Locals gear up for Halloween night
Halloween night is the spookiest night of the year and kids everywhere will be out going door-to-door looking for a trick or a treat.
Rosemarie Mckenzie of Barrie is expecting upwards of 800 people to walk through her haunted house.
“I’m a huge kid. Nostalgic for Halloween,” said Mckenzie.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Halloween is always a busy day for local businesses connected to the spooky holiday. Lots of people went last-minute shopping before it got dark.
“I’m with my kids getting costumes and then going to the other store to grab more candy for the kids,” said one mother in a Halloween hurry on Thursday. “Then I’m going home and decorating and everything getting ready for tonight.”
A new Léger/Canadian Press poll conducted suggests more than a quarter of the people polled will spend more than $100 on Halloween, and that Canadians spend an average of just over $67 on costumes, decorations, candy and other Halloween related items.
“It brings you back to your childhood,” said Mckenzie Potter of Barrie. “You get to live through your kids and watch the joy on their faces.”
Police everywhere remind drivers that the roads and crosswalks will be extra busy Thursday night. Kids should be highly visible, and all candy needs to be checked by parents at the end of the night.
“We do step up patrols in residential subdivisions where kids are trick-or-treating,” said Chief John Van Dyke of South Simcoe Police. “There will be a lot of foot traffic on our roads and on our sidewalks tonight.”
It’s not just the young but the young-at-heart who eat up nights like Halloween night.
“I’m just sort of riding along as Spiderman trying to get into the Halloween spirit and get a few smiles from some kids,” said a man dressed as Spiderman in Barrie on Thursday.
Drivers are urged to treat all roads and side streets as Community Safety Zones on Halloween night, and to remember that kids may not be paying attention to traffic as they race from house to house.
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I recognize these footsteps': How Trump and 'coyote' smuggling changed life at the border
Bent signs bolted to the rail threaten fines and imprisonment should violators cross the boundary into the United States, a warning many people are choosing to ignore simply by walking around the barrier.
She took a DNA test for fun. Police used it to charge her grandmother with murder in a cold case
According to court documents, detectives reopened the cold case in 2017 and then worked with a forensics company to extract DNA from Baby Garnet's partial femur, before sending the results to Identifinders International.
Danielle Smith announces new team to patrol Alberta-U.S. border
Premier Danielle Smith says her government will create a team of specially-trained sheriffs tasked with patrolling the Alberta-U.S. border.
McDonald's employee who called 911 in CEO's shooting is eligible for reward, but it will take time
More than 400 tips were called into the New York Police Department's Crime Stoppers tip line during the five-day search for a masked gunman who ambushed and fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week.
Doug Ford says cutting off U.S. energy supply amid tariff threats a 'last resort'
Premier Doug Ford says that cutting off the energy supply to the U.S. remains a “last resort” amid the threat of a promised 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods but he is warning that his government is ultimately prepared to use “every tool” in its toolbox “to protect the livelihoods of the people of Ontario.”
Man who set fires inside Calgary's municipal building lost testicle during arrest: ASIRT
Two Calgary police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing in an incident that saw a suspect lose a testicle after being shot with an anti-riot weapon.
Country star Morgan Wallen sentenced in chair-throwing case
Country music star Morgan Wallen on Thursday pleaded guilty to two misdemeanour counts of reckless endangerment for throwing a chair from the rooftop of a six-storey bar in Nashville and nearly hitting two police officers with it.
Ho ho, oh no: Man sought by police goes down chimney and gets stuck
A Massachusetts man trying to escape from police shimmied down the chimney. And got stuck.
Law firm warns $47.8B First Nations child welfare reforms could be lost with election
A legal review commissioned by the Assembly of First Nations is warning a $47.8-billion deal to reform the First Nations child welfare system could be moot if there's a change in government in the upcoming year.
Kitchener
-
'Enough is enough': Doug Ford says Ontario could hand encampment drug users $10,000 fines, prison
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is introducing a suite of measures to help municipalities “address and dismantle” homeless encampments around the province, including steep fines for people who use drugs.
-
Marathon budget meeting ends without setting Waterloo Region budget
Waterloo Region Council was expected to set the 2025 budget on Wednesday, but after a marathon meeting, councillors left the horseshoe without making a final decision.
-
Settlement reached in complaint over Canada Post layoffs as strike hits four weeks
The union representing Canada Post workers says an unfair labour practice complaint over the company's layoffs has been resolved.
London
-
'Music is good for the soul': A holiday concert warms spirits inside the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre
A holiday concert dubbed ‘Clinic Notes’ warmed hearts inside LHSC’s Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre today. The performance is put on by a group of clinicians, talented in medicine and music.
-
Blizzard warning shuts down large parts of Midwestern Ontario
It was a day to stay home, if you could, across much of Midwestern Ontario due to weather.
-
40 to 80 cm of snow in some areas: Blizzard and snow squall warnings up across the region
Blizzard and snow squall warnings have rolled across much of southern Ontario – with up to 15 centimeters expected today, and blowing snow reducing visibility on roadways.
Windsor
-
Shots fired in South Windsor, one injured
An investigation is underway after the Windsor Police Service said multiple shots were fired at a group of people in South Windsor.
-
One injured in Windsor kitchen fire
One person has been injured following a kitchen fire in Windsor.
-
Woman charged after throwing pot of coffee in Chatham business: CKPS
Chatham-Kent police charged a woman who allegedly threw a pot of coffee when asked to leave a business in Chatham.
Northern Ontario
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Northern Ont. bank employee taken to hospital with serious injuries after shooting
A bank employee at Northern Credit Union in Wawa was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a shooter entered the branch and opened fire Thursday morning.
-
Stabbing in wooded area of Sudbury results in attempted murder charge
Sudbury police have charged a man, 28, with attempted murder after a stabbing in wooded area off Leslie Street on Wednesday night.
-
North Bay police use drone to track, arrest suspected thief
North Bay police used a drone to track down a suspect accused of stealing more than $50,000 in property from a local business.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Northern Ont. bank employee taken to hospital with serious injuries after shooting
A bank employee at Northern Credit Union in Wawa was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a shooter entered the branch and opened fire Thursday morning.
-
Snow squall warnings in the Sault Ste. Marie area, up to 50 cm expected by Friday
Snow squall warnings issued for the Sault Ste. Marie area off Lake Superior as 30 to 50 cm of snow is expected by Friday.
-
Ontario man charged with sex trafficking underage girls from Sudbury, Kingston
Two young girls, from Sudbury and Kingston, Ont., were rescued from sex trafficking in the GTA and their suspected abuser has been charged, but police fear there may be more victims.
Ottawa
-
Crews begin removing cargo from ship stuck in St. Lawrence River in eastern Ontario
Crews have started work on a new attempt to refloat a cargo ship that ran aground in the St. Lawrence River nearly three weeks ago.
-
Here's what will cost more in the 2025 City of Ottawa budget
Ottawa residents will be paying more to board the O-Train and buses, have the garbage picked up, turn on the taps, park on city streets and use recreation facilities in 2025. CTV News Ottawa looks at things that will cost more in Ottawa next year.
-
Two additional arrests made in connection with Val-des-Monts death investigation
Police have arrested two additional people in connection with an investigation into a woman's death north of Gatineau earlier this month.
Toronto
-
'Enough is enough': Doug Ford says Ontario could hand encampment drug users $10,000 fines, prison
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is introducing a suite of measures to help municipalities “address and dismantle” homeless encampments around the province, including steep fines for people who use drugs.
-
Video shows suspects armed with sledgehammer break into spa in Markham
Three teenagers and a 19-year-old man have been arrested and three more are at large in connection with a series of spa robberies in Markham and Toronto, one of which was captured on security camera.
-
Dog found after vehicle stolen in Toronto
A dog that was inside a vehicle when it was stolen in Toronto on Wednesday has been found, police say.
Montreal
-
Montreal homicide rate dropped by more than 20 per cent in 2023: Statistics Canada
Newly released figures from Statistics Canada shows that the rate of homicides in the Montreal area dropped significantly in 2023 compared to the previous year.
-
Quebec to pay 30 times more for power out of N.L. plant after decades-long dispute
Quebec and Newfoundland announced today a new arrangement that will see Quebec pay 30 times more for power from the Churchill Falls hydroelectricity plant in Labrador.
-
Montreal suburb declares 'end of deer saga' after killing 105 animals in urban park
A Montreal suburb is declaring the 'end of the deer saga' today after completing its plan to cull a growing herd of white-tailed deer in one of its parks.
Atlantic
-
Bass River, N.S., bridge partially collapses
A bridge in Bass River, N.S., partially collapsed on Wednesday. The wooden structure was under construction when one side gave way and fell into the river.
-
N.S. Premier Tim Houston reveals new cabinet, department names
The new cabinet for the Nova Scotia government will have its swearing-in ceremony Thursday afternoon.
-
Deal between Ottawa and N.S. First Nation over contested fishery nearly done: lawyer
The lawyer for a Mi'kmaq band that has battled Ottawa over its lobster harvest rights says a deal settling the "centuries-old" fishing dispute is nearly complete.
Winnipeg
-
'Concerning:' Manitoba homicides spiked in 2024
Manitoba RCMP has seen a spike in homicides in 2024.
-
New hammer rule to be tested at next Grand Slam of Curling event
As far as curling experiments go, a new rule that will be used at the next Grand Slam competition looks like a doozy.
-
Colleen Bready's Forecast: How long will the extreme cold last?
Extreme cold continues to hold its grip on much of Manitoba and northwestern Ontario on Thursday.
Calgary
-
WATCH LIVEWATCH LIVE Calgary police to hold news conference following assault victim's death
Calgary police will hold a news conference on Wednesday to speak about the death of a young woman found badly injured on Calgary's Nose Creek Pathway on Monday.
-
Man who set fires inside Calgary's municipal building lost testicle during arrest: ASIRT
Two Calgary police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing in an incident that saw a suspect lose a testicle after being shot with an anti-riot weapon.
-
Danielle Smith announces new team to patrol Alberta-U.S. border
Premier Danielle Smith says her government will create a team of specially-trained sheriffs tasked with patrolling the Alberta-U.S. border.
Edmonton
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Travis Vader, killer of Lyle and Marie McCann, denied day parole
The man who killed an Alberta couple in 2013 has been denied day parole.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Edmonton police chief to assume leadership roles in Alberta public service, executive council
Dale McFee will start a job in the high level of Alberta's government three days after his last day as the chief of Edmonton Police Service in February.
-
Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley quitting legislature seat as of Dec. 30
Former Alberta premier and NDP Leader Rachel Notley is leaving the legislature.
Regina
-
Sask. premier says collaboration needed to tackle border security and avoid Trump tariffs
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says an “all hands-on-deck approach” is needed to address border security concerns to avoid U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's tariff threat on products from Canada and Mexico.
-
Three charged after Regina police officer assaulted during break and enter investigation
Three people are facing a lengthy list of charges after a break and enter investigation led to a Regina police officer being assaulted and injured Tuesday night.
-
Regina General Hospital parkade set to open, will provide 686 more parking spots
The grand opening of a new parkade at Regina's General Hospital was celebrated on Thursday. Staff and visitors to the medical centre will be able to use the new facility on Monday.
Saskatoon
-
Nearly 1,500 people in Saskatoon are homeless, according to the latest count
Nearly 1,500 people in Saskatoon are homeless, according to the latest point-in-time (PiT) Count conducted by the city and outside partners.
-
Prince Albert police release photo of suspect in family/grandparent scam
The Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) is releasing a photo of a person of interest in connection with a family/grandparent emergency scam following multiple reports.
-
Sask. premier says collaboration needed to tackle border security and avoid Trump tariffs
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says an “all hands-on-deck approach” is needed to address border security concerns to avoid U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's tariff threat on products from Canada and Mexico.
Vancouver
-
Man charged after victim pinned to tree with vehicle in Victoria
A 34-year-old man is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly striking a man with his vehicle and pinning him against a tree in Victoria, causing serious injuries.
-
Star centre J.T. Miller set to return to Vancouver Canucks lineup against Panthers
Star centre J.T. Miller will return to the Canucks’ lineup on Thursday when Vancouver hosts the Florida Panthers.
-
Drugs, weapons seized from North Vancouver home in trafficking investigation
A raid of a home in North Vancouver last month yielded a significant amount of drugs and guns, according to authorities, who say two children were present when the home was searched.
Vancouver Island
-
Man charged after victim pinned to tree with vehicle in Victoria
A 34-year-old man is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly striking a man with his vehicle and pinning him against a tree in Victoria, causing serious injuries.
-
Police say 42 vehicles vandalized in 'campaign of destruction' in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties are investigating after more than 40 vehicles were vandalized in what police described as a "campaign of destruction" across Nanaimo, B.C.
-
Star centre J.T. Miller set to return to Vancouver Canucks lineup against Panthers
Star centre J.T. Miller will return to the Canucks’ lineup on Thursday when Vancouver hosts the Florida Panthers.
