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
Worry, buyer's remorse high as real estate market slowdown materializes
A wave of buyer's remorse is taking shape in several heated real estate markets, after housing prices started dropping and the number of sales slowed over the last two months.

BREAKING | Canada's inflation rate up slightly in April to 6.8 per cent: Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada says the annual pace of inflation crept up in April as the cost of nearly everything at the grocery store continued to climb higher.
'Most horrific': Alberta First Nation investigating after remains of children found
Saddle Lake Cree Nation in eastern Alberta is 'actively researching and investigating' the deaths of at least 200 residential school children who never came home, as remains are being found in unmarked grave sites.
'Please' before 'cheese': Answers to your royal etiquette questions
Etiquette expert Julie Blais Comeau answers your questions about how to address the royal couple, how to dress if you're meeting them, and whether or not you can ask for a selfie.
First transgender federal party leader calls for national anti-trans hate strategy
The Green Party of Canada is calling on the federal government to develop a targeted anti-transgender hate strategy, citing a 'rising tide of hate' both in Canada and abroad. Amita Kuttner, who is Canada's first transgender federal party leader, made the call during a press conference on Parliament Hill on Tuesday.
Canadians in the dark about how their data is collected and used, report finds
A new report says digital technology has become so widespread at such a rapid pace that Canadians have little idea what information is being collected about them or how it is used.
Poilievre personally holds investment in Bitcoin as he promotes crypto to Canadians
Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre has a personal financial interest in cryptocurrencies that he has promoted during his campaign as a hedge against inflation.
Finland, Sweden officially apply for NATO membership
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that the military alliance stands ready to seize a historic moment and move quickly on allowing Finland and Sweden to join its ranks, after the two countries submitted their membership requests.
War wounds: Limbs lost and lives devastated in an instant in Ukraine
There is a cost to war — to the countries that wage it, to the soldiers who fight it, to the civilians who endure it. For nations, territory is gained and lost, and sometimes regained and lost again. But some losses are permanent. Lives lost can never be regained. Nor can limbs. And so it is in Ukraine.