Oak Bay Light Up Christmas festival returns after pandemic cancellations

After an involuntary two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Oak Bay's annual Christmas festival has returned. (visitoakbayvillage.ca)

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Backlog of airline complaints balloons by 6,395 since December travel chaos: Canadian Transportation Agency

The fallout from the December travel chaos continues, as the backlog of complaints made to the Canadian Transportation Agency keeps growing. As of Jan. 31, there have been 6,395 new complaints made to the agency since Dec. 21.

Travellers line up at the Ottawa International Airport, as airlines cancel or delay flights during a major storm in Ottawa, on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

'Legitimately flabbergasting': MP raises concerns over government's quarantine hotel spending

Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner is raising concerns over the federal government's spending on so-called COVID-19 quarantine hotels, calling the total spent on a Calgary-area hotel in 2022 'legitimately flabbergasting.'

Man spends 24 hours in Toronto Denny's after losing bet, raises almost $6K for charity

At first, Juan Delgado agreed to spend 24 hours inside a Dundas St. Denny’s as a consequence of losing in his fantasy football league.

Discovery in Canadian lab could help laptop, phone and car batteries last longer

A chance discovery in a Canadian laboratory could help extend the life of laptop, phone and electric car batteries.

Is working from home or the office better? Some Canadians weigh in

News that she'd be headed back to the office was very welcoming for English instructor Kathy Andvaag, after more than two years teaching from her “dark” and “cold” basement.

Loblaw ends No Name price freeze, vows 'flat' pricing 'wherever possible'

Loblaw will not be extending its price freeze on No Name brand products, but vows to keep the yellow label product-pricing flat 'wherever possible.'

Jeopardy! dedicates entire category to Ontario but one question stumps every contestant

Jeopardy! turned the spotlight on Ontario on Monday night with a category entirely dedicated to the province. One question stumped every contestant.

Woman detained in Syria says Ottawa is forcing her to make agonizing choice in order to get her kids to Canada

A woman held in a detention camp in Syria, along with her three Canadian children, says the federal government is forcing her to make an agonizing choice: relinquish custody of her kids so they can be repatriated to Canada, or keep them in the camp where the conditions are dire. Her children are eligible for repatriation but she is not a Canadian citizen.

Canada’s Corruption Perceptions Index score remains the same as last year

Canada's perceived corruption in the public sector has remained the same since last year, according to the latest Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, which ranks Canada tied for 14th out of 180 countries. The country scored 74 out of 100 in 2022, with 100 being the least corrupt and 0 being the most.

Vancouver

B.C. health-care workers at 'breaking point' seeking mental help in growing numbers

The ongoing toxic drug crisis, waves of COVID-19 and other mass casualty events have B.C. healthcare workers pleading for faster access to mental health care as more of them find themselves distressed and despairing.
Nicole Chan coroner's inquest now in the hands of the jury

Following a week and a half of testimony from 34 witnesses, the jury in the coroner's inquest into death of Vancouver police Const. Nicole Chan began deliberating Tuesday.
Detox and treatment beds hard to come by as toxic drugs continue to claim lives in B.C.

At a time when toxic drugs are killing more than a dozen British Columbians every two days – making the choice to get clean can be a life-or-death decision.

Edmonton

Ritchie, Strathcona residents express frustration over public consultation process for south-side 'health hub'

Boyle Street Community Services has acknowledged it has a lot of trust-building to do around Edmonton's first potential overdose prevention services south of the river.
Alberta promising campus changes amid university 'woke' free speech standoff

The Alberta government says changes are coming to further protect free speech on campuses as a former professor speaking out on so-called “woke” policies prepares for a showdown with the University of Lethbridge.
'Sheer luck': Bullets in north Edmonton shooting narrowly missed sleeping children: police

Police are asking the public for help in identifying two males involved in a shooting in north Edmonton last month.

Toronto

Family slams 'unconscionable' actions of TD Bank after 95-year-old woman withdraws $10K in scam

The family of a 95-year-old Ontario woman tricked into withdrawing $10,000 in the middle of a major snowstorm said it's 'absolutely unconscionable' that bank employees allowed her to take out the money without contacting her power of attorney.
Baby located at Markham hotel with critical injuries; man in custody

York Regional Police say they are investigating after a baby was seriously injured in Markham on Tuesday afternoon.
Man spends 24 hours in Toronto Denny's after losing bet, raises almost $6K for charity

At first, Juan Delgado agreed to spend 24 hours inside a Dundas St. Denny’s as a consequence of losing in his fantasy football league.

Calgary

Calgary MP says Liberal government wasted millions on quarantine hotel stays

A Calgary-area MP is questioning why the federal government spent almost $7 million last year for a quarantine hotel in the city that only 15 people stayed at.
First affordability payments delivered, long-term solutions needed: recipients

The first instalment of the province’s affordability payments has been automatically deposited into the bank accounts of Albertans already receiving income supports.
Chestermere mayor slams what he calls false allegations made about staff abuse amid other investigations

Chestermere Mayor Jeff Colvin says people are pushing their own political agendas following an accusation that a city staffer slapped another employee.

Montreal

Tkachuk's late goal lifts Senators over Canadiens 5-4

Brady Tkachuk scored at 18:41 of the third period to lift the Ottawa Senators to a 5-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.
Man accused of beating Montreal girl, 10, declared high-risk offender

A man who brutally attacked a 10-year-old girl in Montreal's Pointe-aux-Trembles neighbourhood last spring was declared a high-risk offender by a judge Tuesday.
WEATHER
WEATHER | Polar vortex to bring coldest air in years to parts of Quebec

So far, the winter season across Southwestern Quebec has been marked by above-average snowfall and above-average temperatures, but that is about to change. Cold, arctic air has been gradually pushing into the province.

Atlantic

Wind chill explained and what to expect late week in the Maritimes

A blast of Arctic air will combine with northwest gusts to make it feel like -35 degrees or colder for parts of all three Maritime provinces Friday night into Saturday.
Shoplifting surge: Numbers increase in Maritimes as economy sours

New shoplifting numbers from Statistics Canada show significant increases in the Maritimes.
Cobequid Pass closed due to overturned propane truck

A section of the Trans-Canada highway that passes through the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick border remains closed Tuesday evening due to an overturned propane truck in the Londonderry, N.S., area.

Winnipeg

Arson causes $7M in damage at Manitoba business

RCMP in Headingley say a fire at a business in the RM of Rosser that caused millions in damage was a case of arson.
New proposed long-term care standards call for better staffing, more direct care

New standards for long-term care homes are being rolled out across Canada in an attempt to avoid a repeat of the tragedies that unfolded during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jeopardy! dedicates entire category to Ontario but one question stumps every contestant

Jeopardy! turned the spotlight on Ontario on Monday night with a category entirely dedicated to the province. One question stumped every contestant.

Kitchener

WRDSB trustee takes issue with board’s public response to 'child abuse' claim

A Kitchener public school board trustee has released an open letter of dissent, arguing a recent communication to parents from the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) may have a “chilling effect” on those who may wish to voice concerns in public forums.
Queen Victoria statue consultation wraps up first stage with City of Kitchener

The City of Kitchener says they have wrapped up the first phase of consultation regarding a controversial statue in a public park.
Brantford mayor is optimistic about OHL Bulldogs' possible move to his city

The Hamilton Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) could temporarily be relocating to the Brantford Civic Centre while their home ice undergoes major renovations.

Regina

Fitness club set to open at former YMCA building

The former YMCA building is again becoming a hub of activity downtown. Last week, a temporary emergency shelter moved into the vacant facility. On Wednesday, a fitness club will open for business under private ownership.
'It puts us on the map': Assiniboia draws in visitors to new $18M hockey arena

The Town of Assiniboia is living up to its nickname as the 'Heart of the Golden South' with its new rink attracting visitors from across southern Saskatchewan.
'A bit of a wild card': Team Muyres ready to make Tankard debut in Estevan

The SaskTel Tankard Provincial Men's Curling Championships kicks off in Estevan this week and newly formed Team Muyres is ready to make their mark.

Barrie

Barrie police investigating collision on Essa Road and Highway 400 ramp

Barrie police are investigating a motor vehicle collision at Essa Road and the Highway 400 southbound ramp.
Pilot program in Barrie will make x-rays more accessible for LTC residents

Several local organizations are teaming up to make x-rays more accessible for residents in Barrie's long-term care homes.
High interest rates continue to impact home sales in Simcoe County & Muskoka

Higher interest rates meant to cool down inflation have had a major impact on housing sales throughout much of Simcoe County and Muskoka, according to new data.

Saskatoon

'I feel we are forgotten': Saskatoon long term care residents speak out about staff shortages

Residents of a Saskatoon care home are speaking out about staff shortages and broken equipment in their facility.
Saskatoon landlord expects family of man killed in apartment to clean up his blood

Thirty-seven-year-old Adam Willet was found dead in his apartment on 7th Street East in December, and his family says they are now on the hook for cleaning the suite.
Saskatoon healthcare workers launch petition for safer parking

The Service Employees International Union West (SEIU-West), which represents some Saskatoon healthcare workers, has launched a petition calling for safer parking.

Northern Ontario

BREAKING
BREAKING | Sudbury school board makes decision on drag event

After putting the brakes on a planned event involving high-profile drag queens at a Sudbury high school two weeks ago, the Rainbow District School Board has made a final decision about it.
Blind River man charged again in ongoing neighbour dispute

Charges are being laid for the third time in connection with an ongoing dispute between northern Ontario neighbours, police say.
Preston Pablo of Timmins receives three Juno Award nominations

Preston Pablo, 21, of Timmins is a singer, songwriter and musician who's been nominated for three Juno Awards.

Oak Bay Light Up Christmas festival returns after pandemic cancellations

Oak Bay Light Up Christmas festival returns after pandemic cancellations

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

WEATHER | Polar vortex to bring coldest air in years to parts of Quebec

BREAKING | Sudbury school board makes decision on drag event