Category Archives: Prairies/BC
‘Free of the mask’: Businesses taking cautious approach to Alberta’s full reopening
CALGARY — Alberta lifted almost all its remaining COVID-19 restrictions Thursday, but many businesses said they are taking a more cautious approach as things start to return to normal. There are no more limits on indoor and outdoor social gatherings, n...
B.C. residents should still wear masks in indoor public places: top doctor
VICTORIA — British Columbia's top doctor is encouraging people to continue wearing masks in all indoor places, even as they're no longer mandatory starting Canada Day. Dr. Bonnie Henry says masks remain an important layer of protection until more peopl...
Manitoba’s efforts to boost vaccination rates appear to be working, officials say
WINNIPEG — Manitoba's COVID-19 vaccination rate is near the top in the country and fears of a potential stall in uptake have so far not come to pass, health officials said Wednesday. "It's really worthy of celebration to know what we've
Final figures from 2020-21 show Alberta with $17B deficit, over $5B in COVID-19 costs
EDMONTON — The latest figures show Alberta's fight against COVID-19 cost more than $5 billion by the end of the last fiscal year in March. The money went toward continuing care, hospitals, testing, vaccine distribution, personal protective equipment, a...
Good year for crops, federal COVID-19 transfers help shrink Saskatchewan’s deficit
REGINA — Saskatchewan’s year-end financial report says the province's deficit has shrunk to $1.13 billion. The deficit had originally been forecast to be about $2.4 billion. Finance Minister Donna Harpauer says Saskatchewan is in a much better fiscal s...
Alberta COVID cases continue to fall, province set to fully reopen as planned
EDMONTON — Alberta’s chief medical officer of health says COVID-19 numbers continue to fall but the plan is to remain vigilant as the province prepares to fully reopen Thursday. “Across the board, our numbers are moving in the right direction,” Dr.
Alberta COVID cases continue to fall, province set to fully reopen as planned
EDMONTON — Alberta’s chief medical officer of health says COVID-19 numbers continue to fall but the plan is to remain vigilant as the province prepares to fully reopen Thursday. “Across the board, our numbers are moving in the right direction,” Dr.
Manitoba Hydro wants a 3.5 per cent rate hike to deal with large debt load
WINNIPEG — Manitobans could see their hydroelectric bills rise by 3.5 per cent in October. Manitoba Hydro President Jay Grewal told a legislature committee the Crown-owned utility needs the increase to help pay down debt from large capital projects in ...
Manitoba government reaches out to areas with low COVID-19 vaccine uptake
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is enlisting more than two dozen community groups, churches and businesses in the first wave of an outreach program aimed at driving up COVID-19 vaccination rates. The program, first announced four weeks ago, offers g...
High vaccination rate, low COVID-19 cases point to further reopening in B.C.
VICTORIA — High COVID-19 vaccination rates and a dramatic drop in cases that hasn't been seen since last August have set the stage for a further loosening of restrictions in British Columbia this week. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said
