Police release photos of man suspected in door-to-door SickKids donation scam in Toronto
Police have released photos of a man they suspect impersonated a SickKids canvasser and solicited cash donations in downtown Toronto. (TPS handout)
Police have released photos of a man believed to have gone door-to-door in Toronto, impersonating a SickKids canvasser and soliciting cash donations.
According to investigators with the Toronto Police Service (TPS), a man has reportedly attended apartments in the downtown core a number of times since November 2023.
Within those interactions, police allege the man wore clothing and a lanyard badge that identified himself as a canvasser for Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) while requesting donations on behalf of the organization.
The man is not a legitimate canvasser for SickKids Foundation, the service said.
TPS first announced an investigation into the alleged fraud back in January. On Saturday, it shared an update with images of the suspect.
“Police urge the public not to confront the suspect but to call police with any information,” the release states.
In some cases where the complainants challenged the man’s claims, he became aggressive and physical, police said.
The SickKids Foundation does not solicit cash donations, nor does it canvas apartment and condominium buildings. The lanyards of legitimate canvassers for SickKids contain identification numbers and QR codes that can be scanned for additional information.
“If there is any doubt as to the legitimacy of a charity canvasser at your door please refer to the organization’s website,” police advised.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5135, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump on Day 1: Begin deportation push, pardon Jan. 6 rioters and make his criminal cases vanish
Donald Trump has said he wouldn’t be a dictator — 'except for Day 1.' According to his own statements, he's got a lot to do on that first day in the White House.
King Charles III and Kate attend remembrance events as both slowly return to duty
King Charles III led the nation Sunday in a two-minute silence in remembrance of fallen service personnel in central London as the Princess of Wales looked on, a further sign the royal family is slowly returning to normal at the end of a year in which two of the most popular royals were sidelined by cancer.
Sinclair family shares heartfelt message ahead of memorial service
Murray Sinclair’s family members say the late justice and senator has been laid to rest according to his wishes.
Cornwall, Ont. prepares for potential influx of asylum seekers following U.S. election
As the possibility of mass deportations looms following Donald Trump's re-election on Tuesday, border towns like the City of Cornwall are preparing for a potential influx of asylum seekers.
Sarnia, Ont. police make 'high-risk' arrests, charge 3 with kidnapping
On Friday, the Sarnia Police Service (SPS) received a report of an alleged abduction in the area of Kathleen Avenue and Walnut Avenue.
Donald Trump knows the Canada-U.S. relationship 'in a way he didn’t before': Ambassador
Canada's ambassador to the United States — and co-lead of the federal government's Team Canada war room — says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has a different understanding of the bilateral relationship than he did during his first term in the White House.
Thinking of donating your brain to science? This is what they might do with it
Researchers say taking a peek inside a person's brain is as difficult as understanding the universe or discovering the ocean in its entirety.
Director Jon M. Chu missed 'Wicked' premiere to welcome fifth child
Chu shared on his Instagram Stories that he and his wife Kristin Hodge welcomed their fifth child on Saturday, writing that he “can’t believe this happened while the movie is premiering.”
6.8 magnitude earthquake shakes Cuba after hurricanes and blackouts
A 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook eastern Cuba on Sunday, after weeks of hurricanes and blackouts that have left many on the island reeling.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Montreal
-
Thinking of donating your brain to science? This is what they might do with it
Researchers say taking a peek inside a person's brain is as difficult as understanding the universe or discovering the ocean in its entirety.
-
Veteran Montrealer says the poppy is an important symbol
It's a century-old tradition that's carried on year after year with pride – we wear a poppy to honour our nation's veterans. But to retired lieutenant-colonel Henry F. Hall it's so much more.
-
Another car set on fire overnight in Montreal
Montreal police say a car was set on fire overnight Sunday in Montreal's Pointe-aux-Trembles area.
Ottawa
-
2 adults, 8-month-old dead following 2-vehicle crash on Highway 401 in eastern Ontario
Three people, including an eight-month-old have died after a two-vehicle collision on Highway 401 in eastern Ontario Saturday afternoon, according to the Ontario provincial Police (OPP).
-
Two adults taken to hospital following stabbing incident in the ByWard Market: Ottawa Paramedics
A stabbing incident that happened in the early hours of Sunday morning in the ByWard Market has seriously injured two individuals, according to the Ottawa Paramedic Service.
-
1 taken to hospital after pickup flips over median on Hwy. 174
Firefighters and police are at the scene of a crash involving a pickup truck on Highway 174 on Sunday afternoon.
Northern Ontario
-
How to watch live Remembrance Day ceremony in Sudbury
CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca is livestreaming the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Sudbury Community Arena starting Monday at 10:30 a.m.
-
Trump on Day 1: Begin deportation push, pardon Jan. 6 rioters and make his criminal cases vanish
Donald Trump has said he wouldn’t be a dictator — 'except for Day 1.' According to his own statements, he's got a lot to do on that first day in the White House.
-
Fifth young offender arrested for vandalism at Elliot Lake arena
Police have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with a break-in and $50,000 in damage done to the Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake in September.
Kitchener
-
Man charged in Kitchener stabbing
A man has been charged after a stabbing at an apartment building in Kitchener.
-
Police report two deaths in downtown Guelph that may be linked to drug use
The Guelph Police Service is putting out a warning after two deaths in the downtown area.
-
New Elmira monuments honour Peacekeepers and Afghanistan veterans
Two new tributes to Canada’s veterans have been unveiled at the Elmira Cenotaph.
London
-
Sarnia, Ont. police make 'high-risk' arrests, charge 3 with kidnapping
On Friday, the Sarnia Police Service (SPS) received a report of an alleged abduction in the area of Kathleen Avenue and Walnut Avenue.
-
Plane crash in Southwest Middlesex
Three people were taken to hospital after a plane crashed in the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex.
-
Two London Knights win gold at U17 World Hockey Challenge
London Knights Logan Hawery and Caleb Mitchell are returning from the U17 World Hockey Challenge with gold medals around their necks.
Windsor
-
Alleged drunk driver arrested after passing out in vehicle, holding up traffic: CKPS
One person has been arrested after Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) received multiple complaints about an alleged drunk driver.
-
Motorcyclist dies after crash in Kingsville
An individual is dead following a collision involving a motorcycle in Kingsville.
-
Trump on Day 1: Begin deportation push, pardon Jan. 6 rioters and make his criminal cases vanish
Donald Trump has said he wouldn’t be a dictator — 'except for Day 1.' According to his own statements, he's got a lot to do on that first day in the White House.
Barrie
-
Occupants escape after porch fire
Crews responded to an overnight porch fire at a residence in Orillia, where all occupants managed to escape without injury.
-
Driver charged in morning Highway 400 crash
A driver is facing multiple charges after a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 400 early Sunday morning.
-
Death in Caledon under investigation
OPP are investigating a Saturday evening incident in Caledon that resulted in one death.
Winnipeg
-
Sinclair family shares heartfelt message ahead of memorial service
Murray Sinclair’s family members say the late justice and senator has been laid to rest according to his wishes.
-
Man identified in Winnipeg stabbing death, suspect charged
Winnipeg police have identified two men involved in a stabbing incident earlier this week.
-
Blue Bombers overpower Roughriders 38-22, advance to Grey Cup
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers whipped the Saskatchewan Roughriders 38-22 in Saturday's CFL West Division final to earn their fifth consecutive trip to the Grey Cup.
Atlantic
-
Remembrance Day: Here’s what’s open and closed in the Maritimes
Here’s what’s opened and closed across the Maritimes on Remembrance Day.
-
Legion Love: Branch 67 in Weymouth, N.S., revived after dwindling numbers thanks to community support, new leadership
The Royal Canadian Legion Weymouth Branch 67 Remembrance Day ceremony will display its new basement, accessible doors and other upgrades thanks to community support.
-
Canadian delegation 'overwhelmed' by visit to Great War battlefields
It's been a trip to cherish for a group of Canadians visiting Belgium this week to honour the legacy of Indigenous soldiers.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland man electrocuted by downed power line, two women injured
Police in Newfoundland say a man was electrocuted Saturday by a downed power wire about 10 kilometres north of St. John's, N.L.
-
What is 'recitation?' Newfoundland tradition-keeper returns to stage from 100-day cancer-treatment isolation
On Thursday morning, Dave Penny officially ended a suggested hundred-day isolation period that followed his diagnosis and stem cell treatment for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. On Thursday night, Penny returned to a stage at a downtown St. John's bar, regaling a small crowd with songs and stories with a distinctive Newfoundland flair.
-
Newfoundland beach blobs are plastic pollution, but source remains unknown: scientist
A Memorial University scientist says the mysterious white blobs washing up on Newfoundland beaches are actually gobs of plastic -- and they need to be cleaned up.
Edmonton
-
'We know it's gonna improve': Igniting power play key to Oilers' climb
The Edmonton Oilers may have found the break they were looking for.
-
Program strives to identify, properly bury remains of Canadian soldiers
A national program has been using several methods of investigation since 2007 to identify the skeletal remains of unknown Canadian armed-forces members.
-
Investigation underway following armed robbery at Wabasca convenience store
An investigation is underway in relation to an armed robbery that took place Thursday night in Wabasca, Alta.
Calgary
-
'It is urgent': Alberta military reservists eager to join Canadian Forces in Latvia
A pair of 105-mm howitzers bark constantly as they turn plywood tank targets into kindling kilometres away on the windswept landscape of one of Canada's largest military bases.
-
City of Calgary seeking input regarding improvements for busy intersection
On Saturday the City of Calgary held the first of three open houses seeking public input regarding the the intersection and roadways of Sarcee Trail and Bow Trail S.W.
-
Sinclair family shares heartfelt message ahead of memorial service
Murray Sinclair’s family members say the late justice and senator has been laid to rest according to his wishes.
Regina
-
Riders fall short in West Final to Bombers
The Saskatchewan Roughriders extended their Grey Cup drought to 11 years after losing 38-22 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL’s Western Final on Saturday.
-
Sask. NDP's ChiefCalf officially claims seat in Saskatoon Westview as final election ballots tallied
The final round of ballots from Saskatchewan’s provincial election were tallied on Saturday, and a race that was previously too close to call has officially been declared.
-
Here's who is running for mayor and council seats across southern Saskatchewan
Urban municipalities across southern Saskatchewan are preparing for their civic elections on November 13.
Saskatoon
-
Riders fall short in West Final to Bombers
The Saskatchewan Roughriders extended their Grey Cup drought to 11 years after losing 38-22 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL’s Western Final on Saturday.
-
Regina Rams win Hardy Cup against Saskatchewan Huskies
The Regina Rams claimed the Hardy Cup after a hard fought battle against the Saskatoon Huskies 19-14 on Saturday in the first all Saskatchewan U-Sports western conference final since 2002.
-
Elections Sask. completes final step in vote counting process
Elections Saskatchewan completed the final step in the vote counting process from the provincial election on Saturday.
Vancouver
-
Port employers 'refusing to bargain,' cut off talks in less than an hour: Union
The union for locked-out port workers in British Columbia says the BC Maritime Employers Association cut off talks in less than an hour Saturday, refusing to budge on a final offer that the union has so far rejected.
-
Corporate sponsorship of city assets on the agenda at Vancouver council
A plan to allow corporations and other "commercial entities" to pay to sponsor civic assets, projects and programs is coming to Vancouver council next week.
-
RCMP in B.C. issue warning about remote desktop scam
Mounties on Vancouver Island are out with a warning about a "concerning" scam that has recently targeted several victims.
Vancouver Island
-
Port employers 'refusing to bargain,' cut off talks in less than an hour: Union
The union for locked-out port workers in British Columbia says the BC Maritime Employers Association cut off talks in less than an hour Saturday, refusing to budge on a final offer that the union has so far rejected.
-
RCMP in B.C. issue warning about remote desktop scam
Mounties on Vancouver Island are out with a warning about a "concerning" scam that has recently targeted several victims.
-
First-ever human case of H5 avian influenza in Canada found in B.C.: officials
B.C. health officials say they have detected Canada's first-ever case of H5 avian influenza in a human.
