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
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.