'Changing the course of history': How Winnipeggers celebrated Canada Day
In-person Canada Day festivities made a return on Friday for the first time since the pandemic started, with residents bringing back old traditions and creating new ones.
Originally from Sri Lanka, Sachin Rodrigo chose to spend his first Canada Day at The Forks.
"All I have to say is like, I love Canada so much, because of, like I said, the diversified culture and all that happening. I really love this country, and you guys should visit here. It's awesome," said Rodrigo.
This year's celebration at The Forks looks a bit different. Instead of the traditional event, The Forks is hosting a "New Day" celebration, aiming for a more inclusive and reflective event.
"You can see already today a lot of our people are healing, and we're changing the course of history right now by The Forks recognizing Indigenous people on July 1," said Wayne Mason Jr., who was watching traditional drumming and dancing.
For many places in Winnipeg, this year marks the first Canada Day with in-person events since the pandemic started -- something the St. Norbert Farmers' Market is glad to have back.
"Great to be here again on Canada Day. We've obviously taken a two-year hiatus from bringing out local vendors and the community, and it's so nice to celebrate Canada Day together as a community,” said Danielle Mondor, the market's executive director.
The return to in-person festivities is being celebrated across the city, including at Assiniboia Downs.
"You can see everybody's smiling faces. Two years in the making, but it's well worth it. It's good to be out now in about," said Kim Wilson, who was spending Canada Day at Assiniboia Downs.
Regardless of where people gathered on July 1, the focus was on the country's accomplishments, history and future.
"It's important to recognize it and all the diversity and the cultures that come along now with it this day and age, and it's just a good time," said Wilson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.