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westjet-asks-minister-for-labour-code-exemptions-affecting-layoffs
CanadaMay 22, 2020

WestJet asks minister for labour code exemptions affecting layoffs

WestJet Airlines Ltd. says it has asked the federal labour minister for an exemption to Canada Labour Code provisions to facilitate group terminations. The company said in an email the exemption would give it flexibility “to act in a timely manner” amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has tanked travel demand across the globe. The April 27 letter to Labour Minister Filomena Tassi, signed by vice-president Mark Porter and obtained by The Canadian Press, states that WestJet expects to cut some employees and that the provisions are “seriously detrimental” to its operations and “unduly pre
second-wave-of-covid-19-could-sweep-back-into-bc-12-more-cases-reported
BCMay 22, 2020

"Second wave of COVID-19 could sweep back into BC", 12 more cases reported

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says chances are that a second wave of COVID-19 could sweep back into BC along with other colds and flu in the fall. Dr. Henry says they've been watching a similar pattern elsewhere and because the virus hasn't been wiped out in the province, there is potential for it to rapidly take off. She says in South Korea the virus spread to hundreds of people through nightclubs. 12 new COVID-19 cases reported Twelve more people have tested positive for the virus in BC for a total of 2,479, while2,020 have fully recovered. Three more people have died, bri
b-c-s-minimum-wage-increase-of-75-cents-will-go-ahead-as-planned-minister
BCMay 21, 2020

B.C.'s minimum wage increase of 75 cents will go ahead as planned: Minister

British Columbia businesses devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic will still have to pay a scheduled increase in the minimum wage next month just as many are struggling to get back in operation. Labour Minister Harry Bains says the province will push ahead with the planned minimum wage increase on June 1 to $14.60 per hour from $13.85 an hour. He says the lowest paid workers need money in their pockets to help them support their livelihoods and contribute more dollars to local businesses. Bains says B.C.'s economic restart plan launched this week after steady declines in COVID-19 cases aims to
28-military-members-test-positive-for-covid-19
CanadaMay 21, 2020

28 military members test positive for COVID-19

The Canadian Armed Forces says 28 military members have tested positive for COVID-19 after being deployed to help at long-term care facilities in Ontario and Quebec. That represents a dramatic increase from the five cases announced last week. The number include 12 new cases in Ontario and 16 in Quebec. The military says nearly 1,700 members of the Forces are working in nursing homes, where regular staff have been overwhelmed by the novel coronavirus. Members are working in 25 long-term care homes in Quebec and in five in Ontario. Most are in support roles such as cleaning, serving food and as
quebec-day-camps-to-operate-as-of-late-june-with-covid-19-distancing-measures
CanadaMay 21, 2020

Quebec day camps to operate as of late June with COVID-19 distancing measures

The Quebec government will allow children's day camps to open on June 22 with physical distancing measures due to COVID-19. Premier Francois Legault told reporters in Montreal today that camps will proceed with smaller groups of children, and he encouraged teenagers and young adults to apply for counsellor jobs. The premier says the province hasn't ruled out providing help for municipalities and groups that run the camps and will have to double staffing to meet public health guidelines. Legault says the province is also looking to open up public pools, but authorities say sleep-away summer
bc-liberals-reaffirm-call-for-ppe-funding-to-protect-workers
BCMay 21, 2020

BC Liberals reaffirm call for PPE funding to protect workers

Over a week since Official Opposition Leader Andrew Wilkinson called on the provincial government to help with funding toprovide access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for small businesses, the BC Liberals are again pushing John Horgan for action. “Last Tuesday I wrote to Premier Horgan hoping to get his support for funding PPE access for small businesses and non-profits looking to safely reopenbut we have yet to see any action on this important requirement for safely restarting our economy,” said Wilkinson. "Without help to buy required PPE and safety upgrades, local businesses a
trudeau-pledges-help-to-increase-covid-19-testing-in-ontario-and-quebec
CanadaMay 21, 2020

Trudeau pledges help to increase COVID-19 testing in Ontario and Quebec

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he will be speaking with the premiers today about how Ottawa can help provinces massively scale up their COVID-19 testing capacity to fend off a potential second wave of the novel coronavirus. He says testing needs to increase immediately in Ontario and Quebec, where the economies are starting to reopen but the number of new COVID-19 cases remains high. Trudeau first offered provinces a national framework on testing and contact tracing last week. He says he's received positive responses from across Canada so far and is set to further discuss the offer during
trudeau-promises-75m-more-for-off-reserve-indigenous-services
CanadaMay 21, 2020

Trudeau promises $75M more for off-reserve Indigenous services

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is sending $75 million to organizations that help Indigenous people living in urban areas and off reserves through the COVID-19 pandemic. The government had previously promised $15 million in funding for services such as counselling, health care, food and supportive housing.More than a million Indigenous people live in cities or off reserves, Trudeau says, and they deserve good services that are culturally appropriate.The Liberals have promised $290 million for organizations representing First Nations, Metis and Inuit people, primarily
masks-problematic-for-asthmatic-autistic-hearing-impaired-people
CanadaMay 21, 2020

Masks problematic for asthmatic, autistic, hearing-impaired people

Autism Canada and Asthma Canada are just two of the organizations raising issues about the wearing of face masks. Even as she was encouraging people to wear masks in public to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam warned people not to judge those who can't wear them. Asthma Canada's president says wearing a mask can trigger asthma symptoms.Autism Canada says adults and children who have trouble with sensory processing, as well as tactile, olfactory and nervous-system hypersensitivity could face serious challenges in wearing a mask.Deaf and hearing-impair

Just In

new-charges-laid-against-two-men-in-surrey-extortion-and-shooting-case
BCJun 25, 2026

New Charges Laid Against Two Men in Surrey Extortion and Shooting Case

Surrey Police have laid additional charges against 20-year-old Harshdeep Singh and 21-year-old Hanspreet Singh in connection with an extortion and shooting investigation. The new charges include discharging a firearm and possessing a loaded weapon. The two men were arrested on January 26 shortly after shots were fired at a home near 129 Street and 84 Avenue in Surrey. Officers conducting patrols under the Surrey Police Service's Project Assurance program spotted and stopped a suspicious vehicle in the area and arrested the two suspects. A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of a loaded ha
AlbertaJun 25, 2026

Heavy Rain Warning Issued for Central Alberta

Environment Canada says heavy rainfall expected across central Alberta this weekend could lead to overland flooding, road washouts and damage to infrastructure. Forecasters are predicting up to 60 millimetres of rain between Friday evening and Sunday. The agency noted that an unusually wet June has already left the ground saturated, increasing the risk of flooding. Environment Canada also warned that another weather system is expected to move into the region early next week, potentially bringing even more heavy rainfall and worsening conditions. Residents are being advised to monitor weather
powerful-earthquake-strikes-venezuela-massive-casualties-feared
WorldJun 25, 2026

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Venezuela, Massive Casualties Feared

A powerful earthquake has struck the South American nation of Venezuela, causing widespread destruction. Two strong tremors measuring 7.1 and 7.5 in magnitude hit within a minute of each other, leading to severe damage across several areas. According to reports, numerous buildings and homes have collapsed. Authorities have confirmed hundreds of deaths, while thousands of people have been injured. Officials fear that the death toll could exceed 10,000 as many people are still believed to be trapped under the rubble. The strong tremors were felt west of Venezuela's capital, Caracas, where sever
carney-trump-speak-by-phone-ahead-of-nato-summit-next-month
CanadaJun 25, 2026

Carney, Trump speak by phone ahead of NATO summit next month

Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone conversation Wednesday ahead of next month's NATO summit, according to the Prime Minister's Office. The Prime Minister's Office confirmed the call in a one-line statement but did not disclose the topics discussed by the two leaders. Carney and Trump are expected to meet during the annual NATO summit, scheduled for July 7 and 8 in Ankara, Turkey. The meeting comes as NATO allies continue discussions on defence spending and broader security priorities. Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is also visiting Canada from Thursd
senior-leaders-of-edmonton-based-infantry-battalion-removed-amid-investigation
AlbertaJun 24, 2026

Senior leaders of Edmonton-based infantry battalion removed amid investigation

The Department of National Defence says two senior leaders of a respected Armed Forces battalion have been removed pending an investigation. It says Lt.-Col. Jason Hudson and chief warrant officer Kim Doerr have been temporarily removed from their positions with 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Hudson was the Edmonton-based unit's commanding officer. The Defence Department is sharing few details about the probe but says authority figures are expected to display good judgment and conduct. It says the 3rd Canadian Division, which oversees all Forces operations across W