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politicians-must-not-pressure-health-canada-to-approve-rapid-covid-19-tests-freeland
CanadaSep 24, 2020

Politicians must not pressure Health Canada to approve rapid COVID-19 tests: Freeland

Health Canada says it can't provide any information about the status of any of the rapid-testing devices for COVID-19 it is reviewing. Pressure is mounting on the federal government to approve tests that can provide faster results as hospitals and public health agencies across Canada struggle to keep up with the demand for COVID-19 testing. Deputy Conservative leader Candice Bergen says the government promised in March that getting rapid tests was a priority and yet half a year later, there are still none in use in Canada. At least 14 such devices are under review by Health Canada but the dep
WorldSep 24, 2020

Crowd jeers as Trump pays respects at court to Ginsburg

President Donald Trump was booed as he paid respects to late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Trump and first lady Melania Trump, both wearing masks, went to the court Thursday and stood silently at the top of the steps of the court and looked down at Ginsburg's flag-draped coffin. Ginsburg's death has sparked a controversy over the balance of the court just weeks before the November presidential election. Trump is expected to name a replacement on Saturday. Moments after Trump arrived at the court, booing could be heard from spectators who then chanted ``Vote him out.''
home-prices-could-fall-7-per-cent-in-2021-hitting-prairies-hard-moodys-forecast
CanadaSep 24, 2020

Home prices could fall 7 per cent in 2021, hitting Prairies hard: Moody's forecast

Moody's Analytics, Inc. says home prices across Canada could tumble about seven per cent in 2021, as unemployment dampens the hot real estate market. The financial intelligence company says there is a dangerous oversupply of new, single-family homes in Calgary and Edmonton, on top of affordability issues in Vancouver and Toronto. Moody's report did not go into detail on how it created the forecasts, but says that its 2021 home price index also calls for a 6.7 per cent decrease for single-family homes and a 6.5 per cent decline in condo apartments. The prediction from Moody's comes after the C
jagmeet-singh-lauds-ndps-efforts-for-new-announced-benefits
CanadaSep 24, 2020

Jagmeet Singh lauds NDP's efforts for new announced benefits

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he is taking the Liberal government's move to increase the value of benefits for unemployed workers to $500 a week as a ``major win'' for his party. That was one of the demands the NDP issued in exchange for supporting the minority Liberal government on a confidence vote triggered by Wednesday's throne speech. Singh stopped short of saying the NDP will support the throne speech, saying the party is still negotiating with the Liberals on its second demand: paid sick leave. The Liberals need the support of at least one of the main opposition parties to avoid trigge
ontarios-new-testing-strategy-highlights-complexities-of-second-wave-experts
CanadaSep 24, 2020

Ontario's new testing strategy highlights complexities of second wave: experts

Medical experts say an abrupt shift in Ontario's testing strategy highlights the complexities of responding to a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier Doug Ford's government announced today that assessment centres would revert back to testing only symptomatic individuals, those who've come into contact with a case and those who work in high-risk settings. Testing for asymptomatic residents is available at up to 60 pharmacies by appointment starting on Friday. The move marks a sharp reversal from the message the government touted for months that anyone could obtain a test if they wante
liberals-propose-upping-value-of-new-covid-19-benefits-to-match-sunsetting-cerb
CanadaSep 24, 2020

Liberals propose upping value of new COVID-19 benefits to match sunsetting CERB

The value of weekly benefits for unemployed workers would rise to $500 a week under legislation the Liberals introduced today. The proposal still needs parliamentary approval, but would bring the value of payments to the same level as under the soon-to-disappear Canada Emergency Response Benefit.The same floor will be placed on employment insurance benefits for those eligible for the program.A bill to create the new benefits regime was introduced in the House of Commons this morning, with only a few days before the first wave of recipients max out the CERB.The Liberals first unveiled the pack
parliament-resumes-full-operations-today-with-debate-on-throne-speech
CanadaSep 24, 2020

Parliament resumes full operations today with debate on throne speech

The fate of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government hangs in the balance as Parliament resumes all normal operations today for the first time in six months.Opposition parties will give their official responses to Wednesday's speech from the throne but they've already signalled that Trudeau can't count on support from any of them to survive the eventual confidence vote and avoid plunging the country into an election in the midst of a second wave of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.The Conservatives were unequivocal: they will not support the throne speech.The Bloc Quebecois was
andrew-wilkinson-warns-surrey-residents-to-be-wary-of-ndps-promise-of-building-a-second-hospital-in-surrey
BCSep 24, 2020

Andrew Wilkinson warns Surrey residents to be wary of NDP’s promise of building a second hospital in Surrey

Opposition leader Andrew Wilkinson is warning Surrey residents to be cautious about the NDP’s pledge to build a second hospital in the city, saying voters should look beyond campaign announcements to see whether real progress is being made. Wilkinson argued that residents need details on timelines, funding approvals, and procurement steps before trusting the promise. The government says the project is moving through the province’s capital planning process – from concept plan to business case, then Treasury Board funding, followed by design and construction. Officials insist Surrey’s ra
thousands-dealing-with-stress-of-covid-19-self-isolation-b-c-health-officials-say
BCSep 24, 2020

Thousands dealing with stress of COVID-19 self-isolation, B.C. health officials say

British Columbia health officials say the number of COVID-19 cases across the province continues to be too high. Dr. Bonnie Henry and deputy health minister Stephen Brown say in a joint statement that thousands of residents are being forced to deal with the stress of self-isolating as a result of others not following proper COVID-19 safety precautions. They say everyone needs to follow the proper safety guidelines to ensure businesses and communities can remain open. B.C. announced 91 new cases on Wednesday for a total of 8,395. There are 1,376 active cases, with 62 people in hospital and 18

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BCJul 24, 2026

Woman fatally shot in Toronto's Etobicoke; suspect arrested, police say

A woman was fatally shot in Toronto's Etobicoke neighbourhood early Saturday morning, and a suspect has been arrested, according to Toronto Police. Police said officers responded to reports of a shooting at about 7:20 a.m. near Humberwood Boulevard and Rexdale Boulevard. The woman was found with gunshot injuries and was pronounced dead. Police have not publicly identified the victim or the accused, and the investigation remains ongoing. An eyewitness told media the victim appeared to be a woman in her early 20s and was walking from a nearby bus stop when a man approached her from behind, brief
BCJul 24, 2026

Surrey Council to Vote on Contract for 56 New Speed Bumps Near Schools and Parks

The City of Surrey is moving ahead with plans to install 56 new speed bumps near schools and parks as part of efforts to improve safety for children and pedestrians. Surrey City Council is scheduled to vote Monday on a contract to carry out the project. According to the council agenda, the project will be funded through the City's 2026 transportation budget. If approved, installation is expected to begin later this month, with work targeted for completion by the end of September ahead of the new school year. The proposed construction schedule would allow work to take place Monday through Frida
roundtable-to-examine-canadas-proposed-safe-social-media-act
EnglishJul 24, 2026

Roundtable to examine Canada's proposed Safe Social Media Act

The federal government is set to hold a roundtable discussion on Monday to examine the proposed Safe Social Media Act, known as Bill C-34, as consultations continue on new digital safety measures. According to the government, Canadian Culture Minister Mark Miller will co-chair the discussion with British Columbia Member of Parliament Patrick Weiler. The meeting is expected to focus on key provisions of the proposed legislation and broader digital safety regulations. The government introduced Bill C-34 in the House of Commons in June. The proposed legislation would prohibit children under the a
BCJul 24, 2026

Livingstone Avenue closed through the weekend in Abbotsford for Highway 1 widening project

Abbotsford Police have issued a traffic advisory as construction continues on the Highway 1 widening project through the Fraser Valley. According to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation, Livingstone Avenue in Abbotsford will be fully closed through the weekend. The closure begins Friday and is expected to remain in effect until Monday morning. The affected section extends from east of Mall Access Road to west of Gardner Park. According to Abbotsford Police, access to local businesses and residential properties will be maintained throughout the closure. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate
BCJul 24, 2026

Wildfire smoke degrades air quality across parts of B.C.; warnings remain in effect

Smoke from ongoing wildfires in British Columbia continues to reduce air quality across several parts of the province, with Kelowna experiencing hazardous conditions on Thursday. According to IQAir, Kelowna's Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeded 300 at one point Thursday afternoon, making it the city with the poorest air quality in the world during that period. Earlier in the week, Ashcroft recorded Canada's worst air quality on Monday morning. Environment Canada has maintained high-impact air quality warnings for several regions, including the Fraser Canyon, Merritt and Kelowna. The agency says w