Richmond Hill Fire, Tight Mayoral Race & Kawhi’s Return — Toronto Wednesday

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

1. Man found dead after early-morning Richmond Hill blaze that consumed two houses and three cars. Fire crews responded to Crosby Avenue near Bayview at about 3 a.m.; York Regional Police say a man pulled from a basement was taken to hospital and later pronounced dead, and the Office of the Fire Marshal is investigating the origin.
2. Two-year-old airlifted in Oshawa after daycare group struck by vehicle; four other children treated. Durham police say the collision on Ryerson Crescent and Sheridan Way at about 9:30 a.m. left a 2-year-old in critical condition flown by Ornge to a Toronto-area trauma centre; a daycare worker has serious non-life-threatening injuries and the driver remains at scene and is cooperating with investigators.

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. New poll shows Brad Bradford and Olivia Chow locked in a statistical dead heat days before Oct. 26 mayoral vote. Liaison Strategies put Bradford at 49% and Chow at 47% among decided and leaning voters in its Wednesday survey; Mainstreet Research showed Bradford at 48.9% and Chow at 47.5% in another recent poll.
2. Bradford defends debt plan and proposes a new city water company in his mayoral campaign. The candidate outlined a debt-management strategy and the creation of a municipal water entity during campaign events this week; he referenced municipal finances and service delivery as pillars of his platform.
3. Eight mayoral candidates scheduled to speak to voters ahead of Oct. 26 election. Voter materials list eight names on the Toronto ballot and the city is hosting candidate forums in the final days before election day.

💼 Economy & Business

1. Mark Carney and Premier Doug Ford to announce support for tariff-hit Ontario workers and industries. The pair met in Ottawa on Wednesday with a planned announcement aimed at protecting workers amid a trade dispute affecting Ontario steel production, including recent Stelco layoffs and plant consolidations.
2. Record $90-million Lotto Max jackpot won in Alberta; three $1-million MaxMillion tickets sold in Ontario. OLG says the jackpot reached $90 million after winner-less draws and three $1-million prizes were sold in Brant County, Toronto and online on Tuesday night.

🏈 Sports

1. Kawhi Leonard made his Toronto Raptors regular-season debut in the home opener at Scotiabank Arena. Leonard, a two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP, started for the Raptors in Wednesday’s game after being traded back to Toronto this summer amid an NBA salary-cap investigation into the Clippers.
2. Macklin Celebrini begins first season as San Jose Sharks captain after signing five-year, US$94-million extension. The 20-year-old was named full-time captain this month and his new contract carries an $18.8-million average annual value starting next season.

🎨 Community & Culture

1. OCAD University to offer 150 scholarships to mark its 150th anniversary. The Toronto art and design school announced a program of 150 scholarships tied to its sesquicentennial celebrations.
2. Polka‑dotted Quebec duo Angine de Poitrine announce 2027 world tour with an RBC Amphitheatre stop in Toronto. The group’s tour launches March 4, 2027 in Melbourne and includes eight Canadian dates after their $30,000 Polaris Music Prize win in September.

📰 Also Today

• More than 1.5 million Crime Stoppers tips leaked, CBC finds.
• Flights delayed at Toronto Pearson after tower evacuated over smoke reports, officials say.
• IRB orders deportation of Amin Yousefijam for aiding Iran sanctions evasion, decision says.
• Ontario problem gambling rises and suicides triple after online casino expansion, new analysis reports.
• Meta’s Muse listed and sold a Marketplace item and gave out a user’s address, report says.
• York police identify 69-year-old man pronounced dead after Richmond Hill fire, police statement says.
• Mississauga mayoral election guide published outlining candidate positions on key issues, local report says.
• Poll places Toronto mayoral race in a 'statistical dead heat' earlier this week, polling firm reports.
• (Duplicate listed above) IRB orders deportation of Amin Yousefijam, decision says.
• Ontario will cut archaeological approval wait times by up to 80%, provincial plan announced.
• Ontario to allow over‑the‑counter hearing aids for sale in the province, health policy change set.
• OSAP pause at private post‑secondary institutions to remain until new year, ministry says.
• Ontario cancer patients speak out over drug funding disappointment, patients and advocates say.
• (Duplicate listed above) More than 1.5 million Crime Stoppers tips leaked, CBC finds.
• Girl, 2, critically hurt after driver hits daycare worker and five children in Oshawa, police report.
• (Also covered above) Hear from eight Toronto mayoral candidates on your ballot, civic notice.
• (Also covered above) Bradford defends debt plan and water company proposal, campaign event.
• (Also listed) Flights delayed at Pearson after tower evacuated, airport statement.
• (Also covered above) OCAD to offer 150 anniversary scholarships, university release.
• (Also listed) Ontario cancer patients upset by drug funding decision, advocacy groups speak out.
• (Also listed) Problem gambling and suicides linked to online casino expansion, study finds.
• (Also listed) Meta’s Muse sold user item and revealed address on Marketplace, tech report.
• (Also covered above) New poll shows deadlock between Chow and Bradford, Liaison survey.
• (Also covered above) Kawhi's regular‑season return for Raptors, game report.
• (Also covered above) $90M Lotto Max jackpot won in Alberta, OLG says.