CanadaJan 15, 2021
Canada is on track to hit 10,000 new daily infections of COVID-19 by the end of month: Dr. Theresa Tam
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Canada is on track to hit 10,000 new daily infections of COVID-19 by the end of the month. Prime Minister Trudeau says he knows that's not what Canadians want to hear. New modelling shows the total number of cases could reach 796,630 by January 24th. By the same date another 2,000 people could die. And Tam says that means Canada's already-stretched health care system could face its breaking point. The new modelling was released this morning as Procurement Minister Anita Anand revealed global supply issues will temporarily delay vaccine shipment
CanadaJan 15, 2021
The goal to have enough vaccines for every Canadian who wants one by September, still on: PM Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government is working day in and day out to get vaccines delivered as quickly as possible. But he says with an undertaking this historic, it's only to be expected that there will be a few bumps along the way. Pfizer-BioNTech is temporarily reducing deliveries of its COVID-19 vaccine to Canada because of production issues in Europe.Trudeau says it is an issue out of our hands. Trudeau says this does not impact the goal to have enough vaccines for every Canadian who wants one by September.
CanadaJan 15, 2021
Pfizer cutting back vaccine deliveries to Canada due to production issues
Procurement Minister Anita Anand says production issues in Europe will temporarily reduce Pfizer-BioNTech's ability to deliver vaccines to Canada. Anand says the U.S drug-maker is temporarily reducing deliveriesbecause of issues with its European production lines.She adds that while the company says it will still be able to deliver four million doses by the end of March, that is no longer guaranteed.Anand says it's unfortunate, but such delays and issues are to beexpected when global supply chains are stretched well beyond their limits.Canada has received about 380,000 doses of the vaccine so
CanadaJan 15, 2021
PM Trudeau welcomes Admiral McDonald as Chief of the Defence Staff
Canada has a new top military commander.
Admiral Art McDonald was formally installed at a scaled-down COVID-19 ceremony in Ottawa.
In a virtual appearance at the change of command ceremony, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed McDonald as Chief of the Defence staff, saying he is taking on the role at a very difficult time.
Admiral McDonald succeeds General Jonathan Vance, who kicked off the ceremony by using his final speech in uniform to bid an emotional farewell to the troops.
In a virtual appearance at the change of command ceremony, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed McDonald as
CanadaJan 14, 2021
Jagmeet Singh is calling on the Liberal government to ease access to paid sick leave for Canadian workers
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is calling on the Liberal government to ease access to paid sick leave for Canadian workers to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Singh is criticizing the lag between filing for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit and receiving it, a delay he compared to applying for employment insurance. He is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to recall Parliament and legislate 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated employees through the Canada Labour Code, and to further promote the one-week, $500 benefit that is already in place. The New Democrat leader says upt
CanadaJan 14, 2021
Emergency doctors call for greater transparency on vaccine rollout
The professional group for emergency doctors in Canada wants more transparency about COVID-19 vaccine distribution.The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians is calling for a clear description of who is being prioritized for the first doses and why. It also wants priority to go to those directly caring for patients who are critically ill or suspected of having COVID-19.The association says many members in areas with limited human resources have not been vaccinated, but urban providers who have less patient contact appear to have received doses.A Wednesday statement says communication ab
CanadaJan 14, 2021
Hundreds of passengers have missed their flights since Ottawa's new COVID-19 testing requirement for international travellers
Canada's new COVID-19 testing requirement for international travellers has caused hundreds of people to miss flights in the first week of the program's rollout. Under the new restrictions, all passengers flying to Canada from another country must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken at most 72 hours prior to departure. Since the testing mandate went into effect on Jan. 7, WestJet says it has denied boarding to at least 385 guests because they did not meet the requirements. Similarly, Air Transat has denied boarding to at least 245 passengers for testing-related reasons since Jan. 7, a
CanadaJan 13, 2021
Ford government trying to explain the new measures related to "Stay at Home' orders
Ontario's premier is defending his government's new stay-at-home order against criticism that the latest measure to fight COVID-19 is not clear. Doug Ford stressed that the measure means people should "use their best judgment" to determine if they need to leave their home as virus rates surge. Under the order that takes effect Thursday, Ontario residents will be required to stay at home except for essential activities such as accessing health care, shopping for groceries, or outdoor exercise. The government has also restricted hours of operation for non-essential retailers currently offering
CanadaJan 13, 2021
Air Canada reduces first-quarter capacity by 25 per cent, cuts 1,700 jobs
Air Canada says it will cut 1,700 jobs as it scales down flights for the first quarter of 2021.The 25 per cent reduction in service will also affect 200 employees at Air Canada's Express carriers, the company said Wednesday morning. With the reduction, Air Canada's capacity in the first quarter of 2021 will be about 20 per cent of its capacity during the first quarter of 2019, the company says.Lucie Guillemette, Air Canada's executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in a statement that increased travel restrictions by federal and provincial governments have had an immediate