Vaccinated travellers will no longer need a COVID-19 test to enter Canada as of Friday. The change is a departure from Canada's policy since the early days of the pandemic, and the struggling tourism industry describes it as a major boon. Travel agents say they've seen a surge in demand for flights since the change was announced two weeks ago. Domestic tourism groups also report a big bump in bookings over the last few weeks. While no test will be required after April 1 for people who are considered fully vaccinated, Health Canada still requires that anyone arriving from outside the country w

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says the brakes on a CP Rail locomotive failed due to cold temperatures, leading to a 2019 train derailment that killed three workers. The train was parked on a grade near Field, BC, when it started rolling. Investigators found it gained speed before 99 grain cars and two locomotives plummeted off a bridge. An inbound train engineer had warned the trainmaster of brake system irregularities, but due to inexperience and a lack of training, he did not see that they were problematic. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has released its findings into

One First Nations delegate who met with Pope Francis at the Vatican says he hopes the event marks the beginning of a new relationship. Chief Gerald Antoine, the head of the Assembly of First Nations delegation, says there is ``hope for change'' despite the collective grief and pain. The delegates were emotional as they walked out of the meeting, surrounded by the drumming of family and community members who waited in St. Peter's Square. They say they shared stories of residential schools and requested that the doctrine of discovery be rescinded and Indigenous lands returned. They also request

Toronto police have identified the woman whose dismembered body was found in a plastic bag Monday in the city's Leslieville neighbourhood. Homicide investigators identify the victim as 46-year-old Tien Ly of Toronto. Now, they are trying to locate her son, 20-year-old Dallas Ly. Investigators say they're concerned for his well-being based on evidence discovered in their apartment.

B.C. is reporting 291 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 356,252 cases in the province.There are 276 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 43 are in intensive care.In the past 24 hours, six new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,996.From March 22-28, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 17.7% of cases. From March 15-28, they accounted for 20.4% of hospitalizations.Past week cases (March 22-28) - Total 1,583Not vaccinated: 256 (16.2%)Partially vaccinated: 23 (1.5%)Fully vaccinated: 1,304 (82.3%)Past two weeks cases hospitalized (March 15-28) - Total 363Not vaccina

Nanaimo RCMP say they have made an arrest in the assault of a 19-year-old man last weekend but are continuing to investigate the incident as a possible hate crime. Police say they have received information that the victim was targeted early Sunday morning at a house party due to his sexual orientation. They say the victim was allegedly punched in the head, then thrown to the ground where he received several more punches before his friends intervened to stop the assault. The Mounties say a 19 year old man was arrested yesterday on one count of assault.

An inmate serving an indeterminate sentence for first-degree murder has died at the Pacific Institution in Abbotsford. Correctional Service Canada says Roy Dalen died last Sunday but it has not provided the cause. The service says Dalen had begun serving his sentence in July 2006. He was convicted in the 2005 stabbing death of his 62-year-old former mental-health social worker in a Richmond parkade.

Officials with the Calgary Stampede have begun the countdown to this year's Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Stampede president Steve McDonough today unveiled the poster for 2022's popular rodeo and exhibition. The poster, designed by 19-year-old artist Kane Pendry of Edmonton, captures the spirit of the rodeo's relay races. McDonough says, unlike last year, this will be a full event similar to pre-pandemic times. COVID-19 forced Stampede officials to scale back last year on the parade and other attractions. The popular chuckwagon races were cancelled. McDonough says there will be a full parad

The Alberta government has introduced a bill that would require new provincial court judges to be trained in sexual assault law and to recognize stereotypes that lead to prejudice and social bias against victims. All applicants would have to fulfil the educational requirement before they could become eligible to be appointed to the bench. The training would not apply to existing judges. Premier Jason Kenney says the law, if passed, would build public confidence in the justice system, better support victims and could encourage more reports of sexual assault. Similar legislation was introduced