Toronto Weekly Digest • Mar 9–15, 2026

Raptors surge as Brandon Ingram scored 34 points in a 119-108 upset of the Detroit Pistons (Mar 15), moving Toronto to 38-29 and up to sixth in the East; RJ Barrett (27) and Jakob Poeltl (21 pts, 18 rebounds) helped the push.

The Raptors had beaten the Phoenix Suns 122-115 on Mar 13, with Barrett adding 22 points and Scottie Barnes making a game-changing defensive play as Toronto climbed the standings.

Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will miss the rest of the season with a Grade 3 MCL tear after a knee-on-knee hit by Ducks’ Radko Gudas (Mar 12); Gudas received a five-game suspension and forfeited about US$104,166.

On the same night (Mar 12) Toronto beat Anaheim 6-4 — William Nylander scored the go-ahead goal — but the win was marred by Matthews’ injury.

The Maple Leafs signed goalie Artur Akhtyamov to a three-year extension (AAV US$900,000); the 24-year-old posted an 18-10-4 AHL record this season with the Marlies.

Former Leaf Bobby McMann made a big first impression for the Seattle Kraken with two goals and an assist in his debut, helping Seattle to a 5-2 win (Mar 14) and snapping a four-game skid.

Raptors 905 opened a new 16,000 sq ft practice facility in Mississauga (Mar 14) with a full court, rehab, fitness space and community access — a boost for local youth and player development.

Al-Quds Day protest went ahead in downtown Toronto after a judge refused the province’s injunction (Mar 14); police made arrests when counter-protesters allegedly assaulted participants and investigators are treating the cases as suspected hate-motivated offences.

Ontario is moving to change freedom-of-information rules to exempt records held by the premier, cabinet ministers and political staff, drawing harsh criticism from the information commissioner and calls to reverse the plan.

Winter weather warnings covered much of Canada (Mar 15): Environment Canada warned of heavy snow (10–40 cm in spots), freezing rain and wind gusts up to 80 km/h, with special alerts for central Ontario and B.C.

A sudden snow blast in southern Ontario (Mar 13) caused multiple collisions and highway closures, including a full eastbound Highway 401 closure near Guelph — drivers were urged to slow down and use caution.

Charges were laid after an Aerosports trampoline park zipline fall in Scarborough sent an 11-year-old to SickKids; the regulator alleges the zipline lacked TSSA approval and that false info was given to an inspector.

A school bus driver who fatally struck a pedestrian in Oct 2024 was sentenced to 60 days in jail and given a two-year licence suspension after pleading guilty to careless driving causing death.

Three people were stabbed in a North York home early on Mar 12; victims had non-life-threatening injuries and a suspect in his 20s was arrested.

A Toronto man was charged after allegedly playing a Hitler speech outside a residence and making racist and antisemitic remarks; police are treating the probe as a suspected hate-motivated offence.

Peel police charged Toronto officer Farhan Ali with multiple counts including sexual assault and mischief; he has been suspended with pay as the case proceeds.

Toronto police identified a woman found dead inside a north-end home as 60-year-old Xian Wei Shao — Toronto’s fourth homicide of the year — and are continuing their investigation.

LaSalle police say influencer Nancy Grewal (45) was fatally stabbed on Mar 3; OPP have joined the investigation and believe the attack was intentional, not random.

London, Ont., saw 39 overdose-related calls in 24 hours after someone allegedly distributed a free substance downtown; police warn of a potentially toxic drug supply and ask the public for video or tips.

Suncor reported an oil sheen on the St. Clair River (Mar 11) that the company says has been contained; cleanup is underway and regulators were notified.

As big snow mounds melt, researchers warn that the road salt concentrated in them can harm waterways, aquatic life and even drinking water if it seeps into groundwater.

Airbnb is offering US$1,000 to Torontonians who host during the FIFA World Cup (June 12–July 2), while the city plans parking limits and street closures around BMO Field — watch for housing and bylaw impacts.

The CRTC is banning extra fees to activate, change or cancel internet and cellphone plans, a move meant to make it easier for Canadians to switch providers.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre proposed a tariff-free Canada–U.S. auto pact to revive domestic vehicle production to 2 million units a year over a decade, including removing GST on Canadian-made cars.

The Conservatives nominated Diana Filipova, a middle-school teacher, as their Scarborough Southwest candidate for the April 13 byelection.

Ontario plans to cut 36 conservation authorities down to nine by early 2027; local leaders warn the timeline is ambitious and fear loss of local control.

Brampton councillors are exploring LED in-road lights that flash when drivers are speeding at school zones as an alternative after the province removed automated speed cameras; pilot costs are estimated at $60k–$160k per location.

An animal-rights report says horses exported from Canada to Japan for slaughter were sick, injured or died in some 2024–25 shipments; the CFIA says it’s reviewing the claims but has limited jurisdiction once animals leave Canada.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander extended his streak to 127 straight NBA games with 20+ points (breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s mark) as the Thunder beat Boston, highlighting a historic run and team success.