Families across Saskatoon gathered to wrap up the Easter long weekend with a variety of local festivities. Global News spent the past few days tracking the Easter Bunny to capture the city’s holiday celebrations and community spirit in action.

To start, early on Saturday Optimist Hill hosted an easter egg hunt. Kids were invited to run up and down the hill to look for candy and prizes. It is safe to say the event was a success, as all the eggs were found within the first hour of the hunt. Families then warmed up in the lounge with some Easter-themed colouring.

On Sunday, many families headed just a few kilometers out of the city for Crossmount Cider Company’s Easter celebration. There was fun for everyone, with a petting zoo, cookie decorating, scavenger hunt and face painting. Giggles and cheers could be heard all over the Crossmount grounds as children participated in activities throughout the day. There was even an Easter-themed hayride, allowing families to bask in the beautiful spring weather.

To end the day, Global News hopped over to Bass Pro Shop, where visitors received a souvenir that will last for many Easters to come – free photos with the Easter Bunny!

Watch the video above to see all the Easter action.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A special weather statement issued for much of British Columbia’s southern coast and parts of Vancouver Island is warning of “strong and gusty” winds starting on Monday.

The notice from Environment Canada says wind gusts up to 70 km/h are expected to start late Monday afternoon and continue into Tuesday morning.

It says a “vigorous” cold front will cross the South Coast on Monday, developing strong westerly winds in its wake.

The statement covers communities including Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria and east Vancouver Island as well as the Southern Gulf Island.

Environment Canada says strong wind gusts may toss loose objects and break tree branches.

The agency says both local utility outages and disruptions to services and travel are possible.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Only a short time after it re-entered service, several sailings of the Queen of Surrey were cancelled Sunday and more sailings are at risk due to a mechanical issue.

Earlier this week, BC Ferries said the vessel would be out of service while undergoing a scheduled retrofit, as issues were found with its steering.

On Sunday, BC Ferries said the vessel had re-entered service, but crews identified a mechanical issue with its steering panel early in the morning. It was pulled out of service again after only 40 minutes. As a result, four morning sailings between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale had been cancelled. At about 1 p.m., the agency advised that the 12:10 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. trips had also been scrapped.

The breakdown left the company scrambling.

A replacement vessel was brought in to provide service starting with the 2:25 p.m. sailing departing from Horseshoe Bay. It’s expected this ferry would operate on the remaining trips on Sunday, but would force the cancellation of one return trip to Vancouver Island and a pair of return sailings between Horseshoe Bay and Duke Point on Monday.

Some people in cars trying to make one of the crossings told Global News they’ve felt there’s been a lack of communication.

“Very minimal other than coming up to the door or like the window and just kind of being like, ‘We don’t really know what’s going on; if you need a refund, go and see the front office,'” said Darlene Buttle Parsons, who had been waiting about 12 hours for her departure to Langdale.

A statement from BC Ferries said affected passengers of cancelled sailings will hear from its customer service centre, which will let people know if they can be fit on an alternate sailing or if the booking must be cancelled. If cancelled, the agency said the fee and fares would be refunded.

It added four 12-person and one 38-person water taxis would provide complimentary service for foot passengers until full service resumed.

The cancellations are just the latest issue for BC Ferries, which also advised this past week that the Spirit of Vancouver Island would be out of commission for Easter weekend after a generator problem happened Tuesday. It had only returned to service last Sunday after a separate breakdown during spring break.

At the same time, the Coastal Celebration ferry is undergoing its annual retrofit and has been docked at Swartz Bay since March 8.

A smaller ferry to Texada Island also suffered a breakdown Friday and Saturday, forcing BC Ferries to reroute another vessel.

BC Ferries said in its statement the latest issues “underscore the challenges of operating an aging fleet.” It notes it applied to the BC Ferry Commissioner for a fifth New Major Vessel, but the proposal was not approved.

“Without that extra vessel, our ability to absorb disruptions like this is limited,” the statement said.

Diana Mumford, former chair of the Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee, says more needs to be done.

“Provide us ferry service that we can depend on, and not just sometimes or most of the time,” Mumford said in an interview with Global News. “It is something we need all of the time and we have one breakdown after another.”

Last March, the Office of the British Columbia Ferries Commission approved four new major vessels for its fleet. The new vessels will replace the aging Queen of Alberni, Queen of New Westminster, Queen of Coquitlam and Queen of Cowichan – the oldest major ships still in use.

Eric McNeely, provincial president of the BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union, told Global News the cancellations are the result of several factors, including an aging fleet, a maintenance team under pressure, and planning that “hasn’t kept pace with the demand.”

“Our engineering crews are working as much as they can to get the vessels back into service,” he said. “But as vessels get older, they require more maintenance and they require the resource to do that. You know, that’s money, but that’s also time and also skills.”

He added they’ve heard from maintenance crews that the time allotted for refits has been “compressed.”

BC Ferries added in its statement it expects to accommodate all traffic currently staged at both terminals, but customers should be aware no further standby space is available on this route for the remainder of Sunday.

— with files from Global News’ Amy Judd

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A mechanical issue pulls the Queen of Surrey ferry off the water again on Sunday, not long after a recent refit, causing multiple sailing cancellations. Multiple Lower Mainland hopsitals facing maternity ward diversions this week amid a shortage in OBGYNs. And backlash over a prank where the shell of a Volkswagen Beetle appeared on the cliff face of the Stawamus Chief.

Watch ‘Global News at 6 BC’ for the latest news in British Columbia.

Click here for more Global BC videos

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Montreal Canadiens are playoff-bound again.

Montreal clinched its spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs Sunday afternoon after the Detroit Red Wings fell 5-4 to the Minnesota Wild, making the Canadiens the first Canadian NHL team to secure a post-season berth.

It marks a second straight appearance after the Canadiens snapped a three-year drought last spring, following a full-scale rebuild. They claimed the final spot in the Eastern Conference before falling to the Washington Capitals in five games in the first round.

This time, they’re not just squeaking in.

Montreal (45-21-10) has punched its ticket with six games to spare in the regular season and sits second in the Atlantic Division with 100 points, firmly in the mix for home-ice advantage heading into Sunday night’s matchup with the New Jersey Devils.

The Canadiens — with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson leading a young, talented core — are also riding an eight-game winning streak.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Jeremy Hansen, just days away from becoming the first Canadian astronaut to circle the moon as part of the Artemis II mission, gave the country yet another glimpse into life on the final frontier.

Hansen, along with American astronauts Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch, took part in a live question-and-answer session early Sunday from aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft to answer questions submitted by Canadian kids.

The virtual event, the second of its kind, took place about four days into the 10-day lunar flyby mission.

One youth asked how food is prepared and eaten in space, while another wanted Hansen to pick a movie that best reflects what it’s like in space. Hansen responded with 1995’s “Apollo 13” starring Tom Hanks — save for its disastrous chain of events.

“That movie really shows you a lot what it’s like with just three humans trapped in a tiny capsule and surviving in space together,” the 50-year-old from Ontario said. “It’s one of my favourite space movies.”

Ahead of the Q-and-A, NASA announced on social media that the four astronauts were officially “moonbound” and were more than halfway there. The space agency also shared two photos of the moon, and one of the inside of the Orion capsule.

Artemis II is the first crewed mission to the moon since the Apollo flights of the 1960s and ’70s. It had been delayed a few times since February due to hydrogen fuel leaks and helium flow problems.

During Sunday’s event, one youth asked how human organs behave in microgravity.

Hansen said he doesn’t notice much of a difference, but he can feel the blood shifting from one part of his body to another.

“I’m sure my face is a lot (more) puffy now because there’s a lot more blood up in my upper regions of my body, because gravity is not constantly pulling it down,” he said.

“I can just sort of feel it in my head … It’s not bad. But it’s just slightly different.”

Koch said when astronauts spend a lot of time in microgravity, organs adapt to the environment. The heart doesn’t work as hard to pump blood to the brain. Due to the loss of gravity, she also said there’s risk of kidney disease.

Hansen was also asked whether the crew sees a crescent-shaped Earth, as those on the ground sometimes see a crescent moon in the night sky.

“The reality is we do,” he said. “We’ve seen a half-Earth, partial crescent Earth, we’ve seen a dark Earth.”

The four-person crew is expected to do a lunar flyby on Day 6 of the mission. They will zip around the moon in their capsule — about the size of a campervan — before coming home.

The Canadian Space Agency says that on arrival at the moon, the crew will spend several hours observing and photographing its surface to help scientists understand the geologic processes that shaped it and the solar system.

At its closest, the moon will be about the size of a basketball held at arm’s length.

Hansen said there’s been a lot of personal give-and-take on this mission. His family, he said, has had to give him some grace and make some sacrifices.

“Sometimes with this job, I can’t be there for them when they would like me to be there,” he said. “There’s a lot of sacrifice from the family, and so they’ve definitely done that for me, and they’ve been my greatest cheerleaders along the way.”

Asked in French what role young people play in the future of space exploration, Hansen said it’s “necessary that the next generation contributes to our future.”

“When there is something that interests you, learn as much as possible and also share this dream, this goal, with others and form a team, and you can do important things for humanity,” he said.

The capsule and its crew are expected to splash down April 10 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

An eastbound stretch of Highway 403 in Oxford County has reopened after being closed for an investigation when a transport truck and SUV collided. Police said no one was injured.

According to Sgt. Ed Sanchuk with OPP West Region, a westbound transport truck crossed the centre median into the eastbound lanes of Highway 403 and collided with the SUV early Sunday just before 8 a.m.

“The great news out of this, both drivers walked away with absolutely no injuries,” Sanchuk said in a video posted to X.

The eastbound lanes of Highway 403 between Highway 53 and Middle Townline Road had been closed since early Sunday.

Sanchuk said OPP responded to the report of the crash alongside fire and paramedic crews.

In the video, the transport truck could be seen on its side behind Sanchuk.

He went on to thank both emergency officials and Good Samaritans who stopped to provide assistance before reminding people to travel safely.

“It’s truly a miracle that both drivers walked away with no injuries,” Sanchuk said.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Julie Gascon has left her role as president and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority, which manages the largest container port in Eastern Canada.

The authority, which operates the inland port linking Canada to global markets via the St. Lawrence River, says her departure comes after she took on the role in early 2024.

In a short statement issued on its website on Friday, the port authority said her departure was effective that day.

Her departure comes as port management has been stressing the urgency of a major expansion project, even as cargo volumes have declined in recent years.

The release did not state the reason for her departure.

The organization says it will ensure an orderly transition as it moves forward during a recruitment process to replace Gascon.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Cheers erupted in the Alberta community of Taber on Saturday as Kraft Hockeyville announced the town had been named the 2026 winner of the contest’s $250,000 prize.

“I got goosebumps, almost tears in my eyes,” said John Browning, a Taber parent, told Global News. “Watching these kids celebrate and bringing this thing home, it’s a sense of joy.”

Taber was originally named one of two finalists in late March following the loss of its only two ice rinks in December to a Zamboni explosion.

City council has earmarked $6 million to rebuild its large ice rink after the blast shattered the walls around it, but about $5 million more is needed to fix the ice rink and the remaining parts of the community centre. The town has requested $8 million from the federal government for upgrades.

With the Hockeyville win, which followed a two-week public vote, Taber will now receive $250,000 for rink upgrades and will have the opportunity to host an NHL pre-season game in the fall of 2027.

“Community, community, community, that’s what this means here, what this rink and what this facility means to Taber and area,” Mayor Andrew Prokop said in an interview. “The biggest thing was that our community came together, rallied behind us, and not just Taber, our whole region. And that’s huge, we can’t thank people enough for that.”

In addition, Taber, along with the runner-up, Tumbler Ridge, B.C., and the 11 provincial and territorial finalists, will also receive $10,000 in brand-new hockey equipment. Tumbler Ridge is also receiving $100,000 for rink upgrades as the national runner-up.

In a statement, the Town of Taber thanked Kraft Heinz and its Hockeyville partners,  the NHL and NHL Players Association (NHLPA), for believing in the community, but focused on the community itself for its endless support.

The town also thanked Canadians for choosing “to stand with Taber” during the contest’s vote. It went on to congratulate Tumbler Ridge as well, saying it was “proud to stand beside you.”

“Your strength and your love for your community are undeniable,” the statement said.

Two months ago, several students in Tumbler Ridge were killed when a shooter went to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and opened fire. The shooter had gone to the school after killing her mother and half brother at their family home.

In a Hockeyville post, Amy Heaton, a hockey parent and coach, said that the community had gathered at their rink to grieve.

The town said it planned to use its Hockeyville funds to upgrade the rink’s sound system and accessible seating.

“My heart goes out to the folks of Tumbler Ridge,” Browning said. “They needed it as much as we did, and my sincere condolences to their community. We’re hoping for nothing but the best.”

Repairs on the Taber rinks are expected to wrap up by the end of summer 2026, with the arena set to reopen ahead of the next hockey season.

“This was never just about hockey. This was about home,” the town of Taber’s statement said.

—with files from Global News’ Jordan Prentice

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Burdett Sisler, the oldest known living man in Canada and one of the oldest Second World War veterans in the world has died. He was 110.

Sisler’s son Norman says his father died with family members by his side after his health took a turn for the worse in recent weeks.

“It’s bittersweet. You don’t want to see him go, of course. But he had a long life,” Norman said. “It was a great life.”

A statement from Gov. Gen. Mary Simon’s office says she and her husband were saddened to learn of Sisler’s death and are sending condolences to his friends and family.

Born in Akron, Ohio on April 14, 1915, Sisler moved to Toronto when he was three years old. He served as a radar technician in Canada’s military during the Second World War before settling in Fort Erie, Ont., to work for the Canada Border Services Agency.

The supercentenarian told The Canadian Press last year that it’s not too hard to make it to 110 years old – and that all you have to do is stay alive.

Sisler’s wife, Mae, died in 1985. He is survived by five children, 12 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 14 great great grandchildren, according to his obituary.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, Sisler’s son reflected on just how much the world changed during his father’s lifetime

“He has seen two pandemics and two world wars and two solar eclipses,” Norman said, adding that Sisler moved to Toronto when his father, Norman’s grandfather, was transferred to work at the then newly opened Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company factory.

“Cars were starting to become popular and that’s why they came to Canada,” Norman said.

In her statement, Simon said Sisler was “a member of the generation that shaped modern Canada.”

“He witnessed profound moments in history while embodying the values of service and perseverance that continue to inspire us all,” she said Saturday.

Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight also paid tribute to Sisler’s decades of service to the Canadian public.

“Mr. Sisler was among the veterans whose sacrifice and resilience helped shape our country,” she said, adding that he leaves behind a legacy that “continues to inspire future generations.”

Sisler enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army in 1943. He originally wanted to join the Royal Canadian Air Force but even though enlistment officers told him he was one of their best candidates, he was turned away because of a bad eye.

Sisler trained to become a military gunner in Nova Scotia and later took radar training in Barriefield, Ont., where he became a telecommunications mechanic. In 1945, he joined the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers, where he ultimately became a sergeant.

The Second World War ended before Sisler was deployed abroad.

“I have to think back to those who had a rougher time than I had. I never got the chance to go overseas,” Sisler said in an interview last year. “A lot of soldiers didn’t come back.”

After the war, he settled his young family in Fort Erie, where he soon became a customs agent with the Department of National Revenue, stationed at the Peace Bridge border crossing.

The couple made frequent summer camping trips to Ontario’s provincial parks with their children. Sisler also sang in a barbershop quartet in the 1960s and ran a side business with a friend fixing TVs and radio sets.

“He had an ad which stated, ‘If you have a whistler, call Hanes and Sisler,’” Norman said. “That’s just a small example of his humour.”

Sisler’s son said that of all the technological changes his father witnessed, the evolution of TVs was especially puzzling to him.

“It took him a while to digest these flat screen TVs,” Norman said.

His father was used to fixing “huge” cathode ray tube TVs and “he was really amazed at how you could get a picture on such a flat screen,” Norman added.

Last year, when asked for the secret to longevity, Sisler admitted he didn’t have any significant tips. It helps that he never enjoyed the taste of cigarettes, he said, and mostly liked to have a cold beer after mowing the lawn on a hot day.

Norman said his father never took life too seriously and he will miss Sisler’s sense of humour the most.

Norman added that he’s overwhelmed at the outpouring of support for him and his family following Sisler’s death.

“It’s just amazing,” Norman said. “He would be pleased, he would be very pleased.”

–

© 2026 The Canadian Press