Edmonton firefighting gear featured in Ukrainian conflict coverage
A firefighter in Ukraine wearing personal protective equipment, or bunker gear, emblazoned with Edmonton, was recently featured on international news coverage.
On Saturday, a CNN reporter was reporting live from an explosion near Lviv in front of a line of firefighters, one of which was wearing Edmonton bunker gear.
Firefighter Aid Ukraine, an Edmonton organization providing critical firefighter gear to Ukraine for nearly a decade, believes the jacket is likely one of many donated to first responders.
"We've been doing this with Ukraine for almost eight years," said Kevin Royle, founder of the project and a serving Edmonton firefighter.
"Lviv was one of the very first communities we supported, and they've received some support continuously," he said, adding that first responders in that area of Ukraine also recently received aid from the fill-a-plane campaign.
Royle told CTV News Edmonton typically, markings are removed from gear before it is shipped, but may have been missed as donations were processed.
The organization receives equipment being replaced that still has service life from businesses, fire services, and municipalities, Royle said, to donate to Ukraine for firefighters and emergency crews.
"It's fantastic that, that equipment is being used for the purpose of keeping someone safe so someone goes home after being involved in a situation like that and they can perform their duties," Royle said.
"We've received lots of images of our equipment being used in evolutions, in scenarios, but not in war," he added. "At first, I wasn't really surprised. But the next feeling was kind of a little bit of sadness because it was being used in that situation."
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
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING New clues emerge in hunt for gunman who killed health insurance CEO
As the hunt for a masked gunman who stalked and killed the head of the largest U.S. health insurer moved into its third day Friday, surveillance footage provided more clues about the suspect's travels and the places he visited before the shooting.
Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid Canada Post strike
Purolator and UPS have paused shipments from some courier companies as they try to work through a deluge of deliveries brought on by the Canada Post strike.
NDP's Singh forces debate on $250 cheques for more Canadians; Conservatives cut it short
With the fate of the federal government's promised $250 cheques for 18.7 million workers hanging in the balance, the NDP forced a debate Friday on a motion pushing for the prime minister to expand eligibility. The conversation was cut short, though, by Conservative MPs' interventions.
Canadian unemployment rate jumps near 8-year high
Canada had 1.5 million unemployed people in November, propelling its jobless rate to a near-eight-year high outside of the pandemic era and boosting chances of a large interest rate cut on Dec. 11.
Canada's list of banned guns is expanding. Here's what you need to know
Canada is expanding its federal ban on firearms, adding 324 makes and models of guns to the prohibited weapons list, effective immediately.
What is still being delivered? What to know about the Canada Post strike
With Canada Post workers on strike, many individuals and businesses are facing the challenge of sending and receiving mail. Here are the answers to some of Canadians’ most-asked questions.
Biking advocate says video of Toronto ambulance using bike lane proves importance of keeping cycling infrastructure
Video has emerged of a Toronto ambulance being forced to use a bike lane to avoid downtown traffic, an incident one biking advocate says highlights the utility of the separated roadways at a time when their existence and expansion face uncertainty.
Sask. father who kept daughter from mom to prevent COVID-19 vaccine free from additional prison time
Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan father who withheld his then seven-year-old daughter from her mom for nearly 100 days to prevent the girl from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, was handed a 12-month prison sentence and 200 days probation on Friday, but credited with time served.
80-year-old driver with expired licence accused of going nearly double the speed limit in eastern Ontario
Ontario Provincial Police say a man caught stunt driving on Highway 37 near Tweed, Ont. Thursday was 80 years old, and his licence was expired.
Calgary
-
Unemployment in Alberta remains steady, Edmonton's jobless rate still high
Edmonton's unemployment rate is among the highest in the country, according to new data from Statistics Canada.
-
Gas leak prompts emergency response in Sundance
A street in Sundance has been shut down Friday morning as first responders are investigating a natural gas leak.
-
Flames prospect Zayne Parekh added to Canada's world junior selection camp roster
Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh has been added to Team Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp after missing the initial cut.
Lethbridge
-
A new partnership looks to improve and maintain trails in Lethbridge's river bottom
A new partnership in Lethbridge will look to improve and maintain paths within the city's river bottom trail network.
-
Lethbridge peace officer charged in relation to more than 10-year-old incident
A Lethbridge police community peace officer has been charged with an off-duty incident stemming from more than 10 years ago.
-
Lethbridge homeless support facilities expanding to cope with increasing demand
Lethbridge has seen its population of people experiencing homelessness increase significantly over recent years, but help is coming, as construction is underway on an expansion of the Lethbridge Shelter.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon-based dog rescue operator ordered to pay $27K for defamatory Facebook posts
A Saskatoon-based dog rescue operator has been ordered to pay over $27,000 in damages to five women after a judge ruled she defamed them in several Facebook posts.
-
Are other cities better at clearing snow than Saskatoon?
One of the noticeable changes during Saskatoon’s 2025 budget deliberations at city hall this past week was an increase to the snow and ice budget.
-
Sask. school bus driver arrested for impaired driving after transporting 50 kids
A Saskatchewan school bus driver, who was transporting 50 children shortly before his arrest, is facing impaired driving related charges.
Regina
-
Sask. father who kept daughter from mom to prevent COVID-19 vaccine free from additional prison time
Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan father who withheld his then seven-year-old daughter from her mom for nearly 100 days to prevent the girl from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, was handed a 12-month prison sentence and 200 days probation on Friday, but credited with time served.
-
Regina police investigate homicide after woman dies in hospital from gunshot wounds
Regina police are investigating the city’s fifth homicide of the year after a woman died from apparent gunshot wounds.
-
Ticketmaster hidden fees settlement credits expected in 2025 following class-action lawsuit by Regina lawyer
A longstanding lawsuit against Ticketmaster is nearing its end, with a judge expected to approve the more than $6 million dollar settlement before the end of the year.
Vancouver
-
West Vancouver police issue renewed call for missing kayaker
The West Vancouver Police Department has released the name of a missing kayaker alongside an updated timeline of his final known movements, in a renewed call for help from the public.
-
Avalanche risk expected to rise in parts of B.C. this weekend
The British Columbia government is encouraging people to do their research on avalanche risk before heading into the backcountry, as forecasts show danger ratings are expected to increase in some areas over the weekend.
-
VPD release new photos of suspect wanted in teenage girl's assault
The Vancouver Police Department is requesting the public’s help in identifying a suspect involved in the assault of a 16-year-old girl earlier this year.
Vancouver Island
-
Environment Canada issues rainfall, snowfall warnings for parts of B.C.
Environment Canada says heavy rain and snow will hit separate regions of British Columbia on Friday, promising to make travel difficult for many this weekend.
-
Taylor Swift to play first Vancouver show tonight
It’s been a long time coming, but Taylor Swift’s first show in Vancouver has finally arrived.
-
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim admits to being 'orange pilled' in Bitcoin interview
Bitcoin is soaring to all-time highs, and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim wants the city to get in on the action.
Toronto
-
Hamilton police shut down ‘open air drug market’ they say was 'run like a business'
Hamilton Police say that they have shut down an "open air drug market" in the vicinity of a downtown laneway that appeared to be "run like a business."
-
1 dead, 2 in hospital after collision in Etobicoke
One person is dead after a two-vehicle collision in Etobicoke Friday morning.
-
Six crashes reported north of Toronto due to slippery conditions
Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to six crashes north of Toronto overnight due to slippery conditions brought on by a blast of winter weather.
Montreal
-
Man arrested in Quebec for alleged plot to kill Jews in NYC being held in Rimouski
A Pakistani man arrested in Quebec for an alleged plot to kill Jews in New York City is being held in a detention centre hundreds of kilometres from Montreal, where he says the French-speaking guards don't understand him.
-
'Duty to learn': Vigils mark 35th anniversary of Polytechnique anti-feminist killings
Braving a biting winter wind, dignitaries gathered in front of Polytechnique Montréal's main campus on Friday to pay tribute to the 14 women killed at the Montreal institution in an anti-feminist attack 35 years ago.
-
Montreal blacksmith says he has a 'place in paradise' as Notre-Dame reopens its doors
Five years ago, Notre-Dame Cathedral erupted in flames. A column of smoke rose above the Paris skyline as the historic cathedral, which took 182 years to build between the 12th and 14th centuries, was reduced to a smouldering shell.
Atlantic
-
Maritime weekend weather: Cold start and snowy finish
Colder temperatures lie ahead for the weekend in the Maritimes with another swipe of snow and rain expected Sunday.
-
West Hants RCMP in Nova Scotia charge man following traffic stop
West Hants RCMP in Nova Scotia charged a man with impaired operation of a motor vehicle and seized drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop.
-
P.E.I. ferry cancels crossings Friday for weather, two weeks before closing for the season
Ferry service between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island has been cancelled Friday due to inclement weather.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba RCMP looking to identify vehicle connected to double homicide
The Manitoba RCMP is looking for help to identify a vehicle connected to a double homicide in Portage la Prairie on Sunday.
-
Manitoba premier says conservation officers to help patrol Canada-U.S. border
The Manitoba government is planning to have conservation officers help patrol efforts along the Canada-United States border.
-
Victim, suspect identified in fatal Winnipeg stabbing
The Winnipeg Police Service has identified the victim and suspect in a fatal stabbing earlier in the week.
Ottawa
-
BREAKINGBREAKING OC Transpo to open Trillium Line in three stages starting Jan. 6
OC Transpo general manager Renee Amilcar announced the Lines 2 and 4 will open in three phases, starting with five-day service Monday to Friday beginning Jan. 6.
-
CHEO, Shriners Hospitals launch first-of-its-kind fellowship
A first-of-its-kind collaboration between Children Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada (SHC) will allow children living with rare bone diseases to see a single expert instead of travelling to clinics at multiple hospitals.
-
Ottawa police concerned for well-being of missing 73-year-old man
The Ottawa Police Service is asking the public for help in finding a missing 73-year-old man, who was last seen Thursday afternoon. Police say there is concern for his well-being.
Northern Ontario
-
Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid Canada Post strike
Purolator and UPS have paused shipments from some courier companies as they try to work through a deluge of deliveries brought on by the Canada Post strike.
-
Four transport truck drivers charged in northern Ont. collisions on Hwy. 11
Bad weather and bad driving contributed to multiple collisions on Highway 11 on Wednesday, leading to charges for several commercial motor vehicle drivers.
-
Someone shot and abandoned a moose cow near Chapleau, Ont.
Conservation officers with the Ministry of Natural Resources are asking for the public's help to find the person who shot and abandoned a cow moose earlier this year near Chapleau.
Barrie
-
Winter travel advisory issued due another day of messy road conditions
Emergency crews were kept busy in the early morning hours on Friday as the wintry weather created slippery conditions on the roads, and according to weather experts, we’re not in the clear just yet.
-
Multi-vehicle crash on Highway 400 snarls traffic
A three-vehicle crash on Highway 400 snarled Friday afternoon traffic.
-
Driver faces charge and $250 fine after colliding with OPP vehicle
A motorist faces a careless driving charge and $250 fine after a collision involving an OPP vehicle in Caledon.
Kitchener
-
Threat that caused school lockdowns in Guelph came from the United States
Guelph Police Service is releasing more information about a call that caused two schools to go into lockdown and a third to implement hold-and-secure measures earlier this week.
-
Pedestrian airlifted to hospital after she was hit by driver in Guelph
A pedestrian with non-life-threatening injuries has been airlifted to a Hamilton hospital after she was hit by a driver.
-
Kitchener house fire sends plumes of thick, black smoke into the air
No injuries have been reported after a fire in Kitchener Friday morning.
London
-
Three suspects still sought, one arrested in break-and-enter, shooting investigation
The London police continue to search for three suspects in connection to a break-and-enter and shooting investigation that took place last month.
-
Community angst over surprise changes to Durham hospital
After losing all of its inpatient beds and seeing its emergency room hours cut earlier this year, the Durham hospital is finally getting some good news. New healthcare services are coming to the rural hospital.
-
Human remains found at Hanover construction site
The Hanover Police Service is investigating human remains that were dug up at a construction site.
Windsor
-
Windsor’s jobless rate highest in Canada
Windsor's unemployment rate is slightly better than last month, but it’s still the highest in Canada.
-
Rescued Canada Goose fights for his life
A Canada goose is in the care of Wings Rehabilitation Centre after being rescued from the icy waters of Duck Creek in Belle River.
-
Arrest warrant issued in $64,000 bank fraud investigation
The Windsor Police Service has issued an arrest warrant for a 29-year-old woman wanted in connection to an ongoing bank fraud investigation.
