Drivers in northern Ontario hit the road for the holiday weekend
It didn't take long for drivers to hit the road this holiday weekend -- and it doesn't appear many of them are worried about the price of gas.
With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, drivers flocked to the service centre in McKerrow, west of Sudbury, as they made the turn to Manitoulin Island or carried on along the TransCanada highway.
Maawdi Pitawanakwat lives in Whitefish River First Nation and was spending the long weekend at home.
"We were like in hibernation for two years, two and a half years and right now it's really, really exciting," she said.
"You get to see family, you get to see friends. You don't have to wear your masks, but I see a lot of people are wearing them just to be self-cautious … The May 2-4 weekend, it's here!"
Others were taking to the road.
Sudburian David Daoust and his wife have been making the pilgrimage to Manitoulin every May long weekend since they married. David said they're looking forward to cocktails and maybe a campfire.
"Well we gassed up on Tuesday before planning for today and uh, we know that we're probably going to fill up on the Island where it's a little cheaper before we leave," he said.
Bob was making his way from North Bay to Massey to meet with relatives.
"We're going to hit the road one way or the other -- it's nice that it dropped a little bit but yeah, it is what it is," he said about high gas prices.
Const. Robert Lewis of the Ontario Provincial Police said whatever people decide to do, they need to do it safely. They're hoping for a fatality-free weekend.
Lewis said police will be out in full force looking for speeders, drunk, aggressive and distracted drivers.
"Long weekends are always a concern because there's always a more high volume of traffic on our highways with people travelling to and from destinations," he said.
"Because of the high volume, the chances of violations happening are higher."
It's also Road Safety week and Boat Safety week, two campaigns designed to help ensure people get safely home from their holiday destination.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.