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refresh-of-liberal-governments-agenda-comes-as-new-covid-19-crisis-looms
CanadaSep 23, 2020

Refresh of Liberal government's agenda comes as new COVID-19 crisis looms

A promised reset of federal priorities to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic begins today with the Liberal government's speech from the throne. The nearly hour-long speech is expected to address three areas: immediate action to push back against a second wave of the pandemic, supports for those still not back on their feet after the first wave, and how the economy might be further rebuilt once it can stand more on its own.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's plan comes as public health officials are warning the country is but a few house parties away from plunging into a full-blown second wave.He's ex
future-lockdowns-will-depend-on-whether-people-can-follow-covid-19-mitigation-measures-patty-hajdu
CanadaSep 22, 2020

Future lockdowns will depend on whether people can follow COVID-19 mitigation measures: Patty Hajdu

Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu says staving off future lockdowns will depend on whether people can follow COVID-19 mitigation measures. She says keeping gatherings small and respecting the rules is a sacrifice everyone needs to make. But she says virus activity is not the same across the country, or even across single provinces. So she says a ``surgical approach'' is needed to determine whether restrictions need to be tightened and it should be targeted to regions of concern.
canada-now-at-crossroads-to-avoid-a-major-resurgence-of-covid-19-dr-theresa-tam
CanadaSep 22, 2020

Canada now at crossroads to avoid a major resurgence of COVID-19: Dr. Theresa Tam

Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam has wrapped her update on the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada with a direct message to young people. The novel coronavirus's spread in their cohort must be pared back for the good of the rest of the country. Dr. Tam says young people played a crucial role in crushing the spring wave of the pandemic and they can do it again. A review of known cases in Canada shows the incidence has remained highest among young adults since late June. Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Canada is now at a crossroads when it comes to avoiding a major resurgenc
federal-conservative-leader-erin-otooles-spouse-tests-positive-for-covid-19
CanadaSep 22, 2020

Federal Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole's spouse tests positive for COVID-19

Rebecca O'Toole, the spouse of federal Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, has tested positive for COVID-19. The party says she began showing symptoms on Sunday, was tested that night in Ottawa, and her results came back late Monday night.Erin O'Toole tested positive on Friday for the novel coronavirus and has been in isolation. Their two children are being monitored for symptoms. Earlier last week, Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet tested positive for COVID-19. He is staying in isolation at his Shawinigan, Quebec home until September 26th. Blanchet's wife, Nancy, also tested positi
canada-signs-deal-with-sanofi-for-72-million-doses-covid-19-vaccine-candidate
CanadaSep 22, 2020

Canada signs deal with Sanofi for 72 million doses COVID-19 vaccine candidate

Canada has secured a fifth deal to buy vaccines, signing an agreement with Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline to buy up to 72-million doses of their experimental vaccine candidate. Federal Procurement Minister Anita Anand says the only way to ensure Canada will get enough doses of a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available is to bet on multiple horses at the same time. Canada has now committed a total of one-billion dollars to buy at least 154-million doses of vaccines from five different companies, with Anand announcing a deal with Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline earlier today. Canada has also joined
weather-warnings-about-hurricane-teddy-remain-in-effect-for-almost-all-of-atlantic-canada
CanadaSep 21, 2020

Weather warnings about hurricane 'Teddy' remain in effect for almost all of Atlantic Canada

Weather warnings remain in effect for almost all of Atlantic Canada, as the expected track of hurricane Teddy now encompasses most of mainland Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, eastern PEI and the western half of Newfoundland. The hurricane is advancing toward the East Coast.The storm could make landfall Wednesday as a large and intense post-tropical storm on Cape Breton, but the region will see strong winds, heavy rain and pounding surf by tomorrow night. Wave heights offshore are expected to reach up to 15 metres by late tomorrow.
public-healthy-agency-of-canada-gets-new-president-as-current-one-steps-down
CanadaSep 21, 2020

Public Healthy Agency of Canada gets new president as current one steps down

The Public Health Agency of Canada is getting a new president as the country heads into the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tapped Iain Stewart, currently head of the National Research Council of Canada, to take over the role. Last week, the federal public health agency's president, Tina Namiesniowski, announced she was stepping down. She sent a letter to the agency's staff saying that after months of responding to the health crisis, ``none of us are superhuman'' and that she needed a break. Stewart, who has been a senior member of the public service fo
CanadaSep 21, 2020

Liberals pledge $1 billion for cities to buy motels, hotels forrapid-housing program

The federal Liberals plan to spend $1 billion over the next six months so cities and other housing providers can keep people from becoming homeless. The rapid-housing funds can be used to buy properties being sold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, or to build new modular units.The Liberals expect the program will create 3,000 new affordable housing units across Canada.They want all the funds to be committed by the end of March 2021. The funding will be available to municipalities, provinces, territories, Indigenous governing bodies and agencies and non-profit organizations. Social Development
woman-accused-of-sending-ricin-letter-to-white-house-arrested
CanadaSep 21, 2020

Woman accused of sending ricin letter to White House arrested

Three law enforcement officials say a woman suspected of sending an envelope containing the poison ricin, which was addressed to White House, has been arrested at the New York-Canada border.The officials say the woman was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and is expected to face federal charges.RCMP have said the letter addressed to the White House appeared to have originated in Canada.Officials say it was intercepted at a government facility that screens mail addressed to the White House and President Donald Trump and a preliminary investigation indicated it t

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b-c-government-takes-legal-action-against-openai-tough-step-over-tumbler-ridge-school-shooting
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. Government Takes Legal Action Against OpenAI, Tough Step Over Tumbler Ridge School Shooting

British Columbia’s government has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company OpenAI in a California court, alleging that the company failed to alert law enforcement about concerning activity linked to the suspect in the Tumbler Ridge school shooting. B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the legal action at a news conference Monday. The case is connected to the Feb. 10 mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge School, in which an 18-year-old gunman killed eight people, including six children. The provincial government alleges that OpenAI’s safety team became aware months before the
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. NDP Faces Setback as Lana Popham Steps Away from Next Election

Political activity in British Columbia has intensified after Agriculture Minister Lana Popham announced that she will not seek re-election for the B.C. NDP in Saanich South. Popham’s decision comes amid growing speculation about the possibility of an early provincial election. Political observers say her announcement could add to the speculation, although it does not by itself confirm that an early election will be called. The announcement also comes as the opposition B.C. Conservative Party faces internal turmoil, while the B.C. NDP has been making preparations for a potential election camp
john-rustad-says-he-was-invited-back-to-b-c-conservative-caucus
BCSep 21, 2026

John Rustad Says He Was Invited Back to B.C. Conservative Caucus

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he has been invited to rejoin the party’s caucus, just days after he was expelled by former leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Speaking at a press conference in Victoria on Monday, Rustad said interim party leader Lorne Doerkson personally contacted him by text message and invited him to return to the caucus. Rustad said he is considering the offer, but added that he believes his time in politics may have passed. Rustad also commented on speculation surrounding former premiers Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell, saying that former leaders should now s
nearly-1-in-4-canadian-households-struggle-with-unaffordable-housing-costs
CanadaSep 21, 2026

Nearly 1 in 4 Canadian Households Struggle With Unaffordable Housing Costs

According to the latest report from Statistics Canada, about 23.2% of Canadian households-nearly one in four- are living in homes considered unaffordable, as housing and living costs continue to rise. Statistics Canada defines housing as unaffordable when a household spends 30% or more of its total income on housing costs. The report found that renters are significantly more likely to face unaffordable housing than homeowners. About 33.7% of renters were living in unaffordable homes, compared with 17.4% of homeowners. In 2024, 36.6% of households had a mortgage, and among them, 26.1% were cons
canada-india-trade-talks-show-progress-sidhu-eyes-new-asia-pacific-trade-deals
BCSep 21, 2026

Canada-India Trade Talks Show Progress, Sidhu Eyes New Asia-Pacific Trade Deals

Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has confirmed progress in trade discussions with India following his two-day visit to the country. Sidhu has now travelled to the Philippines to attend a meeting of economic ministers from Southeast Asian countries. He said Canada will work to advance free trade agreement negotiations with both ASEAN and the Philippines. According to figures shared by Sidhu, Canada’s trade with Asian countries increased by 23.4 per cent last year, reaching $52.3 billion. If a new agreement is finalized, it is expected to create 14,000 well-paying jobs in