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federal-government-causing-a-covid-19-disaster-by-not-quickly-approving-rapid-testing-methods-erin-otoole
CanadaSep 17, 2020

Federal government causing a COVID-19 disaster by not quickly approving rapid testing methods: Erin O'Toole

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says the federal government is causing a COVID-19 disaster by not moving more quickly to approve rapid testing methods that are already in use in other countries. O'Toole and his family were tested this morning for COVID-19 through a program for MPs, after waiting for several hours to be tested in Ottawa Wednesday and having to give up. O'Toole, his wife Rebecca and their children Mollie and Jack are all in isolation after an O'Toole staff member he was travelling with tested positive for COVID-19 this week. Demand for COVID-19 testing has skyrocketed this wee
wage-subsidy-extension-into-2021-critical-for-tourism-sector-to-survive-industry
CanadaSep 17, 2020

Wage subsidy extension into 2021 critical for tourism sector to survive: industry

A coalition of organizations representing the tourism sector says the federal government must keep its wage-subsidy program in place well into next year for businesses with dire prospects for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. A coalition of organizations representing the tourism sector says the phasing out of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program could result in the loss of millions of jobs. The Coalition of Hardest Hit businesses says without the federal program covering as much as 75 per cent of wages, many tourism-related businesses simply won't survive. The president of the Hotel As
harsimrat-kaur-badal-resigns-from-union-cabinet-over-anti-farmer-legislation-capt-amarinder-singh-calls-the-deecision-a-part-of-long-chain-of-theatrics
IndiaSep 17, 2020

Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigns from union cabinet over `anti-farmer legislation'; Capt. Amarinder Singh calls the decision a part of long chain of theatrics

Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday resigned from Union Cabinet in protest against "anti-farmer ordinances and legislation".The resignation came soon after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal opposed the two farmer-related bills in the Lok Sabha. SAD is an ally of ruling National Democratic Alliance at the Centre and in Punjab."I have resigned from Union Cabinet in protest against anti-farmer ordinances and legislation. Proud to stand with farmers as their daughter and sister," Harsimrat Kaur Badal said in a tweet.The two bills seek to replace two ordinan
post-secondary-students-paying-for-inaccessible-services-as-they-study-online
CanadaSep 17, 2020

Post-secondary students paying for inaccessible services as they study online

The Canadian Federation of Students is crying foul over fees post-secondary institutions are charging for services and facilities students can't use. With classes having moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many students aren't on campuses to visit libraries and athletic centres, if they're even open.The federation's deputy chairperson Nicole Brayiannis says the fees are an added burden on young people who have been left behind throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.The federation is calling on the federal government to provide immediate financial support for post-secondary students.Universit
BCSep 17, 2020

200-member B.C. crew off to Oregon wildfires, 200 more may be assigned: Premier

Two hundred British Columbia firefighters are heading to Oregon to help with devastating wildfires in that state.A joint statement from the premier's office and the Ministry of Forests says the firefighters and related personnel are being sent to Redmond, Ore. 'It also says discussions are underway with officials in Oregon and Washington state regarding deployment of another 200-member contingent from B.C. All the firefighters are BC Wildfire Service employees and officials say they will work separately from U.S. crews given the challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.Premier John Horgan says
b-c-government-set-to-release-plan-to-recharge-economy-after-covid-19-blow
BCSep 17, 2020

B.C. government set to release plan to recharge economy after COVID-19 blow

The British Columbia government is expected to reveal how it plans to stimulate an economic rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier John Horgan and Finance Minister Carole James are scheduled to release details today of the $1.5-billion economic recovery plan.Last week, James announced the province's most recent financial numbers from April to June project an economic decline of 6.7 per cent for this year.She said the budget is forecast to post a deficit of almost $13 billion for the 2020-21 fiscal year.The Opposition Liberals have accused the NDP government of being too slow in respondin
fraser-health-now-reporting-covid-19-exposures-at-schools-122-new-cases-reported-in-b-c
BCSep 17, 2020

Fraser Health now reporting COVID-19 exposures at schools; 122 new cases reported in B.C.

Families with school-age children in British Columbia will soon be able to go to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control website for information about COVID-19 outbreaks and exposure events at schools. A joint statement from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix says the site already links to notifications from Fraser Health and other health authorities will follow. Dr. Elizabeth Brodkin, Fraser Health's interim chief medical health officer, says the new page that reports COVID-19 exposures in schools is part of an effort to correct inaccurate details on social
yoshihide-suga-named-japans-prime-minister-succeeding-abe
WorldSep 16, 2020

Yoshihide Suga named Japan's prime minister, succeeding Abe

Japan's Parliament has elected Yoshihide Suga as prime minister, replacing long-serving leader Shinzo Abe with his right-hand man. Suga bowed deeply several times when the results were announced in parliament's powerful lower house. Suga, who was chief Cabinet secretary and the top government spokesman under Abe, selected a Cabinet that is a mix of fresh faces and current or former ministers. He has promised to serve the interests of ordinary people and rural communities. Suga says he will pursue Abe's unfinished policies and that his priorities will be fighting the coronavirus and turning ar
president-trump-issues-disaster-declaration-for-oregon-wildfires
WorldSep 16, 2020

President Trump issues disaster declaration for Oregon wildfires

President Donald Trump has issued an emergency declaration for Oregon due to the deadly wildfires that have burned across the state and federal officials have also declared a public health emergency as dangerous, smoky conditions continue. The major disaster declaration, issued late Tuesday, allows a range of federal help for people and public infrastructure affected by the blazes. The public health emergency declaration will give hospitals and other organizations in Oregon more flexibility in meeting the needs of people who are on Medicare and Medicaid. Authorities say more than 1,140 reside

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quebec-anticorruption-unit-opens-criminal-probe-into-provincial-liberal-party
CanadaDec 10, 2025

Quebec anticorruption unit opens criminal probe into provincial Liberal Party

Quebec’s anticorruption police force has launched a criminal investigation into the provincial Liberal Party, adding to a period of internal turmoil for the long-standing political organization. A spokesperson for the force confirmed the probe today but declined to provide details, citing the active nature of the case. The confirmation follows disclosures last month that investigators were reviewing allegations of wrongdoing to determine whether a formal investigation was warranted. The decision to proceed suggests authorities found sufficient grounds to examine the matter further. The Liber
burnaby-rcmp-warns-residents-after-rise-in-distraction-style-jewelry-thefts
BCDec 10, 2025

Burnaby RCMP warns residents after rise in distraction-style jewelry thefts

Burnaby RCMP is alerting residents to a series of distraction thefts reported across the city since mid November. Police say ten incidents have been confirmed since November 13, prompting a reminder for the public to remain cautious in busy public areas and parking lots. The detachment’s Community Response Team is leading the investigation and believes groups of offenders are targeting victims by first asking for directions or pretending to need medical help. Police say the suspects – often described as one man and two women – use conversation as a way to get close before attempting to r
recall-petition-launched-against-alberta-premier-danielle-smith-and-two-cabinet-ministers
AlbertaDec 10, 2025

Recall petition launched against Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and two cabinet ministers

Elections Alberta has approved recall petitions targeting Premier Danielle Smith and two members of her cabinet, marking the latest wave of challenges under the province’s recall legislation. The petitions, issued this week, add to a growing list of United Conservative Party MLAs facing organized campaigns in their constituencies. Heather VanSnick, the applicant behind the recall effort in Brooks–Medicine Hat, alleges the premier has not meaningfully engaged with residents or subject-matter experts when shaping provincial policy. She also argues that recent government decisions have contri
canada-prepares-to-name-new-u-s-envoy-as-next-phase-of-trade-talks-approaches
CanadaDec 10, 2025

Canada prepares to name new U.S. envoy as next phase of trade talks approaches

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s next ambassador to the United States will have time to get up to speed before North America’s trade relationship enters a new round of negotiations. Carney told reporters that federal consultations on the renewal of the Canada–U.S.–Mexico Agreement have wrapped up, while officials in Washington are only beginning their own review. He said the three-country assessment of the trade pact is expected to intensify in the new year, a process that could carry major implications for Western Canada’s transportation corridors, agriculture exports, and m
author-sophie-kinsella-known-for-global-shopaholic-series-dies-at-55
WorldDec 10, 2025

Author Sophie Kinsella, known for global ‘Shopaholic’ series, dies at 55

Sophie Kinsella, the British writer whose lighthearted “Shopaholic” novels gained an international readership, has died at the age of 55. Her family confirmed that she passed away this week after living with brain cancer, a diagnosis she made public in 2024. Kinsella, born Madeleine Wickham, became widely recognized for her comic writing style and her ability to connect with readers through stories about everyday pressures, financial missteps, and modern relationships. Beginning in 2000, her “Shopaholic” series grew into 10 bestselling titles that reached audiences across Europe and No