Ottawa's mayor says it would be a 'huge help' if residents work from home on Tuesday
Mayor Jim Watson is asking Ottawa residents to work from home on Tuesday as the cleanup continues from Saturday's devastating storm.
More than 110,000 homes and businesses remain without power across Ottawa. The city says three dozen roads remain closed due to debris and downed power lines, and lights remain out at several intersections.
"It would be a huge help if you are able to stay at home and stay out of the way of those essential workers as they get their job done," Watson told reporters Monday afternoon.
Ottawa police have asked people to avoid travel if possible this weekend due to the debris and downed wires.
Ottawa's Public Works General Manager Alain Gonthier says several hundred traffic signals were knocked out of service by the storm.
"Our traffic and roads crews are still in the process of repairing signs, light posts, traffic signals – many of which have been damaged or are still without power," Gonthier said.
Watson says fewer people on the roads will help the cleanup efforts.
"We've learned to work from home if we can, and that's probably the best advice I can give you for the next day or two until we get things stabilized, particularly the traffic lights," Watson told Newstalk 580 CFRA's the Morning Rush with Bill Carroll Monday morning.
"At the end of the day, we have to make sure that people are safe. Our transit system got back up and running relatively quickly."
The Ottawa Carleton District School Board and Ottawa Catholic School Board have announced all elementary and secondary schools will be closed on Tuesday and there will be no virtual learning. Schools are expected to reopen on Wednesday.
Algonquin College says all classes and services – virtual and in-person - are cancelled on Tuesday at the Ottawa campus.
"All employees at the Ottawa campus who are not directly involved with restoring operations, or have not been directly advised by their manager to attend work on campus, should remain at home on Tuesday," Algonquin College said Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man books $7,700 luxury villa on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he was charged more than $7,700 to book a luxury villa on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.