Maple Express Evening | September 18, 2026 — Toronto mayoral candidate wants to hike TTC fares to 'fix' system

Source: CP24

1. Toronto mayoral candidate wants to hike TTC fares to 'fix' broken system

Mayoral candidate Chris Alexander held a press conference outside the TTC's Yonge Street headquarters on Friday to unveil a five-point plan he calls the "Toronto Transit Turnaround," promising to hike TTC fares and crack down on fare enforcement to raise an estimated $100 million in new revenue that he says could be put toward fixing the system. "Public transit is the backbone of Toronto. It keeps us moving, gets us where we need to go. Mayor Chow has neglected it. We will fix it," he said.

Under his plan, the adult PRESTO fare would rise from $3.30 to $3.40, with an additional 10-cent charge during peak hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. At the same time, he would cut fares for seniors and youths by 15 cents and reduce the monthly pass for post-secondary students from $128.15 to $120, and introduce discounted single-day and weekend passes so adults can get unlimited rides for $9 on a Saturday or Sunday or $15 for the entire weekend. Alexander said the changes would add two to four million annual rides and bring in $43 million in new revenue.

Mayor Olivia Chow has frozen TTC fares for the last three years and has campaigned on keeping them frozen in 2027 while introducing a weekly ride cap that would let riders travel free after 10 paid rides. In a statement Friday afternoon, Chow said Alexander's proposal "takes money directly from a family's household budget." Alexander also promised to crack down on fare evasion, which he said could bring in an additional $50 to $60 million, by seeking to "at least double" the number of fare enforcement and provincial offence officers and stationing plainclothes officers across the system. The TTC has estimated it loses about $124 million a year to fare evasion, around 12 per cent of its ridership. Torontonians head to the polls on Oct. 26.

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2. Video shows suspect firing shots from SUV in Vaughan

York Regional Police released security video on Friday showing the moment a man opened fire from the driver's side window of a vehicle in a plaza in Vaughan, shortly after an unrelated shooting at a nightclub over the summer. The initial shooting happened at around 2:20 a.m. on July 5 in the area of Steeles Avenue and Scholes Road, where officers responded to reports of gunfire.

Police said a woman was ousted from the club after a fight inside, and two men allegedly confronted security, discharged a firearm and struck a male patron of the club. The victim was taken to hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries, and two suspects in that case remain unidentified and at-large. After a lengthy investigation, police determined that a second, unrelated shooting happened shortly after the nightclub one: a male suspect discharged a firearm several times as an SUV drove through the plaza parking lot, firing from the driver's side window of a dark-coloured BMW.

In the footage released Friday, a person can be seen firing in the direction of what appears to be a white SUV. Investigators are seeking help identifying a suspect in the second shooting, described as a Black male between 25 and 35 years old with a heavy build, last seen wearing a black T-shirt with writing on the front, blue knee-length jean shorts, a black baseball hat and white sneakers, and carrying a black crossbody bag. Police are asking anyone with information or footage to contact them or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

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3. York Region school board trustees vote to explore return of police officers in schools

Trustees at the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) passed a motion this week to potentially bring police officers back to schools after similar programs were paused five years ago. The motion directs YRDSB staff to work with York Regional Police and report back within six months on the School Resource Officer and Youth Engagement Officer programs.

A previous iteration of the program was put on hold in 2021 as the board undertook a review to assess the "impact on the well-being and learning environments of all students." A similar program was paused at the Peel District School Board in 2020. In 2017, the Toronto District School Board voted to end its School Resource Officer program, in place in some high schools for nearly a decade, after many students said they felt targeted and intimidated by the presence of police.

"When this program was removed, we lost that consistent relationship between students, school staff, and police, and it took away another trusted adult that students could approach if they were unsafe, or if they were being abused, or at risk of human trafficking," said Trustee Robert Kolosowski, who put forward the motion at Tuesday's meeting. He said the issue is fundamentally about ensuring students have access to every reasonable resource to protect them and keep them safe. Last month, Ontario's Ministry of Education told CTV News Toronto it planned to bring back the program to help students build positive relationships with local police and support safer schools and communities.

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4. LCBO launches campaign urging Ontarians to buy local

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario launched a new campaign on Friday encouraging consumers to buy Ontario-made spirits, wine and beer amid an ongoing trade dispute with the United States. The campaign, dubbed "We're All In on Ontario," was announced by the LCBO in a statement Friday morning.

The LCBO said stores across the province will place 4,600 Ontario-made beverages "front and centre" through expanded front-of-store placement, high-visibility displays, new in-store tasting opportunities and enhanced "Buy Ontario" branding. Staff will also be asked to highlight their top Ontario picks and provide expanded tasting opportunities while customers shop. Over the past year, 291 new Ontario VQA wines and 338 new Ontario craft beers were added to store shelves, the release reads.

The campaign comes amid an ongoing trade war with the United States that has affected Canadian spirits exports, with products shipped south of the border currently subject to 50 per cent tariffs. The LCBO says U.S. President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders on Sept. 8 that effectively ban the import of a number of Canadian products, including alcoholic beverages, hours after Ottawa placed counter-tariffs on roughly 700 American products. The restrictions, set under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, also cover dairy and agricultural products and motor vehicle equipment, and take effect Sept. 29. The LCBO previously said Ontario-made spirit sales increased by more than $500 million between April 1, 2025, and June 2026, while Ontario wine sales grew 44 per cent over the same period. Aaron Campbell, interim president and CEO of the LCBO, said the campaign is about giving local producers more opportunities to connect with customers.

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5. Final weekend of summer brings transit closures across the GTA

This is the final weekend of the summer season, and if you are heading somewhere in the Greater Toronto Area, there are several transit closures to keep in mind. The TTC, UP Express and GO Transit have planned closures on Saturday and Sunday due to construction.

The TTC says there is no subway service on Line 1 Yonge-University between St. Clair and College stations due to planned track work, with shuttle buses running from 11:59 p.m. on Friday to the end of service on Sunday. On the Kitchener Line, there is no train service between Stratford and Mount Pleasant stations as well as from Mount Dennis to Union stations; GO trains will run from Mount Pleasant to Mount Dennis, and select GO buses will run between Stratford or Kitchener GO and Highway 407 Bus Terminal.

On the Barrie Line, there is no train service between Downsview Park GO and Union stations, with trains running between Allendale Waterfront and Downsview Park GO; customers are encouraged to take the TTC Line 1 to and from Downsview Park GO. Metrolinx says the weekend construction is to expand the rail corridor to bring more frequent two-way and all-day service. GO buses are also replacing UP Express trains this weekend, running directly between Toronto Pearson Airport Terminal 1 and Union Station Bus Terminal, with no UP Express service at Bloor, Mount Dennis or Weston stations. Metrolinx says that construction, on the line used by Kitchener GO and UP Express, is for the future Woodbine and St. Clair-Old Weston stations.

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6. 78-year-old man missing 8 days after entering Humber River in inflatable kayak

Toronto police say a 78-year-old man who entered the Humber River in an inflatable kayak eight days ago hasn't been seen since, and investigators are concerned for his safety. At a news conference on Friday, Duty Insp. Scott Shutt said the man, identified only by his first name, David, entered the river near South Kingsway and The Queensway at approximately 10 a.m. on Sept. 10.

Shutt explained that police weren't aware David was missing until Sept. 15, when they attended his address — where he lives alone — after receiving a report for the smell of fire. A vehicle registered to David was later found abandoned near the site where he entered the river. The Toronto Police Marine Unit, as well as Peel Police's Marine Unit, is engaged in the search, and drones have also been deployed to the search area.

Shutt could not speak to David's experience as a kayaker, and said the kayak has not been recovered. David is described as five-foot-eight inches tall, with black and grey hair and a thin chinstrap beard. He was last seen wearing a red shirt, black and red vest, black pants and black shoes. Police are asking anyone with information to call 33 Division or 416-808-2200.

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7. Only one Ontario neighbourhood made a list of the world's coolest — and it's not in Toronto

TimeOut has published its annual list of the 40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world, ranked by its panel of editors on criteria including food, livability and nightlife — and the only Ontario community to make the cut is not in Toronto but further west along the Queen Elizabeth Way. Downtown St. Catharines placed ninth, ranking higher than areas like West Town in Chicago (18th) and the Financial District in New York (28th). The only other Canadian city to make the list was Mount Pleasant in Vancouver, which came in 35th.

"It's a pretty great feeling, I'm not going to lie," St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe said in an interview with CTV News. "We know lists like these are subjective, but I think it speaks to the fact that a lot of really fantastic entrepreneurs have poured a lot of their heart and soul into the downtown and that puts us on a level with other communities that I don't think people necessarily knew about." He credited the Downtown Creative Cluster Master Plan, launched more than 15 years ago, for the character and charm of the core.

TimeOut applauded the mix of local businesses, proximity to some of the "best" wineries and waterfront charm, and pointed to heritage buildings along the "Brooklyn-esque" St. Paul Street, Montebello Park (designed by the same person behind New York's Central Park) and its historical connections to the Underground Railroad. The U.K.-based magazine also provided a guide to spending a perfect day there, naming spots such as Oddbird, It's About Thyme and the Michelin-recommended Fat Rabbit, along with Mindbomb Records. City councillor Robin McPherson said she was thrilled to see local businesses get recognition, and Ontario's newly-minted tourism minister Zee Hamid called the recognition "another example of why Ontario is such a special place to visit."

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8. Boy who was subject of July Amber Alert in Alberta found in B.C.

Police say a boy who was the subject of an Amber Alert in Alberta over the summer has been found safe. On Friday, police announced both boys had been found safe on a rural property in West Kelowna, B.C., on Thursday. The Amber Alert was issued on July 7 for a six-year-old boy who was believed to be with his biological mother, 35-year-old Krista Morrison, her partner, 35-year-old Daniel Ludwig, and a four-year-old boy who is the brother of the six-year-old. The boy was taken from Valhalla Centre, a hamlet near Grande Prairie, after a custody order was issued.

The Amber Alert was cancelled in Alberta on July 10 after the group was spotted in B.C. On July 17, police said they were still searching for the two children, who were still believed to be with the adults, but said the case was no longer an Amber Alert. Insp. Breanne Brown told reporters the investigative efforts included extensive searches of several rural properties and ongoing coordination among RCMP specialized units in Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon. Morrison and Ludwig were both arrested on warrants for contravening a custody order; their bail hearings will take place in British Columbia, and investigators will seek detention and return to Alberta to appear before the courts.

Police said there was some confusion about the Amber Alert and who it pertained to as the case played out, because provinces set the rules for issuing an Amber Alert and the criteria vary by jurisdiction. Staff Sgt. Derrick Gladdish said that in Alberta the Amber Alert program is a separate entity from the police and that police have no say on the criteria. The younger boy was never part of an official Amber Alert, and the apprehension order for him came from Children's and Family Services, not the family court order. The two boys are currently in the custody of the ministry of children's and family services in B.C. and are in the process of being transferred to Children's and Family Services in Alberta.

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9. Ottawa mayoral candidate charged over alleged threats against Doug Ford

A candidate for mayor in Ottawa's municipal election is facing charges for allegedly making threats against Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford earlier this month. Geoffrey Nicholas Griplas was charged in Kingston, Ont., on Tuesday with two counts of criminal harassment and two counts of uttering threats.

Court documents show the charges are in connection to alleged threats made in social media posts between Sept. 6 and Sept. 13, with the alleged incidents taking place in Kingston. The Kingston Police Service told CTV News Ottawa it was made aware on Sunday, Sept. 13, of "concerning behaviour and comments made by an individual residing transiently in Ontario and Quebec." Const. Anthony Colangeli said in an email that the comments, posted online, "espoused violence against current political figures, specifically Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe," and that investigators formed grounds to charge a 48-year-old accused with two counts of criminal harassment and two counts of uttering threats to cause death.

Colangeli said the suspect was arrested by Ottawa Police Service officers at an address in Ottawa on Tuesday and transported to Kingston, and that upon arrest he was found in possession of a firearm and was further charged with possession of a weapon for committing an offence, possessing a firearm without a licence and occupying a motor vehicle with a firearm. Police described posts on Griplas's Facebook page: a Sept. 6 post showing a flyer for the Silver Lake campsite on fire with the words "kill da Cliff" and the caption "Shame on you Mark!"; a Sept. 10 video showing the flyer with "Mayor Must Die" written on it as it's set on fire; and a Sept. 12 video showing a room with bedsheets and walls covered in a red substance and the words "Must Kill Ford." Griplas appeared in court on Thursday and is scheduled to return Monday. A "Geoff Nicholas" registered to run for mayor on Aug. 21, the final day candidates could register for the Oct. 26 election. Sutcliffe's campaign and the mayor's office declined to comment, and the premier's office said it wouldn't comment while the matter is before the courts.

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10. Feds could introduce new labour legislation as soon as next week: sources

Multiple industry and labour sources tell CTV News they have been told to get ready for the introduction of significant labour legislation as soon as next week. A senior government source says plans are underway to introduce such legislation following a review of the Canadian Labour Code that began in April.

According to the sources, the legislation comes after a big push from federally regulated industries to provide more stability and predictability in places like ports, railways and air travel, all of which have seen work stoppages in the last few years. The sources say the government has conveyed that the legislation will be aimed at introducing binding mediation before strike action is taken. Industry's message was that its traditional tool for binding arbitration — Section 107 of the Canadian Labour Code — can only be applied too late in the labour dispute process and, from its perspective, does not adequately prevent the damage caused by a work stoppage.

Several union sources CTV News spoke with are on red alert over the possibility of this legislation and contend it will strip workers of their right to strike. Unifor National President Lana Payne expressed worry on Friday in an interview on The Graham Richardson Show on iHeartRadio, saying that with corporations getting larger and more powerful, labour codes need to take that concentration of power into account. Employment Minister Patty Hajdu said in response at a separate announcement on Friday: "I can stand here and say that we will never interfere with a worker's right to bargain or to strike," adding that there are circumstances where better tools are needed. Sources were unclear on how the national interest will be determined in the legislation, which they all point to as the key question. Several sources say John Zerucelli, secretary of state for labour, is the government's lead on the legislation.

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