Maple Express | October 23, 2026: Ontario man stunned by $27,000 flood cleanup estimate

1. Ontario man stunned by $27,000 flood cleanup estimate

Source: CP24

This past summer was the third costliest on record for Canadian insurers when it came to severe weather losses, with $3.7 billion in flood-related claims, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. In August, a state of emergency was declared in St. Catharines after severe rainstorms flooded homes across the region.

Rich Battel, a St. Catharines resident, told CTV News that during the storms water came up through his basement floor drain while more came up through the basement shower — and it was raw sewage. He ended up with six to eight inches of it. After calling his insurer, CAA, he was directed to restoration company ServiceMaster Canada, which spent two days tearing out drywall, carpeting and other contaminated items, removing the sewage and setting up drying equipment.

Battel's basement coverage limit was $50,000, which also included the cleanup cost. When he asked what the two-day job cost, he was initially told $27,000. "I was floored. I actually emailed her and said this is crazy, like we had six people here for two days," he said. Daniel Loosemore, the company's chief of sales operations, told CTV News the $27,000 figure was an estimate later reduced to $20,000, and that the pricing and scope are industry standard and reviewed by the insurer. Sewage cleanup is costly because it requires specialized training, equipment and biohazard protection, he said.

After the cleanup was paid through his policy, Battel said he would have only $23,000 left to restore his basement, while contractor quotes came in at $68,000, $74,000 and $120,000. A CAA spokesperson said the insurer has been in ongoing discussions with the insured and reached a suitable resolution, with the customer receiving the full policy limit, adding that the preliminary estimate he shared was not complete and had not been verified. Battel said the insurer ultimately agreed to cover the full cleanup and gave him the entire $50,000 to restore his basement.

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2. Final Toronto mayoral debate: Chow and Bradford go head to head

Source: CP24

The leading candidates to become Toronto's next mayor squared off for the last time Thursday night in "Toronto Decides: The Municipal Debate," hosted by CP24. Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford both took part.

Exclusive polling conducted for CP24 and CTV News Toronto by Nanos Research found 13 per cent of voters surveyed are open to changing the candidate they plan to support based on what they heard, with a further 16 per cent somewhat open to changing their vote. The municipal election is now four days away, and polling released earlier this week showed Chow's advantage over Bradford down to just three points.

Bradford accused Chow of "delivering the biggest bait and switch in Toronto municipal history," saying she "promised a modest tax increase and levelled the biggest tax increase in Toronto's history, nearly 20 per cent over her term and administration." He also said the city "is stuck": "We are stuck in traffic, we are stuck feeling less safe and we are stuck paying more and getting less."

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3. Scientists warn Carney's Bill C-39 risks 'potentially irreversible harm'

Source: CP24

OTTAWA — More than 50 of Canada's top scientists and scholars are warning that Prime Minister Mark Carney's marquee legislation to fast-track major projects must be amended, or the federal government risks "costly and potentially irreversible harm" to the environment.

In an open letter published Thursday, 56 fellows of the Royal Society of Canada set out six specific amendments they say are needed to Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act. The experts say they support the bill's central aim of streamlining project assessments, but several clauses need to be altered or scrapped entirely for the government to keep its promise to protect species at risk, delicate ecosystems, natural resources and human well-being.

"Bill C-39, as drafted, really puts aside a lot of the environmental regulations and laws that we have in place in Canada to protect nature and protect our waters, protect our air," said Dr. Sarah Otto, a zoology professor at the University of British Columbia and one of the signatories. She said the speed at which the bill is moving drove the coalition to come together over the past week; the letter has been submitted as a brief to key parliamentarians. "These harms, oftentimes can't be fixed, and so we're really borrowing from the natural resources of future generations to pay for our economic growth right now," she said.

A Royal Society spokesperson said the organization was not involved in organizing or mobilizing the letter. President Francoise Baylis said the society supports members in drawing on their expertise to contribute to important public discussions. The omnibus legislation was tabled on the first day of the fall sitting and cleared its first parliamentary hurdle three weeks later. The government has touted it as "the most comprehensive and ambitious reform to Canada's ability to get big things built in a generation," though labour groups have raised alarms over changes to Canada Labour Code collective bargaining rules, while business and industry stakeholders have welcomed the package.

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4. Three taken to hospital after Leaside collision

Source: CP24

Three people were taken to hospital after a two-vehicle collision in Toronto's Leaside community Thursday evening.

It happened shortly before 7:15 p.m. in the area of Bayview Avenue and McRae Drive. Toronto police say one of the vehicles flipped over and its driver had to be extricated.

Their injuries were minor, police say. Two others were also taken to hospital with minor injuries. The circumstances behind the collision are currently unclear.

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5. Four men charged after alleged break-in to photograph downtown Toronto rooftop

Source: CP24

Four men have been arrested and charged after they allegedly broke into a building and assaulted two people in downtown Toronto on Sunday.

Toronto police say that on Oct. 18, shortly before 6 p.m., officers responded to a break and enter call in the area of Bremner Boulevard and Lower Simcoe Street. The suspects allegedly forced entry into a restricted area of the building and gained access to the rooftop to take photographs for social media, then allegedly assaulted a security guard and the building manager while fleeing. Officers located and arrested them a short distance away.

Amirsalar Lotifiof, 20, of Newmarket; Alejandro Gonzalez, 20, of Toronto; Liam Shannon, 18, of Welland; and Zane Archambault, 20, of St. Catharines face numerous charges including break and enter, two counts of assault, assault with intent to resist arrest and possession of break and enter instruments. Archambault faces an additional charge of breach of probation. Police believe the suspects are responsible for other break-ins across the city and ask anyone with information to contact investigators.

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6. Raptors embrace defensive competition as Walter chases steals crown

Source: CP24 (The Canadian Press)

Ja'Kobe Walter made it a personal goal to lead the NBA in steals this season. He got off to a good start in the Raptors' 135-92 rout of the Chicago Bulls in Wednesday's home opener with three steals — but that wasn't enough to lead his own team, as new teammate Kawhi Leonard had four.

"I think I did a good job starting off with three, but right now, I'm not leading," Walter said after practice at OVO Athletic Centre. "I definitely think that being competitive with my teammates because we all play defence and everybody's getting steals is definitely going to help me reach that goal."

Toronto had the fifth-best defence in the NBA last season, and the addition of two-time Defensive Player of the Year Leonard could have the Raptors competing to be the league's stingiest team. Walter said Leonard's presence lets players be more aggressive on the ball, knowing the other four will rotate to help. The Raptors had 15 steals against Chicago, with starting point guard Immanuel Quickley recording two and a game-high plus-38 rating. Head coach Darko Rajakovic said aggressiveness will be Toronto's defensive trademark, though the team isn't where he hopes it will be yet. The Raptors (1-0) visit the Washington Wizards on Friday.

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7. Terry Fox Foundation gets record $25M donation from Tanenbaum family

Source: CP24

The Terry Fox Foundation received the largest single donation in its history Thursday: $25 million from the Larry and Judy Tanenbaum Family Foundation. The commitment unlocks matching federal funds, creating $50 million for cancer research.

"The determination to actually go out there and run across Canada ... not for his own ego, but for the fact of wanting to raise money to help conquer cancer ... it gave us that motivation," said Larry Tanenbaum, former chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. "And although he didn't make it across Canada ... it gave us that motivation to say, 'let's finish it.'" He said the money will support a national network — "sixty-some-odd institutions across Canada, 1,300 researchers across Canada, all working for the same thing: sharing information on an open science basis."

When Terry Fox began his run in 1980, his goal was to raise $1 from every Canadian, about $24 million at the time. His brother Fred Fox said Terry's mission was simple: to fund more research into the disease that took his leg and later his life. Dan Murphy, a Toronto father diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in 2023, said precision oncology — made possible by research advances — allowed doctors to sequence his tumour early and tailor a treatment plan. "Here I am today," he said. Dr. Marco Marra, the Terry Fox Leader in Cancer Genome Science, said data generated in B.C. should be available to people in Montreal and the Atlantic provinces. The foundation also unveiled a new slogan and video, "Powered by Terry," the second chapter of its "Finish It" campaign.

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8. One in three Canadians borrow or dip into savings to buy food: survey

Source: CP24

One in three Canadians report drawing from their savings or borrowing to eat, according to the new Canadian Food Sentiment Index from Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab.

Provincial trends vary: 24 per cent of respondents in Nova Scotia, 28 per cent in New Brunswick and 14 per cent in Prince Edward Island, though the survey had a smaller sample size for the Island. The report says household food spending shows an overall upward trend, with total monthly spending rising from an estimated $497 in spring 2025 to $521 in fall 2026 — an increase of $24.

One in four Canadians still expect food prices to go up more than 10 per cent over the next year, even as actual grocery inflation sits below three per cent. Affordability tops nutrition, taste and environmental responsibility when shoppers make decisions. Lead author Dr. Sylvain Charlebois notes that couponing, shopping at cheaper stores, looking for better prices online, buying less non-essential food, seeking sales and discounts, and switching to cheaper brands are all on the decline since fall 2024 — suggesting "a degree of adaptation or strategy fatigue after several years of elevated food prices." Some 76.7 per cent of respondents say food expenses increased the most over the past year, with transportation second at 41.2 per cent.

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9. Fraudulent fundraisers, disinformation follow CFB Wainwright tragedy

Source: CP24

As support continues to pour in for military members and families affected by the deadly fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, the tragedy has become the target of fraudulent fundraisers.

Patricia Farrell, mother of fallen serviceman Pte. Shaun Farrell, says her son's name and photo are being used in an illegitimate donation page posted to spotfund.com. She is warning the public not to donate to any campaign unless it is verified by the family. "It is heartbreaking that anyone would take advantage of a tragedy and the generosity of people who simply want to help," she wrote on Facebook. "Please do not let anyone exploit your kindness during this difficult time."

Shaun Farrell, 23, of Prince Albert, Sask., was one of four men killed in a fast-moving fire during a training exercise at the Alberta base over the weekend. Brian McQuinn, an associate professor at the University of Regina and co-director of its Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Data and Conflict, called the fraudulent fundraiser "particularly reprehensible" but said such fraud is common after tragedies. "They are hacking your emotions, because when you are emotional you are not being rational," he said. According to the Farrells, a GoFundMe organized by Heloise Vermeulen is the only legitimate fundraiser. Vermeulen, who runs Out of Africa Deli and Sweets in Saskatoon, is accepting donations, cards and flowers at the shop this week for the family. A report by McQuinn's CIPHER AI and Disinfo Watch tracked early rumours and conspiracy theories after the fire, including claims of explosions and a government cover-up; many posts drew hundreds of thousands of views.

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10. Former NHL star Ron Duguay dies at 69

Source: CP24

Former NHL star Ron Duguay has died after a battle with an aggressive form of colon cancer, his family said Thursday. He was 69.

In a social media post, his daughter Shay Thomas said he "passed away peacefully ... after a hard-fought battle with cancer," adding that a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Born July 26, 1957, Duguay played junior hockey for the Sudbury Wolves, and his 134 points (42 goals, 92 assists) in 1975-76 helped the team win the Hamilton Spectator Trophy for the best regular-season record (47-11 with eight ties). The Wolves said Thursday they mourned his passing and noted that on Oct. 2 the team honoured him with Ron Duguay Night, reuniting him with friends, family and fans.

Duguay played for the New York Rangers from 1977 to 1983, scoring 40 goals and adding 36 assists in 1981-82. The Rangers called him "one of the most popular players in franchise history," saying his signature skating style — "with his hair flowing as he moved down the ice" — captivated the Garden faithful. His best statistical year came with the Detroit Red Wings in 1984-85, when he had 38 goals and 51 assists. He also played for Pittsburgh and the L.A. Kings, finishing his NHL career in 1989. He went public with his cancer diagnosis in February and launched a fundraising campaign to help pay for treatments.

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