SIU Clears Officers, Bike Lanes to Be Removed & Toddler’s Killer Heads to Sentencing — Toronto Friday

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

1. Small plane crashed into a field north of Guelph and caught fire. Ontario Provincial Police say crews responded at 10:15 a.m. near Beatty Line and Wellington Road 17 in Fergus and Transport Canada has been notified; police asked drivers to avoid the area while the crash remains under investigation.
2. Lockdown and hold-and-secure lifted at three Oshawa schools after a threat. Durham police said officers were on scene around 10:45 a.m. at Paul Dwyer Catholic High School and nearby Adelaide McLaughlin PS and R.S. McLaughlin Collegiate; police announced the measures were lifted shortly before 11:30 a.m. and stated there was no threat to public safety.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. SIU clears Toronto officers who shot the suspect in Const. Marc Pinizzotto’s killing. Special Investigations Unit director Joseph Martino concluded officers had “no alternative” and acted to protect themselves after Pinizzotto was shot during a June 11 Emergency Task Force raid; 19‑year‑old Nicholas Bennett was shot and later charged with first‑degree murder.
2. Sentencing hearing underway for woman convicted of murdering a three‑year‑old at a CAS office. Shardanae Cousins‑Emily was found guilty of second‑degree murder for the December 2, 2023 death of Quintanni Belotte at the Children’s Aid Society site on Isabella Street; the boy’s father, Yverson Belotte, addressed the court at the packed hearing.
3. Crown says a key witness changed testimony in trial over Woodbine Beach murder. Prosecutors told jurors that witness Lukiara Hunter‑Wilmot gave different accounts after her January 2025 arrest in the August 8, 2024 shooting death of 21‑year‑old Dacia Mbongo near Woodbine Beach; the trial includes accused Kenneth Neil and Ricardo Wills.

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. Ontario will begin removing Toronto bike lanes next Tuesday. The provincial government has scheduled the start of bike‑lane removals in Toronto for Tuesday (date given in article), reversing parts of the city’s cycling infrastructure plan as the province takes direct action.
2. New poll shows Bradford closing gap on Olivia Chow in Toronto mayoral race. The poll reported Bradford inching closer to Chow’s lead in the city’s mayoral contest, signaling a tightening race in advance of the municipal election (poll details reported in the article).
3. Ontario Court of Appeal revives challenge to Hamilton’s anti‑encampment bylaw. The unanimous ruling found the trial judge relied on stereotypes about homeless residents and ordered a new trial judge to decide the bylaw’s constitutionality after appeals by 14 encampment residents.

💼 Economy & Business

1. Workers at five Toronto child‑care centres locked out after bargaining stalled. Staff at five centres in Toronto were locked out after both sides failed to reach a deal, affecting operations at those sites (article reports lockout and failed talks).
2. Toronto rent fell to its lowest September level in five years, report shows. The rental‑market report cited in the article said September rents in Toronto declined to the lowest point seen since 2021 (report details in the article).
3. Halton police deploy AI to recruit and train 911 call takers, cutting evaluation time 50%. Halton’s communications bureau manager Brian Dodd said American firm GovWorx provides simulations used in hiring and training, and the force says the AI reduces candidate evaluation time by half.

📰 Also Today

• Another Marineland beluga, Caspian (27), died after transfer to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.
• Edmonton Elks clinch home CFL playoff game with 27‑12 win over Hamilton.
• Port Colborne man (30) charged with second‑degree murder after Fares Street shooting.
• Municipal election resource guide published to help undecided voters.
• Health column outlines this season’s influenza vaccine effectiveness for 2026–27.
• Fado music feature traces Portuguese artists’ mainstream gains in Canada.
• CBC Toronto to air a live election night special; viewing details provided.
• Ontario man won U.S. Stage 4 cancer treatment court case; province later changed rules.
• Investors testify they gave Aiden Pleterski $1.9M in ‘Crypto King’ fraud trial.
• Toronto‑area man sentenced to 68 months for smuggling cocaine tied to Ryan Wedding.
• Oshawa mayoral debate focused on homelessness and downtown issues, candidates said.
• Ontario’s police watchdog searches for a new director as current term nears end.
• (See main) Crown alleges witness changed evidence in Woodbine Beach murder trial.
• (See main) Small plane crash near Fergus; Transport Canada notified.
• (See main) Five Toronto child‑care centres locked out after failed talks.
• (Duplicate main) Port Colborne murder charge after Fares Street shooting.
• (Duplicate main) How to watch CBC Toronto’s election special.