Maple Express | October 2, 2026 — Ford Calls for 30-Year Parole Wait for Those Who Kill Police Officers

1. Ford Calls for 30-Year Parole Wait for Anyone Convicted of Killing a Police Officer

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has asked Ottawa to amend the Criminal Code so that anyone convicted of first-degree murder in the death of a police officer would not be eligible for parole for 30 years, up from 25. He called the proposals necessary to help protect frontline officers after a string of violent incidents.

The letter was sent to Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday, following the shooting of an officer outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ont., last month. Police described that attack as "premeditated and targeted" against the Jewish community.

Ford also wants a new six-month mandatory minimum for people who resist arrest, assault an officer or flee while causing bodily harm, and life imprisonment as the maximum penalty for violent home invasions, with consecutive sentences for multiple offences from a single incident.

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2. Court Records Reveal Ontario's 'Serious Concerns' About Three Career Colleges

Court filings show Ontario inspectors raised "serious concerns" about three Academy of Learning career colleges, alleging third parties completed coursework — sometimes an entire course in one day — and that some students could not name their school or program.

The inspection reports are part of the record in a court challenge over a government decision that cut off the schools' access to financial aid. Freedom-of-information data shows about 14,800 students at the three locations received more than $219 million in OSAP grants in 2024-25, while students at all publicly funded Ontario colleges qualified for about $385 million that year.

Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn told five career colleges, including the three, on May 1 that they would not be OSAP-eligible as of Aug. 1; the schools have applied for judicial review. They deny most allegations and say they have taken corrective action. None of the findings have been proven in court.

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3. Ontario Classrooms Reshuffled in Annual Reorganization; Some Parents Call It 'Chaos'

It's that time of year again: elementary students across the Greater Toronto Area are being moved or have already switched classrooms as school boards adjust staffing to meet provincial class-size rules. The TDSB notified families on Sept. 25, and reorganized classes began this past Monday.

Under provincial rules, junior kindergarten and kindergarten classes cannot average more than 26 students, and grades 4 to 8 cannot exceed 24.5 on average; classes must be set by Sept. 30. The Toronto Catholic District School Board started reorganization on Sept. 16 and expects to finish in early October.

Nigel Barriffe, president of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto, said teachers find out about changes at most 48 hours in advance, and that the process "does feel like they're using an AI algorithm." A parent organizer said the period is more stressful than the first week of school.

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4. Toronto Hospital to Greatly Expand Permanent Housing Program That Cuts ER Visits

A Toronto hospital network is set to greatly expand a unique permanent housing program that largely serves homeless people who visit emergency departments an inordinate amount of time. Dunn House, now home to 51 residents, will grow to help 300 people.

Dr. Andrew Boozary of the University Health Network says it is a more humane and cost-effective approach. Preliminary data shows 48 residents visited emergency rooms 52 per cent fewer times a year after moving in, with a 79 per cent drop in the length of their hospital stays.

Those 48 patients racked up $2.1 million in hospital costs over 12 months before moving in, and the hospital saved $1.66 million in the following year. The project is again a partnership of the federal and provincial governments, the city and the hospital.

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5. GTA Gas Prices Could Jump 14 Cents a Litre by the Weekend: Analyst

Industry analyst Dan McTeague is urging drivers to fill up before Friday, when prices are expected to rise significantly. He told CP24 that GTA gas prices are expected to rise 7 cents on Friday, to an average of 185.9 cents a litre.

On Saturday, he said prices will jump another 7 cents, to an average of 192.9 cents a litre for Toronto, the GTA and most of southern Ontario. Last month, gas prices recorded double-digit drops at some stations, largely due to the switchover from summer-blend gasoline to the winter blend.

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6. This Toronto Metro Will Become a Food Basics. What's Behind the Trend?

A Metro in Toronto's west end is the latest grocery store set to transform into a low-cost supermarket. The Metro at 1230 Queen St. W. will shut down and reopen as a Food Basics, Metro's discount grocery chain, in early 2027.

A Metro spokesperson confirmed the change, saying the company is converting 12 stores in Ontario as part of efforts to "ensure the right banner is serving the right community" and respond to growing demand for value. Stores have already opened in Ottawa's Southgate and North York, with outlets in Mississauga and London, Ont., also set to become Food Basics.

Consumer rights advocate Daniel Tsai told CTV News Toronto the trend reflects consumer demand, and that the conversions entrench the big grocery chains' market share. He said more external competition is needed to bring prices down.

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7. Death of Man Found With 'Significant Injuries' in North York Park Is Suspicious: Police

Toronto police are investigating the death of a 65-year-old man as suspicious after he was found with "significant injuries" in Caledonia Park last week. Police said he was found in the park sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 23.

The man was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries. Police did not say who located him or provide further details about his injuries. They described the victim as an Asian man, about five-foot-six, with a thin build and a shaved head.

He was wearing a white bicycle helmet, a blue jacket, dark-coloured pants, brown shoes, dark gloves, and a white sling backpack. Anyone with information is asked to call 416-808-3200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

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8. Woman Accused of Sexually Assaulting Vulnerable Student in Hamilton

Hamilton police have charged a woman accused of sexually assaulting a vulnerable student while fraudulently working as an educational assistant. Police said the victim's family was led to believe the woman was a qualified respite worker in September 2025, and the two began meeting outside her role with the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board.

As a result, 30-year-old Karly Tripp has been charged with sexual assault, assault, voyeurism and uttering threats to cause death. She is currently in prison on unrelated charges. Police say she may have targeted other vulnerable people through her work.

Hamilton police confirmed Tripp is the same woman charged earlier this year in connection with two investigations linked to the equine industry in Milton.

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9. Tsawwassen First Nation Mourns 'Pillars' Killed in Delta, B.C. Crash

Family members of two Tsawwassen First Nation elders killed in a collision outside a shopping centre in Delta, B.C., on Wednesday say the women were "cultural pillars" of their community. Statements shared by the nation name the women as wilapiya, also known as Barb Joe, and Virginia Splockton.

A pickup truck whose driver was in apparent medical distress drove into an area where nation members were to unveil four traditional carvings known as house posts. Two others were seriously injured and remain in critical condition. Police said Thursday the driver has been released from hospital and there is no information to suggest the collision was intentional; no charges have been laid.

The nation was hosting a community walk for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation near the time of the crash. First Nations, politicians and community leaders expressed condolences.

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10. Michael J. Fox to Be Promoted Within Order of Canada at Rideau Hall Today

Actor and Parkinson's disease advocate Michael J. Fox is set to be honoured at Rideau Hall this morning. Already a member of the Order of Canada, he is being promoted to a companion in a ceremony hosted by Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour.

Rideau Hall says the honour stems from Fox's "powerful global advocacy and unflinching honesty about Parkinson's." Parkinson's is a progressive nervous system disorder that results in tremors, stiffness and slowness, and is linked to depression and memory problems.

Fox has raised $2.5 billion for research into the disease. He is among 51 people expected at a ceremony today where they will be inducted into, or promoted within, the Order of Canada.

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