Canada’s chief public health officer said today there is evidence of community spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant and new COVID-19 cases are expected to “rapidly escalate” in the coming days.Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, said omicron variant cases are expected to ‘rapidly escalate’ in the coming days. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)Canada’s…
Politics
Brian Jean has reportedly won the nomination to represent the United Conservative Party in the upcoming Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche byelection.Jean announced last month his plan to return to provincial politics by seeking the UCP nomination in an upcoming byelection to fill the vacancy left by former MLA Laila Goodridge, who was elected as a…
- Politics
University of Victoria cancels in-person exams after spike in COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island
by Sue JonesThe University of Victoria announced Sunday it is moving its in-person exams online beginning Monday after a rise in COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island.In-person exams have been cancelled at the University of Victoria after a rise in COVID cases on Vancouver Island. (Ken Mizokoshi/CBC)The University of Victoria announced Sunday it is moving its in-person exams online beginning Monday after…
- Politics
Canada to accept South Africa COVID-19 tests, drop contentious 3rd-country rule
by Sue JonesCanada will start recognizing molecular COVID-19 tests conducted at an accredited lab in South Africa for residents returning home, dropping a heavily criticized travel restriction introduced to prevent the spread of the omicron variant.A person is tested for COVID-19 at a site near Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday. Canada will start recognizing molecular COVID-19 tests…
- Politics
Facing cybersecurity threats, Quebec shuts down government websites for evaluation
by Sue JonesThe province is checking nearly 4,000 government websites for potential vulnerabilities, including sites for the education and health networks.Quebec Minister for Government Digital Transformation Éric Caire says an unsuccessful cyberattack targeted 3,992 government websites. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)Quebec will be shutting down close to 4,000 government websites following the threat of an international cyberattack on a widely…
More than 200,000 Ontarians are without power on Saturday as high winds brought down trees and power lines across the southern part of the province.A large tree branch downed due to high winds is seen in Toronto on Saturday. (Alan Habbick/CBC)More than 200,000 Ontarians are without power on Saturday as high winds brought down trees and power…
- Politics
Bettman not closing the door on NHL’s return to Quebec City, but nothing imminent
by Sue JonesGary Bettman assured the media assembled at the league’s board of governors meeting that the Arizona Coyotes “are fine, and they will be fine,” before explaining why the deck continues to be stacked heavily against Quebec City — despite its hockey-mad fan base and the 18,259-seat Videotron Centre that opened in 2015.NHL commissioner Gary Bettman,…
- Politics
Her truck was stolen 2 years ago. She found it thanks to pure chance — and a patch of nail polish
by Sue JonesLaura Zimmerman, from Williams Lake, B.C., said she never fully gave up hope of finding her stolen dark green truck, but she was shocked to see a vehicle that looked a lot like it driving down Highway 97 a couple of weeks ago.The Zimmermans’ dark green Ford F-150 was stolen from their home in Williams…
- Politics
Women’s field hockey team back in Canada after getting stuck in South Africa as omicron emerged
by Sue JonesA long ordeal for Canada’s junior women’s field hockey team has come to an end, as the team quarantines in a Toronto-area hotel after being stranded in South Africa due to restrictions around the omicron coronavirus variant. The Canadian women’s junior field hockey team is now isolating in a Toronto-area hotel after returning from a cancelled…
Nunavut’s department of health has lifted the do-not-consume order for Iqaluit tap water, meaning residents can once again drink from the city’s water supply after going two months without it due to concerns about fuel contamination.Water from the City of Iqaluit’s water treatment plant is safe to drink again, the territory’s health department announced Friday…