Youth as young as 13 can buy a gun for a couple hundred bucks in some Toronto neighbourhoods, says a former gang leader who’s now involved in anti-violence work.

Torstar asked the Toronto Police Service about trends in gun and drug trafficking in the city, what the service is doing to combat the trafficking and what, if any, impact the pandemic has had. Here's the police response from spokesperson Connie Osborne:

This is a Torstar Comunities-wide series on drugs, guns and human trafficking happening along the major highways that run through our communities.

Torstar Community Brands compiled all the stories about major crimes along the highways across Ontario, published between Jan. 1 and July 31, 2020, to look at what criminal activities have taken place in our communities.

On the line from Windsor, twin sisters Mesia Walker and Nena Buduhan are laughing in that way you laugh when you’ve reached the end of your rope. Laughing to keep from crying.

Leanne Campbell was working two part-time jobs until COVID-19 hit. In mid-March the restaurant where she earned her main source of income as a server, closed its doors. So did the clothing shop, where she worked a second job.

A massive willow tree is a growing concern for an Ancaster senior.

Liberals turn over thousands of pages on WE decision

Quebec reporting 104 COVID-19 cases, three more deaths linked to disease

Marine unit called to save life-jacket-less duo in Lake Ontario Saturday night

Montreal's St-Joseph's Oratory seeing less tourist traffic due to COVID-19

SURREY, B.C.—Fraser Health says a staff member at a long-term-care home has tested positive for COVID-19.

DALLAS, Ga.— A total of nine students and staff members at a Georgia high school have tested positive for the coronavirus, the principal said in a letter to parents after the school made headlines for online photos showing hallways packed with teens — many of them not wearing masks.

At first glance, lugging around heavy water containers in a wheelbarrow or pulling weeds under the hot mid-day sun may not seem a rewarding pastime during the pandemic.

At least 12,000 crew members are still stranded on cruise ships in U.S. waters because of the coronavirus pandemic, USA Today reported.

Montreal police looking for key witness in two slayings last week

Who can dismiss the Governor General? A look at protocols and possibilities

Before heading to a small backyard family gathering a couple of weeks ago, Alex Pollard made a very 2020 stop: the COVID-19 assessment centre.

Learned the term, “doom scrolling,” which pretty much describes my days, writes Lorraine Sommerfeld.

Ontario has now recorded fewer than 100 new COVID-19 cases for seven days in a row.

Hamilton’s famous plane tips its wings to Sylvia Cook

Hot weather “may persist into Tuesday,” says the city’s medical officer of health.

Ontario reports seventh straight day of fewer than 100 new cases of COVID-19

Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week

Ontario's pot store lottery winners sell shops as more consolidation expected

In Toronto and Vancouver, the two cities in Canada with the highest costs of living, renters have gotten a reprieve during the pandemic from most kinds of evictions and rent increases.

MONTREAL—For Politimi Karounis, August is usually spent buying new backpacks, pencils and notebooks for her two elementary school-aged children as they excitedly prepare to reunite with friends and teachers.

The latest coronavirus news from Canada and around the world Saturday. This file will be updated throughout the day. Web links to longer stories if available.

No winning ticket for Saturday night's $11 million Lotto 649 jackpot

Montreal police looking for driver who plowed through pedestrian zone downtown

On Friday, Ontario Superior Court upheld injunction banning protesters, who refer to themselves as “land defenders,” from the construction site

Canada’s new back-to-school COVID-19 guidelines include many of the measures already adapted by the Ontario government, but go further urging a phased in return to class, face shields for teachers and Plexiglas dividers.

HWDSB Kids Need Help also says the public board’s actions following allegations of racism among trustees are ‘not genuine’

Founder of Juripop legal clinic resigns amid misconduct allegation

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—The canine-cop TV series “Hudson & Rex” has been hit by COVID-19, forcing it to shut down production for at least a day.

Officer on patrol hears fire alarm and stops to help

Canada to match donations to Lebanon relief

26-year-old was stopped by police after allegedly travelling 121 kilometres an hour in a 60 zone Friday morning.

Police credit tips from the community

Quebec reports five additional deaths, 126 new COVID-19 cases

Authorities urge caution after Markham mosquitoes test positive for West Nile

Ontario is reporting 70 new cases of COVID-19 and one new death related to the virus today.

Ontario reports fewer than 100 new cases of COVID-19 for sixth day in a row

Seven mosquito pools in Halton, all in Oakville, have tested positive for West Nile virus this year.

Couple aboard motorcycle killed in collision in Boucherville, south of Montreal

“I have always focused on images about what could be if we only shifted our focus slightly and viewed what might be part of our world if looking at th

Two occupants of vehicle killed in collision.

“I loved Hamilton. I thought it would be home for the rest of my life. I loved the neighbourhood we lived in. I miss Hamilton. It was so special,” Edw

At a homeless shelter in Scarborough, an eight-year-old boy scurries through the halls with his friends until late at night — sometimes 10 or 11 p.m., much later than the 8 p.m. bedtime his mother wants. With more than 100 kids in the building, it’s tough to fight the lure of other voices outside their room.

When it comes to existential angst, you’d have to go some to beat the near-despair found recently by Star reporter Rosa Saba among young Canadians walloped by the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.