Toronto police warn of pickpocketing downtown amid TIFF, concerts, and other events
People walk by a Toronto International Film Festival sign on the opening day of the 49th TIFF in Toronto on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paige Taylor White
Police are urging movie-goers to be wary of pickpockets amid an increase in thefts in the Entertainment District during the Toronto International Film Festival.
In a news release issued Tuesday, Toronto police issued a public safety alert, warning of “pickpocket style thefts” occurring in and around the city’s Entertainment District.
According to police, the suspects are targeting victims while they are attending festivals, concerts, and other events in the downtown core.
Some of the thefts, the police service confirmed, have occurred during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this year.
“The Toronto Police Service is reminding the public to be aware of their surroundings while attending events in the city, and to be cognizant of their belongings, such as cell phones and wallets, when attending events where crowds are present,” the news release read.
Victims of theft under $5,000 can report it to the Toronto Police Service through its website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Not that simple': Trump drags Canadian river into California's water problems
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump promised "more water than you ever saw" to Californians, partly by tapping resources from a Canadian river.
GoFundMe cancels fundraiser for Ontario woman charged with spraying neighbour with a water gun
A Simcoe, Ont., woman charged with assault with a weapon after accidentally spraying her neighbour with a water gun says GoFundMe has now pulled the plug on her online fundraiser.
'Phantom finance minister': Freeland says she's 'not going anywhere' after Conservative critique
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland declared she is 'not going anywhere' when pushed by the Conservatives on Monday about her future as finance minister.
Body recovered from B.C. lake after unclothed man leads investigators to crash site
Mounties are investigating a fatal crash north of Whistler, B.C., after an unclothed man who was found along the side of the road led police to a pickup truck submerged in a lake with one occupant still inside.
'Never seen anything like this': Humpback whale catches unsuspecting seal off Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island nature photographer says he has never seen anything like what his camera captured on a recent whale-watching excursion off Victoria.
Polls close for closely watched byelections in Montreal and Winnipeg
The NDP has a slight early lead in Winnipeg while remaining in a three-way race with the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois in Montreal as ballots continue to be counted in two crucial federal byelections.
Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours
The man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump camped outside a golf course with food and a rifle for nearly 12 hours.
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced changes to mortgage rules she says are aimed at helping more Canadians to purchase their first home.
First teen sentenced in Kenneth Lee case gets 15 months probation
The first teenager to be sentenced in the death of a Toronto homeless man will not face further time in custody, and instead participate in a community-based program.
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
-
Black Lives Ruined: What goes through a Black man's mind when he's pulled over
The story is almost always the same: a Black man, perhaps in a nice car or walking down the street, is stopped by police. He asks, 'Why have you stopped me?' The response is he's either given a ticket, harassed or killed.
-
Trudeau loses another Liberal stronghold in Bloc Quebecois byelection victory
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has suffered another devastating byelection blow with the loss of a second Liberal stronghold, this one to the Bloc Quebecois in LaSalle—Emard—Verdun.
-
'Bonjour': Quebec launches new $2.5 million ad campaign promoting French language
The Quebec government is launching yet another campaign to promote the use of French and this time, it's going after a typical Montreal lingo, that's apparently a cause for concern for the survival of French.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNINGNEW THIS MORNING Ottawa Public Health facing up to $3.3M in budget pressures in 2025
The Ottawa Board of Health met Monday afternoon to discuss preliminary budget details ahead of final approval of the budget directions by city council, which include a 2.9 per cent increase to most city departments.
-
18-year-old man dead, second person injured following shooting in Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood
Ottawa police say Quentin Dorsainvil, of Ottawa, was killed in a shooting Sunday night in Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood. He was a young football player with the Kanata Knights, the team's president said.
-
Planned opening of Stittsville school delayed again due to 'outstanding deficiencies'
A new high school in Stittsville that was set to open Tuesday will remain closed for at least another day after families were told 'outstanding deficiencies' are keeping the school from receiving an occupancy permit.
Northern Ontario
-
Young family from northern Ontario wins $70 million Lotto Max jackpot
It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.
-
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced changes to mortgage rules she says are aimed at helping more Canadians to purchase their first home.
-
Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours
The man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump camped outside a golf course with food and a rifle for nearly 12 hours.
Kitchener
-
GoFundMe cancels fundraiser for Ontario woman charged with spraying neighbour with a water gun
A Simcoe, Ont., woman charged with assault with a weapon after accidentally spraying her neighbour with a water gun says GoFundMe has now pulled the plug on her online fundraiser.
-
WRPS warn gun violence on the rise in Waterloo Region
The Region of Waterloo has already matched the total number of shootings in all of 2023 – and it’s only September.
-
Crash leaves car on its roof in Uptown Waterloo
Waterloo Regional Police are investigating a collision that left one vehicle on its roof in Uptown Waterloo.
London
-
Committee unanimously backs motion to stop issuing official proclamations
On Monday, the Corporate Services Committee (CSC) needed little time to reach consensus that city council should no longer accept applications for official proclamations.
-
Old East Village BIA 'blindsided' by mayor’s idea to redevelop parking lots into housing
There was no communication between Mayor Josh Morgan and the Old East Village (OEV) BIA before three parking lots in the business district appeared on a shortlist of municipal properties under consideration for redevelopment into residential high rises.
-
'Another sun-filled day' on Tuesday
Summer-like conditions seem to be here to stay this week.
Windsor
-
Police looking for vehicle, possibly damaged, after overnight crash
Windsor police are looking for a black Ford Explorer following an overnight crash. It happened on the EC Row Expressway at Matchette Road.
-
'They didn't think about the consequences of their actions': University of Windsor alumni revoke their financial support in wake of pro-Palestinian agreements
In July, the University of Windsor signed two agreements – one with the demonstrators, and another with the Students’ Alliance – to end a nine-week protest occupation on campus. Now, some alumni are withholding their financial support as a result.
-
New Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital gets $15-million gift
The Solcz Family Foundation is giving a $15 million gift to the New Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital.
Barrie
-
Body of 12-year-old missing boy recovered from Georgian Bay
Ontario Provincial Police say the body of a 12-year-old boy who went missing while swimming at Huronia Park in Penetanguishene on Sunday was found.
-
Driver suffers life-threatening injuries after crashing into tree in Springwater Township
One person has been airlifted via air ambulance with life-threatening injuries following a collision in Springwater Township.
-
OPP seeks person responsible for 'senseless destruction' of flower displays
Provincial police are appealing to the public for help identifying the person(s) responsible for what they describe as an act of "senseless destruction" of flower displays in Huntsville.
Winnipeg
-
NDP declares victory in federal Winnipeg byelection, Conservatives concede
The New Democrats declared a federal byelection victory late Monday in their Winnipeg stronghold riding of Elmwood--Transcona.
-
Manitoba NDP MLA booted from caucus due to business partner acting as Peter Nygard's lawyer
Manitoba’s NDP government has removed Mark Wasyliw, MLA for Fort Garry, from the party’s caucus after the party discovered his business partner is working as Peter Nygard’s criminal defense lawyer.
-
'It's a pretty unique car': Classic car in the family since 1958 stolen from Winnipeg garage
A Winnipeg man is asking for help after a classic car that has been a part of his family since the 1950s was stolen from his garage.
Atlantic
-
Police to hold news conference after two arrested in relation to missing Halifax-area teen case
Halifax Regional Police is holding a news conference Tuesday following developments in the case of a teen who’s been missing for more than two years.
-
Two youths arrested in connection with emergency alert for armed individual with 'dangerous intent'
The New Brunswick RCMP says two youths have been arrested following an emergency alert for an "armed individual" in the southeastern part of the province Monday night.
-
Halifax neighbourhood caught off guard by new Pallet village construction
Construction has begun on a new Pallet shelter in Halifax, leaving area residents and local leaders surprised and upset after discovering the project without any prior notice.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador monitoring rise in whooping cough cases: medical officer
Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer is monitoring the rise of whooping cough infections across the province as cases of the highly contagious disease continue to grow across Canada.
-
Dispute over unrecognized Inuit group halts major conference for Canadian North
A 16-year-old biennial event aimed at fostering business in the country's eastern Arctic and northern regions has been cancelled indefinitely as a dispute unfolds between Inuit in Canada and a Labrador group claiming to share their heritage.
-
Cow cuddling: Why a Newfoundland farm is offering quality time with these 'gentle creatures'
Jim Lester’s farm hopped on the cow-cuddling trend in early August, and his time slots have been pretty well sold out ever since.
Edmonton
-
Refugee advocate calls Alberta premier's 'shared values' comments regarding asylum seekers stigmatizing
Premier Danielle Smith is facing criticism for a statement she made Thursday, saying that the province should welcome asylum seekers with the "shared values" of Albertans.
-
Solar flare could cause strong northern lights in Alberta on Monday
Northern lights could be visible within Alberta's largest cities Monday night and early Tuesday morning, says a group of photographers passionate about chasing the phenomenon.
-
Man dies in head-on collision on northern Alberta highway
A man is dead after a head-on collision Friday in northern Alberta.
Calgary
-
Dozens rally to save Green Line as council considers project's future
About 100 people took to the steps of Calgary city hall on Monday to try to keep the Green Line LRT project on track.
-
'We could have been dead': Calgary dog attack victims push for stricter penalties
Victims hurt in two separate Calgary dog attacks are pushing for the city to hold dog owners more accountable after violent incidents.
-
'Not that simple': Trump drags Canadian river into California's water problems
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump promised "more water than you ever saw" to Californians, partly by tapping resources from a Canadian river.
Regina
-
'Oh, he's still alive': Sask. pharmacy student caught snooping on medical records of 114 people
A fourth-year pharmacy student doing an internship at a Regina drug store was caught snooping on the medical records of 114 people who were not in their care.
-
Former Roughrider Ben Fairbrother dead after motorcycle crash in Edmonton
A former Saskatchewan Roughrider has died in a motorcycle crash in Edmonton.
-
Child luring arrest made in Regina
Saskatchewan’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit has arrested a 39-year-old Regina man following an investigation into child luring.
Saskatoon
-
'I understand those fears': Saskatoon downtown shelter proponents answer questions from the public
Saskatoon’s administration defended its choice of a downtown shelter site in a public information session at city hall on Monday, and the city expects it will move ahead.
-
Man and two adult sons identified as homicide victims in Lloydminster, Sask.
The victims of a triple homicide in a city that straddles the Alberta-Saskatchewan boundary have been identified as a man and his two adult sons.
-
'Not Brad Wall's Sask. Party': Two former MLAs to run under the Saskatchewan United banner
Two former Sask. Party MLAs say they intend to run under the Saskatchewan United Party banner in the upcoming fall election.
Vancouver
-
Tensions grow with Fraser Health as Surrey ER doctors cite 'toxic' workplace, 'failing their patients'
Emergency physicians at Surrey Memorial Hospital have grown so frustrated with Fraser Health, they have penned a letter to the CEO of the health authority calling for "new leadership" and citing a "decline in patient care" as they struggle to stabilize the situation and serve patients.
-
Critics slam B.C. premier's involuntary care announcement, cite lack of evidence
The B.C. premier’s announcement to introduce involuntary care for people with serious addiction and mental health issues is being met with pushback from critics who say the decision isn’t evidence-based and will cause more harm.
-
Families read victim impact statements after West Vancouver wedding crash driver pleads guilty
It’s been more than two years since two women attending a West Vancouver wedding were killed when a neighbour drove her Range Rover into an ornamental gate, sending rocks and debris flying into a crowd of guests.
Vancouver Island
-
Critics slam B.C. premier's involuntary care announcement, cite lack of evidence
The B.C. premier’s announcement to introduce involuntary care for people with serious addiction and mental health issues is being met with pushback from critics who say the decision isn’t evidence-based and will cause more harm.
-
B.C. lightkeepers' jobs in jeopardy as coast guard plans to automate 2 stations
Calls are growing for the federal government to pause plans to de-staff two lighthouses on Vancouver Island over fears the move could put mariners and hikers in danger.
-
Who foots the bill for BC United staffers' severance payments?
The emergence of a number of incumbent MLAs running now as Independents isn’t the only consequence of last month’s collapse of the BC United Party.
