Toronto Daily Digest — 14 Jan 2026

Trial begins in toddler’s death (second-degree murder)

• Opening day heard Instagram DMs between mother Shania John and accused Shardanae Cousins-Emily.
• Victim: three-year-old Yverson Belotte Junior (aka Quintanni/Quinn). Death occurred Dec. 2023 while the child was in Cousins-Emily’s care inside a Children’s Aid Society (CAS) building.
• John’s messages dated Dec. 4, 2023: “You killed my baby… Why you chose to kill my baby and not your own.” Defendant faces a second-degree murder charge; trial has moved to full proceedings.

Tecumseh to lose $3.2M in federal housing funding

• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) notified Tecumseh, Ont., it will forfeit $3.2 million from the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).
• Reason: town voted against implementing fourplex as-of-right (4UAOR) by default; CMHC says 4UAOR is foundational to HAF objectives.
• Loss joins other municipalities at risk of losing funding for not meeting HAF conditions.

Potent cold front to bring sharp chill to Ontario; more snow for Quebec

• Environment Canada: dramatic temperature drop this week; Global News meteorologist Ross Hull called it a “potent cold front.”
• Toronto forecast: about −2°C Wednesday afternoon; Thursday expected to be coldest so far this season with daytime temps in the minus double digits and wind chills into the −20s or lower.
• Quebec: another dumping of snow expected; travellers should prepare for winter conditions.

Deer killed, believed shot with bow and arrow in Etobicoke cemetery

• An antlered white-tailed deer was found dead at Park Lawn Cemetery (near King’s Mill Park by the Humber River) on Jan. 1.
• Ministry of Natural Resources says the animal was likely shot with a bow and arrow between Dec. 31, 2025 and Jan. 1, 2026; public asked to provide video or tips.

Encampments drop 55% to 48 parks in Toronto

• At peak during the pandemic more than 500 people were living in tents; November 2024 peak: 539 recorded in parks.
• As of Dec. 2025: 196 people in tents across the city, reported in 48 parks — down from 107 parks a year earlier (a 55% decrease in locations).
• City officials attribute decline to shelter capacity and outreach; policies and budget data presented during annual process.

What’s next: monitoring and hearings

• Ongoing: murder trial evidence and witness testimony; CMHC appeals or remediation options for Tecumseh; Environment Canada advisories through the week; conservation probe into the cemetery killing; city updates on encampment supports.