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CTV News
6 minutes ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Elks face strong Alouettes squad in season home-opener
Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford throws the ball against the B.C. Lions during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 7, 2025. It's early in the Canadian Football League season, and the Edmonton Elks have played just one game and already taken a bye week, but another sizable challenge awaits the new-look Commonwealth Stadium inhabitants. The Montreal Alouettes look primed for domination from their perch atop the East Division – again, it's early – given their sterling team statistics through two weeks of the 2025 CFL campaign. They come calling on the Elks Thursday night (7 p.m.) at Commonwealth Stadium, almost two weeks after Edmonton lost their season-opening game to the B.C. Lions. With the pigskin, the 2-0 Als rank: 2nd in average yards rushing (131) behind Winnipeg (201); Tied for 2nd in first downs (44); 3rd in average yards per play (7.27); and 4th in net offence (average 396 yards) behind Winnipeg (438), B.C. (428) and Calgary (400). The Als are seventh in average passing yards (274.5), but the Elks are last in that category (178 yards). Through two games, starting Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander has thrown for 549 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, and completing 42 of 58 of his passes (72%) for a 99.0 passer rating. Alouettes vs. Argonauts Montreal Alouettes defensive back Tiawan Mullen (32) tackles Toronto Argonauts wide receiver DaVaris Daniels (80) during first half CFL action in Montreal on Friday, June 6, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press) But it's on defence where the Als are dominant through two weeks of the schedule. Without the football, they rank: 1st in offensive points allowed per game (13.5); 1st in net offence against (255.5 yards); 1st in yards per play (5.21); 1st in rushing yards against (37); and 2nd to the Lions is passing yards allowed per game (241.5). The Elks, meanwhile, have just one week of statistics to show for the season so far thanks to its bye last week. And in their lone game so far – a 31-14 Lions' win over them in Week 1 on June 7 – the Elks struggled to find their footing on both sides of the ball, especially as the game went on. Lions vs. Elks Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford (2) is stopped by B.C. Lions' Mathieu Betts (90) and Kemoko Turay (58) during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (ETHAN CAIRNS/THE CANADIAN PRESS) B.C. quarterback Nathan Rourke threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns in the West Division showdown at Vancouver's B.C. Place Stadium, while the Lions' offence feasted on the Elks' defence, collecting 446 yards in net offence – a stat that puts Edmonton last in the nine-team circuit in that category – on 324 yards passing and 124 yards rushing. Offensively, Elks quarterback Tre Ford threw for 178 yards and an interception, and added 54 yards rushing of his team's 87. Both Elks touchdowns came from short-yardage plunges by backup QB Cody Fajardo. By game's end, the Elks put up 248 yards in net offence. One of Elks head coach Mark Killam's primary concerns lies on the defensive side, telling media on Wednesday 'finishing has got to be front and centre' for the unit against the Alouettes given its time spent on the field vs. the Lions two weeks ago. 'We played a good first half, but we were on the field for a long time, some long drives – seven-, eight-, 10-play drives in the second half,' Killam, who's in his first year guiding the Elks, said after the pre-game walk-through at Commonwealth Stadium. 'We've got to get off the field.' Lions vs. Elks Edmonton Elks' Leonard Johnson (32) stops B.C. Lions' Jermaine Jackson (13) during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (ETHAN CAIRNS/THE CANADIAN PRESS) With the ball, Elks offensive lineman Mark Korte said establishing the rush early is something players are focused on to try to establish a rhythm. He said the run game wasn't 'staying on schedule on first down' and was therefore unable to 'consistently run the ball well early in the game, so then it gets harder for a play-caller to come back to it.' 'When you run early and it doesn't go well, then throughout the course of the game, it can get difficult,' said the 28-year-old Korte, a seven-year CFL veteran and Spruce Grove native. 'One of our points of emphasis is being able to run the ball well early, be on schedule on first down, getting us into second and manageable situations. 'I think that's big for us.' Lions vs. Elks Edmonton Elks' quarterback Cody Fajardo, top, tries to score a touchdown against the B.C. Lions during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (ETHAN CAIRNS/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Full-sized fire truck returns for home-opener They're going large. Large fire truck, that is. The Elks are bringing back the original, full-sized version of the team-hued fire truck that drives on the track around the field after touchdowns. A smaller version of the truck had been used the last few seasons, which Evan Daum, the Elks' vice-president of marketing and fan experience, said had been used since 2019. He said the original one 'has been refurbished, so it's historically accurate in terms of what it looks like, and we've made some mechanical upgrades so it's a little bit easier to drive.' 'We know how much the fans enjoy it,' Daum told CTV News Edmonton on Wednesday. 'We're looking forward to coming out and having some firefighters on there doing their thing.' Also on tap for Thursday's opener are pyrotechnics, including in places around the stadium they haven't before been used, an in-house band, more Kids Zone features and an enhanced tailgating experience that includes upgrades to the beer garden, better seating and more signage, Daum said. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Dave Mitchell
CTV News
18 minutes ago
- CTV News
High-risk sex offender charged in SkyTrain groping, transit police say
Hayden McCorriston was the subject of a public warning by the Vancouver Police Department on April 17, 2025. A 'high-risk sex offender' has been charged with sexual assault after allegedly groping a teenage girl in Surrey earlier this year. Metro Vancouver Transit Police announced Thursday that 30-year-old Hayden McCorriston had been charged with sexual assault in connection to an April 18 incident at Gateway SkyTrain Station. Around 9 p.m. that day, McCorriston allegedly followed a 17-year-old girl off of a train and groped her as she walked along the platform. The suspect then fled the station when the girl approached other passengers for help. At the time of the assault, the Vancouver Police Department had just issued a public warning about McCorriston, saying that he was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for breaching the conditions of his release from prison. It was the second warning the VPD had issued about McCorriston in as many days. He was also the subject of a public warning when he was released to a Vancouver halfway house on April 17. According to police, McCorriston had obtained statutory release after serving two-thirds of his three-year, two-month sentence, which he received in 2023 after pleading guilty to five counts of sexual assault, two counts of assault, one count of assault by choking, one count of committing an indecent act, and one count of robbery. In their news release Thursday, transit police said McCorriston remains in custody. 'Everyone has the right to arrive at their transit destination safely, and without the fear of harassment or assault,' said Const. Amanda Steed, in the release. 'Thanks to this young woman's quick thinking, officers were able to conduct investigative steps that identified the suspect and make an arrest.' With files from CTV News Vancouver's Andrew Weichel
CTV News
18 minutes ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
New study reveals pedestrians narrowly miss being struck at intersections every day in Canada
Andrew Brennan breaks down a new CAA study highlighting the dangers facing pedestrians and cyclists at intersections in Canada. A new study commissioned by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) uncovered more than 600,000 near-miss incidents involving pedestrians and cyclists at intersections across Canada. The seven-month study, conducted with Miovision, collected data at 20 intersections using 360-degree cameras and artificial intelligence to track near misses that aren't typically recorded by police. 'These aren't just close calls, they are collisions waiting to happen,' said Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president of government and community relations at CAA South Central Ontario. Near-miss intersection A new study reveals pedestrians and cyclists face high-risk near-misses every day in Canada. (CAA / Miovision) The study found one in every 770 pedestrians and one in every 500 cyclists experienced a high-risk near-miss. Right-turning vehicles posed the greatest risk, involved in over half of pedestrian and cyclist close calls. Left-turning vehicles were involved in roughly one-third of near-miss incidents. 'The findings are clear, near-misses are not isolated events, they are daily warnings that demand attention,' said Di Felice. CAA estimates that serious near-misses happen multiple times each day at some locations. CAA study Footage that CAA reviewed a showing a near miss between a vehicle and pedestrians in a Canadian city. Uploaded June 18, 2025. (CAA) The study also identified intersection designs that help reduce near-misses, including dedicated left-turn lanes, leading pedestrian intervals that give pedestrians a head start, and advanced green lights for turning vehicles. According to CAA, tracking near misses allows cities to improve safety before collisions happen. The organization is urging municipal and provincial governments to adopt technology-based monitoring and make proactive changes based on this data.
CTV News
18 minutes ago
- Business
- CTV News
Federal policy bill brings hope in challenging economic times: expert
Michael Dobner, National Leader of Economics & Policy Practice at PwC Canada, joins BNN Bloomberg to discuss the outlook for M&A activity in Canada. Sorry, we're having trouble with this video. Please try again later. [5006/404] An economic and policy analyst is hopeful proposed legislation from the federal government will aid companies amidst global uncertainty and a cooling domestic outlook. Michael Dobner, national leader of economics and policy practice for PwC Canada predicts there could be a pickup in mergers and acquisition activity in 2026, particularly if Ottawa passes Bill C-5 aimed at faster project approvals. 'We are optimistic because we are hearing good signals from the federal government,' said Dobner. 'Bill C-5 is suggesting that the government is very serious about moving projects much faster.' A report from PwC Canada states Canadian companies announced 1,068 deals totaling $227 billion. However, the report notes a decline in inbound and locally sourced deals in Canada due to persistent uncertainty from U.S. President Donald Trumps tariffs. PwC's baseline projection for Canadian GDP growth in 2025 remains below one per cent. Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act, establishes a statutory framework to remove federal barriers to the interprovincial trade of goods and services and to improve labour mobility within Canada. It aims to fast-track major projects deemed of national interest. 'We will see probably more investment starts to come in, especially if the signals from the government are continuing to show that it's serious and it's overcoming all the difficulties that it may face in trying to transform the Canadian government,' said Dobner. The firms note the bill is part of a suite of policy priorities shaping Canada's new vision. It states key priorities such as streamlined regulations, large-scale infrastructure projects, increased investment in defence and Arctic development, the removal of interprovincial trade barriers, fast-tracked integration of artificial intelligence and a changed immigration system to focus on attracting highly skilled individuals will address Canada's productivity and competitiveness challenges. 'The government has an agenda for housing, especially modular housing,' said Dobner. 'Let's not forget the defence sector, which is going to benefit from a big boost. So those are areas that we are seeing definitely a potential for further investments in 2026.' The report notes that if early policy actions are interpreted by market players as genuine, practical and decisive, PwC Canada suggests that meaningful improvements in Canada's economic outlook could begin as early as 2026. Dobner expects increased investment in mining, infrastructure, housing, and defence. 'We have seen critical minerals, which we think is a big catalyst for the Canadian economy, being a key central point in the G7 discussion, as well as the discussion or negotiation between the U.S. and Canada,' said Dobner. 'On the basis of the government showing seriousness and giving good signals, and the fact that our allies are coalescing around critical minerals, defence and AI, we are more optimistic about what would happen in 2026.' He acknowledged concerns that projects will be rushed. The Chiefs of Ontario are concerned it would undermine Indigenous rights and environmental protections. 'We are in an economic emergency,' said Dobner. 'I'm not putting out a political view, but from an economic standpoint, it may make sense.' While the report highlights good reason for cautious optimism, it notes that the global environment remains unpredictable. Potential global crises, financial crisis from a weakening U.S. dollar, or disruption of entire sectors by emerging technologies.
CTV News
18 minutes ago
- Business
- CTV News
‘Forgetful' $40M lotto winner from Vancouver had winning ticket sitting in his bag for weeks
Daniel Chau, who won a $40 million LottoMax jackpot is shown in this photo provided by the B.C. Lottery Corporation. B.C.'s newest multimillionaire claimed his prize Thursday, describing the fateful moment last month when he purchased the winning ticket for the May 23 draw after a run in Burnaby's Central Park. 'Something really pushed me to buy that ticket without any planning,' he said. That ticket would sit in his bag for another three weeks until a tickle in his throat prompted him to reach for a cough drop earlier this week. 'I buy lots of tickets but I rarely check them. To be honest, I'm very forgetful,' he said, adding that he scanned one ticket that didn't win anything before scanning the second. 'I literally dropped my phone. I have never seen that many zeroes in my life.' Chau has since shared the news with his partner, who he says was incredulous when presented with a screenshot from the BC Lottery Corporation app. 'It took like an hour to convince them this was my ticket,' Chau said. 'We are, like, walking on cloud nine. We are so happy.' Amid the overwhelming emotion, Chau said he is also trying to be rational and practical – saying he will be hiring a financial planner to help him figure out how to manage the windfall responsibly. His plans for the money so far include buying a home for himself and his partner, and one for his parents. 'I want to contribute back to the community, because I know this might be a life-changing experience to me, and I want to use a part of it to change other people's life as well,' Chau said. Checking some destinations he's been saving up money to travel to off of his 'bucket list' is also something Chau says he looks forward to doing. For now, he said he's just trying to enjoy the ride. 'It's like a roller coaster. I love roller coasters,' Chau said. The odds of winning the LottoMax jackpot are one in 33,294,800 per $5 play, according to BCLC. Chau's win marks the second time in a month that someone in B.C. has taken home tens of millions of dollars. Surrey resident Justin Simporios claimed an $80-million prize in the May 9 draw, making him the winner of the largest jackpot ever claimed by a single Canadian.
