BCJul 23, 2020
Outbreak in Kelowna forces about 1,000 people into self-isolation
A jump in COVID-19 infections in British Columbia has prompted a tightening of restrictions by health officials for bars and nightclubs in the province. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the rise in cases, including 34 more today, is a wake up call that residents need to pay more attention in areas where transmission is spread. The amended health order prohibits liquor self service and dance floors, and says all patrons of bars and clubs must be in designated seats and measures must be in place to reduce lineups. Henry says about 1,000 people are in self-isolation after being in
CanadaJul 22, 2020
Finance Minister testifies, PM Trudeau to appear before the House of Commons finance committee
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will appear before the House of Commons finance committee at a date and time yet to be arranged. The committee is investigating his government's decision to give the WE Charity a contract to run a 900-million student-volunteer program. Both Trudeau's family, and that of Finance Minister Bill Morneau have ties to the organization. Morneau testified today he unknowingly failed to repay the costs of a trip to Ecuador in 2017 to see some of WE's humanitarian work. Morneau says he sent the charity a cheque today for more than 41,000 dollars to cover the travel expense
CanadaJul 22, 2020
Trudeau must look into complaints about Governor General, Singh says
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has an obligation to look into allegations that Gov. Gen. Julie Payette mistreated staff members.Singh says workplaces need to be safe, and employees must feel they are heard when they raise concerns.Singh was responding to questions today about a CBC News report that quoted anonymous sources as saying Payette has created a toxic environment at Rideau Hall.The CBC reported Tuesday that Payette had yelled at, belittled and publicly humiliated employees, reducing some to tears or prompting them to quit.In a statement Tuesday, the Gover
BCJul 21, 2020
30 new COVID-19 cases reported in B.C.
Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, have issued a joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia. "Today, we are reporting 30 new cases, including one epi-linked case since we reported on Monday, for a total of 3,328 cases in British Columbia. "There are 266 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 2,873 people who tested positive have recovered. "Of the total COVID-19 cases, 15 individuals are hospitalized, three of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are reco
CanadaJul 21, 2020
Questions remain after police find body thought to be dad of dead Quebec girls
Many questions remain in the case of a Quebec father whose body was found hours after the funeral for his two young daughters.Provincial police announced on Twitter Monday night they found what they believe is the body of fugitive Martin Carpentier in the area of St-Apollinaire, Que., southwest of Quebec City.Police said it appears Carpentier took his own life, but did not offer further information or say how he'd gone undetected during an intense 10-day manhunt.The discovery came 12 days after Carpentier and his daughters were involved in a car crash on the evening of July 8 in St-Apollinair
BCJul 21, 2020
B.C.'s top doctor says 'pay attention now' to higher COVID-19 cases
British Columbia's provincial health officer says a higher number of COVID-19 cases over the last three days means the province could experience a rapid rebound of infections after successfully ``bending the curve.'' Dr. Bonnie Henry says B.C. recorded 102 cases of the virus since Friday because people have increased their contacts by 20 or 30 people in some cases, from a low of three to four, so it's time to ``pay attention now.'' Henry says she's concerned the province is at a ``tipping point'' and it's more challenging for public health workers to do contact tracing when an infected person
CanadaJul 20, 2020
Canadians now in Paris to view black boxes of Ukraine plane shot down by Iran
Canadian investigators are in Paris today to take part in the long-awaited downloading of data from the flight recorders of the Ukrainian passenger jet shot down by Iran in January.Canada's Transportation Safety Board confirmed today that after Tehran's nearly four-month delay, the so-called black boxes have arrived in Paris.The TSB sent a team to Paris to witness the download of the data, after an Iranian news agency report that they had been shipped on Saturday.Today marks a crucial step for grieving families seeking answers to why Iran's military fired two missiles at the passenger jet on J
BCJul 18, 2020
28 new COVID-19 cases in B.C., 35 cases connected to COVID-19 exposures in Kelowna
BC's top doctor is urging residents not to let COVID-19 steal their summer as she reported more outbreaks and cases around the province. Doctor Bonnie Henry says she feels for those people who want to get out and have fun, but it needs to be done in a way that minimizes the risk of community transmission. She says there are now 35 cases connected to COVID-19 exposures in the Kelowna area that Health Minister Adrian Dix had said were connected to private parties around Canada Day. That's in addition to a new outbreak reported at the neo-natal intensive care unit at St. Paul's Hospital in Vanco
CanadaJul 17, 2020
Liberals revise COVID-19 wage subsidy, ease eligibility in bid to boost takeup
Finance Minister Bill Morneau says the Liberals are easing eligibility rules for the government's emergency wage subsidy and changing the amounts businesses can receive. The government had been under pressure to make the subsidy more accessible, specifically by loosening the requirement of a 30 per cent drop in revenues, so more companies under that cut-off can qualify. Speaking in Toronto, Morneau says the rules will be changed so amounts paid out will be proportional to revenue declines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is the heart of the Liberals' promise to help Canadians get bac