Maple Express | August 2, 2026 Heavy Rainfall Hits Ontario Over Long Weekend

📰 Heavy Rainfall Expected for Ontario Over Long Weekend, GTA and Cottage Country Impacted

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Toronto and surrounding areas, warning of heavy localized rainfall that could exceed 50 mm. The downpour is expected to start overnight Saturday or early Sunday and last through Sunday evening.

In the Muskoka region, rainfall could reach 50 to 80 mm. The agency warns that heavy rain will likely pool on roads and low-lying areas, potentially impacting visibility. With the August long weekend drawing many to cottage country, travellers are advised to plan ahead and monitor local flood advisories.

— CP24

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📰 WestJet Flight Attendants Go on Strike, Hundreds of Flights Cancelled

Approximately 4,400 WestJet flight attendants have officially gone on strike after negotiations failed to produce a deal, with nearly 200 flights already cancelled. The key dispute centres on compensation for ground duties, as flight attendants are currently only paid for time in the air.

WestJet said its advance cancellations aim to prevent crew and passengers from being stranded. The airline is allowing passengers travelling between July 30 and August 4 to make a one-time change or cancellation at no cost, though most will only receive travel credits rather than cash refunds. The timing during the busy holiday weekend has left thousands of travellers scrambling.

— CBC News

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📰 Immigrant Birth Rates Falling in Canada, New Study Finds

A new Western University study using long-form census data from 2001 to 2021 shows Canadian immigrant fertility rates are steadily declining. Researchers found that temporary residents have lower fertility than other immigrant groups, and 1.5-generation immigrants increasingly mirror the native-born population in their family planning expectations.

Housing costs, expensive childcare, and economic uncertainty are cited as key factors. A 41-year-old Sri Lankan immigrant living in Ajax said finances prevented her from having a third child despite wanting one. The trend poses significant challenges for Canada's strategy of relying on immigration to offset population aging, according to researchers.

— Toronto Star

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📰 Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade Lights Up Waterfront

The 59th Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade kicked off Saturday at Exhibition Place, with thousands of masqueraders in feathered and bejewelled costumes dancing along the lakeshore to soca and calypso music. The parade ran from morning until 8 p.m., drawing participants from across the GTA and around the world.

Mayor Olivia Chow joined the festivities in a jewelled orange outfit with large wings, calling the event a core Toronto tradition of "celebration, freedom, liberation, and a real sense of belonging." Visitors flew in from as far as Texas to experience their first carnival. The weekend program also includes a steelband competition and multiple ticketed parties.

— CBC News

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📰 Toronto Man Arrested in Hate-Motivated Harassment Investigation

Toronto police have arrested 45-year-old Reginald Cuff in connection with an alleged hate-motivated harassment and threatening investigation. The incident occurred on July 19 in the Bond Street and Shuter Street area, where the accused allegedly approached a victim with unprovoked anti-Muslim comments.

When the victim tried to walk away, the accused followed and continued making threats. The victim flagged down a passing police officer, who arrested the suspect. Police say the man refused to identify himself and threatened officers with violence. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.

— CP24

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📰 Over 15,000 Torontonians Connected to Family Doctors Through New Program

The Mid-West Toronto Ontario Health Team has successfully connected more than 15,000 residents to family doctors through two new services launched earlier this year. Covering neighbourhoods from Casa Loma to Exhibition Place, the program takes a team-based approach, providing patients with primary care plus access to mental health counselling, nutrition, and nursing support.

Of those connected, 9,000 had been on waitlists since before January 2025. The program's key innovation is a dedicated attachment liaison who handles the hours of administrative work involved in onboarding new patients, allowing doctors to focus on care. With over 2.5 million Ontarians still lacking a family doctor, this model could offer a blueprint for broader solutions.

— CP24

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📰 Former Federal Minister Chris Alexander Enters Toronto Mayoral Race

Former federal Conservative cabinet minister Chris Alexander has officially entered Toronto's mayoral race, positioning himself as the "outsider" needed to get a city he says is "slightly adrift" back on track. The 57-year-old former immigration minister and ambassador to Afghanistan joins a crowded field of 33 candidates.

Incumbent Mayor Olivia Chow declined to engage directly with his criticisms, while Councillor Brad Bradford attacked Alexander as "unfit for this office," accusing him of bringing "Trump-style politics" and calling the campaign a "vanity project." Alexander rejected the criticisms, saying Toronto should be "celebrating each other and coming together." The election will be held October 26.

— CP24

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📰 Ford Government's OSAP Changes Take Effect, Students Say Education Now "Less Accessible"

Effective August 1, Ontario has slashed the proportion of grants offered through OSAP from 85 percent to a maximum of 25 percent, while also lifting a seven-year tuition freeze to allow annual increases of up to two percent. The province says the old framework was unsustainable due to federal cuts and rising program uptake.

A 30-year-old Cambrian College student told CTV News her annual grant dropped from approximately $8,000 to $1,000. Facing a 400-hour unpaid placement this fall, she must choose between continuing her education and taking on more debt or quitting to work. Student advocates warn the changes will make post-secondary education significantly less accessible for low and middle-income students.

— CP24

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📰 Evacuations Underway as Fast-Growing Wildfires Threaten B.C. Interior Communities

Two fast-growing wildfires in B.C.'s Interior have prompted urgent evacuation orders. The out-of-control Bradley Creek wildfire near Okanagan Lake has grown to over 10 square kilometres since Friday, with winds gusting up to 70 km/h pushing the fire eastward and threatening multiple communities.

The Okanagan Indian Band and Regional District of North Okanagan have ordered residents to leave immediately. A provincial emergency alert warned the fire poses a significant risk to life. In southeastern B.C., the newly discovered Wait Creek wildfire has grown to 160 hectares, triggering tactical evacuations near Kimberley. Ground crews and helicopters are battling both fires.

— CBC News

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📰 Canada's New HIV Infections Jump 22.8%, Years of Progress at Risk

New data from the Public Health Agency of Canada shows a 22.8 percent increase in new HIV infections between 2022 and 2024, rising from 2,050 to an estimated 2,517 cases. Dr. Julio Montaner of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS says he is "very worried" and sees years of progress slipping away.

Manitoba declared HIV a public health emergency in May, with infection rates 3.5 times the national average, while Saskatchewan follows close behind. Canada has achieved only one of the three UN "95-95-95" targets for ending the AIDS pandemic by 2030. In contrast, 11 countries — seven in eastern and southern Africa — have already met all three goals.

— CBC News