Canada's two most-populous provinces are again smashing daily COVID-19 records. Ontario has surpassed its previous one-day record set Christmas Day with 10,436 new COVID-19 cases. Quebec is reporting more than 13,000 new infections. As cases threaten to overwhelm Quebec's health-care system, unions say a plan to permit some asymptomatic staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 to stay on the job is too risky. Meanwhile, Nunavut's premier says a ban on indoor gatherings is being extended to January 17th as a result of the rising case counts of the Omicron variant. The territory now has 74 C

There will be no respite from frigid temperatures until the end of the week for most of Western Canada as arctic wind chills blanket the area, sending temperatures plummeting. Environment Canada says most of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, along with parts of Manitoba and Ontario, are still under extreme cold warnings with wind chills plunging down to -50 C in some areas. Environment Canada says the frigid arctic air mass enveloping southern parts of Saskatchewan won't let up until the end of the week. The weather agency says most of Alberta will see extreme cold conditions with

Rising tennis star Leylah Fernandez has won the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as The Canadian Press female Athlete of the Year. The 19 year old from Laval, Quebec, advanced to the final of the 2021 U-S Open, a highlight of a successful season for all of Canada's elite tennis players. Fernandez stunned defending champion Naomi Osaka in the third round and knocked off more big names before losing to Britain's Emma Raducanu in an all-teen final.

Ontario is pausing social visits in and out of long-term care homes as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly in the province. Long-Term Care. Minister Rod Phillips says that as of Thursday visits to long-term care homes will be restricted to two designated caregivers per resident, while residents will still be allowed to leave for essential needs. Phillips says the measures are needed because long-term care homes are particularly vulnerable to community spread.The measure comes as 41 long-term care homes are facing outbreaks, and Ontario reported closed to nine-thousand new COVID-19 cases across

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Christmas:"Merry Christmas, Canada! Today, our family joins Christians across the country and around the world to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and his message of compassion, love, and selflessness."As a family, we usually gather for meals with loved ones, exchange gifts around the Christmas tree, and most importantly, create memories together. This is also a day to reflect on the many contributions that Christians have made – and continue to make – to communities across the country. This holiday season, like

Ontario and Quebec both reported record-breaking numbers of new COVID-19 infections today. Ontario reported 57-hundred and 90 new cases and Quebec 9,397 new infections. Health officials in Montreal report one-fifth of residents getting tested are positive and that 90 per cent of infections are the Omicron variant. Contact tracers in the city can no longer keep up with the crush of new infections. A doctor who advises the Ontario government on COVID-19 says as high as today's number was, the real total is likely three to four times higher.

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says some changes to Canada's immigration system could be here to stay.Last month the government welcomed a record number of permanent residents, putting the Liberals on track to meet an ambitious immigration target of 401,000 new permanent residents by the end of the year.Some of the new arrivals have been immigrants who arrived in Canada through traditional means.But others have been temporary residents allowed to make the country their permanent home because of pandemic-related restrictions at the border.Fraser says that pathway could remain open beyond the

Canadian swimmers have given their best performance in the short course world championships. Canada won a total of 15 medals at the world championships played at Abu Dhabi. Canadian swimmers ended the championship with 7 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze medals. US won the most medals and ended the championship with 30 medals that included 9 gold medals. Swimming Canada on Twitter: With 15 medals, this is Canada’s most medals won ever at any World Championships or Olympic Games!

The federal government is temporarily expanding eligibility for two COVID-19 benefit programs to aid those affected by capacity limits imposed in response to the spread of the Omicron variant.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is making the announcement today as provinces tighten restrictions on businesses in response to a countrywide surge of COVID-19 cases.Last week Parliament passed the new Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit, a program that grants $300 a week to anyone who can't work because of a COVID-19 lockdown.The law also includes targeted aid for businesses that are ordered close as part of a