9.72°C Vancouver

Mar 24, 2020 1:59 AM -

Dr. Vera Etches: Public health authority may use cellphone data to find out whether people really are self-isolating

Share On

Ottawa's medical officer of health says the public health authority may use cellphone data to find out whether people really are self-isolating.

Dr. Vera Etches says the agency is trying to get a better handle on whether people are following the advice to stay home and away from others.

She says one way to do that is with polling, but they are also looking at ways to use ``electronic data'' to see if people are congregating in public spaces or moving about.

Latest news

surrey-police-investigate-early-morning-shooting-at-surrey-central-residence
CanadaApr 13, 2026

Surrey police investigate early morning shooting at Surrey Central residence

Police in Surrey are investigating a shooting that damaged a home in the Surrey Central area early Monday morning. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, officers responded at حوالي 2:50 a.m. to reports of gunfire near 95 Avenue and 127 Street. When officers arrived, they located a residence with visible damage consistent with gunshots. Police said no injuries were reported among the occupants of the home. The Surrey Police Service Major Crime Section is leading the investigation, with support from Integrated Forensic Identification Services, according to the release. Investig
carney-signals-shift-on-u-s-ties-defence-spending-in-montreal-speech
CanadaApr 13, 2026

Carney signals shift on U.S. ties, defence spending in Montreal speech

Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a closing address at the Liberal Party’s national convention in Montreal on Saturday, outlining a tougher position on Canada–U.S. relations and a planned shift in defence spending. According to remarks made during the convention, Carney said Canada would move away from past defence procurement patterns in which a significant portion of spending flowed to the United States. He told party members that future investments would be directed more toward domestic capacity. The statement drew a standing ovation from attendees. Carney’s comments come as Canada
AlbertaApr 13, 2026

Proposed Blue Line LRT extension to Calgary airport enters field study phase

The City of Calgary says preliminary field work is set to begin this month as part of planning for a potential northward extension of the Blue Line LRT toward the airport. According to a city notice, crews will conduct on-site investigations along the proposed corridor to 88th Avenue N.E., including assessments of ground conditions, groundwater levels and site-specific details needed for early-stage design. The work is part of the city’s long-term transit planning and would inform future decisions by council on whether to advance the project, including funding, design and timelines. The airp
AlbertaApr 13, 2026

Alberta court pauses referendum petition process tied to separation effort

An Alberta court has ordered a temporary halt to key steps in a citizen-led petition campaign seeking to advance a referendum on the province separating from Canada. In a written decision released Friday, Justice Shaina Leonard said petition organizers may continue collecting signatures. However, Elections Alberta is barred from verifying those signatures or forwarding the matter to Premier Danielle Smith’s government while the case is under review. According to the court decision, the pause follows a legal challenge filed by several First Nations. Their lawyers argue that Alberta’s citize
voters-cast-ballots-in-three-byelections-that-could-give-liberals-majority-in-house
CanadaApr 13, 2026

Voters cast ballots in three byelections that could give Liberals majority in House

Voters are heading to the polls in three federal byelections today that are expected to determine whether the governing Liberals secure a majority in the House of Commons. Two of the ridings are long-held Liberal seats in the Toronto area, while a third contest in Terrebonne, Que., is considered competitive between the Bloc Québécois and the Liberals. The Quebec riding is being closely watched as it could decide whether the government crosses the majority threshold. According to Elections Canada, the byelections were called to fill vacancies left by former Liberal MPs Bill Blair and Chrystia

Related News