Maple Express | October 15, 2026 — WHO Warns Measles Risk in the Americas Is Very High

1. WHO Warns Measles Risk in the Americas Is Very High, Canadian Experts Say Unvaccinated Are Most at Risk

Source: CP24

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), a World Health Organization body for the Americas, warned in a press release that the risk of measles spreading "remains very high," because more people are expected to travel domestically and internationally in coming months for religious events. It noted that measles cases rose globally in 2026, increasing the likelihood of imported cases through international travel and onward transmission in communities with low immunity. Canadian experts say those who are not vaccinated are most vulnerable to catching the highly contagious disease.

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at Toronto General Hospital, called measles "a very transmissible infection" that "has a knack for finding non-immune individuals." Dawn Bowdish, an immunologist at McMaster University in Hamilton, said measles is most dangerous for babies under one, pregnant people and the unvaccinated. Infants under one may be too young to be vaccinated, and anyone pregnant who does not know their vaccination status must be thoughtful before travelling to a high-risk area.

PAHO data shows that between Jan. 4 and Oct. 3, 55,792 measles cases and 77 deaths were reported across 17 countries and territories in the Americas — 4.8 times higher than the same period in 2025. Canada ranks fifth among countries with the most reported cases, behind Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Peru. Countries need a 95 per cent vaccination coverage rate to achieve herd immunity.

After nearly three decades, Canada lost its measles elimination status in November 2025 because it failed to control a year-long outbreak. Bowdish said she is concerned Canada's measles vaccination rate is "significantly lower than it needs to be," and called for more investment in public health, including proof of vaccination for mass gatherings and school attendance.

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2. Northbound DVP to Close Tonight as Fire-Destroyed Building Is Demolished

Source: CP24

A portion of the Don Valley Parkway will be closed tonight as a building next to the highway, destroyed by a massive fire, is demolished. City of Toronto officials said the northbound lanes of the DVP will be blocked from the Gardiner Expressway to Dundas Street at 7:30 p.m., and are expected to reopen at 6 a.m. Friday. The Don Roadway, Eastern Avenue and Queen Street ramps will also be closed during the demolition.

The fire broke out shortly after 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at 2 Matilda St., just south of Dundas Street and adjacent to the highway. Toronto Fire Services Chief Jim Jessop said heavy equipment will be brought in to "systematically take portions of the building down" so crews can finally conduct primary and secondary searches and "continue operations of fire suppression." When crews arrived, they were met with heavy flames "coming out of every opening of the building," and the fire was quickly escalated to a third alarm.

Ashley Curtis of the City of Toronto's Transportation Services said that because the building is only about 30 feet from the edge of the DVP, the roadway must be closed during demolition to protect the travelling public and the demolition crews, with the work to be completed overnight to minimize disruption. Paramedics said one police officer was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The building, which once housed a live event space and a coffee company, has been vacant for years. Police confirmed the fire was deemed suspicious, and Toronto Fire's investigations division will lead the probe with help from Toronto police.

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3. Seven Delivery Trucks Vandalized at Toronto Food Rescue Charity; Police Arrest One Suspect

Source: CP24

Toronto police have made an arrest in connection with the vandalism and theft of catalytic converters from seven delivery trucks belonging to a Toronto-based food charity over the Thanksgiving weekend, as their search for a second suspect and a suspect vehicle continues. Acting Supt. Jeff Bangild said Thursday morning that, acting on tips, officers from 22 Division in Etobicoke executed a search warrant at an Oakville residence, where they arrested 29-year-old Corey Peter Lane.

Lane, an Oakville resident, faces three counts each of break and enter commit, fail to comply with a release order and fail to comply with a probation order. He was scheduled to appear in bail court on Oct. 15. Bangild said the accused was out on both bail and probation. Police believe he is responsible for the Second Harvest theft as well as two other nearby incidents, all three of which involved the same method — stealing catalytic converters from vehicles.

Second Harvest, Canada's largest food rescue organization, headquartered at 120 The East Mall in Etobicoke, estimates repair costs will reach $80,000. Earlier this week, Aurora Foods donated $60,000 to help pay for the repairs. Police are still seeking a second suspect and a black, four-door Infiniti G25 sedan with black rims. Investigators ask anyone with information to call 416-808-2200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

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4. Toronto Man Charged After 'Several Hundred' Election Signs Stolen, Damaged

Source: CP24

A 35-year-old Toronto man has been arrested after allegedly removing and damaging hundreds of municipal election signs in Etobicoke. Toronto police said in a news release that the incidents occurred between Oct. 1 and Oct. 11 in the Islington Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard West area. Investigators allege the suspect was observed removing and damaging election signs before disposing of them in a dumpster.

Police said several hundred signs were reported missing during that period. Investigators identified a suspect, who subsequently surrendered himself to officers at 22 Division on Oct. 14. Eric Sullivan, 35, of Toronto, has been charged with theft under $5,000 and mischief under $5,000. He is scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice at 10 Armoury Street. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

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5. Third Person Arrested as Etobicoke Bike Lane Removal Protests Continue

Source: CP24

Toronto police have arrested a third person at a demonstration against the removal of bike lanes along a stretch of Bloor Street West in Etobicoke. Police said a woman was arrested near the intersection of Bloor Street West and Lothian Avenue for mischief and obstructing police. It is the third arrest since the Ford government moved ahead with its plan to remove the roughly one-kilometre stretch of bike lanes between Islington Avenue and Royal York Road.

On Tuesday, construction crews began removing the bike lanes after the Ford government announced it would move forward with the plan, drawing out demonstrators and temporarily halting the process. On Wednesday, crews continued the removal, resulting in continued protests and a large police presence. At Wednesday afternoon's protest, a 25-year-old woman from Hamilton was arrested and charged with mischief and obstructing a peace officer.

Critics say removing the lanes will make the area unsafe for cyclists and are concerned about provincial overreach; the province cited traffic congestion. Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sankaria said in a statement Tuesday: "Make no mistake: these bike lanes are coming out. We have a clear mandate and we will deliver." According to the City of Toronto, removal costs are estimated at about $48 million, which also included plans to remove lanes along stretches of Yonge Street and University Avenue. The issue has also become a polarizing topic in Toronto's Oct. 26 mayoral election.

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6. Sunnybrook Says Staff Member Accused of 'Racist Language' Is 'No Longer Employed'

Source: CP24

An employee at Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is "no longer employed" after the hospital said it conducted an investigation into a recent video circulating online that appears to show a staff member using "racist language toward a fellow passenger on public transit." In a statement posted Thursday on X, the hospital on Bayview Avenue in North York said it "recognize(s) the harm this incident has caused, especially for our Black colleagues, patients, physicians, learners, volunteers and supporters."

"This behaviour is inconsistent with our values, and we remain committed to taking meaningful action to create and maintain an environment where every member of our community is treated with dignity and respect," it said. Sunnybrook has not confirmed which video it is specifically referring to. On Wednesday, the hospital said it was "aware" of a video circulating online that "appears to show an individual wearing apparel bearing our organization's name using racist language toward another person."

The TTC said it has no details on the time, date or location of the incident, but stressed to CP24 that "the safety of our customers and employees is paramount." Spokesperson Stuart Green wrote that the transit agency is appalled by "the use of racist language and by displays of aggressive, disrespectful, and discourteous behaviour." Toronto police told CP24 they "can't confirm or comment on any video that we didn't post."

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7. Inquest Into Death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet Hears and Sees Woman's Final Moments

Source: CP24

TORONTO — A coroner's inquest into the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet has watched and listened to some of the 29-year-old woman's final moments before she fell to her death from a 24th-floor balcony. A compilation video that overlaid the recordings of five 911 calls and police microphones with CCTV footage from the hallway outside her home on May 27, 2020, was played for jurors as the inquest began its third day.

Both Korchinski-Paquet's mother and brother called 911 to report that a fight broke out between the siblings after Korchinski-Paquet had seizures earlier in the day. Korchinski-Paquet called three times, sounding out of breath and saying she had difficulty breathing after her brother and mother attacked her. In her second call, she told the operator she has epilepsy and just had a seizure, and said she broke two bottles by throwing them at her mother and brother in the hallway, adding she couldn't control herself.

An agreed narrative read earlier this week said Korchinski-Paquet had a history of seizures from epilepsy and often experienced confusion, aggressive behaviour and temporary amnesia in their wake. A neurologist who examined her records after her death testified that in the years before her death she showed symptoms in keeping with postictal delirium or postictal psychosis on several occasions. Inquest counsel Roger Shallow warned jurors the recordings would be difficult to see and hear, and offered sympathies to her grieving family.

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8. Career College Court Challenge Reveals Concerns About 'Bona Fide Studies'

Source: CP24

Ontario's Colleges and Universities Ministry is alleging it could not "reliably determine bona fide studies" at two of the career colleges it barred from student financial aid — a decision those schools are now challenging in court. Two campuses of Citi College of Canadian Careers are among six schools the province blocked from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) in May for the 2026-27 year, alleging "high-risk admissions" practices and other concerns.

They have filed an application in Divisional Court asking for a judicial review of that decision, similar to a court challenge by three Academy of Learning locations affected by the May order. Citi College wrote that Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn did not base his decision on a "rational chain of analysis" connecting evidence to the ministry's conclusions, and that the order does not refer to any specific instances of alleged non-compliance.

Citi College said it had been approved to administer OSAP in each of the preceding 20 years, and two audits by the ministry last year "concluded without adverse findings." Quinn announced last week that KPMG began an audit of OSAP at career colleges in August and that he referred the matter to the Ontario Provincial Police based on "serious concerns" uncovered in the audit's preliminary findings; he did not name the colleges. A lawyer for Citi College said the school is not aware of being subject to any issues raised by KPMG or the OPP referral. Quinn has also paused OSAP payments at all private post-secondary institutions.

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9. Flintstones Vitamins Recalled Over Distribution Error

Source: CP24

Bottles of Flintstones Complete Multivitamins and Minerals tablets are being recalled due to a distribution error. A recall published by Health Canada on Thursday says products returned by customers were "inadvertently reintroduced into saleable inventory and distributed to the wholesale level."

Affected products have the lot number NAAEXKW. The federal department is urging consumers to verify whether their product is affected, recommends consulting health-care providers before discontinuing use or for any health concerns, and asks that any side effects be reported to Health Canada.

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10. Racist Banner Near Steinbach, Manitoba Sparks Backlash

Source: CP24

A racist banner bearing the name of a white supremacist group seen near Steinbach has sparked fierce backlash in the southern Manitoba city. Manitoba RCMP said officers were made aware of the banner Tuesday morning, hung on the overpass at the corner of Highway 1 and Highway 12. "Officers attended immediately and removed the banner. It is now with the Steinbach RCMP pending further investigation," a spokesperson said.

The banner was painted with the words "Steinbach votes white, not brown," including the name of a white supremacist group underneath. Before it was removed, a photo of it was spread widely on social media. Mitesh Kumar, one of 10 candidates running for council in Steinbach, said the incident has him worried for his safety and his family's safety, but he won't let it change the way he views the community he has lived in for a decade.

Eugene Warwaruk, president of the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce, said he was disgusted when he first saw the banner online. "Absolutely abhorrent. We cannot stand for this," he said. Manitoba RCMP East District Commander Supt. Chris Hastie said in a statement that police will not tolerate any form of hate, intimidation, harassment or harmful targeting of communities or individuals. Steinbach resident Mark Giesbrecht said it was "quite appalling" to see that type of racism in the town. Anyone with information is asked to contact Steinbach RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

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