CTV National News for Friday, July 17, 2026: Nearly 900 wildfires burn across Canada, forcing evacuations

Nearly 900 wildfires burn across Canada, with smoke spreading across much of North America, as Northern Ontario faces evacuations; Wildfire smoke continues to impact the GTA, with air quality warnings in effect as millions on both sides of the border try to cope; Canadian wildfire smoke has blanketed parts of the U.S., prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to threaten new tariffs; Floods, hail, and tornadoes have damaged 300,000 hectares in Manitoba, leaving farmers struggling through a difficult growing season. 

First Nations from northwestern Ontario have had to evacuate to Thunder Bay as wildfires consume their homes; Doctors encourage vulnerable populations to stay inside as much as possible as Toronto ERs see an increase in breathing difficulties; and, investigators suggest that steel tracks expanding due to heat may have contributed to a frightening train derailment in Quebec.

Dozens of wildfires in northern Ontario have spread an enormous blanket of smoke, giving Toronto the worst air quality in the world; Out-of-control wildfires in northern Ontario have forced many, especially remote communities, to flee to safety in Thunder Bay; and, home insurance premiums have gone up a staggering 45 per cent since 2019 due to the frequency of extreme weather-related claims.

From torrential downpours in Quebec to roads warping under high heat in Winnipeg, weather across the country is unstable; Gas prices have shot up five to 10 cents per litre across Canada in the past 24 hours. Adrian Ghobrial explains who is being squeezed the hardest; and, advocates and public health leaders are cautiously optimistic as B.C. opioid overdose deaths have dropped by more than 50 per cent.

Following a deadly shooting at a Toronto festival, many are calling for harsher punishments on illegal guns and tighter security at events; A new Canadian Medical Journal report is raising the alarm about the spread of anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease that can be fatal; and, Jared Gross, 17, and his friends intentionally ditched their smartphones for flip phones. Kathy Le reports on what scans of their brains revealed to researchers.

Two people are dead after a horrific shooting at Salsa on St. Clair, Canada’s largest Latin street festival; PM Carney addresses separatism concerns in a conversation with CTV News during his visit to the Calgary Stampede; more and more Canadian companies are moving their production and manufacturing to the U.S. to avoid dealing with harsh tariffs; and more.

Toronto police are investigating after a deadly shooting at the Salsa on St. Clair festival, the Gordie Howe bridge opening finally expected after numerous delays, community members in St. John’s, Newfoundland are grieving after a teenager drowned at the Leech Brook swimming hole; and more.

Suppliers JBS and National Beef have been accused of artificially driving up the price of beef. Adrian Ghobrial reports on how consumers could be compensated; New numbers from Statistics Canada reveal that youth employment increased by 33,000 jobs in the month of June; and, prices at the pump have responded to the instability in the Strait of Hormuz, but experts forecast some relief is on the way.

Investment talks took top priority as the PM and his Saudi counterparts met, while critics are wary of the nation’s rights abuses; Cyclospora, a microscopic bug found in human feces, has found its way into U.S. produce through contaminated water; and, Allison Bamford reports from Swift Current, Sask. where volunteers have worked to identify unmarked graves of Second World War veterans and honour their service.

Following a gang bust, the RCMP says there is no connection between the Indian government and the killing of a Canadian Sikh activist; U.S. President Donald Trump says the fragile ceasefire no longer stands as the American and Iranian militaries exchanges missile strikes; and, the Lotus Electra, a high-end luxury SUV, is the first Chinese electric vehicle to hit the Canadian market following a new trade deal.