What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: March 24-26

Ottawa Top Stories

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Johnston to launch foreign interference hearings in July, calls allegations of bias 'quite simply false'

Canada's special rapporteur on foreign interference David Johnston calls the allegations swirling around his objectivity 'quite simply false,' and said Tuesday he plans to push ahead with his work, launching public hearings next month

David Johnston, Independent Special Rapporteur on Foreign Interference, appears as a witness at the Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Ford calls for ouster, Poilievre decries Liberal response to Bernardo prison transfer

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on the Liberals to keep "multiple murderers" in maximum-security prison, as fallout continues over the transfer of convicted killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security institution in Quebec.

Sex harassment case involving Trudeau Foundation should be heard in N.L., lawyer says

The lawyer representing a woman who alleges she was sexually harassed by a former Northwest Territories premier says her client would likely have to end her lawsuit if a judge determines the trial should be moved to Quebec.

Rent across Canada climbs to 20 per cent above pandemic lows: report

Across Canada, the average price of rent climbed back up after pandemic lows, with the monthly rate new tenants face now 20 per cent higher than it was two years ago, according to just-released rental data.

Charges dropped against Alberta woman accused of mailing animals

Crown prosecutors say charges against an Alberta woman accused of mailing two puppies and a kitten have been dropped.

Internal docs suggest Trudeau wants China blocked from Pacific Rim trade deal

While the Liberals insist a Pacific Rim trade bloc should welcome anyone who meets its standards, an internal document suggests Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants China kept out.

PGA Tour and European tour agree to merge with Saudis and end LIV Golf feud

The PGA Tour ended its expensive fight with Saudi Arabia's golf venture and now is joining forces with it, making a stunning announcement Tuesday of a merger that creates a commercial operation with the Public Investment Fund and the European tour.

Severely entangled humpback whale rescued off Haida Gwaii, B.C.

Video shows Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) staff leading the rescue of a severely entangled humpback whale off the coast of British Columbia last week.

What's behind the increase in orca-human interactions, boat attacks? Here's what an expert thinks

The number of interactions between killer whales and humans has increased alarmingly in recent years. CTVNews.ca asked an expert to explain the reasons behind the increase in interactions, explore the types of encounters, and examine the implications for both humans and killer whales.

Atlantic

Rain has helped Shelburne firefighting efforts, crews now hoping for a break in showers

Firefighters battling the 25,000-hectare Shelburne wildfire say the wet weather has helped crews directly attack the blaze, now they’re hoping for a break in the rain.
New N.S. Health website shares estimated ER wait times

A new website created by Nova Scotia’s health authority shares hourly estimated wait times for many emergency departments across the province.
Murphy’s Logic: Fox News should not be banned

Steve Murphy makes the case for keeping Fox News on Maritime screens.

Toronto

Smoke from Ontario, Quebec wildfires lingering in Toronto

The smell of smoke is in the air throughout the city of Toronto and could get worse before the week is over as wildfires continue to burn in Quebec and northern Ontario.
Toronto Blue Jays send struggling right-hander Alek Manoah down to minors

The Toronto Blue Jays are sending right-hander Alek Manoah down to the minors after his latest disappointing start.
Toronto massage parlour murder was act of terrorism, court finds in 'historical decision'

The actions of the teen who repeatedly slashed a North York massage parlour receptionist 42 times with a sword, killing her and injuring her manager, were an act of terrorism, an Ontario Superior Court Justice found Monday in a 'historical' decision in Canada.

Montreal

Evacuees can return in Sept-Iles, but more than 160 wildfires still burning in Quebec

One Quebec city that had been threatened by approaching wildfires has lifted an evacuation order, but other parts of the province continue to deal with out-of-control blazes that are taxing firefighting resources.
Vehicle theft soared in 2022, led by Quebec and Ontario: report

Insurance industry group Equite Association says vehicle theft in multiple provinces surged last year. Vehicle theft was up by 50 per cent in Quebec year over year, by 48.3 per cent in Ontario, by 34.5 per cent in Atlantic Canada and by 18.3 per cent in Alberta.
WEATHER
WEATHER | Smog Warnings and poor air quality continue to plague parts of Quebec

Montrealers woke up to hazy sun and smoky skies again Tuesday morning. Northerly winds from wildfires burning north of the city continue to blow smoke into Southern Quebec.

Northern Ontario

Emergency orders expanded in northeast Ont. due to forest fires

While firefighters get more forest fires under control in northern Ontario, travel restrictions declared under an emergency order are being expanded in several communities.
Northern Ont. teen, 13, facing new sexual assault charge, 10 total

A 13-year-old male from Elliot Lake in northern Ontario has been charged with sexual assault again, bringing the total to 10, after another survivor came forward.
Return of the tent caterpillar in northern Ontario

Tent caterpillar infestations are a problem in northern Ontario every few summers and it looks like they could be returning this year.

London

Londoners remember the Afzaal family

Marking the two year anniversary of the alleged terror attack that took the lives of four members of the same family, the board has announced an Anti-Islamophobia Strategy.
Muslim community seeks healing and safety amid lingering shadows of alleged terrorist attack

On this day in 2021, four out of five members of a London, Ont. family were killed while they were out for a walk and struck by a vehicle, in an apparently deliberate attack.
Tenants go face-to-face with landlord following rights rally

Members of a London, Ont. social justice group, tenants, and supporters marched into the downtown offices of a prominent city landlord Tuesday. The ACORN tenant union delivered a list of demands to an executive with Old Oak Properties.

Winnipeg

RCMP investigating abandoned home in connection with disappearance of woman in 2020

The search for a Manitoba woman reported missing three years ago has lead RCMP to an abandoned home in western Manitoba for an investigation.
'Something we need to prepare for': ECCC says warm summer expected in Winnipeg

The heat in the city of Winnipeg will moderate in the next few days, but Environment Canada says residents should expect a hot summer this year.
7-Eleven in Winnipeg applies for liquor licence

Winnipeggers may soon be able to enjoy a beer or a glass of wine at one of the city’s 7-Eleven stores.

Kitchener

Mosquito mayhem: Why the pests are so bad this year in Ontario

They buzz. They bite. They carry diseases that can be bad for your health. It seems there’s more mosquitos than ever this year – and people are noticing.
Air quality statement issued in Waterloo region amid wildfires in Ontario, Quebec

Environment Canada says several groups of people across southwestern Ontario are at a higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.
1 dead, 3 others transported to hospital after crash near Acton, Ont.

Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say a 60-year-old SUV driver from Fergus has died in hospital following a collision involving two vehicles.

Calgary

Charges dropped against Alberta woman accused of mailing animals

Crown prosecutors say charges against an Alberta woman accused of mailing two puppies and a kitten have been dropped.
Michael White, convicted of killing pregnant wife, gets full parole

An Edmonton man convicted of killing his pregnant wife and dumping her body in a ditch has been granted full parole.
'I was really, really scared': Calgary kabab restaurant out thousands of dollars after break-and-enter

A restaurant in Calgary's Hillhurst neighbourhood is out thousands of dollars after it was broken into over the weekend.

Saskatoon

City emails reveal how a Saskatoon shelter was relocated and shed light on early concerns

While Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) publicly mulled moving its downtown emergency shelter to a location on 20th Street near the city's core, city documents reveal the wellness centre's present Fairhaven area location was heavily favoured early in the process.
When Curtis Marsh clinched a Riders season opener with less than a minute left

Once in a while, there is a player that comes along who is an absolute game changer.
Saskatoon company set to revamp bus barns into cultural hub with affordable housing

The former site of the city’s bus barns is getting a facelift.

Edmonton

Yellow slide at Edmonton Expo Centre to be demolished

The Kiwanis slide, commonly known as the big yellow slide, opened in 1974 but hasn't been in use since 2019 due to structural problems, Explore Edmonton said.
Michael White, convicted of killing pregnant wife, gets full parole

An Edmonton man convicted of killing his pregnant wife and dumping her body in a ditch has been granted full parole.
Charges dropped against Alberta woman accused of mailing animals

Crown prosecutors say charges against an Alberta woman accused of mailing two puppies and a kitten have been dropped.

Vancouver

Former officers of Vancouver blockchain company admit misconduct

The former CEO and CFO of a Vancouver-based blockchain company have admitted misconduct to B.C.'s securities regulator.
22-year-old escapes house arrest in Surrey, putting public safety at risk: RCMP

A 22-year-old man has escaped house arrest in Surrey, and police warn he should be considered armed and dangerous.
Strike halts classes at 1 B.C. university as contracts inked with staff at 5 other schools

Job action has halted all classes at Capilano University in North Vancouver as the Ministry of Finance enters agreements with CUPE support staff at five post-secondary institutions in B.C.

Regina

Regina city councillor's decision to 'reply all' could result in reprimand

Regina city council will have a decision on its hands Wednesday, about whether a reprimand is needed for Coun. Andrew Stevens after he disclosed a confidential report.
More than 60 per cent of Sask. income support calls ignored, auditors report reveals

Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Social Services had more than 60 per cent of the more than 255,000 calls to its SIS phone line go unanswered over a six-month period, the province’s auditor says in her 2023 report.
Yorkton library move halted, new locations being looked at as facility sale finalized at council

Over 50 people were packed into an un-air-conditioned council chamber in Yorkton on Monday, looking for more clarity on the future of the city’s public library.

What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: March 24-26

What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: March 24-26

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

WEATHER | Smog Warnings and poor air quality continue to plague parts of Quebec