Statistics Canada says that during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant drop in certain criminal activity reported to 17 police services across Canada. The services say selected criminal incidents were down by 17 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier, with the lone exception being uttering threats by a family member, which rose by four per cent. The number of service calls also rose by eight per cent, particularly for wellness checks, mental health calls and calls to attend domestic disturbances. The statistics agency says that when the physic

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is telling Canadians not to pin too much hope on a successful report from drug maker Pfizer about a COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer says it seems effective in clinical trials. But Trudeau told a news conference in Ottawa this morning the vaccine will not come in time for those who are getting sick or infected right now. Canada has bought the rights to about 300 million doses of vaccine from a number of potential suppliers, including Pfizer. Trudeau says, new administration doesn't mean he'll stop fighting for Canadian jobs and interests While he congratulates Joe Biden

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has faith in the American people and their democratic institutions.But Trudeau is stopping short of directly responding today after President Donald Trump complained, without evidence, that the counting of ballots in the U.S. election is corrupt.Trudeau says it is not for foreign countries to pronounce on the American electoral process right now.Democratic nominee Joe Biden now has a slight lead over Trump in the battleground states of Pennsylvania and Georgia, as more mail-in ballots are still being counted.Biden is currently leading in enough states to p

Federal political leaders are calling on Canadians to find different ways to remember the sacrifices of the country's war veterans, despite the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a speech today marking Veterans' Week and Remembrance Day in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noted how many Canadians have been supporting veterans throughout the pandemic by delivering groceries and helping them in other ways. Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says Remembrance Day this year can be marked by watching online services, holding veterans in prayers or by simply wearing a poppy, even

Following a transatlantic media backlash, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron today. Trudeau has been criticized in both countries for not speaking forcefully enough to defend freedom of expression in response to last week's murder of three people in a church in Nice. The prime minister had earlier waited more than a week after a French school teacher was beheaded before expressing solidarity with France. And after the recent knife attack, Trudeau hedged his condemnation by stressing that free speech has its limits. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-Fran

Alberta's chief medical officer of health says Canada's first confirmed case of H1N2v, a variant swine flu virus found in humans, has been detected in the central part of the province. Dr. Deena Hinshaw and Dr. Keith Lehman, the province's chief veterinarian, say in a statement that it's an isolated case and there's no increased risk to Albertans. The statement says the virus was detected in mid-October after an Albertan with mild influenza-like symptoms sought medical care. Officials say H1N2v is rare with only 27 cases reported globally since 2005, and note there have been no cases in Canad

Miss Vickie’s Canada is recalling some Kettle Cooked Potato Chips due to possible glass contamination.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the products were sold online and in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.Recalled products include Applewood Smoked BBQ, Spicy Dill Pickle, Jalapeno, Sea Salt and Malt Vinegar, Original Recipe, Sweet Southern BBQ, Sweet Chili and Sour Cream and assorted multi-packs.The CFIA says there has been one reported injury associated with the recall. Consumers should not consume the products and retail

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a few words about the US presidential election as he arrived on Parliament Hill this morning. He says he is carefully watching the political drama unfolding south of the border. Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet urged Trudeau to continue his neutral position, but told reporters he was under no such obligation. He says if he was a Democrat, he would be asking how come the American people, ``support a man who openly lies, avoids paying his taxes, carries and shares prejudice against so many people.''

Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam says the country has about 30,000 active cases of COVID-19 now. She's making a pitch for Canadians wearing a non-medical mask to use three layers to further reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others. Dr. Tam says nobody has really studied non-medical masks in the past and now there is more research into different materials, the number of layers and the fit. Dr. Tam says the fit of the mask is crucial too, saying it should be pinched at the nose and must completely cover the mouth and nose. But federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu says