The Prime Minister's Office says Justin Trudeau didn't try to tell the premiers what to do or cast blame as he held his 21st call of the pandemic with leaders. Later this morning at an Ottawa news conference, Trudeau is expected keep pushing the premiers to take tougher measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. Aides say Trudeau once again assured the premiers and territorial leaders that Ottawa will provide them with assistance so they can act now to protect everyone as cases surge across the country. Saskatchewan's Scott Moe says it was, ``extremely unhelpful'' for Trudeau to frame the issue

British Columbia's provincial health officer says contact tracers are ``stretched to the max'' and falling behind as they try to keep up with the province's growing COVID-19 infection rate. The latest modelling from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry came as B.C. surpassed 20,000 cases of COVID-19 with 1,130 new cases detected over two days and four more deaths. Dr. Henry says one infection can cause a cascade of trouble and used the example of a small wedding where 15 people became positive, 10 of those had additional household cases and one person spread it to a long-term care home

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says detailed information on the latest proposed COVID-19 aid programs for hard-hit businesses will be released in the fall fiscal update. Testifying before the Senate's national finance committee, which is reviewing Bill C-9, Freeland would not commit to monthly reports on pandemic spending. Bill C-9 would extend the federal wage subsidy until next summer, cancel a previously planned decline in its value and expand a popular business loan program. It would also revamp a widely criticized commercial rent relief program.

The company that operates nine casinos in BC, from Victoria, Nanaimo and Vancouver north to Dawson Creek, is defending its acceptance of a 3.3 billion dollar takeover by Apollo Global Management. Great Canadian Gaming, which also has holdings in Ontario and parts of the Maritimes, says Apollo has agreed to pay 39 dollars per share for the company, an offer that's roughly 35 per cent above Great Canadian's recent value. But many minority shareholders say they will vote against the deal, arguing it doesn't reflect the true value of the company, which some analysts have pegged as high as 1.1 bil

Toronto police say two men arrested in a weekend shooting now face first-degree murder charges after the death of a 12 year old boy who was hit by a stray bullet. Police had said the boy was out shopping with his mother on Saturday when two men allegedly shot at a moving vehicle in the area. A 17 year old boy and two men in the vehicle were wounded but released from hospital later. Police had said earlier this week that the 12 year old boy was in life-threatening condition. Rashawn Chambers, 24, and 25 year old Jahwayne Smart were arrested in connection with the shooting and each face 28 charg

The Liberal government is creating a new measure for young people in Hong Kong: a work permit designed to speed up the process toward permanent residency in Canada. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino is announcing the long-awaited plans to help people living in Hong Kong, including some 300,000 Canadians, amid the Chinese clampdown on democracy. Mendicino says any Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in the territory can return to Canada at any time and Ottawa will expedite any documents they need. Hong Kong was supposed to operate under a ``one-country, two-systems'' framework

A 30 year old British nurse accused of killing eight babies and trying to kill another 10 was remanded in custody today after a brief video court appearance. Lucy Letby was arrested Tuesday following an investigation into deaths at the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital, south of Liverpool. She has been arrested twice before in connection with the case, but released on bail pending further investigation. Letby is facing charges of murder and attempted murder relating to deaths that occurred between June of 2015 and June 2016.

The province with the largest per-capita caseload of active COVID-19 infections in the country is imposing new restrictions as of today. Manitoba is shutting down bars, museums and theatres, limiting restaurants to deliveries and curbside pickups and putting a cap on gatherings to five people. The province reported 5,676 active cases yesterday, and its deadliest day of the pandemic so far. Ontario recorded another record number of COVID-19 cases yesterday and Premier Doug Ford's government is set to unveil new modelling numbers later today. Health officials in BC will also unveil their latest

A pedestrian has been seriously injured in a collision in Surrey, BC. RCMP say the incident took place in the Cloverdale area around 4 pm yesterday. Mounties say the pedestrian's injuries could be life threatening and the driver was co-operative and remained at the scene. The investigation is in its early stages and police are interested in hearing from witnesses.