Ottawa to name street after Ryan Reynolds
Ottawa residents will soon have a chance to live on Ryan Reynolds Way.
The city of Ottawa is honouring the Canadian actor by naming a new street after him in the east end, in recognition of his contributions to the city.
“It’s clear that Ottawa does have a special place in Ryan’s heart,” Mayor Jim Watson said during his state of the city speech on Wednesday.
Reynolds, a Vancouver native, spent some of his childhood in Vanier, and has said he has fond memories of living in Ottawa.
The Deadpool star and his wife Blake Lively made a donation to the Ottawa Food Bank early in the pandemic, part of a $1 million donation to food banks across Canada and the U.S. He has also donated to the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region.
And Reynolds participated in a running gag with Ottawa Public Health in which he revealed himself to be ‘Bruce,’ the inept social media intern.
Watson said when he broached the idea of the new street name with Reynolds, the actor said he was “very excited, flattered and honoured. I’m even a little choked up.”
“This means the world to me. Thank you on behalf of me and my entire family,” Watson quoted Reynolds as saying.
The Ottawa Food Bank says Reynolds and Lively have had an impact on the organization.
"You can’t ask for someone bigger or better than Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively - so it brings more attention to the hard work that we have been doing before than pandemic, and during the pandemic," said Rachael Wilson, CEO of the Ottawa Food Bank. "They supported the Ottawa Food Bank, but they also supported Food Banks Canada and other organizations and it really helps us do our work and get our message out."
Wilson adds, "The Ottawa Food Bank relies almost completely on donations so to have someone say, 'Hey this charity is important,' really helps us do our work."
Residents who live near the future home of Ryan Reynolds Way approve of the new street name.
"People will get a hoot living on that street," says Denis Brunton.
He says Reynolds has been a good ambassador for the city and Canada.
"I think that’s good because it keeps him connected,” he says.
Some people say they would consider moving to a street named after a celebrity.
Amanda Ko says, "Of course I would! I would have to wait a few years before I moved, but I think it’s awesome. I am glad they are doing that."
Joanne Quaglia adds, "It gets people excited to live in that area. I think it is fun!"
Ryan Reynolds Way will be located in a new subdivision adjacent to Avalon, at the corner of Mer Bleue and Brian Coburn.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.