CTV National News: Fire crews hailed as heroes by residents of Alberta hamlet
The residents of the Alberta hamlet of Peers is praising fire crews for saving their homes from a potentially devastating wildfire. Kathy Le has their story.
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CTV News
35 minutes ago
- CTV News
City of Ottawa considering licencing fee for landscapers as part of bylaw review
An Ottawa City Councillor says changes could be coming to the bylaw that oversees landscapers. CTV's Katie Griffin reports. Changes could be coming to the bylaw that oversees landscapers in Ottawa. The review that has been underway as part of the Landscaper Regulatory Review comes as several homeowners speak out after receiving a notice from the city saying they have to rip up some of their landscaping because it goes against a bylaw. 'Somebody complained and they targeted seven of us on this little crescent,' said Claude Mulligan who lives in Findlay Creek. 'The river rock was up to the curb and the city ordered us to remove everything in the right of way which is about 13 feet in my case.' He says the city eventually said they would only have to remove about 18 inches of rock away from the curb and replace it with mulch. 'But not any kind of mulch, it had to be organic mulch,' Mulligan said. 'I've got rubber mulch which I'm in the process of removing and I'm going to replace it with the organic, wood chip-type of mulch.' The landscaping was done more than 10 years ago and until this June it had never been an issue—until someone complained and a bylaw officer paid a visit, he said. 'We're all confused why this is happening. These stones don't bother anyone, they don't damage the roadway, they don't impede or interfere with anything.' Ottawa landscaping : Some residents in a Findlay Creek neighbourhood were told they had to rip out hardscape and replace it with mulch because it violated a bylaw. (Katie Griffin/CTV News Ottawa) Other homeowners reached out to CTV News Ottawa after our initial story about a Kanata couple that was told they had to rip out part of their $40,000 landscaping project. The city says no hardscaping, including river rock and interlock, is allowed on its right of way because it 'interferes with drainage, snow removal and can impact other city services.' 'I know that in the city there are literally tens of thousands of people that have done this in the last 20 years I would say. I think the bylaw needs to be changed because people don't want grass anymore,' Mulligan said. The Klines A Kanata couple has been told they have to rip out some of their nearly $40,000 landscaping project over a bylaw violation. (Katie Griffin/CTV News Ottawa) Right now, the city is reviewing the bylaw that oversees landscapers. 'The city needs to be much more proactive and making sure people are aware of what they can and cannot do but also to hold landscapers accountable,' said Coun. Riley Brockington. 'Landscapers need to be aware of the bylaw, this is not just a paycheque.' Brockington added that some potential changes as part of the Landscaper Regulatory Review could include licencing. 'That's possible that there may be a licensing fee so the city can keep better track of who the landscapers are.' Proposed changes could come before committee in the fall. Mulligan hopes something changes. 'We did what the city asked us to do but we're still scratching our heads as to why this is so bad.'
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Leaves turning yellow early as drought stresses Halifax trees
The dry conditions are making leaves change their colours across the Maritimes. It may be the middle of August, but in Halifax, signs of autumn are appearing weeks ahead of schedule. Across the city, patches of yellow and brown are visible in the neighbourhood trees, while lawns crunch underfoot. Experts say the prolonged dry conditions are putting significant stress on vegetation. 'What's happening with some trees – not all trees – is that they are under stress, just as lawns and gardens are with this drought,' said Emily Tregunno, with Halifax Seed Company. While some of the damage is caused by Japanese beetles, officials say the majority of early colour change is a survival response. 'In an effort to conserve water, they're going into an early dormant season, following a process similar to what you'd see in the fall,' said Crispin Wood, Halifax Regional Municipality's urban forestry manager. 'Typically, it will be just a portion of the leaves, the tree will retain some ability to photosynthesize.' Yellow leaves Some leaves are turning yellow early this year. (Source: Hafsa Arif/CTV News Atlantic) Municipalities have been asking residents to conserve water, which makes it more challenging to provide supplemental watering to lawns, gardens and young trees. According to Tregunno, once a tree's entire canopy has changed colour, it is unlikely to recover until next season. While rainfall could help, city crews are holding off on new plantings until the fall, when conditions are expected to be more favourable. 'We're waiting until the fall to start ramping planting back up because we know planning in these hot, dry conditions is not ideal,' Wood said. 'We're also adapting our tree planting, the species we choose, because we know with climate change this will become more common.' Leaves Leaves are changing colours ahead of schedule in Halifax due to dry weather. (Source: Hafsa Arif/CTV News Atlantic) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
‘Act of remembrance': Residential school site in Manitoba receives new plaques commemorating historical significance
Three new plaques sharing the historical significance of the former Portage la Prairie Indian Residential School are seen in Portage la Prairie on Aug. 14, 2025. (Glenn Pismenny/CTV News Winnipeg) The federal government and Long Plain First Nation recognized the historical significance of a former residential school in Portage la Prairie. Saint Boniface-Saint Vital MP Ginette Lavack joined Long Plain leaders and residential school survivors at the Portage la Prairie Indian Residential School on Thursday. Three new plaques were unveiled by Parks Canada, sharing the historical significance of the building. 'We recognize this site as a place of national historic significance,' Lavack said. 'This commemoration is one step in our collective responsibility to educate all Canadians about the Indian residential school system, its devastating consequences, and the importance of remembering this history so that it is never repeated.' 'Commemoration is often not a celebration. It's an act of remembrance and an opportunity to reflect on the full scope of Canada's history, including moments that are painful, complex or difficult to confront.' Portage residential school The exterior of the Portage la Prairie Indian Residential School, now the National Residential School Museum of Canada, is seen on Aug. 14, 2025. (Glenn Pismenny/CTV News Winnipeg) The school was built in 1915. It was part of the residential school system which removed Indigenous children from their families and communities, denying them their traditions, language and culture. The school closed in 1975, and is now home to the National Residential School Museum of Canada. 'Our museum is physically located in one of Canada's last remaining residential school buildings. It stands as a testament to our past and bears witness to the history and legacy of the residential school system,' said Lorraine Daniels the museum's executive director and a residential school survivor. 'It's now a National Historic Site. It serves as a powerful, immersive memorial that honors those who endured the resident to school system, safeguarding their stories, supporting survivors and their communities, and educating visitors on the impacts of the residential schools.'
