Maple Express | August 16, 2026 Woman dies after being swept into the water in Mississauga

1. Woman dies after being swept into the water in Mississauga

Peel Regional Police confirmed a woman has died after being swept into Lake Ontario in Mississauga. Emergency crews responded around 10:30 p.m. Saturday to a report of a woman "swept into the water" at Jack Darling Memorial Park, located in the Lorne Park neighbourhood at 1180 Lakeshore Rd. W.

After search and rescue efforts, Mississauga Fire located the woman at approximately 11:15 p.m. and she was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police said they have not yet been able to locate and notify her next of kin, so further details cannot be released. The 22-acre park features picnic areas, tennis courts, trails and an unsupervised beach.

2. Three-alarm fire at Zanzibar Tavern closes stretch of Yonge Street

A three-alarm fire at Zanzibar Tavern closed a stretch of Yonge Street in downtown Toronto on Sunday morning. Police were called to Yonge and Elm streets just after 6 a.m. The adult entertainment club is located at 359 Yonge St.

Toronto Fire Services said crews responded to a fire on the roof and saw heavy black smoke when they arrived. The roof became unstable as a result of the blaze, making it unsafe for firefighters to battle it from inside. A witness described the scene as "absolutely chaotic," and police said there are unknown injuries at this time.

3. Nine people rescued from capsized boat near Port Credit Harbour Marina

Peel Regional Police rescued nine people who were clinging to a capsized vessel near Port Credit Harbour Marina on Saturday night. The police Marine Unit responded to a distress call just after 5 p.m. at the marina on Lake Ontario.

Officers found the overturned boat about 50 metres south of the Ridgetown breakwall in challenging conditions, with high winds and waves up to three metres. All nine passengers were safely rescued with only minor abrasions. A Good Samaritan helped bring one person to shore before officers arrived.

4. Man charged in unprovoked stabbing of TTC worker

A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the unprovoked stabbing of a TTC electrical worker. Police said the attack occurred without any provocation, and the suspect has been taken into custody as the investigation continues.

Safety for transit workers has been a growing concern in Toronto, with a series of violent incidents involving frontline TTC employees reported in recent years. Police have not released further details about the case.

5. Search continues for 73-year-old pilot missing in home-built plane

Durham Regional Police are still searching for a 73-year-old pilot who disappeared Friday morning while flying a homemade aircraft. The experienced pilot, identified as David Douglas, took off from Oshawa Airport around 8:30 a.m. and was headed north but never returned.

He was flying a small blue-and-yellow, single-seat, home-built plane with "FOFZ" on the tail, and was last reported near Balsam Lake. As of Sunday, he still had not been found, and the search continues.

6. Marcus Ericsson wins inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham

Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson won the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham on Sunday, passing Romain Grosjean with four laps to go for his fifth career IndyCar victory. His last win was the 2023 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

It's the first year Markham has hosted the only IndyCar race in Canada after it moved from Toronto's Exhibition Place, where it had been held since 1986. Grosjean finished second, Will Power third, and season leader Alex Palou fourth.

7. Laptops to be banned in some U of T law classrooms

Some classrooms in the University of Toronto's law program will ban laptops this September, requiring students to handwrite their notes. In an email to students, Associate Dean Richard Stacey said many colleagues are concerned about how students take notes, believing it impedes a core teaching principle.

Faculty say students using laptops to take "copious and comprehensive notes" cannot critically engage with course content. Dean Christopher Essert pointed to the growing use of technology, including sophisticated AI tools, as a concern for the faculty's academic mission.

8. Ontario, Canada governments announce $1 billion for housing infrastructure

Ontario and Ottawa are announcing up to $1 billion to help municipalities in the province build infrastructure for more homes. The money will go to municipalities that do not collect development charges for things like roads, bridges and water systems.

The provincial and federal governments are each contributing $500 million. Federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson said the partnership will lower up-front costs and boost housing supply. Eligible municipalities can apply starting Oct. 29, 2026.

9. N.L., Quebec to make energy security announcement Monday

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham says he will make an announcement with his Quebec counterpart Monday, amid reports the two eastern provinces have struck a critical energy deal. Quebec's energy minister and Hydro-Quebec's CEO will also attend the announcement in St. John's.

The two governments have been negotiating a deal to share energy from the Churchill River in Labrador. La Presse reported last week they had reached an agreement.

10. Canadian men to join world-champion women at flag football Olympic debut

Canada's women's flag football team beat the United States 27-20 for the world title on Sunday, while the men's squad booked its place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The IFAF world championships were held in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Frederique Morneau had three touchdown passes, and quarterback Sara Parker was named MVP of the women's tournament. It was Canada's third world title and first since 2014.