Figure skater Elladj Baldé performs in Calgary to kickstart nationwide outdoor rink rehabilitation initiative
A world-famous Canadian figure skater is gliding his way into the hearts of communities in need and his first stop is in Calgary.
Elladj Baldé is a name synonymous with backflips, mountain backdrops and incredible viral videos.
On Friday afternoon, he’s launching an initiative to build and rehabilitate outdoor ice rinks across the country, with his first fundraiser to upgrade the outdoor rink in the northeast Calgary community of Temple.
"It's really important because accessibility is one of the issues and one of the reasons why we haven't seen diversity in the sport of figure skating," Baldé said.
"Being able to have rinks that are functional and operational in some of those communities will just make accessibility that much easier for the kids that are in the area."
The by-donation event is a partnership with EllisDon called Ice Rinks for Inclusion and runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 176 Templegreen Road N.E.
Baldé will be performing there alongside World Champion figure skater Kaetlyn Osmond and national competitor Emma Bulawka.
Calgarians attending are required to provide proof of vaccination to join in for an open skate and listen to live musical performances.Baldé is also launching the Skate Global Foundation (SGF) on Friday alongside his wife and co-founder Michelle Dawley.
The foundation is an impact driven not-for-profit organization built on the pillars of equity, diversity, and inclusion, along with mental health and climate change.
"We've been talking about this for a long time in finding ways to give back to the community and for me," Baldé said.
"It's been a passion for a long time to be able to continue our progress in Equity Diversity Inclusion."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Governor General, entourage amass $100K in-flight catering bill during trip to Middle East
Governor General Mary Simon and her guests racked up a nearly $100,000 catering bill during their flights to and from the Middle East from March 16 to 24.
OPINION | Don Martin: The fall of Justin Trudeau has begun
'After a weeks-long survey of just about everyone I've met ... the overall judgment on Justin Trudeau is one of being a political write-off,' writes Don Martin in an opinion column for CTVNews.ca. 'He’s too woke, too precious, preachy in tone, exceedingly smug, lacking in leadership, fading in celebrity, slow to act, short-sighted in vision and generally getting more irritating with every breathlessly whispered public pronouncement,' Martin writes.
Canada's COVID-19 travel restrictions: What's changing and what stays in place
Amid mounting pressure on the Canadian government to address long delays and wait times at airports, federal ministers announced on Tuesday that the government will be lifting vaccine requirements for domestic and outbound international travellers. CTVNews.ca has a guide to the current COVID-19 rules around travel as well as what's changing.
Two Air Canada planes came at risk of colliding while taking off on same runway in Toronto
Two Air Canada planes missed colliding at Toronto Pearson after the flight crew of a Boeing 777 and air traffic control missed a radio call saying another plane was still on the runway, a new report says.
Afghan refugee achieves dream of earning degree in Canada
An Afghan refugee and former interpreter for the Canadian Armed Forces has achieved her dream of earning an education in Canada.
Russia lowers gas flows to Europe with part stuck in Canada
Russian natural gas deliveries through a key pipeline to Europe will drop by around 40% this year, state-controlled energy giant Gazprom said Tuesday, after Canadian sanctions over the war in Ukraine prevented German partner Siemens Energy from delivering overhauled equipment.
Texas city asks for help identifying mysterious figure caught on camera
A Texas city has asked for help identifying a seemingly shaggy figure caught lurking in the dark on a security camera.
Canada dropping vaccine mandate for domestic and outbound international travel as of June 20
The Canadian government is dropping the requirement that domestic and outbound international travellers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, effective June 20. However, all re-entry requirements will remain in effect, and all passengers will continue to have to wear face masks.
Ottawa lifts COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal, transport workers
The federal government is lifting the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for federal public servants and transportation workers, on the same day it released details about dropping the mandate for domestic and outgoing travel.
Edmonton
-
Edmonton Walmart removing 'non-operational' camera from changing area
Walmart officials are promising to take down a "dummy" security camera from a changing area in Edmonton, but the person who exposed the device is demanding further investigation.
-
Edmonton police happy to see new neighbourhood watch groups but warn against vigilantism
Brad Ison has had enough of the crime around his west Edmonton condo and he's organizing an effort to make his place a tougher target.
-
Here's how much rain has fallen, and what's still coming
Thirty to 50 mm of rain has fallen in Edmonton up to mid-afternoon Tuesday, according to the City of Edmonton’s open data Rainfall Totals.
Vancouver
-
B.C. park set to reopen after 'problematic' bear caught, killed
A large Lower Mainland park will reopen sooner than initially planned after a black bear officials said had become dangerously "food-conditioned" was captured and killed.
-
John Horgan's popularity takes a hit: Angus Reid poll
A new poll shows Premier John Horgan's approval rating is dipping, as affordability, a family doctor shortage and controversy over a museum project dominate B.C. politics.
-
Amanda Todd case: Dutch police found passport, cash stashed in stereo during property search
As the trial of the man accused of 'sextorting' B.C. teen Amanda Todd continues, the court heard from Dutch police about what they found when they searched a property in the Netherlands.
Atlantic
-
Inquiry hears Nova Scotians grieving the mass shooting are still seeking help
Two years after a man disguised as a Mountie killed 22 people in Nova Scotia, grieving people are still coming forward to get help from the province's victim services program, a government official told a public inquiry Tuesday.
-
New Brunswick ambulance hits moose near Moncton, two paramedics injured in collision: ANB
An ambulance occupied by two paramedics collided with a moose near Moncton, N.B., Saturday night.
-
Cape Breton police investigating suspicious death in Sydney Mines; man in custody
One man is in custody and another is dead after a suspected assault in Sydney Mines, N.S. Cape Breton Regional Police say a neighbour called 911 around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday to report that a man with serious injuries was lying on the road on Beech Street.
Vancouver Island
-
Old-growth logging protester suffers 'life-changing' injury on Vancouver Island
Conservation group Save Old Growth says one of its members remains in hospital Tuesday after protesters blocked a portion of the Patricia Bay Highway in North Saanich, B.C., on Monday
-
Construction of first dementia village on Vancouver Island begins
Construction has officially begun on an innovative new dementia care facility on Vancouver Island.
-
Man suffers serious injuries after being stabbed by youth in Courtenay, B.C.
Comox Valley RCMP say three youths were arrested after a 62-year-old man was stabbed multiple times last week.
Toronto
-
CTV INVESTIGATES
CTV INVESTIGATES | Missing video evidence collapses drug case, prompts Toronto detective discipline proceeding
A drug trafficking case has collapsed and a Toronto police detective is facing allegations of deceit and discreditable conduct after he wouldn’t provide surveillance video of a drug bust to prosecutors, CTV News has learned.
-
'Elephant in the room': Judge addresses impact of SCOC ruling in van attack case
Before sentencing the man responsible for Toronto's deadly van attack to life in prison, the judge presiding over the case took a moment to address "the elephant in the room."
-
Petition calls for change to Amber Alert after missing Ontario boy found dead in river
Tens of thousands of people have signed a petition urging for a change to Ontario’s Amber Alert system after an 11-year-old Ontario boy was found deceased in a river on Monday.
Montreal
-
Montreal woman raising concerns about hotel accessibility after 'devastating' experience at downtown hotel
A Montreal woman is speaking out after her convocation was nearly ruined because of the lack of accessibility at a downtown hotel.
-
For $800,000, this extremely decrepit Mile End tear-down could be yours
The house has six bedrooms but it needs a little work, to say the least. 'Oh wow, an apartment to be murdered in,' one person wrote this week after seeing photos. Real estate documents show the owner bought the building for just $10,000 in 1990.
-
Montreal public health shifting vaccination plan as monkeypox cases grow to 126
With Montreal the 'epicentre' of the monkeypox outbreak in Canada, and the case count continuing to grow, the city is planning to add additional vaccination sites, public health officials said.
Ottawa
-
Stage 1 LRT budget did not account for hundreds of millions in inflationary costs, inquiry told
Former city treasurer Marian Simulik testified in front of the public inquiry commission, taking questions from commission lawyers on the LRT budget and the procurement process.
-
Ottawa Air Cadet captain accused of sexual assault against minors
Ottawa police have charged a 47-year-old Ottawa man with several sexual offences involving children under 16, one of whom he allegedly met while involved with the Air Cadets in Ottawa.
-
Governor General, entourage amass $100K in-flight catering bill during trip to Middle East
Governor General Mary Simon and her guests racked up a nearly $100,000 catering bill during their flights to and from the Middle East from March 16 to 24.
Kitchener
-
Cambridge, Ont. man says he was assaulted by group of men after being attacked by woman sleeping on front step
The bizarre incident was captured on video.
-
Motorcyclist killed, passenger injured in crash near Port Dover
A motorcycle driver was killed, and a passenger seriously injured, in a crash Tuesday evening near Port Dover.
-
Police investigating alleged stabbing in Kitchener
Police are investigating an alleged stabbing in Kitchener. They said one male was taken to hospital and the suspect fled in dark beige car.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon dad says teaching cuts 'don't make sense'
Evan Schemenauer has three children in the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools system and worries about the 19 teaching positions being cut.
-
'Too much rain, too fast': Surface flooding damages homes in Watrous, Sask.
A quick-moving storm system left streets in Watrous flooded and many basements damaged.
-
Sask. woman still without answers a decade after pregnancy loss at hospital
Dani Thompson from Paddockwood, Sask. still has unanswered questions about what happened to the fetus after she suffered a miscarriage in 2009.
Northern Ontario
-
Sudbury police asking public to avoid St. George Street
There is a heavy police presence in Greater Sudbury's Flour Mill area Tuesday night as officers deal with a 'dynamic situation.'
-
31-year-old man died of heart attack at Sault steel plant
The Ontario Ministry of Labour has confirmed it has closed the investigation into a worker who died at Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, following an autopsy.
-
Northern Ontario reaction to vaccine travel requirement ending
The Canadian government is dropping the requirement that domestic and outbound international travellers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, effective June 20.
Winnipeg
-
Police warn Manitoba is seeing an increase in cybercrime
A rise in cybercrime has police warning people to protect their personal information and email accounts.
-
Parking lot dispute with city 'could be the demise' of art supply shop, owner says
Artists Emporium fears city requirements over parking spaces could lead to the demise of the long-time local art businesses.
-
Why some City of Winnipeg vehicles have licence plates from other provinces
Some of the City of Winnipeg public works vehicles might be sporting licence plates from other provinces this summer, but according to the city, that's all part of the plan.
Regina
-
Regina man charged in connection to robbery incident: Regina police
Regina police were called to the 1800 block of Osler Street Monday after receiving information that a robbery was taking place.
-
Regina airport hoping for economic boost as vaccine mandates ease for domestic travel
The Regina airport is hopeful loosened COVID-19 measures will provide an economic boost to the region, with vaccine mandates on domestic travel set to end later this month.
-
'Just positive vibes': Self Image Boutique looks to provide unique experience
Matina Assimakopoulos and Anna Tzortzis have opened the doors to what they call Regina’s first selfie museum.