Victoria police arrest youths amid weekend crackdown in downtown core
Victoria police say they arrested six youths on Friday night and two on Saturday as the force aims to crack down on teens behaving badly.
VicPD social media channels show most of the arrests were for vandalism and intoxication.
Victoria police say downtown businesses have noticed a stark increase in crimes committed by young people in the downtown core over the past month.
Including this weekend, Victoria police say they have investigated over 30 such crimes. They span from public intoxication to serious assaults, including one where a senior was reportedly swarmed and beaten by a large group of youngsters.
Police say this weekend represented a decrease in calls from the three weekends before it, but still continued the trend.
VicPD spokesperson Bowen Osoko says officers took time to speak with teens over the past several days and asked them why they were descending on the core en masse.
“One of them, who was from outside of Victoria from one of the surrounding municipalities, indicated over the past couple of years they have really been pent up inside and haven’t really had a chance to socialize,” said Osoko.
Officers were also told that many activities young people took part in remain shut down during the pandemic.
VicPD is now planning to meet with Greater Victoria School District officials to discuss the issues young people are causing downtown.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Settlement reached in complaint over Canada Post layoffs as strike hits four weeks
The union representing Canada Post workers says an unfair labour practice complaint over the company's layoffs has been resolved.
Rescue group saves 11-year-old girl floating alone in the Mediterranean for days after shipwreck
An 11-year-old girl from Sierra Leone was found floating in the Mediterranean Sea off Italy's southernmost island of Lampedusa, believed to be the only survivor of a shipwrecked migrant boat that had departed from the port of Sfax in Tunisia, a humanitarian group said Thursday.
Banks tell 2 Ontarians too much time has passed to cash decades-old cheque, GIC
Two Ontarians who recently found unclaimed money from decades-old investments were told by their banks there were no records of them in their systems.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to cut off energy supply to the U.S. in response to the tariffs President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose on all Canadian imports.
'We are in for more terrorism, not less,' warns Canadian terror expert amid Syria's political chaos
The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime means the ticking time bomb of prisons holding thousands of suspected ISIS members in northeast Syria has become even more unstable, a Canadian terrorism expert warns.
Missing 'lost Canadians' deadline creates 'unknowable' number of new citizens: feds
The federal government is asking an Ontario Superior Court for more time to pass citizenship legislation for the "lost Canadians," saying that without an extension an "unknowable" number of people would automatically become citizens next week.
Elon Musk calls Justin Trudeau 'insufferable tool' in new social media post
Billionaire Elon Musk is calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'an insufferable tool' in a new social media post on Wednesday. 'Won't be in power for much longer,' Musk also wrote about the prime minister on 'X.'
More than 60,000 customers without power in the Maritimes due to wet, windy storm
Tens of thousands of customers in the Maritimes woke up to no power Thursday morning and several schools are closed as a wet and windy storm makes its way through the region.
Air Canada to offer free Wi-Fi on flights for Aeroplan members, sponsored by Bell
Air Canada plans to offer free Wi-Fi to Aeroplan members aboard its flights starting next year, building on a partnership with telecom giant Bell that already gives passengers free text messaging capabilities.
Vancouver
-
Expanded Broadway Plan proposal fuels density debate in Vancouver
As Vancouver considers an even more scaled up version of its Broadway plan, people on both sides of the density debate are having their say at city hall.
-
Vancouver's 'bitcoin friendly city' plan likely to hit provincial roadblocks
Vancouver city council passed a motion Wednesday to make the city “bitcoin friendly,” but it’s likely to meet provincial roadblocks.
-
B.C's Kaela Hansen, Emma Regan best friends and now teammates at AFC Toronto
Kaela Hansen and Emma Regan have been friends for ever. Now they are teammates again, this time with AFC Toronto of the new Northern Super League.
Kelowna
-
Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas
A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas.
-
Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026
The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday.
-
545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down
Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day.
Edmonton
-
Alberta premier to announce border security plan in response to Trump tariff threat
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to announce the steps the province plans to take to shore up security at the Canada-United States border.
-
Accused in killing of apartment security guard have extensive criminal histories
A man and a woman charged in the killing of a security guard in Edmonton will spend Christmas and New Year's behind bars.
-
School bus driver ticketed after Jasper Avenue crash
A school bus driver was ticketed after a crash in downtown Edmonton on Wednesday.
Calgary
-
Development application submitted for Calgary's Scotia Place
Calgary's new arena will face its final administrative hurdle at city hall on Thursday.
-
Alberta premier to announce border security plan in response to Trump tariff threat
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to announce the steps the province plans to take to shore up security at the Canada-United States border.
-
'Scared and confused': 9-year-old Calgary girl recalls terrifying experience being stuck in stolen vehicle
A Calgary girl who was sitting in her dad's vehicle when it was stolen on Monday night is speaking out about the horrifying experience, along with her father.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge post-secondary schools trying to help students manage exam stress
Southern Alberta students are busy cramming for the final stretch of the exam season --and with all that extra work comes stress.
-
LDE will continue to operate Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre, property tax increase deferred
The Lethbridge and District Exhibition (LDE) will continue to operate the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre for at least for the next two years.
-
Advance voting begins for Lethbridge-West byelection
Plenty of voters were at the University Drive Alliance Church in Lethbridge on Tuesday to take advantage of advance voting for the Lethbridge-West byelection.
Winnipeg
-
Extreme cold to 'linger' in southern Manitoba: ECCC
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is warning Manitobans that the extreme cold will likely “linger” until Thursday night into Friday morning.
-
'We're not used to it this year': Extreme cold impacting Winnipeggers
The extreme cold has settled over much of Manitoba and the bone chilling temperatures are impacting people across the province, including in Winnipeg.
-
Freezing weather prompts school bus cancellations in Manitoba
As southern Manitoba experiences freezing cold temperatures on Thursday, some school divisions have opted to cancel school buses.
Regina
-
Sask. extreme cold warnings enter second day with warm up forecasted
Much of central and southern Saskatchewan, including Regina and Saskatoon, remain under an extreme cold warning Thursday morning.
-
'A reasonable compromise': Regina City Council forgives Riders of more than $1M in unpaid rent
Regina City Council forgave the Saskatchewan Roughriders of more than $1 million in unpaid rent payments at their meeting Wednesday.
-
Settlement reached in complaint over Canada Post layoffs as strike hits four weeks
The union representing Canada Post workers says an unfair labour practice complaint over the company's layoffs has been resolved.
Saskatoon
-
Historic University of Saskatchewan building slated for demolition
There is a building on the University of Saskatchewan campus that has been an eyesore for a few years, and now the historic building is slated for demolition. However, historians want campus officials to rethink the plan to get rid of it.
-
Sask. extreme cold warnings enter second day with warm up forecasted
Much of central and southern Saskatchewan, including Regina and Saskatoon, remain under an extreme cold warning Thursday morning.
-
Cold weather in Saskatchewan spurs furnace breakdowns, carbon monoxide concerns
The return of bitterly cold temperatures has first responders and HVAC technicians on stand-by, ready to respond to emergencies.
Toronto
-
'Significant windchill' expected in GTA today; blizzard warnings for other parts of Ontario
It’s worth bundling up before heading out the door today as the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is set to see strong winds that will make it feel frigid.
-
'The city fell short': Ombudsman report critical of decision to turn away refugees from shelters
Toronto’s now-reversed decision to turn away refugee claimants and asylum seekers from its emergency shelter system lacked fairness and caused harm, the city’s ombudsman has found.
-
Banks tell 2 Ontarians too much time has passed to cash decades-old cheque, GIC
Two Ontarians who recently found unclaimed money from decades-old investments were told by their banks there were no records of them in their systems.
Montreal
-
Montreal restaurant forced to close after driver crashes into building
With the holidays fast approaching, one Montreal restaurant was forced to close its doors after a driver crashed into it on the weekend.
-
Montreal Canadiens' Gallagher, wife expecting baby
A tiny Timbit is on their way for Montreal Canadiens alternate captain and right winger Brendan Gallagher and his wife, Emma Fortin.
-
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador announcing energy deal, ending decades of strife
The premiers of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador are set to announce a resolution to an energy issue that has driven a wedge between the provinces for decades.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNINGNEW THIS MORNING Here's what will cost more in the 2025 City of Ottawa budget
Ottawa residents will be paying more to board the O-Train and buses, have the garbage picked up, turn on the taps, park on city streets and use recreation facilities in 2025. CTV News Ottawa looks at things that will cost more in Ottawa next year.
-
Teenager seriously injured in west-end stabbing
Ottawa paramedics say a teenager suffered serious injuries after a stabbing in Ottawa's west end on Wednesday evening.
-
Tips for travellers flying through the Ottawa International Airport this holiday season
Travellers planning to fly through the Ottawa International Airport over the Christmas and New Year's season are being advised to give themselves extra time to make their flights, ensure their travel documents are up to date and leave your gifts unwrapped until after clearing security.
Atlantic
-
More than 60,000 customers without power in the Maritimes due to wet, windy storm
Tens of thousands of customers in the Maritimes woke up to no power Thursday morning and several schools are closed as a wet and windy storm makes its way through the region.
-
Storm Watch: School closures, cancellations
Here is a list of school closures and cancellations for Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024.
-
Settlement reached in complaint over Canada Post layoffs as strike hits four weeks
The union representing Canada Post workers says an unfair labour practice complaint over the company's layoffs has been resolved.
London
-
Road closures with deteriorating conditions
Police across the region are warning drivers of deteriorating road conditions and poor visibility as snow squalls move through the region.
-
Blizzards and snowsqualls to roll through the region today
Blizzard and snow squall warnings have rolled across much of southern Ontario – with up to 15 centimeters expected today, and blowing snow reducing visibility on roadways.
-
Dundas Street now open after morning structure fire
Crews were called to the scene around 8:45 a.m. Thursday. There is no word on how the fire started or anybody was in the building at the time.
Kitchener
-
Storm Watch: Tracking today's closures and cancellations
Storm Watch is your destination for information about school closures, bus cancellations and road closures in Waterloo region, Guelph, Brantford and the surrounding area.
-
Settlement reached in complaint over Canada Post layoffs as strike hits four weeks
The union representing Canada Post workers says an unfair labour practice complaint over the company's layoffs has been resolved.
-
140-pound dog strolls solo into Giant Tiger store in Stratford, Ont.
A furry, four-legged shopper was spotted in the aisles of a Giant Tiger store in Stratford, Ont. on Sunday morning.
Northern Ontario
-
Banks tell 2 Ontarians too much time has passed to cash decades-old cheque, GIC
Two Ontarians who recently found unclaimed money from decades-old investments were told by their banks there were no records of them in their systems.
-
Settlement reached in complaint over Canada Post layoffs as strike hits four weeks
The union representing Canada Post workers says an unfair labour practice complaint over the company's layoffs has been resolved.
-
Ontario man charged with sex trafficking underage girls from Sudbury, Kingston
Two young girls, from Sudbury and Kingston, Ont., were rescued from sex trafficking in the GTA and their suspected abuser has been charged, but police fear there may be more victims.
N.L.
-
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador expected to sign Churchill Falls energy deal
Quebec Premier François Legault and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey are scheduled to announce an energy agreement Thursday that could end decades of friction between the two provinces.
-
Newfoundland towns light up harbours to honour fishers and pray for their safety
On a twinkling wharf in a small Newfoundland town, a crowd of about 100 people stopped singing and chatting on Friday night to bow their heads in a moment of silence for local fish harvesters.
-
North anxious over dwindling necessities, no Christmas gifts, due to postal strike
Communities in Northern Canada say the postal strike is starting to choke off the supply and children in remote regions may not receive Christmas gifts this year.
