7.38°C Vancouver

Dec 29, 2020 9:21 PM -

Call to close Ontario's COVID-19 vaccination clinics was a wrong decision: Rick Hillier

Share On
call-to-close-ontarios-covid-19-vaccination-clinics-was-a-wrong-decision-rick-hillier
A person walks past a COVID-19 restrictions sign during in Mississauga, Ont., on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. Ontario is reporting a new daily record for COVID-19 infections. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Retired general Rick Hillier says the call to close Ontario's COVID-19 vaccination clinics over Christmas Day and Boxing Day was the wrong decision.

Medical experts were sharply critical of the move, pointing out on social media that the virus doesn't take a holiday.

That's been borne out in the latest stats, which show Ontario recorded 2,553 new cases of COVID-19 today and 1,939 yesterday.

Hillier says all of the province's clinics are open today and that Ontario expects to receive its first doses of the Moderna vaccine tomorrow, which will be sent to long-term care and retirement homes.

Ontario is reporting nearly 4,500 new COVID-19 infections over the past two days, including more than 2,500 new cases today.

The rest were reported on Monday, but not released due to the holidays.

The entire province has been in lockdown since Saturday.

Latest news

mission-rcmp-seeks-public-assistance-after-violent-home-invasion-and-weapons-theft
BCNov 27, 2025

Mission RCMP seeks public assistance after violent home invasion and weapons theft

Mission RCMP says investigators are searching for two outstanding suspects after a violent home invasion earlier this month that left several residents injured and resulted in the theft of multiple long guns. Police were called to a home around 1:30 a.m. on November 13, where intruders allegedly forced their way inside, used pepper spray on the occupants, and struck one person with a crowbar. Officers say one suspect was injured during the altercation with the homeowner before fleeing. About half an hour later, staff at a local hospital reported that a man with suspicious injuries had been dro
ottawa-and-alberta-sign-agreement-on-west-coast-pipeline-propose-path-to-revisiting-b-c-tanker-limits
CanadaNov 27, 2025

Ottawa and Alberta sign agreement on West Coast pipeline, propose path to revisiting B.C. tanker limits

The federal government and Alberta have signed a new memorandum of understanding that lays out a framework for advancing an oil pipeline to Canada’s West Coast, while also opening the door to potential changes to British Columbia’s tanker restrictions. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith formalized the agreement at a ceremony in Calgary on Thursday, describing it as a step toward defining the project as one of national interest under the Building Canada Act. Under the terms released by officials, Ottawa says it would be prepared to adjust the West Coast tanker ban
akal-takht-acting-jathedar-meets-family-of-slain-jalandhar-teen-calls-for-strongest-penalties
IndiaNov 27, 2025

Akal Takht acting Jathedar meets family of slain Jalandhar teen, calls for strongest penalties

The acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, met with the family of a 13-year-old girl who was killed during an alleged attempted sexual assault in Jalandhar, urging authorities to pursue the maximum punishment allowed under law. The visit comes as community members continue to express concern about the handling of the case. During the meeting, the Jathedar offered prayers for the victim and received a detailed account of the events from the family. He assured them that the Panth’s highest temporal seat, along with the broader Sikh community, supports the family as the
fintrac-warns-of-rising-child-sexual-extortion-cases-tied-to-organized-crime
CanadaNov 27, 2025

Fintrac warns of rising child sexual extortion cases tied to organized crime

Canada’s financial intelligence agency says financially motivated sexual extortion involving children is becoming more frequent, with many cases showing signs of organized criminal involvement. The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada has issued a new alert urging banks and other reporting entities to watch for financial patterns that could signal online extortion or broader child exploitation activity. The agency notes that offenders often threaten to release intimate images or videos of young victims unless money or additional content is provided. Officials say the
AlbertaNov 27, 2025

Alberta pair charged in historic northern Ontario sexual assault case

Alberta RCMP say two people now living in Wetaskiwin County have been charged in connection with a sexual assault investigation launched in northern Ontario, involving incidents reported to have occurred several years ago. According to the Ontario Provincial Police, the alleged offences took place in Gillies Township, a rural community southwest of Thunder Bay, between 2020 and 2022. Investigators have charged a 73-year-old man with two counts of sexual interference and two counts of sexual assault involving a person under the age of 16. A 63-year-old woman is facing three counts of assault. P

Related News