CanadaMay 21, 2020
COVID-19 positive deaths in Canada rise over 6,000
There are 80,142 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada. Quebec: 44,775 confirmed (including 3,718 deaths, 12,822 resolved) Ontario: 23,774 confirmed (including 1,962 deaths, 18,190 resolved) Alberta: 6,735 confirmed (including 128 deaths, 5,637 resolved) British Columbia: 2,467 confirmed (including 149 deaths, 2,001 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,045 confirmed (including 57 deaths, 956 resolved) Saskatchewan: 620 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 494 resolved) Manitoba: 279 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 260 resolved), 11 presumptive Newfoundland and Labrador: 260 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 25
BCMay 21, 2020
Recovered cases of COVID-19 surpass 2,000, B.C. health officials recommend use of non-medical masks
BC health officials say the use of non-medical masks in public settings is a good way to protect those around you. A joint statement from Health Minister Adrian Dix and public health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says masks should be used when it's difficult to keep a physical distance. Canada's public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam also says Canadians should wear masks as an added layer of protection. Dix and Henry say face coverings keep the users' droplets in but won't prevent the virus from being transmitted by others. There have been 21 new cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in the province today, u
BCMay 20, 2020
Premier says B.C. legislature could look like 'Hollywood Squares' next month
Efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 means the British Columbia legislature will look and operate much differently next month when politicians return for a brief sitting. Premier John Horgan says he expects the legislature will resume either June 15 or June 22 to pass the budget and several pieces of legislation. The premier says he foresees some politicians from farther ridings to contribute remotely while others will be stationed in various rooms throughout the building to participate in debates and votes. Television screens are being installed throughout the legislature and Horgan sug
BCMay 20, 2020
Nearly 600 campers moved into temporary housing amid COVID-19: B.C. government
The B.C. government says plans to move people camped at several parks in Vancouver and Victoria into temporary housing amid the COVID-19 pandemic have been successful. Shane Simpson, the minister of social development and poverty reduction, says 600 of the most vulnerable people in the province will have moved by Wednesday from tent encampments into housing where other support services available. He says 261 people from Vancouver's Oppenheimer Park have been placed in hotels and ``rehabilitation'' of the park has begun, while 308 people have moved into temporary housing from Topaz and Pandora
BCMay 20, 2020
Proposed YMCA-SFU development will not proceed
Plans for a Surrey City Centre YMCA will not proceed, the result of escalating construction costs. The project, a development partnership between the YMCA of Greater Vancouver and Simon Fraser University, with support from the City of Surrey, was to include a YMCA-SFU facility and high-density residential housing on the university’s Surrey property. Since the project was first conceived by the YMCA and City of Surrey six years ago, costs have climbed to $75 million.Recognizing the important role a YMCA could play in the growing Surrey City Centre neighbourhood, Surrey and the YMCA each commi
CanadaMay 20, 2020
Limited outdoor gatherings will be permitted in Quebec from Friday
Quebec says limited outdoor gatherings will be permitted starting Friday as the province continues to record a downward trend of new COVID-19 cases. Deputy premier and Public Security Minister Genevieve Guilbault also announced today that dentist offices across the province, and hair salons outside the Montreal and Joliette regions can reopen on June 1. Guilbault says Quebecers will be allowed to host outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, from a maximum of three families, as long as they keep a two-metre distance from one another. She says the province recorded 71 new deaths from COVID-19, f
CanadaMay 20, 2020
Dr. Theresa Tam recommends using non-medical masks when maintaining physical distance might not be possible
Canada's chief public health officer says there has been a social, cultural shift around the wearing of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. After first suggesting wearing a mask, Dr. Theresa Tam is now recommending covering your face when maintaining physical distance might not be possible. She says thinking it of as protecting each other from being exposed to the virus is a key concept for Canadians. Dr. Tam is again stressing that for summer, outside activities are better than inside and keeping a physical distance and hand washing will continue to be key.
BCMay 20, 2020
City of Surrey to host virtual Canada Day Celebration
The City of Surrey has announced Surrey Canada Day will be hosted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic and consideration for public health and safety.
Virtual Surrey Canada Day will take place on July 1 and will be broadcasted on Facebook and YouTube Live.
Hosted by four-time Olympic gold medalist, Hayley Wickenheiser, this year’s free family-friendly virtual event will feature a series of segments including, musical entertainment, virtual tours, indigenous and cultural acts, a “Family Hour” for kids and seniors, dance lessons, a rodeo tribute, and a virtual firework finale to end the
CanadaMay 20, 2020
Celestica contracted by Starfish Medical to make ventilators for Health Canada
Celestica Inc. has been contracted to build 7,500 ventilators in Newmarket, Ont., for a Canadian medical device company working on the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.Financial terms of its contract with StarFish Medical Inc. weren't announced.Celestica says it intends to deliver the medical devices for treating patients with breathing problems to Health Canada in the fourth quarter of 2020.Celestica is a Toronto-based company with a global business that manufactures equipment for a variety of industries including health care, aerospace and information technology.Starfish is one of several