British Columbia's top doctor and the health minister are urging the public to slow the spread of COVID-19 this weekend by limiting any festive gatherings to immediate households. Dr. Bonnie Henry and Adrian Dix say 711 new infections have been recorded in the province and 11 more people have died, for a total of 492 fatalities. British Columbia is recording 711 new cases, bringing the total number of active cases to 9,050. They say in a joint statement that B.C. is continuing to see a significant surge in community transmission so all public health orders must be followed as more than 36,000

The prime minister is not commenting on a Wall Street Journal report that the US Department of Justice has approached Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou with a plea deal of sorts. When pressed today, Justin Trudeau would only repeat what he has said in the past: that he is hopeful of winning the release of two Canadians caught up in the diplomatic standoff that started with Meng's arrest. Meng's 2018 arrest at Vancouver's airport at the behest of the US sparked the diplomatic standoff, and is widely believed to be behind China's decision days later to detain Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kov

The rate of job growth continued to slow in November with the economy adding 62,000 jobs, down from 84,000 in October. The gains were mostly focused in full-time work with a gain of 99,000 jobs, offset somewhat by a decline in part-time work of 37,000 positions, Statistics Canada reported Friday. The average economist estimate had been for a gain of 20,000 jobs and an unchanged unemployment rate, according to financial data firm Refinitiv. The gains in November left the country 574,000 jobs short of recouping the approximately three million jobs lost from lockdowns in March and April that sen

BC is reporting 694 new cases of COVID-19, pushing the number of active cases past 9,000 for the first time. Provincial heath officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has also announced another 12 deaths, raising the total to 481. Dr. Henry says the province is continuing to make progress on Operation Immunize and hopes to begin the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks. But she says there will only be limited amounts at first for those most at risk of severe illness and deaths. British Columbia's top doctor says seniors in long-term care homes and hospitals will be the first to get a vaccine ag

Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo says there is light at the end of the tunnel. Njoo says Health Canada is expected to approve COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use early in the new year, triggering one of the most ambitious vaccination programs in Canadian history. He says there will eventually be enough vaccine doses for every Canadian. The military is going to conduct a practice run on Monday to ensure the plan to distribute vaccines will work. News of the vaccine program comes as Ontario reported a near-record 1,824 new COVID-19 infections and Quebec reported 1,470 new case

On December 3, 2020 just after 5:30 a.m., the Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a single vehicle collision in the alleyway of the 13700-block of 75A Avenue. A 30 year old female was located with critical injuries, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Despite all efforts by first responders, the woman succumbed to her injuries. Early information indicates a second vehicle was involved in this shooting and police are currently combing the area for any potential evidence, including video surveillance. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) will be investigating this occurrence

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says the Liberal government's failure to be transparent about plans to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine is fuelling anxiety among Canadians. O'Toole says a plan should help provide details about the vaccine candidates and educate Canadians on their research and approval. He says information is just as important a tool in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as rapid tests. The Conservatives have a motion before the House of Commons today that calls on the Liberals to present specific details on their vaccine rollout strategy by Dec 16. Among other things, the T

British Columbia's top doctor says COVID-19 cases have levelled off in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health regions, but they've been rising in the North, Interior and to a lesser extent on Vancouver Island. Dr. Bonnie Henry says there is some variability in how the illness is spreading in different areas, but social interactions are driving transmissions across the province. Dr. Henry says transmissions remain high and while health restrictions on travel and social gatherings are set to end Monday, it's possible the rules could be extended. Dr. Henry is also urging people to avoid travell

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government is fine-tuning its COVID-19 vaccination plan to ensure Canadians can get inoculated as soon as doses are available. But opposition parties are criticizing the Liberals' reluctance to reveal exactly how and when it will distribute a vaccine once one is approved by Health Canada. Opposition Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole questioned the prime minister about his vaccine plan today in the House of Commons.The Conservatives are expected to introduce a motion tomorrow that could compel the government to release details of the plan by the middle of