Maple Express | August 28, 2026 PM Carney pushes back on Trump's order to rename Lake Ontario 'Lake America'

1. PM Carney pushes back on Trump's order to rename Lake Ontario 'Lake America'

Source: CP24

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday afternoon in the Oval Office renaming Lake Ontario as "Lake America," calling the move "official, effective immediately." U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has directed the U.S. Board of Geographic Names to carry out the change.

Prime Minister Mark Carney responded Thursday, reaffirming that Canadians will always know it as "Lake Ontario — then, now and always." He noted the name comes from the Wendat word Ontari'io, meaning "the lake is beautiful, the lake is big," and is more than 400 years old, predating both Confederation and the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

The renaming comes amid an escalating trade dispute, with the U.S. imposing tariffs on roughly $28 billion in Canadian goods and threatening 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian autos, while Canada responds with dollar-for-dollar tariffs taking effect after Labour Day. Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote, "It's Lake Ontario to Canadians and the rest of the world. Now and forever."

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2. Toronto and Mississauga mayoral candidates pitch tax relief for businesses amid trade war

Source: CP24

As the trade war deepens, mayoral candidates across the GTA are rolling out plans to protect small businesses, ranging from tax relief to strengthened "buy local" initiatives. New U.S. tariffs of up to 50 per cent and looming Canadian counter-tariffs are squeezing exporters and businesses that rely on cross-border trade.

In Toronto, Olivia Chow is urging residents to support local businesses and buy Canadian, pointing to the city's EDGE program that offers property tax relief to expanding businesses. Rival Brad Bradford proposes 25 per cent property tax relief for roughly 3,500 industrial businesses each year the trade war continues, while Chris Alexander proposes cutting municipal licensing fees by 30 per cent for street vendors and farmers' markets.

In Mississauga, incumbent Carolyn Parrish says about 89,000 local jobs are tied to U.S. trade, and the city is studying a property tax subsidy for affected small businesses. Challenger Bonnie Crombie proposes interest-free property tax deferrals and would require the city to pay qualifying local vendors within 15 days.

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3. Senior out $12K after distraction theft of custom gold jewelry in Durham Region

Source: CP24

Susan Beatson, 71, was tending her lawn in Port Perry last Friday when a vehicle stopped and a passenger asked for directions to a pharmacy. As thanks, the passenger gave her and her 77-year-old friend Bob each a costume ring, then offered to place a gold necklace on Bob.

After the car drove away, Bob realized his gold mariner chain was gone, replaced with a fake one, and about 15 minutes later noticed his gold link bracelet was also missing. The necklace was a gift Beatson gave Bob more than 20 years ago — a custom-made piece with a lighthouse pendant featuring a diamond beacon, the only one ever made. The two stolen pieces were appraised at around $12,000.

Durham Regional Police confirmed the report. Const. Nick Gluckstein said this is a common distraction theft widely reported across the region. As of Aug. 26, Durham police said there have been 114 distraction-style thefts this year, just six shy of the total for all of 2025. Beatson hopes to warn other seniors.

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4. Multiple vehicles burned at Scarborough MP's home in suspected arson

Source: CP24

Multiple vehicles were destroyed in a suspected arson outside the Scarborough home of Liberal MP Salma Zahid early Thursday morning. The fire broke out shortly before 1:30 a.m. near Bellamy Road North and Lawrence Avenue East. Toronto Fire and police responded and extinguished the blaze.

Zahid said her son noticed the fire and called 911, and that her family is safe. Her car and another vehicle were destroyed. She said she would not speculate on a motive but stressed such attacks are unacceptable and will not deter her work. She closed her constituency office Thursday to protect her staff.

Prime Minister Mark Carney called the incident a "cowardly act of violence and intimidation," and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she was relieved the family was safe. The National Council of Canadian Muslims condemned the attack. Zahid was first elected in 2015.

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5. Suspects caught on camera setting Richmond Hill business on fire for third time

Source: CP24

York Regional Police are searching for at least three suspects in connection with three arson attacks that targeted a Richmond Hill business over the span of a week. The business is in a plaza near Leslie Street and East Wilmot Street. Around 5:15 a.m. Wednesday, three suspects arrived in a black SUV.

Security footage shows the first suspect smashing the storefront window with what appears to be a hatchet, the second entering with two jerry cans, and the first then lighting something and tossing it inside, setting the store ablaze. One suspect filmed the fire before leaving. Police said the SUV's licence plate was stolen from a vehicle in Ajax.

The business was first targeted Aug. 19 and again Aug. 21. No injuries were reported and no suspect descriptions have been released.

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6. One person taken to hospital after collision in North York

Source: CP24

One person was taken to a local trauma centre after a collision involving a cyclist and a driver in North York Thursday evening. It happened shortly before 5:30 p.m. near Steeles Avenue East and Maxome Avenue.

There is no immediate word on the extent of the person's injuries, and the circumstances of the collision remain unclear.

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7. A decade later, murder of Toronto grandmother of 13 remains unsolved

Source: CP24

It has been exactly 10 years since Peggy Ann Smith was fatally shot in broad daylight in Toronto's Riverdale neighbourhood. On Aug. 27, 2016, around 6:10 p.m., the 61-year-old mother of three and grandmother of 13 was sitting on her daughter's back porch when she was struck by a stray bullet and died at the scene. Police say she was the innocent victim of a gang war between the former Don Mount Court and Regent Park communities.

"Ten years ago, our family's lives changed forever when our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother ... was taken from us in a senseless act of violence," her family said in a statement, adding that those responsible have never been held accountable.

Det. Sgt. Steve Smith of the Cold Case Unit said the murder would likely have been solved had it happened today, given the prevalence of video footage and other technology. Police urge anyone with information to come forward, even anonymously.

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8. Legal groups in court to challenge Ontario's new cash bail system

Source: CP24

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Criminal Lawyers' Association asked a court Thursday to scrap Ontario's new cash bail rules, arguing they encroach on federal jurisdiction and will make it harder for people to be released while awaiting trial. They are also seeking an injunction to suspend the rules.

The rules, which took effect earlier this month, require people granted bail to provide a cash deposit within two days of release. Lawyer Matthew Gourlay said this conflicts with the Criminal Code, which directs courts to favour a promise to pay over cash.

Lawyers for the province argued the groups are overstating the impact. Justice William Chalmers said he expects to rule on the injunction early next week.

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9. 30K power banks sold in Canada recalled due to fire hazard

Source: CP24

Health Canada is alerting Canadians to a recall of 30,000 XO Poppy 5000 mAH Magsafe Powerbanks sold at HomeSense, Winners and Marshalls across Canada. The products came in various colours and prints and included a USB-C charging cable.

The power bank's lithium-ion battery may overheat and melt at the port while charging, posing fire and burn hazards. The units were sold between May 2024 and March 2026 and manufactured in Vietnam. As of Aug. 11, 2026, no incidents or injuries have been reported in Canada.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power banks and return them to any HomeSense, Winners or Marshalls store for a refund.

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10. With thousands missing in Nepal after flash floods, Canadian families plead for answers

Source: CP24

Toronto man Anoop Misra's wife, Swati Bagrecha, was inside a border-crossing building along the Tibet-Nepal border when Wednesday's flash flood engulfed the area, and she remains missing. She had just completed a 14-day pilgrimage to Nepal and was set to return to India.

Global Affairs Canada says at least 30 Canadians and permanent residents are among more than 1,000 people missing in the remote region, with hundreds killed. Keval Shah of Port Moody, B.C., says he last spoke to his brother and sister-in-law on Sunday and has heard nothing since.

Scientists believe the flood was caused by a glacier breaking off high in the Himalayas. Rescue efforts are underway, but the remote, badly damaged region has been difficult to reach.

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