April Fools' Day jokes from city services, museums and businesses in Ottawa
The Canadian Science and Technology Museum announced on April Fools Day that it's teaming up with Airbnb to offer stays in the Governor General's rail cars. (Canadian Science and Technology Museum/Instagram)
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at a few of our favourite April Fools' Day jokes in Ottawa on Saturday.
OttaWin?
The city of Ottawa took to Twitter Saturday morning, saying the city is considering amalgamating with the city of Winnipeg, with the new city called 'OttaWin.'
"We are packing our bags and getting ready to move! Stay tuned for more information."
An image shared on social media said, "Ottawa + Winnipeg 4ever. OttaWin"
Life-sized statue of Ryan Reynolds in the ByWard Market
Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds is a popular guy in Ottawa.
After recently visiting to speak with the mayor and attend a Senators game, the ByWard Market joked that a life-sized statue of Reynolds will be erected in the heart of downtown.
"Comment below on who you're bringing to the grand unveiling," the ByWard Market said on Instagram Saturday morning.
Airbnb at the Canadian Science and Technology Museum
The Canadian Science and Technology Museum announced a pilot project with Airbnb to rent out a stay in the Governor General's rail cars.
"Drum roll, please. As of next week, you can book a stay in the Governor General's rail cars located in the Ingenium Centre's collection in Ottawa," the museum said in an Instagram post.
The AirBnb listing includes
- Sleeps 9 guests
- 8 bedrooms (two with their own washrooms and one with bunk beds)
- Two living rooms
- Dining room with a table for 12
- Kitchen and personal chef
- Office
- WiFi
Enraged Birds of Prey
The Canadian Aviation and Space Museum used April Fools' Day to announce a new exclusive audio compilation on Spotify, called "Enraged Birds of Prey."
"DYK that many airports keep birds from landing on their runways by broadcasting the calls of angry birds of prey," the museum said in an Instagram post.
"Each track is more terrifying than the last! Enjoy “Enraged Owl,” “Hawk About to Swoop,” and the unique ‘Eagle of Fury.’
"Aviation enthusiasts- you won’t want to miss this exclusive release! Listen in today!"
OC Transpo Ugly Sweaters
OC Transpo announced the pre-sale of its Ugly Holiday Sweater on April Fools' Day.
The sweaters include a Reindeer with the OC Transpo logo for a nose and the OC Transpo mascot on the front.
When you click on the link to the transit services' website, OC Transpo encourages people to donate to the Snowsuit Fund of Ottawa.
"April Fools! While our sweater may be a joke, the growing need to keep children warm during the winter isn’t."
New owner for the ByTown Museum
While Ryan Reynolds is part of one of the groups bidding to purchase the Ottawa Senators, the Bytown Museum used April Fools' Day to announce the Canadian actor is its new owner.
"We're thrilled to announce that @VancityReynolds, as part of his ongoing commitment to support #Ottawa's sports & cultural scenes, has purchased the Bytown Museum," the museum said on Twitter.
"Please join us in welcoming Ryan Reynolds to the Aviation American Gin Presents the Bytown Museum™ family!"
Ottawa Public Library
The Ottawa Public Library chose April Fools' Day to unveil its new library card design and guess who is on the front!
Ryan Reynolds has been a popular choice for local April Fools' Day jokes. The OPL showed off new cards with the actor's face on them.
"Get your hands on the most stylish card in town," says the OPL.
Goulbourn Museum discovers underground tunnels
The Goulbourn Museum joked that workers discovered a series of tunnels under the museum during HVAC installation.
"The Diefenbunker may not be the only underground bunker in Ottawa," an Instagram post said.
"We are very tight on space here, both in the Museum and in the History Centre. With an underground system of tunnels, the possibilities are endless.”
The image accompanying the post showed the tunnel entrance has stairs, handrails and graffiti already.
The Milk Shop
The Milk Shop in the ByWard Market has a new name on April Fools' Day – "Beverage."
"We're feeling a little sour this afternoon. It seems the dairy industry has curdled our plans to keep using 'Milk," The Milk Shop said on Instagram.
"As a small business we had no idea that they were udderly offended by our choice of store name. The dairy overlords have whey-ed in on our branding, and since we don't want to get into a cheesy situation, we've been forced to go with a new name. Say hello to Beverage."
Maker House
Maker House announced expansion plans into the Nordstrom store in the Rideau Centre on April Fools' Day.
"Thanks to your generous support over the years, we’re very excited to announce that we are moving into one of Ottawa’s largest retail spaces in the Rideau Centre – the former Nordstrom location, where we will have two floors, and 157,000 square feet, to showcase more local makers than ever!" Maker House said on Instagram.
Plans include a "Dog-of-the-Day Track" and Photo Booth and a "Build-a-Box Station" on Level 1.
"With two floors and 157,000 square feet of space, there’s more room than ever to shop local and support Canadian makers," Maker House said.
Return of the house hippo
Global Affairs Canada reminded Canadians to watch out for North American house hippos.
"Check bedroom closets for their nests and keep your kitchen floor clean of their favourite foods, such as raisins, chips and peanut butter on toast," a tweet from the @Canada account said.
The North American house hippo was the subject of a popular Concerned Children's Advertisers PSA in the late 1990s. Today, it appears, the government is warning Canadians to watch out for the beloved creatures again (who are much larger than they were more than 23 years ago!)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Singh calling for foreign interference special rapporteur Johnston to step aside
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is pushing for special rapporteur David Johnston to 'step aside' from his role examining the issue of foreign interference before he embarks on public hearings.
New Democrat MP says she is target of foreign interference by China
New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan said Monday that Canada's spy agency has confirmed her long-held belief that she is being targeted by the Chinese government over her advocacy for human rights in Hong Kong and for the Uyghur Muslim minority in China.
Northern B.C., Alberta and all of Ontario under 'high' to 'extreme' wildfire risk: What to know
There's a heightened risk of wildfires across the country during what has been one of the earliest fire seasons on record. From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, here's where the risk is highest.
'Tragedies occur far too often': Canada Safety Council shares swimming safety tips
With the summer swimming season fast approaching, the Canada Safety Council is reminding people to be careful and take measures to prevent drowning, especially after three children died just days apart.
Albertans head to polls in what's expected to be very close election between UCP, NDP
In Alberta today, the United Conservative Party is looking to win a second consecutive majority government while the NDP is fighting to regain the office it lost in 2019.
Provinces must seek anti-smoking measures in Big Tobacco settlement: health groups
Three national health organizations want Canada's premiers to push for initiatives to reduce smoking during settlement negotiations with major tobacco companies, years after provinces sued to recoup health-care costs.
BREAKING
BREAKING | B.C. woman Madison Scott found dead 12 years after being reported missing
Exactly 12 years after she was reported missing, police announced Madison Scott was found dead in central B.C.
WATCH
WATCH | Dashcam video shows out-of-control Nova Scotia wildfire
Dashcam footage shows the extent of the Tantallon wildfire as it raged in Hammonds Plains, N.S.
Body of 12-year-old Winnipeg boy who fell into Sturgeon Falls found
The body of a 12-year-old boy from Winnipeg who fell into Sturgeon Falls on Saturday has been found.
Atlantic
-
Halifax-area wildfire still out of control, 'many' structures destroyed
Officials say a wildfire that began in the Upper Tantallon, N.S., area Sunday afternoon is ongoing and still not under control.
-
Shelburne County wildfire out of control, about 1,500 evacuated
Roughly 450 homes have been evacuated in Shelburne County as a wildfire burns out of control over thousands of hectares.
-
400 homes evacuated, one destroyed by forest fires in southwestern New Brunswick
About 400 homes in southwestern New Brunswick have been evacuated because of forest fires that began Sunday after an all-terrain vehicle that burst into flames.
Toronto
-
More than half of GTA condo investors losing money on properties: report
A new report says for the first time ever, more than half of newly-completed condo investors in the Greater Toronto Area were losing money on their rental properties last year — and its authors expect the trend to persist.
-
Engaged couple shot dead fleeing landlord after house dispute near Hamilton, Ont., police say
A 'truly innocent' engaged couple was shot dead while attempting to flee their attacker outside their home after a landlord-tenant dispute escalated on Saturday night, according to police.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Police officer, school bus driver killed in violent crash north of Woodstock, Ont.
An Ontario Provincial Police officer and a school bus driver are dead after a violent crash north of Woodstsock Monday morning.
Montreal
-
Family of Quebec woman slain in 2017 suing police, says negligence led to killing
The family of a Quebec woman who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2017 has filed a lawsuit against the local police department, alleging that negligence by officers led directly to her death.
-
Quebec driver sentenced to 8 months after swerving to avoid ducks caused fatal collision
A Quebec driver who caused the death of another motorist when he swerved his truck to avoid hitting a family of ducks on the road has been sentenced to eight months in jail and a three-year driving ban.
-
Quebec has launched a new portal for anyone who wants to learn French
As of June 1, anyone wishing to learn or improve their command of the French language will have to register via the Francisation Quebec portal, the government's new single point of service for coordinating all French language learning services.
Northern Ontario
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Police officer, school bus driver killed in violent crash north of Woodstock, Ont.
An Ontario Provincial Police officer and a school bus driver are dead after a violent crash north of Woodstsock Monday morning.
-
Body of 12-year-old Winnipeg boy who fell into Sturgeon Falls found
The body of a 12-year-old boy from Winnipeg who fell into Sturgeon Falls on Saturday has been found.
-
Small plane crashes at North Bay airport, minor injuries
A small plane crashed at North Bay airport Monday and minor injuries are being reported.
London
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Police officer, school bus driver killed in violent crash north of Woodstock, Ont.
An Ontario Provincial Police officer and a school bus driver are dead after a violent crash north of Woodstsock Monday morning.
-
12-year-old Windsor, Ont. hockey player appears in court after being charged with assault
A hockey parent from Windsor never believed he’d see his son in court. Accompanied by his parents and brother, the 12-year-old boy made his first appearance in a London, Ont. courtroom Monday after being charged with assault causing bodily harm after a hockey fight in February.
-
Victim remains in hospital with critical injuries after driver crashes into London, Ont. home and strikes gas line, charges laid
Multiple charges have been laid against a man London police allege stole a vehicle late last week and crashed into a home, striking a gas line and sending one person to hospital with critical injuries.
Winnipeg
-
Body of 12-year-old Winnipeg boy who fell into Sturgeon Falls found
The body of a 12-year-old boy from Winnipeg who fell into Sturgeon Falls on Saturday has been found.
-
Winnipeg forecasting $27 million deficit
The City of Winnipeg’s rainy day fund could be running dry.
-
Kerry Smith running as Liberal candidate in Portage-Lisgar byelection
The Liberal Party has named its candidate for the upcoming Portage-Lisgar byelection
Kitchener
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Rural Ont. intersection where bus driver and OPP officer killed site of frequent crashes, say neighbours
The rural Oxford County intersection where an OPP officer and a school bus driver were killed Monday was less than a month away from becoming a four-way stop when the deadly crash happened.
-
Motorcyclist taken to hospital after crash in Cambridge
A motorcyclist has been taken to hospital after a crash on Pinebush Road in Cambridge.
-
House hit with gunfire in Brantford, shell casings found: police
Brantford police are looking into reports of shots fired after a home was allegedly hit with gunfire.
Calgary
-
2 people shot and killed by Calgary police on Memorial Drive
Calgary police have closed Memorial Drive in both directions between Edmonton Trail and St. George's Drive N.E. after shooting two suspects.
-
Battleground: An election expected to be won or lost in Calgary
With voters set to cast their ballot in this election campaign, polls and political watchers have said Calgary is where the election will either be won or lost for Alberta’s next government.
-
Giraffe at Calgary zoo died from a broken neck, investigation reveals
Officials with the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo have released more information about the death of Emara, a 12-year-old Masai giraffe, earlier this month.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon Catholic schools' office splattered with rainbow paint
Following the leak of a controversial email, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools' downtown office was hit with an apparent act of vandalism Monday morning.
-
Death of Saskatoon man ruled a homicide
A death at an apartment in the 100 block of Confederation Place on Saturday night has been ruled a homicide, police say.
-
Saskatoon apartment fire that left 26 homeless may have been arson, investigator says
Twenty-six people have been rehoused to a local hotel after a suspicious fire that forced an entire four-storey west side apartment building to evacuate on Sunday night.
Edmonton
-
Albertans head to polls in what's expected to be very close election between UCP, NDP
In Alberta today, the United Conservative Party is looking to win a second consecutive majority government while the NDP is fighting to regain the office it lost in 2019.
-
LIVE at 8
LIVE at 8 | Alberta election live updates: Follow map results when polls close at 8 p.m.
Watch CTV News Edmonton's special election broadcast on air and online when polls close.
-
Some of the memorable comments made during Alberta election campaign
Candidates for both the United Conservative Party and New Democrats have been campaigning over the last four weeks for their party to form the next Alberta government. Here are some memorable quotes from the campaign.
Vancouver
-
'I am and will continue to be a target of foreign interference': Vancouver New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan
New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan says Canada's spy agency has told her she is an ongoing target of the Chinese government.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | B.C. woman Madison Scott found dead 12 years after being reported missing
Exactly 12 years after she was reported missing, police announced Madison Scott was found dead in central B.C.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING | North Vancouver police incident reaches 'positive resolution': RCMP
An incident that drew a heavy police presence to North Vancouver Monday has reached a "positive resolution," according to the RCMP.
Regina
-
Weekend tornado near Regina confirmed as first in Canada of 2023
The first twister of 2023 in the country touched down near Regina over the weekend, according to an analysis from the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP).
-
Intense thunderstorm leads to flooded streets in Regina
A ferocious thunderstorm that pelted Regina with heavy rain, hail and a tornado led to traffic hold ups and business closures across the city.
-
'Gives you a shot of life': Riders' Harris returns to training camp after birth of son
Quarterback Trevor Harris re-joined the team after missing part of last week and the game for the birth of his third son, Tripp Joseph Harris.