I’m sure you’ve heard someone use the phrase “Elvis has left the building” in some kind of humorous or ironic way, or maybe even as some kind of catchphrase. But what does it mean and where did the phrase come from?

Yes, the “Elvis” is Elvis Presley, and the phrase itself dates to December 1956, when Elvis appeared in front of an audience for a radio show called Louisiana Hayride at the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport. Elvis did his thing and then left the stage. But the crowd wanted more, and things started getting a little tense. People wouldn’t stop cheering, which made it impossible for the next act to perform.

To calm things down, concert promoter Horace Logan got on the mic and said, “All right, Elvis has left the building. I’ve told you absolutely straight up to this point. You know he has. He has left the building. He left the stage and went out the back with the policemen, and he is now gone from the building.” A portion of that plea is now an evergreen rock’n’roll meme.

How? Because Elvis heard about it and began using the phrase for all his shows.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Back in the days when radio stations played vinyl, the DJ was always switching between records that played at different speeds. One of the most embarrassing things that could happen to you—and I speak from experience here—is to launch a record at the wrong speed, resulting in music that is too slow or too fast. Cringey stuff. But sometimes there are unintended consequences.

In 1978, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, a Southern rock band, released a single called “Imaginary Lover.” A DJ played the song at 45 instead of 33 and didn’t pay attention. The listening audience did, though. To them, it sounded like Stevie Nicks was singing and that this was a brand-new Fleetwood Mac song.

For a while, the song was considered to be a “lost” Stevie Nicks track before everything was sorted out.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Incumbent Olivia Chow maintains a double-digit lead in the Toronto mayoral race, according to a new poll, which shows Brad Bradford in second place.

A new study from Liaison Strategies, conducted at the start of the Labour Day long weekend, puts Chow at 50 per cent among decided and leaning voters, with Bradford at 39 per cent and Chris Alexander in third at 11 per cent.

“The mayoral ballot is stable, but it has settled in a better place for Olivia Chow than for her challengers,” David Valentin, principal at Liaison, said in a statement.

“The regional picture is still the key to the race. Chow leads downtown 60 per cent to 30 per cent, in North York 53 per cent to 36 per cent, and in Scarborough 51 per cent to 38 per cent. Bradford’s best region is Etobicoke, where he leads Chow 56 per cent to 33 per cent.”

The poll comes on the eve of Chow’s official campaign launch, although she has made her intention to run again public for months, while Bradford declared his plan to launch a campaign almost a year ago.

The Liaison study also shows residents are split on whether or not the city is heading in the right direction.

Forty-seven per cent said they thought the city was heading in the right direction, while 48 per cent said it was the wrong direction. Five per cent were unsure.

The same poll found 34 per cent want to see property tax frozen or reduced, even at the cost of cutting services.

Twenty per cent said they should increase at less than the rate of inflation.

The election will be held on Oct. 26.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Alex Formenton to a one-year contract worth US$850,000.

He was one of five players from Canada’s 2018 world junior team who were acquitted last year on sexual assault charges stemming from an encounter with a woman after a Hockey Canada gala in London, Ont.

An independent appeal board ruled last month that the players breached the Hockey Canada code of conduct, but Formenton was the only one eligible for immediate reinstatement from suspension.

The board recommended continued suspensions from Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs for Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube and Michael McLeod. Hart plays for the Vegas Golden Knights, and Dube plays for the St. Louis Blues.

Formenton, a 26-year-old native of Barrie, Ont., spent three seasons over the last four years with HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland.

He was selected in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators. Over 109 career NHL games, Formenton has recorded 23 goals and 16 assists.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Toronto Fire Services says there’s been more lithium-ion battery fires this year than ever before.

The service has dealt with 97 lithium-ion battery incidents so far this year, Capt. Deepak Chagger told Global News in an email. By the end of last year, 91 lithium-ion fires were logged.

Fire Chief Jim Jessop has issued several warnings throughout the year regarding lithium-ion fires.

Last month, he sounded off on social media after crews responded to three separate fires involving the increasingly problematic batteries, including one that escalated to a two-alarm response level.

Around 6 a.m. on Aug. 12, crews were called to the George and Dundas streets for reports of an e-bike battery fire.

According to reports from the scene, the fire occurred in a fourth-floor unit of an apartment building. One of several e-bike batteries in the space caught fire. A tenant then reportedly threw it in the bathtub.

Four people were cared for by Toronto paramedics at the scene. One was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

“All this does is confirm what the city of Toronto and Toronto Fire Service has been saying,” Jessop said. “This is the greatest evolving fire safety risk in Canada’s largest city.”

Jessop has been calling on all levels of government to “explore regulatory changes that reduce both the probability and the consequences of these fires.”

The batteries, which are also used to power items like smartphones and electric toothbrushes, were behind two fires at the Ashwarren Road recycling facility on May 21.

The batteries were in thermal runaway, which is one of the primary risks related to them, according to the UL Research Institutes. When that happens, the lithium-ion cell enters into an uncontrollable, self-heating state and can combust.

No one was injured during the three-alarm blaze, Toronto fire said at the time.

Division Chief Marla Friebe previously told Global News micromobility devices such as e-bikes, e-scooters and e-hoverboards are involved in the bulk of the lithium-ion battery fires crews are seeing.

But she added that a cause of this is due to users of these devices not buying compatible parts, using chargers that are not necessarily recommended by the manufacturers, or overcharging the devices.

Another factor coming into play with micromobility devices, Friebe said, is that some people are tampering with the batteries to either lengthen the power charge, boost the power, or increase the speed of the device.

Toronto Fire Service stresses the batteries are generally safe but can become dangerous if they are damaged, tampered with or improperly charged.

Things to look out for include an unusual, almost plastic odour, smoke coming from the device and the item beginning to heat up to an “extreme” degree.

Given the dangers surrounding the device, people should ensure that when they dispose of the items, they do so properly by taking them to an approved disposal site and not tossing them in the garbage.

While the service is cautioning about the dangers, Friebe reiterated most devices with these batteries can be safe and it’s about taking proper precautions.

This means buying a device with a certified battery that’s been tested for use in Canada and always using approved charging devices, even if it is an extra cost. As well, she said to be sure to charge in an appropriate environment with a stable temperature, as they can be susceptible to hot and cold temperatures.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Vernon Adams Jr. and the Calgary Stampeders don’t have time to lament their Labour Day loss to the Edmonton Elks.

Edmonton (9-3) rallied for a 38-28 road win over Calgary (5-7) on Monday. The Stampeders led by as many as 18 points early in the second half and 25-17 after the third quarter.

But Edmonton outscored Calgary 24-3 in the fourth to earn the win and remain atop the West Division, two points ahead of the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-4).

Calgary faces Edmonton on Saturday night in the rematch at Commonwealth Stadium.

The Stampeders are fifth in the West Division but remain firmly in the playoff race, just two points behind the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, both 6-6. Calgary closes the regular season against Winnipeg on Oct. 10 and B.C. on Oct. 17.

Calgary also visits Saskatchewan on Oct. 2. That will kick off an interesting final three weeks of the Stamps’ 2026 campaign following a home-and-home with the Ottawa Redblacks (0-11).

Running back Justin Rankin anchored Edmonton’s third straight win with a 50-yard TD run that gave the Elks their first lead of the contest (30-28). Before that, Rankin had been minus-1 on the ground over four carries.

Adams, returning from a head injury suffered against B.C. on Aug. 13, was 15-of-29 passing for 214 yards with two touchdowns versus the Elks. He added 33 yards rushing on four carries.

Edmonton’s Cody Fajardo completed 17-of-31 passes for 181 yards with two TDs and an interception. He also recorded a game-high 76 yards on the ground.

Elks linebacker Nick Anderson certainly did his part, recording a game-high 12 tackles and a sack.

Edmonton is a solid 5-1 at home this season and 5-2 within the West Division. Calgary is 2-4 versus conference rivals and 3-2 away from McMahon Stadium.

Pick: Edmonton.

Ottawa Redblacks vs. Toronto Argonauts (Saturday afternoon)

At Toronto, it’s a short week for the Argos (6-6) following their 37-22 Labour Day win in Hamilton. Chad Kelly had 319 yards passing with three TDs as the Double Blue clinched the season series 2-1. Kelly leads the CFL in passing yards (3,961) and TDs (24) and threw his league-high 18th interception Monday. But he did a nice job afterwards of executing a controlled passing attack and taking shots downfield when the opportunity presented itself rather than forcing the issue. Ottawa comes off a bye week with head coach/GM Ryan Dinwiddie facing his former team for the first time. Veteran Jake Maier will make a 12th straight start for the Redblacks.

Pick: Toronto.

Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Saturday afternoon)

At Winnipeg, the Bombers look to avenge their 32-26 overtime loss Sunday, having won nine of the last 12 rematches. Zach Collaros forced the extra session with a five-yard TD pass to Dorian Singer to end regulation. But after Tommy Stevens’s third TD run put the Riders ahead 32-26, the contest ended with the home side failing to convert a third-and-six situation. Collaros threw for 279 yards and two TDs, but CFL rushing leader Brady Oliveira (984 yards) had 28 yards on nine carries. Saskatchewan’s Trevor Harris recorded 362 yards passing and a TD while Dhel Duncan-Busby recorded 10 catches for 148 yards. Defensive lineman Derick Roberson had six tackles (two for loss) and a sack.

Pick: Winnipeg.

Montreal Alouettes vs. B.C. Lions (Saturday night)

At Vancouver, Montreal (10-2) chases the home-and-home sweep following a 37-30 victory Friday night. Davis Alexander had 297 yards passing and a TD, but running back Travis Theis (831 yards, 6.3-yard average, seven TDs) suffered a leg injury and is on the six-game injured list. Receiver Charleston Rambo re-signed with the Alouettes after spending 2024-25 with the club. Nathan Rourke threw for 375 yards and two TDs as the Lions had their five-game win streak snapped. Linebacker Darnell Sankey had nine tackles against his former team, but making the trip West should give the home team an advantage.

Pick: B.C.

Last week: 4-0.

Overall: 35-19.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 9, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Former Montreal Canadiens winger André Pronovost, who won four straight Stanley Cups with the Habs, has died at 90.

The Canadiens say Pronovost died Tuesday, with the cause of death not disclosed.

The Shawinigan Falls, Que., native spent 10 seasons in the NHL with Montreal, Boston, Detroit and Minnesota.

Pronovost was part of four consecutive Stanley Cup championship teams with Montreal from 1957 to 1960. He had 109 points in 290 regular-season games with the Canadiens and added 22 points in 70 playoff contests.

He finished his NHL career with the Minnesota North Stars in 1967-68 after being selected in the 1967 expansion draft.

Pronovost, the grandfather of New Jersey Devils forward Anthony Mantha, finished his NHL career with 198 points in 557 games.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Canada forced the United States’ hand in delivering its latest trade war escalation, according to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade czar.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer issued a statement late Tuesday shortly after Trump signed five executive orders that banned most imports of Canadian dairy and alcohol products, as well as motorcycles.

“After weeks of good faith and intensive efforts between U.S. and Canadian negotiators, Canada walked away from a near-final trade deal that offered better treatment than any other trading partner, and instead Canada chose to embark on senseless retaliation against the United States,” said Greer.

“Today’s action, combining targeted import bans as authorized by Section 338 and a calibration of the underlying Section 338 tariffs, is a natural consequence of Canada’s continued discriminatory treatment of crucial American exports, ranging from alcoholic beverages to dairy products to motor vehicles. President Trump will continue to leverage the tools at his disposal to defend the interests of American workers and exporters, and restore reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney pulled the plug on trade negotiations in August saying Canada was “walking away from a bad deal,” and cited three key sticking points that led the talks to collapse.

One of the issues related to automotive tariffs, and what Carney referred to as “the treatment of Canadian content” in some motor vehicles. The proposed deal only offered tariff relief for cars, while medium or heavy vehicles like trucks were excluded, which Carney said would severely impact Canada’s automotive manufacturing sector.

Another issue Carney described was that the United States wanted to include terms in the deal that would put limits on the trade deals Canada was able to seek with other countries.

Finally, Carney said there were disagreements over French language rules, with few details of exactly where the two sides had disagreed but suggested it related, in particular, to French and said those rules would have amounted to a broader attack on Canada.

“ efforts to restrict our protections of our language, our culture, and in effect, our sovereignty,” he said.

Canada’s minister responsible for U.S. trade, Dominic LeBlanc, issued a statement on social media late Tuesday in response, and said he is “in contact” with Greer.

“When the US is ready to engage, our government will work in good faith and constructively towards a more secure mutually beneficial trading relationship that fully respects Canadian sovereignty,” said LeBlanc.

https://x.com/dleblancnb/status/2097495275086516733?s=46

An earlier statement from LeBlanc’s press secretary on Tuesday said, “Canadian and American officials have maintained ongoing discussions on a range of issues, although formal trade negotiations are not taking place at this stage.”

The latest trade war escalation by the U.S. followed Canada implementing dollar-for-dollar counter tariff measures on U.S. goods on Tuesday, and after tariffs of 50 per cent were imposed on hundreds of Canadian products last month.

Trump last month used Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to hit Canada with 50 per cent tariffs, accusing Canada of treating the U.S. unfairly.

Tuesday’s executive orders justified Trump’s latest move by saying Canada didn’t stop its discrimination against U.S. autos, dairy and vehicles so now they are able to block the import of certain products because it is “consistent with the interests of the United States and the public interests.”

Speaking in a video posted on social media prior to Trump’s latest escalation, and after implementing counter-tariff measures on the U.S., Carney said, “in the spring of last year, I warned that America is trying to break us so they can own us. And I promised that that will never, ever happen.”

Carney also warned Canadians that “this won’t be easy, and I won’t pretend otherwise,” adding that the alternative would be far worse.

– with files from Global News’ Isaac Callan and The Canadian Press.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A female cyclist has been taken to hospital after a crash with a vehicle on Wednesday morning.

Toronto police said they were called to the area of Sheppard Avenue East and McCowan Road around 9:20 a.m. to respond to the collision.

Investigators said the cyclist and the driver collided, and the driver remained at the scene.

Paramedics said the woman was taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Westbound lanes on Sheppard Avenue East were briefly closed after the collision but have reopened.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

EDMONTON – The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Alex Formenton to a one-year contract worth US$850,000.

He was one of five players from Canada’s 2018 world junior team who were acquitted last year on sexual assault charges stemming from an encounter with a woman after a Hockey Canada gala in London, Ont.

An independent appeal board ruled last month that the players breached the Hockey Canada code of conduct, but Formenton was the only one eligible for immediate reinstatement from suspension.

The board recommended continued suspensions from Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs for Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube and Michael McLeod. Hart plays for the Vegas Golden Knights, and Dube plays for the St. Louis Blues.

Formenton, a 26-year-old native of Barrie, Ont., spent three seasons over the last four years with HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland.

He was selected in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators. Over 109 career NHL games, Formenton has recorded 23 goals and 16 assists.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 9, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press