Maple Express | August 18, 2026 Carney speaks with Trump ahead of Wednesday's tariff deadline

1. Carney speaks with Trump ahead of Wednesday's tariff deadline

Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of Wednesday's tariff deadline, following a two-hour meeting between the two countries' trade ministers.

The call comes amid ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States, with tariffs remaining a central sticking point. Both sides have been seeking a resolution before the deadline, though no details of the conversation have been released.

2. Two seriously hurt in crash involving Toronto police cruiser near waterfront

Two people are in hospital with serious injuries following a collision involving a Toronto police cruiser and a vehicle near Queens Quay and Lower Sherbourne Street on Monday afternoon.

The crash happened around 3:45 p.m. Police said a vehicle stop occurred and "contact was made" between the cruiser and a vehicle, with one person fleeing on foot. A 26-year-old man was arrested nearby, and a 26-year-old woman and 27-year-old woman were also arrested. Police say they appear to be facing drug-related charges.

3. Crash in Brampton knocks out power for more than 1,000 homes

A single-vehicle crash in Brampton on Tuesday morning knocked down several hydro poles and left more than a thousand homes and businesses without power.

Peel Regional Police said it happened on Rosedale Avenue, near Queen and Main streets. As many as 4,376 customers were without power at the peak, according to Alectra Utilities, though crews have since reduced that to roughly 1,167. The cause of the crash and extent of any injuries remain unclear.

4. Toronto's Yorkville Murals festival ending after 7 years

Toronto's popular summer festival Yorkville Murals is being put on for the last time this weekend after a seven-year run, a decision organizers say was forced by inconsistent funding from the City of Toronto.

Organizers cited a $50,000 financial shortfall, with founder Alan Ganev saying the city "simply didn't support" the program this year. The final edition runs Aug. 22 (11 a.m. to 11 p.m.) and Aug. 23 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), with free admission. Last year's festival drew more than 70,000 people.

5. 17-year-old says camera stolen at Canada's Wonderland

A 17-year-old says he won't return to Canada's Wonderland after his brand-new camera disappeared moments after he placed it in a bin for safekeeping.

Rezi Kharanauli bought the Insta360 X5 camera the day before his Aug. 11 visit. The camera cost more than $800, or around $1,000 with its stick attachment and microSD card. He said the camera vanished after he rode the Yukon Striker coaster around 10 p.m.

6. Major delays: Collisions, oil spill on Hwy. 401 slow commute

Major delays were reported on Highway 401 after a number of collisions and a separate oil spill resulted in closures in both directions on Monday.

A transport truck spilled oil onto the westbound collector lanes near Keele Street just before 1 p.m., closing the highway for cleanup. A separate two-vehicle collision involving a motorcycle then closed the eastbound express lanes at Winston Churchill Boulevard after 4 p.m., leaving the 53-year-old rider seriously hurt.

7. Pick-up truck recovered from bottom of canal: OPP

A vehicle was found fully submerged at the bottom of a canal in Kawartha Lakes over the weekend, but police believe no one was inside.

Police were called Saturday around 12:23 p.m. to the canal west of Balsam Lake. The OPP Underwater Search and Rescue Unit was already in the area searching for a missing plane, which police said was unrelated. The truck, which was from Toronto, has since been removed. How it ended up in the canal remains unclear.

8. Ontario's new cash bail rules face constitutional challenge

Ontario's new rules requiring cash up front for release on bail were hit with a constitutional challenge on the same day they came into force.

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Criminal Lawyers Association argue the federal government, not Ontario, holds power over bail, and that the new rules would create a two-tiered system for the rich and poor. Those who can't afford to pay would stay in jail while those who can would be released.

9. Why grocery shopping in Canada is hitting your pocketbook

Food inflation in Canada dropped to 3.1 per cent in July, down from 3.9 per cent the previous month, according to Statistics Canada.

Chicken and fresh vegetables saw slower price increases, while cereal products and some vegetables fell in price — though fresh fruit like berries and melons grew more expensive. Grocery inflation has now outpaced the overall consumer price index for 18 straight months, keeping pressure on shoppers' wallets.

10. Feds move to repeal EV sales mandate

The federal government moved last week to formally repeal the electric vehicle sales mandate, which would have required EVs to make up at least 20 per cent of auto sales this year and 100 per cent by 2035.

The government now forecasts EVs reaching about 75 per cent of new sales by 2035 and 90 per cent by 2040. The mandate is among the climate policies introduced by former prime minister Justin Trudeau that Prime Minister Carney has been dismantling, including the consumer carbon price and the emissions cap.