Toronto Daily Digest — Jan 8, 2026

Toronto mother sentenced to 3 years after infant drowned

• Tajah Henry was sentenced to 3 years in a federal penitentiary after leaving her nearly 15‑month‑old son unattended in a bathtub; the child, named Mashiach, drowned.
• Superior Court Justice Jane Kelly rejected a community sentence and said a custodial term was necessary; she became emotional during remarks.

Children’s Aid Society had previously warned the mother twice

• Court heard the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) had cautioned Henry on two prior occasions about the dangers of leaving the baby unattended.
• Prosecutors used those warnings to argue the death resulted from neglect despite prior intervention attempts.

Legal rationale and sentencing details

• The judge described the harm as “devastating and irreparable,” noting the ultimate consequence was the child’s death.
• Defence argued for a community sentence; the court disagreed, emphasizing public protection and denunciation.

Toronto tables 2026 budget with 2.2% combined tax hike

• City staff proposed a property tax increase of 0.7% plus a city building levy of 1.5%, totaling a 2.2% tax increase for 2026.
• The document launching budget season was staff‑led and tabled on Thursday.

Election‑year context and criticism

• The 2.2% rise is substantially lower than earlier increases: 9.5% in 2024 under Mayor Olivia Chow and 6.5% last year (2025).
• Critics say the lower number is politically timed for the October municipal election; budget officials say prior measures justify the return to a lower increase.

Next steps and political implications

• The budget begins council review and public consultations ahead of final votes.
• The proposal sets an early tone for the October mayoral race and will be a focal point in campaign debates.