Tribute paid to Alberta wildfire crew member who died fighting blazes in Jasper
He's being remembered as a big personality – a young man who walked to the beat of his own drum, who loved deeply and who loved being a firefighter.
Morgan Kitchen, 24, died over the weekend fighting the wildfires in Jasper.
An online tribute identified the Calgarian and Alberta wildfire crew member, who also served in both the Canadian Armed Forces and British Royal Marines.
Kitchen, who turned 24 last month, was killed by a falling tree on Saturday.
Firefighters and first responders from all over have been paying tribute to their colleague, who was based out of Rocky Mountain House.
Parks Canada has said this tragic incident highlights the dangers associated with wildland firefighting.
The online tribute goes on to say, "Morgan was a talented athlete, musician, singer, comedian, and actor. He could have been a gifted teacher but was wired to be a first responder. The lifestyle and people drew him in. The photos and stories his crew shared of his last few months reflect a genuinely happy man doing what he loved in a place as wild and free as he was."
A funeral service will be held in Calgary on Aug. 17.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING Conservatives to put forward non-confidence motion in Trudeau government 'at earliest possible opportunity'
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says his party will put forward a non-confidence motion when Parliament resumes 'at the earliest possible opportunity' with the aim of triggering an early federal election.
FACT CHECK: A look at the false and misleading claims made during the Trump-Harris debate
In their first and perhaps only debate, former U.S. president Donald Trump and U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris described the state of the country in starkly different terms. As the two traded jabs, some old false and misleading claims emerged along with some new ones.
Mother of suspected Apalachee High School shooter apologizes to victims' families in open letter
The mother of the teenager suspected of killing four people during last week’s shooting at a Georgia high school has apologized to the victims' families in an open letter while insisting her son 'is not a monster.'
Some restaurants have increased their default tip options. Canadians think you should give this much
Despite what the default options on the payment terminal might read, most Canadians still want to tip around 15 per cent, according to a new survey.
Israeli airstrikes hit UN school and homes in Gaza, killing at least 34 people, hospitals say
Israeli airstrikes across Gaza overnight and Wednesday hit a UN school sheltering displaced Palestinian families as well as two homes, killing at least 34 people, including 19 women and children, hospital officials said.
Singh to talk policy priorities at second day of NDP caucus retreat
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is expected to have more to share today about the progressive policies his team intends to prioritize, and his red lines, when Parliament resumes next week.
Canada working on military AI; Blair says as he endorses international agreement
Defence Minister Bill Blair says Canada is working on incorporating artificial intelligence in its military, but the technology won't replace humans.
Quebec woman wins MAID case to die at home after legal fight with landlord
A woman who requested medical assistance in dying (MAID) won a major case in front of the Quebec rental board. She wanted to die at home, but her landlord didn't want her to.
Key takeaways from a debate that featured tense clashes and closed with a Taylor Swift endorsement
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced each other on the debate stage for the first — and possibly the last — time.
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.
Edmonton
-
Alberta premier Smith defends sharing public policy plans at members-only UCP events
Premier Danielle Smith is defending recent policy announcements at private party events, saying Albertans are kept in the know and shouldn't be caught off guard by her agenda.
-
Information sought in Hinton hit-and-run case involving jogger
A white Dodge truck and its driver are being sought by police investigating a hit-and-run in Hinton last month.
-
Man struck by van near 111 Avenue, seriously injured
A man sustained serious injuries when he was hit by a vehicle near Kingsway Tuesday evening.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge looking for new strategies to address substance abuse
The City of Lethbridge and its police force are looking at new ways to address substance abuse.
-
Lethbridge police celebrate retirement of two K9s, welcome new four-legged graduate
Two Lethbridge Police Service dogs began their retirement journeys on Tuesday, as the force welcomed its newest four-legged member.
-
Lethbridge woman attacked while she slept; police on hunt for offender
Police in Lethbridge say a woman was left with serious injuries after being attacked with a weapon while she slept in her home.
Vancouver
-
Stormy Daniels misses U.S. presidential debate, documentary viewing in Vancouver due to border trouble
Former adult film star Stormy Daniels was missing from an event in East Vancouver Tuesday that paired a live viewing of the U.S. presidential debate with a documentary on her life.
-
Parents fight for change after 13-year-old girl dies in B.C. homeless camp
Brianna McDonald's death was caused by a suspected overdose, according to her family. And her grieving parents are urging change so other families don’t have to face what they are going though.
-
B.C. expected to roll out investment and expansion plan for Surrey schools
The B.C. NDP is expected to announce an investment and expansion plan for Surrey schools on Wednesday morning.
Vancouver Island
-
Parents fight for change after 13-year-old girl dies in B.C. homeless camp
Brianna McDonald's death was caused by a suspected overdose, according to her family. And her grieving parents are urging change so other families don’t have to face what they are going though.
-
Taxi driver killed in Vancouver Island crash
Mounties say a 66-year-old taxi driver is dead after his vehicle veered off the roadway and struck two trees on Vancouver Island.
-
NDP tries to make abortion B.C. election issue, Conservatives push back
Ahead of next month’s provincial election, the BC NDP is claiming the BC Conservatives – if elected – will reduce access to abortion and support for other reproductive health services if elected.
Saskatoon
-
Buyers say they lost life savings to a Saskatchewan company selling luxury vacation condos
In 2022, Tanya Frisk-Welburn and her husband bought what they hoped would be a dream home in Mexico.
-
Downtown Saskatoon dance studio owner worries about proposed shelter site across the street
The latest potential site announced for a Saskatoon emergency shelter is not going over well with owners of a dance studio located across the street.
-
Back to his roots, Saskatchewan hockey player recognized for grassroots contributions
From Gordie Howe to Hayley Wickenheiser and everyone in between, Saskatchewan has produced some hockey greats over the years.
Regina
-
'Critical': Regina International Airport simulates emergency situations in training exercise
The Regina International Airport (YQR), along with over 20 partner organizations, held an emergency training exercise featuring more than 150 people Tuesday.
-
Saskatchewan NDP promises rental protections ahead of looming fall election
The Saskatchewan NDP are promising to limit rent increases if elected government in this fall’s provincial election.
-
'Youth are important': Day two of Treaty 4 Gathering focuses on youth
Day two of the 38th annual Treaty 4 Gathering in the Fort Qu’Appelle Valley focused on youth.
Toronto
-
Police charge eight suspects following investigation into $3M GTA auto theft ring
Halton Regional Police say they have disrupted a group believed to be responsible for the theft of at least 40 vehicles in Halton Region and the Greater Toronto Area worth over $3 million.
-
Civil lawsuit alleging 'brutal' sexual assault launched against accused in Ont.'s 'Woodland rapist' case
An alleged child predator who was arrested and charged earlier this year is now facing a civil lawsuit in connection with a "brutal" sexual assault in a Toronto area park reported nearly 30 years ago.
-
Suspects seen tackling woman to ground in new carjacking video
York Regional Police have released surveillance footage showing a violent struggle between a victim and two would-be carjackers in Markham as they search for the suspects.
Montreal
-
Man and woman found dead in Montreal apartment, police consider deaths 'suspicious'
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating two 'suspicious deaths' in the Sainte-Marie neighbourhood.
-
Dollarama reports $285.9M Q2 profit, up from $245.8M a year ago
Dollarama Inc. reported a second-quarter profit of $285.9 million, up from $245.8 million in the same quarter last year as its sales rose 7.4 per cent.
-
Quebec woman wins MAID case to die at home after legal fight with landlord
A woman who requested medical assistance in dying (MAID) won a major case in front of the Quebec rental board. She wanted to die at home, but her landlord didn't want her to.
Atlantic
-
Man charged with attempted murder after Halifax shooting
A 34-year-old man is facing an attempted murder charge after an alleged shooting in the north end of Halifax last week.
-
'EI kind of folks': Cape Breton MP criticized for comment about Atlantic Canadians
Nova Scotia Liberal MP Jaime Battiste is taking some heat for a remark about Atlantic Canadians.
-
N.S. NDP wants fresh data on doctor wait-list; number hit 160,000 in June
Nova Scotia's New Democrats are calling on Premier Tim Houston to immediately release statistics on how many people are looking for a family doctor.
Winnipeg
-
'Like no other leader': Hundreds honour Grand Chief Cathy Merrick
A large crowd gathered outside the front steps of a Winnipeg law courts to mourn a First Nations leader and matriarch.
-
RCMP investigating after man found dead near rural Manitoba property
Mounties are investigating after a 26-year-old man was found lying near a rural property in southwest Manitoba.
-
'We need some action now': Manitoba school dealing with overcrowding issues
The library inside West St. Paul School doesn’t have any books in it anymore. Instead, two classes of students and their teachers have moved in because there isn’t room for them anywhere else.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa's mayor warns transit fare hikes, transit levy increases to address transit shortfall in 2025
OC Transpo riders could see a fare increase of up to 75 per cent in 2025, along with a significant hike in the transit levy, to help offset a potential $120 million budget shortfall in Ottawa's transit service next year.
-
CityFolk Festival Kicks off Wednesday night at Lansdowne, here's the lineup
Ottawa's CityFolk Festival kicks off Wednesday night on the Great Lawn at Lansdowne Park, marking its 30th anniversary with a wide variety of music.
-
Bylaw apologizes for issuing parking tickets to mourners at Ottawa's St. Patrick's Basilica
An officer issued three tickets to vehicles that were parked in a no-stopping zone outside St. Patrick's Basilica on Kent Street during a funeral on Aug. 26.
Northern Ontario
-
U.S. presidential historian predicts results of November elections. Here's who he says will win
An American presidential historian is predicting a Kamala Harris presidency as the outcome of the upcoming U.S. elections in November.
-
Bears in schoolyard force students and staff into 2nd hold and secure this week
A Huntsville elementary school is locked down for the second time this week because of some bears roaming the schoolyard.
-
Video shows tornado moving ashore in northern Ontario
A beautiful Labour Day weekend at the lake was interrupted by some extreme weather when a tornado touched down in northern Ontario.
Barrie
-
Police investigate death after body is found along Highway 26
Police are investigating an alleged hit-and-run after an individual was found dead at the side of the road in Springwater Township early Wednesday morning.
-
Highway 400 lane closures after tractor-trailer rollover
Police closed northbound lanes along Highway 400 Wednesday morning after a tractor-trailer collision.
-
Warmer, dryer than usual fall predicted for Simcoe County
Simcoe County and Muskoka will have a warmer and dryer fall than usual.
Kitchener
-
Ontario woman charged with assault with a weapon after neighbour sprayed with water gun
A Simcoe, Ont. woman has been charged with assault with a weapon after spraying her neighbour with a water gun.
-
Flu shots to become available in Ontario in October
The Ministry of Health says it is safe and convenient to receive a COVID-19 shot and the flu shot at the same time, and shipments of the updated COVID vaccine should arrive in Ontario by early October.
-
Canadian first: LOTTO MAX Jackpot rolls to record $75M
This Friday's draw marks the first time the LOTTO MAX jackpot has climbed to $75 million.
London
-
First Responders in St. Thomas, Ont. hold 9/11 remembrance ceremony
“The 2,334 people working on that day in the Trade towers never thought that somebody would be laying down their lives for them.”
-
Huron OPP investigate stolen pickup and trailer, recovered burnt out
Huron OPP is investigating a stolen pickup truck and U-Haul trailer, which was recovered in South Huron.
-
The same driver was arrested twice in less than 24 hours
A report of an impaired driver led to the same person being arrested for the first of two times in less than 24 hours.
Windsor
-
Three Scarborough suspects arrested after series of armed robberies in Windsor
Windsor police have arrested two teens and a young man after a series of robberies.
-
American expats gather in Windsor for first U.S. presidential debate watch party
In Windsor, American expats gathered at a downtown sports bar on Tuesday night to watch the highly anticipated U.S. presidential debate.
-
Impaired driving charges laid after Leamington collision
Essex OPP have laid impaired driving charges following a collision that took place Monday afternoon.
