Latest updates: Tracking RSV, influenza, COVID-19 in Canada
Are we in the middle of flu season? How bad is RSV this year?
As the country heads into the worst time of year for respiratory infections, the Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report tracks how prevalent certain viruses are each week and how the trends are changing week to week.
The latest data, which covers the week ending Nov. 23, 2024, shows RSV infections continuing to rise across Canada, while COVID-19 rates are decreasing.
The influenza test positivity rate is low, but is "showing early signs of increase", according to the dashboard.
Virus spread is measured by looking at the percentage of tests for each virus that come back positive.
The charts below compare positivity rates for this season — which began at the end of August — with the previous two years.
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CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Tensions rising between Canada Post, union as strike nears four-week mark
Canada Post and the union representing postal workers are in a war of words as a countrywide strike enters its 27th day.
BoC widely expected to cut interest rates today, odds leaning toward half-point cut
The Bank of Canada is set to make its final interest rate announcement of the year this morning.
Conservatives still in majority territory, despite Liberal affordability measures: Nanos
The Liberals' promise of a temporary GST break and $250 rebate cheques haven't benefited Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his minority government when it comes to public support, according to Nanos Research data.
'They thought he wasn't making it': B.C. soccer star's family on his shocking shooting — and remarkable recovery
Born and raised in Metro Vancouver, Nathan Demian was living his dream playing soccer for top-ranked Ohio State University, when he was shot during a post-game pizza run with his brother Saturday night.
MPs approve $21.6B in supplementary spending; Conservatives vote against
Parliament has approved $21.6 billion in government spending, in a late Tuesday vote in the House of Commons.
Luigi Mangione shouts as he is led into courthouse where he contests extradition to N.Y.
The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggled with deputies and shouted Tuesday while arriving for a court appearance in Pennsylvania, a day after he was arrested at a McDonald’s and charged with murder.
What financial experts wish you knew about divorce
Divorce is a major financial reset, yet also one of the worst times to make a lot of important decisions, according to financial experts.
Dolly Parton explains why her longtime husband doesn't attend events with her
Dolly Parton has been married for 58 years, but you probably could count on one hand the times you have seen her with her husband.
Trudeau set to speak with premiers to tackle Trump's tariff plan
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to meet with provincial and territorial premiers this afternoon to talk Canada-U.S. relations.
Canada
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'They thought he wasn't making it': B.C. soccer star's family on his shocking shooting — and remarkable recovery
Born and raised in Metro Vancouver, Nathan Demian was living his dream playing soccer for top-ranked Ohio State University, when he was shot during a post-game pizza run with his brother Saturday night.
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N.B. town seeks to limit the number of cats, dogs in homes
The Town of Shediac, N.B., is proposing a bylaw that would limit the number of cats and dogs in homes.
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Company ordered to refund B.C. Telus customer who accidentally sent it payments
A B.C. Telus customer who mistakenly sent online banking payments to a company with a similar name will get refunded after a small claims decision handed down Monday.
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TikTok files legal challenge of federal government's shutdown order
TikTok is challenging the federal government’s order to shut down its operations in Canada, saying it will eliminate hundreds of jobs and potentially terminate a quarter of a million contracts that it has with Canadian advertising clients.
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Celtic Colours board of directors fired amid allegations of 'toxic' environment
On Saturday, members of the society that runs the Celtic Colours International Festival - an October tradition on Cape Breton Island since 1997 - fired its entire board of directors.
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Ex-minister cites 'threat to security' for denying emergency passport to Abdelrazik
Former foreign minister Lawrence Cannon says he denied an emergency passport to Abousfian Abdelrazik in 2009 because he considered the Montreal man a possible threat to national security.
World
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Celebrities and coastal residents flee from wind-driven wildfire in Malibu
Evacuation orders and warnings have gone out to 20,000 Southern California residents Tuesday as firefighters battled a wind-driven wildfire in Malibu that burned near celebrities' seaside mansions, horse farms and Pepperdine University, the sheriff's department said.
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South Korea's top 2 police chiefs detained over enforcement of martial law
South Korea’s two highest police officers have been detained to be investigated for their roles in enforcing President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived martial law decree last week, police said Wednesday.
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McConnell falls and sprains wrist after GOP luncheon, colleague says he is 'fine'
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell fell and sprained his wrist while walking out of a GOP luncheon on Tuesday, the latest in a series of medical incidents for him in recent years.
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Israeli warplanes pound Syria as troops reportedly advance deeper into the country
Israel carried out a wave of heavy airstrikes across Syria as its troops advanced deeper into the country, a Syrian opposition war monitor said Tuesday, and the Israeli defence minister announced that his forces had destroyed Syria’s navy.
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Major food companies accused of marketing 'addictive' food to kids
Major food companies, including Kraft Heinz, Mondelez and Coca-Cola, were hit with a new lawsuit in the U.S. on Tuesday accusing them of designing and marketing 'ultra-processed' foods to be addictive to children, causing chronic disease.
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Woman arrested with 10 kg of meth wrapped as Christmas presents at New Zealand airport
A Canadian woman has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs into New Zealand — by disguising them as Christmas presents.
Politics
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'Which one of those two is going to win?': Poilievre prods Trudeau, Freeland over spending tension
Revived talk of tensions between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland prompted new questions Tuesday, about how big the federal deficit will be in next week's economic update.
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Trudeau set to speak with premiers to tackle Trump's tariff plan
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to meet with provincial and territorial premiers this afternoon to talk Canada-U.S. relations.
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Ex-minister cites 'threat to security' for denying emergency passport to Abdelrazik
Former foreign minister Lawrence Cannon says he denied an emergency passport to Abousfian Abdelrazik in 2009 because he considered the Montreal man a possible threat to national security.
Health
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Major food companies accused of marketing 'addictive' food to kids
Major food companies, including Kraft Heinz, Mondelez and Coca-Cola, were hit with a new lawsuit in the U.S. on Tuesday accusing them of designing and marketing 'ultra-processed' foods to be addictive to children, causing chronic disease.
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'Immediately stop using': Health Canada warns against use of baby car seat bought on Amazon.ca
Health Canada released a consumer product advisory against the use of a baby car seat availible for purchase on Amazon.
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What financial experts wish you knew about divorce
Divorce is a major financial reset, yet also one of the worst times to make a lot of important decisions, according to financial experts.
Sci-Tech
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TikTok files legal challenge of federal government's shutdown order
TikTok is challenging the federal government’s order to shut down its operations in Canada, saying it will eliminate hundreds of jobs and potentially terminate a quarter of a million contracts that it has with Canadian advertising clients.
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LinkedIn pauses training AI models on Canadian user data: privacy commissioner
Canada's privacy commissioner says LinkedIn has paused training its artificial intelligence models on data from Canadian users.
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Google says it has cracked a quantum computing challenge with new chip
Google on Monday said that it has overcome a key challenge in quantum computing with a new generation of chip, solving a computing problem in five minutes that would take a classical computer more time than the history of the universe.
Entertainment
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Dolly Parton explains why her longtime husband doesn't attend events with her
Dolly Parton has been married for 58 years, but you probably could count on one hand the times you have seen her with her husband.
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Years after his mother's death, Tyler Perry says grief still 'shows up when it wants to'
The holiday season always reminds Tyler Perry of his late mother Maxine. She loved Thanksgiving and reveled in celebrating Christmas with her family. She also died 15 years ago this month, a grief Perry said still visits him this time of year.
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Jamie Foxx reveals he suffered a brain bleed and a stroke, says 'I don’t remember 20 days'
Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx has opened up about the medical emergency he faced last year, revealing that he had a brain bleed that led to a stroke.
Business
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Some tree vendors are facing a shortage as Christmas approaches
Though there might not be a Christmas tree shortage in Canada based on the number of trees being grown, cost-of-living concerns are causing tree sellers to cut down fewer trees than usual.
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BoC widely expected to cut interest rates today, odds leaning toward half-point cut
The Bank of Canada is set to make its final interest rate announcement of the year this morning.
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Tensions rising between Canada Post, union as strike nears four-week mark
Canada Post and the union representing postal workers are in a war of words as a countrywide strike enters its 27th day.
Lifestyle
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Fanshawe student designs the world's smallest arcade machine, sets Guinness record
The tiny machine is the creation of a Fanshawe College student. As a new generation of public school students looked on, a current-generation electro-mechanical engineer prepared to display her innovation.
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What did you Google in 2024? From the elections to Copa América, here's what search trends show
Google released its annual “Year in Search” on Tuesday, rounding up the top trending queries entered into its namesake search engine in 2024
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The holidays can be an anxious time for some kids. Here's how parents can help
Many kids and teens are looking forward to the holidays with great excitement, but others find it a difficult time of year filled with anxiety, stress and loneliness.
Sports
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Canada opens world junior selection camp with another home-soil tournament ahead
Canada's quest for another home-soil gold medal at the world junior hockey championship will feature something the team lacked throughout last year's disastrous fifth-place finish overseas.
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Joe Burrow's home broken into during Monday Night Football in latest pro-athlete home invasion
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's home was broken into during Monday Night Football in the latest home invasion of a pro athlete in the U.S., authorities said Tuesday.
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Swimmer Summer McIntosh wins Northern Star Award as Canada's athlete of the year
Swimmer Summer McIntosh has won the Northern Star Award as Canada's athlete of the year after a dominant performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Autos
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GM is pulling the plug on its robotaxi efforts
General Motors is pulling the plug on its efforts to develop a fleet of driverless taxis and will focus on driver-assistance features that require a driver to be ready to take control of the car, the company said Tuesday.
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80-year-old driver with expired licence accused of going nearly double the speed limit in eastern Ontario
Ontario Provincial Police say a man caught stunt driving on Highway 37 near Tweed, Ont. Thursday was 80 years old, and his licence was expired.
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More than 200,000 SUVs recalled in Canada, U.S. over fuel leak concern
Honda is recalling approximately 12,000 vehicles in Canada
Local Spotlight
'Creatively incredible': Regina raised talent featured in 'Wicked' film
A background dancer from Saskatchewan was featured in the movie adaptation of Wicked, which has seen significant success at the box office.
Montreal man retiring early after winning half of the $80 million Lotto-Max jackpot
Factor worker Jean Lamontagne, 63, will retire earlier than planned after he won $40 million on Dec. 3 in the Lotto-Max draw.
Man, 99, still at work 7 decades after opening eastern Ontario Christmas tree farm
This weekend is one of the busiest of the year for Christmas tree farms all over the region as the holidays approach and people start looking for a fresh smell of pine in their homes.
Saskatoon honours Bella Brave with birthday celebration
It has been five months since Bella Thompson, widely known as Bella Brave to her millions of TikTok followers, passed away after a long battle with Hirschsprung’s disease and an auto-immune disorder.
Major Manitoba fossil milestones highlight the potential for future discoveries in the province
A trio of fossil finds through the years helped put Manitoba on the mosasaur map, and the milestone of those finds have all been marked in 2024.
The 61st annual Christmas Daddies Telethon raises more than $559,000 for children in need
The 61st annual Christmas Daddies Telethon continued its proud Maritime tradition, raising more than $559,000 for children in need on Saturday.
Calgary company steps up to help grieving family with free furnace after fatal carbon monoxide poisoning
A Calgary furnace company stepped up big time Friday to help a Calgary family grieving the loss of a loved one.
'A well-loved piece': Historic carousel display from Hudson’s Bay Company store lands at Winnipeg shop
When a carousel setup from the Hudson’s Bay Company became available during an auction, a Winnipeg business owner had to have it.
Sask. doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case
A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals.
Vancouver
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Vancouver city council approves 2025 budget with 3.9% property tax increase
Vancouver city council has finalized its 2025 budget, approving a 3.9 per cent property tax hike.
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Imposter nurse who pleaded guilty apologizes at B.C. sentencing hearing
A woman who passed herself off as a nurse and fraudulently treated almost 1,000 patients in health-care settings in Metro Vancouver and southern Vancouver Island delivered a tearful apology on the final day of her sentencing hearing at B.C. Supreme Court.
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New Vancouver mom temporarily discharged from hospital to see Taylor Swift concert
A Vancouver woman didn’t let an emergency C-section keep her from Saturday’s Taylor Swift concert.
Toronto
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Pedestrian struck by TTC bus in Toronto’s west end dies in hospital
A pedestrian has died in hospital after they were struck by a TTC bus in the city’s west end, Toronto police say.
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No injuries reported after gunshots fired inside Etobicoke high school, 2 suspects outstanding
Toronto police are searching for two suspects after gunshots were fired inside an Etobicoke high school late Tuesday afternoon.
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'We are a threat to the U.S.': Ford suggests reason for Trump's proposed tariffs
Premier Doug Ford is touting the strength of Ontario’s manufacturing sector, suggesting that U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs may have something to do with him seeing the province as a “threat.”
Calgary
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Four current Calgary councillors make up latest municipal political party
Calgary has another political party at the municipal level, with four sitting councillors already signed up under its banner ahead of next year's election.
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9-year-old girl taken along with stolen vehicle in McKenzie Lake, then left in Sundance
A nine-year-old girl is safe after she was taken on Monday night in her father's vehicle, which was later abandoned by the suspect.
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Albertans spending less this holiday season due to inflation, cost of living: report
Amidst a tough year for consumers, a new survey suggests Albertans are feeling the financial pressure more than those in other provinces.
Ottawa
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RAINFALL WARNING, FOG ADVISORYRAINFALL WARNING, FOG ADVISORY Fog, 10-15 mm of rain in the forecast for Ottawa today
It will be a foggy and rainy day in Ottawa, before snow returns to the national capital region tonight and on Thursday. Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning and a fog advisory for Ottawa and most of eastern Ontario.
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NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING Council to vote on final $5B City of Ottawa budget today
Council will vote on the final 2025 City of Ottawa budget on Wednesday and residents can expect to pay more in taxes next year.
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Ashcroft Homes receives court-ordered protection as it deals with $284 million in debt
Ottawa's Ashcroft Homes has received court-ordered protection from its creditors, as it owes banks and other lenders $284.5 million.
Montreal
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Banning prayer in public: legal experts sound alarm on Legault's threat to use notwithstanding clause
Legal experts say the increasing tendency of provincial premiers to use the notwithstanding clause is a worrying trend that disregards the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
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External audit confirms 'careless' spending by Hampstead's former director general
The Montreal municipality of Hampstead had 'major financial management and control deficiencies' that led to 'abusive credit card' spending by the town's former director general over a five-year period, an external audit has confirmed.
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WEATHER
WEATHER Montreal under rainfall, freezing rain warnings
Southern Quebec could see a messy mix of rain and freezing rain beginning Tuesday night.
Edmonton
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Alberta family doctor suspended for unprofessional conduct
An Alberta family doctor and veterinarian has been suspended for unprofessional conduct.
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'He lost his spirit': Family wants answers after Indigenous man’s braids cut at Edmonton hospital
The Saskatchewan family of an Indigenous man whose braids were cut off during a stay at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, without permission, is searching for answers.
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Barber describes southside scene of dead baby discovery
A man who was near the south Edmonton scene where a baby was found dead on Saturday says the "shock" of the discovery lingers days later.
Atlantic
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N.B. RCMP releases photo of 'vehicle of interest' in Chipman double-homicide case
The New Brunswick RCMP has released a photo of a “vehicle of interest” in connection to the deaths of two people in Chipman last month.
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N.B. town seeks to limit the number of cats, dogs in homes
The Town of Shediac, N.B., is proposing a bylaw that would limit the number of cats and dogs in homes.
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Tensions rising between Canada Post, union as strike nears four-week mark
Canada Post and the union representing postal workers are in a war of words as a countrywide strike enters its 27th day.
Winnipeg
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'Same problems over and over': 2024 the worst year for vacant house fires in Winnipeg, expected to get worse
2024 has been the worst year on record for vacant building fires in Winnipeg
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Nurses union worried about Manitoba health-care cuts
The union representing nurses in Manitoba said a recent government directive to cut costs could have an impact on patient care in the province.
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Extreme cold warning issued in parts of southwestern Manitoba
The extreme cold is starting to settle in parts of Manitoba.
Regina
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'Creatively incredible': Regina raised talent featured in 'Wicked' film
A background dancer from Saskatchewan was featured in the movie adaptation of Wicked, which has seen significant success at the box office.
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'A nightmare': Sask. family voices concerns over state of public long-term care homes
A Saskatchewan family's experience with a public long-term care home is raising the alarm on the “unlivable” conditions faced by some seniors in the province.
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Province hopes legislative changes will cut long waitlists for subsidized childcare
The province is making legislative changes in hopes of build additional capacity for the federally-subsidized $10 a day childcare spaces across Saskatchewan.
Kitchener
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Business director of Dutchie’s pleads guilty to Employment Standards Act offences
The business director of Dutchie’s Fresh Market, a Waterloo Region-based grocer, has pleaded guilty to more than a dozen offences.
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Waterloo Region mistakenly applied $13.7M discount to Amazon build in Blair
The Region of Waterloo will not be able to demand $13.7 million from a developer after they said a discount was mistakenly issued for the development of an Amazon fulfillment centre.
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Petition seeks to save U of G greenhouse from demolition
The fate of a historic greenhouse on the University of Guelph campus hangs in the balance.
Saskatoon
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'A pretty big hit': Sask. gun store loses $40K in inventory, following federal gun ban
About $40,000 worth of guns have been removed from a Saskatoon store, following the latest federal ban.
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Province hopes legislative changes will cut long waitlists for subsidized childcare
The province is making legislative changes in hopes of build additional capacity for the federally-subsidized $10 a day childcare spaces across Saskatchewan.
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Saskatoon's new downtown shelter is running $360K over budget
The emergency shelter planned for downtown Saskatoon has come in over budget.
Northern Ontario
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Doctor shortage crisis turning into a catastrophe in the north: OMA
Northern Ontario doctors are calling on the province to immediately address an acute doctor shortage in northern Ontario.
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Giant Santas pop up in Sudbury neighbourhood
On Sudbury’s McNaughton Street near Bell Park, more than a dozen large, inflatable Santas have popped up.
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Northern Ont. man on probation charged with intimate partner violence, firearms offences
New details have emerged about a police standoff in northern Ontario that sent a school and day care into lockdown last month after police lay intimate partner violence-related charges.
London
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More snow on the way, with as much as 20cm expected
More snow is expected to roll through the region this afternoon, and it’s coming out swinging.
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Councillor McAlister claims his ward 'got shafted' by the rest of London after storming out of debate
An unexpectedly tense debate about adjusting London’s electoral boundaries saw Councillor Hadleigh McAlister leave mid-meeting and claim his ward is being carved up to satisfy the rest of London.
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One person killed in two vehicle collision east of Thamesford
On Tuesday, Dec. 10 at approximately 11:10 a.m., police say that a two vehicle collision occurred on Highway 2 in Zorra Township between 31st Line and 33nd Line.
Barrie
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'Something wicked this way comes': twice
Environment Canada issues two dire weather warnings for our region.
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Central Ont. auxiliary police officer credited with saving child's life at Santa parade
An auxiliary South Simcoe police officer is credited with saving a child’s life during the Innisfil Santa Parade last month.
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Essa Twp. couple accused of human trafficking face new charges
An Essa Township couple in the midst of a human trafficking trial have been arrested and charged again, this time with allegedly breaching their bail terms.
Windsor
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Parents, educators protest GECDSB program cuts
Educators and parents gathered outside the Greater Essex County District School Board office on Tuesday evening protesting program cuts.
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Charges dropped, pleas accepted, trial confirmed in murder of UWindsor student on Walpole Island
Warning: This article contains details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader’s discretion is advised.
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Firefighters stressing safety with lithium-ion batteries
Lakeshore firefighters are stressing the importance of safety with and around lithium-ion batteries this holiday season.
Vancouver Island
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Imposter nurse who pleaded guilty apologizes at B.C. sentencing hearing
A woman who passed herself off as a nurse and fraudulently treated almost 1,000 patients in health-care settings in Metro Vancouver and southern Vancouver Island delivered a tearful apology on the final day of her sentencing hearing at B.C. Supreme Court.
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Suspects sought in syringe attack on city worker in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties are investigating after a 58-year-old man was reportedly stabbed with syringes on Tuesday morning at a park in Nanaimo, B.C.
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New Vancouver mom temporarily discharged from hospital to see Taylor Swift concert
A Vancouver woman didn’t let an emergency C-section keep her from Saturday’s Taylor Swift concert.
Kelowna
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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.
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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.
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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.
Lethbridge
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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.
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Charges laid after drugs, weapons seized from multiple southern Alberta homes
Four people are facing charges after drugs and weapons were seized from multiple southern Alberta homes as part of a trafficking investigation late last month.
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Lethbridge Hurricanes drop off donations at Chinook Regional Hospital
Members of the Lethbridge Hurricanes visited the Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday to help deliver thousands of teddy bears collected during Friday's game against the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Sault Ste. Marie
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Doctor shortage crisis turning into a catastrophe in the north: OMA
Northern Ontario doctors are calling on the province to immediately address an acute doctor shortage in northern Ontario.
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SPONSORED
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When you’re planning a trip, you always want to ensure you have coverage for any unexpected events, whether that’s a medical emergency, needing to cancel a trip at the last-minute (or during the trip!), or even for lost baggage. Many credit cards offer travel insurance as a perk, but do they provide you with enough coverage?
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Sault suspect tied snowblower to truck bumper, arrested for impaired, weapons offences
A suspended driver in Sault Ste. Marie has been charged with more than a dozen offences after someone reported a pickup truck driving around with a snowblower tied to the bumper.
N.L.
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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.
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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.
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Not just for your parents: Facebook's buy-and-sell platform drawing back millennials
The two-metre-tall anchor, believed to be from a century-old shipwreck, was salvaged by a fisherman in the 1980s. But last year, the 31-year-old Stapleton, who works as a navigation officer on a cargo ship, snapped it up on Facebook Marketplace.
