1. A planned Toronto–Quebec City high‑speed rail would include a north–south tunnel of more than 10 km under the Rivière des Prairies and Mount Royal to reach downtown Montreal, with possible tunnels or elevated tracks into downtown Toronto (Union Station); Alto says such tunnelling could represent 12–18% of a $60–$90 billion project, and experts warn costs could mirror recent projects (Toronto’s Eglinton rose from $5B to >$13B, ~700M/km; Montreal Blue Line >$1B/km).
2. Fraudsters have impersonated Ontario Hockey League teams since at least October, using realistic fake emails to sell game‑day vendor spots for $150–$200 via e‑transfer; more than half the teams have been targeted, police are investigating and the OHL urges businesses to verify official @team email addresses.
3. Court records show Osman Azizov — arrested in Toronto in 2025 in alleged hate‑ and extremism‑motivated kidnapping attempts — was denied refugee status in 2018 after crossing into Canada with his family in 2017; friends say the family later obtained humanitarian‑and‑compassionate status and permanent residency, while co‑accused Waleed Khan faces terrorism charges (alleged ISIS support) and police seized an AR‑style rifle, over‑capacity magazines and 110 rounds; the suspects face nearly 80 charges and return to court Jan. 29, 2026.
4. Quebec finance minister Éric Girard warned Ontario that Premier Doug Ford’s planned Crown Royal boycott (to be launched next month in response to Diageo closing its Amherstburg, Ont., plant and affecting ~200 jobs) is misguided, noting Diageo will bottle Canadian/non‑U.S. exports in Valleyfield, Que., and cautioned against measures that could weaken Canadian supply chains; the SAQ will not remove Crown Royal and other premiers urged unity.