Celine Dion suffering from rare neurological disorder, won't resume world tour
Legendary Canadian singer Celine Dion says she suffering from Moersch-Woltman syndrome, a rare neurological disease causing muscle spasms.
As a result, The Quebec-born vocalist will not resume her world tour in Europe next February.
Dion, 54, made the announcement in an emotional video posted to Instagram Thursday morning.
"I've been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through," she said, holding back tears.
- READ MORE: What is stiff person syndrome? The rare neurological disorder affecting Celine Dion explained
The pop icon's spring 2023 shows have been postponed to 2024 and her summer 2023 shows have been cancelled.
Dion had previously cancelled some North American shows, citing health issues.
Dion said Moersch-Woltman syndrome, also called stiff-person syndrome, has affected "every aspect of her daily life," including causing difficulty walking.
The disease also affects her singing.
"[It doesn't allow] me to use my vocal chords and sing the way I'm used to," she explained.
LISTEN ON CJAD 800 RADIO: Dr. Mitch Shulman discusses the symptoms of stiff-person syndrome
The singer plans to return to the stage when her health permits. She reportedly sees an occupational therapist daily, and has the support of a team of doctors, as well as her children.
"I miss you all so much," said the woman behind such hits as All by Myself and It's All Coming Back to Me Now.
"I can't wait to be onstage talking to you in person."
FANS SEND WELL WISHES
Celine Dion's announcement was met with an outpouring of support from fans, including the Quebec premier.
"We're very sad about Celine Dion. Of course we hope that she gets well as soon as possible," Francois Legault said in a Quebec City press scrum Thursday morning.
"We're so proud of her," he added, noting that Dion is from Charlemagne, Que., a town in his riding of l'Assomption.
Fans took to social media Thursday to voice their support for the beloved singer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's new anti-Islamophobia representative apologizes for comments about Quebecers
Canada's new special representative on combating Islamophobia says she is sorry that her words have hurt Quebecers.
Former CBC journalist dies after random attack on Toronto street, new suspect photo released
A long-time CBC radio producer who was the victim of a random assault in Toronto last week has died, the public broadcaster confirms.
Candice Bergen, former interim Conservative leader, resigning from Parliament
Candice Bergen, the former interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, is resigning from Parliament.
Mexico zoo director killed, cooked 4 pygmy goats for party
The former director of a zoo in southern Mexico killed four of the zoo's pygmy goats and served them up at a Christmas-season party, authorities said.The former director of a zoo in southern Mexico killed four of the zoo's pygmy goats and served them up at a Christmas-season party, authorities said.
Republican-led panel targets U.S. COVID relief dollars for review
U.S. House Republicans on Wednesday began their promised aggressive oversight of the Biden administration, focusing on what watchdogs described as 'indications of widespread fraud' in federal coronavirus aid programs initiated under then-president Donald Trump.
Food prices set to increase -- again -- as blackout on price hikes ends at some stores
Higher grocery prices are expected to hit stores across Canada soon as a blackout on price increases over the holiday season comes to an end.
Video shows car driving through Vaughan, Ont. mall during 'absolutely insane' break-in
Police have released a video of a driver who smashed a vehicle through the doors of Vaughan, Ont. mall early Wednesday before allegedly breaking into an electronics store.
'Immediately stop' wearing these sweaters and hoodies, Health Canada warns
Nearly 130,000 Helly Hansen sweaters and hoodies have been recalled in Canada due to flammability concerns.
Liberals set to introduce law delaying expansion of medically assisted dying regime
The federal government is expected to introduce a law as early as Thursday to delay the extension of medically assisted dying eligibility to people whose sole underlying condition is a mental disorder.
Toronto
-
61-year-old man charged with attempted murder after baby seriously injured in Markham, Ont. hotel
York Regional Police have charged a family member of a two-month-old baby after the infant was found seriously injured in a Markham hotel on Tuesday.
-
Former CBC journalist dies after random attack on Toronto street, new suspect photo released
A long-time CBC radio producer who was the victim of a random assault in Toronto last week has died, the public broadcaster confirms.
-
Video shows car driving through Vaughan, Ont. mall during 'absolutely insane' break-in
Police have released a video of a driver who smashed a vehicle through the doors of Vaughan, Ont. mall early Wednesday before allegedly breaking into an electronics store.
Atlantic
-
$31-million lottery ticket sold in Cape Breton, largest win ever in the Maritimes
Atlantic Lottery says someone in Cape Breton has a record-breaking, multimillion-dollar winning lottery ticket.
-
Nova Scotia signs $365-million, 10-year contract for digital medical record system
The Nova Scotia government has entered into a $365-million, 10-year agreement with a health technology firm for the design and management of a digital medical record program first announced more than seven years ago.
-
Sudden deaths of man, woman in Saint John aren't considered criminal: police
Police say the sudden deaths of two people in Saint John, N.B., on Monday don’t appear to be criminal in nature.
London
-
Former teacher found guilty of child porn charges remorseful at sentencing hearing
A former London elementary school teacher told the court how his life spiralled out of control before pleading guilty to child pornography charges.
-
Vehicle plows through storefront in northwest London
No injuries are reported after a vehicle plowed through the front of a building in London on Wednesday morning.
-
'Miracles do happen': Parents of toddler who fell into pool grateful to community
Gillian Burnett was almost finished her work day on Jan. 24 when she received a terrifying call about her young son. Waylon, 20-months-old, was found submerged in an outdoor pool at a home daycare near Petrolia, Ont.
Northern Ontario
-
Car, train collide in Sudbury, two people in hospital in stable condition
Two people are in Health Sciences North in stable condition following a collision Sunday in Sudbury between a train and a vehicle.
-
Alberta police believe 'Dances With Wolves' star may have abused local victims
Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service officials are encouraging any local victims to come forward following the arrest of actor Nathan Lee Chasing Horse in Las Vegas on sex assault charges.
-
'Immediately stop' wearing these sweaters and hoodies, Health Canada warns
Nearly 130,000 Helly Hansen sweaters and hoodies have been recalled in Canada due to flammability concerns.
Calgary
-
Alberta police believe 'Dances With Wolves' star may have abused local victims
Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service officials are encouraging any local victims to come forward following the arrest of actor Nathan Lee Chasing Horse in Las Vegas on sex assault charges.
-
Former Alta. premier Kenney joining Bennett Jones law firm as senior advisor
A second key player of Alberta's last government revealed their landing spot on Wednesday: former premier Jason Kenney is joining Bennett Jones' Calgary office.
-
9 Calgary restaurants named among the most romantic in Canada for 2023
Calgarians considering celebrating Valentine's Day with a meal at a local eatery have plenty to choose from, including nine named among the most romantic in Canada.
Kitchener
-
Waterloo Region’s encampment court ruling sends 'very strong message' to cities across the province
A precedent-setting ruling on Kitchener's homeless encampment could have a lasting impact on cities across Ontario.
-
Once-in-a-lifetime chance to see rare comet Wednesday night
A once in a lifetime event will pass through the sky Wednesday night, as a comet known as C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will be at its closest point to Earth.
-
Region of Waterloo announces warming centres amid cool February temperatures
As temperatures continue to drop following a mild January, the Region of Waterloo announced designated warming centres that will be open throughout February.
Vancouver
-
B.C. man was 'effectively asleep' when he stabbed wife in back, judge rules
A B.C. man who stabbed his wife in the back was acquitted of aggravated assault after a judge found he was likely to have been "effectively asleep" at the time.
-
B.C. leads Canada in race to protect citizen’s personal information from cybersecurity threats
A dozen Canadian ministers quietly met in Vancouver last week to brainstorm better online protections for the private information of citizens.
-
EV battery catches fire after being 'ejected' during crash in Richmond
The battery of an electric vehicle "ejected and combusted" after a crash in Richmond Tuesday afternoon, according to police.
Edmonton
-
Former Alta. premier Kenney joining Bennett Jones law firm as senior advisor
A second key player of Alberta's last government revealed their landing spot on Wednesday: former premier Jason Kenney is joining Bennett Jones' Calgary office.
-
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's former top doctor, hired by B.C. public health service
Alberta's former chief medical officer of health has landed a new role in British Columbia. Dr. Deena Hinshaw was named a deputy provincial health officer for B.C. on Wednesday.
-
Bell pulled out of Alberta church by thieves using vehicles: police
Police are investigating after the bell was stolen from St. Mary's Church in Holden, Alta., causing significant damage to the building.
Windsor
-
Head-on crash turns fatal in Chatham-Kent
Chatham-Kent police say a Windsor man has died after a head-on crash in Chatham-Kent.
-
Windsor senior defrauded $15K in grandparent scam
Windsor police are seeking to identify a suspect who allegedly defrauded an elderly victim out of $15,000 through the prevalent “grandparent scam.”
-
Attempted break-in suspect caught on camera
Windsor police have released surveillance footage of a suspect wanted for two attempted break-ins in the city’s east end.
Regina
-
Over 20 EMS positions to be added in Regina: province
The Government of Saskatchewan announced it will be adding 24.5 full-time equivalent positions to Regina EMS.
-
All eyes on Connor Bedard as Calgary Hitmen host Regina Pats
Connor Bedard has arrived in Calgary ahead of what's expected to be a completely full Scotiabank Saddledome when the Calgary Hitmen and Regina Pats square off.
-
Feds caught off guard by Saskatchewan 'unforeseen' request for COVID-19 help
Public Safety Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces were caught off guard by a request for help from Saskatchewan during the height of the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ottawa
-
Rideau Canal Skateway will not open for start of Winterlude, NCC says
While crews have resumed operations in an attempt to open the Rideau Canal Skateway for its 53rd season, an NCC spokesperson tells CTV News Ottawa the canal will not open in time for the first weekend of Winterlude on Friday.
-
Man suspended from driving since 1986 caught driving in Ottawa
Ottawa police say a man who hasn't been allowed to drive since Top Gun was in theatres was pulled over in Ottawa last week.
-
'This is a tight budget:' City of Ottawa tables draft spending plan
The city of Ottawa has tabled a belt-tightening draft budget amid increasing financial pressures.
Saskatoon
-
Man accused in Saskatoon killing uses social media to 'terrorize' victim's family, mother says
A man accused of killing his girlfriend is sending harassing social media messages to her family over social media — even though he's in jail.
-
'I feel we are forgotten': Saskatoon long term care residents speak out about staff shortages
Residents of a Saskatoon care home are speaking out about staff shortages and broken equipment in their facility.
-
Saskatoon landlord expects family of man killed in apartment to clean up his blood
Thirty-seven-year-old Adam Willet was found dead in his apartment on 7th Street East in December, and his family says they are now on the hook for cleaning the suite.