8.14°C Vancouver

Jan 29, 2020 9:40 PM -

Expat family expecting baby soon hopes Britain can get them out of China

Share On
plane-arranged-to-fly-160-canadians-out-of-wuhan
Tom Williams along with his wife Lauren and son James are seen in this undated handout photo. Tom Williams is a British expat who has been living and working for about five years in Wuhan, which is the capital of Hubei province in China. His wife Lauren, who is from Langley, B.C., is about 35 weeks pregnant, he said in a telephone interview from Wuhan. He also has a two-and-a-half-year-old son, James, who was born in White Rock, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Tom Williams *MANDATORY CREDIT*

A pregnant Canadian woman, her young Canadian son and Tom Williams, the child's British father, are the latest to share their concerns about getting out of Wuhan, the Chinese epicentre of an outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus.

Williams says his wife is 35-weeks pregnant and his son is under three years of age, and the whole family is waiting for word about whether they will be allowed to depart Wuhan later today on a flight organized by the British government.

As they were waiting, the Canadian government announced it has arranged a plane to fly 160 Canadians out of Wuhan -- but details are still being worked out and there's no word if Williams and his family will be on it.

An outbreak of the novel flu-like respiratory illness began in Wuhan late last year, infecting more than six-thousand people and spreading to other countries, including Canada, although health officials here say the risk of transmission remains low.

Latest news

carney-warns-cleveland-cliffs-over-failure-to-honour-stelco-acquisition-commitments
CanadaOct 30, 2026

Carney Warns Cleveland-Cliffs Over Failure to Honour Stelco Acquisition Commitments

Prime Minister Mark Carney has taken a firm stance against U.S.-based Cleveland-Cliffs, warning that failing to honour the conditions and legal obligations agreed to during its acquisition of Canadian steelmaker Stelco would be a serious mistake. Speaking to reporters at a news conference in Montreal on Thursday, Carney was asked whether the federal government had made a mistake by approving the company's purchase of Stelco. He said the real mistake would be Cleveland-Cliffs failing to respect its employment commitments. Under the 2024 acquisition agreement, the company is legally obligated to
canadas-economy-stagnates-for-second-consecutive-month-gdp-decline-expected-in-september
CanadaOct 30, 2026

Canada’s Economy Stagnates for Second Consecutive Month, GDP Decline Expected in September

Canada’s economy remained stagnant for the second consecutive month, with no growth recorded in August, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada. Economists had expected the economy to grow by 0.2 per cent in August, following zero growth in July. However, real gross domestic product (GDP) remained unchanged. The slowdown was mainly driven by a 1.4 per cent decline in wholesale trade and weaker activity in the public sector. Some sectors, however, showed positive growth. Retail trade increased by 1.2 per cent, while the manufacturing sector also recorded growth. Meanwhile, Statist
AlbertaOct 30, 2026

Alberta Introduces Bill to Standardize School Report Cards Provincewide

Alberta’s United Conservative government has introduced a new bill aimed at standardizing school report cards across the province. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides introduced the legislation, which would give the government authority to establish provincewide guidelines for report cards. Speaking Thursday, Nicolaides said parents remain confused about the one-to-four grading system used in elementary schools, adding that addressing the issue is the province’s responsibility. However, he clarified that no final decision has been made on whether to introduce a letter-based grading sys
wanted-suspect-arrested-in-quebec-in-fatal-hit-and-run-near-oliver-b-c
BCOct 30, 2026

Wanted Suspect Arrested in Quebec in Fatal Hit-and-Run Near Oliver, B.C.

A suspect wanted in connection with the death of a 22-year-old man in an SUV collision near Oliver, B.C., last year has been arrested in Quebec. According to BC Highway Patrol, the incident occurred on June 15, 2025, on Highway 97 near Oliver. The driver allegedly fled the scene following the collision. The BC Prosecution Service approved charges against the driver, identified as Dominic Cavanagh-Latreille, in June this year. Following an investigation and tips from the public, BC Highway Patrol arrested the suspect earlier this month in Drummondville, Quebec, with assistance from local police
CanadaOct 30, 2026

U.S. Tariffs Push Ontario’s Projected Budget Deficit to $16.9 Billion

U.S. tariffs are having a significant impact on Ontario’s annual budget, with Premier Doug Ford’s government projecting a deficit of $16.9 billion for the 2026-2027 fiscal year in its Fall Economic Statement. The projected deficit is approximately $3.1 billion higher than the $13.8 billion forecast in the March budget. Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said the ongoing trade war with the United States and U.S. tariffs are the main reasons behind the widening deficit. He said American tariffs have hit Ontario’s steel, automotive and manufacturing sectors particularly hard. Ontar

Related News