15.02°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

india-rejects-csis-allegations-of-foreign-interference-in-canada
CanadaMay 07, 2026

India rejects CSIS allegations of foreign interference in Canada

India has rejected allegations by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) that linked New Delhi to foreign interference activities in Canada, calling the claims “baseless.” Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and described India as a responsible democracy that respects international law and the sovereignty of other nations. Jaiswal said concerns related to such matters should be addressed through established diplomatic channels rather than through public statements or political d
carney-government-considering-faster-approvals-for-natural-resource-and-pipeline-projects
CanadaMay 07, 2026

Carney government considering faster approvals for natural resource and pipeline projects

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is considering new measures aimed at speeding up approvals for federally regulated natural resource and major infrastructure projects, including pipelines. According to reports, an announcement could come later this week. The proposed changes would introduce a “one project – one review” approach for major projects and set a maximum two-year timeline for federal approval decisions. The move would represent a significant shift in the regulatory framework governing large-scale natural resource developments. According to reports, the federal governme
vancouver-police-investigating-fatal-stabbing-near-east-hastings-as-city-records-fourth-homicide-of-2026
BCMay 07, 2026

Vancouver police investigating fatal stabbing near East Hastings as city records fourth homicide of 2026

Vancouver police are investigating a fatal stabbing near East Hastings and Columbia streets that has been classified as the city’s fourth homicide of 2026. Police said officers were called to the area at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday after a witness reported an assault. A 49-year-old man was found injured at the scene and later died in hospital, according to a Vancouver Police Department statement. Investigators said a man and a woman were arrested following the incident, but no charges had been announced as of Wednesday afternoon. Police have not released further details about the circumstances
poll-finds-broad-support-in-canada-for-restricting-social-media-access-for-children-under-16
CanadaMay 07, 2026

Poll finds broad support in Canada for restricting social media access for children under 16

A new Leger poll suggests a majority of Canadians support banning children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms and artificial intelligence chatbots, amid growing concerns about their impact on teenagers. According to the survey, nearly 70 per cent of respondents backed restrictions on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and AI chatbots. The findings come as public debate intensifies over online safety, youth mental health and the influence of AI-driven content on minors. Concerns have increased following the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., after reports linked the suspe
vancouver-council-votes-to-oppose-planned-overdose-prevention-site-downtown
BCMay 06, 2026

Vancouver council votes to oppose planned overdose prevention site downtown

Vancouver city council has voted to oppose a planned overdose prevention site in the city’s downtown, backing an urgent motion from Mayor Ken Sim following a recent announcement by the regional health authority. Council approved the motion Tuesday along party lines, with all seven councillors from Sim’s ABC party voting in favour and four opposing. The motion directs the city to challenge the site planned for 900 Helmcken St., which Vancouver Coastal Health says it intends to open in June. Coun. Peter Meiszner told council the city was notified of the location only last week, “despite ma

Related News