14.14°C Vancouver

Jan 29, 2020 9:40 PM -

Expat family expecting baby soon hopes Britain can get them out of China

Share On
plane-arranged-to-fly-160-canadians-out-of-wuhan
Tom Williams along with his wife Lauren and son James are seen in this undated handout photo. Tom Williams is a British expat who has been living and working for about five years in Wuhan, which is the capital of Hubei province in China. His wife Lauren, who is from Langley, B.C., is about 35 weeks pregnant, he said in a telephone interview from Wuhan. He also has a two-and-a-half-year-old son, James, who was born in White Rock, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Tom Williams *MANDATORY CREDIT*

A pregnant Canadian woman, her young Canadian son and Tom Williams, the child's British father, are the latest to share their concerns about getting out of Wuhan, the Chinese epicentre of an outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus.

Williams says his wife is 35-weeks pregnant and his son is under three years of age, and the whole family is waiting for word about whether they will be allowed to depart Wuhan later today on a flight organized by the British government.

As they were waiting, the Canadian government announced it has arranged a plane to fly 160 Canadians out of Wuhan -- but details are still being worked out and there's no word if Williams and his family will be on it.

An outbreak of the novel flu-like respiratory illness began in Wuhan late last year, infecting more than six-thousand people and spreading to other countries, including Canada, although health officials here say the risk of transmission remains low.

Latest news

poilievre-criticizes-federal-government-after-latest-inflation-report
BCMay 19, 2026

Poilievre criticizes federal government after latest inflation report

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is criticizing the federal government following the release of the latest inflation figures from Statistics Canada, saying rising living costs continue to put pressure on Canadian families. In a statement issued after the report was released, Poilievre said food prices are increasing faster than the overall inflation rate and argued Canadians are paying more for everyday essentials while receiving less in return. He also pointed to continued high energy and fuel prices, saying the cost of living remains a major concern for households across the country. Poi
daylight-shooting-in-langley-leaves-27-year-old-man-injured
BCMay 19, 2026

Daylight shooting in Langley leaves 27-year-old man injured

A 27-year-old man was injured in a daytime shooting in Langley on Saturday, with police saying the incident is believed to be targeted and the investigation remains ongoing. Langley RCMP said officers responded to reports of an assault in the 5400 block of Brydon Crescent at approximately 12:30 p.m. Upon arrival, officers located a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to hospital for treatment. Sgt. Zynal Sharoom said in a statement that investigators are working to determine the circumstances and motive behind the shooting. Police have not released information about any suspe
b-c-cruise-passenger-tests-positive-for-hantavirus-after-mv-hondius-voyage
BCMay 19, 2026

B.C. cruise passenger tests positive for hantavirus after MV Hondius voyage

A passenger linked to the MV Hondius cruise has tested positive for hantavirus in British Columbia, according to provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. Health officials said the patient is a Yukon resident between the ages of 70 and 75 and is receiving treatment at a hospital in Victoria. Three other Canadian travellers connected to the cruise were also placed in isolation after returning to Canada. According to provincial health authorities, two additional Yukon residents remain hospitalized, while a fourth traveller is isolating at home. Officials said there is currently no risk to the
AlbertaMay 19, 2026

TSB investigating fatal glider crash northeast of Edmonton

RCMP say a glider crash in Lamont County, northeast of Edmonton, has left one person dead. Police responded to the crash shortly after 3 p.m. Monday, according to RCMP Cpl. Mathew Howell. The lone pilot aboard the aircraft was declared dead at the scene. Authorities have not released the identity of the pilot. Howell said next-of-kin notifications were still underway as of Tuesday. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said the aircraft involved was a privately registered Schleicher ASW 20 glider. In a statement, the agency confirmed it is deploying a team of investigators to examine the c
canadas-inflation-rate-rises-to-2-8-per-cent-in-april-as-gasoline-prices-climb
CanadaMay 19, 2026

Canada’s inflation rate rises to 2.8 per cent in April as gasoline prices climb

Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.8 per cent in April, driven largely by higher gasoline prices, according to new data released by Statistics Canada. The increase marks the first time in nearly two years that the consumer price index (CPI) has reached that level. Statistics Canada reported gasoline prices were up 28.6 per cent compared with the same month last year. Energy costs had also been a major factor in March, when the annual inflation rate reached 2.4 per cent. Food inflation showed some easing during the same period. Grocery prices increased 3.5 per cent year over year in Apr

Related News