Toronto police say a pedestrian was struck by vehicle in North York on Thursday night.

It happened at around 9:35 p.m. in the Lawrence Avenue West and Brookview Drive area.

The victim, a man, was taken to hospital with serious, possibly life-threatening injuries, paramedics tell CityNews.

The driver remained on scene.

There’s no word on possible charges at this point.

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A teen boy has died after being shot Thursday afternoon at a Tim Hortons in Scarborough.

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A Toronto Police spokesperson said officers received a call about a shooting just after 4 p.m. at a coffee shop in the Lawrence Ave. E.-Bellamy Rd. N. area and found a male suffering from gunshot wounds when they arrived.

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The teen was taken to a hospital in life-threatening condition, paramedics told CP24, and police said he later died of his injuries there.

His identity has not been released, and no specific age was provided by police.

“We are still in the midst of speaking with witnesses,” Const. Sinderela Chung said in a statement, “there will be information we will not be disclosing so that we can get the best witness statement.”

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No other injuries reported

Chung said no other injuries were reported by staff members at the Tim Hortons or by customers at the scene of the shooting.

There was no suspect information available as of Thursday night and it was unclear what happened before or after the shooting, except that the suspect had fled from the scene.

“We are still in the midst of speaking with witnesses,” Const. Errol Watson said at the scene, via CP24.

Watson told CP24 that he wasn’t sure if the Tim Hortons was busy at the time.

“I can tell you there were other people in the Tim Hortons when this occurred, but as for whether it was busy, I could not say that,” he said.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact the homicide unit or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

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Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers will travel to Dublin, Budapest, Warsaw, and Munich February 5-15, 2026. During her upcoming trip, Under Secretary Rogers will meet with government counterparts and private sector leaders to advance freedom of speech and digital freedom, strengthen American economic interests, and highlight American excellence through Freedom 250 celebrations. Under Secretary Rogers will also attend the Munich Security Conference as part of the U.S. delegation.

The federal government is ordering public servants to be in the office at least four days a week starting this summer, with executives expected to return to the office full time in May.

A Treasury Board message to deputy department heads published Thursday said executives will have to work on-site five days per week starting May 4. All other employees must be in the office four days a week as of July 6.

The directive applies to public servants working in the core departments and agencies under Treasury Board, though the government said other federal agencies, which would include the Canada Revenue Agency and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, are “strongly encouraged” to take a similar approach.

Remote work rules have been an ongoing issue in the public service since COVID-19 forced most federal workers to work remotely in 2020. After public health restrictions began to ease, the federal government moved in 2023 to have workers return to the office two to three days a week.

The current rule, in place since September 2024, requires public servants to work a minimum of three days a week in-office, with executives in office four days per week.
Thursday’s order updates that rule.

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“The Government has put forward ambitious plans to deliver on priorities for Canadians and to strengthen our country,” said the Treasury Board message. “Working together onsite is an essential foundation of the strong teams, collaboration and culture needed during this pivotal moment and beyond.”

2:03
Return-to-office rules for public servants set to kick in. What to know

The message was signed by Treasury Board secretary Bill Matthews, chief human resources officer Jacqueline Bogden and associate chief human resources officer Francis Trudel.

It said the government will engage with unions to implement the plan, with discussions to focus on issues like assigned seating and occupational health and safety.

The message also said Public Services and Procurement Canada will work closely with departments to ensure there is enough office space for all employees.

Sean O’Reilly, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, told The Canadian Press he finds the government’s decision “insulting and disrespectful.”

“I would like to say I was surprised but I’m not,” said O’Reilly, who was made aware of the move less than an hour before the message went out to employees. “I’m really beside myself on just why the decision is being made now.”

O’Reilly said he’s skeptical about the discussions the government will have with bargaining agents, adding that his union will be “vocal” about the issue and push back on the government.

“I don’t know how this helps the Government of Canada. It doesn’t save them money. This doesn’t increase productivity,” he said. “I don’t see how this helps my members or how it helps the Canadian people.”

The message to employees said more information will be shared “in due course.”

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While farming is a huge factor in Saskatchewan’s economy, it’s not easy to get into the industry.

An agricultural conference at the Western Development Museum, hosted by Sask Young Ag on February 5th, hopes to bridge the gap between young and experienced farmers through conversation and advice.

“There’s such a big room of knowledge that you may not understand or see. You come here, you take even one thing home, one word home, and that could change a lot of things for you,” says Wyatt Gorrill, a grain farmer and Sask Young Ag board member.

For young people, the insight is very valuable.

“Teaching us the reins and getting those fresh ideas in as early as possible is very important,” says Claire Nagel, a future farmer who is representing Hunters Paradise Farming and Outfitting at the conference.

Sask Young Ag board members say there is a lack of young people going into the industry for a variety of reasons.

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“Toughest thing would be the amount of money it takes to get into it. If you start with nothing, it’s nearly impossible to get somewhere,” says Gorrill.

Many young farmers are generational, learning and inheriting skills from family before them.

“The critical issues that they run into is maybe knowing where to start. If they haven’t had, if their family hasn’t had to experience a transition before,” said Morgan Lehmann, a young producer and master’s student.

The current global market is also presenting new challenges for young farmers, says Nagel.

“The land prices, the grain prices right now are not great, especially with the tariffs with the U.S. and China… I would say that’s a huge challenge. Another challenge is succession planning.”

Both current and upcoming farmers say they would like to see more support, like Grant, who hopes for changes to the crop insurance structure.

“Their crop insurance and their other insurance and stuff and looking into new ways to help out farmers in that way because in the dry areas of the province there definitely is becoming a problem where they haven’t gotten a crop for quite a few years,” Grant said.

Despite the challenges, young farmers say they are excited about the future.

“I think that within the farming industry you have so many different opportunities,” said Nagel, with Lehmann adding, “We support feeding the world and I think that it’s a really honourable thing to care for the land.”

Watch above for more on challenges young producers are facing.

Warning: Details in this story may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised.

The coroner’s inquest into the deaths of a Prince Rupert family of four heard testimony on Thursday that supports murder-suicide as a cause of death.

The inquest is looking into the June 2023 deaths of Janet Nguyen and Christopher Duong and their two sons, aged two and four.

On Thursday, an RCMP officer testified that the crime scene supported the theory that Duong killed his children and Nguyen before taking his own life.

“The children were drugged prior to being murdered, based on the cold medication located on scene, being consistent with their toxicology results,” Cpl. Matthew Blumberg testified.

“Janet Nguyen was strangled with an electrical cord to the point it was extremely tight; she could not have done that to herself.”

A video from the couple set out their “last will and testament” and was shared between the couple’s phones a few days before the family was found dead, Blumberg said.

Blumberg said there was no sign of a struggle between Duong and Nguyen.

He described how the bodies of Duong, Nguyen and their two children were found in the same bed.

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Blumberg said the boys had teddy bears placed at their feet, and were believed to have been drugged by their father.

“It was observed that neither of the children had obvious signs of injury, but their lips were blue and their skin was pale,” he told the hearing.

2:04
Inquest begins into deaths of Prince Rupert family

Previously, the inquest heard that in the early morning hours of June 10, 2023, Prince Rupert RCMP found a Mercedes SUV abandoned, packed with suitcases and a large amount of cash.

Its owners, Nguyen and Duong — both in their 30s — later returned to the scene. They told police they were being followed and a hit, or assassination, had been ordered against them.

Police told the inquest Duong was known to local officers and was alleged to have been involved in the Prince Rupert drug trade.

He was taken into custody under the Mental Health Act, while Nguyen and the couple’s children were returned to the family home.

The family was found dead on June 13, 2023.

1:48
Day two of coroner’s inquest into deaths of Prince Rupert family of four

The inquest heard that the Ministry of Children and Family Development was contacted by police after Duong was apprehended and a social worker was expected to make contact with the family during a five-day window.

Social worker Scott Bertram testified on Wednesday that the response time frame could be overridden, and that had he known Duong was to be released from the hospital a few hours later, he would have upgraded it to 24 hours.

A social worker attempted to make contact with Nguyen on June 13 but was unsuccessful and the local office was notified of the deaths the following day.

— With files from The Canadian Press

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Parents of players in the Bow Valley Hockey Society (BVHS) received an email warning about the use of smelling salts by athletes. It comes as Hockey Calgary acknowledges there was an incident with BVHS. 

“Effective immediately, coaches will be held responsible for ensuring that smelling salts are not brought into the locker room, onto the bench, or used by any players under their supervision,” an email sent to parents from the minor hockey association said. 

In the email obtained by CBC News, BVHS said it is aware athletes may have been bringing smelling salts from home or getting them from older siblings.

The association says the products are not permitted and asked parents to speak directly with their children about their use. 

Hockey Calgary executive director Kevin Kobelka did not elaborate on the incident, but said in an email it was an “isolated case” that was dealt with by the association. CBC News has not confirmed details of the incident, including the ages of the players involved.

Smelling salts, or ammonia inhalants, are used by some athletes for a temporary jolt to boost performance.

“It activates sensory nerves in the respiratory tract and initiates a fairly vigorous what we call a sympathetic nervous system, or fight or flight response,” said Dr. Trevor Cottrell, a kinesiology professor and former president of the Canadian Strength and Conditioning Association.

But he says that adrenal response is fairly short-lived and has not been proven to improve performance. 

There are also health risks associated with their use. Hockey Nova Scotia’s website lists repercussions, including coughing and airway constriction, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, and other potential respiratory issues.

“We believe they pose unnecessary health risks, and send the wrong message to young athletes about safe and responsible preparation for sport,” said the BVHS email to parents. 

Cottrell says the use of smelling salts has become increasingly popular among athletes in sports like football, hockey and weightlifting. NHL players can sometimes be seen using them on the sidelines of games.

“So, it’s just one of those things of copying the big dogs and what they’re seeing online and thinking it’s kind of fun to do it or cool,” said Cottrell.

In 2025, Hockey Québec announced it would ban the use of smelling salts by players.

Hockey Alberta says it does not currently police the use of smelling salts, but it is something it’s examining.

“As a member branch, we would look for guidance and work with Hockey Canada on any policies or regulations,” Alyson Chambers, senior marketing manager with Hockey Alberta said in an emailed statement. “Player safety remains a top priority. Our Player Safety Committee is currently looking at smelling salts.”

In August 2025, the NFL prohibited teams from providing players with smelling salts during games. The league warned the products could mask the signs of a concussion. 

BVHS is open to players living in the communities of Auburn Bay, Cranston, Mahogany, McKenzie Lake, Rangeview or Seton, according to its website.