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BCOct 23, 2020

B.C.'s COVID-19 numbers break record for second consecutive day

BC has seen another big jump in COVID-19 cases with another record for a second straight day. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is reporting 274 new cases, up from the 203 reported yesterday. Dr. Henry says much of the recent surge in cases is due to social gatherings such as weddings and funerals and recommends people revise plans to small gatherings only. She warns additional measures will be put in place if necessary to break what she describes as ``large transmission events.''
opposition-leaders-attack-on-ndp-leader-john-horgans-snap-election-call-amid-a-record-number-of-covid-19-cases
BCOct 23, 2020

Opposition leaders attack NDP leader John Horgan's snap election call amid a record number of COVID-19 cases

Leaders of British Columbia's three main parties are in the home stretch of the election campaign, with only today and tomorrow left to woo votes. NDP Leader John Horgan says his party has committed the most money for health care and that will help navigate the response to the second wave of COVID-19. The leader of British Columbia's N-D-P is firing back after Green party Leader Sonia Furstenau called Saturday's election ``unsafe'' in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. John Horgan says he listened to the province's top doctor as well as officials with Elections B-C, who told him an election
new-tory-motion-could-trigger-second-confidence-showdown-for-liberal-minority
CanadaOct 22, 2020

New Tory motion could trigger second confidence showdown for Liberal minority

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole is brushing off concerns his party is setting up Parliament for yet another confidence vote.The Conservatives are using another chance they get this week to set the House of Commons agenda to propose a motion calling for a sweeping probe by the House of Commons health committee of a host of issues relating to the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.The motion is so broad and the demand for documents so massive that the Liberals are expected to argue that its passage would paralyze the government the same argument used to declare an earlier Conservat
trudeau-liberals-face-confidence-vote-over-proposed-anticorruption-committee
CanadaOct 21, 2020

Liberals survive confidence vote, avert imminent election

There will be no fall federal election. A motion by the Conservatives to form a committee to investigate Liberal COVID-19 spending has been defeated. The Liberals deemed it to be a confidence motion, which could have sparked an election if it passed. It was defeated in a vote of 180 to 146. The Conservatives had dubbed their proposed committee as an ``anti-corruption'' committee, which prompted the Liberals to say that made it a confidence matter. The Conservatives then tried to amend the name, but that amendment was defeated before the main vote today. But those opposition MPs made it clear
BCOct 20, 2020

B.C. records 127 overdose deaths in September, down from sharp increase in June

The BC Coroners Service says 127 people fatally overdosed on illicit drugs in September, up from 60 deaths during the same period last year. It says an average of four people died every day in September, but the number of fatalities declined from 150 in August and is lower than the record number of 183 in June. The service says 70 per cent of the fatalities this year have been among those aged 30 to 59 and most of the dead have been men. Fatal overdoses began declining in B.C. at the beginning of the year, with 79 fatalities recorded in January, but started rising in March as the COVID-19 pan
conservatives-to-amend-motion-on-covid-19-committee-to-avoid-confidence-vote
CanadaOct 20, 2020

Conservatives to amend motion on COVID-19 committee to avoid confidence vote

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says he's willing to change the name and mandate of a proposed committee to probe COVID-19 relief programs to make it clear his party doesn't want to force an election. The Liberals have said that in pushing for an "anticorruption committee", the Tories are effectively saying they've lost confidence in the government, so the vote on setting it up ought to be one of confidence.That means if the Tories get the support of the Bloc Quebecois and NDP for the motion, they could topple the government.O'Toole says the Liberals' approach is nonsense and Canadians shoul
canada-crosses-a-bleak-covid-19-milestone-of-200-000-cases
CanadaOct 20, 2020

Canada crosses a bleak COVID-19 milestone of 200,000 cases

Canada has marked a bleak COVID-19 milestone. The second wave of the pandemic has pushed the total case count past 200,000. This comes as tougher restrictions take effect in regions facing a surge in infections. Canada saw its first confirmed case in late January and marked 100,000 cases in mid-June, about five months later. Health experts say it's crucial to remember Canada is in the midst of the second wave and these kinds of milestones serve as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance. Today, Quebec is reporting 1,038 new cases of COVID-19 and six more deaths attributed to the novel
non-essential-travel-restrictions-at-canada-u-s-border-extended-to-at-least-nov-21
CanadaOct 19, 2020

Non-essential travel restrictions at Canada-U.S. border extended to at least Nov. 21

Restrictions on non-essential travel between Canada and the United States are being extended until at least Nov. 21. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair confirmed the news today on Twitter. Incidental travel, vacations, day trips and cross-border shopping excursions has been forbidden since March in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. The restrictions do not apply to those providing essential services in either country, including trade shipments and cross-border workers. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said the restrictions won't be lifted until there's clear evidence the pandemic is e
155-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-b-c-active-cases-rise-past-1-500
BCOct 17, 2020

155 new COVID-19 cases reported in B.C.; active cases rise past 1,500

BC has had 155 new cases of COVID-19. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and deputy health minister Stephen Brown say there are 1,513 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. Another 3,713 are being monitored after an identified exposure to known cases. There has been one more COVID-19 related death, for a total of 251 deaths in British Columbia. 155 people have tested positive in the province, bringing B.C.'s total to 11,189. An outbreak of COVID-19 at the main Tim Hortons restaurant in Merritt, B.C., has set off a voluntary closure of the restaurant. The Interior Health authority

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carney-targets-new-trade-agreements-with-asean-india-and-other-asian-partners-by-year-end
CanadaJul 29, 2026

Carney targets new trade agreements with ASEAN, India and other Asian partners by year-end

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada aims to finalize new trade agreements with ASEAN member states, India, Thailand and the Philippines by the end of 2026, a move the federal government says would give Canadian businesses access to markets representing nearly three billion consumers. Speaking to reporters in Red Deer, Alta., Carney said the government intends to conclude free trade agreements with India and other key partners before the end of the year. According to the prime minister, the agreements are expected to create new opportunities for Canadian businesses in some of the Asia-Pacifi
BCJul 29, 2026

Four arrested after anti-gang probe uncovers suspected synthetic drug lab in Abbotsford

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) says four people were arrested after investigators uncovered a suspected clandestine synthetic drug laboratory in rural Abbotsford and seized drugs, firearms and commercial explosives during coordinated search warrants. According to CFSEU-BC spokesperson Sgt. Sarbjit Kaur Sangha, the investigation began in February 2026 after police received information suggesting a suspect was involved in firearms trafficking and illicit drug production. On May 21, officers executed simultaneous search warrants at multiple properties
federal-alberta-governments-announce-510m-housing-infrastructure-agreement
AlbertaJul 29, 2026

Federal, Alberta governments announce $510M housing infrastructure agreement

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have announced a new infrastructure agreement aimed at supporting housing development across the province through upgrades to essential municipal services. Under the agreement, the Government of Canada will invest more than $510 million over the next eight years through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF). According to the federal and provincial announcement, the funding will help municipalities build and upgrade drinking water, wastewater, sewer and stormwater infrastructure needed to support new housing construction. In
more-than-100-aftershocks-follow-powerful-earthquake-in-japans-kyushu-region-death-toll-rises-to-13
WorldJul 29, 2026

More than 100 aftershocks follow powerful earthquake in Japan's Kyushu region; death toll rises to 13

Rescue crews in Japan's Kyushu region continued search operations Wednesday after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake triggered more than 100 aftershocks, leaving at least 13 people dead, according to Japanese authorities. The hardest-hit areas include Kumamoto Prefecture, where emergency crews are searching through the rubble of a paper factory and a shopping mall despite high temperatures. Authorities said the damage worsened after an explosion occurred at the shopping mall about an hour after the initial earthquake. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said rescue efforts remain focused on reachin
westjet-flight-attendants-sign-operational-wind-down-agreement-as-aug-2-strike-deadline-approaches
CanadaJul 29, 2026

WestJet, flight attendants sign operational wind-down agreement as Aug. 2 strike deadline approaches

WestJet and the union representing approximately 4,400 flight attendants have signed an operational wind-down agreement outlining procedures to safely land aircraft and return cabin crew home in the event of a strike. Flight attendants could begin strike action as early as Aug. 2 if the two sides fail to reach a new collective agreement. A work stoppage could disrupt travel plans for thousands of passengers during the August long weekend. Under Canada's labour rules, the union must provide at least 72 hours' strike notice before any job action can begin. If notice is issued, some flight cancel