14.95°C Vancouver

News

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
pm-trudeau-says-the-second-wave-of-covid-19-is-underway-across-the-country
CanadaSep 24, 2020

PM Trudeau says, the second wave of COVID-19 is underway across the country

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the second wave of COVID-19 is already underway across the country. He says the numbers are clear with more than a thousand new cases yesterday. Trudeau says families won't likely be able to gather for Thanksgiving, but it's not too late to save Christmas. He says we need to keep wearing masks, use the government's exposure-alert app and obey public health instructions. Trudeau made his comments after the throne speech in an address to Canadians on the state of the pandemic.
canada-reported-an-average-of-1-123-new-covid-19-cases-per-day-over-the-past-week-dr-theresa-tam
CanadaSep 23, 2020

Canada reported an average of 1,123 new COVID-19 cases per day over the past week: Dr. Theresa Tam

Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says the increase in COVID-19 cases in the past week is a cause for real concern. Dr. Tam says there was an average of 1,123 new cases per day over the past week, up from 380 cases in mid-August. She says the country is on track for what she calls a big resurgence in several provinces. While most of the new cases are in young adults, Tam points out the impacts affect everyone. Quebec reported 471 new cases today and Ontario 335.
WorldSep 23, 2020

Series of attacks on security checkpoints by Taliban, 28 Afghan policemen killed

Officials say the Taliban have killed 28 Afghan policemen in a series of attacks on security checkpoints in southern Uruzgan province. A Taliban spokesman says the group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. He says the attacks were carried out late on Tuesday after the police refused to surrender. The violence comes even as Taliban leaders and Afghan government-appointed negotiators are holding historic peace talks in Qatar, a Mideast country where the Taliban have set up a political office after the U.S. led invasion toppled them from power in Afghanistan. The negotiations are meant t
critically-injured-man-may-have-lain-for-hours-before-help-called-vancouver-police
BCSep 23, 2020

Critically injured man may have lain for hours before help called: Vancouver police

Police say an injured man may have been attacked and left lying in a Vancouver park for hours before help was called. Const. Tania Visintin says an unknown person called paramedics about the victim and he was rushed to hospital after being found unresponsive in Strathcona Park on Monday. Visintin says hospital staff alerted police to the suspected assault and the man remains in critical but stable condition. A statement from police says he may have been on the ground for up to 12 hours before help was called. Investigators haven't been able to identify the victim and say he's in his late 20s,

Just In

rustad-backs-alberta-pipeline-project-criticizes-b-c-governments-opposition
BCJun 26, 2026

Rustad Backs Alberta Pipeline Project, Criticizes B.C. Government's Opposition

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad has thrown his support behind Alberta's proposed pipeline project, which is expected to submit its application by July 1. He said the British Columbia government should support the project instead of standing in its way. Criticizing Premier David Eby, Rustad argued that the pipeline is not just an Alberta project but one that would benefit all of Canada and could help address British Columbia's economic challenges. According to Rustad, the project would create real jobs, particularly in northern B.C., where the forestry sector has been struggling in
rcmp-investigating-stabbing-near-port-place-mall-in-nanaimo
BCJun 26, 2026

RCMP Investigating Stabbing Near Port Place Mall in Nanaimo

The Nanaimo RCMP are investigating a stabbing that occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at a bus stop near Port Place Mall. Police, firefighters and BC Emergency Health Services responded to the scene. Upon arrival, officers found an adult male suffering from a stab wound to his arm. Bystanders and frontline officers provided emergency first aid before the victim was transported to hospital for treatment. Investigators have determined that the incident took place near a row of benches on the south side of Port Place Mall, across from the downtown bus exchange on Fro
CanadaJun 26, 2026

Ontario Announces Major Changes to Immigrant Nominee Program

The Ontario government has announced major reforms to its Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Under the new changes, the existing eight immigration streams will be consolidated into four, making the process clearer and easier for both applicants and employers. The first new pathway, the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, is being launched to provide eligible foreign workers with a new route to permanent residency (PR). A key feature of the new stream is greater flexibility for applicants to work in related occupations. For example, a nurse will be able to work as a Personal Support Worke
indo-pacific-key-to-canadas-trade-diversification-strategy-maninder-sidhu
CanadaJun 26, 2026

Indo-Pacific Key to Canada's Trade Diversification Strategy: Maninder Sidhu

Canada's International Trade Minister, Maninder Sidhu, says the Indo-Pacific region is critical to the country's efforts to increase exports beyond the United States and diversify its trade markets. Sidhu recently led a 300-member business delegation on a four-day visit to Japan, marking Canada's largest-ever trade mission to the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-Pacific is home to Canada's three largest trading partners in the region-China, Japan and South Korea. However, Canada's efforts to expand trade and investment ties there have not always achieved the desired results. Sidhu noted that pre
japanese-prime-minister-sanae-takaichi-to-visit-india-from-july-1-to-3
IndiaJun 26, 2026

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to Visit India from July 1 to 3

At the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will pay an official visit to New Delhi from July 1 to July 3. During the visit, she and Prime Minister Modi will jointly chair the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit. This will be Prime Minister Takaichi's first official visit to India and is being seen as an important step in further strengthening ties between the two countries. The meeting comes at a significant time, amid indications of possible changes in the U.S. administration's policy toward the Indo-Pacific region. According to India's Minist