After a series of residential fires in Toronto involving lithium-ion batteries, Fire Chief Jim Jessop is again calling on the provincial and federal governments to take legislative action and strengthen regulation of e-bikes, e-scooters and related battery products.

Canadian law enforcement officials announced on August 5 that a pilot operation targeting auto finance fraud and cross-border vehicle exports has intercepted and recovered 392 vehicles over the past year, with a total estimated value of about $28 million. The operation covered Toronto, Montreal, Halifax and Vancouver.

As property taxes and living costs rise, the City of Toronto is reminding eligible low-income seniors and low-income homeowners with disabilities that they can apply for 2026 property tax, water and solid waste relief programs. The application deadline is November 2.

The Ontario government announced on August 5 that it will begin reviewing eight major provincial agencies this summer, including the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Metrolinx, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Legal Aid Ontario, Supply Ontario, the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation, Agricorp, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

Canada’s permanent residence pathway for Hong Kong residents, often described by many Hong Kongers as a “lifeboat” program, has entered its final month. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada clearly states that the temporary public policy will remain open until August 31. Eligible applicants who have not yet applied must submit a complete application through the permanent residence application portal before the deadline.