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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.

Storm Watch: School closures in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

Here is a list of school closures and cancellations for Friday, February 3, 2023.
Extreme cold warnings issued for all three Maritime provinces

On the day that Shubenacadie Sam predicted six more weeks of winter, there are extreme cold warnings cautioning that the coldest air of the season is about to arrive in the Maritimes.
N.B. RCMP investigating after children ingest cannabis edibles at Sackville middle school

Police in Sackville, N.B., are investigating after seven children ingested cannabis edibles at a middle school on Wednesday.

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.

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.
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | Winterlude returns to Ottawa and Gatineau

Winterlude kicks off in Ottawa and Gatineau today, as the national capital region's winter festival returns with in-person activities for the first time in three years.
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Feb. 3-5

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa, eastern Ontario and western Quebec during the first weekend of February.

Toronto

'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.

Kitchener

Multiple people arrested, one injured in reported armed robbery at Conestoga Mall

Police say they’ve arrested multiple people and one person was taken to hospital following reports of an armed robbery at Conestoga Mall on Thursday.
'Time to move on': Reaction as Udo Haan found not criminally responsible for wife’s death, house explosion

A Kitchener man, who was charged with killing his wife and then blowing up their home in 2018, has been found not criminally responsible.
Extreme cold and snow squall warnings for Waterloo region and surrounding areas

A blast of cold Arctic air is expected to reach southern Ontario Thursday night paired with possible heavy blowing snow, according to Environment Canada.

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.

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.

Windsor

Suspects 'distracted the staff' and stole $5,000 in tools: Windsor police

Windsor police say they are looking for five suspects who used a distraction technique to steal $5,000 in tools.
Addictions experts urge caution ahead of Super Bowl

Addiction specialists in Windsor, Ont. are urging caution about the dangers of problem gambling with Super Bowl season around the corner. According to officials at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, demand for recovery services has climbed since single-event sports betting became legal in Canada last August.
University president addresses cyber security incident

The first topic tackled by University of Windsor President Dr. Robert Gordon was the cyber security incident that occurred last year. 'It’s just the new reality that all universities and colleges are dealing with,' said Gordon, who explained during his State of the University Address things could been worse had it not been for the help of the community.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Clear out your closet for a new fashion market in Innisfil

Clear out your closet for a new fashion market in Innisfil

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

NEW THIS MORNING | Winterlude returns to Ottawa and Gatineau

NEW THIS MORNING | What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Feb. 3-5