Maple Express | August 12, 2026 Severe thunderstorm watch issued for GTA with toonie-sized hail possible

1. Severe thunderstorm watch for GTA, toonie-sized hail and 100 km/h winds possible

Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch (yellow alert) for Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area on Wednesday, warning of severe weather this afternoon and into the evening. The agency said Toronto could see toonie-sized hail and up to 60 millimetres of rainfall.

Environment Canada also warned of wind gusts reaching 100 km/h and possible local utility outages. The advisory noted that fast-moving and rapidly rising water can sweep vehicles away and damage infrastructure. CP24 meteorologist Bill Coulter reminded residents that Tuesday's calm weather was short-lived, urging everyone to stay updated on the latest forecast.

2. Woman sexually assaulted in west Toronto restaurant washroom, suspect outstanding

Toronto police are searching for a man who allegedly followed a woman into a restaurant washroom in the city's west end and sexually assaulted her. The incident happened on Aug. 9 near Queen Street West and Jameson Avenue in the Parkdale neighbourhood, with officers called to the area around 3:30 a.m.

The victim was taken to hospital with minor injuries, and the suspect fled the scene. Police describe him as a man in his 20s, five-foot-eight to five-foot-10 tall, with short black hair, clean shaven, and a clock tattoo on the back of his right arm. He was last seen wearing a black sleeveless shirt, grey shorts and light-coloured boots. Anyone with information is asked to call 416-808-1100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

3. Toronto fire chief calls rechargeable battery fires the greatest evolving safety risk

Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop said Wednesday that fires caused by lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are on the rise and have become the "greatest evolving fire safety risk." He is calling on the federal and provincial governments to make regulatory changes.

The Toronto area has seen multiple fires linked to unregulated lithium-ion batteries recently. Fire officials remind residents to avoid cheap or mismatched chargers, never charge batteries unattended, and properly recycle old batteries to reduce the risk of fire.

4. Former Raptors coach Nick Nurse sues Ontario for nearly $700K foreign buyer's tax

Former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse and his wife Roberta are suing the province of Ontario after it refused to reimburse them for the nearly $700,000 they paid in foreign buyer's tax on a Mississauga home purchased five years ago. In October 2021, the couple bought the property for $4.65 million.

Because they were not Canadian citizens at the time, they were charged the 15 per cent non-resident speculation tax (NRST). Nurse lived in Toronto for a decade under a foreign national work permit and was fired by the Raptors in April 2023 before joining the Philadelphia 76ers. The case is now proceeding through the appeal process.

5. Roads reopen after eight-vehicle crash in Georgina

A collision involving eight vehicles, including a dump truck, occurred Wednesday afternoon at Warden Avenue and Woodbine Avenue in Georgina. York Regional Police said no injuries were reported in the crash.

The incident temporarily blocked the area, but roads have since reopened after police cleared the scene. Police are still investigating the cause and remind drivers to slow down and maintain safe distances during thunderstorm weather.

6. SIU investigating man's death in Oshawa after he refused to leave woman's home

Ontario's police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, is investigating a man's death after he refused to leave a home east of Toronto. Late Sunday night, a woman called police to report an unwanted man inside her Oshawa residence.

Durham Region police arrived to find the woman had left, but the 42-year-old man was still inside and would not communicate with officers. Police forced the door open and found the man "unwell." He was taken to hospital, where he died Tuesday night. The SIU has assigned three investigators and one forensic investigator to the case.

7. Winners voyeurism probe expands as police seek more victims

Halton police revealed Wednesday that a 36-year-old man accused of recording women changing in fitting rooms at Winners stores is now linked to more locations across the Greater Toronto Area. The newly identified stores include 44 King St. in Toronto, 765 Britannia Rd. W. in Mississauga, and 280 Guelph St. in Georgetown.

Police launched their investigation in April after an incident at the Winners at 2460 Winston Churchill Blvd in Oakville. In May, they searched a Mississauga home and arrested the suspect, Dishanth Srideva, seizing cellphones and a laptop. Police are urging anyone who visited these locations and may have been recorded to contact them.

8. Hamilton mayor warns venues about anti-immigration conference

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath issued a statement Wednesday warning local venues about a group planning a "nationalist conference" in the Hamilton area on Aug. 29. The Dominion Society advocates "remigration," or the mass deportation of immigrants.

The group has been identified as part of Canada's "broader white-nationalist movement," and its platform includes a 10-year immigration moratorium, stripping people of permanent residency, and deporting five to nine million people. The conference reportedly plans to feature a speaker who has been banned from the United Kingdom. The mayor is notifying venues about the group's true nature.

9. Partial solar eclipse and Perseid meteor shower light up Canadian skies

Canadians looking up Wednesday enjoyed a partial view of a solar eclipse, while the moon completely blocked the sun in parts of Europe and the Arctic. Science expert Dan Riskin described it as an exciting day for people in Iceland, England and Spain, where many travellers gathered to see the event.

Meanwhile, the Perseid meteor shower is also peaking this week, offering astronomy fans a double treat. Experts remind the public to wear proper eclipse glasses when viewing the sun and never look directly at it with the naked eye or regular sunglasses, to avoid eye damage.

10. Canada warns U.S. new tariffs could halt trade talks, sources say

Canada's lead trade negotiator with the U.S., Janice Charette, has reportedly warned her American counterparts that if the White House imposes new 50 per cent tariffs on Aug. 19, it could put further trade talks at risk.

Industry sources told CTV News that no ultimatum was given to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, but that he understands the reality of the situation. The two countries are now in crunch-time negotiations as the tariff deadline approaches.