CanadaMay 27, 2020
Canada reports less than 1,000 COVID-19 cases for the first time in weeks
There are 86,648 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada. Quebec: 48,598 confirmed (including 4,139 deaths, 14,999 resolved) Ontario: 26,191 confirmed (including 2,123 deaths, 19,958 resolved) Alberta: 6,901 confirmed (including 139 deaths, 6,048 resolved) British Columbia: 2,541 confirmed (including 161 deaths, 2,122 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,052 confirmed (including 59 deaths, 976 resolved) Saskatchewan: 634 confirmed (including 8 deaths, 549 resolved) Manitoba: 281 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 269 resolved), 11 presumptive Newfoundland and Labrador: 260 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 25
BCMay 27, 2020
Vancouver shortlisted among other cities with a chance to host NHL games
Vancouver could be host to NHL games under a proposal announced by the league to resume a 24 team playoff. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the league would split its playoff format in two hub cities that would host the top 12 teams in the Eastern and Western conferences. The hub cities have not yet been determined but Vancouver is on a shortlist that also includes Edmonton, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago and Toronto. The league says it will make a final decision based on approval from local health officials but Bettman stresses the approval of the playoff plan doesn't guarantee the resump
BCMay 27, 2020
B.C. reports no COVID-19 deaths, 11 new cases as restart enters second week
British Columbia didn't report any new deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, but there have been 11 additional cases of the virus. A total of 2,542 people in B.C. have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 2,122 have recovered. There have been 161 deaths. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry urged people to continue their approaches to protecting themselves from COVID-19 as B.C. enters the second week of its economic restart plan and more activities resume. Many B.C. businesses, including restaurants, hair salons and dentists' offices, started reopening last week. Henry says B.C. may see an incre
BCMay 26, 2020
Man arrested after random, unprovoked incident in Chinatown
Vancouver police have made an arrest in what they say was a random, unprovoked incident in Chinatown on the weekend. Police say two Asian women were sitting inside a parked vehicle on Saturday when a man yelled obscenities at them and then smashed a window of the vehicle with a chisel. Sergeant Aaron Roed says the incident was particularly concerning considering the rash of anti-Asian crime and incidents seen in Vancouver recently. A suspect was arrested but released on an undertaking to appear which requires him to report to court on a future date.
BCMay 26, 2020
B.C. expands sexual assault survivor services with $10 million emergency program
The British Columbia government has announced a three-year, $10 million grant program to provide swift access to compassionate and comprehensive care for survivors of sexual assault. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenging times and gender-based violence, including sexual assault, is known to increase during periods of crisis. He says the grant program will provide funds to front-line organizations across the province, including those working in Indigenous communities. Ending Violence Association of B.C. will administer the program to help orga
CanadaMay 26, 2020
Joint statement by the premiers of B.C., Manitoba and Yukon, regarding a proposed national sick leave program
John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia; Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba; and Sandy Silver, Premier of Yukon; have issued the following joint statement regarding a proposed national sick leave program: "We're pleased that the federal government is looking at a sick leave program that protects people and businesses, and we look forward to advancing this initiative. Paid sick leave is crucial for the safe restart of our economy.""Yukon has already implemented a paid sick leave program for employers. A national program would ensure people can stay home from work when they are sick without f
BCMay 26, 2020
Stabbing on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, two people taken to hospital
Two people have been taken to hospital with serious injuries following a stabbing on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Constable Tania Visintin says officers were called at around 6 am to a report of a multiple stabbing. She says the two victims are expected to survive. No arrests have been made but investigators say there is no threat to the public. They say the stabbings appear to be isolated. Hastings Street just east of Main Street remains closed. Visintin says police will update the traffic situation via social media as conditions change.
CanadaMay 26, 2020
Military report on five long-term care homes in Ontario details troubling allegations
A military report on five long-term care homes in Ontario details troubling allegations such as rooming COVID-19 positive patients with uninfected ones, insect infestations and aggressive resident feeding that led to choking. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called in military assistance last month for five long-term care homes dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has seen the report, calls it ``deeply disturbing.'' The allegations detailed by Canadian Armed Forces members also include failure to isolate COVID-19-positive patients and allowing them to wander outside of
CanadaMay 26, 2020
General Motors to produce 10 million face masks : Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says in the last 10 weeks alone, over 40 flights have arrived in Canada carrying much needed personal protective equipment.He says it represents hundreds of thousands of items everything from masks to hospital gowns that have been shipped to our front line workers.The equipment has been in high demand world-wide, with every country competing for scarce supplies from a limited number of suppliers. Trudeau says his government is also continuing to invest in production here at home.He says Ottawa has signed a contract with General Motors to provide 10 million face m