BREAKING
Travel documentarian's YouTube video announcing move to Winnipeg goes viral
Karl Watson (left) and wife Jaime pose at the Longitudinal Centre of Canada in Lorette, Man. on July 1, 2024. (Karl Watson/Instagram)
For travel documentarian Karl Watson, a normal day at the office is hiking the Swiss Alps or kayaking amongst the whales in the Antarctic.
Now, the YouTuber has set out on perhaps his most daring adventure yet – moving to Winnipeg.
"When I told people that I was moving to Winnipeg in Canada, they go, 'Oh, Canada. That's amazing! I love Canada. Wait, where's Winnipeg?'" he told CTV News Winnipeg.
"So I think they were picturing me living in some kind of log cabin in the mountains or something."
Karl Watson is pictured during a 2022 trip to Lake Como, Italy. (Karl Watson/YouTube)
Watson was born in the United Kingdom. The reason for the Londoners' transplant to his new crisp Canadian home? Love, of course.
He met his now-wife Jaime, a Winnipegger, in 2021 on a group tour of Iceland. The trip led to long-distance dating which led to an engagement.
When deciding where to lay down roots, they picked Jaime's hometown. Their rationale – as Watson leaves for weeks on end to tour the Pyramids or backpack The Phillippines, the couple wanted to make their home base a place where Jaime could be surrounded by friends and family.
Additionally, Jaime is a lawyer. To practise and live in London, where Watson was living previously, Jaime would have to get new accreditation.
Karl Watson (left) and wife Jaime pose at the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport. (Karl Watson/YouTube)
Watson moved in March, and hasn't looked back since.
Still, he didn't take the Prairie plunge blindly.
"The first time I came over was during the summer, because I think Jaime wanted to make sure the city gave its best impression, and then I was over the following Christmas," he recalled.
"Jaime brought me a parka the first time I was over."
Karl Watson is pictured in December 2022 as he stepped foot outside in Winnipeg, Man. for the first time. (Karl Watson/YouTube)
'Shining a light on Winnipeg'
Watson posted a video to his popular YouTube channel explaining the move and what he's come to love about his new Prairie city. It quickly went viral, with 217,000 views and counting. Many of the comments come from Winnipeggers, thanking Watson for his love letter to their humble Canadian home.
"Born and raised in Winnipeg. Left for a few years, but came back to start a family. Best choice we made. Thank you for all of the great words and shining a light on Winnipeg!" one commenter wrote.
"It’s nice to see genuine people speak about the great things of Winnipeg," another wrote.
Watson was surprised by how the video blew up.
"The documentaries I make for my YouTube channel will get similar amounts of views to that or more, but they're kind of slow burners. Whilst this one, this was just like a little fun update on my life, which I thought we might just get 10 or 20,000 views. Didn't expect 200,000 and more."
Karl Watson's YouTube video announcing his move to Winnipeg, Man. is pictured on Oct. 17, 2024. (Karl Watson/YouTube)
For the record, Manitoba winters have not been as bad as Watson feared. He said the cold in London can feel worse.
"You guys are built for it. Whilst in London, it's just one flake of snow comes out the air, and everyone, everything just shuts down."
While there are things he misses about the U.K., like a traditional English Sunday roast or a cozy countryside pub, Winnipeg's affordability, food scene, and friendly, tight-knit community have helped ease the transition.
Next, Watson plans to document his first full winter here, capturing his first time ice fishing and skating the river trail.
"I'm going to be making a video of all the different activities I'm going to try out, and I'll put it all together at the end of the season, like 'I survived my first winter in Winnipeg.'"
Karl Watson (left) and wife Jaime pose at a Winnipeg Jets Whiteout Party on April 22, 2024. (Karl Watson/Instagram)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian former Olympic snowboarder wanted in Ontario double homicide: DOJ
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who is suspected of being the leader of a transnational drug trafficking group that operated in four countries is wanted for allegedly orchestrating the murder of an “innocent” couple in Ontario in 2023, authorities say.
Ontario school board trustees under fire for $100K religious art purchase on Italy trip
Trustees with an Ontario school board are responding to criticism over a $45,000 trip to Italy, where they purchased more than $100,000 worth of religious statues.
More Trudeau cabinet ministers not running for re-election, sources say shuffle expected soon
Federal cabinet ministers Filomena Tassi, Carla Qualtrough, and Dan Vandal announced Thursday they will not run for re-election. Senior government sources tell CTV News at least one other – Marie-Claude Bibeau – doesn't plan to run again, setting the stage for Justin Trudeau to shuffle his cabinet in the coming weeks.
Former members of One Direction say they're 'completely devastated' by Liam Payne's death
The former members of English boy band One Direction reacted publicly to the sudden death of their bandmate, Liam Payne, for the first time on Thursday, saying in a joint statement that they're 'completely devastated.'
Israel says it has killed top Hamas leader Yayha Sinwar in Gaza
Israeli forces in Gaza killed top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a chief architect of last year’s attack on Israel that sparked the war, the military said Thursday. Troops appeared to have run across him unknowingly in a battle, only to discover afterwards that a body in the rubble was Israel’s most wanted man.
Meta attempts to crack down on sextortion in new campaign
Meta has launched a new campaign to protect teens and children from social media sextortion scams. It’s designed to help teenagers and their parents easily spot online scammers, who trick young people into sending intimate photos and use financial blackmail, threatening exposure.
A photographer snorkeled for hours to take this picture
Shane Gross, a Canadian marine conservation photojournalist, has won the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal
Three tobacco giants are proposing to pay close to $25 billion to provinces and territories and more than $4 billion to some 100,000 Quebec smokers and their loved ones as part of a corporate restructuring process triggered by a long-running legal battle.
These are the top trending Halloween costumes in Canada, according to Google
According to Google search data, the top Halloween costumes trending in Canada include everything from Taylor Swift for kids to the Joker and Harley Quinn for couples.
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.
Regina
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Amber alert issued by Waskesiu Lake RCMP for 5-day-old baby
An Amber Alert has been issued by Waskesiu Lake RCMP for a 5-day-old baby boy Koda Moccasin.
-
Sask. Party leader promises to swiftly introduce school changeroom policy if re-elected
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe announced Thursday that if re-elected his party's 'first order of business' would be to introduce a policy that would ban 'biological males' from changing with 'biological females' in school changerooms.
-
STARS, RCMP called to 'serious collision' near Chamberlain, Sask.
STARS Air Ambulance and Craik RCMP were called to a serious collision on Highway 2 west of Chamberlain, Sask. on Thursday afternoon.
Saskatoon
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Amber alert issued by Waskesiu Lake RCMP for 5-day-old baby
An Amber Alert has been issued by Waskesiu Lake RCMP for a 5-day-old baby boy Koda Moccasin.
-
Saskatoon mayoral candidate Cary Tarasoff unveils financial platform with critiques of city spending
Saskatoon mayoral candidate Cary Tarasoff says it's time for the city to get its finances back on track after building a reputation of overspending and mismanaging costly projects.
-
Police investigating after human remains found in Prince Albert
The Prince Albert Police Service is investigating after unidentified human remains were found in the city.
Edmonton
-
Drowning death of 5-year-old at Wabamun Lake believed to be criminal: RCMP
RCMP are looking for witnesses in what they believe was the criminal death of a five-year-old girl at Wabamun Lake on Sunday.
-
Edmonton education support staff vote overwhelmingly in favour of strike action
Edmonton education support staff could be heading to the picket lines.
-
Suspects in targeted Duggan shooting sought by Edmonton police
Edmonton police are hoping the public can help identify people involved in a shooting in the southside neighbourhood of Duggan last month.
Calgary
-
Cause of SAIT death remains 'undetermined' following autopsy
Calgary police say despite an autopsy being conducted, it's not yet known what caused the death of a young woman at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
-
Drowning death of 5-year-old at Wabamun Lake believed to be criminal: RCMP
RCMP are looking for witnesses in what they believe was the criminal death of a five-year-old girl at Wabamun Lake on Sunday.
-
'My kids are really heartbroken': Calgary dad pleads with thieves who stole colourful car
A Calgary dad is pleading to have his modified 1999 Honda Civic returned after it was stolen by thieves in the community of Legacy over the Thanksgiving long weekend.
Toronto
-
Canadian former Olympic snowboarder wanted in Ontario double homicide: DOJ
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who is suspected of being the leader of a transnational drug trafficking group that operated in four countries is wanted for allegedly orchestrating the murder of an “innocent” couple in Ontario in 2023, authorities say.
-
OHL responds to CTV W5 investigation into alleged sexual assault by former junior hockey players
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has released a statement in response to a recent CTV W5 investigation into an alleged sexual assault in 2014.
-
Crane collapses into building under construction in Toronto's east end
A crane collapsed into an under-construction building in Toronto's east end on Thursday afternoon, police say.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa doctors see spike in demand for sick notes from public servants
Some doctors in Ottawa say the pile of paperwork they're doing every day has been steadily growing as more public service workers seek doctor's notes in order to receive accommodations to work from home.
-
Three suspects in multiple frauds on Baseline Road sought by Ottawa police
The Ottawa Police Service is asking the public for help in identifying three suspects involved in an alleged theft and multiple fraud incidents that happened last month in the city's west end.
-
What La Nina could mean for Ottawa's winter weather
Environment Canada's senior weather climatologist says Ottawa will see "more of a winter than last year," as it experiences a possible La Nina weather event this year
Montreal
-
Transplant recipient raising awareness on importance of living donors
Double lung transplant recipient, Linda Paradis, is raising awareness of the importance of organ donation, as she now needs a kidney.
-
Five arrested in connection with extortion targeting Montreal businesses
Montreal police arrested five suspects following two separate investigations involving crimes targeting a Verdun bar and a downtown restaurant.
-
Car torched at home of owner of Old Montreal buildings struck by deadly arsons
Police are investigating a fire at a home in Dorval owned by Emile Benamor, the owner of the two Old Montreal buildings that were allegedly set on fire in the past year, killing nine.
Atlantic
-
Anti-Israel message displayed on digital billboard in Moncton after 'malicious hack'
A profane anti-Israel message on a digital billboard in Moncton, N.B., has been turned off, but the question of how it got there in the first place remains.
-
N.S. adds specialized staff to schools to help prevent, address violence
The Nova Scotia government is adding new specialized staff to schools to help prevent and address violence.
-
Many Canadians worse off financially than they were a year ago: study
A new study says nearly four in 10 Canadians are worse off financially than they were a year ago.
Vancouver
-
Robert Pickton's handwritten book seized after his death in hopes of uncovering new evidence
A handwritten book was seized from B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton's prison cell following his death earlier this year, raising hopes of uncovering new evidence in a series of unprosecuted murders.
-
Voting and other things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend
The most important thing to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend is to vote in the provincial election if you're eligible and not among the more than a million British Columbians who cast their ballots in advance.
-
'Open-air drug traffickers' busted by Surrey RCMP
Mounties in Surrey seized illicit substances and weapons and made more than a dozen arrests during a one-day crackdown on "open air drug traffickers" in the city centre last week.
Vancouver Island
-
CP Railway adjusts safety measures following B.C. train crash: safety board
The Transportation Safety Board says a mistake by a Canadian Pacific Railway supervisor set off a crash between a freight train and a railway work vehicle in Cache Creek, B.C.
-
'This empowers students': Pace Performing Musical Theatre Academy raising money for Ukraine through song
Students from the Sooke School District’s Pace Musical Theatre Academy are rehearsing for a performance that is set to benefit children half a world away.
-
$5 waffles, $7 eggs benny: Victoria diner revives menu from 1989
John Cantin vividly remembers opening day for his Victoria diner. Stress levels were high, tables were full, and one of the most popular menu items couldn’t be freed from the unyielding grip of the waffle maker.
Kelowna
-
B.C. homeowner astounded someone managed to steal one of his prized giant pumpkins
Dave Lindsey began growing giant pumpkins to bring a bit of magic to his grandkids' Halloween.
-
B.C. man gets prison sentence, fine for using fake names to buy guns in the U.S.
A U.S. District Court judge in Montana has sentenced a 27-year-old man from Kelowna, B.C., to 18 months in prison for using fake names to buy guns with the aim of selling them in Canada.
-
2nd-degree murder charge laid nearly 2 years after Kelowna stabbing
Nearly two years after a man was stabbed to death in downtown Kelowna, RCMP have made an arrest in the case.
N.L.
-
How gloves belonging to Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe wound up in Newfoundland
A five-hour drive from St. John's, N.L., and well off the beaten path, Point Leamington seems an unlikely spot for a one-of-a-kind tourist attraction.
-
'Crack houses' across rural Newfoundland? RCMP has no reports supporting MP's claim
A Conservative MP from Newfoundland and Labrador says some small towns in his rural riding are overrun with crime, but police say they haven't received reports to that effect.
-
Self-identifying Indigenous group got $74M in federal cash, Inuit leader wants change
As millions in federal funding flow into a Labrador group whose claims of Inuit identity have been rejected by Indigenous organizations across Canada, a national Inuit leader worries the Liberal government is putting the rights of Indigenous Peoples at risk.
Northern Ontario
-
Canadian former Olympic snowboarder wanted in Ontario double homicide: DOJ
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who is suspected of being the leader of a transnational drug trafficking group that operated in four countries is wanted for allegedly orchestrating the murder of an “innocent” couple in Ontario in 2023, authorities say.
-
Company fined $80K after worker seriously injured at northern Ont. job site
A Quebec-based company that supplies hydro turbines and generators has been fined $80,000 after a millwright was critically injured at a job site last year in Iron Bridge, Ont.
-
Fed up police in northern Ont. arrest bored and drunk person making false 911 calls
An intoxicated person living on Highway 17 in Spragge, Ont., has been arrested for making repeated false 911 calls in a span of several hours Oct. 11.
Barrie
-
Orillia man, 32, charged in Highway 12 crash that claimed senior's life
An Orillia man has been arrested four months after a collision on Highway 12 in Ramara Township that police say claimed the life of a senior.
-
How to recognize the warning signs of online scams
On Thursday, provincial police issued a reminder to the public about the warning signs of fraud involving online transactions and financial transfers.
-
Classic car stolen in Town of Mono
Provincial police are investigating the alleged theft of a classic car from an address in the Town of Mono.
Kitchener
-
Ontario school board trustees under fire for $100K religious art purchase on Italy trip
Trustees with an Ontario school board are responding to criticism over a $45,000 trip to Italy, where they purchased more than $100,000 worth of religious statues.
-
Blood found on Erick Buhr's clothing after his grandmother's death, police testify at trial
Two police officers took the stand Thursday to describe what they found on Erick Buhr's clothing after his grandmother, Viola Erb, was attacked.
-
Canadian former Olympic snowboarder wanted in Ontario double homicide: DOJ
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who is suspected of being the leader of a transnational drug trafficking group that operated in four countries is wanted for allegedly orchestrating the murder of an “innocent” couple in Ontario in 2023, authorities say.
London
-
5 people taken to hospital after two-vehicle crash
OPP have closed a section of road in Middlesex County following a crash.
-
The 'Fellow in Yellow' stops in southwestern Ontario during run across Canada
A Nova Scotia man crossing Canada on foot is passing through southwestern Ontario. Trevor Redmond is perhaps better known as the ‘Fellow in Yellow.’
-
Have your say in London’s new ward boundaries
Londoners gathered at the South London Community Centre Thursday for one of several meetings put on by the city to discuss possible ward boundary changes and provide feedback.
