Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opened a major United Nations' conference this morning saying a co-ordinated response is necessary for the global economy to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.The UN estimates without such a plan, the pandemic could slash nearly $8.5 trillion from the world economy over the next two years and force 34.3 million people into extreme poverty this year.Trudeau told more than 50 heads of state and government that "our citizens need to have confidence in international institutions that leave no one behind and are capable of overcoming global challenges."Earlier this we

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia: “Today, we are announcing nine new cases, for a total of 2,550 cases in British Columbia." “There are 244 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 2,144 people who tested positive have recovered. “Of the total COVID-19 cases, 37 individuals are hospitalized, seven of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

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

A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled against a Huawei executive wanted on fraud charges in the United States. Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes says in a decision released today that the allegations against Meng Wanzhou could constitute a crime in Canada. The ruling means the court will continue to hear other arguments in the extradition case, including whether Meng's arrest at the Vancouver airport in December 2018 was unlawful. It also means Meng will not be permitted to return to China and must remain in Canada. The allegations against Meng, who is Huawei's chief financial officer and

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

British Columbia didn't report any new deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, but there have been 11 additional cases of the virus. A total of 2,542 people in B.C. have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 2,122 have recovered. There have been 161 deaths. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry urged people to continue their approaches to protecting themselves from COVID-19 as B.C. enters the second week of its economic restart plan and more activities resume. Many B.C. businesses, including restaurants, hair salons and dentists' offices, started reopening last week. Henry says B.C. may see an incre

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

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

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