🚑 Breaking & Incidents
- Live Nation cancels AC/DC show after Rogers Stadium storm damage. The promoter says the Sept. 16 concert is off after last week’s “100‑year storm” left bleachers and parts of grandstands strewn across Rogers Stadium; Live Nation told the city it will remove and rebuild affected parts and delay reopening until next summer. City inspectors issued a violation notice and required an engineer’s report, which Live Nation delivered to the City by the Sept. 8 deadline.
- Toronto has recorded a record 97 lithium‑ion battery fires this year. Toronto Fire Services logged 97 incidents through this year, surpassing last year’s 91; Fire Chief Jim Jessop has repeatedly warned and urged governments to consider regulatory changes after recent e‑bike and apartment fires that sent one person to hospital on Aug. 12. Crews have responded to multiple incidents, including a two‑alarm blaze linked to e‑bike batteries.
- Cyclist taken to hospital after collision at Sheppard Ave. E. and McCowan Rd. Toronto police say the crash happened around 9:20 a.m. Wednesday; paramedics transported the woman with serious but non‑life‑threatening injuries and westbound lanes were briefly closed and later reopened.
🏛️ Government & Politics
- Sentencing hearing held for Liberty Village couple convicted in filmmaker Reeyaz Habib’s death. The 53‑year‑old’s decomposing body was found in a condominium garbage compactor on June 8, 2023; Khoa Tran, 36, was convicted of second‑degree murder in June and Quynh (Isabelle) Nguyen, 30, was convicted of being an accessory after the fact to manslaughter and committing an indignity to a body. Family members gave victim impact statements Wednesday in downtown Toronto court.
- Olivia Chow holds a double‑digit lead in latest Toronto mayoral poll. Liaison Strategies shows Chow at 50% among decided and leaning voters to Brad Bradford’s 39% and Chris Alexander’s 11%, with regional splits showing Chow leading downtown 60%–30% and Bradford leading Etobicoke 56%–33%; the poll also found 34% want property taxes frozen or reduced.
- Ontario hit just 58% of its 2025 housing target, internal briefing shows. Provincial documents say municipalities recorded 86,760 housing starts against a 150,000 target; the province’s modified definition that counted basement units, long‑term care and student housing still left the goal unmet, and only 13 municipalities hit their targets.
🏈 Sports
- Leafs veteran John Tavares is hosting No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna with his family. Tavares said he invited 18‑year‑old McKenna from Whitehorse to live with his family as the rookie begins his pro season, a move arranged after talks with new GM John Chayka during the NHL/NHLPA player media tour. Tavares referenced his own experience as the 2009 No. 1 overall pick.
- Edmonton Elks rallied past the Calgary Stampeders 38–28 on Labour Day. The Elks (9‑3) outscored Calgary 24–3 in the fourth quarter to secure the win; Vernon Adams Jr. and a 50‑yard TD run by Justin Rankin were pivotal, and Calgary falls to 5‑7 but remains two points behind playoff spots in the West.
💼 Economy & Business
- WildQuest app turns wildlife photos into a biodiversity game and has 200+ users. Co‑founder Denis Allaire says the app—active since July—uses AI to ID species and converts photos into collectible battle cards; WildQuest has attracted more than 200 users across Canada, the U.S., South Africa and Indonesia, and plans an official launch on Sept. 22 while seeking investors.
📰 Also Today
- Edmonton Oilers sign Alex Formenton to a one‑year US$850,000 deal, Formenton was acquitted last year on 2018 charges.
- OPP releases new video in 2001 Kathleen MacVicar murder case, joint reward remains $75,000.
- Live Nation gave the City of Toronto an engineering report on Rogers Stadium damage, report received and under City review.
- AC/DC had been scheduled to play Toronto Sept. 16 at Rogers Stadium, the show was under review after the storm.
- Ontario businesses react to new U.S. tariffs and alcohol ban, coverage reports mixed responses.
- Ontario man found guilty of participating in terrorist group activities, verdict reported.
- Toronto exceeded its all‑time record for lithium‑ion battery fires, followup coverage continues.
- New Toronto poll finds majority want property taxes cut, frozen or below inflation, poll results reported.
- U.S. considering federal tax incentive for films could affect Canada, analysis published.
- Mississauga comedy festival with John Mulaney postponed days before event, organizers postponed the show.
- Explainer: Where does the name Lake Ontario come from?, background piece.
- Brad Bradford pledges Scarborough East LRT priority if elected mayor, campaign promise reported.
- Advice on options for GTA homeowners after storm damage, consumer guidance published.
- Mayor and Toronto police unveil safety plan for Jewish high holidays, security measures announced.
- Ontario Chamber calls for mutual de‑escalation in Canada‑U.S. trade war, chamber statement reported.
- U.S. to ban imports of Canadian booze, motorcycles and other goods, early White House measures reported.
