What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: May 13-15

Tulips in bloom at Commissioners Park. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa Top Stories

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Poilievre joins soldier protesting COVID-19 mandates in march through Ottawa ahead of Canada Day

Canadian Forces veteran James Topp was joined by Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre on his march through Ottawa today, as part of the final leg of his cross-country march to protest COVID-19 vaccine requirements.

Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre marches with Canadian veteran James Topp as the Canada Marches "March to Freedom" arrives in Ottawa. (Jeremie Charron/CTV News Ottawa)

Approximately 675K eligible to vote in Conservative leadership race: party

The Conservative Party of Canada says approximately 675,000 members will be eligible to vote in this year's leadership race.

Omicron cousin BA.5 predicted to cause nearly 70 per cent of COVID-19 cases by Canada Day

Researchers examining the threat of emerging COVID-19 strains predict Omicron BA.5 will account for nearly 70 per cent of cases in much of the country by Canada Day.

Supreme Court says expanded rape shield laws are constitutional

The Supreme Court of Canada says the expanded rules to further prevent a sexual assault complainant's past from being used against them in a trial are 'constitutional in their entirety.'

Stocks are down, but here's why experts say you shouldn't panic

As stocks continue to slump, it can be easy to let your emotions take over if you've got money invested in the market. But experts agree that there's no need to panic if you're invested in the right type of portfolio with the right level of risk.

Health Canada says baby formula shipments coming, but supply to remain limited during summer

More than a month after Canada reported a shortage of baby formula for allergic infants, Health Canada says supplies will continue to be limited during the summer even with new shipments on the horizon.

Importing dogs from more than 100 countries to be banned in Canada

Animal rescue groups are criticizing a new policy by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that will ban the import of dogs from more than 100 countries.

WATCH

WATCH | Physician expects new COVID-19 variants every few months: 'Whole world is a petri dish'

An emergency room physician in Toronto is warning that COVID-19 variants will continue to 'mutate endlessly' as the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 are poised to become the dominant strains of the virus.

Quebec group goes to court over Governor General's lack of French

A group of Quebecers is going to court to argue that Mary Simon's appointment as governor general should be invalidated because she isn't fluent in French.

Atlantic

Spouse of gunman to testify at N.S. shooting hearings but won't be cross-examined

The spouse of the gunman in the Nova Scotia mass shooting will testify mid-July before a public inquiry, but she won't face direct questions from lawyers representing victims' families.
'It’s a waste of time': Low turnout for the final day of school in Nova Scotia

As Claire Mahaney-Lion dropped her son off at school this morning, she questioned the reasons behind scheduling a school day that would last fewer than two hours.
Saint John celebrates Memorial Cup win with parade Thursday

Saint John is having its dog day. The host city of the 2022 Memorial Cup is celebrating after the Saint John Sea Dogs bested the Hamilton Bulldogs 6-3 in front of a capacity crowd during Wednesday's championship game at TD Station.

Toronto

Ontario gas prices about to take massive drop. This is when that will happen

Ontario gas prices are about to take a huge drop and one expert says it will be 'well worth waiting' if drivers can hold off on filling up.
List of road closures in Toronto this Canada Day long weekend

If you are staying in the city for the Canada Day long weekend, there are several road closures to keep in mind.
Ford says wage increase for Ontario public school teachers will be 'more than 1 per cent'

Public-sector teachers in Ontario will see their wages increase by more than one per cent as legislation aimed at capping compensation for those workers is set to expire later this year.

Montreal

Compensation questions loom for Air Canada customers with cancelled flights

Consumer rights advocates are demanding Air Canada provide compensation to many of the hundreds of thousands of passengers whose summer flights it cancelled.
Two people reported dead following Longueuil fire

Two people have been reported dead and one person is in critical condition after a fire broke out in a home in Longueuil on Montreal's South Shore.
'I was blown away': TikTok video shows swarm of rats in downtown Montreal

In the wee hours of the morning on Monday, Paolo Dalla Rosa was finishing a late-night shift at work when he spotted a rat on St. Denis Street in Montreal. Then, he saw about 19 other rats in a matter of seconds converging on the same spot right before his eyes.

Northern Ontario

St. Charles College teacher in Sudbury charged with sexual assault

Sudbury police are releasing few details, but they have charged a 56-year-old male teacher at St. Charles College with sexually assaulting students under the age of 16.
Downtown cleanup continues in Sudbury

Work is underway cleaning up Memorial Park after damage and contamination from an encampment on the city property that was closed April 1.
Ford says wage increase for Ontario public school teachers will be 'more than 1 per cent'

Public-sector teachers in Ontario will see their wages increase by more than one per cent as legislation aimed at capping compensation for those workers is set to expire later this year.

London

'A weight has been lifted off our shoulders': Grand Bend business owners relieved construction phase is over

It’s the first long weekend in weeks without construction and traffic delays along the main strip in Grand Bend.
Police identify teen cyclist involved in fatal crash

Police continue to investigate after a fatal collision involving a cyclist claimed the life of a 17-year-old from Crediton.
Two local hospitals close emergency room this long weekend

It’s not the kind of news folks in Clinton, wanted to hear. Their community’s emergency room will be unavailable for the entire Canada Day long weekend.

Winnipeg

AMC working to remove Arlen Dumas after probe found his conduct amounted to 'workplace sexual harassment'

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is working to remove Arlen Dumas as Grand Chief of the organization.
'Tremendously historic day': Firefighter says Manitoba led the world to acknowledge cancer risk

After working for more than two decades, Manitoba firefighters say the world's governing body on cancer research and prevention is finally acknowledging firefighters' cancer risk.
Transit bus crashes into home on River Avenue

A crash involving a Transit bus that appears to have smashed into a home has shut down a road near Osborne Village.

Kitchener

No movement at Kitchener encampment on eviction day

The eviction deadline for people living at an encampment at Victoria and Weber Streets in Kitchener has come and gone, but residents of the property say they’re not moving.
City of Kitchener announces death of baby swan

The news comes just two days after the City launched a naming contest for the young bird, which it said was the first offspring of Victoria Park swans, Otis and Ophelia.
City of Kitchener prepares to welcome back in-person Canada Day celebrations

The event will be the first held at the city's in the newly renovated Carl Zehr Square.

Calgary

Indigenous advocates call for cancellation of fireworks as city preps for Canada Day

Thousands of Calgarians are ready to ring in Canada’s 155th birthday as festivities are set to be held across the city, but not everyone is calling this a ‘celebration.’
WestJet taking steps to cope with 'unpredecented challenge'

Calgary-based WestJet says it is taking a 'very measured' strategy in order to maintain services this summer, which includes a lighter summer travel schedule that the company introduced earlier this year.
What inflation? Producers offer $10 tickets for every Calgary performance of Hamilton

At a time when the cost of everything seems to be climbing, the producers of Hamilton are offering Calgary musical lovers the deal of a lifetime.

Saskatoon

'No warning': Sask. minister announces Lighthouse funding cut on talk radio show

Saskatchewan's social services minister announced plans to cut funding to Saskatoon's permanent downtown shelter during a talk radio appearance.
Video shows kayaker paddling away from brewing Sask. tornado

A video captured by a Saskatchewan man shows a kayaker paddling away from a developing tornado.
Tallest tower in Saskatchewan officially opens

Four years in the making, the Nutrien Tower officially opens in Saskatoon.

Edmonton

Residents asked to look for weapon used in fatal stabbing

Police are asking the public to help them find a weapon used in a homicide earlier this year.
Mom and child escape fire at SW Edmonton home

A mother and her child were not injured after a fire broke out in a southeast Edmonton home on Thursday.
'Horrifying': Man charged in complex investigation involving dozens of Edmonton arsons

A man is facing multiple charges in connection with a rash of arsons in the Alberta Avenue area, and police are calling him a key suspect in a complex investigation.

Vancouver

Vancouver laser clinic's dedication bench in Stanley Park prompts online debate

Dedication benches are a familiar sight for visitors in Vancouver's parks, with plaques that most often pay touching tribute to a lost loved one – but the space is also available to companies and organizations willing to make a large enough donation to the city.
Horseshoe Bay ferry lineup nears Hwy. 99 on hectic day of sailing cancellations

Many ferry passengers faced massive lineups and hours-long delays heading into the Canada Day long weekend after mechanical problems forced the Queen of Alberni out of service.
Details of decapitation case, including adopted persona, body in suitcase, rehashed in B.C. court

A man convicted of the gruesome murder of his roommate more than a decade ago was back in a British Columbia court recently, trying to argue he is not criminally responsible for the death.

Regina

3 COVID-19 deaths reported in Saskatchewan's final weekly update

Three more COVID-19 related deaths were reported in Saskatchewan for the week of June 19-25 as the province now moves from weekly updates to monthly ones.
Video shows kayaker paddling away from brewing Sask. tornado

A video captured by a Saskatchewan man shows a kayaker paddling away from a developing tornado.
Sask. government reports strong finances for 2021-22 fiscal year

While total revenue increased for the province, drought conditions and COVID-19 increased some expenses according to the government’s public accounts report.