Alcohol use in Simcoe Muskoka 'significantly' higher than provincial average
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is warning of significantly higher alcohol use among adults in the region in comparison with those across the province.
According to the health unit, 84 per cent of adults of legal drinking age drank alcohol within the past 12 months. That's higher than the 77 per cent provincial average.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Twenty-four per cent of Simcoe Muskoka adults admitted to binge drinking at least every month in comparison to 18 per cent of adults in Ontario.
The SMDHU said nearly one-quarter of adults are considered high-risk drinkers in the region, which is well about the 16 per cent provincial average.
According to the health unit, alcohol is the most used mind-altering substance in Canada, and harms related to alcohol use represent a significant public health issue.
In Simcoe Muskoka alone, 211 deaths, 1,010 hospitalizations and 8,675 Emergency Department visits are attributable to alcohol per year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Alberta's request for federal assistance approved after fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
Loblaw, George Weston to settle class action over bread price-fixing for $500 million
Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and its parent company George Weston Ltd. say they have agreed to pay $500-million to settle a class-action lawsuit regarding their involvement in an alleged bread price-fixing scheme.
EXCLUSIVE
EXCLUSIVE One address, 76 foreign currency dealers: Inside Canada's money service business 'clusters'
An IJF and CTV News investigation has found dozens of cases across Canada where multiple money services businesses (MSBs) are incorporated at the same address, sometimes without the knowledge or consent of the location's actual occupant. One money laundering expert calls it an 'abuse of the system.'
U.K. police officer suspended after video appears to show a man being kicked in head
A British police officer was suspended from all duties Thursday after a video was posted on social media that appeared to show an officer kicking and stamping on the head of a man lying on the floor of a terminal at Manchester Airport.
'I'm so broke': Two Toronto women speak out after losing $76,000 in romance scam
Two women from the Toronto area are speaking out after losing thousands of dollars to a romance scam, including a single mother who lost $62,000.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Jasper mayor says alert system to be reviewed after message 'glitch'
More than 25,000 people have been displaced from Jasper National Park since wildfires started to threaten the picturesque corner of Alberta Rockies on Monday, but the mayor of its namesake municipality says not everyone received an evacuation alert when it was sent out.
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.
Kitchener
-
Guelph, Ont. police constable continues to fight for his job
A police constable in Guelph, Ont. pleaded guilty Wednesday to discreditable conduct – for a second time.
-
Cambridge mother blames GRCA for flood that destroyed her belongings
A Cambridge woman explains why she blames the GRCA for a flood that damaged her home and forced her family to flee in a canoe.
-
Wanted teen considered dangerous after escaping secure custody facility: WRPS
The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) is searching for a 16-year-old they say escaped a security custody facility in Wilmot Township.
London
-
Touching vigil for teen lost to intimate partner violence
Hundreds gathered Wednesday evening to pay tribute to a young life cut short. Breanna Broadfoot was remembered in a touching candle-light vigil.
-
Over 3,000 rounds of ammunition, 10 shotguns and more seized in search warrant
London police have seized multiple firearms, and ammunition following the arrest of a wanted man in the east end of the city in early July.
-
Driver walks home after police tow vehicle that revved at Mitchell stop light
Nobody likes a loud and aggressive driver – but one such driver caught the attention of the wrong police officer when they revved their engine at a red light in Mitchell in early July.
Windsor
-
'We want what's best for the neighbourhood': Residents given more time to lobby for change
The residents of Spago Crescent in South Windsor are open to change.
-
Leamington business fined $65,000
South Essex Fabricating Inc. in Leamington was handed a $65,000 fine following the critical injury of a worker.
-
Survivor thanks Windsor firefighters for dramatic rescue
Windsor Fire Captain Laz Sofikitis said it’s rare to see a happy ending when they’re told someone is trapped inside a burning building – but there was one Wednesday.
Northern Ontario
-
North Bay OPP respond to ATV collision, lay impaired driving charges
A 48-year-old from a community near North Bay has been charged following a collision involving an ATV towing a boat.
-
Family dispute leads to damaged vehicle, threats in Elliot Lake
A family dispute erupted in Elliot Lake on Tuesday afternoon, ending with a damaged vehicle in a driveway and impaired driving charges.
-
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Family dispute leads to damaged vehicle, threats in Elliot Lake
A family dispute erupted in Elliot Lake on Tuesday afternoon, ending with a damaged vehicle in a driveway and impaired driving charges.
-
Ontario sends 100 Fire Rangers to fight B.C. wildfires
Responding to a call for help from B.C., Ontario sent 100 fire rangers Monday to help battle hundreds of out-of-control wildfires burning on the West Coast.
-
Chrysler hybrid minivan no longer allowed on ferries due to safety recall
If you have summer plans to board a ferry to Manitoulin or Pelee Island, you may want to check to see if there are any safety recalls on your vehicle as some are not allowed this year.
Ottawa
-
Tornado near Perth, Ont. during severe weather on Wednesday, Northern Tornadoes Project says
Western University's Northern Tornadoes Project says a tornado touched down near Perth, Ont. Wednesday night, as a series of severe storms moved across eastern Ontario.
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING These were the most commonly stolen vehicles in Ottawa in June
Ottawa police are noting a developing trend in the types of vehicles that are being targeted by thieves in the capital.
-
Ottawa dries out after 32.8 mm of rain soaks the capital
Ottawa will receive a break from the rain this weekend, after another storm soaked the capital with heavy rain. The forecast calls for a mainly cloudy day with a 30 per cent chance of showers this afternoon, before sunshine on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Toronto
-
'I'm so broke': Two Toronto women speak out after losing $76,000 in romance scam
Two women from the Toronto area are speaking out after losing thousands of dollars to a romance scam, including a single mother who lost $62,000.
-
Loblaw, George Weston to settle class action over bread price-fixing for $500 million
Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and its parent company George Weston Ltd. say they have agreed to pay $500-million to settle a class-action lawsuit regarding their involvement in an alleged bread price-fixing scheme.
-
Price of new housing dipped slightly in June: Statistics Canada
The cost of a new house was slightly cheaper in June compared to May, according to Statistics Canada. Prices dropped 0.2 per cent month-over-month, which is the first time in 2024 that new houses have sold for cheaper than the month prior.
Montreal
-
Possible tornado topples truck, uproots trees south of Montreal
A possible tornado overturned a truck and uprooted several trees in Brossard on Montreal's South Shore.
-
Quebec athlete named one of Canada's 2024 Olympic flag bearers
Maude Charron will carry the Canadian flag during Friday's Olympic opening ceremony in Paris. The athlete from Rimouski will also be defending her Olympic gold medal in weightlifting.
-
Montreal electronic traffic signs hacked to display pro-Palestinian political slogans
Montreal police are investigating after electronic message boards at two road construction sites in Montreal displayed pro-Palestinian political slogans Wednesday morning instead of usual traffic alerts.
Atlantic
-
Risk and timing of thunderstorms in the Maritimes on Thursday
Showers along with a risk of thunderstorms will return to the Maritimes on Thursday as a cold front approaches from the west.
-
Border officers seize 140lbs of cannabis at Halifax airport
Two people are facing drug smuggling-related charges after border officers seized 140 pounds of suspected cannabis at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport on Monday.
-
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Winnipeg
-
Jets owner, The Brothers Landreth save dwindling Winnipeg church, give it added purpose
A saving grace for a dwindling Winnipeg church has come in the form of Winnipeg Jets owner Mark Chipman and Juno-award-winning folk duo The Brothers Landreth.
-
Search of North End property linked to 2021 missing person case
The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) is executing a search warrant at a North End property on Wednesday to look for evidence linked to a missing person case from 2021.
-
Elementary school in Thompson goes up in flames
An elementary school in Thompson, Man., has gone up in flames on Wednesday.
Calgary
-
Calgary firefighters injured battling Legacy fire that gutted townhome
A large fire in the community of Legacy on Thursday destroyed a townhome and injured two firefighters.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Alberta's request for federal assistance approved after fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
-
Multiple structures ablaze as wildfire roars into Jasper townsite
One of two raging, wind-whipped fires menacing Jasper, Alta., roared into town Wednesday night and began burning buildings.
Edmonton
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Alberta's request for federal assistance approved after fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
-
Multiple structures ablaze as wildfire roars into Jasper townsite
One of two raging, wind-whipped fires menacing Jasper, Alta., roared into town Wednesday night and began burning buildings.
-
Jasper mayor says alert system to be reviewed after message 'glitch'
More than 25,000 people have been displaced from Jasper National Park since wildfires started to threaten the picturesque corner of Alberta Rockies on Monday, but the mayor of its namesake municipality says not everyone received an evacuation alert when it was sent out.
Regina
-
Wolseley drive-in theatre to host storm chasers at Twisters showing
A showing of the disaster flick Twisters at Wolseley’s Twilite Drive-In Theatre will feature some special guests on Saturday.
-
Sask. WWII veteran, 103, receives France's highest national order
A Saskatchewan-born veteran of the Second World War was recently presented with France's highest national order.
-
Traffic restrictions in place after crash near Highway 1: Moose Jaw police
Drivers passing through Moose Jaw can expect some delays following a crash near Highway 1.
Saskatoon
-
'A bright light': Trevor LaPlante identified as Prince Albert homicide victim
Prince Albert is grieving the loss of one of its most beloved neighbours and community champions.
-
'It's a big deal': Harmful invasive species a growing concern in Saskatchewan lakes
As people get out and enjoy the many lakes in our province this summer, those who take care of the waterways are warning about dangerous invasive species that’s a growing threat in Saskatchewan.
-
Sask. WWII veteran, 103, receives France's highest national order
A Saskatchewan-born veteran of the Second World War was recently presented with France's highest national order.
Vancouver
-
'How can we be going backwards?' Vancouver city council votes to allow natural gas heat in new buildings
Vancouver city council has voted to allow natural gas for heating and hot water in new construction.
-
'We've pretty much lost our range': Ranch manager loses second range in 3 years to wildfires
T.J. Walkem, along with more than 80 of his cows, has spent the last few days desperately trying to evade the out-of-control Shetland Creek wildfire.
-
80,000 lightning flashes in B.C. in 3 days
Environment Canada has recorded a whopping 80,007 lightning flashes in British Columbia from Sunday through Tuesday, and the count continues on Wednesday for what could be a record-breaking stretch.
Vancouver Island
-
'No known connections' between recent sexual assaults on Vancouver Island, police say
Police on Vancouver Island are investigating three sexual assaults by strangers that were reported in the past week, though there is no indication the attacks are connected.
-
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
-
Vancouver Island wildfire grows overnight, remains out of control
A wildfire burning out of control on Vancouver Island continued to spread Wednesday as the provincial wildfire service assigned more resources to try to contain the blaze.
