In the news today: six officers honoured, Quebec vote nears, Swift makes VMA history

In the news today: six officers honoured, Quebec vote nears, Swift makes VMA history

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Police memorial recognizes six officers killed in the line of duty in 2026

Canadian flags flew at half-mast and the skirl of bagpipes rang out Sunday as hundreds of police officers marched onto the lawn on Parliament Hill to honour those who have fallen in the line of duty.

The Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ annual memorial service recognized five police officers and a correctional services officer who died this year.

Ontario Provincial Police officer Brandon Malcolm died in a single-vehicle crash in April, and his colleague Tarun Bali was fatally struck by a car in June.

Also honoured was Toronto police officer Marc Pinizzotto, Quebec provincial police officer Anais Fortin-Cozzens, Montreal police officer Mohamed Benreouane, and Edmonton corrections officer Nicolae Serban.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the ceremony is a chance to pay respects to fallen heroes, as well as their families who “paid the ultimate price for that sacrifice.”

Anand hosting conference today on returning Ukrainian children from Russian abduction

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is co-hosting a global meeting in Toronto today aimed at advancing work to return Ukrainian children abducted by Russian officials.

In 2024, the Trudeau government co-launched with Ukraine an international coalition of nations working to return Ukrainian children abducted since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Those efforts have led to the return of hundreds of children, and countries have expanded that work to include adult civilians and prisoners of war taken from parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia.

The two days of meetings involve ministers from European countries and non-governmental organizations, and are expected to hear from Ukrainians who returned from Russian captivity.

Alberta, Ontario premiers set to share stage in Calgary to talk energy policy

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are set to share the stage in Calgary today to talk energy.

The leaders will be in the city’s downtown to talk about how to best get Canada’s natural resources to market in a world of fluctuating politics and conflicts.

Smith has placed energy at the centre of her government’s agenda, particularly the need to get more oil to the British Columbia coast and from there to markets in Asia.

It also comes as Canada navigates an ongoing tariff war with the United States.

Quebec election campaign entering final week as voters start to cast early ballots

The Quebec election campaign is entering its final stretch, with leaders having a week left to pitch to voters ahead of election day on Oct. 5.

Voters can vote early today from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the second and final day of advance polling.

Those who attended advance polls on Sunday told The Canadian Press issues such as health care, the economy, language and the environment were central to their vote.

Talk of possible U.S. interference in the elections dominated the conversation on the campaign trail this weekend.

Taylor Swift becomes most-awarded artist in MTV VMAs history, dedicates top prize to Dolly Parton

Taylor Swift made history and Nirvana was awarded the 2026 Video Vanguard Award at the starry MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.

Swift received the inaugural Artist Director Honors, making her the most-awarded artist in VMA history after being previously tied with Beyoncé for most wins.

She also took home the top prize of video of the year and in her acceptance speech dedicated the award to country music icon Dolly Parton.

Madonna opened the show at the Peacock Theater and was joined by her recent collaborators Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 28, 2026.