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
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
CanadaMay 26, 2020
Joint statement by the premiers of B.C., Manitoba and Yukon, regarding a proposed national sick leave program
John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia; Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba; and Sandy Silver, Premier of Yukon; have issued the following joint statement regarding a proposed national sick leave program: "We're pleased that the federal government is looking at a sick leave program that protects people and businesses, and we look forward to advancing this initiative. Paid sick leave is crucial for the safe restart of our economy.""Yukon has already implemented a paid sick leave program for employers. A national program would ensure people can stay home from work when they are sick without f
CanadaMay 26, 2020
Military report on five long-term care homes in Ontario details troubling allegations
A military report on five long-term care homes in Ontario details troubling allegations such as rooming COVID-19 positive patients with uninfected ones, insect infestations and aggressive resident feeding that led to choking. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called in military assistance last month for five long-term care homes dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has seen the report, calls it ``deeply disturbing.'' The allegations detailed by Canadian Armed Forces members also include failure to isolate COVID-19-positive patients and allowing them to wander outside of
CanadaMay 26, 2020
General Motors to produce 10 million face masks : Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says in the last 10 weeks alone, over 40 flights have arrived in Canada carrying much needed personal protective equipment.He says it represents hundreds of thousands of items everything from masks to hospital gowns that have been shipped to our front line workers.The equipment has been in high demand world-wide, with every country competing for scarce supplies from a limited number of suppliers. Trudeau says his government is also continuing to invest in production here at home.He says Ottawa has signed a contract with General Motors to provide 10 million face m
CanadaMay 26, 2020
Heat wave forces cities to rethink how to offer heat relief under COVID-19
A heat wave engulfing large swaths of Ontario and Quebec is forcing cities such as Toronto to rethink how they offer relief in light of restrictions meant to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.Libraries, community centres and pools spaces where residents can traditionally go to cool down remain closed due to COVID-19 related health measures as temperatures are expected to soar above 30C for several days.In Toronto, where hundreds of such spaces were identified as a heat relief network last year, officials say they will open six emergency cooling centres across the city.They say the cent
CanadaMay 26, 2020
Military reports 36 cases of COVID-19 in members working in nursing homes
The Canadian Forces say 36 members working in long-term care homes in Ontario and Quebec have now become sick with COVID-19. That's up from 28 cases of the novel coronavirus among those troops less than a week ago.The military has been deployed to nursing homes in the two provinces to reinforce workers overwhelmed by the illness, unable to keep up with residents' needs because of all the protective measures they need to take, or off work because they're ill themselves.Much of their work is tasks such as food service and moving and maintaining equipment, with some medical staff also serving in