Maple Express | September 18, 2026: Carney tells EU Parliament Canada welcomes 'ambition' to be first associate member

1. Carney welcomes EU 'ambition' for Canada to become first associate member

Source: CP24

Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Thursday and welcomed the "ambition" for Canada to become the European Union's first associate member. He said an enhanced partnership with the EU will be put up for debate and a final vote in Parliament, and told a news conference in Strasbourg that Canada is not seeking to become a full EU member.

The offer has drawn criticism on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre accused Carney of contradicting himself, contrasting Carney's Sept. 13 comments at home — that Canada is "not looking to become a member of the European Union" — with his Thursday remarks in Europe. U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday the move could be seen as a "hostile act" if done with "bad intentions," and threatened heavy tariffs on Europe.

Carney said a deeper alliance would make Canada a "better partner with the United States." Meanwhile, Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette is calling on Carney to grant the province special status within the new alliance.

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2. B.C. tribunal finds Vancouver police discriminated against a Black woman

Source: CP24

A Black woman who was handcuffed by Vancouver police during a traffic stop has been awarded more than $26,000 after the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal found officers discriminated against her because of her race. Safiya Elshazly was a passenger in a car pulled over for carrying one too many people in December 2020; she was buckled in the backseat.

Tribunal member Laila Said found in a Sept. 10 decision that the officers' conduct was "tainted by racism," that they saw Elshazly as "more of a threat than she really was," and that the roughly 35-minute encounter was a "traumatic, violent and unnecessary" escalation. Elshazly was the only person ticketed; the driver was not penalized.

The decision says Const. Cheng accused her of not wearing a seatbelt and asked for ID; after she refused, she was told she was "under arrest for obstruction," though police later acknowledged she did have identification. Elshazly was awarded $25,000 for injury to her dignity and $1,398 to replace her damaged iPhone.

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3. OPP dismantles illegal online cannabis network in Windsor, seizes over $366K

Source: CP24

Ontario Provincial Police say they have taken down an illegal online cannabis distribution network in Windsor, seizing items worth more than $366,000. Police say the operation, called "420 Highway," supplied and distributed illegal cannabis without authorization from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario or Health Canada.

The investigation began in July 2026. On Sept. 2, OPP and Windsor police executed three search warrants at two homes and a storage facility in Windsor. A 28-year-old Sarnia man and three Windsor men aged 42, 57 and 41 face multiple drug-related charges.

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4. Boy, 15, charged after BB gun incident locked down east-end Toronto schools

Source: CP24

A 15-year-old boy faces charges after an incident Wednesday in which what turned out to be a BB gun was displayed during a confrontation, prompting about eight east-end Toronto schools to go into hold and secure. Police received a call shortly before 9:30 a.m. about a person with a gun near Gerrard Street East and Broadview Avenue.

Investigators determined two youths had a verbal confrontation outside a school, during which a firearm was seen; the youth with the gun fled on foot. In a Thursday news release, police said the suspect surrendered to 55 Division and that the firearm was a BB gun.

The teen cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. He has been charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed weapon, assault with a weapon, and having his face masked or disguised.

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5. YouTube's 'Subway Takes' is coming to the TTC

Source: CP24

Toronto, prepare your hot takes. YouTube Canada says it is unveiling a new slate of creator-driven shows, including a Canadian version of the popular internet series "Subway Takes." In the original, comedian Kareem Rahma asks celebrities and notable people for their opinions while riding the New York City subway, popularizing the phrase "100 per cent agree/disagree."

In "Subway Takes Toronto," Rahma will talk to Canadians while travelling on the TTC. He says the series is expected to include about 15 episodes and is scheduled to debut next month, adding that he chose Toronto because it is one of the most diverse, enjoyable cities with good stories. The series has more than 1.1 million subscribers and over 800 million views on YouTube.

YouTube Canada's new programming also includes shows featuring celebrity chef and actor Matty Matheson, former Olympic figure skater Tessa Virtue and Professional Women's Hockey League player Sarah Nurse.

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6. Ford's office says his Chow comments were not an endorsement

Source: CP24

A day after Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he supports Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow in her re-election bid, his office says it was not an endorsement. Ford and Chow appeared together at a joint news conference Wednesday to mark the opening of a new Sanofi vaccine manufacturing facility in Toronto.

Asked about endorsements in the mayoral race, Ford praised his "phenomenal" relationship with Chow, citing lots of funding for the city, and said "we're going to continue supporting the mayor" as she is doing an "incredible job," urging people to "read between the lines." His remarks were widely seen as at least a quasi-endorsement, including by Chow's main rival, Brad Bradford.

On Thursday, however, Ford's office issued a statement saying the premier did not endorse Chow and will not endorse any candidate in the Toronto mayoral race.

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7. Ontario's only entry on the world's coolest neighbourhoods list is not in Toronto

Source: CP24

Sorry, Toronto. Time Out has published its annual list of the 40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world, and the only Ontario area to make it is downtown St. Catharines, which placed ninth — ahead of Chicago's West Town (18th) and New York's Financial District (28th). The only other Canadian entry was Mount Pleasant in Vancouver, at No. 35. The ranking was based on a panel of editors judging food, livability and nightlife.

St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe said it "feels pretty great," crediting the entrepreneurs who poured their hearts into the downtown. Time Out praised its mix of local businesses, proximity to top wineries and waterfront charm, along with the "Brooklyn-esque" heritage buildings on St. Paul Street. The list also stirred some online debate, with some questioning whether the magazine had actually visited.

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8. Edmonton police seek missing man and two children, release photo of unknown man

Source: CP24

Edmonton police are trying to identify a man seen with a 42-year-old man and his two children, all three of whom were reported missing last month. Scot MacDermid and his children — six-year-old George and nine-year-old Lesley — were seen with an unknown man around 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 28 in Lloydminster. Investigators have released photos of the man in hopes of identifying him.

Police say they don't know the trio's travel direction beyond that but believe they may have been seen in Saskatchewan or Manitoba. MacDermid is 5'5" and about 160 pounds. Police previously said MacDermid became unreachable on Aug. 28, and explained that an Amber Alert was not issued because the activation criteria were not met.

Edmonton police Chief Warren Driechel said children "not where they need to be" is "always a concern." Anyone with information is asked to call Edmonton police at 780-423-4567.

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9. Canada's diesel prices hit a record high of $2.751 a litre

Source: CP24

Diesel prices across Canada hit another record high on Thursday, averaging $2.751 a litre according to Kalibrate — and analysts say you don't need to drive a diesel vehicle to feel the hit. Because Canada's transportation network runs on diesel to move everything from groceries and furniture to electronics, every Canadian is expected to feel the financial impact.

"Pretty much everything that we use ... all gets this cascading knock-on effect and it's real and it's almost immediate," said gas analyst Dan McTeague, head of Canadians for Affordable Energy. He said businesses are already passing on higher transportation costs and will face fuel surcharges, with the impact showing up within 30 to 60 days.

The surge stems from high crude prices and a growing global shortage of refined diesel: oil has stayed above US$100 a barrel amid Middle East instability, while Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and Russian fuel export restrictions cut supplies further. Richard Masson, former CEO of the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission, said there is "no end in sight," noting refineries are damaged in many parts of the world.

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10. Canada's oldest living person celebrates her 111th birthday

Source: CP24

Canada's oldest living person has turned 111. Marie Rosa celebrated her birthday on Thursday, surrounded by family and friends at The Village of Humber Heights retirement home in Etobicoke, Ont. Born Sept. 17, 1915, she lived through both world wars and served as a seamstress and forewoman during the Second World War.

Her daughter, Catherine Sinisalo, said she never thought her mother would live to 111 — Rosa's father lived to 105 and her sister to 103. She believes part of her mother's healthy life comes from a love of vegetables. As for her best advice for a long life, Rosa said simply: "Love everybody."

The party featured her favourite lemon cake. Nathan Castaneda, the retirement home's neighbourhood co-ordinator, described Rosa as "a ball of life" and recalled asking her secret; she told him to "live a happy life, love everyone, and give everyone hugs."

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