Maple Express | September 30, 2026 Toronto mayoral candidate Alexander unveils plan to house the unhoused

Source: CP24

1. Toronto mayoral candidate Alexander unveils plan to move the unhoused into apartments

Toronto mayoral candidate Chris Alexander told reporters Wednesday (Sept. 30) that he would move thousands of people experiencing homelessness out of shelters and into permanent housing, aiming for 1,000 placements by the summer of 2027 as part of a four-year plan to relieve pressure on the city's overburdened shelter system.

Alexander's plan, "A New Way Home for Toronto's Unhoused," calls for a single City Hall lead, stronger case management, and partnerships with landlords, nonprofits, businesses, philanthropists and volunteers. He said it would largely rely on the existing shelter budget, with a housing-first placement costing about $80 per person per night versus roughly $200 for a shelter bed, though provincial help would be needed for mental-health and addiction services. "I'm not saying we're saving money by doing this, but we're saving lives," he said, adding that most funding would come from this year's $786-million shelter envelope.

The plan sets 1,000 housing-first units by summer 2027, cutting nightly shelter use to 5,000 people by next August and below 3,000 by August 2028. People would get an apartment and a lease without first requiring sobriety or treatment, paired with case managers "who show up." A dedicated "landlord desk" would offer guaranteed rent, signing incentives, a damage fund and a 24-hour line. Alexander estimated the first 1,000 units would cost about $17 million in the first year, roughly $14 million of it from the city, and he wants to close Toronto's 10 largest encampments in 2027. Fellow candidate Brad Bradford said the city should build on effective community-led programs rather than more City Hall bureaucracy or spending.

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2. Final wave of Ontario highway speed limit increases takes effect today

The final wave of speed limit increases on Ontario highways took effect Wednesday (Sept. 30), bringing the province closer to its goal of having most major highways posted at 110 km/h. The changes, announced earlier this year by the Ford government, apply to several sections of highways 403, 404, 406, 407, 412 and 418, as well as the QEW.

By the end of September, the province says 89 per cent of its highways will have a posted speed limit of 110 km/h. Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria previously said the changes are focused on safety and follow pilot projects that have already increased speed limits on more than 800 kilometres of highway over the past two years. "The key focus around this is based on safety and it is also based on previous pilots that we have run," Sarkaria said, adding that there had not been a rise in fatalities on those sections. The province says the move brings it close to its goal of posting most major highways at 110 km/h.

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3. Conservative MP Scott Aitchison officially resigns

Conservative MP Scott Aitchison has officially announced he is resigning his seat following the conclusion of the fall parliamentary sitting. In a letter posted on social media Wednesday (Sept. 30), the 53-year-old said, "it is time for a new chapter where I will explore new opportunities." Aitchison most recently served as the Conservatives' housing critic, a role he said "allowed me to contribute to a fundamental shift in the national debate on housing."

Speculation about Aitchison's departure was first reported by The Hill Times on Tuesday, and CTV News confirmed shortly afterward that he had decided to resign. A source close to Aitchison told CTV News the MP informed Pierre Poilievre of his decision last week. Aitchison has represented Parry Sound-Muskoka since 2019 and ran for the Conservative leadership in 2022, losing to Poilievre; before federal politics, he was mayor of Huntsville from 2014 to 2019.

His sudden resignation comes as Poilievre faces internal leadership questions. Poilievre has also lost seven other MPs since last fall: Chris d'Entremont, Michael Ma, Matt Jeneroux and Marilyn Gladu crossed the floor to the Liberals, Richard Martel left for a Senate appointment, and Larry Brock and Cathay Wagantall recently left federal politics, leaving their seats vacant. In his letter, Aitchison saluted Poilievre and said it "has been a privilege to serve" alongside him, reflecting on 30 years in public life. Poilievre wished him "all the very best" on X.

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4. Chow vows 'bad landlords task force' if re-elected, Bradford pushes back

Toronto mayoral candidate Olivia Chow is promising to create a dedicated "bad landlords task force" if re-elected, saying the city needs to be more "proactive" in going after landlords who fail to maintain their properties. She made the announcement during a media event outside 500 Dawes Rd. in East York, a building that has previously faced more than $300,000 in fines for not complying with fire safety requirements. "This fight was never about one single building," Chow said. "It was about changing a system that was failing Torontonians."

Chow said the task force would be made up of dedicated enforcement officers and lawyers focused on "the worst landlords in our city." She said the city has doubled the number of RentSafeTO officers since 2023 to 73, giving the program "real power to make landlords fix the problem," and the new task force would proactively inspect properties owned by landlords with a history of run-ins with the law. "If you own one serious problem building, we will inspect every building you own," she said, adding the city should arrange repairs when landlords refuse and bill the owner directly.

Earlier this year, the company owning 500 Dawes Rd. was fined following a conviction under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, and the building's landlord, director Carolyn Krebs, was sentenced on May 26 to 15 days in jail and ordered to pay a $120,000 fine plus a mandatory 25 per cent victim fine surcharge over fire safety failures at another property at 608 Dawes Rd. Rival candidate Brad Bradford challenged Chow's account, saying the city had already used remedial action at 500 Dawes Rd. in 2020 — three years before Chow became mayor — adding roughly $30,000 to the landlord's tax bill, and that Chow had access to the same tool but did not use it again until this year. Chow's campaign says the plan will cost $2.15 million annually, funded by fines paid by landlords.

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5. Chow rallies in Scarborough as Bradford questions her $788M savings claim

With one month until election day, building Scarborough and questions about budget savings dominated the Toronto mayoral campaign trail. Olivia Chow held a rally in Scarborough touting projects during her time in office that have been completed or are about to get underway, including the Scarborough Busway, Rouge Valley Centre and Chinese Cultural Centre. She told supporters that after years of neglect, Scarborough is "turning the corner," and repeated her campaign promises of a weekly TTC fare cap and seeing that the Scarborough East LRT gets built if re-elected.

Meanwhile, Brad Bradford challenged Chow's claim that her administration found $788 million in budget savings, arguing that only $135 million represents actual spending reductions. Pointing to the city's operating budget growing from $16.16 billion in 2023, when Chow took office, to $18.9 billion in 2026, he said, "Every family in Toronto knows what a saving is. It's when you spend less than you did before." He noted that city budget documents show $135 million in reductions — $57 million in efficiencies and $78 million from internal line-by-line reviews — with the remaining $653 million coming from hiring slowdowns, cost deferrals and revenue adjustments.

In a statement to CTV News, Chow's campaign said, "anything that reduces the amount taxpayers have to pay is savings," adding that Chow saved $788 million this year through line-by-line reviews and other measures. Bradford also reiterated his pledge for an independent line-by-line review of city spending and a property-tax freeze until that review is done, pointing to tax increases of 9.5 per cent in 2024, 6.9 per cent in 2025 and 2.2 per cent in 2026 — the last kept lower using $1.7 billion from city reserves. Chow has pledged to keep property taxes "at or around" the rate of inflation if re-elected. Torontonians head to the polls on Oct. 26.

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6. Peel Police report 266 distraction thefts this year, including $19K Brampton jewellery theft

Peel Regional Police say they have received 266 reports of distraction thefts so far this year, a sharp increase from just 25 reported across the region in 2024. The figures come days after CTV News exclusively reported on the case of a 78-year-old Brampton woman who police say was targeted during a distraction theft and had about $19,000 worth of gold jewellery stolen. Police say 77 per cent of reported distraction thefts this year involved gold jewellery, while nearly 85 per cent happened between noon and 4 p.m.

"These incidents can happen in a matter of seconds, and suspects may often rely on appearing friendly or helpful to gain the victim's trust," Peel police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews said. "We also want residents to recognize these tactics, trust their instincts and create distance when something does not feel right." In a news release Wednesday, police said distraction thefts typically involve one or more people creating a diversion while taking personal belongings from a victim, with older adults frequently targeted while alone. Suspects may approach victims asking for directions, offering gifts or attempting to engage them in conversation.

Police say the July 28 theft happened while the Brampton woman was walking near Chinguacousy Road and Sandalwood Parkway West at about 6 p.m., when she was approached by two women in a white SUV. One woman got out, touched the victim's feet and hugged her, allegedly switching her gold necklace with a metal necklace and removing three gold bangles from her wrists; the jewellery was worth about $19,000. The woman's son, Raghavendra Kumar, told CTV News his mother was left shaken and has stopped taking her regular walks, and that the jewellery had significant sentimental value because some of it was made by his late father, a goldsmith. Investigators have reviewed CCTV footage and identified a white Chevrolet Equinox as a vehicle of interest, though its licence plate has not been identified, and are looking into possible links with similar incidents elsewhere in the GTA.

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7. Crash outside B.C. mall kills 2, injures 2, cutting Truth and Reconciliation event short

Two people are dead and two others injured after being struck by a vehicle outside a B.C. mall on Tsawwassen First Nation lands Wednesday (Sept. 30) — a tragedy police suspect was caused by the driver suffering a "medical emergency." The incident unfolded during a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation walk, though the Delta Police Department said it was unrelated to that event. "Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic incident," the department said.

The collision happened in the parking lot of Tsawwassen Mills shortly before 10:30 a.m. Witness Rafael Saenz told CTV News he didn't see the crash but saw several people on the ground in its aftermath. "I was literally 10 feet away from them," Saenz said. "It was pretty traumatizing." He said there were more than a dozen emergency vehicles at the scene and multiple helicopters overhead as paramedics performed CPR on some of the victims. Police said there is no ongoing risk to public safety and asked anyone with information or video to come forward, adding the investigation remains in its early stages.

The crash prompted an emergency alert from the Tsawwassen First Nation, which was hosting a community walk for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. "An incident is currently in progress that has ended our Truth & Reconciliation event," the alert said. "Participants are asked to walk back the way we came and stay out of the area." The event began at 9:30 a.m. at the First Nation's recreation centre, a short walk from the parking lot, and a House Post Unveiling scheduled for 10:15 a.m. at Entrance 3 was cancelled. Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson was among the attendees, according to a social media post that has since been deleted. The Tsawwassen First Nation extended "sincere gratitude" to Delta Police, emergency responders and community members who assisted.

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8. Mi'kmaw actor's directorial debut highlights injustice faced by Donald Marshall Jr.

Mi'kmaw actor Glen Gould has made his film directing debut with a movie inspired by a road trip he took with his uncle, Donald Marshall Jr., who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent 11 years in jail. Gould, from Membertou First Nation, was 17 when his mother sent him to Maine to help his uncle and bring him back home to Cape Breton.

"It was one thing after another on that road trip," Gould said in a recent interview. "We got our car stolen, ended up stranded at a motel … so I took that road trip and turned it into a movie." During the trip, Marshall Jr. shared stories and recounted the night his friend, 17-year-old Sandy Seale, was stabbed at a park in May 1971. His uncle told him that he and Seale were having a drink on their way to a dance when two men approached them asking for money; this turned into an altercation and one of the men stabbed Seale and slashed Marshall Jr. on the arm.

Despite his co-operation with police, investigators believed Marshall Jr. had stabbed Seale and that the cut on his arm was self-inflicted, and he was sentenced to life in prison. He was eventually acquitted in 1983, after more than a decade behind bars; Roy Ebsary was identified as the stabber and spent a year in jail after being convicted of manslaughter. An inquiry in 1989 found that racism played a role in the wrongful conviction and that "the criminal justice system failed Donald Marshall Jr. at virtually every turn." The film, "Jeffrey's Turn," is a work of fiction inspired by Gould's teenage memories and premiered at the Atlantic International Film Festival earlier this month. Gould said he suffered a stroke during the film shoot and spent a week in a hospital stroke unit after wrapping.

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9. Toronto's Nuit Blanche returns with downtown road closures this weekend

Toronto's all-night arts festival Nuit Blanche returns this weekend with exhibits throughout the city's downtown core. To accommodate the annual event, a number of road closures will be in effect, including Queen Street West between Bay Street and University Avenue; Bay Street between Hagerman Street and Richmond Street West; Elizabeth Street between Foster Place and Hagerman Street; Hagerman Street between Elizabeth Street and Bay Street; and Albert Street between James Street and Bay Street.

The closures begin at 12 p.m. on Oct. 3 and will remain in place until noon on Oct. 4. Local traffic will be permitted on York Street between Richmond Street West and Queen Street West, Bay Street between Dundas Street West and Foster Place, and all of Foster Place. Toronto police said some TTC routes will be diverting as a result of the road closures, and motorists should expect delays downtown.

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10. After Trump renamed Lake Ontario, Canadian firms respond with Lake Ontario products

After Tareq Hadhad and his family moved to Antigonish, N.S., as Syrian refugees in 2016, they built a business on the premise that chocolate was so uniting it could create peace. So when U.S. President Donald Trump renamed Lake Ontario to Lake America in late August, the chief executive of Peace by Chocolate felt he couldn't ignore the antagonism. Within a day, his company had created the Lake Ontario bar — 92 grams of milk chocolate and maple cream, made partially with Ontario ingredients, packaged in a Canadian flag wrapper and emblazoned with the water body's name and information about its Indigenous origins.

"We wanted to be there for our country, no matter how odd that it sounded," Hadhad said. The treat quickly became one of the company's five bestselling bars, generating interest from coast to coast and a flurry of emails from south of the border, where Peace by Chocolate has paused sales because of tariffs on exports to the United States. One month after the renaming, businesses selling Lake Ontario products — from candles and caps to cottage decor — say interest remains high. Teresa Paul, owner of Rockwood, Ont., leather goods company Hides in Hand, said the Lake Ontario coin purses she started making recently are a "pretty hot" commodity.

Paul said she designed the pouch in no time after Trump's renaming "rubbed me the wrong way." The zippered pouches come in red or blue leather and are embroidered with the outline of Lake Ontario and its name, made with Canadian components and embroidered in Ontario. Toronto-based apparel company Province of Canada, which had been selling prints of the Great Lakes for a few years, designed a grey fleece sweatshirt with "Lake Ontario" in navy, offered through preorder with 15 per cent of each purchase going to Indspire, an Indigenous education charity. Product and operations manager Alli Piccininni said the sweater sold out "really, really quickly," and the company prepared a third batch shipping in December and a fourth with a new colourway before Christmas.

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