Toronto Daily Digest — Feb 10, 2026

Big trust problem for police: Mayor Olivia Chow says Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw must “earn trust back” after the arrests of seven serving Toronto officers in a York Regional Police probe that charged officers with bribery, obstruction, drug trafficking, theft and unauthorized access. The provincewide review will look at supervision, vetting, database access and fitness for duty, and Demkiw says he’ll seek suspension without pay for six of the seven once legislation allows it.

Arrest at Newark: The FBI arrested 35-year-old Tommy Demorizi at Newark International Airport Monday in a U.S. warrant tied to alleged Canadian drug lord Ryan Wedding (warrant issued Oct. 28, 2025). Demorizi faces many charges — including conspiracy to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with a witness — as investigations continue into a transnational network that led to Wedding’s January court appearance.

A sad day for policing: Montreal police chief Fady Dagher called the Toronto officer arrests a “sad moment,” noting seven current Toronto officers and one retired officer are among 27 suspects charged by York Regional Police, and three Peel officers were suspended. He stressed that police forces nationwide work to guard against corruption and said Montreal has safeguards in place.

CFL free-agent moves: On the first day of free agency (Feb. 10, 2026) the Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed 6'5", 325-lb Jarell Broxton to a two-year deal (Broxton, 32, spent five seasons with B.C.). Winnipeg also added Canadian receiver Tommy Nield (two years), while several teams made notable signings — Dejon Brissett to Calgary, Dustin Crum and Jerreth Sterns to Montreal, plus many defensive and special-teams moves across the league.

WestJet cuts U.S. routes: WestJet will suspend 16 Canada–U.S. routes for summer 2026 after a “notable” drop in transborder travel, reducing full-year U.S. flying by about 10% and peak-period flying by 15%. Statistics Canada data show Canadian return trips to the U.S. fell roughly 23.6% in November 2025 vs. Nov. 2024, so WestJet is shifting capacity to domestic and sun destinations.

Ingram to NBA All‑Star: Raptors forward Brandon Ingram was named as Steph Curry’s replacement on the USA Stripes team for the NBA All-Star Game Sunday at 5 p.m. ET in Inglewood. It’s Ingram’s second All-Star nod (first since 2019–20); he’s averaging 22.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists over 52 games and will join Scottie Barnes and coach Darko Rajaković.

No criminal charges in fatal crash: Ontario’s SIU ruled there are no reasonable grounds to charge two Halton officers over the March 30, 2024 collision that killed three people, after officers allowed an impaired 18-year-old to leave a Milton McDonald’s and later stopped him before he crashed at 140–154 km/h; his blood was three times over the legal limit. SIU director Joseph Martino said the conduct didn’t meet the high bar for criminal negligence, but referred possible misconduct to the Halton chief and the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency.

Ford won’t lift LCBO U.S. booze ban: Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he won’t reverse the LCBO ban on American alcohol, introduced after U.S. tariffs in March 2025, despite President Trump calling it out. Ford says the ban (Ontario imported about $965 million in U.S. booze and carried some 3,600 U.S. products) is an effective “irritant” and could even be expanded if needed.

Carney had “positive” call with Trump on bridge: Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters he had a positive conversation with U.S. President Trump about the Gordie Howe International Bridge, saying Canada paid $6.4 billion and that ownership is shared with Michigan. Carney stressed U.S. steel and workers were involved and officials say the bridge remains on track to open early this year despite Trump’s threats to block it.

Burlington mall shooting: Halton police say 24-year-old Omer Niaz Muhammad was shot and later died after an attack in the Burlington Centre Mall parking lot just after 10 p.m. Monday; investigators are looking for two suspects who fled in a white SUV and believe the incident was targeted with no further public risk. This is Halton’s first homicide of 2026 and police are asking for security or dashcam footage.

Parents push for diabetes care standard in schools: After scary incidents — including a preteen left without a quick sugar source on a field trip — parents like Susan Simpson and Alana Diening are urging Ontario’s Ministry of Education to set a provincewide standard of care for students with Type 1 diabetes. The ministry is reviewing its vague policy (spokesperson Emma Testani), Diabetes Canada wants standardization, and parents say a clear policy would stop families from fighting for basic safety at each school.

Toronto budget and the 2.2% tax increase: City council approved Mayor Olivia Chow’s 2026 budget with a 2.2% property tax increase — a much smaller hike than the recent 9.5% and 6.9% years — framed around affordability (TTC fare freeze, school meal funding, renter supports). Critics like Coun. Brad Bradford warned the plan leans on savings and may delay pain, but under Chow’s strong-mayor powers the budget will be adopted.