Maple Express Noon | October 11, 2026: Kenney Warns Low Turnout Could Hand Alberta Referendum to Separatists

1. Kenney Warns Low Turnout Could Hand Alberta Referendum to Separatists

Source: CP24

Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney is urging Albertans to vote in large numbers in next week's referendum on separation and to deliver a decisive result for the federalist side. In an interview with CTV Question Period host Vassy Kapelos airing Sunday, he said his biggest concern is low turnout. "The lower the turnout, the better for the separatist side," he said, adding that if turnout is 40 per cent or below, "I think they could actually win."

The referendum will be held on Oct. 19, asking Albertans whether they want to remain part of Canada or whether the province should "commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada." Kenney said those voting toward a future binding referendum are a combination of hardcore separatists and "frustrated federalists who want to use this to send a message."

An online survey by Research Co. conducted Aug. 24-26, provided to CTV News, found 74 per cent of Albertans would answer "no" to the separation question. But Kenney worries federalists will look at the polls and think staying in Canada is a sure thing. He also noted that the 10 complex questions on the ballot may mean long wait times, which would disadvantage federalists concentrated in densely populated areas, while separatist support is concentrated in the least populated areas with the shortest waits.

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2. Woman Arrested for Impaired Driving After Multi-Vehicle Crash in Toronto

Source: CP24

Toronto police say officers responded to the area of Dupont Street and Bathurst Street just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday for reports of a collision involving multiple vehicles. Police say all involved parties remained at the scene.

An adult female driver was arrested for impaired operation, police said, adding that another driver was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Paramedics told CP24 they assessed two patients at the scene, one of whom was taken to a local trauma centre in serious but stable condition, while the other was released at the scene. Temporary road closures were put in place following the collision, but police say all roads have since reopened.

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3. Peel Police Seek Suspect Wanted for Attempted Murder After Brampton Stabbing

Source: CP24

Peel Regional Police are searching for a 35-year-old Brampton man wanted for attempted murder in connection with a stabbing investigation. In a news release, officials say officers responded to reports of a stabbing in Brampton at approximately 2 p.m. on Oct. 7.

Police say the victim was taken to a local hospital before being transferred to a trauma centre with serious injuries. Investigators with Peel's Intimate Partner Violence Unit have since identified the man as 35-year-old Vimal Mohan, of Brampton, who is wanted for attempted murder. Police describe Mohan as five-feet-seven inches tall, weighing approximately 145 pounds, with long black hair, an unkempt beard and moustache, brown eyes and a light complexion, and a star tattoo on his neck. Police are urging Mohan to seek legal counsel and surrender to authorities.

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4. Man in His 30s Hospitalized After Motorcycle Crash in Etobicoke

Source: CP24

A man in his 30s has been taken to hospital following a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Etobicoke early Sunday morning. In an email to CP24, Toronto police say officers responded to the area of Dundas Street West and Royal York Road for reports of a crash involving a motorcycle just before 6 a.m.

The motorcyclist was transported to hospital, though the extent of the injuries remains unknown. Police say impairment is not believed to have been a factor in the collision, based on preliminary information. There are currently no road closures in effect.

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5. Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica to Unveil New Facade After 10-Year Restoration

Source: CP24

After close to 10 years behind scaffolding, the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal is preparing for the grand unveiling of its facade, scheduled for October 25. Michel Issa, executive director of the Fabrique de la paroisse Notre-Dame de Montreal, said that while the restoration of the facade is complete, the basilica still has several years of work ahead of it, with about 20 per cent of the necessary work completed.

Issa estimates that work on the exterior of the church will take about four years, a figure he said may be optimistic, while the interior restoration might take another five to ten years. The total cost of the restoration will add up to $100 million, he said. To fund the work, the basilica organizes benefit concerts, generates revenue from its coffee shop, Le Firmament, and holds fundraisers. The latest fundraising campaign lets donors "sponsor a stone" and inscribe a digital message on the building's facade, viewable with a cellphone via augmented reality, similar to the viral app Pokemon Go. People can already sponsor a stone, but the messages will not be viewable until early 2027.

Mathieu Verreault, director of tourism and operations, said the renovations carry a steep price tag because they involve the entire structure of the basilica: all the masonry needs to be reinforced and restored. The stones came from an old quarry in Montreal's Mile End neighbourhood; those placed higher up were salvaged from the bottom of the quarry and were of lower quality, and some were placed "the wrong way." Because it is sedimentary stone with layers, it must be laid horizontally, he said, warning that vertical placement makes the stones more permeable to rain. Some of the mortar was also replaced with epoxy, putting greater pressure on the stones. These exterior weaknesses also affect the interior, where water infiltration and moisture have deteriorated painted decorations. Rather than repaint them, the parish is attempting to reattach each flake of paint.

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6. Polish Police Arrest Man Suspected of Planning to Attack Prime Minister Donald Tusk

Source: CP24

A man suspected of threatening and planning to attack Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was arrested, the country's interior minister said Sunday. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski gave no details about the identity of the man nor the type of attack planned. "The man who threatened an attack was detained," Tusk wrote on X. "Thanks to the police for fast and decisive action."

Poland's police had said earlier on Sunday they received information about a possible plot to attack Tusk and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. Jacek Dobrzynski, spokesperson for the minister overseeing Poland's intelligence services, said authorities took the matter "extremely seriously" and considered there was a "high probability" the threats would be carried out. Poland has been on high alert following a series of school stabbings this week, as well as fears of a possible Russian hybrid attack to weaken Western support for Ukraine. Government spokesperson Adam Szlapka told Polish media Tusk learned about the threat first thing on Sunday morning and described it as "exceptionally concerning."

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7. Saudi-Led Coalition Says a Projectile Struck a Passenger Terminal at Riyadh Airport

Source: CP24

A Saudi-led coalition fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said a projectile struck a passenger terminal at the international airport in Riyadh on Sunday, less than a day after a missile struck it and killed 12 people. The latest strike hit the same complex housing terminals 3 and 4 for domestic flights, and there were no immediate details about it.

The strike came as King Khalid International Airport remained closed and authorities moved schools in the capital online. The sharp escalation threatens to draw in greater U.S. military involvement, with President Donald Trump saying he is weighing joining the fight against the rebels. Saturday's missile attack on the Riyadh airport was the deadliest in a Gulf Arab nation since the Iran war began, leaving over 300 people wounded, some critically. A Saudi statement said the dead included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, a Palestinian, a U.S. citizen, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian and a Sudanese.

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8. Eagles Edge Rusher Jonathan Greenard Won't Play vs. Jaguars in London

Source: CP24

Eagles edge rusher Jonathan Greenard won't play against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium because of an ankle injury. Greenard was injured in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams last week, did not practice this week and had been listed as questionable.

Philadelphia had previously ruled out RB Saquon Barkley (hamstring), WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring), C Drew Kendall (knee), S Marcus Epps (groin) and WR Marquise Brown (ankle). For the Jaguars, S Eric Murray (concussion) won't play after being limited in practice.

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