and during the arrest, a suspect shot the officer in the leg. Officers did not return fire.

Colleagues applied a tourniquet before the officer, who has about three years of service, was rushed to St. Michael's Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. A 27-year-old suspect was taken into custody and a firearm was recovered. Police called the violence "extraordinary and deeply concerning."

2. Video shows near-complete darkness along Danforth Avenue during Toronto power outage

Parts of Toronto's east end were plunged into darkness Wednesday night during a major power outage, with video showing dozens of storefronts and restaurants along Danforth Avenue in the dark.

More than 30,000 homes and businesses from Cabbagetown to Leslieville were without power for hours. Toronto Hydro confirmed power was fully restored by around 10:30 p.m.

On Thursday morning, crews were still working to restore a separate outage in the Beaches after a tree fell onto power lines, leaving about 230 customers without power.

3. Doug Ford says he does not approve of PC party-funded trip to Jamaica to surveil Bonnie Crombie

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he was not aware that the Progressive Conservative party spent $3,000 to send someone to Jamaica to surveil Bonnie Crombie, and he does not approve of the tactic.

Reports said the PC party paid for a person to travel to the resort where Crombie was vacationing, six days after she became Liberal leader in 2023, as part of "opposition research work."

Ford said he learned of the expense only Wednesday and stressed it was "the party's money." NDP Leader Marit Stiles called the spying "creepy Trump-style politics" and said "heads need to roll."

4. Police set up website to find owners of 2,500 items stolen during GTA condo break-and-enters

Toronto police have launched a dedicated website to reunite owners with about 2,500 "high-end" items stolen during a series of break-and-enters at GTA condo buildings.

Project Compass, launched in September 2025, has identified a network of criminals who allegedly broke into at least 30 condo units, stealing gold, luxury watches, jewelry and cash valued at $1 million to $1.5 million.

Three suspects face more than 150 charges. Police also identified a pawn shop near Church and Queen streets where items were trafficked. Owners can view images and submit claims at projectcompass.tps.ca.

5. Monthly fare capping on the TTC starting Sept. 1

A new monthly fare cap on the TTC takes effect Sept. 1, letting riders pay for only 47 trips before the rest of the calendar month is free.

Riders must use the same payment method each time, whether PRESTO card, debit or credit card, or mobile wallet. Monthly passes for youth, adults and seniors, along with some annual passes, are being discontinued Aug. 31.

Mayor Olivia Chow announced the change at Victoria Park Station, saying frequent commuters could be riding free before month's end. The $3-million fare cap was first announced last year, with a goal of lowering the cap to 40 rides in 2027.

6. Man wanted in connection with sexual assault at restaurant washroom in Vaughan

York Regional Police are searching for a male suspect wanted in connection with a sexual assault in a restaurant washroom in Vaughan.

The incident happened the morning of June 25, around 9 a.m., near Keele Street and Rutherford Road. The victim was allegedly touched for a sexual purpose by an unknown suspect who fled after being confronted.

Police describe the suspect as roughly six feet tall with white hair, last seen wearing a blue shirt, light-coloured pants and a baseball cap. Investigators believe he frequents the area and are asking witnesses to come forward.

7. An 11-year-old boy spent $2K on Roblox at Walmart. His family wants to know why the transaction was allowed

An Ontario family is speaking out after their 11-year-old son spent $2,000 on Roblox gift cards at Walmart, money the family had saved for emergencies.

Hong Jin and Jason Kim said their son took an envelope containing $2,000 to $3,000 in cash before visiting his grandmother's house. At Walmart, he made two $1,000 purchases of Roblox gaming cards.

The family was told the sale was final and no refunds were available. Walmart said staff "appropriately applied" its $1,000 gift-card transaction limit and that there are no age restrictions for purchasing gift cards in Canada. Consumer experts recommend parents set up parental controls.

8. People in Canada illegally will no longer be eligible for social assistance in Ontario

Ontario is enacting new social assistance rules so people without legal immigration status in Canada cannot receive the benefits.

Premier Doug Ford first vowed the change after reports of a tribunal ruling that awarded Ontario Works payments to a man whose temporary work permit had long since expired.

Children, Community and Social Services Minister Michael Parsa said the province has amended regulations for Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program. The changes specify that people in Canada illegally, and those only authorized to stay temporarily through student visas or work permits, are not eligible.

9. B.C. dog owner charged after mauling left woman with 'life-altering' injuries

Police in Port Moody, B.C., say a dog owner has been criminally charged after two large dogs allegedly mauled a woman in an attack that left her with "life-altering" injuries.

The May 20 attack left the victim with serious injuries requiring hospital treatment. Investigators say city officials had already deemed the dogs aggressive before the attack and required them to wear muzzles, but they were not muzzled.

The B.C. Prosecution Service has approved a charge of criminal negligence causing bodily harm against the owner.

10. 10 children died as a result of e-scooter incidents, report notes amid rising concerns

As e-scooters and e-bikes grow more popular across Canada, a new report highlights their dangers for children, sparking calls for better policy co-ordination and public education.

Statistics from the Canadian Paediatric Society show that of 57 severe e-scooter-related injuries in 2025, 10 were deaths among children under 18. The Canadian Institute for Health Information reported 498 e-scooter hospitalizations from 2023 to 2024.

Toronto police recently issued 447 tickets and warnings for e-scooter and e-bike violations before a two-week enforcement campaign. Nova Scotia announced this month that children under 14 will be banned from riding e-bikes starting this fall.