Category Archives: Prairies/BC
Banff seeks details but lukewarm on COVID-19 curfew; other regions say no for now
EDMONTON — The mayor of Alberta’s Rocky Mountain resort town of Banff is looking for more details on implementing a possible COVID-19 curfew. But Karen Sorensen questions whether such a drastic measure would even make a difference. "Our late-night or e...
Only B.C. drivers, not passengers, to be asked about non-essential travel: minister
VICTORIA — British Columbia's solicitor general says police conducting checks will only ask drivers and not their passengers whether they're travelling for non-essential reasons as part of an enforcement plan aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. Mi...
Former B.C. cabinet minister denies saying government knew about casino crime
VANCOUVER — A former cabinet minister bluntly denied telling a gaming investigator members of the B.C. Liberal government knew about illegal activities at casinos but were doing little to prevent it. Kash Heed told the Cullen Commission public inquiry...
B.C. pop-up vaccine clinics not successful, face challenges, say health officials
VICTORIA — Pop-up vaccine clinics in Metro Vancouver COVID-19 hot zones are an experiment that didn't work, British Columbia health officials said Thursday. Apologies were offered for the anger and confusion caused by the program, which was meant to re...
‘Necessary step:’ Alberta bringing in tighter restrictions in COVID-19 hot spots
EDMONTON — Alberta is targeting COVID-19 hot spots with tighter restrictions that include at-home learning for junior and senior high school students and a ban on indoor fitness and sports. Premier Jason Kenney also says selective regional curfews will...
‘Toughest community:’ Fort McMurray in COVID-19 emergency five years after wildfire
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Almost five years after a massive wildfire forced the evacuation of Fort McMurray, Alta., the northeastern Alberta oilsands hub is in another state of emergency. A fire so ferocious it earned the nickname "the beast" spread into...
Manitoba teachers will have chance to get COVID-19 vaccine at U.S. border
WINNIPEG — Manitoba teachers and other school workers will soon be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine by driving into the United States, but Premier Brian Pallister's announcement Thursday was quickly panned by the teachers union. The province and North Da...
Street drugs poisoned with benzos can lead to ‘catastrophic’ overdoses: advocate
VANCOUVER — A drug policy adviser to the City of Vancouver is warning of a dangerous drug saturating British Columbia's illicit supply in much the same way fentanyl did several years ago. Karen Ward said unregulated benzodiazepines, or benzos, make ove...
‘A cautious relief:’ COVID-19 vaccinations begin at two Alberta meat plants
HIGH RIVER, Alta. — Jamie Welsh-Rollo was all smiles Thursday as COVID-19 vaccination clinics began at two of Canada's largest beef-packing plants in southern Alberta. Welsh-Rollo, who is a union steward and works on the line packaging meat at Cargill,...
B.C. hits new record for COVID-19 hospitalizations at 515, five more deaths
VICTORIA — The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in British Columbia has ticked up to 515, breaking a previous record set last week. Among those hospitalized, 171 people are in intensive care.Five more people have died after contracting the
