Maple Express | August 26, 2026 Canada Outlines Counter-Tariffs on About 700 U.S. Products

1. Canada Outlines Counter-Tariffs on About 700 U.S. Products

Source: CP24

The federal government laid out its dollar-for-dollar counter-tariff plan in Ottawa on Tuesday, targeting roughly 700 American products worth about $27.6 billion in U.S. imports. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly were among the ministers at the announcement.

The new tariffs are set at 15, 25 and 50 per cent depending on the product and take effect Sept. 8, with no energy-related measures on the list. Tariffs on steel and aluminum rise from 25 to 50 per cent, as do those on furniture and clothing, while air conditioning machines face 15 per cent.

The government also announced a $7.5-billion support package and extended temporary EI measures, including waiving the one-week waiting period and adding 20 weeks of benefits for long-tenured workers. Canada and the U.S. failed to reach a last-minute trade deal late last week, and Washington imposed 50 per cent tariffs on billions in Canadian goods.

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2. Woman Seriously Injured After Being Struck by E-Bike in Downtown Toronto

Source: CP24

A woman was seriously injured after being struck by an e-bike in downtown Toronto on Tuesday night. Police said they received a call at 9:21 p.m. about a collision in the area of Trinity Street and Eastern Avenue, south of King Street East.

When emergency crews arrived, they found a woman in her 50s with serious injuries, and she was taken to hospital. Police said the e-bike rider, a man in his 50s, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

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3. Ontario Enters Respiratory Virus Season With Experts Unsure of Severity

Source: CP24

Ontario families are heading into another respiratory virus season, but health experts say it is still too early to know whether the coming months will bring a mild wave of illness or another difficult flu season. Data from Public Health Ontario shows positivity rates for COVID-19, RSV and influenza remain "low" overall but are starting to inch up.

COVID-19 positivity in Ontario was up to 1.4 per cent for the week ending Aug. 15, after dropping as low as 0.4 per cent in July. Experts say influenza, COVID-19 and RSV typically become more active in the fall and winter as people spend more time indoors and children return to school.

Dr. Shaun Morris, a clinician-scientist at SickKids, said simple habits like washing hands, getting vaccinated and staying home when sick still offer the best protection, but experts cannot yet predict exactly when viral waves will arrive.

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4. TTC Cooling Tower Identified as Source of Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak

Source: CP24

Toronto public health officials have identified a TTC cooling tower as the source of a recent outbreak of legionnaires' disease. Officials said they investigated six confirmed cases within about a one-kilometre radius of the intersection of Bathurst and Dupont streets.

A cooling tower at the TTC's Hillcrest Complex was determined to be the source after samples matched a legionnaires case. Associate medical officer of health Dr. Shima Shakory said officials are confident the cooling tower was the source.

The TTC said it shut down the affected cooling systems and brought in a contractor for deep cleaning. Officials said legionnaires' disease does not spread person to person and the risk to the public remains low.

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5. York Region Confirms Measles Exposure at Vaughan Hospital

Source: CP24

York Region Public Health is warning the public after confirming a measles exposure at a hospital in Vaughan. The exposure occurred at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, located at 3200 Major Mackenzie Dr. W., earlier this month.

Identified exposure locations and times include the emergency waiting room on Aug. 17 from 8:40 p.m. to 10:40 p.m. and the ambulatory care area from 9:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., plus the emergency waiting room on Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and the ambulatory care area from 11:10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Officials are asking anyone present during those periods to confirm they have received two doses of the measles vaccine, and urging pregnant people, infants under 12 months and those who are immunocompromised to contact public health immediately. Measles is highly contagious, and the virus can live in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

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6. Newmarket Man Faces a Dozen Break-and-Enter Charges

Source: CP24

York Regional Police say charges have been laid after a series of break-and-enters across Newmarket. Police said the incidents took place between Aug. 3 and Aug. 16 in the early morning hours, and the suspect is allegedly responsible for at least 14 commercial break-and-enter incidents.

On Wednesday, police took a Newmarket man into custody. A search warrant at a home in Newmarket led to the recovery of empty cash register trays and break-and-enter tools.

Jonathan Allen, 46, faces 10 counts of possession of break-in instruments, 12 counts of committing break and enter, and a dozen counts of break and enter with intent. Police said he was on probation at the time of the alleged offences, and the investigation remains ongoing.

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7. Man's Death in Downtown Toronto Residence Deemed a Homicide

Source: CP24

Toronto police are investigating the death of a man found inside a residence as a homicide. Officers were called to a residence in the area of McGill and Church streets early Friday morning for a sudden death.

Police said 41-year-old Satwant "Sonny" Sangha was found dead, and an autopsy discovered signs of trauma to his body. He is the city's 23rd homicide victim of 2026.

No suspect information has been released. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

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8. Ontario Advances Possible Nuclear Plant South of Sarnia

Source: CP24

The Ontario government has taken the next step toward a potential nuclear power plant south of Sarnia that could bring thousands of permanent and construction jobs. Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce, standing on the shoreline of the St. Clair River across from the U.S., said Canada is "up against a very real threat."

Lecce announced the Ford government has committed $500,000 to St. Clair Township to pay for consultations, including discussions with First Nations leaders. Until 2013, the township was home to the coal-fired Lambton Generation Station, whose closure cost more than 400 jobs and $2 million in tax revenue.

Lecce conceded a natural gas plant could be built within a few years, while a nuclear facility could take up to a decade, but insisted the payoff would be worth it.

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9. Why Amazon Canada Removed Some Squishy Dumpling Toys

Source: CP24

Amazon Canada has removed many off-brand squishy dumpling toys following safety concerns, as reports show there could be a potential health hazard. Safety officials have found some counterfeit toys could contain toxic chemicals, leading to serious health risks and burns if they break open.

The sticky gel from inside the squishy toys has reportedly left children with red, irritated or peeling skin. Earlier in August, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also issued a warning that fake and counterfeit squishy toys "may pose serious risks to children."

Health Canada said it received 32 reports regarding the squishy toys between April 23 and Aug. 18, four of which mentioned an injury such as headache, skin rash or difficulty breathing. Health Canada advises consumers not to leave squishy toys in hot cars or direct sunlight, as heat can cause them to burst.

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10. 15 Arrested, Drugs and Guns Seized in Southern Manitoba Trafficking Probe

Source: CP24

An investigation lasting nearly two years has resulted in a significant quantity of drugs and firearms being seized across Manitoba. RCMP released details of Project Dolor on Tuesday, a 19-month investigation involving RCMP and the Winkler Police Service.

RCMP said 15 people from 10 different communities, including Carman, Winkler, Winnipeg and Morden, have been charged with a combined 67 drug- and weapons-related offences. Officers seized about eight kilograms of cocaine, 2.5 kilograms of psilocybin, 13 restricted handguns, 44 non-restricted firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and 228 cartons of unstamped tobacco.

The investigation was launched in December 2024 after Winkler Police approached RCMP after learning multiple kilograms of cocaine were imported into an area business. RCMP said the investigation remains ongoing and more arrests and charges are expected.

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