Manitoba-shot Christmas movie nearly tops box office
A still from"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". (Lionsgate)
A Manitoba-shot Christmas movie was on the nice list at the box office last weekend.
According to Box Office Mojo, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” finished in second place last weekend, raking in $11.1 million. It was bested by “Venom: The Last Dance," which netted $16.2 million.
Based on the 1972 book of the same name, the holiday flick follows six siblings who sneak into church searching for snacks only to walk away with the lead roles in the town’s pageant.
It stars Judy Greer, Lauren Graham, and Pete Holmes, and was shot in Manitoba in December of 2023.
- With files from CTV's Daniel Halmarson
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mexico president says Canada has a 'very serious' fentanyl problem
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada's culture and its framing of border issues.
Freeland says it was 'right choice' for her not to attend Mar-a-Lago dinner with Trump
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says it was 'the right choice' for her not to attend the surprise dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Friday night.
Quebec doctors who refuse to stay in public system for 5 years face $200K fine per day
Quebec's health minister has tabled a bill that would force new doctors trained in the province to spend the first five years of their careers working in Quebec's public health network.
NDP won't support Conservative non-confidence motion that quotes Singh
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he won't play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion.
Opposition leaders talk unity following Trudeau meeting about Trump, minister calls 51st state comment 'teasing'
The prime minister’s emergency meeting with opposition leaders on Tuesday appears to have bolstered a more united front against U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
Calgary man who drove U-Haul over wife sentenced to 15 years
A Calgary man who killed his wife in 2020 when he drove over her in a loaded U-Haul has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
Man severely injured saving his wife from a polar bear attack in the Far North
A man was severely injured Tuesday morning when he leaped onto a polar bear to protect his wife from being mauled in the Far North community of Fort Severn.
Canada Post strike: Kids no longer need to mail their letters to Santa by the end of the week
Canada Post says it has removed the deadline for its Santa Claus letter program amid an ongoing national workers' strike that has halted mail delivery leading up to the holiday season.
Another case of 'zombie deer' disease confirmed in B.C.'s Kootenays
Health officials have confirmed a fourth case of chronic wasting disease in B.C.’s Kootenay region, prompting calls for a swift cull to prevent further spread.
Regina
-
Regulations around foreign ownership of Sask. farmland need better enforcement, auditor finds
The Provincial Auditor of Saskatchewan is recommending that the province improve its system of monitoring sales of farmland to foreign entities.
-
Formal expectations needed for answering 911 calls: Sask. auditor reports
The Provincial Auditor assessed the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s (SPSA) 911 call taking and dispatching processes for fire emergencies, focusing on the Provincial Emergency Communications Centre.
-
Attempted murder charge laid after home invasion, series of hit and runs in Regina
Two people in Regina are facing a list of charges following a series of alleged acts that include a home invasion, multiple collisions and attempted murder.
Saskatoon
-
Major power outage hits much of Saskatoon's west side
A large power outage lasting several hours affected much of Saskatoon's west side and portions of the east side of the city Tuesday afternoon.
-
'That's way, way inappropriate': Saskatoon city councillor raises issue with democratic process, clerk apologizes
Before Saskatoon city council unanimously approved the budget, a fiery discussion about the democratic process dominated chambers.
-
Saskatoon city council raises property taxes 4.96% next year
Saskatoon city councillors approved a municipal budget that will raise property taxes 4.96 per cent in 2025.
Edmonton
-
Ex-Alberta teacher convicted of sex crime involving child for 2nd time
Former Alberta teacher Brian Davison has been found guilty of one count of sexual exploitation in connection with an incident involving a child.
-
Giving Tuesday: As the Canada Post strike and inflation affect charities, here's how Edmontonians can help
Across the country, charities are getting ready for the holidays, which is often a busy time for many of them, and are relying on the generosity of Canadians to help get them.
-
Oilers tasting more success as special-teams play improves
Special teams are starting to show up for the Edmonton Oilers. Head coach Kris Knoblauch identified improved play – and results – from both the NHL team's power play and penalty kill as "important" factors in their last two games.
Calgary
-
Loved ones seek answers as Pine Creek death deemed a homicide
Calgary police say the death of a man in the community of Pine Creek last month is being investigated as a homicide.
-
Person found dead in Taradale home with high CO levels: CFD
A person was found dead in a Taradale home where emergency crews discovered high levels of carbon monoxide.
-
Calgary man who drove U-Haul over wife sentenced to 15 years
A Calgary man who killed his wife in 2020 when he drove over her in a loaded U-Haul has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
Toronto
-
Richmond Hill jewelry store smash-and-grab caught on video, 5 suspects outstanding
Video footage has surfaced on social media of a violent daytime robbery earlier this week at a jewelry store in a Richmond Hill shopping centre.
-
Walking pneumonia cases in Ontario have nearly tripled since 2019: report
The number of walking pneumonia cases seen in Ontario this year is triple the amount of what was reported in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
Process around Ontario Place redevelopment was 'unfair' and didn't follow rules: AG
Ontario's auditor general is slamming the Ford government for failing to follow proper process around the redevelopment of Ontario Place, including a revelation that senior staff communicated directly with Therme Canada and other applicants while proposals were still being accepted.
Ottawa
-
TRAVEL ADVISORYTRAVEL ADVISORY Winter weather travel advisory in effect as Ottawa expects first notable snowfall
The first winter weather travel advisory of the season is in effect for Ottawa as the city's first dump of snow expected this week.
-
1 teen, 4 adults injured in crash involving school bus and vehicle in south Ottawa
Ottawa paramedics say five people were injured following a collision between a school bus and a van in south Ottawa.
-
'Adapting is huge': Skiers, snowboarders prepare for first significant snowfall
Winter sports enthusiasts are looking forward to the coming snowfall in eastern Ontario, as are ski resorts, which have had a slow start to the season.
Montreal
-
Despite devastating poll, Quebec Premier Legault confident he’s here to stay
Despite a devastating poll, Premier François Legault is confident that he will lead the CAQ troops into the next electoral battle in two years' time.
-
Quebec doctors who refuse to stay in public system for 5 years face $200K fine per day
Quebec's health minister has tabled a bill that would force new doctors trained in the province to spend the first five years of their careers working in Quebec's public health network.
-
Quebec public security minister says no indication so far of migrant influx from U.S.
Quebec’s public security minister says the situation at the province’s border with the United States is “under control” and that there is no indication so far of an influx of migrants trying to enter Canada.
Atlantic
-
Snow, rain, and wind expected for Maritimes this week with early December storm
A developing low pressure skirting colder air in place across eastern parts of the country will bring snow, rain, and wind to the Maritimes on Thursday.
-
Cape Breton investigating last year of municipal credit card transactions
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) is investigating more than a year of transactions on a legislative credit card due to a lack of documents.
-
N.B. woman dies after hit and run in Notre-Dame: RCMP
A 40-year-old New Brunswick woman has died after she was struck by a vehicle in Notre-Dame, N.B.
Vancouver
-
BC SPCA to rescue up to 30 stray cats from one Kamloops home
The BC SPCA is warning of the consequences of feeding stray cats after a person accidentally lured over 25 felines to their home in Kamloops, B.C.
-
Comox Valley RCMP seek suspect who tried to climb woman's deck wearing a gas mask
Mounties on Vancouver Island are seeking witnesses after a woman reported that a man wearing a gas mask tried to climb onto the deck of her home near Courtenay, B.C.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING New Vancouver Art Gallery plan scrapped, board seeks new design
The Vancouver Art Gallery has decided to start all over again and shelve plans for a new nine-level tower made of wood and glass, CTV News has learned.
Vancouver Island
-
Comox Valley RCMP seek suspect who tried to climb woman's deck wearing a gas mask
Mounties on Vancouver Island are seeking witnesses after a woman reported that a man wearing a gas mask tried to climb onto the deck of her home near Courtenay, B.C.
-
Canadian military drones enter production, though Arctic modifications will be required
Canada's first combat drones have now entered production, though the remotely piloted aircraft will require years of testing and significant modifications before the first units are delivered in 2028.
-
BC SPCA to rescue up to 30 stray cats from one Kamloops home
The BC SPCA is warning of the consequences of feeding stray cats after a person accidentally lured over 25 felines to their home in Kamloops, B.C.
Kelowna
-
Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas
A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas.
-
Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026
The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday.
-
545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down
Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day.
N.L.
-
GivingTuesday: Food banks need help, but charity won't end hunger, advocates say
It's GivingTuesday, and some directors of food banks and anti-poverty groups say the day underlines a conundrum for their organizations.
-
N.L. man not guilty of sex charges, judge cites inadequate police investigation
A Newfoundland and Labrador judge has acquitted a man of six crimes, including sexual assault and sexual interference, citing inadequacies in the investigation by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
-
Newfoundland's LGBTQ2S+ bar paid drag queens $37.50. Tara Nova called them out.
If the screaming crowd in the twinkling Majestic Theatre in downtown St. John's was any indication, Newfoundland drag queen Tara Nova will never have to accept $37.50 for a show again.
Northern Ontario
-
Man severely injured saving his wife from a polar bear attack in the Far North
A man was severely injured Tuesday morning when he leaped onto a polar bear to protect his wife from being mauled in the Far North community of Fort Severn.
-
As propane tanks exploded, homeless Sudbury, Ont., man pulls woman from burning tent
TJ Bedggood is humble about his life-saving actions Sunday evening, when he pulled his friend from a burning tent fire as propane tanks exploded in an encampment in Sudbury.
-
Five years after toddler's brutal death, Northern Ont. family struggles to find peace, justice
A North Bay family is struggling to find peace and justice as the five-year anniversary of the brutal death of toddler Oliver McCarthy approaches.
Barrie
-
Snow-clearing efforts stalled due to tractor-trailers stuck on many roads along Highway 11
Snow-clearing efforts continue on secondary roads that remain closed along Highway 11 on Tuesday.
-
Woman dies in two-vehicle crash on Highway 118 in Haliburton
An 87-year-old woman has died following a collision on Highway 118 in Haliburton County on Monday afternoon.
-
Crown pushes for 6-year sentence for supervisor convicted in fatal crash case
Victim impact statements were read in a Barrie courtroom on Tuesday ahead of sentencing for a man convicted of criminal negligence causing the death of a dump truck driver four years ago.
Kitchener
-
Why Wilmot is proposing a $580 tax increase in its 2025 draft budget
The Township of Wilmot has released its 2025 draft budget which included a one-time capital infrastructure investment.
-
Teddy Bear Toss happening tonight at the Aud
Calling all Kitchener Rangers fans! The Teddy Bear Toss returns for tonight's game against the Brantford Bulldogs.
-
Guelph Police looking for missing pregnant woman
Guelph Police are asking for help as they search for a missing pregnant woman.
London
-
Witness sees accused with gun at bush bash shooting scene
A witness for the bush party shooting trial says he saw the accused with a firearm that night.
-
'A real gamut': LHSC highlights number of serious seasonal injuries ahead of the holiday season
As we head into the heart of the holiday season, experts at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) are cautioning the public in order to help prevent serious injuries.
-
Tire shops 'spinning' with winter tire changeover demand
London tire and automotive shops remain caught off guard by the sudden arrival of winter.
