WestJet Airlines Ltd. says it has asked the federal labour minister for an exemption to Canada Labour Code provisions to facilitate group terminations. The company said in an email the exemption would give it flexibility “to act in a timely manner” amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has tanked travel demand across the globe. The April 27 letter to Labour Minister Filomena Tassi, signed by vice-president Mark Porter and obtained by The Canadian Press, states that WestJet expects to cut some employees and that the provisions are “seriously detrimental” to its operations and “unduly pre

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says chances are that a second wave of COVID-19 could sweep back into BC along with other colds and flu in the fall. Dr. Henry says they've been watching a similar pattern elsewhere and because the virus hasn't been wiped out in the province, there is potential for it to rapidly take off. She says in South Korea the virus spread to hundreds of people through nightclubs. 12 new COVID-19 cases reported Twelve more people have tested positive for the virus in BC for a total of 2,479, while2,020 have fully recovered. Three more people have died, bri

British Columbia businesses devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic will still have to pay a scheduled increase in the minimum wage next month just as many are struggling to get back in operation. Labour Minister Harry Bains says the province will push ahead with the planned minimum wage increase on June 1 to $14.60 per hour from $13.85 an hour. He says the lowest paid workers need money in their pockets to help them support their livelihoods and contribute more dollars to local businesses. Bains says B.C.'s economic restart plan launched this week after steady declines in COVID-19 cases aims to

The Canadian Armed Forces says 28 military members have tested positive for COVID-19 after being deployed to help at long-term care facilities in Ontario and Quebec. That represents a dramatic increase from the five cases announced last week. The number include 12 new cases in Ontario and 16 in Quebec. The military says nearly 1,700 members of the Forces are working in nursing homes, where regular staff have been overwhelmed by the novel coronavirus. Members are working in 25 long-term care homes in Quebec and in five in Ontario. Most are in support roles such as cleaning, serving food and as

The Quebec government will allow children's day camps to open on June 22 with physical distancing measures due to COVID-19. Premier Francois Legault told reporters in Montreal today that camps will proceed with smaller groups of children, and he encouraged teenagers and young adults to apply for counsellor jobs. The premier says the province hasn't ruled out providing help for municipalities and groups that run the camps and will have to double staffing to meet public health guidelines. Legault says the province is also looking to open up public pools, but authorities say sleep-away summer

Over a week since Official Opposition Leader Andrew Wilkinson called on the provincial government to help with funding toprovide access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for small businesses, the BC Liberals are again pushing John Horgan for action. “Last Tuesday I wrote to Premier Horgan hoping to get his support for funding PPE access for small businesses and non-profits looking to safely reopenbut we have yet to see any action on this important requirement for safely restarting our economy,” said Wilkinson. "Without help to buy required PPE and safety upgrades, local businesses a

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he will be speaking with the premiers today about how Ottawa can help provinces massively scale up their COVID-19 testing capacity to fend off a potential second wave of the novel coronavirus. He says testing needs to increase immediately in Ontario and Quebec, where the economies are starting to reopen but the number of new COVID-19 cases remains high. Trudeau first offered provinces a national framework on testing and contact tracing last week. He says he's received positive responses from across Canada so far and is set to further discuss the offer during

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is sending $75 million to organizations that help Indigenous people living in urban areas and off reserves through the COVID-19 pandemic. The government had previously promised $15 million in funding for services such as counselling, health care, food and supportive housing.More than a million Indigenous people live in cities or off reserves, Trudeau says, and they deserve good services that are culturally appropriate.The Liberals have promised $290 million for organizations representing First Nations, Metis and Inuit people, primarily

Autism Canada and Asthma Canada are just two of the organizations raising issues about the wearing of face masks. Even as she was encouraging people to wear masks in public to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam warned people not to judge those who can't wear them. Asthma Canada's president says wearing a mask can trigger asthma symptoms.Autism Canada says adults and children who have trouble with sensory processing, as well as tactile, olfactory and nervous-system hypersensitivity could face serious challenges in wearing a mask.Deaf and hearing-impair