16.32°C Vancouver

Feb 14, 2020 6:27 PM -

Canadian officials helping in Japan after 12 Canadians contract virus on ship

Share On
canadian-officials-helping-in-japan-after-12-canadians-contract-virus-on-ship
Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois-Philippe Champagne speaks to reporters at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says Canadian health workers are assisting in Japan after 12 Canadians contracted the novel coronavirus while on a cruise ship.

Champagne says three members of the Public Health Agency of Canada and two medical personnel from the Canadian Armed Forces have been sent to Yokohama, the Japanese port city where the Diamond Princess has been docked since last week.

Some 3,500 passengers on the ship are under quarantine and 218 people have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Champagne says the Japanese government will allow some elderly people to complete the rest of their quarantine period at another facility off the ship.

Meanwhile, Champagne says consular officials are assisting in Cambodia where another ship with 279 Canadians on board was recently allowed to dock after being rejected from multiple other countries over fears of the new coronavirus.

There have been no reported case of the virus, dubbed COVID-19, on-board the Westerdam, and Champagne says officials will help Canadians with the process of returning home.


Latest news

john-horgan-campus-opens-in-langford
BCSep 16, 2025

John Horgan Campus opens in Langford

The new Royal Roads University (RRU), John Horgan Campus is open, offering innovative post-secondary options for a growing number of students living in the Westshore. “Education opens the door to opportunity,” said Premier David Eby. “This new campus provides a doorway to future prosperity for people, for their families and for their community. It is a great tribute to John’s memory that this campus carries his name, as education opened a world of possibilities for him.” The campus aims to support the growing number of people of all ages choosing to call Langford home through a uniqu
man-facing-extradition-after-family-of-migrants-froze-to-death-at-canada-us-border
CanadaSep 16, 2025

Man facing extradition after family of migrants froze to death at Canada-US border

Another man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of a migrant family on the Canada-U.S. border near Emerson, Man., in 2022. The federal justice department says Fenil Patel was arrested Sept. 5 on an extradition request from the United States. He is facing a hearing this week in Ontario Superior Court. Police in India announced in 2023 they were looking for Patel on human trafficking and other charges after a couple and their two children froze to death while trying to walk across the border in a frigid nighttime blizzard. Two men in the United States — Harshkumar Patel and Steve S
liberals-will-table-the-federal-budget-on-nov-4-champagne-says-by-craig-lord
CanadaSep 16, 2025

Francois-Philippe Champagne: Federal budget will be tabled on Nov. 4

The federal Liberal govt. will table the budget on Nov. 4. The update was shared by Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. This is going to be the first fiscal update to be shared by the new Carney govt. Usually the federal budget is tabled in the spring but the Liberals delayed this year's update until the fall. The finance minister shared an image with PM Mark Carney and then shared the news on his X account and wrote: Canada’s new government will table Budget 2025 on November 4th. A budget to meet this moment. A budget to build the strongest economy of the G7. A budget to build
vehicles-and-dirt-bikes-impounded-during-targeted-enforcement-blitz
BCSep 16, 2025

Vehicles and dirt bikes impounded during targeted enforcement blitz in Nanaimo

Aided from the air by an RCMP helicopter and with multiple officers on the ground, the Nanaimo RCMP impounded 4 dirt bikes and 3 vehicles for a wide range of driving offences. The campaign ran from 10 AM to 9 PM on Sunday September 14, 2025, and focused on key areas throughout the city. “Over the past several months, numerous complaints were received from the public over the blatant disregard for the rules of the road by a small group of individuals. From street racing to stunting to riding on sidewalks, these people were not only putting themselves at risk but the motoring public also. The
fatal-motor-vehicle-collision
BCSep 16, 2025

Driver killed in crash in Langley

On September 15, 2025, at approximately 6:20 p.m., Langley RCMP responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision located near 256 Street and 48 Avenue Langley. The collision involved two sedans and despite life-saving efforts, one of the drivers succumbed to their injuries at the scene. The circumstances leading to this tragic collision remain under investigation, but impairment has been ruled out. “We have now seen five fatal collisions in Langley in just the past six weeks. Please slow down, stay focused and give yourself time to react,” said Sergeant Zynal Sharoom of the Langley RCMP.

Related News