Nanaimo singer Lauren Spencer-Smith earns pair of Juno Awards nods

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U.S. President Joe Biden to meet Trudeau, address Parliament today

After two years in office, U.S. President Joe Biden has made it to Canada, and is waking up to a full day of events in the capital.

President Joe Biden speaks as he meets with Canada's Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and her husband Whit Fraser at Ottawa International Airport, Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Ottawa, Canada. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Ontario crypto king kidnapped, tortured in an attempt to get millions in ransom, documents say

Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.

Restaurants and bars brace for biggest alcohol tax jump in 40 years

Canada's restaurant industry is bracing for the biggest jump in the country's alcohol excise duty in more than 40 years, spurring warnings the tax hike could force some bars and restaurants out of business.

Utah bans kids from accessing social media during evening hours, without parent consent

Children and teens in Utah would lose access to social media apps such as TikTok if they don't have parental consent and face other restrictions under a first-in-the-nation law designed to shield young people from the addictive platforms.

Protests continue in France; King Charles III visit postponed

Protesters angry at French President Emmanuel Macron's pension reforms continued with scattered actions on Friday, as the unrest across the country led officials to postpone a planned state visit by King Charles III.

Make sure to check your grocery bill otherwise you may pay more: Survey

A majority of Canadians have seen a mistake on their grocery receipts in the last year, according to a new survey conducted by Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University.

Asteroid to hurtle past Earth closer than the moon this weekend

An asteroid discovered just last week will pass closer to the Earth than the orbit of the moon this weekend, an occurrence so rare it happens only once in a decade, according to NASA.

Opposition parties affirm call for interference inquiry, amid questions over MP Han Dong

Amid renewed questions over the pervasiveness of alleged interference by China in Canadian elections and affairs broadly, opposition MPs voted Thursday afternoon to affirm a parliamentary committee's call for the federal government to strike a public inquiry.

Eastern Ont. mayor wants more help from feds to manage influx of asylum seekers, supports STCA renegotiation

As the federal government looks to renegotiate the Safe Third Country Agreement with the U.S., an eastern Ontario mayor says his city needs more help from Ottawa to deal with the influx of asylum seekers arriving through irregular crossings like Roxham Road.

Vancouver

'It was disgusting': Downtown Vancouver building smeared with human feces twice this month

Security cameras have captured a woman smearing and throwing human feces at a downtown Vancouver building more than once this month.
B.C. woman accused of manslaughter in escort service druggings remanded into custody

Following a court appearance Thursday, a B.C. woman facing more than 20 charges – including manslaughter – in connection with alleged druggings of men who used escort services was remanded into custody.
Former doctor the victim of West Vancouver homicide

The man killed in West Vancouver earlier this week was a retired urologist who was involved in several legal disputes over valuable real estate, CTV News has learned.

Edmonton

Alberta Energy Regulator cites company for causing seismic events in Peace River area

The Alberta Energy Regulator has cited an energy company for causing a series of earthquakes, including the largest recorded tremblor in the province's history.
Restaurants and bars brace for biggest alcohol tax jump in 40 years

Canada's restaurant industry is bracing for the biggest jump in the country's alcohol excise duty in more than 40 years, spurring warnings the tax hike could force some bars and restaurants out of business.
Asteroid to hurtle past Earth closer than the moon this weekend

An asteroid discovered just last week will pass closer to the Earth than the orbit of the moon this weekend, an occurrence so rare it happens only once in a decade, according to NASA.

Toronto

Ontario crypto king kidnapped, tortured in an attempt to get millions in ransom, documents say

Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.
Ontario budget shows lower projections for new home construction

Projections in Ontario's budget for housing starts show the province's target to build 1.5 million homes in 10 years slipping further out of reach with each passing year.
New Toronto bylaw coming into effect April 1 prohibits feeding of wild animals

The City of Toronto is reminding people to not feed local wildlife, in advance of new bylaw regulations that actually prohibit the practice.

Calgary

Accused in Chestermere city hall assault case pleads not guilty

The City of Chestermere staff member charged with assaulting another staff member pleaded not guilty Thursday.
U.S. President Joe Biden to meet Trudeau, address Parliament today

After two years in office, U.S. President Joe Biden has made it to Canada, and is waking up to a full day of events in the capital.
Restaurants and bars brace for biggest alcohol tax jump in 40 years

Canada's restaurant industry is bracing for the biggest jump in the country's alcohol excise duty in more than 40 years, spurring warnings the tax hike could force some bars and restaurants out of business.

Montreal

PM Trudeau, President Biden agree to end 'loophole' in Safe Third Country Agreement: sources

Canada and the United States are negotiating a deal that could see asylum seekers turned back at irregular border crossings across the border, including Roxham Road in Quebec.
Lawyer for owner of Old Montreal building speaks out after deadly fire

For the first time, the owner of a building in Old Montreal has responded to questions about the fire — through his lawyer — addressing allegations that the building was unsafe.
Man, 21, stabbed and injured in Montreal gas station parking lot

A dispute in the parking lot of a Montreal gas station late Thursday night resulted in the stabbing of 21-year-old man. The injuries sustained by the victim are not life-threatening, police said Friday morning.

Atlantic

N.S. government includes record-high health-care spending in 2023-24 budget

The Tim Houston PC government remains firm in their promise they'll fix the health-care system by spending more taxpayer money on health than any previous government before.
'I've lost everything': Homeowners lose everything, including pets, after rural N.B. home destroyed by fire

A couple in Shepody, N.B., has lost everything after their home was destroyed by fire Wednesday afternoon.
Mix of spring snow, rain closes some Nova Scotia schools Friday

A mix of snow and rain that began Thursday morning and afternoon in the Maritimes has led to some messy road conditions in the region.

Winnipeg

Stolen gun recovered in Lac du Bonnet: RCMP

Mounties in Lac du Bonnet have recovered a gun stolen more than two years ago from an RCMP officer's home in Winnipeg.
Need a job? These are Manitoba’s most in-demand occupations

Manitoba’s labour force is growing at a rate to supply enough workers for available positions into 2026, according to the province’s labour market outlook.
U.S. President Joe Biden to meet Trudeau, address Parliament today

After two years in office, U.S. President Joe Biden has made it to Canada, and is waking up to a full day of events in the capital.

Kitchener

Still no winner for Hagersville’s ‘Catch the Ace’ draw, jackpot jumps to $1.5M

The ‘Catch the Ace’ jackpot is still up for grabs in Hagersville. There was no winner Thursday night so the total prize money is now an estimated $1,526,067.
Welcome back Zellers: Cambridge location opens amid wave of nostalgia

The resurrection of Zellers is officially underway with the Cambridge location opening its doors to eager shoppers who lined up ahead of the store's official reopening.
Fake catering orders could be costly for restaurants

A restaurant in Ayr, Ontario wants to warn others in the industry about what they believe to be a fake catering scheme.

Regina

'Bad for the city': Regina Mayor, Experience Regina CEO break silence on tourism slogans

The Mayor of Regina calls tourism slogans that were rolled out as part of a rebrand last week “sexist” and “wrong.”
Files on 39 addiction treatment clients found in Regina dumpster, privacy commissioner says

A recent report from the province’s privacy commissioner says the Métis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Inc. (MACSI) failed to take appropriate steps after patient treatment files were discovered in a recycling bin.
Location for new Harbour Landing Elementary School confirmed

A location for the site of the new joint-use Harbour Landing Elementary School has been confirmed.

Barrie

Multiple people appear to be taken into custody in Barrie

A heavy police presence was seen in Barrie Thursday evening outside a residence near Cundles Avenue.
Spring takes a backseat to more wintry weather in the forecast

While the calendar says it's spring, Mother Nature isn't quite done with winter just yet.
Colleagues jumped into life-saving action when Midland councillor collapsed at town meeting

The quick thinking and immediate actions of two people are credited with possibly saving the life of a Midland councillor after he collapsed at a meeting Wednesday evening.

Saskatoon

Saskatoon judge lifts Legacy Christian Academy publication ban

An alleged victim of a former staff member of Legacy Christian Academy can now be identified after she successfully petitioned in court to have a publication ban lifted.
Saskatoon school division 'can't even do a status quo budget' with current provincial funding

In the weeks leading up to Wednesday’s provincial budget, school divisions in Saskatchewan were expecting funding levels to increase, with the province repeatedly touting its $1 billion surplus.
Closing arguments expected in Ally Moosehunter homicide case

Closing arguments are set for next week in the first-degree murder case of a man accused of killing his girlfriend.

Northern Ontario

North Bay police looking for two men, warn not to approach

North Bay police say they are looking for two men last seen in the downtown area and are asking the public for help in finding them.
Ontario crypto king kidnapped, tortured in an attempt to get millions in ransom, documents say

Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.
Supreme court ruling allows for evidence from a northern Ont. unlawful spot check to be admitted in court

The Supreme Court of Canada has reinstated the impaired driving conviction of a northern Ontario man, despite agreeing that his rights were breached during his arrest.