CanadaSep 24, 2020
Politicians must not pressure Health Canada to approve rapid COVID-19 tests: Freeland
Health Canada says it can't provide any information about the status of any of the rapid-testing devices for COVID-19 it is reviewing. Pressure is mounting on the federal government to approve tests that can provide faster results as hospitals and public health agencies across Canada struggle to keep up with the demand for COVID-19 testing. Deputy Conservative leader Candice Bergen says the government promised in March that getting rapid tests was a priority and yet half a year later, there are still none in use in Canada. At least 14 such devices are under review by Health Canada but the dep
WorldSep 24, 2020
Crowd jeers as Trump pays respects at court to Ginsburg
President Donald Trump was booed as he paid respects to late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Trump and first lady Melania Trump, both wearing masks, went to the court Thursday and stood silently at the top of the steps of the court and looked down at Ginsburg's flag-draped coffin. Ginsburg's death has sparked a controversy over the balance of the court just weeks before the November presidential election. Trump is expected to name a replacement on Saturday. Moments after Trump arrived at the court, booing could be heard from spectators who then chanted ``Vote him out.''
CanadaSep 24, 2020
Home prices could fall 7 per cent in 2021, hitting Prairies hard: Moody's forecast
Moody's Analytics, Inc. says home prices across Canada could tumble about seven per cent in 2021, as unemployment dampens the hot real estate market. The financial intelligence company says there is a dangerous oversupply of new, single-family homes in Calgary and Edmonton, on top of affordability issues in Vancouver and Toronto. Moody's report did not go into detail on how it created the forecasts, but says that its 2021 home price index also calls for a 6.7 per cent decrease for single-family homes and a 6.5 per cent decline in condo apartments. The prediction from Moody's comes after the C
CanadaSep 24, 2020
Jagmeet Singh lauds NDP's efforts for new announced benefits
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he is taking the Liberal government's move to increase the value of benefits for unemployed workers to $500 a week as a ``major win'' for his party. That was one of the demands the NDP issued in exchange for supporting the minority Liberal government on a confidence vote triggered by Wednesday's throne speech. Singh stopped short of saying the NDP will support the throne speech, saying the party is still negotiating with the Liberals on its second demand: paid sick leave. The Liberals need the support of at least one of the main opposition parties to avoid trigge
CanadaSep 24, 2020
Ontario's new testing strategy highlights complexities of second wave: experts
Medical experts say an abrupt shift in Ontario's testing strategy highlights the complexities of responding to a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier Doug Ford's government announced today that assessment centres would revert back to testing only symptomatic individuals, those who've come into contact with a case and those who work in high-risk settings. Testing for asymptomatic residents is available at up to 60 pharmacies by appointment starting on Friday. The move marks a sharp reversal from the message the government touted for months that anyone could obtain a test if they wante
CanadaSep 24, 2020
Liberals propose upping value of new COVID-19 benefits to match sunsetting CERB
The value of weekly benefits for unemployed workers would rise to $500 a week under legislation the Liberals introduced today. The proposal still needs parliamentary approval, but would bring the value of payments to the same level as under the soon-to-disappear Canada Emergency Response Benefit.The same floor will be placed on employment insurance benefits for those eligible for the program.A bill to create the new benefits regime was introduced in the House of Commons this morning, with only a few days before the first wave of recipients max out the CERB.The Liberals first unveiled the pack
CanadaSep 24, 2020
Parliament resumes full operations today with debate on throne speech
The fate of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government hangs in the balance as Parliament resumes all normal operations today for the first time in six months.Opposition parties will give their official responses to Wednesday's speech from the throne but they've already signalled that Trudeau can't count on support from any of them to survive the eventual confidence vote and avoid plunging the country into an election in the midst of a second wave of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.The Conservatives were unequivocal: they will not support the throne speech.The Bloc Quebecois was
BCSep 24, 2020
Andrew Wilkinson warns Surrey residents to be wary of NDP’s promise of building a second hospital in Surrey
Opposition leader Andrew Wilkinson is warning Surrey residents to be cautious about the NDP’s pledge to build a second hospital in the city, saying voters should look beyond campaign announcements to see whether real progress is being made.
Wilkinson argued that residents need details on timelines, funding approvals, and procurement steps before trusting the promise.
The government says the project is moving through the province’s capital planning process – from concept plan to business case, then Treasury Board funding, followed by design and construction. Officials insist Surrey’s ra
BCSep 24, 2020
Thousands dealing with stress of COVID-19 self-isolation, B.C. health officials say
British Columbia health officials say the number of COVID-19 cases across the province continues to be too high. Dr. Bonnie Henry and deputy health minister Stephen Brown say in a joint statement that thousands of residents are being forced to deal with the stress of self-isolating as a result of others not following proper COVID-19 safety precautions. They say everyone needs to follow the proper safety guidelines to ensure businesses and communities can remain open. B.C. announced 91 new cases on Wednesday for a total of 8,395. There are 1,376 active cases, with 62 people in hospital and 18
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