Winter storm blankets Ottawa with 27 cm of snow
The cleanup is underway on roads and sidewalks, after one of the largest snowfalls of the winter buried Ottawa with 27 centimetres of snow.
"Shovel your own snow then you'll stay young," Allen Robinson said while shovelling his driveway.
Jeff Davies finished clearing his driveway, and then started clearing neighbours driveways.
"We work together, we help each other out," Davies said. "Yeah, it's just a neighbourly thing, and you just all work together."
The snowfall warning was lifted just after 2 p.m. Thursday.
"The bulk of the heavy snow has fallen," Environment Canada said in a notice late Thursday morning.
As of 1 p.m., Environment Canada reported 27 centimetres of snow had fallen at the Ottawa airport since the storm began Wednesday afternoon.
The 27 cm of snow was the second-largest snowfall of the winter for Ottawa. A total of 36.2 cm of snow fell during a storm on Dec. 16 and 17. Ottawa received 25.9 cm of snow during a storm on Dec. 23 and 24.
The snow disrupted travel for drivers, OC Transpo riders and air travellers Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
OC Transpo warned of "service delays" due to the weather, asking people to leave extra time to reach their destinations. Photos on social media showed several buses stuck in the snow during the Thursday commute.
City of Ottawa officials said the main focus for snowplows was the sidewalks, priority roads and the winter cycling network.
"Given the amount of snowfall accumulation, crews are expected to start clearing residential streets this morning and will continue this work into the evening hours," the city said on its website.
Ontario Provincial Police responded to more than 120 collisions on highways across eastern Ontario during the storm, while Ottawa police reported 11 collisions during the morning commute.
Several flights were delayed or cancelled at the Ottawa airport due to the snow in Ottawa and in Toronto.
For Allen and Liz Robinson, they didn't mind clearing the snow Thursday afternoon.
"You to try and do the whole thing all at once, it could be a little tricky," Liz said. "We haven't done the back yet, so that'll get done when it gets done."
Snow capital of Ontario
Cities across Ontario are digging out after the storm moved across the province.
Ottawa received the greatest amount of snow, with 27 cm of snow.
Volunteer observers recorded 25 cm of snow in Renfrew, 23 cm of snow in Merrickville and 22.5 cm of snow in Winchester.
North York received 20.5 cm of snow, while 14 cm of snow was recorded in Toronto and 17 cm in Hamilton.
Snow began Wednesday afternoon
The storm moved into Ottawa during the afternoon commute on Wednesday. By 9 p.m. roads across the city were covered by several centimetres of snow. Police urged motorists to adjust their speed to the conditions and only travel if it's necessary.
Emergency crews responded to a call for a snowplow that rolled over into a ditch on Boundary Road at Hwy. 417 Wednesday evening. Firefighters extricated the trapped driver from the cab of the plow.
Winter parking ban
A daytime winter parking ban was effect on Thursday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. across the city. The city announced the parking ban ended at 7 p.m.
During a winter parking ban, parking is not allowed on city streets so crews can plow more easily. Vehicles parked on the street may be ticketed and towed.
Flights cancelled
The Ottawa Airport's departures page was showing seven cancelled flights as of mid-Thursday morning. There were at least eight flights cancelled Wednesday night.
In Toronto, Pearson airport had 25 per cent of its flights cancelled after the snow rolled in.
Snowfall record on Jan. 25.
Ottawa received 25 cm of snow during the two day weather event.
A total of 15.6 cm of snow was recorded at the Ottawa airport on Wednesday, setting a new record for greatest snowfall on Jan. 25. The previous record for snowfall at the airport was 11.9 cm of snow, set back in 1975.
According to the Twitter account YOW_Weather, 33 cm of snow was recorded in Ottawa on Jan. 25, 1928.
More snow expected on the weekend
After the snow ends on Thursday, things are expected to cool down. The high will be -4 C but by Thursday night tempertaures will drop to -15 C (-18 with the windchill).
Friday will be sunny with increasing cloudiness in the afternoon. The high will be -5 C. There's a 70 per cent chance of flurries Friday night.
Saturday will see flurries with a high of 1 C.
Sunday will see periods of snow with a high of -8 C.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deceased found in St. Lawrence River were trying to cross U.S. border: police
The six people whose bodies were recovered from the St. Lawrence River Thursday consisted of two families of Romanian and Indian origins who were likely trying to enter the U.S. illegally, police said Friday.
Trump to be arraigned Tuesday to face New York indictment
Former U.S. President Donald Trump will be arraigned Tuesday after his indictment in New York City, court officials said Friday, his formal surrender and arrest presenting the historic, shocking scene of a former U.S. commander in chief forced to stand before a judge.
'Rust' set manager convicted in death of cinematographer
Dave Halls, first assistant director on Western "Rust, was sentenced on Friday for the on-set shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, marking the first conviction for the 2021 fatality which shook Hollywood.
Trudeau defends appointment of cabinet minister's sister-in-law as interim ethics commissioner
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending the appointment of senior Liberal cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc's sister-in-law as Canada's interim ethics commissioner.
N.S. doctor denies alleged negligence in case of woman who died after long ER wait
A doctor named in a lawsuit after a Nova Scotia woman died in hospital following a long wait to see a physician has denied allegations from the family that he failed in his duties.
Syphilis cases in babies skyrocket in Canada amid health-care failures
The numbers of babies born with syphilis in Canada are rising at a far faster rate than recorded in the United States or Europe, an increase public health experts said is driven by increased methamphetamine use and lack of access to the public health system for Indigenous people.
Ottawa gives final approval, with conditions, for Rogers' $26B purchase of Shaw
The largest telecommunications deal in Canadian history will go forward after Rogers Communications Inc.'s $26-billion takeover of Shaw Communications Inc. received approval from Ottawa on Friday.
These are the conditions -- and penalties if violated -- of the Rogers-Shaw deal
Canadian Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne has approved Rogers Communications Inc.'s $26-billion takeover of rival telecom Shaw Communications Inc., but there are conditions attached and penalties of up to $1 billion if the companies violate them.
Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole not seeking re-election, leaving this spring
Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole says he will not seek re-election and plans to resign his seat this spring. The Ontario MP led the Conservatives and served as official Opposition leader from August 2020 until February 2022, when a majority of his caucus voted to remove him from the post.
Atlantic
-
'Nova Scotians' sense of safety was rocked': RCMP failures dominate inquiry's final report into 2020 mass shooting
A long list of failures by Nova Scotia RCMP leadership and policing systems dominate the final report into Nova Scotia's April 2020 mass shooting.
-
N.S. doctor denies alleged negligence in case of woman who died after long ER wait
A doctor named in a lawsuit after a Nova Scotia woman died in hospital following a long wait to see a physician has denied allegations from the family that he failed in his duties.
-
Trudeau in Moncton area Friday for three events
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in the Greater Moncton area Friday for three separate events.
Toronto
-
'The sweetest guy that I knew': Oshawa pawn shop employee gunned down outside store
Details are starting to emerge about the man fatally shot in the parking lot outside an Oshawa pawn shop late Thursday evening.
-
10-year-old boy dead after chain-reaction crash on QEW
A 10-year-old boy is dead following a chain-reaction crash on the QEW. The highway was closed for several hours as police worked to piece together exactly what happened.
-
Accused John Tory egger charged with mischief
The individual who allegedly threw eggs at former Toronto Mayor John Tory’s office in February is now facing charges.
Montreal
-
Deceased found in St. Lawrence River were trying to cross U.S. border: police
The six people whose bodies were recovered from the St. Lawrence River Thursday consisted of two families of Romanian and Indian origins who were likely trying to enter the U.S. illegally, police said Friday.
-
Hydro-Quebec: rates increase on Saturday, capped at 3%
Hydro-Québec annual indexation of its electricity rates will take effect this Saturday, capped at 3 per cent. The Crown corporation says that for residential customers, the monthly impact of the 3 per cent increase would be $2.28 for a five-and-a-half dwelling, $4.27 for a 111-square-metre home, $5.65 for a 158-square-metre home and $6.97 for a 207-square-metre home.
-
Quebec cracks down on Airbnb after deadly fire as some continue to evade rules
The Quebec government's crackdown on Airbnb has upended Montreal's short-term rental market, leading some to welcome the changes and others scurrying to evade the new rules.
Northern Ontario
-
Six arrested, 2.7 kilos cocaine seized in massive drug bust in Sudbury, GTA
Ontario's guns and gangs team says with the help of police in Sudbury and Durham, it has disrupted a large drug trafficking operation, seizing 2.7 kilograms of cocaine and arresting six.
-
Northern Ont. man receives lifetime hunting ban, fined $5,000 for grouse stash
A northern Ontario man has been banned from licenced hunting and fined $5,000 after pleading guilty to having more than six times the legal limit of grouse and obstructing conservation officers.
-
Buyer found for insolvent Springer Aerospace, would keep Sault Ste. Marie business operating
Pending court and debtor approval, a buyer has been found for Springer Aerospace in Sault Ste. Marie, which declared insolvency late last year.
London
-
Child exploitation charges laid after month-long investigation
A Kitchener man is facing 17 charges after a joint investigation by police in London, Toronto and Waterloo Region. The investigation started in February and police allege a suspect communicated online with people he believed to be teenaged girls.
-
Weapon seized, charges laid after assault at Montcalm: LPS
Charges have been laid following an assault investigation at Montcalm Secondary School. As previously reported, police responded to the school on Highbury Avenue around 10 a.m.for a weapons investigation.
-
Man injured while fleeing police on Highway 401, SIU investigating
The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating after a man was seriously injured while attempting to flee from OPP on Highway 401 Thursday afternoon.
Winnipeg
-
Zellers to open in Winnipeg next week
The wait is finally over for Winnipeggers who have been wanting to see Zellers make a return to the city.
-
'I don't feel right paying that money': Winnipeg man fighting phone bill exceeding $3,000
A Winnipeg parent is fighting to have his child's phone bill lowered after it was 10 times higher than normal.
-
Siloam Mission changing entry rules, removing sobriety requirement
A Winnipeg homeless shelter is making changes to its entry policy and removing its sobriety requirement.
Kitchener
-
Inquest jury rules Beau Baker’s death a suicide
The inquest jury found that Beau Baker, 20, died by suicide with the cause of death being a gunshot wound in the torso.
-
Police find 6 bodies, including 1 child, in St. Lawrence River
The bodies of six people, including one child, were found in the St. Lawrence River Thursday afternoon after an air search involving the Canadian Coast Guard, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police said.
-
'It's awesome': Officials pleased local man won Hagersville Lions Club ‘Catch the Ace’ jackpot
A moment months in the making came to an end in Hagersville, Ont. Thursday night as the long-running ‘Catch the Ace’ progressive weekly jackpot draw concluded.
Calgary
-
No ‘April Fools’ Joke: Albertans to see carbon tax increase on April 1, higher rebates also expected
Calgarians can expect to pay more to fill up their car or heat their homes starting Saturday when the federal government’s carbon tax is set to increase national carbon prices.
-
Fatal crash near High River, Alta. closes section of Highway 2A
Alberta RCMP are investigating a fatal crash on Highway 2A south of Calgary.
-
Former Alberta cabinet minister cited by law society for alleged misconduct
A former Alberta cabinet minister has been cited by the province's law society for alleged professional misconduct.
Saskatoon
-
'Learn to live with this': Humboldt focuses on future 5 years after bus crash
Kevin Garinger says it feels like the passage of time is inexplicable. The five years since a deadly bus crash changed his city, his hockey team and his life sometimes feel like a lifetime. Other times it feels like yesterday.
-
Defence attempts to raise doubts during final day of arguments in Saskatoon murder trial
All evidence and testimony has been presented in the case against a man accused of first-degree murder in his girlfriend's death.
-
Some in Saskatoon 'flat out' refusing delivery of city's new green waste bins
Some Saskatoon residents have been refusing to accept the green carts when they’re delivered by the city, but that won’t save them from a monthly fee.
Edmonton
-
'People are coming from far and wide': Hundreds line up for Crumbl Cookie opening in Edmonton
When American cookie company Crumbl Cookie opened its first Canadian store in Edmonton on Friday, the lineup for the store stretched across the strip mall.
-
No gun found at Health Sciences/Jubilee LRT station despite initial report: police
A person reportedly carrying a gun was the reason LRT service on Edmonton's Capital and Metro lines stopped during Friday's morning commute.
-
No ‘April Fools’ Joke: Albertans to see carbon tax increase on April 1, higher rebates also expected
Calgarians can expect to pay more to fill up their car or heat their homes starting Saturday when the federal government’s carbon tax is set to increase national carbon prices.
Vancouver
-
IHIT releases photos of suspects sought after murder of former doctor in West Vancouver
Homicide investigators have released photos of a pair of suspects believed to be connected to the fatal stabbing of a former doctor in West Vancouver earlier this month.
-
Heavy, late season snowfall coming for B.C.'s Coquihalla Highway: Environment Canada
Drivers on British Columbia's Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt are being warned to prepare for a heavy, late season snowfall through Saturday.
-
'We feel the urgency': B.C. housing minister addresses Riverview re-development delays
British Columbia’s housing minister called the lands around the shuttered Riverview Hospital a “huge opportunity” as he offered a slightly different explanation about the delay in planning the redevelopment of the site.
Regina
-
'It’s bullying': Regina TikTok account faces backlash for sharing videos of vulnerable people in crisis
Videos posted on TikTok showing people in Regina in the midst of mental health crises show the stigma still attached to addictions, advocates say.
-
'Embarrassing and hurtful': Sask. woman denied service because of ‘cultural’ facial tattoo
A First Nation woman was denied service at a Prince Albert bar because of her facial tattoo.
-
'Learn to live with this': Humboldt focuses on future 5 years after bus crash
Kevin Garinger says it feels like the passage of time is inexplicable. The five years since a deadly bus crash changed his city, his hockey team and his life sometimes feel like a lifetime. Other times it feels like yesterday.