17.12°C Vancouver

Dec 11, 2020 4:39 PM -

Feds say all large provinces need stronger COVID-19 response 'now'

Share On
feds-say-all-large-provinces-need-stronger-covid-19-response-now
Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam responds to a question during a news conference in Ottawa, Tuesday Dec. 1, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

New federal forecasts say all large provinces need to strengthen their COVID-19 response "now," with data suggesting the death toll could hit nearly 15,000 on Christmas Day.

Updated modelling indicates that Canada remains on a "rapid growth trajectory," with daily cases expected to cross the 10,000 mark later this month.

The projections indicate that the total number of deaths related to the outbreak could reach between 14,410 to 14,920 by Christmas Day.

The data says infections continue to climb in the six provinces west of the Atlantic region, with rates rising precipitously Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Canada's chief public health officer says the national positivity rate is 6.5 per cent, with 49 of 99 health regions reporting more than 100 cases per 100,000 population.

Dr. Theresa Tam says there's been a troubling rise in infections among older Canadians who face a higher risk of COVID-19 complications, with long-term care homes sees a growing number of outbreaks.

Latest news

BCSep 15, 2026

77-Year-Old Man Dies in Suspected Homicide in Fort St. James

A 77-year-old man has died under suspicious circumstances in Fort St. James, B.C., with RCMP’s Major Crime Unit investigating the death as a possible homicide. Police said officers were called to a home in the 800-block of Spruce Road at around 2:40 a.m. Monday. They found the elderly man seriously injured at the scene and rushed him to hospital, where he later died despite medical efforts. The suspected attackers had fled before police arrived. RCMP Major Crime investigators have since taken over the case. Staff Sgt. Chris Clarke said the preliminary investigation indicates the incident was
AlbertaSep 15, 2026

Calgary Man Charged Over Death Threat Against PM Mark Carney

A 31-year-old Calgary man has been charged with allegedly making a death threat against Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) launched an investigation after receiving information about a threat against Carney from a YouTube account. Working with Calgary police, INSET arrested Jamie Dacosta and charged him with uttering threats against the Prime Minister. Dacosta is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice today.
BCSep 15, 2026

7 Vancouver Island Mayors Elected Unopposed Ahead of B.C. Municipal Elections

Seven mayors have already been elected unopposed in cities across Vancouver Island, nearly a month before general voting in British Columbia’s municipal elections. The municipalities include Sidney, Duncan, Lantzville, Cumberland, Comox, Port McNeill and Port Hardy. In each community, only one candidate filed a nomination for mayor, resulting in an automatic victory without a contested election. Political experts and local leaders say the trend may reflect today’s increasingly toxic political environment, personal attacks on social media and growing mental-health pressures. They believe th
shiromani-akali-dal-expels-former-mla-ravinder-singh-brahmpura
IndiaSep 15, 2026

Shiromani Akali Dal Expels Former MLA Ravinder Singh Brahmpura

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has expelled former MLA Ravinder Singh Brahmpura from the party, citing alleged anti-party activities. Brahmpura, the son of late senior SAD leader Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, represents the Khadoor Sahib constituency and has reportedly been facing allegations of working against the party for some time. According to the party, written complaints were received from SAD workers in Khadoor Sahib. Local leaders also raised concerns about Brahmpura’s alleged activities against the party during the Punjab Bachao Rally held at Goindwal Sahib on Se
carney-calls-u-s-a-friend-amid-canada-u-s-trade-war-tensions
CanadaSep 15, 2026

Carney Calls U.S. a “Friend” Amid Canada-U.S. Trade War Tensions

Amid rising tensions in the Canada-U.S. trade war, Prime Minister Mark Carney called the United States a “friend” during his keynote address at an investment summit in Toronto. Carney said the two countries will always remain neighbours and that Canada will continue to be the United States’ most important partner in several key areas. He acknowledged that the two countries have had disagreements in the past, but said their relationship has remained close. According to Carney, the relationship works best when there is mutual trust and respect for each other’s traditions and sovereignty.

Related News