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BCNov 17, 2020

Records shatter as B.C. reports 1,959 new COVID-19 cases, 9 more deaths

BC is reporting 1,959 new cases of COVID-19 over the past three days, including a daily record of 659 cases on Saturday. Public health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there have also been nine more deaths, bringing the total to 299. She says the province has 6,279 active cases with 181 people in hospital, including 57 in intensive care. Dr. Henry says she's been asked many times about why BC hasn't made the use of masks mandatory in public places. She says most people are doing that already and it would not cover private homes.
2nd-coronavirus-vaccine-shows-early-success-in-u-s-tests
WorldNov 16, 2020

2nd coronavirus vaccine shows early success in U.S. tests

For the second time this month, there's promising news from a COVID-19 vaccine candidate: Moderna said Monday its shots provide strong protection, a dash of hope against the grim backdrop of coronavirus surges in the U.S. and around the world. Moderna said its vaccine appears to be 94.5% effective, according to preliminary data from the company’s still ongoing study. A week ago, competitor Pfizer Inc. announced its own COVID-19 vaccine appeared similarly effective — news that puts both companies on track to seek permission within weeks for emergency use in the U.S. Prime Minister Justin
3-schools-in-fraser-health-region-closing-due-to-covid-19
BCNov 15, 2020

3 schools in Fraser Health region closing due to COVID-19

Surrey's Cambridge Elementary School has been ordered to close until Nov 30 due to a COVID-19 outbreak. At least seven people have tested positive and the transmission is reported to have occured on the school premises. The school's music teacher is in the ICU. Additionally, two other schools in the Fraser Health region are voluntarily closing for two weeks due to staffing issues because of COVID-19 "clusters". These schools are: Jarvis Elementary in Delta (76 Ave & 118 St) Al-Hidayah School, an independent school in New Westminster.
b-c-health-officials-urging-residents-to-celebrate-diwali-virtually-this-year-as-b-c-records-more-than-600-covid-19-cases-for-the-first-time
BCNov 14, 2020

B.C. health officials urging residents to celebrate Diwali virtually this year as B.C. records more than 600 COVID-19 cases for the first time

British Columbia health officials are urging residents to celebrate Diwali virtually this year, as the province reports a new daily record number of COVID-19 cases. B.C. recorded 617 new cases on Friday, for a total of 20,985. Officials also reported two new COVID-19-related fatalities, bringing the province's death toll to 290 over the course of the pandemic. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a joint statement that the number of cases shows it is a critical time for B.C., and residents need to work together to slow the number of infections. They
pm-trudeau-says-government-will-always-be-there-to-help-but-federal-resources-are-not-infinite
CanadaNov 13, 2020

PM Trudeau says government will always be there to help, but federal resources are not "infinite"

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's told premiers that while his government will always be there to help, federal resources are not "infinite." Trudeau says he's heard from premiers about the challenges they're facing, but he says making tough choices now will reduce the chance of facing "impossible decisions" later. He says his government is committed to collaborating on the distribution of a potential vaccine, though the fight against COVID-19 is far from over. Trudeau says Canada reached a new daily high of 5,000 new COVID-19 cases yesterday. Trudeau asks Canadians to do their part and
trudeau-once-again-assures-the-premiers-and-territorial-leaders-ottawa-will-provide-them-with-assistance-so-they-can-act-now-to-protect-everyone
CanadaNov 13, 2020

Trudeau once again assures the premiers and territorial leaders, Ottawa will provide them with assistance so they can act now to protect everyone

The Prime Minister's Office says Justin Trudeau didn't try to tell the premiers what to do or cast blame as he held his 21st call of the pandemic with leaders. Later this morning at an Ottawa news conference, Trudeau is expected keep pushing the premiers to take tougher measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. Aides say Trudeau once again assured the premiers and territorial leaders that Ottawa will provide them with assistance so they can act now to protect everyone as cases surge across the country. Saskatchewan's Scott Moe says it was, ``extremely unhelpful'' for Trudeau to frame the issue
b-c-s-top-doctor-says-contact-tracing-resources-stretched-to-the-limit-b-c-reports-another-record-shattering-number-of-covid-19-cases
BCNov 13, 2020

B.C.'s top doctor says contact tracing resources stretched to the limit; B.C. reports another record shattering number of COVID-19 cases

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
freeland-faces-questions-from-senators-on-bill-to-provide-new-rent-relief-business-aid-says-detailed-information-will-be-released-in-the-fall-fiscal-update
CanadaNov 12, 2020

Freeland faces questions from senators on bill to provide new rent relief, business aid; says detailed information will be released in the fall fiscal update

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.
liberal-government-announces-long-awaited-plans-to-help-people-living-in-hong-kong
CanadaNov 12, 2020

Liberal government announces long-awaited plans to help people living in Hong Kong

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

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prime-minister-carney-announces-10b-investment-to-expand-port-of-vancouver-capacity
CanadaJul 30, 2026

Prime Minister Carney announces $10B investment to expand Port of Vancouver capacity

Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the Port of Vancouver in Delta on Thursday, where he announced a proposed $10 billion federal investment to expand the port's capacity and strengthen Canada's access to international markets beyond the United States. According to the Prime Minister, the expansion project is intended to increase Canadian exports to non-U.S. markets by 50 per cent, with a focus on agricultural products and other key commodities. The federal government says the investment is aimed at improving Canada's trade infrastructure and supporting long-term economic growth. Carney said th
BCJul 30, 2026

North York trio sentenced in $1.3M stolen liquor trafficking case in Ontario

Three North York residents have been sentenced for their roles in a stolen liquor trafficking operation involving more than $1.3 million worth of alcohol, according to Halton Regional Police. Police said 52-year-old Parminder Sidhu, 56-year-old Rajinder Kaur Sidhu and 25-year-old Navdeep Sidhu appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on July 8. The court imposed sentences ranging from probation to nearly two years in custody. According to Halton Regional Police, the convictions followed a four-month joint investigation conducted by Halton Regional Police, the Toronto Police Service
BCJul 30, 2026

129 Wildfires Active Across B.C. as Brunswick Complex Fire Remains Out of Control

British Columbia's Minister of Forests and BC Wildfire Service, Ravi Parmar, says 129 wildfires are currently active across the province. According to the BC Wildfire Service, nine of those fires were discovered within the past 24 hours. Parmar said hot, dry conditions combined with strong winds continue to make firefighting efforts challenging. He said the weather is increasing the risk of new wildfire starts and could cause existing fires to grow. Fire crews are working to contain newly reported fires while continuing suppression efforts on incidents already burning. The minister said additi
supreme-court-allows-judicial-review-of-ethics-ruling-on-trudeaus-involvement-in-we-charity-decisions
CanadaJul 30, 2026

Supreme Court allows judicial review of ethics ruling on Trudeau's involvement in WE Charity decisions

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that Democracy Watch can proceed with a judicial review of a federal ethics commissioner's decision that cleared former prime minister Justin Trudeau of wrongdoing in relation to decisions involving WE Charity. The case stems from a May 2021 report by then–Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion, who concluded Trudeau did not contravene the Conflict of Interest Act when he participated in government decisions concerning WE Charity, an organization that operated programs in Canada and internationally. Democracy Watch sought judicial review
illegal-firearm-smuggling-through-surrey-border-crossing-leads-to-jail-sentence
BCJul 30, 2026

Illegal firearm smuggling through Surrey border crossing leads to jail sentence

A man has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison and prohibited from possessing firearms for 10 years after admitting to smuggling a loaded handgun into Canada through the Surrey border area. According to RCMP Federal Policing Pacific Region Media Relations Officer Cpl. Parmbir Kahlon, the investigation began on Sept. 11, 2025, after the United States Border Patrol notified Canadian authorities that an individual had crossed illegally into Canada near 183 Street and 0 Avenue in Surrey. The RCMP's Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) responded and arrested Jaskaran Banth under th