Canada has a leg up on preparing for a potential outbreak of the novel coronavirus because the country already has a detailed pandemic plan, according to federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu. It includes lessons learned from the 2003 outbreak of SARS in Ontario and the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. So what is supposed to happen if the virus starts spreading in Canada? Here's a simplified look:Some steps in the plan are already underway, like stepping up surveillance of the disease in Canada and globally, and alerting the public to the potential outbreak. The government has also increased lab c

A hospice society in British Columbia says it is outraged by the province's decision to stop its funding because it refuses to provide medically assisted death. Angelina Ireland, president of Delta Hospice, says there wasn't any consultation between the care facility, Fraser Health and the Health Ministry.On Tuesday, Health Minister Adrian Dix said Fraser Health will stop paying $1.5 million in annual funding to the Delta Hospice Society next year after giving the organization one year's notice to end its service agreement without cause. Ireland says if the government wants to implement medic

Indigenous youth who have been camping on the steps of the B.C. Legislature since Monday to show support for Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs say they are prepared to occupy provincial and federal government offices as well as rail lines to stop the Coastal GasLink project. The group held a news conference this morning in front of the legislature, saying their protest is aimed at supporting all those who want to protect sacred lands and waters from projects such as the pipeline. Spokeswoman Ta'Kaiya Blaney says Indigenous people are being arrested and ``criminalized'' for trying to protect the

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the latest actions by protesters on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory are ``extremely concerning.'' Video shared online shows a group of protesters standing on the tracks near Belleville, Ont., as a CN Rail train approaches, then jumping out of the way at the last moment. A few appear to be throwing items at the train. Provincial police say fires were also set near and on the tracks this morning. The prime minister told reporters people should not be endangering their lives and those of others by interfering with the trains. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair made

A meeting could happen as soon as tomorrow with federal, B.C. politicians and the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs. Chief Na'moks says progress is being made on three conditions they want to see met before any talks occur. Those conditions include an expectation that R.C.M.P. remove a mobile detachment from Wet'suwet'en territory and stop foot patrols.

The opening statement from the B.C. Real Estate Association to an inquiry into money laundering says an analysis shows accepting cash deposits is rare in the industry. Chris Weafer, a lawyer for the association, says real estate agents only ever accept modest cash deposits in rare circumstances. He says the association's analysis shows accepting cash deposits hasn't been common practice and is only done in extenuating circumstances, but even then, amounts were modest. The inquiry was called by the provincial government after three reports indicated money laundering is a problem in casinos and

Police are looking for help in finding a man they accuse of breaking into Harbour Air's seaplane terminal on Vancouver's waterfront last Friday and trying to steal one of its aircraft.Const. Tania Visintin of Vancouver police says a man described as white and in his 40s was allegedly able to break into the terminal and one of the seaplanes tied to the dock.But when he started the plane and attempted to taxi away, police say he hit several other docked planes, ripping the wing off one and severely damaging another.Visintin says police believe the suspect has a working knowledge of planes.Inves

A murder suspect startled his own lawyer when he pleaded guilty in a Kelowna, B.C., courtroom on Tuesday.The surprise plea brought an abrupt end to what was expected to be a three-week trial for Tejwant Danjou on a charge of second-degree murder. Danjou simply said ``I'm guilty'' when asked for his plea by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Alison Beames. When she asked if Danjou had discussed his plea with his lawyer, the 70 year old Vancouver real estate agent said he didn't need to speak to anyone, and then repeated, ``I'm guilty.''Danjou has been in custody since July 2018 when he was arrested in

Medical officials in Ontario are reporting a fifth case of the novel coronavirus in the province.The Ministry of Health says the latest case is a woman in her 60s who had recently travelled to Iran.They say the woman arrived at a Toronto hospital on Monday and has since been discharged to her home where she is in self-isolation.The ministry says Toronto Public Health is following up with the patient and looking into people she had close contact with.This is the 12th case of COVID-19 in Canada, but public health officials say the risk of the virus spreading in this country is still low.The viru