Northern Lights seen over Ottawa, eastern Ontario
Northern lights overhead in Dunrobin on March 23, 2023. (Christopher Illidge/CTV Viewer)
Ottawa and eastern Ontario residents who looked to the sky Thursday night were treated with a rare sight.
Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, made a rare appearance, with residents across Ontario treated to the stunning effect.
The Northern Lights normally aren't visible this far south.
According to The Weather Network, the display is due to a gigantic gap in the solar atmosphere, which emits a much stronger than usual solar wind. As that solar wind sweeps past earth, its charged particles cause a disturbance in the planet's geomagnetic field.
With clear skies Friday night, another viewing might be possible.
- Did you see the Northern Lights on Thursday and snap a photo? If so, we'd love to see it. Please email it to ottawanews@ctv.ca.
The Aurora Borealis as seen from Huntclub in Ottawa on March 23, 2023. (Cecilia Loizzo/CTV Viewer)
The Northern Lights from Carleton Place, Ont. on March 23, 2023. (Austinator Reid/CTV Viewer)
The Northern Lights seen over Stittsville on Thursday, Mar. 23, 2023. (Andrew Symes/CTV Viewer)
Last night's Aurora Borealis, observed in Ottawa. This photo was taken around mid-night during a brief moment of clear sky. (Nelson Liu/CTV Viewer)
The Northern Lights seen over Stittsville on Thursday, Mar. 23, 2023. (Courtesy Andrew Symes)
Aurora Borealis from South Mountain, ON. I have not seen or photographed a display like this in many years. (Gary Boyle/The Backyard Astronomer/CTV Viewer)
Northern lights seen Thursday night just before midnight over the town of Almonte, Ont. (Kelly Peltier/CTV Viewer)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Israel presses forward on two fronts as fears of a wider war mount
Israel pressed forward on two fronts Wednesday, pursuing a ground incursion into Lebanon against Hezbollah and conducting strikes in Gaza that killed dozens, including children.
Albertan first Canadian veteran to compete in Mrs. Universe pageant
In less than a year, an Alberta woman has gone from gracing the stage at her first pageant to competing at the Mrs. Universe pageant in South Korea. She's making history by becoming the first Canadian veteran to compete internationally.
Northern Ont. trial begins with shocking details about murder scene
The jury at the trial of a second-degree murder suspect in Sudbury on Wednesday heard graphic details of the crime scene discovered in a Kathleen Street apartment on Boxing Day 2020.
Bloc leader says ultimatum stands after Liberals vote against motion seeking boost to seniors' benefits
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet says his ultimatum to the government stands, after the Liberals voted against a motion seeking money to boost seniors' benefits on Wednesday.
Toronto police officer rushed to hospital after being shot
Toronto police say an officer has been shot while conducting an investigation midtown.
Japan airport shut after likely Second World War-era bomb explodes near runway, 87 flights cancelled
A regional airport in southwest Japan was closed on Wednesday after a U.S. bombshell, likely dropped during the Second World War to stem "kamikaze" attacks, exploded near its runway, causing nearly 90 flight cancellations.
Canadian figure skater suspended at least 6 years for 'sexual maltreatment'
Canadian figure skater Nikolaj Sorensen has been suspended for at least six years for 'sexual maltreatment,' the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner announced Wednesday.
Scientists discover large cold-water soft coral garden in Newfoundland
A project team from Newfoundland's Marine Institute has uncovered a nearly 10,000-square-metre cold-water soft coral garden, hidden just underneath the surface of the province's Funk Island Deep.
'Dream scenario' for Poilievre as Conservatives open up 20-point lead with NDP, Liberals tied
The latest Nanos numbers show Pierre Poilievre and the federal Conservative Party have opened up a significant lead, and Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have fallen back into a statistical tie with the NDP.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Atlantic
-
Police identify man found dead at Saint John encampment; foul play not suspected
The Saint John Police Force is investigating a sudden death after the body of a man was found at a tent encampment in the city.
-
Cape Breton sets new record with 5 cruise ships in one day
Five cruise ships docked across Cape Breton on Wednesday, setting a new record for the island.
-
DFO seizes more than $100,000 worth of lobster from N.S. facility
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) seized more than 13,000 pounds of lobster – worth more than $100,000 – from a facility in Shelburne County, N.S., on Wednesday.
Toronto
-
Toronto police officer rushed to hospital after being shot
Toronto police say an officer has been shot while conducting an investigation midtown.
-
Baby, child taken to hospital after driver strikes a ‘number’ of pedestrians in Etobicoke
An adult and two children are in hospital after being struck by the driver of a vehicle in Etobicoke Wednesday evening.
-
Police ID man fatally shot in parking lot of North York shopping centre
Police said 26-year-old Joey Omar Black was found shot in the parking lot of a shopping centre near Allen Road and Lawrence Avenue West just before midnight on Monday.
Montreal
-
Five people arrested in Montreal after police seize incendiary materials from vehicles
Montreal police (SPVM) arrested five people – three minors and two adults – who were in possession of incendiary materials in Cote-Saint-Luc and the Cote-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grace borough early Wednesday morning.
-
Abuse at the CHSLD de La Prairie: Bélanger orders a new investigation
The Minister responsible for Seniors, Sonia Bélanger, announced on Wednesday that she has ordered a new investigation at the long-term care centre (CHSLD) in La Prairie in connection with acts of abuse.
-
Los Angeles Kings begin taxpayer-subsidized NHL pre-season road trip in Quebec City
The Los Angeles Kings have arrived in Quebec City to kick off the final stretch of their NHL training camp, in a trip that's buoyed by millions of dollars in public money.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ont. trial begins with shocking details about murder scene
The jury at the trial of a second-degree murder suspect in Sudbury on Wednesday heard graphic details of the crime scene discovered in a Kathleen Street apartment on Boxing Day 2020.
-
'Dream scenario' for Poilievre as Conservatives open up 20-point lead with NDP, Liberals tied
The latest Nanos numbers show Pierre Poilievre and the federal Conservative Party have opened up a significant lead, and Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have fallen back into a statistical tie with the NDP.
-
Ex-Hedley singer Jacob Hoggard concludes his testimony in sexual assault trial
Jacob Hoggard wrapped up his time on the stand in his sexual assault trial this morning after the Crown cross-examined him on apparent gaps in his memory.
Windsor
-
'It was kind of like a job interview': Accused Windsorite admits to communications with terrorist organization
WARNING: This article contains content some may find offensive. Reader’s discretion is advised.
-
Windsor Tigers fans celebrate wildcard win
With their straight second win Wednesday, the Detroit Tigers swept the Houston Astros, advancing past the MLB playoffs' wildcard round and securing their spot in the American League Division Series (ALDS).
-
Windsor's emergency shelter system nearing capacity — and it's not even winter yet
Described as a "bubble on the edge of bursting," Windsor's emergency shelters are approaching maximum capacity much earlier than expected this year.
London
-
Client dies at London’s Carepoint facility
An investigation is underway at London's safe consumption site after someone who visited the facility died.
-
SafeSpace leaving Old East Village location, transitioning to outreach service for women and sex workers
A drop-in shelter for women and gender-nonconforming Londoners living unsheltered is closing its doors in the Old East Village and transitioning to an outreach service.
-
ACORN holds rally to call out a landlord they say is Ontario's biggest 'renovictor'
Local tenant advocates were part of a multi-city demonstration Wednesday.
Kitchener
-
Tenants union fighting 'largest renovictor in Ontario'
Renters in Kitchener, Ont. have joined with a local tenants union to call out the 'largest renovictor in Ontario.'
-
Solving a 57-year-old mystery could depend on finding DNA match
What happened to two Ontario men who left on a fishing trip 57 years ago and never returned home? That's something police say could be answered with a DNA sample.
-
Elmira jewellery store closing up for good just shy of its 100th anniversary
The family-owned business, which has been a fixture on Arthur Street South since 1927, made the difficult decision to shut down following a smash and grab robbery back in June.
Barrie
-
Aurora, Ont. man convicted of manslaughter after wife's disappearance sentenced
An Aurora, Ont. man who has maintained his innocence despite being convicted of killing his wife will learn his fate in a Newmarket courtroom on Wednesday.
-
OPP issues warning about Facebook Marketplace scams
Thinking about buying concert tickets or other items on Facebook? Police are warning the public about the risks of buying concert tickets and other items through social media, particularly Facebook Marketplace and Messenger.
-
Community mourns Ontario man killed in collision with unmarked OPP vehicle
Tributes have started pouring in for a Midland, Ont. man who died after reportedly being struck by an unmarked provincial police vehicle over the weekend.
Winnipeg
-
Armed man dies following officer-involved shooting in Winnipeg apartment
A man has died and Manitoba's police watchdog is investigating after an officer-involved shooting Wednesday afternoon.
-
Unknown Canadian soldier from First World War identified as Manitoba man
The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.
-
Manitoba premier apologizes to defence lawyers as legislature session resumes
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has apologized to defence lawyers for comments he made in ousting one of his caucus members.
Calgary
-
Airdrie mother desperately needs funds for life-saving cancer treatment
A 23-year-old Airdrie woman who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer while pregnant is desperately in need of hundreds of thousands of dollars for a potentially life-saving drug trial only available in the United States.
-
Homeowners scramble after Calgary tiny-home builder folds
Customers paid for tiny homes but are dealing with huge headaches after a Calgary company told them they are going out of business.
-
Pilot error to blame for Calgary plane crash that killed 6: report
A formal investigation into a fatal plane crash west of Calgary that killed six people in 2023 says the pilot was ill prepared and was driven by 'personal desire' to make the flight.
Edmonton
-
Nav Canada has no record of 'chemtrails' conversation with Alberta government
There are renewed questions over a recent comment by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on whether the province is being sprayed from above by so-called chemtrails.
-
New district policy, plans including 15-minute cities concept OK'd by Edmonton city council
Edmonton city council approved its new district policy and plans for 14 districts on Wednesday.
-
New bylaw will soon make it illegal to sell knives in Edmonton convenience stores
After years of pressure from community leaders, Edmonton city council is working on a bylaw to prohibit convenience stores from selling knives.
Regina
-
City of Regina council hears update on Lawson replacement costs, funding
Regina city councillors heard an update from administration on the Lawson Aquatic Centre replacement at Executive Committee Wednesday.
-
'A fundamental right': Saskatchewan advocacy group pushes for cost free contraception
The federal government announced plans to include contraception in their National Pharmacare plan earlier this year, and one Saskatchewan advocacy group is hopeful the province will jump on board.
-
'Thanks to the organization for sticking with me': Lauther prepares for 100th CFL game
When Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker, Brett Lauther, takes to the field at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on Saturday it will mark his hundredth career Canadian Football League (CFL) game.
Saskatoon
-
Hard for voters to get excited about Saskatchewan's 'little election,' political scientist says
A Saskatoon-based political scientist doesn't expect Saskatchewan's provincial election to be dominated by large issues, explosive events or political fireworks prior to voting day on Oct. 28.
-
-
'An exciting way to meet people': Saskatoon photographer matches singles on blind date
A Saskatoon photographer is hoping to make some love connections through a unique blind dating. The idea came out of a need to help singles get offline and back to real in-person connections.
Vancouver
-
'Like going to a buffet with no one else in line': Housing sales stall in Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley
New data from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley shows a surge in supply and drop in demand in the region's historically hot real estate market.
-
Plea from B.C. election candidates: Stop trashing our campaign signs
The moment the writ was dropped for the Oct. 19 election, candidates all over B.C. began putting up campaign signs. By the following day, many of those signs had already been stolen or vandalized, and that’s continuing today.
-
DoorDash adds fees in response to B.C. gig worker wage law
DoorDash is increasing fees in British Columbia in response to recently passed provincial legislation.
Vancouver Island
-
DoorDash adds fees in response to B.C. gig worker wage law
DoorDash is increasing fees in British Columbia in response to recently passed provincial legislation.
-
Indigenous-led campaign against gender-based violence tells John Rustad to stop wearing its pin
A grassroots campaign to end gender-based violence has sent a letter to BC Conservative Leader John Rustad informing him it is withdrawing permission for him to wear its symbol.
-
Military pharmacist fined $10K for stealing hundreds of amphetamine pills in B.C.
A Canadian Armed Forces pharmacist was fined $10,000 and given a severe reprimand Wednesday after admitting to stealing hundreds of pills from a British Columbia military base to feed his spiralling drug addiction.
Kelowna
-
Several 'aggressors' arrested after B.C. teen swarmed, B.C. RCMP say
Three young suspects have been arrested in connection with a swarming attack on a teenager in B.C.'s Okanagan last week – and authorities have asked the public to stop circulating disturbing videos of the incident.
-
'It's ridiculous': Kelowna father furious after violent attack on his 13-year-old daughter
A father in Kelowna is furious after his 13-year-old daughter was brutally beaten on Gyro Beach. He is calling for criminal charges in the devastating attack, which was caught on video by multiple bystanders.
-
Officer's fatal shooting of Kamloops suspect was 'necessary and reasonable' use of force, IIO finds
The officer who shot and killed a forcible confinement suspect in Kamloops two years ago was justified in doing so, according to the Independent Investigations Office of B.C.
