British Columbia's provincial health officer says contact tracers are ``stretched to the max'' and falling behind as they try to keep up with the province's growing COVID-19 infection rate. The latest modelling from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry came as B.C. surpassed 20,000 cases of COVID-19 with 1,130 new cases detected over two days and four more deaths. Dr. Henry says one infection can cause a cascade of trouble and used the example of a small wedding where 15 people became positive, 10 of those had additional household cases and one person spread it to a long-term care home

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says detailed information on the latest proposed COVID-19 aid programs for hard-hit businesses will be released in the fall fiscal update. Testifying before the Senate's national finance committee, which is reviewing Bill C-9, Freeland would not commit to monthly reports on pandemic spending. Bill C-9 would extend the federal wage subsidy until next summer, cancel a previously planned decline in its value and expand a popular business loan program. It would also revamp a widely criticized commercial rent relief program.

The Liberal government is creating a new measure for young people in Hong Kong: a work permit designed to speed up the process toward permanent residency in Canada. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino is announcing the long-awaited plans to help people living in Hong Kong, including some 300,000 Canadians, amid the Chinese clampdown on democracy. Mendicino says any Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in the territory can return to Canada at any time and Ottawa will expedite any documents they need. Hong Kong was supposed to operate under a ``one-country, two-systems'' framework

The province with the largest per-capita caseload of active COVID-19 infections in the country is imposing new restrictions as of today. Manitoba is shutting down bars, museums and theatres, limiting restaurants to deliveries and curbside pickups and putting a cap on gatherings to five people. The province reported 5,676 active cases yesterday, and its deadliest day of the pandemic so far. Ontario recorded another record number of COVID-19 cases yesterday and Premier Doug Ford's government is set to unveil new modelling numbers later today. Health officials in BC will also unveil their latest

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is urging everyone to show their support for veterans by wearing a poppy and watching Remembrance Day ceremonies online today.Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says the acts of reflection, remembrance, and respect don't just happen during parades or at cenotaphs. He says they are emotional acts we will uphold in a year when Canadians are adapting and persevering through challenging times.With COVID-19 cases surging in many provinces, the Royal Canadian Legion is severely scaling back ceremonies and telling people to stay home.

BC is reporting 525 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths. That brings the number of deaths linked to the pandemic to 284. The bulk of the new cases continue to be in the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal heath regions. The province now has 5,133active cases of COVID-19, with 142 people in hospital, including 46 in intensive care.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says provinces and territories should not hesitate to ask for federal help to fight COVID-19. He says federal supports should make it easier to make decisions about what to shut down or open. Trudeau insists health measures should not be compromised because of economic fears. He says that's how we'd end up with a worse pandemic, more people sick and more businesses harmed. "Government will give 61-million dollars to help Indigenous communities in Manitoba" Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is addressing the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Manitoba. Trudeau says th

More than two-thirds of Canadians say they would support a curfew if the COVID-19 pandemic became serious enough, according to a new poll.The survey by Léger and the Association for Canadian Studies found that 67 per cent of Canadians would back a temporary nighttime curfew,10 p.m. to 5 a.m., to curb viral spread in dire circumstances.However, respondents' enthusiasm varied by age, with young people less disposed to the notion.Fifty-five per cent of respondents aged 18 to 34 said they would support a curfew, while three-quarters of those aged 55 and over endorsed it, including 80 per cent of

British Columbia's top doctor has clarified a public health order requiring people living in two health regions to cut back on their social interactions in order to slow the rising COVID-19 case count. The details of Dr. Bonnie Henry's latest directive on Saturday are now posted online and explain that people in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health regions may only socialize with those in their ``core bubble.'' The provincial webpage notes a person's core bubble consists of others who live in the same home and may also include a partner, co-parent, relative or friend who lives in a differe