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feds-promise-new-funds-for-public-transit-most-money-wont-arrive-for-years
CanadaFeb 10, 2021

Feds promise new funds for public transit, most money won't arrive for years

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will provide nearly $15 billion for public-transit projects across the country — though most of the money won't arrive until later in the decade.Trudeau says the promised $14.9 billion in new public-transit funding will be spread over eight years, though most of the money won't start flowing until 2026.The government says the new funds will provide cities with predictable funding to plan for their long-term needs while helping Canadians move around easier and fight climate change.Trudeau announced the new funding during a teleconfere
355-cases-of-the-uk-covid-19-variant-25-of-the-south-africa-variant-detected-in-canada-dr-theresa-tam
CanadaFeb 09, 2021

355 cases of the UK COVID-19 variant, 25 of the South Africa variant detected in Canada: Dr. Theresa Tam

The country's top doctor says the daily rate of COVID-19 cases across the country is down to an average of 3,500. Doctor Theresa Tam says that's less than half the number reported in early January. But while declining case counts, hospitalizations and deaths are reassuring, she says we must continue to be cautious.Doctor Tam says while it's normal for variants to emerge as viruses continuously evolve, these are a concern because they are known to spread more easily and there's the possibility that current vaccines won't offer protection. Tam says with 355 cases of the UK variant, 25 of the Sou
CanadaFeb 09, 2021

Negative tests required at the land border as of next Monday will be mandatory: PM Trudeau

Canadians who show up at the land border without a COVID-19 test result in hand will still be allowed in the country. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada can't stop its citizens or permanent residents from coming into the country via car. But he says the negative tests required at the land border as of next Monday will be mandatory. He says fines of up to $3,000 could be put in place for those who don't have the test. Most non-essential travellers coming back to Canada do have to quarantine for 14 days. Relaxed approach to pay interest on 2020 tax debt until next yearOttawa is tweaking
health-canada-agrees-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-vials-have-six-doses
CanadaFeb 09, 2021

Health Canada agrees Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine vials have six doses

Health Canada regulators agree with Pfizer and BioNTech that you can regularly get six doses out of each vial of their COVID-19 vaccine.Health Canada's chief medical adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma says Canada is amending the label on the vials in Canada, which previously indicated the vials contained five doses.Now it will say there are six.The change won't affect how many doses Canada gets as Pfizer already began allocating vials for Canada's shipments based on each containing six rather than five.Canada's contract with Pfizer and BioNTech is to buy 40 million doses this year, with four million
CanadaFeb 08, 2021

Federal Court orders B.C. prison to return PlayStation game card to inmate

An inmate serving time for first-degree murder has won a Federal Court battle that orders prison officials to return the memory card to his portable video game. Patrick Fischer asked the court to rule after the memory card for his PlayStation One game was confiscated in 2018 as he was transferred from maximum security to a medium-security prison in B.C.'s Fraser Valley. In the ruling, Justice Russel Zinn says not only did correction officials fail to "consider the facts surrounding Mr. Fischer’s possession and use of the memory card," they also failed to consider the "impact" of the decisio
covid-19-restrictions-to-be-relaxed-in-four-provinces-this-week
CanadaFeb 08, 2021

COVID-19 restrictions to be relaxed in four provinces this week

Four provinces are relaxing their COVID-19 restrictions to start off the week.Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced the state of emergency declared last month will expire tomorrow, but stay-at-home orders will remain in effect.Quebec is allowing dining in restaurants and working out in gyms in six less-populated regions of the province and re-openingnon-essential stores, personal-care salons and museums province-wide.Alberta restaurants are open for in-person dining, and allowing one-on-one training at gyms.Nova Scotia is relaxing restrictions on organized gatherings.
CanadaFeb 08, 2021

Ottawa lays out criteria for quarantine hotels as it inches toward new travel rule

The Public Health Agency of Canada has listed its criteria for hotels seeking to participate in the mandatory three-day quarantine for returning travellers.The conditions posted online put the government one step closer to fulfilling its late-January pledge that all passengers returning from non-essential trips abroad will have to self-isolate in a federally mandated facility for up to 72 hours at their own expense.The government has not said when the measure, which aims to head off COVID-19 cases and contagious variants of the novel coronavirus at the border, will come into effect.To qualify
health-agency-has-no-moderna-doses-scheduled-this-week-with-future-amounts-uncertain
CanadaFeb 08, 2021

Health agency has no Moderna doses scheduled this week, with future amounts uncertain

Canada's COVID-19 vaccine drought could be coming to an end.The Public Health Agency of Canada says Ottawa plans to distribute more than 70,000 Pfizer-BiotNTech vaccine doses this week ahead of a major ramp-up, but no Moderna doses are on the schedule.Starting today, 70,200 Pfizer doses are expected to be delivered.Next week, officials are expecting shipments of about 3,35000 doses, which would be the single biggest vaccine delivery to Canada so far.Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines are the only two to be approved by Health Canada, though the department is reviewing others from AstraZeneca, Novava
canada-very-much-on-track-to-receive-six-million-doses-of-pfizer-biontech-and-moderna-vaccine-doses-pm-trudeau
CanadaFeb 06, 2021

Canada "very much on track" to receive six million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine doses: PM Trudeau

Trudeau says Canada is "very much on track" to receive a total of six million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine doses by the end of March, as planned, and that the CEOs of both pharmaceutical companies have reassured him they'll meet that target. He also says the Liberal government has approved a request for help from the Pauingassi First Nation in northern Manitoba and that the military will arrive by Saturday at the latest. Soldiers will provide logistical support, transport goods and medical supplies, and conduct wellness checks. Canada is one of the leading donors to COVAX: PM

Just In

city-of-surrey-seeking-feedback-asks-residents-to-share-what-matters
BCNov 06, 2025

City of Surrey seeking feedback, asks residents to share what matters

City of Surrey is asking people to share feedback and tell the city what matters. City of Surrey says, "As a Surrey resident, your input plays an important role in shaping the City’s 2026 budget priorities. Share your thoughts by completing our online survey or visit one of our open houses to learn more about the budget process, ask questions and provide feedback." Find full details on City of Surrey's website: https://engage.surrey.ca/budge...
blue-jays-playoff-run-drives-tourism-surge-and-business-gains-in-toronto
BCNov 06, 2025

Blue Jays’ playoff run drives tourism surge and business gains in Toronto

Toronto’s hospitality and tourism sectors saw a significant boost this fall, thanks to the Blue Jays’ extended post-season run and the World Series games held in the city. Destination Toronto reported that hotel demand during the four home games of the World Series rose by an average of 15 per cent compared to the same nights last year, adding more than 11,000 room nights. Across the team’s entire playoff run, hotel demand increased by an average of 11 per cent, accounting for over 20,000 additional room nights. Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto, said the surge in vis
BCNov 06, 2025

Audit finds gaps in B.C. livestock tracking system used for emergency response

British Columbia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food needs stronger measures to ensure it can quickly locate farm animals during disease outbreaks or natural disasters, according to a new report from the Office of the Auditor General. The audit reviewed the ministry’s Premises ID program, which was created to help emergency officials identify where poultry and livestock are kept and who owns them. Acting Auditor General Sheila Dodds said the system could play a vital role in protecting animals and food supply chains during crises such as bird flu outbreaks, wildfires, or floods. However, th
record-number-of-shelter-spaces-opening-before-winter
BCNov 06, 2025

Record number of shelter spaces opening before winter

British Columbia is opening a record number of shelter spaces this winter to help people experiencing homelessness find warmth and safety as temperatures drop. The Province, through BC Housing, is funding 6,486 shelter spaces across 58 communities — the highest total to date. The expanded network includes 4,158 permanent shelters operating year-round, 1,154 temporary seasonal spaces, 771 extreme-weather response (EWR) beds activated during severe conditions, and 403 new Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) spaces — nearly two and a half times more than last year.
CanadaNov 06, 2025

Ottawa man pleads guilty in mass stabbing that killed mother, four children, and family friend

A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with a mass stabbing that shocked Ottawa last year. Febrio De-Zoysa entered guilty pleas today in an Ottawa courtroom to four charges of first-degree murder and two of second-degree murder, as well as one charge of attempted murder. The killings took place in 2024 at a rented townhouse in the Barrhaven area. The victims were 35-year-old Darshani Ekanayake, her four children aged between two months and seven years, and 40-year-old family friend Gamini Amarakoon. The children’s father,