What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Dec. 9-11

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Mandatory minimum penalty for firing gun at house unconstitutional: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that a mandatory minimum sentence of four years for firing a gun at a house is unconstitutional.

Parliament Hill and the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa, on Nov 4, 2022. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Pierre Poilievre tells Tory caucus cities are turning into 'crime zones'

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre doubled down on his belief that "everything feels broken" Friday, as he laced into Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for suggesting otherwise.

Thousands of Maritimers still without power after Thursday storm

Thursday’s wet and windy storm has knocked out power to thousands of people in the Maritimes, most of which are in Nova Scotia.

Police boost presence on Toronto transit in wake of violence, commuter reaction mixed

More than 80 Toronto police officers are expected to be in and around Toronto Transit Commission locations to reduce victimization, prevent crimes of opportunity and enhance public safety.

Russian warship armed with advanced missiles sails into western Atlantic in strategic 'chess game'

In an unusual move, the Russian Defence Ministry broadcast that one of its newest warships, the Admiral Gorshkov, had tested the strike capabilities of a hypersonic Zircon missile in a virtual drill.

WHO emergency declaration call based on virus spread and variants, Dr. Bogoch explains

The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to decide Friday, whether the COVID-19 pandemic still qualifies for an international emergency declaration title— a decision that will involve factoring in how the virus and its variants are impacting countries around the world, says an infectious disease expert.

Memphis braces for release of video in Tyre Nichols' arrest

Authorities announced the Friday release of police video depicting five officers beating a Black man whose death prompted murder charges against them and provoked outrage at the country's latest instance of police brutality. Family members of Tyre Nichols pleaded for any protests to remain peaceful.

Thousands of Maritimers still without power after Thursday storm

Thursday’s wet and windy storm has knocked out power to thousands of people in the Maritimes, most of which are in Nova Scotia.
Suspect sought in murder of Saint John man; fourth person arrested in case

A fourth person has been arrested in the murder of a man in Saint John, N.B., last summer and now police say they are looking for a fifth person in connection with the case.
Yarmouth man found guilty of second-degree murder in death of Colton Cook

A jury has delivered a guilty verdict in the 2020 murder of a Yarmouth, N.S., area man.

Toronto

4 people charged, $800k in cash seized after RCMP bust alleged 'large-scale' drug importation network

Four Toronto residents have been charged and about $3 million worth of cash and goods have been seized after the RCMP busted an alleged 'large-scale' drug importation network.
GTA company transforming Ford F-550s into armoured vehicles for Ukrainian war effort

A Mississauga company is doing its part for the Ukrainian war effort by transforming Ford F-550s into armoured vehicles.
Police boost presence on Toronto transit in wake of violence, commuter reaction mixed

More than 80 Toronto police officers are expected to be in and around Toronto Transit Commission locations to reduce victimization, prevent crimes of opportunity and enhance public safety.

Montreal

Police make 3 more arrests after teen attacked with hammer at Montreal high school

Three more people have been arrested in connection with a hammer attack on a 16-year-old boy Monday outside a school in Montreal North, police said Friday.
The housing crisis is worsening in Quebec, data confirms

Housing in Quebec is becoming increasingly expensive and increasingly difficult to find. Data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) shows the housing crisis is worsening, both in terms of rental costs and availability.
'Going forward, it's the best decision': Habs forward Cole Caufield speaks on season-ending surgery

Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield said having surgery on his shoulder is the 'best decision' heading forward. He will undergo surgery on Wednesday.

Northern Ontario

Six charged, $20K in drugs seized in Iroquois Falls bust

Police seized about $20,000 in narcotics in a raid of a northern Ontario home on Wednesday and now six people are facing charges.
Sudbury woman killed when snowmobile goes through ice

The body of a 29-year-old Sudbury nurse was recovered Wednesday night from a lake near Parry Sound after her snowmobile went through the ice, police say.
Exclusive club in Toronto fined $35K for telling man with autism he required supervision at all times

The family of a prominent Toronto artist with autism is speaking out after one of the city’s oldest private clubs demanded he be supervised at all times while using the facilities – a decision that prompted the artist to file a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

London

Drugs, weapons and Vanier Cup ring seized in London

London police have seized thousands of dollars worth of drugs and weapons as part of a bust in the city on Thursday. The Guns and Gangs section with help from Emergency Response and Canine Units used a search warrant to enter a home on Dorinda Street
Fatal Fire in St. Thomas

St. Thomas Fire officials have confirmed one person has died after a fire near the downtown core. The blaze in a six-unit apartment building at 17 Mitchell St. broke out around 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
OPP investigating sudden death in Perth County

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have shut down a section of Perth Road 122 north of Stratford, Ont. as officers investigate a sudden death.

Winnipeg

Manitoba premier reveals $850 million spending package

The Manitoba government is outlining how it’s spending $850 million on health-care, inflationary relief, and municipal wastewater projects.
Winter weather causing school bus cancellations, highway closures in Manitoba

The winter weather conditions across Manitoba have caused some highway closures and school bus cancellations on Friday morning.
More schools closed after Manitoba middle school receives another threatening voicemail

Several schools in southwest Manitoba were closed Friday after a round of threatening voicemails came in over the last week.

Kitchener

OPP investigating sudden death in Perth County

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have shut down a section of Perth Road 122 north of Stratford, Ont. as officers investigate a sudden death.
Neighbours raise concerns about hybrid shelter at community meeting

Residents had a chance to ask questions and raise concerns about the hybrid shelter planned for Erbs Road at a community meeting in Waterloo on Thursday night.
'Always say I love you': Ancaster mother on the grief of losing her teen son in a car crash

An Ancaster mom is mourning the death of her 19-year-old son who died in a Brant County crash on Jan. 21.

Calgary

'We are at a crossroads': Alberta premier pens open letter to Trudeau over proposed 'just transition' legislation

In an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith once again expressed concerns over the federal government's proposed legislation to move the country away from high-polluting jobs.
No natural gas rebate for Albertans in February, province says

The Alberta government says homeowners will still be seeing an energy rebate on their February utility bills, but it won't be as much as it was last month.
RCMP warn of potential weekend highway delays near Coutts, Alta. during protest convoy

Freedom rally supporters are expected to congregate near the southern Alberta border town of Coutts on Saturday and RCMP says motorists in the area should expect to face highway delays.

Saskatoon

'Just sick to my stomach': Sask. mom says cheer team asked daughter to hide self-harm scars

A Saskatchewan mother says her 13-year-old daughter is being shamed for her past mental health challenges.
Rising Saskatoon rental prices are fuelling homelessness numbers, community group says

Rising rental rates and diminishing options are causing some with lower income to forgo housing altogether, a Saskatoon community organization says.
Dozens of cats found in Saskatoon apartment will be euthanized

More than 70 cats found by the Saskatoon Fire Department from a single apartment will have to be put down, Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan (APSS) says.

Edmonton

No natural gas rebate for Albertans in February, province says

The Alberta government says homeowners will still be seeing an energy rebate on their February utility bills, but it won't be as much as it was last month.
Review of oilsands cleanup funding program needs public input, says Alberta NDP

Alberta's New Democrat Opposition says a government review of the program that's supposed to ensure oilsands companies can clean up their mines was conducted too privately and should have been done in public.
Sport Chek pulls out of Edmonton City Centre as mall highlights 'significant safety issues'

One of the biggest tenants in Edmonton City Centre (ECC) mall is closing its doors for good.

Vancouver

Vancouver draw will determine who gets to pay six figures for a bottle of Scotch

A draw will be held at the BC Liquor Store at Cambie Street and 39th Avenue in Vancouver Friday to determine who will win the opportunity to pay $110,000 for a bottle of Scotch whisky.
NEW
NEW | Vancouver Island city councillor charged with assault

A Vancouver Island city councillor is on a mandatory leave of absence after he was charged with assault.
WHO emergency declaration call based on virus spread and variants, Dr. Bogoch explains

The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to decide Friday, whether the COVID-19 pandemic still qualifies for an international emergency declaration title— a decision that will involve factoring in how the virus and its variants are impacting countries around the world, says an infectious disease expert.

Regina

Organizations call on city to locate events centre, central library downtown

Three downtown business organizations are advocating for the City of Regina to locate a new multi-purpose events centre and central library branch in the downtown core.
33 charges laid against Regina man after 'lengthy' investigation: police

A Regina man is facing 33 charges after the Regina Police Service (RPS) said it completed a lengthy investigation into auto thefts, break and enters and weapons offenses.
'For them to have hope': Regina's emergency shelter set to open its doors

Regina’s new emergency shelter is set to open its doors. The facility is located in the former YMCA building downtown. Already, the 40 beds are fully booked with a waiting list.

What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Dec. 9-11

What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Dec. 9-11

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

NEW | Vancouver Island city councillor charged with assault