CanadaMay 27, 2020
Many health and safety issues to be tackled before an in-person G-7 meeting: PM Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says there are many health and safety issues to be tackled before there can be an in-person gathering of G-7 leaders. President Donald Trump is pushing the idea of having leaders meet in or near Washington sometime next month. While Trudeau says that would be more effective than a virtual meeting, he wants to make sure the US has a plan to deal with the potential COVID-19 risk first and consider whether he'd have to quarantine for two weeks afterwards.
CanadaMay 27, 2020
Military report on Quebec senior homes says conditions difficult but improving
The military's report into its mission inside Quebec's long-term care homes reveals many facilities in the network continue to struggle to bring down the number of COVID-19 infections.Members of the Canadian Armed Forces noted that upon arrival they found a widespread lack of personnel and high absenteeism, which they said negatively affected patient hygiene.Other issues they found included problems with distribution of personal protective equipment, disappearing medical supplies and residents circulating within facilities without protective equipment.But the report released today is less crit
BCMay 27, 2020
Huawei executive loses court ruling, extradition case continues
A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled against a Huawei executive wanted on fraud charges in the United States. Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes says in a decision released today that the allegations against Meng Wanzhou could constitute a crime in Canada. The ruling means the court will continue to hear other arguments in the extradition case, including whether Meng's arrest at the Vancouver airport in December 2018 was unlawful. It also means Meng will not be permitted to return to China and must remain in Canada. The allegations against Meng, who is Huawei's chief financial officer and
CanadaMay 27, 2020
29 national parks to reopen June 1 after COVID-19 closure
Twenty-nine national parks, including Banff in Alberta and Pacific Rim in B-C, will reopen to visitors on June 1st.Minister of Environment Jonathan Wilkinson says the parks will open for day use, and washrooms will be open.All national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas have been closed for weeks to slow the spread of COVID-19.In Banff, the town and many of its businesses have been preparing to reopen June 1st.The town's council recently decided to close two blocks of its often-crowded main street, Banff Avenue to vehicle traffic to make more room for pedestrians.Banff is the
CanadaMay 27, 2020
Canada reports less than 1,000 COVID-19 cases for the first time in weeks
There are 86,648 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada. Quebec: 48,598 confirmed (including 4,139 deaths, 14,999 resolved) Ontario: 26,191 confirmed (including 2,123 deaths, 19,958 resolved) Alberta: 6,901 confirmed (including 139 deaths, 6,048 resolved) British Columbia: 2,541 confirmed (including 161 deaths, 2,122 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,052 confirmed (including 59 deaths, 976 resolved) Saskatchewan: 634 confirmed (including 8 deaths, 549 resolved) Manitoba: 281 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 269 resolved), 11 presumptive Newfoundland and Labrador: 260 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 25
BCMay 27, 2020
Vancouver shortlisted among other cities with a chance to host NHL games
Vancouver could be host to NHL games under a proposal announced by the league to resume a 24 team playoff. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the league would split its playoff format in two hub cities that would host the top 12 teams in the Eastern and Western conferences. The hub cities have not yet been determined but Vancouver is on a shortlist that also includes Edmonton, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago and Toronto. The league says it will make a final decision based on approval from local health officials but Bettman stresses the approval of the playoff plan doesn't guarantee the resump
BCMay 27, 2020
B.C. reports no COVID-19 deaths, 11 new cases as restart enters second week
British Columbia didn't report any new deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, but there have been 11 additional cases of the virus. A total of 2,542 people in B.C. have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 2,122 have recovered. There have been 161 deaths. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry urged people to continue their approaches to protecting themselves from COVID-19 as B.C. enters the second week of its economic restart plan and more activities resume. Many B.C. businesses, including restaurants, hair salons and dentists' offices, started reopening last week. Henry says B.C. may see an incre
BCMay 26, 2020
Man arrested after random, unprovoked incident in Chinatown
Vancouver police have made an arrest in what they say was a random, unprovoked incident in Chinatown on the weekend. Police say two Asian women were sitting inside a parked vehicle on Saturday when a man yelled obscenities at them and then smashed a window of the vehicle with a chisel. Sergeant Aaron Roed says the incident was particularly concerning considering the rash of anti-Asian crime and incidents seen in Vancouver recently. A suspect was arrested but released on an undertaking to appear which requires him to report to court on a future date.
BCMay 26, 2020
B.C. expands sexual assault survivor services with $10 million emergency program
The British Columbia government has announced a three-year, $10 million grant program to provide swift access to compassionate and comprehensive care for survivors of sexual assault. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenging times and gender-based violence, including sexual assault, is known to increase during periods of crisis. He says the grant program will provide funds to front-line organizations across the province, including those working in Indigenous communities. Ending Violence Association of B.C. will administer the program to help orga