Latest news with #NathanDenette
CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Thousands of Canadians abroad asked consulates for help last year. Here are the numbers
A man leaves the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Friday, November 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette Last year, thousands of Canadians abroad turned to their nearest embassy or consulate for help in times of death, detainment and other crises. According to a recent report from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), some of those kinds of emergencies are on the rise. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, GAC opened 6,934 'consular cases,' or inquiries to help Canadians in 'difficult situations.' Those cases included more than 2,500 related to death, illness or injury, 1,500 for arrests, detainments and violent crime abroad and nearly 1,400 involving family-related concerns or wellness checks. In addition, GAC says it addressed 15,974 incidents involving issues such as lost, stolen, damaged or expired passports. 'Before travelling, make sure you know how to find the Government of Canada office nearest to your destination and understand the services it can and can't provide," reads the report published earlier this month. 'Every case is unique, and the level of service may vary.' Here's what to know about the latest numbers on Canadians seeking help abroad: Death and medical cases Roughly one in every five cases in 2023-24 was related to a death abroad, with the most cases opened in Mexico (204), followed by the United States (111), Hong Kong (87), the Dominican Republic (79) and Thailand (75). GAC notes that two-thirds of all death cases last year were due to natural causes, with the remainder including accidents such as drowning or transport collisions, and deaths by suicide. The department says help in these cases typically involves international funeral arrangements, liaising with local authorities and the repatriation of remains to Canada. A further 1,000 Canadians abroad approached a consulate for help with medical issues, including those seeking information on local health care providers and assistance in contacting relatives. GAC warns that, though consular officials can help with arranging medical evacuations from abroad, the Canadian government does not pay for the service on behalf of citizens, nor does it cover medical bills. Cuba led the world for medical consular cases among Canadians abroad last year, with 123. Crime and punishment Cases involving the justice system have risen substantially in the past year, according to the latest data. In 2023-24, GAC opened cases for 297 Canadians reported to be the victim of violent crimes including physical or sexual assaults, kidnappings and homicides. That figure represents a roughly 19 per cent increase from the year prior, the department notes. On the other side of the law, Canadians sought consular help close to 1,400 times last year over arrests or detainments abroad, up 20 per cent from 2022-23. GAC warns travellers that they are responsible for observing local laws, wherever they are. 'Consular officials can't arrange release from prison,' the report reads. 'If you are arrested, you are subject to the criminal justice system in that country.' Family concerns Last year, 746 Canadians approached consular officials with concerns about friends or loved ones abroad that they were unable to contact, up 12 per cent from the year before. Another 642 cases involved children, including custody disputes, abductions, welfare concerns and desertion. For adult travellers, GAC says it can contact registered Canadians abroad, but typically cannot share their location with others due to privacy concerns. 'It is up to the traveller to contact their family directly,' the report cautions. The department directs those concerned that a child may have been abducted abroad or prevented from returning to Canada to contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
Coldplay fans concerned about new Rogers Stadium ahead of band's Toronto shows
Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Coldplay fans are gearing up to watch the band perform this week in Toronto, but some say they are concerned after mixed reviews about the concert's venue, Rogers Stadium. The new 50,000-seat open-air venue in north Toronto will host the British rock band for four performances taking place between Monday and Saturday. Maria Strachan, who is going to watch Coldplay on Tuesday and Saturday, said she was shocked to hear people's experiences at Rogers Stadium. I'm trying not to dwell on all the negative aspects of the publicity that has been going around about the new stadium. I'm trying to stay positive, but I would be lying if I said that I wasn't just a little bit concerned about some of the safety aspects, Strachan told CBC News on Sunday. The concerns come after some fans who attended the stadium's inaugural concert from K-pop group Stray Kids said it took up to two hours to leave, as the venue and transit services from Downsview Park seemed ill-equipped to handle the throngs of people (new window) coming in and out of the show. Others voiced complaints on social media about long wait times leaving the stadium and hours-long journeys to catch a train, bus or Uber after the concert. Strachan said the decision to have the Coldplay concerts at Rogers Stadium doesn't make sense. If you're visiting from out of town, there are no hotels around there. There are no restaurants, so you have to make your way back downtown. It just doesn't make a lot of sense, she said. I don't understand why we couldn't have these shows at the Rogers Centre because it is sitting empty every night that Coldplay is playing. Rogers Stadium, a new 50,000-seat open-air concert venue in north Toronto, opened in late June. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press) Photo: La Presse canadienne / Nathan Denette 'They were not prepared' Many fans, like Rebecca Lukowski, who attended the inaugural concert, also complained about the venue's lack of accessibility. They were not prepared, Lukowski told CBC on Sunday. She said the stadium was supposed to have shuttle buses to take people to the accessible parking, which was too far from the venue, but the shuttles never arrived. The lack of signage was also a concern, Lukowski said. There was no signage on the roads. There was no signage for the accessible parking either. We drove around for almost 30 minutes, she said. That's very confusing, especially for someone who's out of town or might not know the area. Mel Farenzena attended the Stray Kids concert with her three daughters. They drove for seven hours from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., to Toronto. Farenzena said she waited two hours in line to refill their bottles at the water stations. She eventually gave up and bought water, which cost her almost $60 in total. We ended up buying six waters from vendors because we had no time, she told CBC News, adding that 7 p.m. came and we were like, 'No, we're not missing this concert because of water.' Kevin Kennedy, the owner of Kennedy Crowd Safety Solutions, said it is normal for a new venue to experience hiccups for its first event. Not only is the crowd new to the site — so they're not familiar with how the site works, it's their first time there — but the employees on the site are also new, he said. Kennedy said fans attending this week's concerts should plan ahead and follow the venue's instructions, especially in case of an emergency. During an emergency, things are a little bit more chaotic, and the only thing I can say to fans in that case is follow instructions from those that are on site providing that direction because they have a bigger operational view of what's going on, he said. Live Nation addresses concerns On Monday, Live Nation Canada responded to the concerns from concertgoers at the Stray Kids event, saying it was "already making adjustments." (new window) We are already making adjustments based on fan and community feedback and will continue to refine our operations to ensure a positive and safe experience for everyone at Rogers Stadium and in our neighbouring community this summer — working closely with city officials, the TTC and Metrolinx, emergency services, and our community partners along the way, the concert promoter and operator said in a statement to CBC News. Concertgoers in the upper grandstands also complained that they felt their seats move during the show. Live Nation Canada said it is aware of the complaints but that it is expected as part of the design of the venue, which exceeds international safety codes. WATCH | Live Nation announced the new venue in September: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? New outdoor concert venue coming to Toronto's Downsview Park in 2025 A seasonal 50,000 person venue is coming to Toronto's Downsview Park, Live Nation announced Thursday morning. Rogers Stadium is expected to open next summer. CBC's Shawn Jeffords has the details. The city is working with the Rogers Stadium team to make the concertgoing experience the best it can be, City of Toronto spokesperson Laura McQuillan said in an email Monday. There will be road restrictions and additional signage to direct pedestrians and motorists, she said. The following road restrictions will be in place on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., Sheppard Avenue W. will be closed between Allen Road and Keele Street. From 4 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. on Saturday to 1 a.m., Wilson Avenue will be reduced to one westbound lane between Dufferin Street and the stadium pickup/dropoff point on Wilson Avenue. Vehicles leaving the venue will not be able to turn left from Wilson Avenue onto southbound Dufferin Street. Local councillor 'hopeful' that issues will be fixed Coun. James Pasternak, whose ward includes the area where the stadium is located, met with Live Nation Canada, landowner Northcrest Developments and Toronto emergency services last week to discuss possible solutions. Pasternak told CBC News that there was a really strong determination by the teams to fix the issues raised by concertgoers. We are hopeful that we can fix many of these problems. The onus is on Live Nation to make it happen, but we will be there to support a safe, enjoyable concert experience and make sure that people can get out and get to the venue safely and that people have a positive experience when visiting Toronto, he said. Pasternak said he expects to see some changes in place for the Coldplay concerts this week. I would hope that access to fresh water, especially on hot summer nights, is more easily available, he said. Julia Alevato (new window) · CBC News
CTV News
07-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Toronto no longer under heat warning, but more hot and humid weather coming this week
A man enjoys the sun on a hot day in Toronto on Thursday, June 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette A heat warning issued amid sweltering temperatures this weekend has now ended but hot and humid weather will continue this week. Environment Canada is calling for a high of 28 C on Monday, feeling closer to 37 when factoring in the humidity. There is a risk of thunderstorms late this morning and early this afternoon. Showers are possible on Tuesday and Wednesday, which will see daytime highs of 27 C on each day respectively. A slightly cooler daytime high of 26 C is in the forecast for Toronto on Thursday and the mercury is expected to rise to 28 C on Friday.
Toronto Sun
05-07-2025
- Toronto Sun
Toddler dead after drowning in St. Lawrence River near Kingston
Published Jul 05, 2025 • < 1 minute read An Ontario Provincial Police logo is shown during a press conference in Barrie, Ont., on April 3, 2019. Photo by Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS Police say a toddler has died after drowning in the St. Lawrence River near Kingston, Ont., on Friday morning. Ontario Provincial Police say they were called to Wolfe Island at around 9:30 a.m. after an unresponsive toddler was found in the river. They say family members and first responders began life-saving measures and the toddler was brought to a trauma centre. OPP say the child was later pronounced dead in hospital. Police say they are not releasing any additional information out of respect for the family's privacy. Anyone with information is being asked to contact the OPP. RECOMMENDED VIDEO This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Crime Canada Other Sports Editorials Columnists
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Heat warning issued for Toronto this weekend, city to open 24/7 cooling space
People soak in the sun over looking Lake Ontario on a warm sunny day at Woodbine Beach in Toronto on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette A heat warning has been issued for Toronto and much of southern Ontario this weekend, with temperatures set to feel like 40 with the humidity. Environment Canada issued the alert Friday afternoon and said daytime highs of 31 C to 33 C are expected on both Saturday and Sunday. 'Take action to protect yourself and others – extreme heat can affect everyone's health," the national weather agency said in the alert. Officials say there will be 'little relief' overnight Saturday, when the temperature will only drop to between 21 C and 25 C. The heat is expected to break Sunday night. Environment Canada urged the public to stay hydrated, use air conditioning if available, limit direct exposure to the sun and limit outdoor activities to the coolest parts of the day. This is the second time in as many weeks that Toronto has been under a heat warning. The city broke a decade-old temperature record on June 23 when the mercury reached 36 C during the three-day event. Toronto Public Health said it saw 42 heat-related ER visits as temperatures soared that week. Friday's heat warning is far reaching, and covers Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Mississauga, Brampton, Newmarket, Niagara Falls, Barrie, Burlington, and many other municipalities. Environment Canada advised to watch out for early signs of heat exhaustion and call 911 if you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke, including red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. Toronto opens 24/7 cooling space The City of Toronto says it will activate the Metro Hall Rotunda as a 24/7 cooling space starting at noon on Saturday until the heat warning is in effect. Five air-conditioned civic buildings will also be open to the public on extended hours. The following eight outdoor pools are open this weekend until 11:45 p.m. while the warning is in effect: The city said it will be increasing staff by 30 per cent this weekend to ensure all 54 outdoor pools remain operational. Fans and shade structures have been installed for lifeguards and Toronto paramedics will provide wellness checks to high priority locations, the city added. In a news release, Hamilton's medical officer of health said the city is responding by offering so-called 'cool places' to go during the heat wave, the locations of which can be found here.
