In pictures: May 21 storm in Ottawa

Ottawa Top Stories

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Poilievre joins soldier protesting COVID-19 mandates in march through Ottawa ahead of Canada Day

Canadian Forces veteran James Topp was joined by Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre on his march through Ottawa today, as part of the final leg of his cross-country march to protest COVID-19 vaccine requirements.

Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre marches with Canadian veteran James Topp as the Canada Marches "March to Freedom" arrives in Ottawa. (Jeremie Charron/CTV News Ottawa)

Omicron cousin BA.5 predicted to cause nearly 70 per cent of COVID-19 cases by Canada Day

Researchers examining the threat of emerging COVID-19 strains predict Omicron BA.5 will account for nearly 70 per cent of cases in much of the country by Canada Day.

Supreme Court says expanded rape shield laws are constitutional

The Supreme Court of Canada says the expanded rules to further prevent a sexual assault complainant's past from being used against them in a trial are 'constitutional in their entirety.'

Stocks are down, but here's why experts say you shouldn't panic

As stocks continue to slump, it can be easy to let your emotions take over if you've got money invested in the market. But experts agree that there's no need to panic if you're invested in the right type of portfolio with the right level of risk.

Health Canada says baby formula shipments coming, but supply to remain limited during summer

More than a month after Canada reported a shortage of baby formula for allergic infants, Health Canada says supplies will continue to be limited during the summer even with new shipments on the horizon.

Importing dogs from more than 100 countries to be banned in Canada

Animal rescue groups are criticizing a new policy by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that will ban the import of dogs from more than 100 countries.

WATCH

WATCH | Physician expects new COVID-19 variants every few months: 'Whole world is a petri dish'

An emergency room physician in Toronto is warning that COVID-19 variants will continue to 'mutate endlessly' as the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 are poised to become the dominant strains of the virus.

Quebec group goes to court over Governor General's lack of French

A group of Quebecers is going to court to argue that Mary Simon's appointment as governor general should be invalidated because she isn't fluent in French.

My landlord is increasing my rent – what should I do?

With increasing rent prices likely to be the reality for many Canadian tenants, some may be wondering how to navigate rising costs, or whether any course of action can be taken, if any. Legal experts across the country share their advice on how to handle a rent hike.

Atlantic

Spouse of gunman to testify at N.S. shooting hearings but won't be cross-examined

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.
Overdose prevention site opens in Cape Breton

A new overdose prevention site (OPS) opened this week in Sydney, providing people a safe space to use drugs and prevent opioid overdose deaths.
'It’s a waste of time': Low turnout for the final day of school in Nova Scotia

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.

Toronto

Ontario reports week-over-week uptick in COVID hospitalizations for first time since May

Ontario is reporting a week-over week uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations for the first time since May.
Ontario gas prices about to take massive drop. This is when that will happen

Ontario gas prices are about to take a huge drop and one expert says it will be 'well worth waiting' if drivers can hold off on filling up.
Ontario's modified G road test to remain in place indefinitely

There's good news for drivers in Ontario who hate parallel parking and don’t currently have G class licence.

Montreal

Compensation questions loom for Air Canada customers with cancelled flights

Consumer rights advocates are demanding Air Canada provide compensation to many of the hundreds of thousands of passengers whose summer flights it cancelled.
Two people reported dead following Longueuil fire

Two people have been reported dead and one person is in critical condition after a fire broke out in a home in Longueuil on Montreal's South Shore.
Quebec group goes to court over Governor General's lack of French

A group of Quebecers is going to court to argue that Mary Simon's appointment as governor general should be invalidated because she isn't fluent in French.

Northern Ontario

St. Charles College teacher in Sudbury charged with sexual assault

Sudbury police are releasing few details, but they have charged a 56-year-old male teacher at St. Charles College with sexually assaulting students under the age of 16.
Ford says wage increase for Ontario public school teachers will be 'more than 1 per cent'

Public-sector teachers in Ontario will see their wages increase by more than one per cent as legislation aimed at capping compensation for those workers is set to expire later this year.
June winner of Sudbury hospital's 50/50 draw takes home $557K

A North Bay woman is the winner of Health Sciences North's 50/50 draw for June.

London

'A weight has been lifted off our shoulders': Grand Bend business owners relieved construction phase is over

It’s the first long weekend in weeks without construction and traffic delays along the main strip in Grand Bend.
Two local hospitals close emergency room this long weekend

It’s not the kind of news folks in Clinton, wanted to hear. Their community’s emergency room will be unavailable for the entire Canada Day long weekend.
Sorry— not sorry? School board motion to apologize to rural leaders dies behind closed doors

“By any stretch what happened, under the municipal act, was illegal, poor governance, no accountability,” the Deputy Mayor of Thames Centre Kelly Elliott says about a decision earlier this week by the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB).

Winnipeg

AMC working to remove Arlen Dumas after probe found his conduct amounted to 'workplace sexual harassment'

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is working to remove Arlen Dumas as Grand Chief of the organization.
Transit bus crashes into home on River Avenue

A crash involving a Transit bus that appears to have smashed into a home has shut down a road near Osborne Village.
Man rushed to hospital in critical condition after downtown stabbing: WPS

Kitchener

No movement at Kitchener encampment on eviction day

The eviction deadline for people living at an encampment at Victoria and Weber Streets in Kitchener has come and gone, but residents of the property say they’re not moving.
SIU clears Brantford officer who shot man with anti-riot weapon

A Brantford police officer who shot an Anti-riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 53-year-old man earlier this year will not face charges.
City of Kitchener announces death of baby swan

The news comes just two days after the City launched a naming contest for the young bird, which it said was the first offspring of Victoria Park swans, Otis and Ophelia.

Calgary

WestJet taking steps to cope with 'unpredecented challenge'

Calgary-based WestJet says it is taking a 'very measured' strategy in order to maintain services this summer, which includes a lighter summer travel schedule that the company introduced earlier this year.
Feds commit $10M to Calgary Stampede recovery

The federal government is giving more than $12 million to help southern Alberta's tourism industry, with the lion's share going to the Calgary Stampede.
Calgary arson suspect captured by convenience store camera

Surveillance video of the suspect in two deliberately set fires in a northwest Calgary neighbourhood has been released as police search for the firebug.

Saskatoon

BREAKING
BREAKING | Maroon 5 cancels tour stop in Saskatoon

Ticket holders for the Maroon 5 concert, originally planned to take place Aug 6. at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon were treated to a cancellation message this afternoon.
'Unprovoked and senseless': Sentencing starts for man who robbed and killed a retired Prince Albert bus driver

On Wednesday, court heard sentencing arguments for a man who killed a retired Prince Albert bus driver during a robbery.
Environment Canada confirms 3 tornadoes touched down in Sask. on Wednesday

Environment Canada has confirmed that three tornadoes touched down in Saskatchewan on Wednesday.

Edmonton

Residents asked to look for weapon used in fatal stabbing

Police are asking the public to help them find a weapon used in a homicide earlier this year.
Mom and child escape fire at SW Edmonton home

A mother and her child were not injured after a fire broke out in a southeast Edmonton home on Thursday.
'Horrifying': Man charged in complex investigation involving dozens of Edmonton arsons

A man is facing multiple charges in connection with a rash of arsons in the Alberta Avenue area, and police are calling him a key suspect in a complex investigation.

Vancouver

Vancouver laser clinic's dedication bench in Stanley Park prompts online debate

Dedication benches are a familiar sight for visitors in Vancouver's parks, with plaques that most often pay touching tribute to a lost loved one – but the space is also available to companies and organizations willing to make a large enough donation to the city.
Horseshoe Bay ferry lineup nears Hwy. 99 on hectic day of sailing cancellations

Many ferry passengers faced massive lineups and hours-long delays heading into the Canada Day long weekend after mechanical problems forced the Queen of Alberni out of service.
Details of decapitation case, including adopted persona, body in suitcase, rehashed in B.C. court

A man convicted of the gruesome murder of his roommate more than a decade ago was back in a British Columbia court recently, trying to argue he is not criminally responsible for the death.

Regina

BREAKING
BREAKING | Maroon 5 cancels tour stop in Saskatoon

Ticket holders for the Maroon 5 concert, originally planned to take place Aug 6. at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon were treated to a cancellation message this afternoon.
3 COVID-19 deaths reported in Saskatchewan's final weekly update

Three more COVID-19 related deaths were reported in Saskatchewan for the week of June 19-25 as the province now moves from weekly updates to monthly ones.
Sask. government reports strong finances for 2021-22 fiscal year

While total revenue increased for the province, drought conditions and COVID-19 increased some expenses according to the government’s public accounts report.