Junior Rangers and Cadets return home after training in Whitehorse
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CTV News
36 minutes ago
- CTV News
Sudbury plans for arena site after new event centre opens
Greater Sudbury is exploring options for its 74-year-old community arena, including private redevelopment or demolition after a new event centre opens. The City of Greater Sudbury is making plans for the property where the current community arena sits – and it wants to be open to all options. Sudbury Community Arena The Sudbury Community Arena is shown in this undated photo. (File photo/CTV News Northern Ontario) During a meeting Tuesday, city council asked staff to create a report on the best use for the existing Sudbury Community Arena and its land. It sits in what is called Downtown Sudbury's South District. Most councillors want to see the structure remain intact and a private developer use the 74-year-old building, however if that doesn't happen council is prepared to see the building demolished – but only after the new arena is built in 2028. If that demo happens, the land would be made into temporary parking until it's purchased by a developer for something else. Mayor Paul Lefebvre calls the vote 'a needed step forward.' 'If there is somebody out there that obviously has a good, strong business plan to reutilize the arena we could explore that,' he said. 'Certainly, that's an opportunity that council will decide and if not, once the new arena is built, we will obviously demolish the old arena and look at other opportunities as well,' Lefebvre added. 'The idea is to certainly look at commercial opportunities, looking at potential hospitality opportunities as well,' Lefebvre said, adding that they've already fielded calls from interested parties seeking details. The report from staff will plan how to bring developments forward. There will be parameters with developers expressing an interest in the old arena so that it won't sit vacant and dilapidated like the Old St Joe's hospital site. 'There's been so many events and so many championships and so many memorable things that have occurred in that building that it is heritage site in my opinion,' said councillor Al Sizer, who joked that the arena held history for him since he scored the winning goal for a city championship in 1965. 'What I want to make clear, though, is I'm not looking for the City of Greater Sudbury to own the building, but I'm hoping that we can have an expression of interest – maybe a private developer that would be able to repurpose the building.' — Greater Sudbury City Councillor Al Sizer 'I'm anxious to see how the development of that South section takes place, and I know that there are a lot of opportunities that may occur,' Sizer added. 'We're just trying to explore all the opportunities, which I think is exciting,' Mayor Lefebvre said. An engineer's report from two years ago found the cost would be substantial for the city to try to keep the community arena or attempt to renovate it to current standards.
CTV News
39 minutes ago
- CTV News
Contingency plans unclear for 2026 World Cup wildfire smoke risks
Mosaic Stadium before CFL football action between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Calgary Stampeders in Regina, on Friday, July 11, 2025. The game was delayed due to poor air quality. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu While some organizations have published clear air quality thresholds or contingency protocols for wildfire smoke, FIFA's plans remain unclear less than a year out from the 2026 World Cup. A day after Toronto's air quality was among the worst in the world, the organizing committee for the World Cup in Canada declined to reveal guidelines for postponement or air-quality-related contingencies with FIFA. No policies are posted publicly. The World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Canada will stage 13 games — seven in Vancouver and six in Toronto. The Air Quality Health Index rating for Toronto was over 10, or 'very high risk,' on Monday morning, dropping to a 'high risk' rating of 8 by late afternoon. In the CFL, meanwhile, games can't be played when the AQHI surpasses a threshold of seven, according to an agreement with the players. CFL stadiums are also equipped with air-quality sensors to provide real-time readings. The CFL postponed the Saskatchewan Roughriders-Calgary Stampeders game in Regina from Friday night to Saturday afternoon this past weekend due to air quality issues, as wildfires from northern Saskatchewan pushed the AQHI above 10. Dr. Howard Shapiro, Toronto's associate medical officer of health, said in a statement that Toronto Public Health is actively reviewing the latest evidence and best practices for air-quality issues as the city prepares to host the World Cup. 'TPH may provide guidance and recommendations on public health risks, including environmental health concerns such as extreme weather and wildfire smoke,' the statement read. 'This includes contingency planning to support the health and safety of residents, visitors, and participants during the tournament.' Canada recorded its most destructive wildfire season in 2023, with more than 6,000 fires burning 15 million hectares of land, according to Natural Resources Canada. This year's fire season, according to government data, is the second-largest on record. Dr. Andrew Halayko, a professor of physiology and pathophysiology at the University of Manitoba, calls an AQHI above 10 a 'no-brainer' for postponing sporting events. Halayko also believes outdoor activities on days when the AQHI rises higher than 7 should be rescheduled due to health concerns, even if it's just cheering on your favourite team from the stands. Environment Canada says that wildfire smoke is more likely to affect individuals who are 65 or older, pregnant, young children, and those with existing health conditions or work outdoors. 'In the interest of general safety, you defer to the most vulnerable,' Halayko said. 'And in that case, anything above 7 or higher should be rescheduled because, I know people are autonomous and should be able to make their own health choices, but sometimes you have to help and provide guidance.' Other experts say it's difficult to pinpoint exactly when the air quality reaches a threshold where sporting events should be cancelled. 'I personally think that we can't, based on good evidence, have general statements about what AQHI is unacceptable for a given event. Everything is contextual,' said Dr. Christopher Carlsten, the head of the respiratory medicine division at the University of British Columbia. Carlsten explained that context includes the age of the general audience and the forecast of the air quality, and said that events should be judged on a case-by-case basis. Greg J. Evans, a chemical engineering professor at the University of Toronto, said people need to make their own decisions based on whether they're at risk. 'If I had tickets to the World Cup match and it was yesterday, I would have gone,' said Evans, whose research specializes in air pollution. 'However, if I were a more vulnerable individual, I might decide not to go. 'To cancel the game for everybody, I think that's a very difficult decision to make.' Evans added that not enough is known about the health impacts of single exposures, such as a few hours at a sporting event, and that more concern is warranted for repetitive and long-term exposures. Halayko argued that wildfire smoke disrupting sporting events will only increase in the future due to climate change. 'The effects on our environment that we are experiencing today that are worse than they were 10 years ago and will probably be worse in 10 years from now, we're not talking about one-off events,' he said. 'It's a cumulative thing.' The impact of poor air quality on athletes is also a subject of debate. Some schools of thought believe athletes can better handle poor air conditions because they are generally young and healthy, making them less likely to sustain long-term health impacts. However, Michael Brauer, a professor at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine, said that studies show that even low levels of pollution impact cognitive ability — which not only affects performance but also increases the risk of injuries. 'Imagine two players going up for a pass at really high speeds, and if you make one tiny error, that could be a career-threatening injury,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025.
CTV News
40 minutes ago
- CTV News
Rookie Veresuk quickly showing why Ticats drafted him second overall this year
Montreal Alouettes running back Travis Theis (30) is tackled by Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Devin Veresuk (49) during second half CFL football game action in Hamilton, Ont. on Friday, June 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power HAMILTON — It didn't take Devin Veresuk long to force the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' hand. When Hamilton selected the Windsor Lancers linebacker with the second pick of the 2025 CFL draft, it was clearly with the intent that Veresuk would develop into a starter down the line. But the future became a reality just two games into the season when the Ticats made the bold move of releasing veteran American Kyle Wilson and replacing him with the six-foot-two, 240-pound Canadian rookie. 'He'd had a week where it just looked like it clicked and he was becoming very instinctive,' said Ticats head coach Scott Milanovich. 'That's kind of when we decided it was time. 'I mean there's some mistakes … but he's very natural, a very good tackler and has the physical skills to chase things down if he does make a mistake. He does little stuff that's hard to teach and I think he's going to be a good one.' Coincidentally, Hamilton (3-2) hasn't lost since the move. It has reeled off three straight wins to move into a tie with Montreal (3-2) atop the East Division. Veresuk had a pick-six in his CFL debut and has led the team in tackles in both of his first two games. 'I thought I'd get an opportunity at some point but I didn't realize how quickly it was going to come,' Veresuk said. 'That being said, I had to step up to the plate and show I can do it. 'The guys have definitely helped settle me in, get used to it and into the swing of things but it has been a bit of an adjustment, for sure.' Wilson, who quickly caught on with the Calgary Stampeders, remains tied with safety Stavros Katsantonis for the Ticats' team lead in total tackles (23 each). Veresuk is tied with cornerback Jamal Peters for fourth at 21, one behind fellow linebacker Rayshawn Wilborn. Hamilton will chase a fourth straight win over an East team when it completes its home-and-home series with Ottawa (1-5) on Sunday night at TD Place. The Ticats earned a 23-20 victory Saturday night at Hamilton Stadium. Veresuk registered 160 total tackles (14 for loss), nine sacks, two forced fumbles and a pick-six in 22 games at Windsor. He also posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.47 seconds at the University of Buffalo's pro day while also registering 27 reps in the 225-pound bench press, a 4.47-second short shuttle and 7.19-second three-cone drill. Those results helped land Veresuk an invitation to the Indianapolis Colts rookie mini-camp. He ultimately signed with Hamilton on May 14, two days after the start of its training camp. It didn't take Veresuk long to reward the Ticats' faith in him. He had a team-high nine tackles (eight defensive, one special-teams) and a 36-yard interception return TD in his first CFL start, a 35-17 win over then-unbeaten Montreal on June 27. Veresuk followed up with eight tackles (one for loss) to lead the defence in Hamilton's 51-38 victory over Toronto on July 4. Last week versus Ottawa, veteran Reggie Stubblefield registered a team-high seven tackles (one for loss) in his Ticats debut as Veresuk finished with three. Veresuk admits the last month has been somewhat of a whirlwind but credits Wilborn with helping him through the rough patches. The arrival of Stubblefield -- last week was his first CFL game since suffering a season-ending knee injury in Montreal's '24 opener -- has also provided immediate benefits. 'Ray has probably been my top guy; he's been helping me out,' Veresuk said. 'Any time I make a mistake or tend to beat myself up, he has helped pick me up and helped keep my chin up. 'Reggie brings energy, confidence and communication. He talks a lot pre-snap and that helps me quite a bit.' Predictably, the biggest adjustment Veresuk has faced is the speed of the CFL game. 'It's professional players that I'm going up against, some of the best football players in the world,' he said. 'Also, there's just how finite the differences are between winning and losing games. 'It really does come down to four, five plays and just being on the better side of those plays. If I prepare during the week, on weekends the game slows down a bit.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
