Thousands travelling home this weekend for Thanksgiving
As one train leaves the VIA Rail station in Ottawa, another one will be arriving shortly with April Kimmett’s daughter Abbey on board.
"She’s due to come in on the train anytime," says Kimmett.
Like thousands of students taking to the road to travel home for Thanksgiving, Abbey is arriving in Ottawa from Toronto.
"We’re all together," Kimmett says. "We’re a family of six. We’re having my husband's family in from Lindsay. And on Sunday, there will be about 18 of us."
"It’s my favourite meal," Abbey says. "So I’m really excited. It was a fully packed train. I guess everyone is coming home for the weekend because everyone looks really excited to be back."
With COVID restrictions lifted, train stations, highways and airports seem to be back to pre-pandemic levels.
"It’s all back to regular seating," Abbey says. "There’s no more one person per section. So that was kind of different."
And with more vehicles on the highways, the OPP is urging motorists to follow speed limits.
Police say 2022 has turned out to be a deadly year.
"We’ve seen a 24 per cent increase and 268 fatalities in the province so far this year," says OPP Acting Sgt. Erin Cranton.
With more people travelling this weekend, police say extra patrols will be out to enforce highway laws.
"Operation Impact starts today and runs until Monday, Oct. 10," Cranton says. "There will be an increase in officers visible on highways and roadways across the province in order to educate and enforce traffic safety rules."
Public health officials are still asking Canadians to be vigilant against COVID-19 this Thanksgiving. For now, families are just thrilled to be together again for this annual holiday.
"Yah, so excited for turkey," said 15-year-old Kenzie Lehman, who arrived in Ottawa on the train.
"So excited," says Kenzie’s mom Andrea Guzzo Lehman. "She’s only 15 and she lives in Toronto. So we booked our VIA Rail train ticket in August. So we’re super excited to have her home."
For April and Abbey Kimmett, they’re just glad things are finally back to normal for this year's festivities.
"Amazing. Amazing," April says. "I hope all the families have a great one this time."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.