'We've pulled six machines out,' Police warn of unstable ice conditions on Lake Simcoe
The York Region Police Marine Unit is warning people to stay off Lake Simcoe because of the inconsistency in ice thickness.
"We have had a number of machines go through the ice. A number of people that ended up going into the water," says Staff Sgt. Aaron Busby.
Police say there are areas on the lake with several inches of ice, but note the problem is the dramatic change from location to location.
Police in York Region say two people were pulled from the ice over the weekend after their ATV plunged through, adding one person didn't survive.
Tom Carr with Fatal Force Outfitters has lived next to and worked on Lake Simcoe in Orillia for years and says he's stunned to see people venturing out.
"We've pulled six machines out so far, but it's almost daily as far as anywhere from North Bay down to Lake Simcoe right now," says Carr.
The inconsistent ice is on most lakes in the area. The warning has even longtime lake resident Rob Livingston checking twice before heading out. However, he says he plans to go out again on Monday.
"I still ask before I go out. I'll even get a hold of a couple of the rental guys and talk to them," he assures, adding he was last out on the lake on Saturday.
- Download the CTV News app free to get local news alerts
- Don't miss breaking news - Sign up for the CTV Newsletter
Bear Point Fish Hunt Rentals in Innisfil still has all its huts on land, with the owner saying he's unsure when and even if he'll get out this year.
"Places like Cooks Bay may have nine or 10 inches, and then not even a mile from where you are on the ice, you only have two inches, even an inch of ice in certain spots. Lake Simcoe is a big body of water. It has to be treated like three to four separate lakes all on its own," says Don Luchkiw.
Police are aware people are still making their way onto the lake despite their warnings.
"We have our airboat on standby. We are asking them to please stay off because we have a very strong assertion that we will be called out again," finished Staff Sgt. Busby.
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
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
Two U.S. Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident, U.S. military says
Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent 'friendly fire' incident, the U.S military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
Big splash: Halifax mermaid waves goodbye after 16 years
Halifax's Raina the Mermaid is closing her business after 16 years in the Maritimes.
B.C. mayor gets calls from across Canada about 'crazy' plan to recruit doctors
A British Columbia community's "out-of-the-box" plan to ease its family doctor shortage by hiring physicians as city employees is sparking interest from across Canada, says Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi.
OPP find wanted man by chance in eastern Ontario home, seize $50K worth of drugs
A wanted eastern Ontario man was found with $50,000 worth of drugs and cash on him in a home in Bancroft, Ont. on Friday morning, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Bluesky finds with growth comes growing pains - and bots
Bluesky has seen its user base soar since the U.S. presidential election, boosted by people seeking refuge from Elon Musk's X, which they view as increasingly leaning too far to the right given its owner's support of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, or wanting an alternative to Meta's Threads and its algorithms.
It was Grandma, in the cafe with a Scrabble tile: Game cafes are big holiday business
It’s the holidays, which means for many across the Prairies, there’s no better time to get locked in a dungeon with a dragon.
Cancer centre raises $2.7 million for purchase of 'game changer' surgical robot
The Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation has raised a record breaking $2.7 million through the Grow on Windsor Campaign.
Kitchener
-
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
-
Driver charged with 'several offences' after being stopped on Waterloo highway
A 24-year-old man has been charged after dangerously driving across two Waterloo Regional highways.
-
Fire destroys home in Haldimand County
A home in Haldimand County has been destroyed after a Saturday afternoon fire.
London
-
Warming up your car before you head out? Here's how to make sure you're not a target for auto theft.
With the bitter chill of the cold weather, it can be tempting to warm up your car before you head out – but London police has issued a warning to motorists that their warmup habits may have them left out in the cold.
-
The Forest City has been a forest of cones, and with these projects on tap for 2025, get ready for round two
With the snow finally here, and here to stay, London is wrapping up many construction projects - here's a look at everything they cut the ribbon on in 2024.
-
New Canadians displaced after fire destroys east London townhome
A family of new Canadians from Nigeria are looking for a new home just before Christmas. Fire destroyed their townhome on Bentley Drive in northeast London, Ont. Friday night.
Windsor
-
Cancer centre raises $2.7 million for purchase of 'game changer' surgical robot
The Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation has raised a record breaking $2.7 million through the Grow on Windsor Campaign.
-
Feeling punny? Why not submit your idea for Tecumseh's snowploughs!
Whether you want to make a joke, honour the snowy season, or name a snow plough in honour of a local landmark, you can submit your ideas right now.
-
Former workers of 'one-of-a-kind' entertainment hub reunite
Former employees of the Elmwood Casino gathered outside their old stomping grounds Saturday, exactly 50 years after the prominent Windsor joint shut its doors.
Northern Ontario
-
Robinson Superior First Nations provided settlement offer from Canada over annuities owed
Details haven’t been made public yet about the settlement offer presented on Friday by Canada to the 12 First Nations in the Robinson Superior Treaty Territory.
-
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
-
Northern Ont. man illegally killed three moose, one deer
A man from the northwestern Ontario community of Dinorwic has been found guilty of multiple hunting offences and fined $6,500, banned from hunting for five years and placed on probation for 18 months.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Sault police seek public assistance in LCBO theft investigation
Sault police are investigating a series of thefts at the LCBO on Second Line West earlier this month.
-
Northern Credit Union makes donation to Lady Dunn Health Centre to show gratitude for exceptional care shown to staff
Northern Credit Union has announced a $10,000 donation made in honour of the many individuals and organizations who stepped forward to support its team during and following last week’s tragic event.
-
Northern Ont. hospital to close emergency department Sunday
A physician shortage is again forcing the closure of the emergency department at the Thessalon Site of the North Shore Health Network.
Ottawa
-
Flooding started, ice still thin: Here’s the latest update about the Rideau Canal Skateway
Preparations to open the Rideau Canal Skateway are underway, as deep freeze continues to linger around Ottawa this weekend.
-
OPP find wanted man by chance in eastern Ontario home, seize $50K worth of drugs
A wanted eastern Ontario man was found with $50,000 worth of drugs and cash on him in a home in Bancroft, Ont. on Friday morning, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
-
What's open and closed in Ottawa over the holidays
CTVNewsOttawa.ca takes a look at what's open and closed over the Christmas and New Year's holidays this year.
Toronto
-
Cold in Toronto feels like -21 with the wind chill Sunday morning
The cold weather hanging over Toronto isn’t letting up, and it currently feels like -21 with the wind chill.
-
Toronto police investigating 2 separate east-end shootings, no injuries reported
Toronto police are investigating two separate east-end shootings that occurred within 12 hours of each other.
-
Three-vehicle crash leaves 4 people injured in Brampton
Four people were injured in a three-car crash in Brampton early Sunday morning.
Montreal
-
Spill closes Highway 25 near Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel
A spill forced the closure of Highway 25 northbound Sunday morning at the Hochelaga Street exit, near the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel in Montreal.
-
Canadiens riding three-game win streak ahead of long stretch away from home
The Montreal Canadiens are on a season-best win streak ahead of their longest stretch away from home. Patrik Laine scored on the power play, again, and the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings on consecutive nights with a 5-1 victory Saturday.
-
Major factory fire in the Maskinonge, Que.
A major fire devastated an industrial building in the municipality Maskinongé, Que on Saturday.
Atlantic
-
'On death row.' Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
-
Cape Breton police arrest second person in missing man investigation
A second person has been arrested in the disappearance of Justin MacDonald in Cape Breton.
-
Icy conditions persist, parking ban lifted in Halifax
Halifax has lifted a parking ban for Zone 1 – Central and Zone 2- Non-Central that was enforced Friday and Saturday night to accommodate snow removal following a winter storm.
Winnipeg
-
Muslim youth group distributes meals to Winnipeg's most vulnerable
In the spirit of giving season, a Muslim youth group made its way through the city’s downtown distributing meals to those in need.
-
'Good deals for Christmas': Turkey prices down from last year
With just days to go before Christmas, one of the big items for the big feast could be cheaper this year. Numbers from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada show that during November this year, turkey prices were down from the same time last year.
-
Ace Burpee's Top 100 Most Fascinating Manitobans of 2024
It’s been another year of Manitobans doing interesting, incredible and cool things. The hardest part of compiling this list is cutting it off at 100.
Calgary
-
It was Grandma, in the cafe with a Scrabble tile: Game cafes are big holiday business
It’s the holidays, which means for many across the Prairies, there’s no better time to get locked in a dungeon with a dragon.
-
Traffic advisory issued by RCMP due to poor driving conditions south of Calgary and north of Red Deer
Alberta RCMP issued a traffic advisory early Sunday morning due to poor driving conditions throughout the province.
-
Flames get goals from 6 players in a 6-4 victory over the Blackhawks
Jonathan Huberdeau, Connor Zary, Blake Coleman, and Matt Coronato each had a goal and an assist as the Calgary Flames beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-4 on Saturday.
Edmonton
-
'There’s no support': Domestic abuse survivor shares difficulties leaving her relationship
An Edmonton woman who tried to flee an abusive relationship ended up back where she started in part due to a lack of shelter space.
-
Oilers finding ways to thrive in close encounters
Leon Draisaitl scored 18 seconds into overtime to extend his point streak to eight games as the Edmonton Oilers overcame a slow start to win their second straight game in extra time, defeating the San Jose Sharks 3-2 on Saturday.
-
It was Grandma, in the cafe with a Scrabble tile: Game cafes are big holiday business
It’s the holidays, which means for many across the Prairies, there’s no better time to get locked in a dungeon with a dragon.
Regina
-
Gathering held in Regina to recognize Winter Solstice
Regina's mâmawêyatitân centre held a day of gathering for the Winter Solstice on Saturday.
-
Canada's first sustainable Tim Hortons location to open in Regina this weekend
Canada’s first sustainable Tim Hortons opens in Regina this weekend. The restaurant, located in the city’s east end, features design and operating features that minimize environmental impact.
-
Gravelbourg's transportation program celebrates addition of new vehicle and garage
The town of Gravelbourg is celebrating the addition of a new vehicle and garage which will be used in their local transportation program.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. police investigating mischief incident after bomb report in school
Prince Albert police are investigating a mischief incident after a bomb report in a school Friday afternoon.
-
Prince Albert woman collects donations to make Christmas hampers for community
A Prince Albert woman is spreading holiday cheer by organizing Christmas hampers for those in need.
-
Sask. lawyers defend judge for staying fatal THC-impaired driving charge
The Saskatchewan Trial Lawyers Association is defending a provincial court judge, who’s facing backlash for staying a charge in a high-profile case involving the death of a child.
Vancouver
-
Man wounded in Mission, B.C., shooting
One man was injured in a shooting in the Lower Mainland city of Mission Saturday morning, Mounties confirmed.
-
Winds exceeding 120 km/h reported in parts of B.C. coast
Residents of parts of the British Columbia coast are again bracing for high winds, with gusts forecasted to reach 110 km/h in some areas.
-
2 dead after car crash in Burnaby
Two people were killed in a car crash in Burnaby early Saturday morning, police confirmed.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. mayor gets calls from across Canada about 'crazy' plan to recruit doctors
A British Columbia community's "out-of-the-box" plan to ease its family doctor shortage by hiring physicians as city employees is sparking interest from across Canada, says Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi.
-
B.C. woman with photographic memory strives to make unforgettable Christmas displays
Although Alisha Pauling is looking through old pictures, she doesn’t need them to remember her Christmases past. She has a photographic memory.
-
Internet stranger's kind gesture restores Canucks fan's faith in humanity
A Nanaimo, B.C., couple is in awe at the kindness of an internet stranger who helped them track down a coveted Christmas gift.
