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Weekly Toronto Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2026

Police Shooting, Scarborough Busway & CNE — Toronto's Week in Review.

50 articles 6 days ago 64

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

  1. One person killed after officer-involved shooting near Wilson subway. Toronto police say officers responded just before 1:30 p.m. on Saturday to Wilson Avenue and King High Avenue for reports of an erratic vehicle; the driver allegedly tried to flee after a crash and an officer fired, and the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene; no officers injured.

  2. Neskantaga First Nation evacuated again after septic damage to nursing station; residents relocated to Toronto hotels. Chief Gary Quisess said the fly-in northern community declared a state of emergency this month after a contractor damaged the septic under its only nursing station, forcing a second evacuation this summer and leaving families in crowded hotel rooms in Toronto.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

  1. Man sought after sexual assault of six-year-old at Roundhouse Park. Toronto police say the Aug. 18 incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. between the Rogers Centre and Steamwhistle; the suspect is described as 55–60 years old with a bald crown and receding black-and-grey hair, and investigators released a photo and asked the public to come forward.

  2. Police searching for suspect in violent June nightclub assault on King Street West. Officers say the June 21 fight near Spadina and King West left a victim with non-life-threatening injuries; the suspect, described as 20–25 years old and about 5'8", was last seen wearing a polo shirt and a backwards baseball cap and fled the scene.

  3. Man charged with first-degree murder in Salsa on St. Clair shooting appears in Toronto court. Court records show the accused has been charged in the downtown shooting tied to the high-profile July incident on St. Clair Avenue; he appeared in Toronto court as proceedings continue.

🏛️ Government & Politics

  1. Scarborough busway set to open Sept. 30, TTC says. The TTC announced the elevated busway conversion of the decommissioned Scarborough RT will open on Sept. 30; mayor Olivia Chow said more than 118,000 weekly riders will save over an hour commuting and that fare capping comes into effect in September.

  2. Premiers back Carney’s decision to walk away from U.S. trade deal as 50% tariffs hit. After talks collapsed this week and U.S. levies of 50 per cent were applied to billions in Canadian goods, premiers including Ontario’s Doug Ford told reporters in Toronto they support matching tariffs “dollar for dollar” and resisting a deal they called “bad for Ontario.”

  3. Ontario minister billed riding association more than $21,000 for trade-mission meals, records show. Public records indicate Minister Vic Fedeli charged “out of country” meal expenses to his riding association while expensing flights and hotels to taxpayers for trade missions between 2023 and 2025, with total mission expenses exceeding $180,000.

  4. Nominations deadline closes for Ontario municipal elections as candidates file until 2 p.m. today. The nomination window for the Oct. 26 vote ended this afternoon, with high-profile entries including former MP Nate Erskine-Smith in Beaches—East York and a noted flurry of late registrations across Toronto and Mississauga.

💼 Economy & Business

  1. Unifor reaches tentative deal with General Motors covering about 4,600 Ontario auto workers. The union announced a unanimously endorsed tentative agreement Saturday for workers at Oshawa, Ingersoll, St. Catharines and Woodstock plants; the deal still requires ratification by members after bargaining that began Aug. 10.

  2. AI data centres proposed in Toronto could reshape the electricity grid; questions remain over who pays. Reporting this week flagged planned high-density computing facilities in Toronto and noted concerns among grid operators about meeting peak power demand and who will fund necessary transmission and distribution upgrades.

🎨 Community & Culture

  1. Gates open at the CNE as the 147th Canadian National Exhibition begins; runs to Sept. 7. Organizers expected thousands for the country’s largest summer fair; Mark Holland, CNE CEO, highlighted novel food items this year including Kraft Dinner smoothies and nitrogen-infused Oreo treats as part of the fair’s offerings.

  2. Toronto Zoo names its pygmy hippo calf ‘Maple.’ The zoo announced the official name this week after the calf’s birth; the naming follows public interest and the institution’s naming process for new arrivals.

  3. Church Street car-free pilot wins praise from businesses and officials. City reports and local merchants lauded the pilot’s success on Church Street, with officials citing improved pedestrian activity and businesses reporting positive weekend revenues during the trial weeks.

  4. Free art festival readies to launch amid the burned-church ruins downtown. Organizers say the festival will use the preserved ruin site for performances and installations, offering a series of free events in late August to showcase local artists in that heritage setting.

🏈 Sports

  1. Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. cleared by concussion tests, expected to return Saturday. Team medical staff passed Guerrero on final concussion protocols this week, and the Blue Jays listed him as expected to rejoin the lineup for Saturday’s game.

  2. Toronto Tempo officially eliminated from playoff contention after 12th straight loss. The WNBA-affiliate Tempo lost their 12th consecutive game this week, mathematically ending their chances of reaching the postseason this season.

  3. Magloire, Smart and eight others inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame. The announcement this week named the 10 inductees, recognizing contributions to Canadian basketball history and marking the Hall’s latest intake.

🌦️ Weather & Roads

  1. Heavy rain swept the GTA Sunday, Environment Canada reported. Forecasters recorded widespread downpours across the Greater Toronto Area on Sunday; local road reports cited slow traffic and some localized flooding on low-lying arterial streets.

  2. Showers, thunderstorms forecast for the GTA this weekend, Environment Canada warns. The agency issued a weekend outlook calling for scattered thunderstorms and periods of heavy rain across the region, advising commuters that short-term flash flooding and lane closures were possible on saturated roads.

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Source Articles (50)

Province unveils 35 new, expanded schools as contract negotiations continue with Ontario education unions

Thirty-five new and expanded schools will be welcoming in students across Ontario at the start of the school year as contract negotiations continue with education unions, said Education Minister Paul Calandra.

General Aug 20, 2026

K-pop fever hits Toronto as BTS returns for 2-night stadium concert

As part of their Arirang World Tour, BTS are performing sold-out shows on Saturday and Sunday at Rogers Stadium.

General Aug 20, 2026

In the ruins of a burned church, a free Toronto art festival is ready to launch

Fire destroyed St. Anne’s Anglican Church in 2024. The National Historic Site, which housed murals by Group of Seven painters, has long supported Canadian arts and culture. And though the building is gone, the community is ready to welcome art-lovers back. Where Walls Meet Sky is the first public event at St. Anne’s since the fire. It runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 13.

General Aug 20, 2026

Mystics hand Tempo 12th straight loss, officially eliminating Toronto from playoff contention

Kiki Iriafen had 21 points and 13 rebounds, Shakira Austin added 11 points and 10 rebounds, and the Washington Mystics beat the short-handed Toronto Tempo 93-82 on Wednesday night for their eighth straight home victory.

General Aug 20, 2026

Man charged with 1st-degree murder for Salsa on St. Clair shooting appears in Toronto court

One of the two 18-year-old men arrested in relation to the deadly shooting at the Salsa on St. Clair festival last month appeared in a Toronto court Thursday.

General Aug 20, 2026

'NOT it': Some fans cry foul over new Toronto Tempo mascots

The Toronto Tempo of the WNBA revealed their much-anticipated mascots this week, but many fans aren’t rushing to give them a hug. Some commentators online see Dez the snapping turtle and Dot the arctic hare as unsettling and uninspired.

General Aug 20, 2026

Scarborough busway opening Sept. 30: TTC

The Scarborough busway, a dedicated transit corridor being built to replace the area's defunct Line 3 train service, is opening Sept. 30, the TTC says.

General Aug 20, 2026

Magloire, Smart and 8 others join Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame

The Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame's class of 2026, which includes former NBA player Jamaal Magloire, former Carleton Ravens men's head coach Dave Smart and Olympic flag-bearer Miranda Ayim, was set to be inducted Thursday night.

General Aug 20, 2026
Education minister ‘very optimistic’ Ontario teacher negotiations won’t bring disruption

Education minister ‘very optimistic’ Ontario teacher negotiations won’t bring disruption

Education contracts will expire at the end of August, but they've already faltered over technical disagreements between the government about which issues should be negotiated.

Canada Aug 20, 2026
Advance voting in 3 federal byelections starts Friday. Here’s how to vote

Advance voting in 3 federal byelections starts Friday. Here’s how to vote

Two federal byelections were held in Toronto-area ridings and one Montreal-area riding on April 13, which allowed Prime Minister Mark Carney to achieve a majority government.

Politics Aug 20, 2026
‘It’s heartbreaking,’ says Ontario First Nation amid 2nd evacuation this summer

‘It’s heartbreaking,’ says Ontario First Nation amid 2nd evacuation this summer

Neskantaga First Nation had to be evacuated again after a flood at the community's only nursing station, the northern Ontario community's chief said. 

Canada Aug 20, 2026
Toronto set to open new elevated Scarborough busway by end of September

Toronto set to open new elevated Scarborough busway by end of September

On Thursday, the Toronto Transit Commission announced it would open the busway on Sept. 30, noting the project is on track to wrap up half a year earlier than originally scheduled.

Politics Aug 20, 2026
Police search for man accused of sexually assaulting 6-year-old in Toronto

Police search for man accused of sexually assaulting 6-year-old in Toronto

Police said they were called to a reported sexual assault on Aug. 18 around 4:15 p.m. in Roundhouse Park, between the Rogers Centre and Steamwhistle, in Toronto's downtown.

Crime Aug 20, 2026

Defence argues 2nd accused not guilty in fatal shooting of Toronto rapper, associate in 2018

The accused, 24, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged in the deaths of Jahvante Smart, 21, known as Smoke Dawg, and Ernest Modekwe, 28, known as Koba Prime. The Crown is seeking convictions on two counts of second-degree murder.

General Aug 21, 2026
Court of Appeal upholds sentence for man who shot at armed intruders during Whitby home invasion

Court of Appeal upholds sentence for man who shot at armed intruders during Whitby home invasion

The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld a conditional sentence for a Whitby man convicted of shooting at armed intruders fleeing a home invasion.

Crime Aug 20, 2026

Deadline to register as candidate for Ontario's municipal elections closes Friday afternoon

A clearer picture of the choices Ontarians will face at the ballot box is set to emerge this afternoon as nominations for the fall municipal elections come to a close.

General Aug 21, 2026

Another Toronto street festival is being lost to funding shortfalls

The co-founder of the Yorkville Murals festival says they were denied city grants awarded in previous years. More applications are leading to more competition for funding, according to a City of Toronto spokesperson.

General Aug 21, 2026
Ontario minister charged trade mission meals to riding association instead of government

Ontario minister charged trade mission meals to riding association instead of government

Vic Fedeli, Premier Doug Ford's trade minister, hasn't charged the public for his meals or other expenses on trips, but records reveal party donors are footing the bill.

Politics Aug 21, 2026
Simply Delicious Recipe: Bocconcini salad with prosciutto and Ontario Cantaloupe

Simply Delicious Recipe: Bocconcini salad with prosciutto and Ontario Cantaloupe

Follow along with Susan Hay and nutritionist Rose Reisman, as she prepares a refreshing summer salad with bocconcini, prosciutto and tasty Ontario cantaloupe.

Features Aug 21, 2026

Port Hope residents resist proposed nuclear plant due to town's radioactive past

A generation of Port Hope residents, old enough to have lived through the community's fraught history with the nuclear industry, were shocked by news of a proposed power plant in their town. The town's mayor and Ontario's energy minister have hailed the project as a step toward a secure, resilient energy future.

General Aug 21, 2026

2 children, woman in hospital after being struck by driver in Barrie: police

Two children and a woman are in hospital after they were struck by a motorist while crossing the street in Barrie, Ont on Friday morning, police said.

General Aug 21, 2026

78-year-old woman dead after highway crash in Oakville: OPP

A 78-year-old woman is dead after a crash in Oakville Thursday evening, provincial police say.

General Aug 21, 2026
OPP renew call for help after remains of B.C. woman found in Ontario

OPP renew call for help after remains of B.C. woman found in Ontario

Ontario Provincial Police are renewing calls for help in solving a 21-year-old case involving the remains of a British Columbia woman found in the province.

Crime Aug 21, 2026
Port Hope’s radioactive past fuels pushback against proposed nuclear reactor

Port Hope’s radioactive past fuels pushback against proposed nuclear reactor

The provincially owned company in charge of the new nuclear power project is assuring residents that the sector operates much differently than when it was in its infancy.

Canada Aug 21, 2026
Nominations to run in Ontario’s fall municipal elections set to close

Nominations to run in Ontario’s fall municipal elections set to close

A clearer picture of the choices Ontarians will face at the ballot box is set to emerge Friday afternoon as nominations for the fall municipal elections come to a close.

Politics Aug 21, 2026
Police search for man accused of violent assault inside Toronto nightclub

Police search for man accused of violent assault inside Toronto nightclub

Around 1 a.m. on June 21, officers were called to the area of King Street West and Spadina Avenue for a fight inside a club on the popular downtown strip.

Crime Aug 21, 2026

Businesses, officials praise success of car-free pilot project on Church Street

The pedestrianization pilot on Church Street is coming to an end Friday night with residents and officials raving about the boom in business and community vibes.

General Aug 21, 2026

Toronto Zoo officially names pygmy hippo calf 'Maple'

The Toronto Zoo has officially named its new baby pygmy hippopotamus.

General Aug 21, 2026

Going out in Toronto this weekend? Better plan ahead, because it's a busy one

Toronto is hosting one of its last busy weekends of the summer season as August comes to a close, with concerts, festivals, service disruptions and road closures set to take over the city. If you're looking to get around the city, best plan ahead.

General Aug 21, 2026
Gates open at CNE to kick off massive 2026 summer fair

Gates open at CNE to kick off massive 2026 summer fair

A Kraft Dinner smoothie, nitrogen-infused Oreo treats and pickle-flavoured coffee are among the unique offerings at the iconic event, which is celebrating its 147th year.

Canada Aug 21, 2026

U.S. alcohol bans must end for trade deal to happen, Canada's ambassador told council: sources

Canada's ambassador to the U.S. said on a video call Thursday that putting American alcohol back on Canadian shelves is a mandatory prerequisite toward locking in a deal with the U.S. to avoid new tariffs, CBC News has learned.

General Aug 22, 2026

Showers, thunderstorms coming to the GTA this weekend: Environment Canada

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for heavy rainfall in the Greater Toronto Area and in Peel and Durham regions this weekend.

General Aug 22, 2026

AI data centres could reshape Toronto’s electricity grid. But who’s going to pay for it?

Ontario has released a data centre plan aimed at attracting investment and driving economic growth. But can Toronto’s electricity grid keep up? And who’s going to pay for it? CBC’s Alejandrina Alvarez breaks down everything you need to know.

General Aug 22, 2026

K-pop fever hits Toronto as BTS returns for 1st time since 2018

K-pop sensation BTS will perform at Rogers Stadium on Aug. 22 and Aug. 23. CBC's Mercedes Gaztambide speaks with members of the band's dedicated fan base, known as the 'army,' about the group's anticipated return to Toronto.

General Aug 22, 2026

Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. passes final concussion tests, expected to return Saturday

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. passed his final concussion tests and the Toronto Blue Jays slugger is expected to return from the seven-day injured list on Saturday.

General Aug 22, 2026
Ontario Premier Doug Ford silent on request to restock American alcohol

Ontario Premier Doug Ford silent on request to restock American alcohol

For more than a year, Ontario consumers have gotten used to not seeing any American alcohol on the shelves of the LCBO.

Canada Aug 21, 2026
Incumbent Toronto councillor makes last-minute switch to run in vacant ward

Incumbent Toronto councillor makes last-minute switch to run in vacant ward

Dianne Saxe, who has represented University Rosedale since 2022, had been set to face off against Mike Layton, who served in the ward from 2010.

Politics Aug 21, 2026

Ontario judge snubs province's new bail rules by releasing woman without cash deposit

An Ontario Superior Court judge has released a woman charged with human trafficking on bail but without requiring a cash deposit, despite new provincial rules that demand payment in full within 48 hours.

General Aug 22, 2026
Brampton man sentenced for kidnapping, attempted kidnapping 2 women 2 days apart

Brampton man sentenced for kidnapping, attempted kidnapping 2 women 2 days apart

A Brampton man who kidnapped a woman and attempted to abduct another two days later has been sentenced to over two years in prison.

Crime Aug 21, 2026

American tariffs on Canadian goods take effect after trade talks fall apart

The Trump administration's latest round of tariffs against billions of dollars worth of Canadian goods took effect just after midnight Saturday, after the two countries failed to seal a last-minute trade deal that satisfied both sides. Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will match the latest American levies 'dollar for dollar'

General Aug 22, 2026
Carney says Canada ‘walking away from a bad deal’ as 50% tariffs hit

Carney says Canada ‘walking away from a bad deal’ as 50% tariffs hit

Around 11 a.m., Carney will address reporters, as he prepares for a 1:30 p.m. meeting with the premiers of Canada's provinces and territories. 

Canada Aug 22, 2026
U.S.-Canada trade talks have collapsed. Carney says these 3 issues torpedoed them

U.S.-Canada trade talks have collapsed. Carney says these 3 issues torpedoed them

Tariffs of 50 per cent on billions of dollars of Canadian goods are now in effect after talks between the United States and Canada collapsed on Friday night.

Politics Aug 22, 2026

Ontario businesses brace for tariffs after U.S.-Canada trade talks collapse

Some businesses in Ontario are bracing for tarrifs but pledging steadfastness after Canadian and U.S. trade negotiators came close, but ultimately failed at the 11th hour to reach a trade agreement Friday night.

General Aug 22, 2026

Person dead after shooting involving officer in North York: Toronto police

A person has died after a shooting involving an officer in North York Saturday, Toronto police say.

General Aug 22, 2026
Unifor, General Motors reach tentative deal for thousands of Ontario auto workers

Unifor, General Motors reach tentative deal for thousands of Ontario auto workers

Unifor announced a tentative labour deal Saturday for its members at GM's Ontario plants. Union officials said the agreement, if ratified, will improve wages and benefits.

Canada Aug 22, 2026
Canadian premiers appear to back Carney’s decision to abandon ‘bad deal’ with United States

Canadian premiers appear to back Carney’s decision to abandon ‘bad deal’ with United States

Canada's premiers appear to be rallying behind Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to walk away from trade talks with the United States as 50 per cent tariffs hit.

Politics Aug 22, 2026
Police shooting in Toronto leaves driver dead

Police shooting in Toronto leaves driver dead

Just before 1:30 p.m., Toronto police said they were called to the area of Wilson Avenue and King High Avenue for reports that a vehicle was driving erratically.

Crime Aug 22, 2026

Toronto’s tree rules are getting tougher. Here’s what changes Sept. 1

Toronto property owners will soon face stricter rules around removing protected trees, with more changes already being considered for 2027.

General Aug 23, 2026

Heavy rain across GTA Sunday: Environment Canada

A special weather statement for heavy rain remains in effect throughout the Greater Toronto Area on Sunday.

General Aug 23, 2026

BTS Army invades Rogers Stadium for 1st Toronto show of K-pop band's world tour

Fans of the Korean pop group BTS, known as the Army, began flocking to Rogers Stadium as early as 3 p.m. Saturday for the first of two shows the group is playing this weekend.

General Aug 23, 2026