Ontario couple weds in hospital lobby after life-saving brain surgery
A young Ontario couple tied the knot at an unconventional wedding venue on Monday – a hospital lobby.
The bride, Siqi Yang, underwent life-saving brain surgery last February. The operation followed the discovery of a tangled blood vessel that connected arteries and veins in her brain, medically referred to as an Arteriovenous Malformation Rupture.
Siqi Yang is seen undergoing treatment at a Toronto-area hospital. “It's just like a time bomb in her brain. When it explodes, it's causing internal bleeding in her head,” the groom, Tao Gao, told CTV News Toronto.
Months of rehabilitation treatment at the Queensway Health Centre in Etobicoke followed Yang’s surgery. There, she regained the ability to walk and talk.
“I feel our relationship has improved. We have a more connected relationship because I need to spend more time taking care of her so I feel ours is more connected since this happened,” Gao said.
The couple met as colleagues working at a T&T Supermarket in 2016 and have been together ever since. “I fell in love with her,” Gao said.
To honour the strength and resilience of Yang’s recovery at the Queensway Health Centre, they chose it as their wedding venue.
Beyond friends and family, some special guests were in attendance – the health-care professionals who facilitated Yang’s recovery.
“When the music came on for the rehearsal you could see the whole team just tear right up because this is the outcome and the fruits of their labour,” Kathryn Hayward-Murray with Trillium Health Partners said.
Siqi Yang and Tao Gao on their wedding day. “I was speaking with Pam, the speech language pathologist who worked so closely with our bride, to be able to say her vows and that being such an important part of the experience.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
New non-invasive tool detects early stages of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
Researchers at Carleton University's Department of Electronics in Ottawa created a ground-breaking testing device to detect early signs of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s through biomolecular activities in a person’s saliva.
'Tone-deaf': Singh slams rapporteur Johnston for not stepping down
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh slammed foreign interference special rapporteur David Johnston's refusal to heed the House of Commons' call for him to step down as 'tone-deaf.'
Collapsed platform in Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar last repaired a decade ago: city
The elevated walkway in Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar that collapsed during a school field trip, sending 16 children and one adult to hospital, was last repaired a decade ago.
Jordan's royal wedding gets underway in ceremony packed with stars and deep symbolism
The wedding of Jordan's crown prince to the scion of a prominent Saudi family began on Thursday in a palace celebration that drew massive crowds and a mood of excitement around the kingdom, while presenting the young Hashemite royal as a new player on the global stage.
'Both of them had a heart of gold': Family releases statement on engaged couple shot dead at home near Hamilton
The family of an engaged couple who were shot dead following a dispute with their landlord in Stoney Creek over the weekend released a statement of their loved ones, remembering them as 'two beautiful souls.'
Air Canada reports communications system issue, flights operating at reduced rate
Air Canada reported a technical issue with its flight communications system on Thursday, causing delays across the country for the second time in a week.
RBC resolves technical issues with online, mobile banking
The Royal Bank of Canada has resolved a technical issue that temporarily impacted online and mobile banking.
Biden trips after speech addressing U.S. Air Force Academy graduates
President Joe Biden on Thursday thanked U.S. Air Force Academy graduates for choosing “service over self” but said they now have the “great privilege” of leading in a world that will only get more confusing in the years to come. His appearance was punctuated by a stumble onstage after handing out diplomas to graduates.
Climate change and El Nino's return will impact Canada's weather. Here's how
Forecasters warn an upcoming weather pattern known for warm temperatures could bring droughts, floods and even tropical storms to Canada.
Montreal
-
More than 225,000 Hydro-Quebec customers lose power due to forest fires
Several regions of the province have been hit by power outages. The total of Quebec customers without electricity right now stands at 227,881.
-
Calling 311? Bill 96 now requires Montrealers to 'attest' they can get English services
Residents who wish to speak with the City of Montreal by calling 311 now have to attest they can receive services in English because of Bill 96. New provisions of the language law came into effect Thursday.
-
Only 2 in 10 women say they're very knowledgeable about abortion options: survey
As millions of women in the United States find themselves deprived of abortion services since Roe v Wade was overturned last year, a new survey suggests that a majority of women here (62 per cent) are now concerned about their reproductive rights in Canada.
London
-
Former Norwich, Ont. councillor welcomed to Toronto Pride month event
Alisha Stubbs, who resigned last week over what she called “blatant discrimination”, attended the unveiling of a Progress Flag in Toronto.
-
Man known to frequent London wanted on a Canada-wide warrant
OPP are looking for Matthew Daigneault — wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for a breach of statutory release. He is described as a white man about 6’ tall, 243 lbs, with a short/receding hairline.
-
VIDEO
VIDEO | A barn in Delaware went up in flames around 11 a.m.
According to London fire, Engine 9, Car 9 and Tanker 5 have all responded to the scene on Brigham Road.
Kitchener
-
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
CAUGHT ON CAMERA | Staff at Kitchener business thwart attempted robbery
Mallory Robinson says it was “a little more than [she] was expecting” when she arrived at work at her family's Kitchener business Wednesday morning.
-
Two injured in downtown Kitchener stabbing
Waterloo regional police say two people were sent to hospital after a stabbing in downtown Kitchener.
-
Fire rips through Kitchener townhomes, residents displaced
At least three units in a townhouse complex are damaged, displacing many residents, after a fire on Green Valley Drive in Kitchener on Wednesday afternoon.
Northern Ontario
-
Fire ban declared in northern Ontario
An open-air fire ban declared by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in the north due to extreme forest fire hazard went into effect at midnight.
-
North Bay monitoring creek after transport fire involving pool chemicals
The City of North Bay is monitoring chlorine levels in Chippewa Creek after fire run-off water from the transport fire entered storm sewers.
-
Blind River emergency room temporary closure averted
A planned closure due to doctor shortage in Blind River on Friday has been avoided, the North Shore Health Network says.
Ottawa
-
Two city employees fired following tips to Ottawa's fraud and waste hotline in 2022
The city of Ottawa fired two employees with "medical related duties" for submitting falsified vaccination status documents last year following a tip to the city's fraud and waste hotline, according to a new report from the city's auditor general.
-
HEAT WARNING
HEAT WARNING | Hottest June 1 in Ottawa history
The temperature hit 29.8 C at 11 a.m. Thursday, setting a record for the warmest June 1 in Ottawa’s history. The old record was 29.6 C, set back in 2011, according to Environment Canada.
-
Caldwell Family Centre moving out of west end location due to housing shortage
The Caldwell Family Centre is looking for a new home, after three decades of serving the Carlington community in Ottawa's west end.
Windsor
-
Windsor police officer appealing after conviction for freedom convoy donation
A Windsor police officer is appealing his discreditable conduct conviction and penalty for donating $50 to the Freedom Convoy.
-
Stellantis 'does not confirm' new Windsor EV battery plant deal
Stellantis does not confirm that a deal has been reached to secure the $5-billion NextStar Energy EV battery plant in Windsor.
-
Chatham family frantic to find their exotic pet
Sandy Webster has spent the most of this week driving around Chatham-Kent looking for her son’s 32-pound African Serval cat after it jumped through the screen door of her North Chatham home at 11 p.m. Sunday.
Barrie
-
Several people injured in multi-vehicle collision near Beaverton
Provincial police are at the scene of a serious multi-vehicle collision south of Beaverton.
-
Barrie police warn residents not to hug strangers after 'bizarre theft'
Police in Barrie are warning the public about a "bizarre theft" where the suspects targeted a senior on her property outside her home.
-
Bracebridge beach shuts down over safety concerns
A popular beach in Bracebridge is being temporarily shut down over safety concerns.
Atlantic
-
N.S. premier calls for urgent, proactive firefighting help from Ottawa
Premier Tim Houston repeated his calls for urgent firefighting help Thursday, asking Ottawa to “be proactive” with aid as multiple wildfires continue to burn out of control.
-
Waegwoltic Club burns in south-end Halifax
A historic athletic club in south-end Halifax is on fire.
-
New wildfire reported in Fall River, N.S.
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage says a new wildfire has been reported in the community of Fall River.
Calgary
-
Explosions erupt from southwest Calgary home's garage
Fire crews, along with police, are investigating after a double detached garage outside a southwest home burst into flames on Thursday morning.
-
Bucks for Bellflowers: Calgary man offers cash for bag's worth of invasive plant
A Calgary man is offering a cash reward to neighbours who dig up a bag full of Creeping Bellflower.
-
Didsbury senior rescued after 4 days missing in heavily-wooded area
Innisfail RCMP say a Didsbury woman who went missing for four days is in good spirits after being located by rescue teams.
Winnipeg
-
5-year-old drowns in remote fly-in Manitoba community: RCMP
RCMP in Thompson are investigating after a 5-year-old girl drowned in Brochet, Man. Wednesday evening.
-
Collapsed platform in Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar last repaired a decade ago: city
The elevated walkway in Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar that collapsed during a school field trip, sending 16 children and one adult to hospital, was last repaired a decade ago.
-
Search for missing teen has been suspended, family says
The search for a missing teen last seen more than a week ago in Winnipeg has been suspended after a body that has yet to be identified was found.
Vancouver
-
ICBC introduces new 'distance-based discount' for drivers
British Columbians who drive fewer than 10,000 kilometres a year are now eligible for a break on their insurance, according to ICBC.
-
Air Canada IT issue impacts flights to and from YVR
Some Air Canada flights to and from Vancouver International Airport were delayed or cancelled Thursday due to a technical issue with the airline.
-
B.C. to invest $17 million on science, Indigenous knowledge to restore Pacific salmon
The British Columbia government is adding $17.25 million for ongoing efforts to save declining populations of wild Pacific salmon.
Edmonton
-
2 Edmonton outdoor pools open for season, 2 more to open in following weeks
Thursday's overcast weather didn't stop Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Andrew Knack from turning up to Fred Broadstock Outdoor Pool's grand opening in swimming trunks, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
-
'If it floats we treat it as a boat': Residents reminded to use the North Saskatchewan River safely this summer
The City of Edmonton, Devon, and Fort Saskatchewan, along with local emergency organizations, are reminding residents to be safe when on or near the North Saskatchewan River this summer.
-
Krispy Kreme planning Alberta expansion, starting in Edmonton
Krispy Kreme will soon have a drive-thru and dine-in location in the Alberta capital, and that's just the beginning, the global doughnut giant and a local developer announced Thursday.