Toronto Daily Digest — April 6, 2026

Big strain at Michael Garron Hospital: Michael Garron in Toronto’s east end was built for about 150 ER patients a day but is now seeing 300+ daily, forcing staff to convert offices and storage into clinical space, Dr. Carmine Simone says. CUPE’s Michael Hurley blames underfunding amid population growth, while the province points to "record investments" — over $100 billion this year, 3,500+ new beds and a 4% hospital funding increase.

Hopefully the last snow: After a roller-coaster Easter weekend (20°C highs on Good Friday, then hail and rain), Global’s chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell warns Tuesday could be the coldest day until November with wind chill and lows near −5°C; warming centres open Monday night. The good news: milder, above-season temps and mid-teens highs are expected later in the week.

Advance voting wraps up for three byelections: Advance polls in Scarborough Southwest, University–Rosedale (Toronto) and Terrebonne (Québec) close Monday at 9 p.m.; the byelections are on April 13 and mail-vote applications close Tuesday. Liberal wins in the two Toronto seats would push the party to 172 seats (near a majority), making the Terrebonne result critical — polls call it a toss-up between Liberals and the Bloc.

FOI shakeup draws fierce criticism: Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner Patricia Kosseim warns proposed changes would exclude records of the premier, cabinet ministers and staff from freedom-of-information requests — making Ontario "less transparent than the federal government" and applying retroactively to 1988. Critics note security risks from using personal devices; polls show most Ontarians oppose the changes.

ICE in Canada — but no guns, says agency: U.S. ICE says its Homeland Security Investigations staff in Canada (five offices, including Toronto and Vancouver) don’t carry firearms or conduct arrests or search warrants on Canadian soil, after questions about ICE presence at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. Toronto City Council and Mayor Olivia Chow oppose any ICE operational presence at the games.

Raptors sign Tyreke Key to 10-day deal: The Toronto Raptors added guard Tyreke Key on April 6, 2026 to a 10-day contract; Key averaged 14.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 47 games (16 starts) with Raptors 905 this season and had 33 double-figure scoring games. Key played at Indiana State and Tennessee and spent 2023–24 in Belgium before joining 905.

Motorcycle rider killed on Danforth Avenue: A 21-year-old man died after an eastbound Toyota Highlander turning left struck his Kawasaki Ninja at about 3:05 p.m. on Sunday, sending him into a parked car; Toronto Police Traffic Services are investigating and ask anyone with dashcam or security footage to come forward.

Snapping turtle abandoned at Vaughan zoo: Reptilia Vaughan found a Florida snapping turtle named “Gilberto” dumped in a bin outside the zoo near Rutherford and Creditstone — the second reptile abandoned at its doors this year. Zoo and conservation experts (like Sue Carstairs of the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre) urge owners to contact licensed rescues or shelters instead of releasing or leaving animals.

Toys “R” Us Canada fights over trademarks while in creditor protection: The chain is opposing trademarks from Acer, a Calgary swingers club and Russian firm Biomicrogeli to protect brands like the backwards R and "Wonderlab" while it searches for investors; Toys “R” Us Canada owes at least $120 million to suppliers and entered creditor protection in February. The company still holds some 162 active trademarks and argues confusion would hurt safety and goodwill.

Government won’t disclose ad spending on "Protect Ontario" spots: The Ford government is running multiple "Protect Ontario" ads (topics include the Ring of Fire and small nuclear reactors) but won’t say how many spots or how much they cost; Ontario spent $111.9 million on advertising in the year to March 2025, while running a $13.8-billion deficit. Opposition politicians, including Stephanie Bowman and Marit Stiles, call the ads partisan and a waste of taxpayers’ money.