Arborists working non-stop to address storm damage
Arborists working non-stop to address storm damage
Arborists working non-stop to address storm damage
No matter which direction you drive, you will most likely pass a tree that has been destroyed by Saturday’s storm. Cleaning up the mess will take time, but in some cases, it needs to be done carefully.
In the Rideauview neighbourhood, Bob Couturier is having his tree removed before any more damage can be done.
“The winds and rain were so heavy, it blew this tree right over the fence,” says Couturier. “If the fence gave way, it’s going to take down the eavestroughing and take out our back windows.”
Trees are down across the capital, which means arborists in Ottawa are working non-stop.
Urban Tree Works owner Ian Lawford is a certified arborist. He’s been taking dozens of calls every day since the storm hit.
“It was already very busy. This is the busiest time of year,” says Lawford. “My priority is just to mitigate hazards. Dismantle things. Get things safe.”
With the amount of destruction, he says Ottawa's canopy and landscape could look different for the next generation.
“It will be changed,” says Lawford. “You’ll see evidence of this storm for decades. Just like the ice storm.”
Another tree, in Ryan Dehaas’s backyard in Bells Corners, is also on the brink of failing.
“I’ve just been staring at it the whole day making sure. We went over to move stuff out of the way because if it fell there would be glass everywhere,” says Dehaas.
Like a tree surgeon, Lawford starts from the top and works his way down. Meticulously removing limbs and eliminating risk.
Even though hundreds of trees are down in Ottawa right now, Lawford says some of it could have been avoided if trees were assessed and maintained properly and early action was taken.
“That could have been prevented, or at least mitigated if it had support using cables and braces,” says Lawford. “I’ve gone around and looked at all the trees that I’ve supported in the past few years. And from what I can see, none of them have failed as a result of that poor structure.”
The storm cleanup will most likely take weeks, but that's a relatively short period compared to how long it will take to bring back the old growth that attracted many homeowners to neighbourhoods in the first place.
Thousands of people wearing red and white and waiving Canadian flags packed downtown Ottawa to celebrate Canada's 155th birthday on Friday, while groups of protesters popped up around Parliament Hill to protest COVID-19 vaccines and federal restrictions.
U.S. President Joe Biden intends to nominate an anti-abortion Republican lawyer to a federal judgeship, two Kentucky Democrats informed of the decision say.
Canada Day has kicked off the unofficial start of summer, and the tourism sector is hopeful the first season in three years largely free of COVID-19 restrictions will marshal a much-needed boost for a pandemic-stricken industry.
A California man has posted a widely-shared video in an attempt to educate people about the monkeypox virus outbreak, to encourage people to get vaccinated if they're eligible and to make it very clear: 'You do not want this.'
When Dan Fine returned from his first trip volunteering at animal shelters on the Polish-Ukrainian border in late April, he immediately felt compelled to return to continue helping pets that have been left behind in the war.
Moving toward reconciliation doesn't come from jumping 'the queue to perfection,' but by building bridges and trusting one another, Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk told CTV News Channel during Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa on Friday.
In the wake of last year’s discoveries of unmarked graves at residential schools and the prominent displays of the Canadian flag during 'Freedom Convoy' protests, some Canadians are re-evaluating the meaning of the national symbol.
A recent survey shows nearly 50 per cent of Canadians who rent expect to do so forever. As rising interest and inflation rates contribute to a sense of pessimism among first-time homebuyers in Canada, some are sharing their struggles with purchasing their first house.
The spouse of the gunman in the Nova Scotia mass shooting will testify mid-July before a public inquiry, but she won't face direct questions from lawyers representing victims' families.
As Claire Mahaney-Lion dropped her son off at school this morning, she questioned the reasons behind scheduling a school day that would last fewer than two hours.
Saint John is having its dog day. The host city of the 2022 Memorial Cup is celebrating after the Saint John Sea Dogs bested the Hamilton Bulldogs 6-3 in front of a capacity crowd during Wednesday's championship game at TD Station.
A prominent housing advocacy group fears Quebec could see an increase in households left without a permanent place to live as leases expire across the province on July 1.
A group of Indigenous people in Quebec expressed disappointment and concern Friday after learning that only 400 seats will be reserved for residential school survivors at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré during Pope Francis' visit on July 28.
Science North and the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association held an event showcasing many cultures, traditions and tastes that make up their diverse city.
Hundreds of people lined up for free hot dogs and for fun in the suds in Hollinger Park in Timmins on Canada Day. The event was hosted by the City of Timmins and the Timmins Community Park Association.
In-person Canada Day festivities made a return on Friday for the first time since the pandemic started, with residents bringing back old traditions and creating new ones.
A pro-choice rally was held at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Friday -- a week after Roe v. Wade was reversed by the United States Supreme Court.
Emergency service workers in the Region of Waterloo kicked off a friendly competition Friday to see which team can donate the most blood by Labour Day.
Waterloo Region held its first in-person Canada Day celebrations since 2019 and there were several local events for residents to show off their Canadian pride.
Friday marked the first Canada Day in two years without any public health restrictions, which meant Calgarians were finally able to gather at several in-person events across the city.
From drumming circles, charity runs, to a healing walk, Edmontonians found a way to celebrate their country or reflect on its past in a manner that felt right to them.
Jalen Collins recovered a fumble and scored on a 14-yard return in the fourth quarter to give the Edmonton Elks their first win of the season with a 29-25 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday.
It's been almost a year since Kabul's fall and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Among the many aspects of Afghan society threatened by the Taliban is the country's rich musical culture.
Marc Diaz is warning others after he spent 11 hours waiting at the Surrey, B.C., passport office this week, only to return to his car and find an $80 ticket – because the adjoining parking lot has a three-hour limit.
The COVID-19 pandemic hindered Canada Day celebrations for the past two years. But on Saturday, the red and white was back in full force in Regina with events all around the city.
Both the City of Regina and the provincial government remind travellers to stay safe due to the increased number of people travelling for the Canada Day long weekend.
