One new COVID-19 death reported, cases and hospitalizations up in Nova Scotia

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NORAD tracking high-altitude surveillance balloon detected over the U.S., Canada says

The Department of National Defence says Canada is working with the United States to protect sensitive information from foreign intelligence threats after a high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected.

A high altitude balloon floats over Billings, Mont., on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Larry Mayer/The Billings Gazette via AP)

Are magic mushroom stores the next pot shops?

Magic mushroom dispensaries are popping up in cities across Canada, with customers ranging from those looking for treatment for depression or PTSD to people wanting to 'micro-dose' a small amount of psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound in magic mushrooms. But while the situation is in some ways reminiscent of when cannabis retailers set up shop before marijuana was legalized in 2018, Health Canada says there are no plans to legalize or decriminalize psilocybin products.

Migrant workers sneak secret menus into Canadian restaurants to expose exploitation

Hundreds of customers who scan QR codes for restaurant menus across Canada are being surprised by secret menus instead, revealing the hidden costs behind the food they eat.

Q & A with a Russian warfare expert: 'This is not a proxy war' with the U.S.

With the anniversary of Ukraine's invasion by Russia around the corner, CTV News sat down with a Russian warfare expert to discuss how he sees the conflict playing out and what happens next.

'Brutally cold': Extreme weather warnings spread across Canada

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, as of Thursday morning there were extreme cold or winter storm warnings active from coast to coast, with the harshest extreme cold warnings stretching from northern Alberta all the way to Nova Scotia.

'We win or it’s free' paralegal bribed court clerk in traffic ticket fixing scheme: testimony alleges

A paralegal firm whose tagline is “we win or it’s free” bribed a Toronto traffic court clerk to change legal records to make it look like they had won, said the clerk in the first time he has testified publicly about the case.
Southern Ontario bracing for arrival of 'dangerous' blast of cold weather

Toronto and most of Ontario are in for a frigid bout of winter weather, according to Environment Canada.
Ontario Greens urge Liberals trying to steal their leader to 'join us'

A group of Ontario Greens have put together a counteroffer for Liberals trying to poach their leader.

Calgary

Calgary office vacancy rate declining as business community returning to city's core

After years of decline, demand for Calgary's downtown commercial real estate is showing signs of returning to life.
Pastor Artur Pawlowski goes to trial for Coutts border blockade sermon

Artur Pawlowski is charged with breaching a release order and mischief for inciting people at the border crossing, where truckers gathered to block a highway.
Curling Canada says pregnancy exemption to be expanded in 2024

Curling Canada says it is opening up its pregnancy exemption eligibility to all teams competing at next year's Canadian women's and men's championships, with the announcement coming a day after the organization came under fire for limiting the exemption to just the top five teams in the rankings.

Montreal

WEATHER
WEATHER | Extreme cold warnings blanket the province of Quebec

After an extremely mild month of January, the province is bracing for a blast of arctic air that will move in tonight and last until Saturday. Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued extreme cold warnings that covers most of the province with wind chills expected to be between -38 and -42 across the South and -50 across Northern Quebec.
'It just takes one bad dose': Coroner rules NDG fixture Sean Abbott died from overdose

A beloved man who was a fixture on the streets of Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grace neighbourhood died last year from a combination of street drugs in his system, including fentanyl, a coroner has ruled.
Quebec COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer Medicago to cease operations

Medicago's parent company has announced that the Quebec City-based biopharmaceutical company, which developed a vaccine against COVID-19, will cease operations.

Edmonton

If EPS, sheriffs try a hard crackdown on inner-city Edmonton it could make things worse: criminologist

A former Edmonton Police Service officer believes bringing Alberta Sheriffs into downtown Edmonton is a risky plan that has the potential to backfire if not done properly.
'Escalating violence' contributes to closure of Edmonton senior's centre: board of directors

The Operation Friendship Seniors Society (OFSS) announced Wednesday that it would be shutting down services at the McCauley Seniors drop-in facility.
New artwork blooms in central Edmonton

A new public art installation has blossomed in a downtown Edmonton neighbourhood.

Northern Ontario

Fight between two 7-year-olds turns violent after mom gets involved

An argument between two young children playing outside together escalated to violence when a parent got involved, a North Bay mom says.
OLG to unveil $48M lottery winner from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. is holding a big reveal Friday morning: the winner of a $48 million Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball draw.
Student presentation in Sudbury to go ahead, despite board opposition

The past few weeks have been a bit of a roller coaster for 16-year-old Ra'Jah Mohamed, a student at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School.

London

'Chloe was a bright light': Former cheerleading coach remembers victim of fatal south London crash

One person has died and four others were sent to hospital after a two-vehicle crash in south London Wednesday night. She has since ben identified by her former cheerleading coach as 19-year-old Chloe Mackenzie.
Tragedy leads to second chance at life, two families forever bonded

Two-year-old Ella Crosset loved to dance and celebrate Halloween. Her smile lit up a room, and brought joy to so many people. But Ella passed away after a pool accident, and the pain of that loss was incomprehensible — through tragedy however, comes hope.
Snow squall warning lifted, frigid temperatures to impact London region

Environment Canada has lifted a snow squall warning for the London region Thursday evening, but a cold weather alert from the Middlesex-London Health Unit remains in effect. In addition, Grey-Bruce and Huron-Perth remain under snow squall and extreme cold warnings.

Winnipeg

Search warrant: Winnipeg couple used their “stash” to hand out THC candy to children on Halloween

New documents show what led to a couple handing out cannabis-infused gummies to children in Winnipeg - and what happened in the hours directly after.
Niverville transforms obsolete lagoon into a healthy wetland

Ducks Unlimited Canada is celebrating World Wetlands Day by highlighting a success story in Niverville, Man.
‘We'd have to strip her down’: Insurance issues concerning mobile home owner

A mobile home owner could potentially be out thousands of dollars after learning her home might not be insurable.

Ottawa

EXTREME COLD WARNING
EXTREME COLD WARNING | Temperatures to drop to -30 C the next two nights in Ottawa

Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning with Ottawa expected to see its coldest temperatures in years.
Parents facing charges after 1-year-old suffers opioid overdose at Kingston, Ont. home

Two parents are facing charges of criminal negligence causing bodily harm after a toddler suffered an opioid overdose at a home in Kingston, Ont. last week.
How much does a trip to Disney World Florida cost during March Break versus off-season

As March Break approaches, travel agents are experiencing a surge in bookings, with many families choosing to travel to Disney World in Florida despite the rising cost.

Saskatoon

Former student says she was 'groomed' by Saskatoon educator accused of sexual assault

Aaron Benneweis, 46, has been charged by Saskatoon Police with sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a minor while in a position of trust or authority.
Former Sask. Energy worker believes cancer is linked to gas exposure on the job

Brian Hodgkinson always knew there was benzene in natural gas — after all, he spent 40 years working with it for SaskPower, then SaskEnergy.
Report calling on city to create warning system for drivers during heavy rain, flooding

A report written and reviewed by Saskatoon Water is calling on the city to create a warning system, in particular for drivers, when roadways become “dangerously flooded” due to heavy rain.

Vancouver

Daughter speaks out after Mounties charged in death of Indigenous man in Prince George

CTV News has learned that four of five RCMP officers facing charges in the death of an Indigenous man during an arrest in Prince George are still on active duty.
Killer sentenced to 15 years in 2020 South Vancouver slaying

A man who was gunned down outside of his business in South Vancouver never got the chance to meet his daughter, a court heard as his killer was sentenced.
Ad for tap-to-donate teddy bear designed for street youth is part of provocative campaign

A nationwide billboard campaign that appears to promote grunge-chic clothing for street youth is causing confusion and igniting debate.

Regina

Video of Sask. hockey rink's 95-year-old staircase grabs national attention online

One of Saskatchewan’s oldest hockey rinks has garnered national attention for its unique features and unusual design.
'Embrace our winter': Frost 2.0 puts final touches on festival prep

The final details are being chiselled into place at the REAL District in preparation for the second annual Frost Festival taking place Feb. 3 to 12.
Mental wellness network for agriculture community launched

The Farmer and Rancher Mental Health (FARMh) Initiative has launched a mental wellness network along with a virtual toolbox full of mental health resources for the agriculture community.

Vancouver Island

Caught on video: Nanaimo teenager hits would-be armed robber with baseball bat

A teenager from Nanaimo is being hailed as a hero by his family after a suspect wielding a knife entered their business and the boy scared them off using a baseball bat.
Victoria cancer agency building partially evacuated due to 'noxious odour'

Hazmat teams were called to the BC Cancer Agency building in Victoria on Thursday due to reports of a "noxious odour" in the building.
'Six more weeks of winter': Vancouver Island Marmot makes weather prediction on Groundhog Day

A furry mascot endemic only to Vancouver Island is predicting six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day.

One new COVID-19 death reported, cases and hospitalizations up in Nova Scotia

One new COVID-19 death reported, cases and hospitalizations up in Nova Scotia

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

WEATHER | Extreme cold warnings blanket the province of Quebec

EXTREME COLD WARNING | Temperatures to drop to -30 C the next two nights in Ottawa