14.42°C Vancouver

Dec 29, 2020 9:21 PM -

Call to close Ontario's COVID-19 vaccination clinics was a wrong decision: Rick Hillier

Share On
call-to-close-ontarios-covid-19-vaccination-clinics-was-a-wrong-decision-rick-hillier
A person walks past a COVID-19 restrictions sign during in Mississauga, Ont., on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. Ontario is reporting a new daily record for COVID-19 infections. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Retired general Rick Hillier says the call to close Ontario's COVID-19 vaccination clinics over Christmas Day and Boxing Day was the wrong decision.

Medical experts were sharply critical of the move, pointing out on social media that the virus doesn't take a holiday.

That's been borne out in the latest stats, which show Ontario recorded 2,553 new cases of COVID-19 today and 1,939 yesterday.

Hillier says all of the province's clinics are open today and that Ontario expects to receive its first doses of the Moderna vaccine tomorrow, which will be sent to long-term care and retirement homes.

Ontario is reporting nearly 4,500 new COVID-19 infections over the past two days, including more than 2,500 new cases today.

The rest were reported on Monday, but not released due to the holidays.

The entire province has been in lockdown since Saturday.

Latest news

canadas-federal-budget-set-for-november-5
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Canada’s Federal Budget Set for November 5

Canada’s federal budget will be presented on November 5, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has officially announced. He confirmed the date during Question Period in the House of Commons on Tuesday. The budget will be the second fall budget under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government. The announcement comes as Canadian businesses continue to face the impact of U.S. tariffs and Canada’s retaliatory measures. Champagne indicated that the budget would include several measures aimed at strengthening Canada’s economy and making it more independent. He said the budget wo
amit-shah-meets-families-of-three-victims-in-punjab-assures-justice
IndiaOct 20, 2026

Amit Shah Meets Families of Three Victims in Punjab, Assures Justice

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Punjab today and met the family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, expressing his condolences and assuring them that justice would be delivered. Jhota was murdered in Mansa while raising his voice against drug abuse.At the beginning of his Punjab visit, Shah met the family of Bikramjit in Gurdaspur. The meeting lasted around 15 minutes. During the meeting, Shah touched the feet of Bikramjit's mother, Surjit Kaur, as a mark of respect and assured the family that a CBI investigation would be conducted.He later met the family of Gulzar, who alleg
poilievre-thanks-albertans-for-voting-to-keep-canada-united
BCOct 20, 2026

Poilievre Thanks Albertans for Voting to Keep Canada United

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre thanked Albertans in Calgary today for voting in favour of keeping Alberta part of a united Canada in the provincial referendum. He said the people of Alberta had delivered a strong and decisive mandate. Born in Alberta, Poilievre had campaigned extensively ahead of the referendum, urging residents to keep the province within Canada. He said those considering separation out of frustration with the current government should remember that Canada is more than just a government — it represents its people, flag, land and shared history. Poilievre said it
BCOct 20, 2026

B.C. Conservatives Announce Election Night Watch Party in Vancouver

The B.C. Conservative Party has announced details of its official election night event ahead of the provincial election results. According to a press release issued by the party, leader Lorne Doerkson will host an election night watch party with campaign staff and supporters at Vancouver’s Rocky Mountaineer Station after British Columbians cast their votes. The venue is the same location where Kerry-Lynne Findlay was declared the party’s leader during a leadership convention five months ago. Doerkson, who is in the race to become B.C.’s premier, is running in the Cariboo-Chilcotin riding
surrey-mayor-doug-mccallum-reacts-to-skytrain-extension-promises-for-newton
BCOct 20, 2026

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum Reacts to SkyTrain Extension Promises for Newton

Newly elected Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum has strongly reacted to announcements by two major provincial parties regarding the proposed SkyTrain extension to the Newton area. In a statement issued by McCallum’s Safe Surrey Coalition, the party said the B.C. Conservatives have made a firm commitment to deliver the SkyTrain project to Newton Town Centre, while the B.C. NDP has offered only to hold another meeting on the issue. McCallum said the project is particularly important for Newton, Surrey’s largest community, which has a population larger than that of many cities but still lacks rapid

Related News