News of the day: Grieving Ontario family wants answers

Catch up on the stories we’re following today

Published Jul 28, 2026  •  2 minute read

An Ontario Provincial Police vehicle is seen in this file photo. Photo by FILES /POSTMEDIA

It’s Tuesday, July 28. Here are the top stories we’re following today:

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MANDEL: Grieving Ontario family wants answers — including name of Brampton driver in crash that killed 5 kids

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They still don’t even know the name of the Brampton driver who allegedly ran a stop sign and slammed into their van, killing their five children. It’s been more than six weeks since the deadly crash at the intersection of 4th Line and Wellington Rd. 12 in Mapleton Township, which claimed the lives of five Doerksen siblings — Susy, 4, Maggie, 6, Sara, 8, Helena, 10 and Peter, 12. Their parents, their 15-month-old brother and friends Peter and Elizabeth Bartsch sustained serious injuries. The driver of the SUV died a week later in hospital — but all we know is that he was 42 and from Brampton.

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The eight suspects in the largest human trafficking case in HRPS history, Photo by HANDOUT /HALTON REGIONAL POLICE

Halton cops lay 85 charges in human trafficking bust

Thanks to the courageous act of one woman, police say nine individuals were arrested and charged with multiple heinous crimes. “In September of 2025, a strong and brave woman came forward (to us) as a survivor of exploitation,” Halton Regional Police Service Supt. David Costantini said on Tuesday morning in Oakville. “This resulted in an investigation into the alleged incident that had been taking place across the Greater Toronto Area. Thanks to her incredible courage, what ensued was a 10-month investigation that uncovered an additional 11 victims who were (allegedly) subjected to commercial sexual exploitation over an extended period of time.”

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(L-R): Blair, Larry, Lynn, Albert, Michelle, Debra, winners of the June 20, 2026, Lottario draw. Photo by OLG

Group of six from Ontario split lottery jackpot

A group of six family members and close friends in Ontario are celebrating their shared lottery win. The ticket, purchased in the community of Dunnville in Haldimand County, was the winner of $250,000 in the June 20 Lottario draw. The group also won additional prizes, bringing their total winnings to $259,539.

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To the rescue, and beyond! Photo by Menlo Park Fire Protection District /Facebook

Dog found swimming alone in San Francisco bay weeks after going missing

A dog that had been missing for nearly two weeks was rescued after she was found swimming alone in a San Francisco bay. Firefighters from Menlo Park, Calif., received a call about a dog that had run out into the water “and just kept swimming,” the Menlo Park Fire Protection District wrote in a Facebook post earlier this month. The pooch was first spotted with binoculars, then drones, before officials launched a specialized airboat to rescue the dog that swam far away from the shoreline.

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A person walks past the St. Michael’s Hospital Emergency area on Toronto’s Shuter Street, Thursday March 6, 2025. Photo by Peter J. Thompson /Postmedia

Average Canadian family paying $21K for ‘free’ system, new report says

While Canadians like boasting of their “free health care,” a new report shows hidden tax bills related to Canada’s struggling medical system are climbing faster than household earnings. Released this week by the Fraser Institute, the study entitled The Price of Public Health Care Insurance, 2026 shows the average Canadian family of four earning an average household income of $202,885 will spend an estimated $21,115 in health-care costs.

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