Fake child sex services ad created by Durham police receives over 6,600 clicks in four days
An ad created by the Durham Regional Police Service as part of their efforts to curb child sexual exploitation was viewed over 6,600 times in four days, officers said in a Thursday media release.
The ad was created as part of the police force’s Project Firebird, an ongoing initiative that focuses on individuals interested in purchasing sexual services from children, as well as educating and supporting victims and potential victims. The ad was designed to look like individuals could purchase sexual services from minors and received 6,678 web hits and messages from over 600 different phone numbers within a four-day period, police said.
So far this month, investigators have arrested five individuals and laid 15 charges relating to this incident.
Anyone with further information about sexual exploitation and/or human trafficking in Durham Region is asked to contact DRPS at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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
W5 Investigates
W5 Investigates A 'ticking time bomb': Inside Syria's toughest prison holding accused high-ranking ISIS members
In the last of a three-part investigation, W5's Avery Haines was given rare access to a Syrian prison, where thousands of accused high-ranking ISIS members are being held.
'Mayday!': New details emerge after Boeing plane makes emergency landing at Mirabel airport
New details suggest that there were communication issues between the pilots of a charter flight and the control tower at Montreal's Mirabel airport when a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing on Wednesday.
BREAKING
BREAKING Supreme Court affirms constitutionality of B.C. law on opioid health costs recovery
Canada's top court has affirmed the constitutionality of a law that would allow British Columbia to pursue a class-action lawsuit against opioid providers on behalf of other provinces, the territories and the federal government.
Cucumbers sold in Ontario, other provinces recalled over possible salmonella contamination
A U.S. company is recalling cucumbers sold in Ontario and other Canadian provinces due to possible salmonella contamination.
Irregular sleep patterns may raise risk of heart attack and stroke, study suggests
Sleeping and waking up at different times is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, even for people who get the recommended amount of sleep, according to new research.
Real GDP per capita declines for 6th consecutive quarter, household savings rise
Statistics Canada says the economy grew at an annualized pace of one per cent during the third quarter, in line with economists' expectations.
Nick Cannon says he's seeking help for narcissistic personality disorder
Nick Cannon has spoken out about his recent diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, saying 'I need help.'
California man who went missing for 25 years found after sister sees his picture in the news
It’s a Thanksgiving miracle for one California family after a man who went missing in 1999 was found 25 years later when his sister saw a photo of him in an online article, authorities said.
As Australia bans social media for children, Quebec is paying close attention
As Australia moves to ban social media for children under 16, Quebec is debating whether to follow suit.
Montreal
-
'Mayday!': New details emerge after Boeing plane makes emergency landing at Mirabel airport
New details suggest that there were communication issues between the pilots of a charter flight and the control tower at Montreal's Mirabel airport when a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing on Wednesday.
-
As Australia bans social media for children, Quebec is paying close attention
As Australia moves to ban social media for children under 16, Quebec is debating whether to follow suit.
-
Some Quebec daycares to open at 10 a.m. due to worker strike
For the third week in a row, some 3,000 workers at daycares in Quebec are expected go on strike for a few hours.
Ottawa
-
'Dude, Where's My Bus?' Ottawa man fed up with OC Transpo makes documentary exploring transit troubles
Gio Petti put together a documentary on OC Transpo, asking how we got here. How did a city that was once lauded as an example of how to do transit right, and that boasted some of the highest per capita transit ridership numbers in the country, become a system that now elicits so much frustration from users?
-
Ottawa to begin full enforcement of 3-item garbage limit on Monday: Here’s what you need to know
The City of Ottawa will begin the final phase of the graduated approach to enforcing the city’s new three-item garbage limit on Monday, leaving behind any extra items not in a yellow bag.
-
Ottawa police charge two adults, teenager following Orleans kidnapping and robbery
The Ottawa Police Service says two adults and a teenager are facing multiple charges following a kidnapping, robbery and extortion incident that happened last month in Orleans.
Northern Ontario
-
Another 50 cm of snow possible in the Sault as severe weather continues
Closures and cancellations are piling up in Sault Ste. Marie as a major winter storm continues for another day Friday.
-
Ongoing bed bug issue at a Timmins apartment building is 'like living in hell'
A battle with bed bugs continues at 217 Pine St. North in Timmins, according to a tenant who has lived there for a year and a half.
-
California man who went missing for 25 years found after sister sees his picture in the news
It’s a Thanksgiving miracle for one California family after a man who went missing in 1999 was found 25 years later when his sister saw a photo of him in an online article, authorities said.
Kitchener
-
One dead, another hurt in Cambridge shooting
Waterloo Regional Police are investigating a fatal shooting in Cambridge.
-
Police looking for missing teen last seen in Cambridge
Waterloo Regional Police are looking for information about the whereabouts of a missing teen.
-
Mother from Guelph, Ont. seeks answers following son's death in prison
Brody Robinson was found without vital signs in his cell at Millhaven Institution the evening of Oct. 29. He was 23-years-old.
London
-
Sarnia police lay charges after women wakes up to naked man in her home
An arrest has been made after a break and enter call in Sarnia where a woman woke up to a naked man in her home. Police said after investigating, officers were able to identify a 26-year-old man who was also wanted on an outstanding warrant in London.
-
Knights' Boulton hit with eight-game suspension
The left winger has been suspended eight games, retroactive to Nov. 23 against Saginaw, when he was handed a major penalty for slashing, along with a game misconduct.
-
'Shock, disappointment, and excitement': South Bruce not selected for nuclear waste project
Anja Vandervlies and Michelle Stein could hardly believe it when they heard South Bruce was not going to host Canada’s first permanent storage facility for nuclear waste.
Windsor
-
Judgment day: Windsor man to learn his fate in double fatal Retrofest collision
The Windsor man who is charged in connection to the death of two people is expected to hear his fate Friday.
-
Windsor man charged in child pornography investigation
A Windsor man has been charged following a child pornography investigation.
-
Injury reported at NextStar Energy plant work site
The Ministry of Labour is investigating after an injury at the construction site of the NextStar Energy battery plant.
Barrie
-
50 cms of snow across central Ontario expected this weekend
Environment Canada has released snow squall warnings and watches for our region.
-
Individuals living in encampment in Barrie's south end given notice to vacate
Several police officers and city staff attended a homeless encampment in Barrie’s south end on Thursday morning to inform the individuals living there they would have to vacate the area.
-
Man convicted of violent sexual assault of a senior could be deemed dangerous offender
The Crown wants a Wasaga Beach man to be deemed a dangerous or long-term offender following a violent sexual assault of a senior inside her Stayner home two years ago.
Winnipeg
-
Hanover School Division laying off 93 EAs due to confusion over funding
The Hanover School Division is laying off 93 educational assistants, citing an "unexpected loss of federal funding for Jordan's Principle programming."
-
Possible water main break causing Friday morning traffic delays in Winnipeg
A potential water main break is causing traffic delays on Friday morning in Winnipeg.
-
A tale of two downtowns: Restaurants opening and closing show complexity of downtown revival
Proposed developments and new businesses opening are fueling optimism for some on a revival of downtown Winnipeg, but some business owners say the present remains problematic.
Atlantic
-
Some closures, power outages in the Maritimes with first storm of the winter season
Parts of the Maritimes are experiencing their first winter storm on Friday with a messy weather system moving north from the eastern U.S.
-
'Serious commitment' toward N.S. mass shooting recommendations, says committee
The head of a committee monitoring how governments and the RCMP are responding to the inquiry into the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia says she is encouraged by their "serious commitment" to address its 130 recommendations.
-
Gas prices fall in N.S., P.E.I., increase slightly in N.B.
Gas prices change in all three Maritime provinces.
N.L.
-
'Who profits on hunger?': Inuit send pleading emails to minister about food costs
People in Nunavut and northern Labrador have been writing to Canadian government officials this year to say grocers were charging exorbitant prices despite receiving a federal subsidy.
-
As N.L. firm pivots, scientists say Canada's green hydrogen dreams are far-fetched
A Newfoundland energy company's embrace of data centres is raising doubts about eastern Canadian hopes of harnessing the region's howling winds to supply Germany with power from green hydrogen.
-
Canadian leads group pushing Vatican for zero-tolerance policy on abuse by clergy
An international group led by a Canadian is in Rome this week to push the Catholic Church to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on abuse by clergy.
Edmonton
-
Oilers rightly optimistic they can pull themselves into NHL playoff picture. Again
Hockey fans know the adage: U.S. Thanksgiving, while unofficial, serves as a great calendar marker in predicting which teams will make the National Hockey League playoffs.
-
ATV driver killed in crash on Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
A 31-year-old man was killed in a crash on Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation on Thursday.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Josh Classen's forecast: A few more cold and snowy days, then the deep freeze breaks
We'll close out November with two more frigid days and Sunday doesn't look much warmer.
Calgary
-
Multiple crashes reported on Deerfoot Trail
Calgary police say there are at least three major crashes on Deerfoot Trail on Friday morning as frigid overnight temperatures likely led to icy conditions in many areas.
-
Black Friday deals look to appeal to budget-friendly Calgary shoppers
Black Friday sales are in full swing as annual holiday shopping returns and Calgary retailers are competing harder than ever to coax budget-conscious shoppers into a deal.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Temperatures to rise more than 20 degrees in less than 2 days
A weather pattern with both persistent Arctic air and an ample supply of moisture have left Albertans with a much different weather story than they started the month with.
Regina
-
Crown gives final remarks in Ruben Manz case as argument to jury concludes
The prosecution has presented their closing remarks against Ruben Manz to a 13-person jury, bringing an end to arguments before their sequestering.
-
Youngest roping duo looking for repeat performance at Agribition Rodeo
Kavis Drake, 18, and Denim Ross, 20, won the average in last year’s Maple Leaf Finals Rodeo team roping event at Agribition. The two were the youngest competitors in 2023 and are once again in their event this year.
-
Canada Post temporarily laying off striking workers, union says
The union representing Canada Post workers says the Crown corporation has been laying off striking employees as the labour action by more than 55,000 workers approaches the two-week mark.
Saskatoon
-
Ontario men arrested after Saskatoon police seize 16 kilos of meth, nearly $70K in cash
Saskatoon police say officers arrested three 20-year-old men Wednesday afternoon and seized nearly $70,000, in cash as well as various illicit drugs.
-
Extreme cold warning issued for Saskatoon
Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for parts of central Saskatchewan, including Saskatoon, on Thursday.
-
Sask. forecasting $743.5M deficit in mid-year financial report, up $470.5M from budget
The provincial government says increases to crop insurance claims later in the growing season are a main reason for Thursday’s mid-year deficit forecast of $743.5 million, which is up more than $470 million from the budget.
Vancouver
-
Surrey Police Service officially takes over from the RCMP after years-long saga
The years-long saga over who will police the city of Surrey has reached its final chapter.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Supreme Court affirms constitutionality of B.C. law on opioid health costs recovery
Canada's top court has affirmed the constitutionality of a law that would allow British Columbia to pursue a class-action lawsuit against opioid providers on behalf of other provinces, the territories and the federal government.
-
Vancouver businesses told to prepare for Swiftie traffic: report
The Taylor Swift train is just a week away from stopping in Vancouver.
Vancouver Island
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Supreme Court affirms constitutionality of B.C. law on opioid health costs recovery
Canada's top court has affirmed the constitutionality of a law that would allow British Columbia to pursue a class-action lawsuit against opioid providers on behalf of other provinces, the territories and the federal government.
-
Avian flu case discovered in Greater Victoria, officials confirm
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed a case of avian flu has been detected in Greater Victoria, on the Saanich Peninsula.
-
Real GDP per capita declines for 6th consecutive quarter, household savings rise
Statistics Canada says the economy grew at an annualized pace of one per cent during the third quarter, in line with economists' expectations.
