Christmas tree arrives in downtown Kitchener, as city begins holiday decorating efforts
The first of two large Christmas trees is now in place in downtown Kitchener.
On Tuesday morning, a city crew removed the towering evergreen from a backyard on Hickory Heights Crescent.
The Jackson family, who donated it, were looking for a little more space on their property.
Eric Jackson says they’re excited for other people to enjoy it this holiday season.
“We moved here in 2006 and I’d say the tree was maybe seven to nine feet tall when we moved in and then it got considerably bigger,” he said.
“I am actually going to miss the tree but I am pretty excited to see it downtown too.”
The installation of the tree at the Gaukel Block marks the beginning of the city’s efforts to beautify the downtown for the holidays.
New this year – there will be two large Christmas trees in the area. Both will be fully illuminated and topped with three-foot stars.
The second tree, to be placed in front of city hall, is scheduled to go up on Thursday.
It’s being donated by a resident on Grenville Avenue.
On Wednesday, festive lights will be installed at the historic clock tower in Victoria Park.
Then on Thursday, Dec. 7 a Hanukkah menorah will be lit on the upper terrace of city hall.
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
2 young boys dead, mother in critical condition after incident in Scarborough
Toronto police say a homicide investigation is underway after an incident at a Scarborough apartment building Sunday night left two young boys dead and their mother in critical condition.
Seniors over 87 can apply to join federal dental plan starting next week
The federal government hopes to avoid gumming up the works of its new dental-insurance plan by gradually phasing in enrolment over the course of the next year, Health Minister Mark Holland said Monday.
Grocer profits set to exceed record in 2023, expert says, ahead of committee meeting
Profits in the Canadian grocery sector will likely exceed $6 billion in 2023, setting a new record as they rise eight per cent from last year, according to the Centre for Future Work. New research by the progressive research institute found that food retailers are now earning more than twice as much profit as they did pre-pandemic.
'I know I messed up': House Speaker Fergus challenged by MPs probing video controversy
A repentant Greg Fergus testified Monday before his peers about what he says was his unintentional participation in a partisan provincial Liberal party event in early December, telling MPs that as the House of Commons Speaker, he knows he 'messed up.'
Navalny's whereabouts are unknown and Russian prison says he's no longer there, a spokeswoman says
The whereabouts of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny were unknown Monday as officials at the penal colony where he was serving his sentence told one of his lawyers that he is no longer on the inmate roster, the politician's spokeswoman said after nearly a week of not being able to contact him.
Wind warnings in place across the Maritimes, more than 60K without power
More than 60,000 Maritimers are without power Monday as a storm brings high winds and rain to the region.
Three dead after shed fire outside northwest Calgary hardware store
Three people were found dead in the Crowfoot Crossing area of northwest Calgary on Monday after a fire.
Canadians Googled a lot of things in 2023, here are some of the top queries
From the Women's World Cup and Jeremy Renner to the Titan submersible, deadly earthquakes and the war in Gaza, Canadians searched far and wide on Google this year. These are the top queries in Canada for 2023.
Mild temperatures are breaking records across Canada, here’s where
Soaring temperatures are being felt across Canada with some cities breaking decades-long heat records. Here's where.
London
-
Investigator called for London apartment fire
The call came in around 11:30 a.m. Monday and a fire in a second-floor unit was quickly doused.
-
Police nab driver trying to get around RIDE program
OPP were conducting a Festive RIDE program on Fairview Road in Thames Centre on Friday around 11 p.m. when officers saw a vehicle try to elude the program.
-
Blustery conditions start off the new week
Winds gusting up to 50 km/h could cause blowing snow and road conditions to keep an eye on.
Windsor
-
-
$35-million manufacturing investment announced in Windsor
The Ontario government is announcing a $35-million investment to build a new manufacturing facility in Windsor, specializing in battery insulation panels and cell sheets for electric vehicles.
-
Five drivers charged with impaired over the weekend
Five drivers had their licences suspended for impaired driving this weekend as Essex County OPP conducted its annual festive RIDE checks.
Barrie
-
Power back on after widespread outage in Barrie's south end
Shortly after 10 a.m. on Monday, more than 8,000 Alectra Utilities customers were without power.
-
Big Wreck headlines Barrie's 2024 Downtown Countdown
In its 25th season, the family-friendly event hosts Big Wreck as its feature rock band and Sonshine & Broccoli for the children.
-
Barrie Curling Club advocates for its future with a new development planned nearby
The Barrie Curling Club continues to negotiate with the new developer of the old Barrie fairgrounds.
Northern Ontario
-
Wanted woman found with drugs, a weapon, cash during a northwestern Ont. patrol
Provincial police arrested a wanted suspected drug dealer while on patrol in northwestern Ontario.
-
Letterkenny universe expanding with new spin-offs, series
As the 12th and final season of Letterkenny is set to drop on Christmas Day, more good news has been announced for the creator of the TV series filmed in Sudbury, Ont.
-
Police investigating death of a baby in Elliot Lake
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating after an infant was brought to the hospital in Elliot Lake on Saturday morning with no vital signs and was later pronounced dead.
Ottawa
-
CHEO getting $40.5M in funding as part of Ford government's $330M boost to pediatric care
The Ontario government has announced CHEO is getting a $40.5-million share of $330 million in annual spending on pediatric services in the province.
-
OC Transpo driver injured after fire aboard bus in Nepean
The Ottawa Police is investigating reports of a fire on OC Transpo that has injured a bus driver.
-
Uniqlo opening a second store in Ottawa
The popular clothing retailer Uniqlo will open its second Ottawa store at the Bayshore Shopping Centre next year.
Toronto
-
2 young boys dead, mother in critical condition after incident in Scarborough
Toronto police say a homicide investigation is underway after an incident at a Scarborough apartment building Sunday night left two young boys dead and their mother in critical condition.
-
Ontario ombudsman to investigate Doug Ford's direct education payments to parents
The province’s ombudsman will be launching an investigation into Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government decision to give parents money directly to help support their child’s education during the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
Missed opportunity or dodged bullet? What Ohtani's L.A. pick means for Rogers
While baseball star Shohei Ohtani's decision not to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend has left fans wondering what might have been, one sports economist says team owner Rogers Communications Inc. is better off for having struck out.
Montreal
-
Longueuil police investigating alleged sexual assault on child, 4, at school
Police on Montreal's South Shore are investigating a 'possible' sexual assault of a four-year-old child at an elementary school.
-
Nurses, health workers set to join other Quebec public sector workers on picket lines
About 80,000 unionized Quebec nurses and other health care workers are set to join fellow public sector workers already on strike.
-
Family of Montreal woman killed by drunk driver demands Quebec lower legal limit
The family of a young woman killed by a drunk driver is pushing the Quebec government to tighten its rules around impaired driving.
Atlantic
-
Wind warnings in place across the Maritimes, more than 60K without power
More than 60,000 Maritimers are without power Monday as a storm brings high winds and rain to the region.
-
Fourth person dies after P.E.I. collision
Another person is dead after a vehicle collision on Prince Edward Island last week.
-
Commissioner concerned over 'slow erosion' of French in N.B.
The Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick is deeply concerned about the decline of French being spoken inside homes across the province.
Winnipeg
-
Apartment building fire leaves Manitoba woman dead
A 70-year-old woman is dead following an apartment fire in Souris, Man., last week.
-
How to ensure your gifts don't attract the wrong attention while travelling over the holidays
As we enter the busiest travel time of the year, industry officials are warning you to be extra prepared when travelling this holiday season, and don't wrap your presents until you get where you're going.
-
Palestine supporters hold demonstration inside Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters stormed the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Sunday morning to bring attention to the human rights crisis in Gaza during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Calgary
-
Three dead after shed fire outside northwest Calgary hardware store
Three people were found dead in the Crowfoot Crossing area of northwest Calgary on Monday after a fire.
-
Winning $50M lottery ticket purchased in Calgary
Someone bought a Lotto 6-49 ticket in Calgary that won big this weekend.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Calgary sidewalks and parking lots to remain icy as freeze-thaw cycle continues this week
Calgary started Monday with a temperature of 0 C, which is considered warm for an overnight low in December, however, given that 0 C will be the warmest temperature of the day, it actually represents a reverse diurnal trend.
Edmonton
-
Body found at Spruce Grove fire
A dead person was found at the scene of a fire in Spruce Grove early Monday morning.
-
Three dead after shed fire outside northwest Calgary hardware store
Three people were found dead in the Crowfoot Crossing area of northwest Calgary on Monday after a fire.
-
2 young boys dead, mother in critical condition after incident in Scarborough
Toronto police say a homicide investigation is underway after an incident at a Scarborough apartment building Sunday night left two young boys dead and their mother in critical condition.
Vancouver
-
Victims' families to speak out about RCMP plan to dispose of evidence from Robert Pickton case
Advocates and families of victims who were alleged to have been murdered by serial killer Robert Pickton say they oppose applications by the RCMP in British Columbia to destroy or return thousands of pieces of evidence.
-
B.C. health officials to provide update on respiratory illness
Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry are holding a news conference Monday to update B.C. residents about respiratory illness.
-
Police violated protesters' rights in Wet'suwet'en pipeline blockades: Amnesty International
A report by Amnesty International says police in British Columbia conducted arbitrary arrests and "aggressive surveillance, harassment and intimidation" of First Nations protesters blocking a pipeline project.
