CanadaSep 30, 2020
Shell plan to cut up to 9,000 jobs could result in 100s of fewer jobs in Canada
Hundreds of Canadian employees of Royal Dutch Shell could be affected by its plan revealed Wednesday to cut between 7,000 and 9,000 jobs worldwide by the end of 2022.The company has 3,500 workers in Canada, accounting for about 4.2 per cent of its global workforce of about 83,000 employees, confirmed Shell Canada spokeswoman Tara Lemay.If the cuts are made proportionately, they would result in between 294 and 378 fewer jobs in Canada."We do not have an exact figure because the details are still being worked out and we have never had a target to reduce a particular number of jobs," Lemay said i
CanadaSep 30, 2020
Federal government lawyer asks judge to dismiss youths' climate change lawsuit
A lawyer for the Canadian government says a lawsuit filed by 15 youth across the country should be dismissed because their claims about the harms of climate change are too broad. Joseph Cheng says greenhouse gas emissions are cumulative and a worldwide problem that affects all countries so Canada cannot act alone to resolve the impact of climate change. The lawsuit filed in October 2019 by youth who are now between 11 and 20 asks the court to compel Canada to develop a climate recovery plan based on the best available science. Cheng says extreme weather events caused by climate change, such a
CanadaSep 30, 2020
COVID-19 aid bill passes unanimously in the House of Commons
The vote was unanimous, 306 for and none against, as MP's passed legislation authorizing new pandemic benefits for workers still struggling in the COVID-19 era.Bill C-4 includes a replacement program for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit reworking the existing employment insurance program to be more flexible and generous.The Senate is expected to gather today to debate and pass the emergency aid legislation swiftly. Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet says Parliament unanimously passed a COVID-19 aid bill for workers in what he calls a ``shut up'' procedure.Blanchet says M-Ps wer
CanadaSep 29, 2020
Montreal restaurateurs 'in shock' after provincial government orders 28-day closure
Quebec restaurateurs say they are in shock after the government ordered restaurant dining areas closed for 28 days in the province's two biggest cities.The order was one of several announced by authorities on Monday as they moved Montreal and Quebec City to the highest COVID-19 alert level, banning private indoor gatherings and shutting bars and cinemas.Martin Vezina, spokesman for Quebec's restaurateur association, said today that restaurants aren't the problem, and that many of his members have spent thousands of dollars on measures to protect diners and staff. Montreal's public he
CanadaSep 29, 2020
Federal government strikes agreement with Abbott to buy 7.9 million rapid-test devices
The federal government has reached an agreement with American company Abbott to buy 7.9 million rapid-test devices once they are approved by Health Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, meanwhile, is pushing back against calls for Ottawa to quickly approve rapid tests for COVID-19, saying the decision is ultimately up to federal scientists. Canada's chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says rolling out inaccurate COVID-19 tests can lead to further infections if there is a large number of false negatives. Public Procurement Minister Anita Anand says with the numbers of COVID-19 cases r
CanadaSep 29, 2020
Former Conservative MP Rob Anders facing multiple charges for evading taxes
Former Conservative MP Rob Anders has been charged with tax evasion.The federal prosecution service says Anders is also charged with making misleading statements and for getting a refund or credit than he should not have received.The charges under the Income Tax Act were first reported by the National Post.Anders represented a Calgary riding between 1997 and 2015, and the Post reported the charges are linked to his time in office. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 30. Anders could not immediately be reached for comment.
CanadaSep 29, 2020
Ottawa publishes guidance for rapid COVID-19 tests
The federal government is publishing new advice for companies rushing to develop rapid tests for COVID-19 as Ottawa faces growing calls to approve such devices. The calls to approve devices that can provide faster results come as hospitals and public health agencies across Canada are struggling to keep up with the demand for COVID-19 tests. Many, including the Opposition Conservatives, have pointed out such tests already being rolled out in the U.S. and other countries. Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser at Health Canada, says the department is making it a top priority to review the ra
CanadaSep 29, 2020
Trudeau pledges additional $400 million in humanitarian aid to fight COVID-19
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will commit an additional $400 million in development and humanitarian spending to combat COVID-19. Trudeau says the new money will go to trusted partners that are fighting COVID-19 around the world.Trudeau made the pledge during a videoconference at the United Nations that he co-hosted with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness.It was the second time since the spring the three held a meeting of the UN’s High-Level Event on Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond.Trudeau says Canada will i
CanadaSep 29, 2020
Union workers vote to approve collective bargaining deal with Ford
Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. says its workers represented by Unifor have voted in favour of a new contract that runs through 2023. The deal, which was announced by Unifor last week, includes a $1.8-billion investment to build electric vehicles at the company's plan in Oakville, Ont. The agreement between Unifor and Ford is expected to set the tone for upcoming contract talks with Fiat Chrysler and General Motors. Ford says the deal will see more flexible work arrangements and a quicker path for new hires advancing up the ranks. It also includes two 2.5 per cent raises and a $7,250 ratif