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CanadaDec 08, 2023

Feds recover $40M from defunct Quebec vaccine developer Medicago

The federal government says it has recovered $40 million from the now-defunct Quebec-based vaccine developer Medicago, and the intellectual property will remain in Canada under a new firm. The government provided Medicago a $173-million advance in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to develop and produce a plant-based vaccine in Quebec City. The company's Japanese parent company, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, shut down Medicago's operations in February as global demand for vaccinations plummeted. Though Medicago's vaccine was approved for use in Canada, it was not approved by the World Healt
1-in-9-canadian-adults-have-had-long-term-symptoms-from-covid-infection-statcan-says
CanadaDec 08, 2023

1 in 9 Canadian adults have had long-term symptoms from COVID infection, StatCan says

Statistics Canada says about one in nine Canadian adults have had long-term symptoms from COVID-19 infection.The report released today says that amounts to 3.5 million Canadians. Symptoms are defined as long-term if they persist for three months or longer after a COVID-19 infection and they can't be explained by anything else. Almost 80 per cent of people with long-term symptoms have them for six months or more. StatCan says more than half of those who ever had long-term symptoms still had them as of June 2023. Two-thirds of Canadian adults who have tried to get health-care services for their
more-than-200-crashes-reported-as-wintry-weather-returns-to-calgary
CanadaDec 08, 2023

More than 200 crashes reported as wintry weather returns to Calgary

More than 200 crashes have occurred from last night to this morning due to Thursday night's snow fall in Calgary. Due to the storm, the drivers had to face a lot of trouble. According to the police, people have been injured in 13 out of 200 crashes.They said that 6 crashes took place this morning, out of which injuries were reported during one of the accidents. Due to slippery roads, control over vehicles is reduced. According to city officials, they have ordered more crews and 60 trucks to remove snow from the roads. Snow removal is being done with the help of roller coaster.People are warned
salmonella-spread-by-eating-malichita-brand-melons-in-canada-5-people-died
BCDec 08, 2023

Salmonella spread by eating Malichita brand melons in Canada, 5 people died

The Public Health Agency of Canada says the death toll has risen to five in a salmonella outbreak linked to Malichita and Rudy brand cantaloupes. It says 129 people have been confirmed with salmonella linked to the outbreak, almost double the number at the last update on December 1st, when a single death had been recorded. There are also 17 cases in Ontario, 15 in British Columbia, and two each in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. The agency issued food recall warnings three times in November for Malichita cantaloupes sold between October 11th and November 14
canada-implements-stricter-rules-for-international-students-may-limit-visas
CanadaDec 08, 2023

Canada implements stricter rules for international students, may ‘limit visas’

Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Ottawa will require foreigners applying to study in Canada to have double the amount of funds currently required. Miller says the change is among those meant to ensure international students aren't left vulnerable to sketchy employers and unable to afford life in Canada. He is also warning provinces that the Liberals might limit visas if colleges and universities don't adequately support students, but he tells reporters that governments need to have more conversations before such changes. The Liberals are also ramping down a policy that lengthened the
quebec-unions-representing-420-000-public-sector-workers-start-weeklong-strike
CanadaDec 08, 2023

Quebec unions representing 420,000 public sector workers start weeklong strike

Unions representing 420,000 Quebec public sector workers are beginning a weeklong strike today. The workers, including teachers, education support staff and lab technicians, are members of a group of unions that calls itself the "common front." The temporary strike comes after the common front rejected the government's most recent contract offer, which includes a salary increase of 12.7 per cent over five years. It is the group's third temporary strike since early November, and the unions say it will be the last before they launch an unlimited strike. Around 66,000 teachers who are members of
alberta-legislature-wraps-up-fall-sitting-passes-pension-exit-legislation
CanadaDec 08, 2023

Alberta legislature wraps up fall sitting, passes pension-exit legislation

The Alberta legislature has wrapped up its fall sitting, passing nine bills this week that included legislation yesterday clearing the path for a referendum on the province quitting the Canada Pension Plan. To pass the bill, the U-C-P government's House Leader Joseph Schow put time limits on debate. He says he had no choice as the Opposition NDP signalled it would try to hold up the bill by endlessly debating it. New Democrats say the bill mandating a referendum be held before Alberta would leave the CPP contains a loophole that gives the government the option to ignore the results.
b-c-chief-coroner-lisa-lapointe-retiring-saddened-by-overdose-crisis-policy
BCDec 06, 2023

B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe retiring, saddened by overdose crisis policy

British Columbia's Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe has announced she is leaving her post after 13 years, deeply saddened the province has been unable to reduce the "tragic impacts" of toxic drugs on thousands of people. Lapointe says in a statement today the coroners service has been forever altered by the public health emergency that continues to take the lives of people of all ages in communities throughout B.C., including more than 2,000 people so far this year. Lapointe says recommendations by coroners service death-review panels, including providing a safe supply of drugs without prescription
CanadaDec 06, 2023

Hot, dry growing season in Alberta drives drop in Canadian wheat production

Wheat production across Canada remained low this year, with wheat yields in Alberta down nearly 20 per cent. Wheat production declined due to hot, dry weather in the state. According to a Statistics Canada report, Canada's total wheat production in 2023 is expected to decline by about 7 percent to 32 million tonnes.Wheat production in other provinces such as Alberta also remained low. Saskatchewan recorded a 6.7 percent drop in wheat production. Dry conditions were the main cause of reduced production in the prairies. However, Manitoba recorded an 8 percent increase in wheat production this ye

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BCSep 23, 2026

BC Green Leader Emily Lowan to Run in Saanich North After Rob Botterell Retires

BC Green Party MLA Rob Botterell has announced his retirement from politics, opening the door for party leader Emily Lowan to contest the Saanich North and the Islands riding in the upcoming provincial election. Botterell confirmed his decision during a joint news conference with Lowan in Victoria. Lowan will now seek the seat, which has been held by the Greens since Adam Olsen won it in 2017 and was retained by Botterell in the 2024 election. Elections BC records show Botterell was elected with the Green Party in 2024. The riding is considered significant for the BC Greens, given the party’
CanadaSep 23, 2026

Ontario Launches Canada’s First Medical Drone Pilot Program

Canada’s first medical drone pilot program of its kind has been launched by Peel Regional Paramedic Service in Ontario, allowing life-saving medical supplies to reach patients before an ambulance arrives during emergencies. The pilot project is currently operating in the Bolton area. Under the program, when a 911 call is received, a drone can be dispatched alongside an ambulance to the scene. The drone can deliver an automated external defibrillator (AED) for cardiac emergencies, naloxone for opioid overdoses and medical kits designed to control severe bleeding, particularly in rural and rem
one-charged-second-suspect-sought-in-granville-street-face-slashing
BCSep 23, 2026

One Charged, Second Suspect Sought in Granville Street Face-Slashing

Crown Counsel has approved charges after a 19-year-old man was allegedly slashed in the face with a blade during an early-morning robbery on Vancouver’s Granville Street last month. Vancouver Police are also asking the public to help identify a second suspect. The incident happened around 3:20 a.m. on August 8 in the 900-block of Granville Street. Police say two men approached the victim and his friends, removed a chain necklace from the victim’s neck and slashed him. The victim suffered a five-inch cut stretching from the tip of his nose, beneath his eye and ending near his eyebrow. On Se
canadas-population-growth-hits-slowest-pace-since-wwii
CanadaSep 23, 2026

Canada’s Population Growth Hits Slowest Pace Since WWII

Canada’s population grew by 0.5 per cent between July 2025 and July 2026, marking the slowest annual growth rate recorded since the end of the Second World War. According to Statistics Canada, the pace of population growth was even lower than during the period when border restrictions were imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. As of July 1, 2026, Canada’s population was estimated at 41.8 million. The report says the slowdown was mainly driven by federal government measures and policy changes aimed at limiting the number of temporary residents. Statistics Canada said Ontario, Quebec and B
b-c-election-advance-voting-set-for-october-16-21
BCSep 23, 2026

B.C. Election: Advance Voting Set for October 16–21

Election activity is intensifying in British Columbia, with Elections B.C. announcing that advance voting will be held from October 16 to 21. Voters will be able to cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the advance voting period. Political parties and independent candidates will have until October 3 to enter the race and complete their registration. The 2024 provincial election cost approximately $91 million to conduct. For this election, Elections B.C. has initially requested a budget of $50 million, although the final cost will only be known after the voting process is completed. V