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

Ottawa Top Stories

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

23 vehicles towed, dozens of tickets issued as rally marks one-year anniversary of 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa

OPS and Ottawa Bylaw officers issued 192 parking tickets and 67 Provincial Offences Notices in downtown Ottawa this weekend, as people gathered marked the one-year anniversary of the 'Freedom Convoy'.

Ottawa police remained on scene on Wellington Street Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023. On Saturday, a small group of Freedom Convoy supporters gathered on the hill to mark one year since the convoy arrived in Ottawa. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)

'COVID is not done,' Canadian infectious disease expert says ahead of WHO announcement

While RSV and flu cases steadily decline in Canada, the World Health Organization is set to announce on Monday whether it still considers COVID-19 a global health emergency, but one infectious disease specialist says we still need to keep an eye on the coronavirus.

YouTube star MrBeast helps 1,000 blind people see again by sponsoring cataract surgeries

YouTube superstar MrBeast is making the world clearer -- for at least 1,000 people. The content creator's latest stunt is paying for cataract removal for 1,000 people who were blind or near-blind but could not afford the surgery.

Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion dies at 101

Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.

'24,' 'Runaways' actor Annie Wersching has died at 45

Actor Annie Wersching, best known for playing FBI agent Renee Walker in the series '24' and providing the voice for Tess in the video game 'The Last of Us' has died. She was 45.

Ukrainian kids find cellphone signal on hill, set up makeshift school

On a bleak, windswept hillside in northeast Ukraine, three young boys recently discovered a cell phone signal, something difficult to find in their region since Russia invaded their country. and they've set up a makeshift school around the signal.

Russian teen faces years in jail over social media post criticizing war in Ukraine

A Russian teenager must wear an ankle bracelet while she is under house arrest after she was charged over social media posts that authorities say discredit the Russian army and justify terrorism.

Father pushing Manitoba to follow Ontario, Saskatchewan in screening for CMV

Roughly one in 200 babies born in Canada today will have congenital cytomegalovirus, a virus that can lead to hearing loss, intellectual disability or vision loss. But with only two provinces screening newborns for CMV, one father is asking other health-care systems to do more.

Emotional prayer room ceremony marks 6th anniversary of Quebec mosque shooting

An emotional ceremony took place today marking the sixth anniversary of the Quebec City mosque shooting, held for the first time in the same room where many of the victims were killed. Six men died that night: Mamadou Tanou Barry, Ibrahima Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzeddine Soufiane and Aboubaker Thabti were gunned down not long after evening prayers at the suburban Quebec City mosque.

Atlantic

Actress and former senator Viola Leger, best known as La Sagouine, dies at 92

Actress, teacher and former senator Viola Leger has died at the age of 92.
Calls grow for Ottawa to set conditions against funding private health care in negotiations with provinces, territories

As momentum and negotiations build toward a long awaited deal on federal health care funding, calls are also growing for specific conditions on how any transfer money should be spent.
'I personally am effected by that': Nova Scotians express outrage over death of Tyre Nichols

Horror, outrage, and pain are just a few words Robert Wright uses to describe his feelings after watching Tyre Nichols pinned and assaulted by officers in Memphis.

Toronto

Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion dies at 101

Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
Trudeau remembers 'trailblazer' Hazel McCallion as tributes pour in for late Mississauga mayor

Late Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion is being remembered for the many ways she contributed to not only to the city she led for 36 years, but also the province and country following her death on Sunday morning.
Man dead after daylight stabbing in downtown Toronto; suspect in custody

A man is dead and a male suspect is in custody following a stabbing at a downtown Toronto apartment building on Sunday afternoon.

Montreal

Emotional prayer room ceremony marks 6th anniversary of Quebec mosque shooting

An emotional ceremony took place today marking the sixth anniversary of the Quebec City mosque shooting, held for the first time in the same room where many of the victims were killed. Six men died that night: Mamadou Tanou Barry, Ibrahima Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzeddine Soufiane and Aboubaker Thabti were gunned down not long after evening prayers at the suburban Quebec City mosque.
Quebec basic income program begins, but advocates say many low-income people excluded

Anti-poverty activists are praising the Quebec basic income program as a good step toward helping people meet their basic needs — but say strict eligibility criteria exclude many of the province’s lowest-income residents.
Montreal will focus on clearing snow, not removing it, until snowfall stops

As snow continues to pile on Montreal's streets, the city has decided to pause its snow removal operation from last Friday's storm. In the meantime, crews will focus on plowing the streets to keep up with the snowfall that's currently pummeling the city.

Northern Ontario

Driver receives 24 traffic tickets in less than 24 hours

A southern Ontario driver operating a commercial motor vehicle based in Edmonton, Alta. has been charged with 24 Highway Traffic Act offences in a 24-hour period before the vehicle was removed from service in northern Ontario.
Greater Sudbury apartment fire leaves one in hospital, 30 displaced

An apartment fire in Greater Sudbury Saturday evening has left one man in critical condition and displaced 30 residents.
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion dies at 101

Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.

London

'Precedent setting case': Southwestern Ontario judge rules homeless encampment can stay in park

It could be a watershed moment for homeless policies in Ontario. A judge denied a Region of Waterloo court bid for an injunction to have homeless encampments removed from land at Victoria Street North and Weber Street West in Kitchener due to too few shelter spaces, and the decision is already on the radar of city officials and homeless advocates in London.
'Police all over my yard': Neighbours recount 13-hour Woodstock, Ont. standoff

The Woodstock Police Service have arrested three men following an overnight standoff. Inspector Marci Shelton told CTV News London the incident began on William Street, just off Ingersoll Avenue shortly after 9 p.m.
Multiple engines respond to Sunday morning factory fire in London, Ont.

Seven London Fire Department vehicles, including an aerial unit, responded to an alarm at in the city’s northeast end Sunday. Just before 8 a.m., dispatchers were alerted to a structure fire at Zucora Home on Clarke Road, north of Dundas Street.

Winnipeg

Jennifer Jones returns to Canadian women's curling championship in Manitoba colours

Jennifer Jones wins Manitoba's women's curling championship
How Manitoba RV and boat dealers are coping with inflation

RV and boat supply shortages during the pandemic made getting the vehicles tough to obtain, but with stock back to pre-pandemic levels, other challenges are now on buyers' minds.
Jennifer Jones returns to Canadian women's curling championship in Manitoba colours

WINNIPEG - Jennifer Jones defeated Abby Ackland 10-5 on Sunday to win Manitoba's women's curling championship and qualify for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Kitchener

Local group organizes townhall with WRPS Chief to discuss action against hate crimes

Sunday marks the 6th anniversary of a deadly attack at a Quebec City mosque where six men were killed and five others were critically injured.
'Could have been catastrophic': Fire official credits CO detector in helping save two people

The Waterloo Fire Department is crediting a working carbon monoxide (CO) detector for potentially helping to save the lives of two people early Sunday morning.
No injuries after fire at Cambridge McDonald’s

The Cambridge Fire Department said there were no injuries after a fire at a Mcdonald’s on Main Street in Cambridge.

Calgary

Foothills Fieldhouse discussion returning to Calgary City Hall

The Foothills Athletic Park redesign could get a little closer to reality on Monday.
The day the beer cooler fried: Craft brewer closes due to suddenly exploding suds

A Calgary craft beer store experienced its worst-case scenario Saturday night.
University of Lethbridge students push back against controversial speaker

The University of Lethbridge says a controversial guest speaker appearance will go ahead, despite pushback from some students.

Saskatoon

Inmate who died in custody in Saskatoon had a history of self harm: Court records

An inmate in the Regional Psychiatric Centre died while in custody on Saturday.
'It was so soft': Wildlife festival excites and educates visitors of all ages

Saskatchewan is home to a wide variety of animals, but the Wildlife Festival brought over 50 unique animals from all over the world to show and share.
Saskatoon indoor track meet draws international stars

Over 3,000 athletes ranging in age and skill level participated in Canada’s largest indoor invitational international track and field meet, the Knights of Columbus Indoor Games.

Edmonton

Community town hall to focus on future of Hwy 16A and Range Road 20 intersection

The future of an intersection west of Edmonton in Parkland County, known by some as the "death trap" for being the scene of multiple crashes, continues to be reviewed by the provincial government.
Oilers feature U of A goalie during final moments of Saturday's Blackhawks win

A University of Alberta Golden Bears hockey goalie was doing homework Saturday night when he got the call that he would dress as the Oilers' backup.
Hundreds plunge into frozen Lake Summerside for Special Olympics Alberta

Edmontonians plunged into the freezing Lake Summerside Sunday afternoon in support of Special Olympics Alberta.

Vancouver

Dozens of animals killed in fire at Surrey exotic animal rescue

A fire at an exotic animal rescue in Surrey killed dozens of animals and displaced many more over the weekend.
Orthopaedic surgeries down 25% in B.C. public hospitals as private sector picks up slack

Orthoopaedic surgeons report that they’re doing only three quarters of the surgeries they used to in B.C.'s public hospitals, with an increasing number of taxpayer-funded procedures carried out in private facilities
B.C. couple says they were scammed by 'professional' wedding photographer who used stock images as portfolio

A Vancouver couple says they were scammed by a wedding photographer who used stock photos for his portfolio, delivered sub-par snaps of their big day, and then stopped taking their phone calls.

Regina

City to host public information session with update on Saskatchewan Drive renovation

The city has planned a public information session to provide an update on the Saskatchewan Drive Corridor Project.
Break-in leads to multiple charges in central Regina: Police

Regina police responded to an early morning call on Sunday that ended with one man in custody.
Free, No-barriers yoga aims to help healing for Indigenous trauma survivors in Regina

“Getting in touch with yourself mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically if we’re talking about the medicine wheel, is really a big part of our healing journey as Indigenous people.”