Do you have questions about the Omicron COVID-19 variant? We want to hear from you

With the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant of concern, labelled Omicron, CTVNews.ca wants to hear from Canadians with any questions.

Are you wondering about its origin or how it affects the body? Tell us what you’d like to know when it comes to the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

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CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Prince William and Kate release photo of daughter Charlotte to mark ninth birthday

Prince William and his wife Kate released a picture of their daughter Charlotte to mark the princess's ninth birthday on Thursday.

Doctors concerned about potential spread of bird flu in Canada

H5N1 or avian flu has been detected at dozens of US dairy farms and Canadian experts are urging surveillance on our side of the border too.

This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it

A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.

Man involved in Dartmouth, N.S., emergency alert earlier this week turns himself in

A 49-year-old man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault that happened earlier this week in Dartmouth, N.S.

Concerns about Plexiglas prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa

Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall Plexiglas barriers.

Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Goring

Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.

Imagine living in a 4-foot body that doesn't develop chronic diseases

Nathaly Paola Castro Torres has a rare disorder called Laron syndrome that is caused by a genetic mutation. It stunts her growth but also provides a hidden silver lining: Her body is protected from chronic diseases such as cancer that often take life away long before old age.

'Oh, there you go': Tyler Black, son of veteran broadcaster Rod Black, has memorable Major League Baseball debut

Canadian baseball player Tyler Black made a major splash in his first-ever big league game for the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.

Groundbreaking American guitarist Duane Eddy dies age 86

Guitarist Duane Eddy, best known for twangy riffs on hits such as 'Rebel Rouser' and 'Cannonball,' has died at the age of 86.

Canada

Doctors concerned about potential spread of bird flu in Canada

H5N1 or avian flu has been detected at dozens of US dairy farms and Canadian experts are urging surveillance on our side of the border too.
McGill community told not to use Roddick Gates due to planned protest

McGill University is asking people not to use the central entrance to its downtown campus via the Roddick Gates on Sherbrooke Street due to two impending protests.
Fourth teen charged with second-degree murder in connection with Halifax student's death

Police say a fourth teenager has been charged in connection with the death of a student in Halifax last week.
B.C. launches portal to help find hotel rooms for emergency evacuees

British Columbia's hotel association says a new central booking portal will help speed up the process of finding places to stay for emergency evacuees.
Sask. sexual assault trial stayed after more than 850 days of 'excessive delay'

The sexual assault trial of a Saskatchewan man has been stayed after a judge found the accused’s right to a trial within a reasonable time was violated.
Man involved in Dartmouth, N.S., emergency alert earlier this week turns himself in

A 49-year-old man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault that happened earlier this week in Dartmouth, N.S.

World

No criminal charges after 4 newborn bodies found in Boston freezer

A prosecutor in Massachusetts won't seek criminal charges against anyone, two years after four newborns were found in a freezer in a South Boston apartment.
Organizers of Eurovision Song Contest ready to remove Palestinian flags or symbols

Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest said Thursday they reserve the right to remove any Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian symbols at the show next week in Sweden.
Body of 5th missing worker found more than a month after Baltimore bridge collapse, officials say

Authorities said they have recovered the body of a fifth person who was missing after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge more than a month ago.
As Hamas considers ceasefire, question hangs: Will Israel end war without the group's destruction?

Hamas on Thursday was considering the latest proposal for a ceasefire with Israel that the United States and other mediators hope will avert an Israeli attack on the Gaza town of Rafah.
Kyiv's forces are up against a concerted Russian push in eastern Ukraine, a military official says

The situation on the front line in eastern Ukraine is worsening but local defenders are so far holding firm against a concerted push by Russia's bigger and better-equipped forces, a senior Ukrainian military official said Thursday.
Suspect in London sword attack appears in court on murder charge in death of teenage boy

A man accused of brandishing a sword in a rampage in London that killed a teenage boy, severely injured two police officers and wounded two men appeared in court Thursday to face charges of murder and attempted murder.

Politics

Liberal MP says she's leaving politics over disrespectful dialogue, threats, misogyny

Liberal MP Pam Damoff says she won't run again in the next federal election, saying she has experienced misogyny, disrespectful dialogue in politics and threats to her life.
Poilievre returns to House unrepentant for calling Trudeau 'wacko,' Speaker not resigning

An unrepentant Pierre Poilievre returned to the House of Commons on Wednesday to pepper the prime minister about his drug decriminalization policies after being booted the day prior for refusing to take back calling Justin Trudeau 'wacko' over his approach to the issue.
Construction begins on LGBTQ2S+ national monument in Ottawa

Shovels have hit the ground for constuction on Canada's LGBTQ2S+ national monument in Ottawa.

Health

Doctors dealing with at least 160 Canadians suffering eye damage possibly linked to looking at the eclipse

Nearly a month after the total solar eclipse, at least 160 cases of eye damage have been reported across the country.
Doctors concerned about potential spread of bird flu in Canada

H5N1 or avian flu has been detected at dozens of US dairy farms and Canadian experts are urging surveillance on our side of the border too.
Eating disorders among youth skyrocketed during pandemic and so did associated costs, report finds

The number of young people experiencing eating disorders surged during the height of the pandemic as the social and economic costs skyrocketed too, a new pan-Canadian report has found.

Sci-Tech

Facial reconstruction reveals what a 40-something Neanderthal woman may have looked like

Scientists studying a Neanderthal woman's remains have painstakingly pieced together her skull from 200 bone fragments to understand what she may have looked like.
B.C. man awarded $5,000 in damages in first-of-it-kind intimate image case

In a first-of-its-kind case, a B.C. tribunal has ruled on a dispute involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, awarding damages and issuing orders that the photos be destroyed and taken offline.
Campaign to build new California city submits signatures to get on November ballot

A wealthy Silicon Valley-backed campaign to build a green city for up to 400,000 people in the San Francisco Bay Area has submitted what it says are enough signatures to qualify the initiative for the November election.

Entertainment

Groundbreaking American guitarist Duane Eddy dies age 86

Guitarist Duane Eddy, best known for twangy riffs on hits such as 'Rebel Rouser' and 'Cannonball,' has died at the age of 86.
Dua Lipa hands off 'Saturday Night Live' performing duties to Chloe Fineman in fun new promo

Pop superstar Dua Lipa is preparing to pull double duty as this week's 'Saturday Night Live' host and musical guest, with a little help from cast member Chloe Fineman.
Artists from Universal Music Group are heading back to TikTok as new licensing deal reached

Artists from Universal Music Group, which include Taylor Swift, Drake, Adele, Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish, will be returning to TikTok as the two parties have struck a new licensing agreement following an approximately three-month long dispute.

Business

BCE reports Q1 profit and operating revenue down from year ago

BCE Inc. reported its first-quarter profit fell compared with a year ago as it faced higher severance, acquisition and other costs related mainly to job cuts.
Air Canada reports $81M Q1 loss, operating revenue up seven per cent from year ago

Air Canada lost $81 million in its first quarter, falling below analysts' expectations even as revenue and capacity ramped up.
This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it

A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.

Lifestyle

Reluctant to reconnect with an old friend? This B.C. study might help you understand why

Have you ever wanted to rekindle an old friendship, but stopped short of actually reaching out?
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship

A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Companies letting customers opt out of Mother's Day ads

In an effort to balance the profitability of Mother's Day with the pain it causes some people, some brands are offering customers the choice to opt out of Mother's Day email advertising.

Sports

'Oh, there you go': Tyler Black, son of veteran broadcaster Rod Black, has memorable Major League Baseball debut

Canadian baseball player Tyler Black made a major splash in his first-ever big league game for the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.
Oilers dominate special teams to eliminate Kings in 5 games

The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings played a tight-checking series at even strength. But the special teams matchup was lopsided - and that's why it ended in five games.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper apologizes for inappropriate comment about putting skirts on goalies

Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper apologized for making what he called an inappropriate analogy of putting skirts on goalies.

Autos

These driving offences now come with an automatic impoundment, licence suspension in Sask.

Drivers in Saskatchewan will now lose their licence for a week and their vehicle for a month if they are caught committing certain high-speed and dangerous offences on the road.
Rolls-Royce is growing its factory so it can build its 'bespoke' cars more slowly

Rolls-Royce is vastly expanding its factory in Chichester, England. The BMW subsidiary is adding five new buildings with construction planned to start next year.
Tractor-trailers with no one aboard? The future is near for self-driving trucks on U.S. roads

On a three-lane test track along the Monongahela River, an 18-wheel tractor-trailer rounded a curve. No one was on board.

All provincial employees in B.C. directed to change passwords

Every provincial employee is receiving emails or memos directing them to change their passwords immediately, CTV News has learned.
Reluctant to reconnect with an old friend? This B.C. study might help you understand why

Have you ever wanted to rekindle an old friendship, but stopped short of actually reaching out?
B.C. man awarded $5,000 in damages in first-of-it-kind intimate image case

In a first-of-its-kind case, a B.C. tribunal has ruled on a dispute involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, awarding damages and issuing orders that the photos be destroyed and taken offline.

Toronto

Pro-Palestinian protesters set up encampment on University of Toronto campus

A number of pro-Palestinian protesters breached a fenced area and set up an encampment on the University of Toronto campus early Thursday, vowing to stay there until their demands are met.
This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it

A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.
Adult, child struck by vehicle in midtown Toronto seriously injured: paramedics

An adult and a child are being rushed to hospital with serious injuries after they were struck by the driver of a vehicle in midtown Toronto Thursday morning, paramedics say.

Calgary

Alberta education minister stands behind new social studies curriculum

A group of educators looking at the most recent draft of Alberta's new social studies curriculum says it still does nothing to address the program's fundamental flaws.
ASIRT on track for busiest year on record

Alberta's police watchdog is on pace for its busiest year ever, while it also works through a backlog of investigations from up to six years earlier.
10 things to do in Calgary this weekend

Ten things happening around the city for you and your family to do.

Ottawa

BREAKING NEWS
BREAKING NEWS Residential highrise building fire on Donald St. leaves 2 children, woman in critical condition, injures 11 others

Ottawa Fire Services says two children and one adult were taken to hospital in critical condition after a fire broke out in a residential highrise building on Donald Street and St. Laurent Boulevard Thursday morning.
It feels like spring this Thursday in Ottawa, here's when it'll start to rain

A good start to the day this Thursday with a mix of sun and cloud along with warm temperatures in Ottawa.
Federal employees will be required to spend 3 days a week in the office

Starting in September, public servants in the core public administration will be required to work in the office a minimum of three days a week. The Treasury Board Secretariat says executives will need to be in the office four days per week.

Montreal

McGill community told not to use Roddick Gates due to planned protest

McGill University is asking people not to use the central entrance to its downtown campus via the Roddick Gates on Sherbrooke Street due to two impending protests.
Montreal weather: Will April showers bring May flowers?

April continued the trend of above-average temperatures in Montreal, but the mercury was nowhere near as high as it was throughout the winter and early spring.
Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children

Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.

Edmonton

Oilers dominate special teams to eliminate Kings in 5 games

The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings played a tight-checking series at even strength. But the special teams matchup was lopsided - and that's why it ended in five games.
ASIRT on track for busiest year on record

Alberta's police watchdog is on pace for its busiest year ever, while it also works through a backlog of investigations from up to six years earlier.
WEATHER
WEATHER Josh Classen's forecast: Warmer and drier weather to close the week

After picking up roughly 15 to 30 mm of precipitation in the Edmonton area over the past two days, drier conditions are on the way for the next few days.

Atlantic

Fourth teen charged with second-degree murder in connection with Halifax student's death

Police say a fourth teenager has been charged in connection with the death of a student in Halifax last week.
Man involved in Dartmouth, N.S., emergency alert earlier this week turns himself in

A 49-year-old man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault that happened earlier this week in Dartmouth, N.S.
'It's got to make some kind of change': Boycott of Loblaws-owned stores begins

For the next month, thousands of shoppers from across the country plan to get their groceries anywhere other than Loblaws-owned stores. The move is an attempt to get the box chain to lower its prices, as frustration grows over the high price of food.

Winnipeg

High traffic at bustling Winnipeg Costco prompts calls for traffic light

A motion before Winnipeg’s public works committee could make it easier for shoppers who stocked up on bulk packs of toilet paper and chicken breast to exit one of the city’s bustling Costco locations.
Interprovincial drug bust led by Winnipeg police turns up millions in drugs, cash, luxury goods

More than a dozen people are facing charges, the majority Winnipeggers, after an interprovincial drug bust that turned up millions of dollars in cash, drugs, guns, jewelry and luxury vehicles.
Lawyers for alleged serial killer to argue he is not criminally responsible

Defence lawyers told court they will argue alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women by way of a mental disorder.

Regina

Sask.'s Boundary Dam carbon capture project underperforming: report

A signature carbon capture and storage project in Saskatchewan continues to miss emissions reduction goals, raising questions about the cost-effectiveness of the technology, according to a report.
Sask. sexual assault trial stayed after more than 850 days of 'excessive delay'

The sexual assault trial of a Saskatchewan man has been stayed after a judge found the accused’s right to a trial within a reasonable time was violated.
CN, CPKC workers approve strike mandate as possible work stoppage looms

Employees at Canada's two biggest railways have authorized a strike that could see thousands of workers walk off the job in three weeks if they are unable to reach new deals on contract demands.

Kitchener

Bullet fired into Waterloo business

Waterloo regional police are looking for the person who shot into the window of a Waterloo business.
Charges expected to be laid after three-vehicle crash in Kitchener

Waterloo regional police are expecting to lay charges following a crash involving a transport truck and two other vehicles.
Ont. woman who faked pregnancies to defraud doulas arrested again on similar charges

Victims of a Brantford, Ont., woman who was sentenced to house arrest earlier this year for defrauding and deceiving doulas say they’re not surprised she’s been apprehended again on similar charges.

Saskatoon

Blades even WHL East Final with overtime win in Moose Jaw

The Saskatoon Blades saw an early three goal lead over the Moose Jaw Warriors disappear but were able to win 5-4 in overtime to even the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) East Final at two games a piece Wednesday night.
Managers must tell new hires about risk of violence at work under new Sask. employment rules

Saskatchewan employers will be required to tell new hires if they face a risk of violence in the workplace and to take actions against it starting on May 17.
'Not an easy task': Police begin 'meticulous' search at Saskatoon landfill in Mackenzie Trottier case

Police officers and cadaver dogs have begun searching the Saskatoon landfill for answers in the Mackenzie Lee Trottier case.

Northern Ontario

Northern homelessness services facing deep cutbacks on federal funding

Social services in the north are bracing for deep funding cuts to homelessness services and Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus is calling on the federal government to explain why it is scaling back at a time when the north is facing a social disaster.
Police investigate death in northern Ontario community

The remains of a 44-year-old person were found Tuesday morning on Delamere Road in French River, Ontario Provincial Police said.
Concerns about Plexiglas prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa

Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall Plexiglas barriers.

London

'Breaks my heart': Residents react to removal of Canada goose nest, destruction of eggs

Residents who live in the Hyde Park Place apartments in north London, Ont. said they are heartbroken after Old Oak Properties removed two geese nests, containing more than half a dozen eggs.
London Music Hall of Fame class of 2024 announced

The London Music Hall of Fame has announced this year's inductees with hip hop, children’s music, and 1960’s pop making up the class of 2024.
Impressive turn out to job fair in St. Thomas

There was a big turnout at a job fair in St. Thomas Wednesday afternoon. The Joe Thornton community centre was bustling for the event, organized by Employment Services Elgin.

Barrie

Melchior family donates $1M to RVH's Keep Life Wild campaign

The Melchior Family Foundation has made a $1-million gift to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s (RVH) Keep Life Wild campaign.
Police in Barrie warn residents of possible weapon missing in neighbourhood

Residents in a Barrie neighbourhood are being asked to check their property for suspicious substances or weapons.
Over 2,000 ducks hit the water for annual rubber duck race

Stayner is racing into the weekend with its annual duck race event.

Windsor

'Rainbow house' on Ouellette taken down by fire

There are very few details available but the house, painted like a rainbow, on Ouellette Avenue has ben destroyed by fire.
Smoke coming from basement in Walkerville area house fire

Windsor firefighters responded to a house fire near Walkerville on Thursday morning.
Fatal crash involving motorcycle in Leamington

One person has died after a crash near Leamington between a vehicle and a motorcycle. First responders were called to the scene Wednesday night in the area of Mersea Road 2 and Mersea Road 19.

Vancouver Island

Gaza protesters at University of Victoria say encampment will stay until demands are met

A pro-Palestinian protest camp has formed at the University of Victoria in solidarity with the people of Gaza and with similar encampments that have sprung up on university and college campuses in opposition to the Israel-Hamas war.
'It's a people problem': Unsecured garbage bins continue to attract bears on Bear Mountain

Shauna Owens-Krahn lives on Bear Mountain in Langford. Four times a day she takes her dogs for walks through the trails near her home and carries bear spray, just in case.
All provincial employees in B.C. directed to change passwords

Every provincial employee is receiving emails or memos directing them to change their passwords immediately, CTV News has learned.

Kelowna

B.C. breweries take home awards at World Beer Cup

Out of more than 9,000 entries from over 2,000 breweries in 50 countries, a handful of B.C. brews landed on the podium at the World Beer Cup this week.
B.C. man rescues starving dachshund trapped in carrier: BC SPCA

An emaciated dachshund is now recovering thanks to a Good Samaritan who found the pup near a biking trail in Kelowna, according to the BC SPCA.
Search crews called in after missing Kelowna senior's truck found

Search and rescue crews have been called in after a vehicle belonging to a missing senior was located near a rural intersection outside of Kelowna Tuesday.

Lethbridge

'Here to help': The Watch celebrating 5 years of patrolling Lethbridge streets

Volunteers with ‘The Watch’ program in Lethbridge have been patrolling the city centre rain or shine for five years.
Safety gear, training, helped B.C. wildfire pilot survive crash, safety board says

A Transportation Safety Board report says experience, recent training and safety equipment were key factors in a pilot surviving the crash of a firefighting plane south of Cranbrook in August 2022.
On do-or-die night in Brooks, Caelan Fitzpatrick comes up big to lead Bandits past Oilers

Facing a Tuesday night elimination game, Caelan Fitzpatrick responded with a hat trick to lead the Brooks Bandits past the Okotoks Oilers 5-1.

Sault Ste. Marie

Northern homelessness services facing deep cutbacks on federal funding

Social services in the north are bracing for deep funding cuts to homelessness services and Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus is calling on the federal government to explain why it is scaling back at a time when the north is facing a social disaster.
Sault Ste. Marie to implement vacant home tax

The City of Sault Ste. Marie will soon be charging owners of vacant properties a special tax.
Efforts continue to save the Sault YMCA

A group of Sault Ste. Marie YMCA supporters working to save the facility from closure received a glimmer of hope at this week’s city council meeting.

N.L.

Newfoundland fisherman says police broke his leg during protest that delayed budget

Richard Martin is spending this year's fishing season on land after he says a Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer broke his left leg in three places during a protest last month that shut down the provincial legislature.
'I feel honoured to say I was his friend': Wayne Gretzky remembers Bob Cole

Tributes continue to pour in for Bob Cole as his family has confirmed a funeral will be held for the legendary broadcaster Friday in St. John's, N.L.
Voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole never considered moving out of St. John's

Legendary sportscaster Bob Cole was a Newfoundlander through and through, and his daughter says his connection to the province was 'everything' to him.

Do you have questions about the Omicron COVID-19 variant? We want to hear from you

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

BREAKING NEWS | Residential highrise building fire on Donald St. leaves 2 children, woman in critical condition, injures 11 others

WEATHER | Josh Classen's forecast: Warmer and drier weather to close the week

BREAKING NEWS Residential highrise building fire on Donald St. leaves 2 children, woman in critical condition, injures 11 others

WEATHER Josh Classen's forecast: Warmer and drier weather to close the week