13.8°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

bank-of-canada-expected-to-hold-key-interest-rate-at-2-25-this-week
CanadaJun 08, 2026

Bank of Canada expected to hold key interest rate at 2.25% this week

The Bank of Canada is widely expected to leave its key policy interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent when it announces its latest monetary policy decision on Wednesday. Economists estimate there is a 95 per cent likelihood that the central bank will hold rates steady for a fifth consecutive meeting. According to market analysts, policymakers are likely to focus on ongoing geopolitical uncertainty linked to the conflict involving Iran, as well as the economic implications of the upcoming review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The decision comes as recent Statistics C
AlbertaJun 08, 2026

Alberta funds five major sporting events, with four scheduled in Edmonton region

The Alberta government has announced funding for five major sporting events taking place across the province this year, including four events scheduled in Edmonton and surrounding communities. According to the provincial government, $1.3 million has been provided through the Alberta Major Sport Event Grant Program to support national and international competitions. The funding also includes support for seven sporting events that were held earlier this year. Upcoming events receiving support include the North American Cup Series from June 26 to 28, the Edmonton Athletics Invitational on July 12
carney-to-visit-france-and-ireland-ahead-of-g7-summit
CanadaJun 08, 2026

Carney to visit France and Ireland ahead of G7 summit

Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to France and Ireland this week as part of a diplomatic visit focused on trade, security and international cooperation. According to the Prime Minister's Office, Carney will meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris ahead of the G7 summit. The leaders are expected to discuss cooperation in artificial intelligence, defence and critical minerals. Carney will then travel to Dublin for talks with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. The meeting is expected to focus on strengthening trade and economic ties between Canada and Ireland. Officials say it wil
AlbertaJun 05, 2026

Edmonton police charge man in alleged sexual offences involving minor, seek additional victims

Edmonton police have charged a 30-year-old man in connection with alleged sexual offences involving a minor and say investigators believe there may be additional victims. According to the Edmonton Police Service, Brian Brook Kaskamin was arrested on June 2 and faces several charges, including sexual offences involving a minor and administering an intoxicating substance. The allegations have not been tested in court. Police allege Kaskamin used the Grindr app to contact minors and would often invite vulnerable youth to his residence in northeast Edmonton. Investigators said they are concerned t
vancouver-police-seize-drugs-cash-and-weapons-in-downtown-eastside-trafficking-investigation
BCJun 05, 2026

Vancouver police seize drugs, cash and weapons in Downtown Eastside trafficking investigation

Vancouver Police say officers seized more than $79,000 worth of illegal drugs, cash and weapons following a targeted drug trafficking investigation in the city's Downtown Eastside. According to a Vancouver Police Department release, the operation, known as Project Bingo, began in December 2025 after investigators observed suspected drug trafficking activity at a single-room occupancy (SRO) building near East Hastings Street and Princess Avenue. Police said investigators spent approximately six months gathering evidence before executing a search warrant at the building last month. Officers repo

Related News