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key-measure-suggests-canadas-covid-19-surge-could-be-slowing-down-says-tam
CanadaApr 23, 2021

Key measure suggests Canada's COVID-19 surge could be slowing down, says Tam

Canada's top public health doctor says there's been an increase of more than 200,000 COVID-19 cases since last month, but there are signs the epidemic is easing.Dr. Theresa Tam says average case counts have more than doubled over the past month, with upwards of 8,400 infections reported daily over the last week.But Tam says there's reason for hope due to Canada's declining reproduction rate, which represents how many people are infected by each new case.She says this measure has fallen below the key threshold of one for the first time in weeks, meaning the rate of transmission is trending dow
hundreds-of-scheduled-surgeries-in-b-c-postponed-more-than-1-000-covid-19-cases-reported-in-the-province
BCApr 23, 2021

Hundreds of scheduled surgeries in B.C. postponed; More than 1,000 COVID-19 cases reported in the province

Hundreds of scheduled surgeries in British Columbia have been postponed as the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals reaches a new peak. Health Minister Adrian Dix says 1,750 surgeries at nine affected hospitals in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health regions have been delayed. There are 502 people in hospital and more than 160 of those are in intensive care units. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says pressure on B.C.'s health-care system is ``immense'' right now. The government is also asking specially trained health workers who are now in community settings to return to int
canada-bans-flights-from-india-pakistan-for-30-days
CanadaApr 22, 2021

Canada bans flights from India, Pakistan for 30 days

Transport Canada is halting all direct passenger air traffic from India and Pakistan for 30-days, starting at 11:30 tonight. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says cargo flights will be allowed to ensure the continued supply of vaccines and PPE. Alghabra says passengers who depart from the two countries via an indirect route will need obtain a negative COVID-19 test at their last point of departure. The announcement comes just after MPs voted in favour of Canada suspending international flights from countries where COVID-19 outbreaks are raging.
39-cases-related-to-b-1-617-variant-first-identified-in-india-reported-in-b-c
BCApr 22, 2021

39 cases related to B.1.617 variant first identified in India reported in B.C.

The BC Centre for Disease Control and its public health lab are reviewing the genetic sequencing of what they are now calling a ``variant of interest'' that has made its way to this province. A statement from the Ministry of Health says 39 COVID-19 cases involving the B.1.617 variant first identified in India were found in B-C by April 4th, but the strain was not then considered a variant of concern or a variant under investigation. The statement says the ministry should be able to provide an update by later this week on the number and severity of cases linked to the latest variant. Quebec id
federal-government-needs-to-immediately-stop-admitting-flights-from-countries-like-india-and-brazil-erin-otoole
CanadaApr 22, 2021

Federal government needs to immediately stop admitting flights from countries like India and Brazil: Erin O'Toole

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says the federal government needs to immediately stop admitting flights from COVID-19 "hot spot" countries like India and Brazil. He says the move would buy time to figure out a better plan for stopping variants of concern from getting into Canada. O'Toole doesn't have specifics for what he thinks should happen to beef up border protections beyond not allowing flights to land from certain countries. Health Canada says about one per cent of arriving passengers are testing positive but can't say how many have tested positive after 10 days. Bloc Quebecois Leader
judge-to-rule-on-criminal-responsibility-of-man-who-stabbed-two-b-c-students
BCApr 22, 2021

Judge to rule on criminal responsibility of man who stabbed two B.C. students

A British Columbia Supreme Court judge is expected to deliver her decision today over whether a man who stabbed two high school students is not criminally responsible because he had a mental disorder. Gabriel Klein was convicted last year for the murder of 13-year-old Letisha Reimer and the aggravated assault of her friend in the rotunda of Abbotsford Senior Secondary in 2016.Klein, who has schizophrenia, applied for a hearing over criminal responsibility as sentencing was set to begin in September and he later testified that he believed he was stabbing a witch and a monster.His lawyer has ar
862-new-covid-19-cases-and-7-deaths-reported-in-b-c
BCApr 22, 2021

862 new COVID-19 cases and 7 deaths reported in B.C.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued a joint statement regarding updates on the COVID-19 response in British Columbia. "Today, we are reporting 862 new cases, for a total of 121,751 cases in British Columbia. "There are 8,906 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, with 13,135 people under public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases. A further 111,039 people who tested positive have recovered. "Of the active cases, 483 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 163 of whom are in intens
ontarios-government-is-pleading-with-ottawa-to-ban-travel-from-india-and-other-hot-spot-countries-dr-tam-says-federal-government-is-looking-into-flights-arriving-from-india
CanadaApr 21, 2021

Ontario's government is "pleading" with Ottawa to ban travel from India and other hot-spot countries; Dr. Tam says federal government is looking into flights arriving from India

Canada's top public health doctor says the federal government is looking into flights arriving from India amid reports that a massive surge of COVID-19 cases is ravaging that country. Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Ottawa has generally opted for measures that are not country-specific, such as a pre-boarding test for COVID-19, tests on arrival and government-mandated quarantine. But she says India could be a special case due to a "variant of interest" there that may be fuelling a massive outbreak of COVID-19. India recorded nearly 300,000 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday al
three-confidence-votes-to-determine-fate-of-minority-liberal-government
CanadaApr 21, 2021

Three confidence votes to determine fate of minority Liberal government

A pair of proposed changes to the federal budget put forward by opposition parties will determine whether the minority Liberal government will fall, which could trigger an election.The government says it has informed opposition parties that two votes in the House of Commons — on a Bloc Québécois sub-amendment today and on a Conservative amendment Thursday — are considered confidence votes.A third opportunity to pass judgment on the massive budget comes Monday, when the House votes on the main motion to approve the government's budget policy.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal govern

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CanadaJun 23, 2026

Porter Airlines Cuts Fuel Surcharge on Reward Flights Amid Falling Oil Prices

Canadian carrier Porter Airlines has reduced the temporary fuel surcharge on bookings for its new VIPorter reward flights from $40 to $20, effective Tuesday, citing lower oil prices and improving market conditions. Although oil prices have remained volatile since the conflict involving Iran began in February and are still nearly 50 per cent higher than a year ago, the airline says it plans to eliminate the surcharge entirely once market conditions stabilize further. Porter's decision has raised expectations that other airlines may also reduce their fuel surcharges in the coming weeks. The surc
u-s-kayaker-dies-after-capsizing-on-b-c-s-okanagan-lake
BCJun 23, 2026

U.S. Kayaker Dies After Capsizing on B.C.'s Okanagan Lake

A tragic boating accident on British Columbia's Okanagan Lake has claimed the life of an American kayaker after strong winds caused two people to capsize. West Kelowna RCMP said the incident occurred Friday evening near the Westbank First Nation beach when two kayakers were caught in sudden and dangerous wind conditions on the lake. While attempting to swim back to shore, one of the kayakers disappeared underwater. People on nearby boats quickly responded and managed to rescue one of the kayakers, but the second person could not be located. The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue team later rec
house-destroyed-in-wildfire-near-b-c-s-lytton-village-ahead-of-2021-fire-anniversary
BCJun 23, 2026

House Destroyed in Wildfire Near B.C.'s Lytton Village Ahead of 2021 Fire Anniversary

A home has been completely destroyed by an out-of-control wildfire near the Village of Lytton, B.C. The incident comes just days before the fifth anniversary of the devastating 2021 wildfire that destroyed much of the community and claimed two lives. Officials say it remains unclear how many other structures may have been damaged by the current blaze, as emergency crews have not yet been able to fully assess the affected areas. According to the latest update from the B.C. Wildfire Service, the Saw Creek wildfire near Lytton has now burned approximately 704 hectares. However, the agency noted
carney-pays-tribute-to-air-india-flight-182-victims-vows-stronger-security-measures
CanadaJun 23, 2026

Carney Pays Tribute to Air India Flight 182 Victims, Vows Stronger Security Measures

Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued a statement marking the National Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Air India Flight 182 bombing, paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragedy 41 years ago. Carney said the attack claimed the lives of 329 innocent people, including 268 Canadians, making it the deadliest act of terrorism in Canadian history. Honouring the victims of Flight 182, the prime minister stressed the need for continued vigilance against violent extremism and highlighted the government's commitment to strengthening national security laws. He said new measures
AlbertaJun 23, 2026

Alberta Reverses Increase in Minimum Alcohol Prices

Alberta's liquor authority has cancelled a recent increase to the minimum price of alcohol sold in bars and restaurants. The decision comes after a weekend social media dispute between Premier Danielle Smith and Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas. Smith and senior members of her government criticized Calgary City Council over new noise and curfew rules introduced for the Calgary Stampede. In response, Mayor Farkas criticized the province's decision to raise minimum alcohol prices. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said Calgary's leadership should follow the province's example by repealing the contr