Maple Leaf Beat — Morning Audio Brief · 2026-11-13

Maple Leaf Beat Morning Audio Brief for Friday, November 13, 2026 — tap play above to listen with slides and subtitles. Here's what happened overnight and what to watch today, compiled from CTV News, CBC, Global News, The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star.

Global Microsoft outage stretches into second day, hitting hospitals and Via Rail

A worldwide Microsoft outage has now stretched into a second day, and Canadian services are feeling it. More than 35,000 combined issues were reported with Outlook across Canada and the U.S. as of 9:30 p.m. ET, according to Downdetector data cited by CTV News. Unity Health Toronto says the disruption is affecting email services across its hospitals, while universities and Via Rail have also reported impacts. Microsoft says it is still struggling to fully restore email and other Microsoft 365 services — a stark reminder of how much of daily Canadian life runs on a single provider.

B.C. flooding: shelter-in-place advisories issued near Squamish as storm surge looms

Heavy rain over B.C.'s South Coast has triggered evacuation orders and alerts in the Sea-to-Sky region, with shelter-in-place advisories issued near Squamish and for parts of the Pemberton Valley as flooding closed roads, CBC reports. The good news: the rain itself is easing. The bad news: Global News meteorologists warn a storm surge is now heading for southwest B.C., posing a fresh flood risk even as the skies clear. Residents along the coast are being urged to stay clear of low-lying areas.

Ottawa moves to overhaul airport security after W5 luggage-tag investigation

The federal government is making changes to airport security following a CTV W5 investigation that revealed drug trafficking using luggage tags at Canadian airports. The scheme — bag-tag switching that saw innocent travellers unknowingly carry smuggled luggage — has already upended lives: one Toronto man caught in a tag switch now faces 15 years in an Albanian prison. Eleven people are suing for compensation over the alleged switching at Pearson airport, arguing the system ignored them. The overhaul signals Ottawa is treating the loophole as a systemic failure, not an isolated one.

Carney set to sign two Asian trade deals on nine-day, four-summit trip

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to sign two Asian trade deals on a nine-day trip spanning four summits, the Toronto Star reports — a major test of his middle-power pitch. The itinerary includes meetings in Ireland, the Philippines, Cambodia and China, aimed at expanding markets for Canadian exports and strengthening security alliances. Carney has already wrapped talks with European leaders in Dublin on Ukraine and security, with associate EU membership also on the table. Back home, ministers continue to promote the federal budget while the Prime Minister works the international circuit.

Ford government unveils sweeping OSAP changes; critics say struggling students left out

Ontario's Ford government has unveiled big changes to OSAP, the provincial student loan program, under proposed legislation targeting fraud concerns. Private colleges will be held financially liable for OSAP misuse — a direct response to cases like one career college where OSAP usage rose 6,000 per cent yet the school wasn't cut off this spring, according to CP24 and CBC. Three Ontario private colleges have already laid off staff as an OSAP pause continues. Critics, however, say the package offers no help for students already struggling with affordability.

First snow of the season heads for Atlantic Canada today

Weather statements have been issued across the Maritimes as a low-pressure system moving out of New England brings a mix of snow and rain to Nova Scotia on Friday — the inaugural snowfall of the season for parts of Atlantic Canada, per The Weather Network. Forecasters expect a messy mix rather than a major dump, but Friday morning commutes could be slippery. Travellers flying out of the region should expect potential delays.

Sources

Maple Leaf Beat Audio · 2026-11-13 · morning · Narrated edition, compiled from CTV News, CBC, Global News, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and The Weather Network.