Orillia turns parking tickets into toys for families in need this Christmas
The 2023 Toys for Tickets campaign raised more than $3,000 worth of children’s toys in lieu of parking tickets. (Supplied)
Correction
The City of Orillia turned parking tickets into toys again this holiday season.
The 2023 Toys for Tickets campaign raised $3,200.
Everyone who received a parking ticket, except for accessible parking violations, between Nov. 1 and Dec. 1, was given the option to donate the amount owing or purchase a toy at equal value.
The donations are spread across four local charities: Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orillia, Salvation Army and Couchiching Jubilee House.
Since the campaign's launch 16 years ago, the city's Toys for Tickets campaign has generated over $45,000 worth of presents for families in need within the community.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
After more than 100 years, Newfoundland's unknown soldier returns home
An unknown Newfoundland soldier, who fought and died on the battlefields in northeastern France during the First World War, is back home this weekend for the first time in more than a hundred years.
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Grayson Murray's parents say the two-time PGA Tour winner died of suicide
Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event.
2 died in plane crash near Squamish, B.C., police confirm
Two people died after a plane went down in a remote area near Squamish, B.C. on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Indianapolis 500 delayed as strong storm forces fans to evacuate Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The start of the Indianapolis 500 was delayed as a strong storm pushed through the area Sunday, forcing Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials to evacuate about 125,000 fans who had already arrived for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Some birds may use 'mental time travel,' study finds
Real quick — what did you have for lunch yesterday? Were you with anyone? Where were you? Can you picture the scene? The ability to remember things that happened to you in the past, especially to go back and recall little incidental details, is a hallmark of what psychologists call episodic memory — and new research indicates that it’s an ability humans may share with birds called Eurasian jays.
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
-
Most-read stories of the week: Truck driver heroes, Kitchener strip club misconduct, population growth
Two Purolator truck drivers being hailed as heroes, misconduct in a Kitchener strip club, and population growth for the Region of Waterloo round out the most-read stories of the week.
-
Hundreds march in support of pro-Palestinian protestors at University of Waterloo
As pro-Palestinian protestors at University of Toronto plan to meet with administration, protestors at University of Waterloo joined together to voice their concerns.
-
KW Titans lose to London in Basketball Super League finals
Much like the Kitchener Rangers, the KW Titans season has ended at the hands of a team from London.
London
-
SIU invokes mandate after suspect, officer injured during arrest in south London
The province’s Special Investigations Unit has invoked their mandate after a suspect and a police officer were injured during an arrest related to a traffic investigation on Sunday morning.
-
Huron County fire crews tackle blaze at Goderich, Ont. Home Hardware
Huron County fire crews spent Saturday evening extinguishing a fire at hardware store in Goderich.
-
More than 100 people lace up for cystic fibrosis walk in London, Ont.
At just 12 years old, Kaylee Chappell already knows what it’s like to live with a debilitating disease. You wouldn’t know it from looking at her, but Kaylee has been dealing with cystic fibrosis for most of her life.
Windsor
-
Search underway for missing swimmer on Lake St. Clair
A search is currently underway for a Michigan man who police said jumped into the waters of Lake St. Clair on Saturday afternoon and did not resurface.
-
Suspect sought after teen boy repeatedly stabbed
Windsor police are searching for a suspect after a 16-year-old boy was stabbed multiple times following a verbal dispute on Saturday night.
-
50 people involved in 'physical altercation,' multiple youths arrested
Multiple youths have been arrested and charged after police responded to a 'physical altercation' involving approximately 50 people in Chatham Saturday night.
Northern Ontario
-
WATCHWATCH Commercial driver charged after near head-on collision on Hwy 17
Ontario Provincial Police released a video showing a commercial motor vehicle driver nearly colliding with another tractor-trailer on Highway 17 near Thessalon, Ont.
-
'Language is identity': Indigenous Ontario legislator to make history at Queen's Park
Decades after being punished in a residential school for speaking his own language, Sol Mamakwa will hold the powerful to account at Ontario's legislature in the very same language past governments tried to bury.
-
Suspect sought in suspicious death in northern Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police in Cochrane are asking for the public’s help in locating a man they want to speak with in connection with a suspicious death.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
WATCH
WATCH Commercial driver charged after near head-on collision on Hwy 17
Ontario Provincial Police released a video showing a commercial motor vehicle driver nearly colliding with another tractor-trailer on Highway 17 near Thessalon, Ont.
-
'Language is identity': Indigenous Ontario legislator to make history at Queen's Park
Decades after being punished in a residential school for speaking his own language, Sol Mamakwa will hold the powerful to account at Ontario's legislature in the very same language past governments tried to bury.
-
Sault marks 70 years of Community Living Algoma
Dozens gathered at the steps of Sault Ste. Marie’s city hall Friday for a moment 70 years in the making.
Ottawa
-
IN PHOTOSIN PHOTOS Here are the winners of the Ottawa marathon and half-marathon
Ethiopian runners Tesfaye Anbesa and Maregu Hayelom are the winners of the Tartan Ottawa International Marathon on Sunday.
-
Man seriously injured following assault on Downpatrick Road
The Ottawa Police Service says a 30-year-od man was seriously injured Sunday morning following what police call an assault on Downpatrick Road, in Ottawa's south-end.
-
Should you buy new or resale house? Here's what you need to know
There are many decisions to make before deciding to buy a house and one of those is whether to buy a new or a resale one.
Toronto
-
'Bigger than just music:' Canadians remember Punjabi rapper two years after killing
Shub Karman was out for a recent walk in Calgary, when he passed a car full of kids singing along to the music of his favourite Punjabi rapper.
-
Female driver dead after vehicle crashes into Oshawa home
A woman is dead after a vehicle crashed into a house in Oshawa early Sunday morning.
-
'Language is identity': Indigenous Ontario legislator to make history at Queen's Park
Decades after being punished in a residential school for speaking his own language, Sol Mamakwa will hold the powerful to account at Ontario's legislature in the very same language past governments tried to bury.
Montreal
-
Concordia University researcher uses AI to identify counterfeit coins
A researcher at Montreal's Concordia University and her team have developed an innovative technique for accurately identifying counterfeit coins using artificial intelligence (AI).
-
'So over the moon': Montreal wrestler qualifies for 2024 Olympic Games
Linda Morais is proving it's never too late to follow your dreams — the Montreal wrestler has stamped her ticket to Paris to compete in the Olympic games this summer in what may be her final time representing Team Canada.
-
About one Quebec child per day taken to ER for drowning, near-drowning: research
An average of one child a day goes to the emergency room for a drowning or near-drowning in Quebec during the summer months, new research has found.
Atlantic
-
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
-
57-year-old Carleton man dies following boating accident: P.E.I. RCMP
A 57-year-old man from Carleton, P.E.I., has died following a boating incident in the Summerside Harbour.
-
'Best office in the world': Unique business located in N.B. tourism corridor
Lorena DePrato-Najnar and her husband Paul Najnar are the owners of Fundy Coast Sea Soap and Sea Salt, which is located in a tourism corridor between Riverside-Albert, N.B., and Alma, N.B.
Winnipeg
-
Who is Buffalo Woman? Serial killer trial hears of police efforts to identify victim
In mid-March 2022, a young Indigenous woman stood outside Winnipeg's Salvation Army and spoke with a man who invited her back to his home.
-
Prayer for salvation: 140-year-old downtown Winnipeg church on brink of collapse
Parishioners at Holy Trinity Anglican Church are praying for a monetary miracle, as their historic place of worship could collapse at any moment.
-
Winnipeg firefighters tackle two fires overnight
Winnipeg firefighters battled two blazes Saturday night in Point Douglas and Daniel McIntyre.
Calgary
-
Runners battle the elements as Calgary Marathon celebrates 60 years
More than 13,000 runners took to the streets throughout the city on Sunday for the annual Calgary Marathon.
-
Calgary police looking for woman, 22, missing since Friday
Calgary police are seeking the public’s help in locating a woman who was reported missing from the northwest community of Sage Hill.
-
2 died in plane crash near Squamish, B.C., police confirm
Two people died after a plane went down in a remote area near Squamish, B.C. on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
Edmonton
-
Protesters express anger at provincial government at 'Enough is Enough UCP' protest Saturday
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Alberta legislature Saturday to express their discontent with Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP government.
-
Free outdoor movies return to Churchill Square Tuesday
Movies on the Square is returning to Sir Winston Churchill Square Tuesday.
-
Stars beat Oilers 3-1 to even Western Conference final 1-1
Mason Marchment scored the winner early in the third period as the Dallas Stars beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-1 on Saturday to even the NHL's Western Conference final 1-1.
Regina
-
Lauther's late field goal lifts Roughriders over Elks 28-27 in pre-season action
Brett Lauther's 23-yard field goal with 23 seconds left lifted the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a 28-27 victory over the Edmonton Elks on Saturday in CFL pre-season action.
-
'A huge difference': MS Walk returns to Regina
Over 200 people packed Northshore Park near Wascana Lake Sunday for Regina's annual MS Walk.
-
'Inspires a sense of adventure': Sask. man conquers Mount Everest
A Saskatchewan man made it to the summit of Mount Everest earlier this month.
Saskatoon
-
Hundreds walk in Saskatoon to raise awareness for Alzheimer's
A walking party of 200 people gathered at River Landing Amphitheatre on Saturday to prepare for either a one or four-kilometer walk to advocate awareness for Alzheimer's, dementia, and other neuro-degenerative diseases.
-
'Inspires a sense of adventure': Sask. man conquers Mount Everest
A Saskatchewan man made it to the summit of Mount Everest earlier this month.
-
Sask. swimmer qualifies for 2024 Olympic Games, sets Canadian record
A swimmer from Saskatoon has qualified for the 2024 Olympic Summer Games in Paris.
Vancouver
-
2 died in plane crash near Squamish, B.C., police confirm
Two people died after a plane went down in a remote area near Squamish, B.C. on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
-
Motorcyclist facing potential criminal charges for Surrey crash: RCMP
A motorcycle driver who crashed into a minivan in Surrey Saturday evening is facing criminal charges, according to authorities.
-
‘Tremendous amount of fire’: Crews continue to face challenges in northeastern B.C.
The BC Wildfire Service provided an update Sunday on conditions in the northeastern part of the province, highlighting the challenges posed by ongoing drought and unstable weather.
Vancouver Island
-
2 died in plane crash near Squamish, B.C., police confirm
Two people died after a plane went down in a remote area near Squamish, B.C. on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
-
Whitecaps offering free tickets to fans attending Saturday's Messi-less match
In the wake of major disappointment among soccer fans who were hoping to see Lionel Messi play at BC Place on Saturday, the Vancouver Whitecaps are offering what seems to be a consolation prize.
-
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
