Maple Express | October 18, 2026 — Explosion and fire at CFB Wainwright leave fatalities and injuries

1. Explosion and fire at CFB Wainwright leave fatalities and injuries, defence minister says

Source: CP24

Federal Defence Minister David McGuinty says an explosion and fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, east of Edmonton, has resulted in an unknown number of fatalities and injuries. Speaking at a late-night news conference in Ottawa on Saturday, McGuinty would not confirm the exact number of deaths, saying the situation remains "very active and delicate."

The Department of National Defence said the fire started within the base's training area at around 4 p.m. local time on Saturday, and that the full extent of the impact was still being assessed as of midnight. McGuinty said the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence and other federal agencies are working with provincial and municipal governments "to mobilize all necessary support," and thanked first responders.

Hospitals across Alberta activated a Code Orange, pooling resources to respond to multiple severe patients, and Albertans were asked to avoid the University of Alberta Hospital emergency room if possible. STARS Air Ambulance dispatched two air ambulances from Saskatoon and Edmonton, and Wainwright RCMP said they responded to the base after receiving a request for assistance.

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2. Pay raise for politicians sparks debate in Newfoundland and Labrador

Source: CP24

An independent report prepared for Newfoundland and Labrador's Member Compensation Review Committee recommends a roughly $23,000 yearly raise for all provincial politicians. Siobhan Coady, a former deputy premier and finance minister, told CTV News it is an important conversation to have.

Coady left politics in 2025 and declined to run in that year's provincial election. She served as a provincial cabinet minister from 2015 to 2025, first as minister of natural resources and then as finance minister. She said she was paid just over $144,000 annually — the $95,357 base salary paid to every member of the House of Assembly plus $48,664 for her cabinet duties.

"We want to attract the best and the brightest. We want to attract good people into the House of Assembly. So we have to compensate them as well," Coady said. She noted that politicians work a tremendous amount on behalf of the province and that their families give up an awful lot.

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3. Quebec author abandons effort to prove AI was not used to write his novel

Source: CP24

Quebec author Thélyson Orélien has abandoned efforts to compile evidence supporting his denial that artificial intelligence was used to write his novel, his publisher has confirmed.

Éditions du Boréal says it supported Orélien in the process, which it had publicly disclosed in September, but that the author ultimately decided to end it. The publisher says it respects his decision, although it would have preferred to provide definitive answers to the allegations surrounding his novel, "C'était ça ou mourir."

Boréal also confirms that sales of the novel have slowed since the controversy began, but declined to provide specific figures. The novel remains available in bookstores, but the publisher says it is currently out of stock, with a new printing expected next week. The novel was removed from the running for France's Prix Goncourt earlier this month amid allegations of AI use and separate plagiarism allegations involving Orélien's earlier writings, which he has acknowledged.

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4. Hit-and-run in Brampton parking lot leaves man seriously injured

Source: CP24

A hit-and-run in a Brampton parking lot Saturday night left one man seriously injured, Peel police said.

Emergency services were called at 7:44 p.m. for a collision in the commercial parking lot near Orenda Road East and Rutherford Road. Police said an SUV struck a pedestrian and fled the scene, and the pedestrian was transported to hospital with serious injuries.

The SUV is believed to have suffered front-end damage, police said. They do not have further details about the vehicle or the driver.

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5. Manitoba creates dedicated RCMP position to investigate livestock crimes

Source: CP24

The Manitoba government is providing funding to Manitoba RCMP to hire a designated officer to investigate livestock-related crimes. Justice Minister Matt Wiebe and Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced the funding last week.

According to a recent provincial news release, 57 reported cases of cattle theft or fraud were reported to Manitoba RCMP between 2021 and 2025. Darren MacMillan, who raises cattle on a farm near Warren, Man., about 39 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, says protecting his herd is an ongoing concern.

Carson Callum, CEO of Manitoba Beef Producers, says the province's model will be based on initiatives in Saskatchewan and Alberta. In August, a 52-year-old Saskatchewan man was charged with altering the brands of almost 200 cattle, in a case investigated by that province's livestock investigator.

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6. Two RCMP officers charged after N.W.T. man died in police custody

Source: CP24

The RCMP says it has laid charges against two of its own officers after a man from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, died in their custody last year.

The Alberta RCMP, which led the investigation, says the two Yellowknife officers face charges of criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessities of life. The charges stem from an incident in March 2025, when the two officers responded to a report of a disturbance at a Yellowknife business.

Police say the officers detained a man who was showing signs of intoxication and left him inside a police vehicle while they gathered more information. When they returned, they found 56-year-old Lawrence Blackduck unresponsive; he was pronounced dead at the scene after life-saving measures and paramedics were called.

The RCMP did not give further details about the alleged conduct that gave rise to the charges, but said it conducted an internal review and has since changed policy and training related to in-vehicle detentions. Chief Superintendent Dyson Smith of the Northwest Territories RCMP extended condolences to Blackduck's family and community and called the incident "deeply troubling."

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7. Injured hawk rescued from B.C. highway

Source: CP24

Mounties in Metro Vancouver say they were called to assist a feathered individual in distress on Friday afternoon, after reports of an "injured 'falcon' that was causing a road safety hazard" on a section of Haney Bypass near 227 Street in Maple Ridge.

"Sometimes there's a first for everything," Maple Ridge RCMP wrote in a social media post. Police say responding officers found a bird on the road suffering from an apparent broken wing.

Relying on their limited birds of prey expertise, officers carefully moved the bird onto a nearby branch for its talons to hold and lifted it into an open cardboard box. A pet ambulance volunteer then transported it to the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society. Police thanked the local resident who called, the driver and OWL staff, and said officers could be part of the release proceedings if the hawk is properly rehabilitated.

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8. Toronto FC beats New York Red Bulls 2-0

Source: CP24

Dániel Sallói scored in the 82nd minute, Luka Gavran had three saves, and Toronto FC beat the New York Red Bulls 2-0 in MLS action on Saturday night in Harrison, N.J.

Toronto (8-10-12) took a 1-0 lead on an own goal in the third minute by New York's Justin Che. Jonathan Osorio played a first-touch through ball to Sallói, who outraced the defence and beat goalkeeper Ethan Horvath with a low shot from right of the penalty spot to cap the scoring.

The Red Bulls had 67 per cent possession and outshot Toronto 15-6. Horvath had three saves for the Red Bulls (10-14-6). Toronto visits the Columbus Crew on Saturday, Oct. 24.

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9. Horvat leads Islanders to 4-1 win over Maple Leafs

Source: CP24

Bo Horvat scored the winner and added an assist as the New York Islanders cruised past the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 on Saturday night.

Simon Holmstrom scored twice, including one into the empty net, and Anthony Duclair had the other goal for New York (4-3-1). Ilya Sorokin made 28 saves. Colton Sissons replied for Toronto (3-4-2), and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 16 shots for the Maple Leafs.

The Maple Leafs have dropped three straight games and four of their last five. Earlier, the club announced veteran centre John Tavares is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury suffered Thursday; the 36-year-old has two goals and five assists in seven games this season. For the Islanders, Matias Maccelli left in the first period with an apparent lower-body injury and did not return.

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10. Jets coach Arniel declines to discuss Hellebuyck's status

Source: CP24

Scott Arniel took the podium Saturday afternoon after the Winnipeg Jets lost 3-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes at Canada Life Centre, a game overshadowed by the latest chapter in goaltender Connor Hellebuyck's ongoing trade holdout.

"I really don't care right now on that scenario," a visibly frustrated Arniel said, adding his focus is on the upcoming game against St. Louis and fixing areas of his team's play. It was reported just before puck drop that Hellebuyck notified the Jets on Oct. 2, before Winnipeg's first regular-season game, that he planned to end his absence.

Instead of welcoming him back immediately, the Jets used Article 15.13, subsection (c)(v) of the NHL's collective bargaining agreement to suspend Hellebuyck for three weeks for failure to report to training camp. The suspension is set to expire Friday, Oct. 23, two days before Winnipeg hosts the Montreal Canadiens in the Heritage Classic at Princess Auto Stadium. Arniel said that part falls to general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, who was not made available for comment.

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