Daily news — Friday, July 17, 2026

Ottawa pledges $2 million to fight organized crime in Quebec Indigenous communities as wildfires rage across Canada.

Montreal Ottawa pledges $2 million to fight organized crime in Indigenous communities The federal government announced $2 million in funding on July 17 to combat organized crime in Quebec Indigenous communities and the Montreal region. The money is aimed at reducing gang activity and improving community safety in areas that have faced persistent pressure from criminal networks.

Olympic Stadium to get interior upgrades including stand refurbishment The Quebec government has approved interior renovations at Olympic Stadium, including work to refurbish the facility’s stands. The project moves forward as the decades-old venue continues to be used for major events in Montreal. Train derails in Montreal suburb amid heat and humidity A train derailed in a Montreal-area suburb on July 16 during hot and humid conditions.

Authorities were investigating the cause of the incident, and no serious injuries were immediately reported. Canada Ottawa orders new trial for Quebec man jailed for over 30 years The federal government has ordered a new trial for a Quebec man who has spent more than 30 years in prison. The decision raises fresh questions about his original conviction and the justice system’s handling of his case.

Nearly 900 wildfires burning from coast to coast Close to 900 wildfires are active across Canada, stretching from the Atlantic provinces to British Columbia, with new blazes breaking out and structures being destroyed. New evacuation orders were issued July 17 for parts of northern Ontario as strong winds accelerated the spread of fires in the region. Evacuees recount narrow escapes from fast-moving Ontario blazes Residents forced out of their homes in northwestern Ontario described escaping fast-moving wildfires on July 16, with some reporting little warning before flames reached their communities.

The accounts underline the speed and scale of the crisis gripping the region. Wildfire smoke chokes Toronto and southern Ontario Smoke from wildfires blanketed Toronto and degraded air quality across much of southern Ontario on July 17. Residents in affected areas were advised to limit outdoor activity, particularly those with respiratory conditions.

World U.S. Republicans criticize Canada over wildfire smoke crossing the border Republican politicians in the United States directed criticism at Canada on July 17 over wildfire smoke drifting south across the border. The comments came as fires burning across Canada sent haze into several American states, prompting political tension between the two countries. Sports Montreal heads to Vancouver for CEBL matchup The Montreal club faced the Vancouver team on July 17 in Canadian Elite Basketball League action.

No final score was available at publication time. Winnipeg visits Calgary in CEBL play Winnipeg travelled to Calgary on July 17 for a CEBL regular-season contest. Results were not yet available at the time of publication.

Weather Tonight will see a few clouds with increasing cloudiness after midnight and a 30 per cent chance of showers overnight. The low will be 18°C, with moderate westerly winds easing to light early this evening. Saturday will be cloudy with a high of 22°C and a few showers expected to begin in the morning, along with a risk of a thunderstorm in the afternoon.

Moderate southerly winds are forecast, with a humidex of 28 and a moderate UV index.