70 hour wait for a tow — cold snap continues to cause issues, service delays in Alberta
All of Alberta remains under an extreme cold warning Wednesday morning with temperatures reaching as low as -37 C in the northern community of High Level.
And not only is it the coldest place in the province, High Level also cracked the Top 10 coldest places on earth.
The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) was reporting wait times of longer than 70 hours for towing or winching as well as a more than 40-hour waits for battery boosts, lockouts, flat tire assistance, and fuel delivery.
On top of the extended delays, AMA isn't currently offering roadside battery testing or replacement.
Aside from vehicle issues, the Calgary Fire Department has responded to more than 50 water-related calls in the past couple of days for things like burst pipes and flooding.
Many of those calls have come from downtown apartments and highrise buildings.
The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) says the cold snap has also resulted in a significant increase in power consumption.
"It got to a point where we had to dip into our reserves to maintain reliability across the province," said Mike Deising with the AESO.
"We're in a good spot for the rest of the week, but of course, that can change. Power systems are complex pieces of machinery."
The AESO declared a Level 2 energy emergency alert on Monday.
When it comes to the vulnerable population in Calgary, city council set aside $750,000 earlier this month to support homeless individuals.
There are more than 1,100 emergency spaces in the city for anyone needing to escape the cold and warm up.
If anyone sees a vulnerable Calgarian who is in distress due to the cold, the Alpha House's Downton Addictions Partnership Team (DOAP) is available to transport them to a nearby shelter.
The DOAP Team can be reached at 403-998-7388 or you can call 211.
If it is an emergency, or if an individual is non-responsive, call 911.
Calgary should be getting some relief from the bitter cold during the day this weekend before the forecast calls for temperatures to dip right back down to the -20 C range next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Jason Kenney steps down after 51.4 per cent approval in leadership review
Jason Kenney quit as leader of his party, and premier of Alberta, Wednesday night after receiving a slight majority of support in his United Conservative Party leadership review.
Poilievre faces backlash for comments on Jordan Peterson podcast
Some are calling attention to a comment about 'Anglo-Saxon words' that Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre made while appearing as a guest on controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson’s podcast. The term has been used by those on the far-right to differentiate white people from immigrants and people of colour.
Ed Fast out as Tory finance critic after criticizing leadership candidate Poilievre
Ed Fast is no longer the Conservative finance critic, interim party leader Candice Bergen says. Bergen said in a statement late Wednesday that Fast informed her he will be 'stepping away from his duties.'
Battle of Alberta starts with a bang as Flames down Oilers 9-6 to open playoff series
Matthew Tkachuk scored a hat trick for the Calgary Flames in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the Edmonton Oilers to open their NHL playoff series.
Trudeau says Ottawa watching Quebec's proposed changes to language law 'carefully'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is watching 'carefully' how Quebec's Bill 96 is playing out provincially and respects the freedom of members of Parliament to protest it.
Four things Canadians can do to save money on their groceries during inflation
With Statistics Canada reporting a 9.7 per cent increase in food costs over the last year, Canadians are being pushed to find ways to pinch pennies at the grocery stores. Here are some ways to save.
'Suffer in silence:' Experts worry of fallout from public reaction to Amber Heard's testimony
As Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard stretches into its fifth week, experts say public reaction to Heard's testimony sends a perilous reminder that despite the 'MeToo' movement, the credibility of alleged victims of abuse can be fragile.
Tk'emlups te Secwepemc prepare to mark one year since confirmation of evidence of unmarked graves
It has been almost exactly one year since the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc confirmed evidence of what elders and residential school survivors had been saying for years about missing children being buried on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
CFL, CFL Players' Association reach tentative collective agreement
The second strike in CFL history is over. The CFL confirmed Wednesday night that it and the CFL Players' Association reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement.
Edmonton
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Jason Kenney steps down after 51.4 per cent approval in leadership review
Jason Kenney quit as leader of his party, and premier of Alberta, Wednesday night after receiving a slight majority of support in his United Conservative Party leadership review.
-
Battle of Alberta starts with a bang as Flames down Oilers 9-6 to open playoff series
Matthew Tkachuk scored a hat trick for the Calgary Flames in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the Edmonton Oilers to open their NHL playoff series.
-
Where to watch the Battle of Alberta in Edmonton
If you want to watch the Battle of Alberta series with thousands of fans, you have a few options in Edmonton.
Vancouver
-
B.C. small businesses face cost challenges as national inflation rate hits 31-year high
The rising cost of food, shelter, and other expenses pushed Canada's inflation rate to a 31-year high last month. People are paying a lot more for many basic needs than they were last year at this time, and small businesses are also struggling to manage higher prices for the goods they need to keep going.
-
With record gas prices in B.C., is it worth going to the U.S. to fill your tank?
Like B.C., Washington state is seeing record-high gas prices. But it's significantly cheaper to fuel up in Blaine than just across the border in Surrey.
-
SFU researcher develops new tech-savvy search and rescue system
PhD student Brennan Jones wants to lend a helping hand to the B.C. search and rescue volunteers he calls heroes.
Atlantic
-
Chantel Moore shot by N.B. police officer in chest, abdomen and leg, inquest hears
Chantel Moore, a 26-year-old Indigenous woman killed by police in New Brunswick in June 2020, was shot twice in the chest, once in the abdomen and once in her left leg, the pathologist who conducted an autopsy on her said Wednesday.
-
Former RCMP staff sergeant describes spotty radio, lack of resources in N.S. shooting
A Mountie who led much of the response to the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting testified Wednesday that spotty radio service and the lack of an RCMP helicopter were among the equipment problems that hampered the manhunt.
-
Halifax police release identity of 37-year-old stabbing victim
Halifax Regional Police have released the identity of a woman who died after she was stabbed early Tuesday morning.
Vancouver Island
-
Caught on cam: Trees fall on Nanaimo home amid B.C. windstorm
A pair of tall trees toppled onto a Nanaimo, B.C., home Wednesday as a windstorm wreaked havoc on Vancouver Island.
-
Widespread power outages, cruise cancellation as windstorm hits Vancouver Island
Tens of thousands of BC Hydro customers across Vancouver Island were without power Wednesday morning as Environment Canada forecasted wind gusts over 100 km/h.
-
Saanich resident arrested for more than $10K in lumber thefts
West Shore RCMP say a Saanich, B.C., resident has been arrested after thousands of dollars worth of lumber was stolen out of the Colwood, B.C., area.
Toronto
-
Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner tests positive for COVID-19
Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner has tested positive for COVID-19 in the midst of the 2022 provincial election campaign.
-
INVESTIGATION
INVESTIGATION | Dozens of MPP investment properties surge to more than $36 million as Ontario housing affordability worsens
Dozens of candidates running for re-election are sitting on investment properties that are surging millions in value as a housing crisis takes hold across Ontario, according to a review of disclosures by CTV News and a new home valuation tool.
-
Man 'in shock' after SUV stolen in one of three Toronto carjackings in two-hour span
A man says he is still in shock after his SUV was stolen from his Scarborough driveway in one of the three carjackings in Toronto that occurred in the span of two hours Wednesday.
Montreal
-
Legault says English health-care worries over Bill 96 are 'disinformation'; experts disagree
Peppered with questions on Bill 96, Legault said there's been 'disinformation' spreading, in his opinion -- and that on one important question, health care, many critics of the bill are wrong. In fact, the bill is confusing on that point and the details still haven't been fully explained.
-
Suspected monkeypox cases detected in Montreal
Suspected cases of monkeypox are under investigation in the Montreal area as more reports of infections of the rare disease are popping up globally in recent weeks.
-
Quebec health workers will no longer be paid for COVID-19 isolation leave
Quebec health-care staff got another surprise this week when they learned they can no longer get paid time off for COVID-19 isolation, but need to use up their sick days or vacation days while awaiting a test result.
Ottawa
-
Prince Charles and Camilla spend the day in Ottawa
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla had a busy itinerary in Ottawa on Day 2 of their visit to Canada, running behind schedule for much of the day, but patient royal watchers were thrilled to meet them.
-
Here's when gas prices will drop below $2 a litre in Ottawa
Gas prices are set to fall 13 cents a litre over the next two days, giving drivers some relief at the pumps ahead of the Victoria Day long weekend.
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | Royal Military College holding memorial to remember four cadets killed in Kingston, Ont.
A memorial service will be held at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont. this evening to remember the four cadets who were killed when their vehicle went into the water last month.
Kitchener
-
'Somebody out there is missing this child': Remains of young girl found in water in Dunnville, Ont.
Provincial police announced Wednesday the human remains found in the water in Dunnville, Ont., the day before are that of a young girl.
-
Assault charges withdrawn against Kitchener teacher accused of taping students
The woman was charged with two counts of assault in November after an investigation into “allegations she taped two children with masking tape while in the classroom,” Waterloo regional police said at the time.
-
All aboard! Retiree buys 'cheapest home in the GTA' -- a caboose
No bedroom, no bathroom, no kitchen. Why one retiree decided to buy -- and live -- in a caboose.
Saskatoon
-
Brother of alleged Sask. group home sexual assault victim worries his days were 'filled with dread'
A man whose brother lived in a group home in Hepburn, Sask. and was allegedly abused by a worker is speaking out.
-
An Epic Alliance investor thought they owned a home with a tenant — it had actually burned down
Following the collapse of Epic Alliance, one investor learned they were the landlord of a property that no longer existed.
-
Statue of Indigenous hockey icon Fred Sasakamoose unveiled in Saskatoon
A statue of Indigenous hockey trailblazer Fred Sasakamoose was unveiled outside SaskTel Centre on Wednesday.
Northern Ontario
-
Free to be me: Rainbow schools hold diversity conference
A two-day symposium is underway at Cambrian College that aims to create and enhance support for students who are part of the LGTBQ2S community, as well as allies.
-
COVID-19 cases falling in Algoma
As festivals and events return to in-person formats, memories of COVID-19 may not necessarily be top of mind for people as they make summer plans.
-
Timmins microbrewery honoured at beer awards in Alberta
A microbrewery in Timmins has taken bronze at the Canadian Brewing Awards in Calgary.
Winnipeg
-
'Kindness and innocence': Parents remember daughter killed in crash with alleged drunk driver
The parents of a 24-year-old woman killed in a crash involving an alleged drunk driver earlier this month are remembering their daughter for her kindness and willingness to help others.
-
Assistance needed to identify Winnipeg woman hit and killed by vehicle
The Winnipeg Police Service is asking for the public’s help to identify a woman who was hit and killed by a vehicle late Tuesday night.
-
'A pretty amazing phenomenon': Giant ice shoves form on Lake Winnipeg
Even though it is spring, some Manitobans were in for a cool surprise over the weekend as ice piled up on the shore of Lake Winnipeg, creating what looked like giant hills of ice.
Regina
-
Riders preseason game to be moved following tentative CFL deal: TSN
According to TSN Football Insider Dave Naylor, a preseason game scheduled for May 23 between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be moved.
-
MLA removed from Sask. legislature during heated session
Nadine Wilson, the Independent MLA of Saskatchewan Rivers, was removed from the Saskatchewan legislature after refusing to apologize for comments made towards the government, following Wednesday’s fierce Question Period session.
-
'It was surreal': Sask. residents witness province’s first tornado of 2022
Environment Canada has confirmed the first tornado in Saskatchewan touched down Tuesday night near Keeler, about 50 kilometres north of Moose Jaw.