Category Archives: Prairies/BC
Manitoba might reopen concert halls, casinos and ease other pandemic restrictions
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government may let concert halls and theatres reopen, ease an isolation rule for business travellers, and increase the cap on outdoor public gatherings. The province's chief public health officer floated the potential changes Th...
Alberta father concerned by speed limit proposal, delay in organ donation bill
EDMONTON — A father whose son's organs helped others after he died in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash says he's disturbed a private member's bill to increase speed limits on major Alberta highways is moving ahead of one to improve
ICBC says COVID-19 rebate cheques delayed after cyberattack on third party
VANCOUVER — The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia says it's temporarily delaying the delivery of COVID-19 rebate cheques due to a cyberattack on a third-party vendor contracted to provide printing and distribution services. ICBC says in a stat...
Variants, rise in positivity should factor into Alberta’s reopening plans: top doctor
EDMONTON — Alberta's top doctor says it's important to consider trends in COVID-19 variant cases and test positivity rates when deciding whether the province should further ease restrictions next week. Chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Wedn...
B.C. expands grant program to help businesses grow online
VICTORIA — The B.C. government says it's adding $30 million to its program aimed at helping businesses build or expand their online operations during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to high demand for the grant money. The province committed $12 milli...
Regina reporting 264 presumed cases of more infectious COVID-19 variants
REGINA — Saskatchewan health officials say there are now 313 probable cases of more infectious COVID-19 strains in the province including 264 in and around Regina. The Regina area is home to most of the province's variant cases that have been
Manitoba starts online booking for COVID-19 vaccines, expands eligibility
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government on Wednesday expanded the number of people eligible for COVID-19 vaccines and set up an online portal to provide another way to book appointments. With more doses arriving, the province reduced the minimum age for the...
Alberta environment minister tells rural areas coal mining doesn’t threaten water
EDMONTON — Alberta's environment minister is reassuring rural municipalities in the province's dry south that their water supply isn't threatened by industrial development such as coal mines. "Alberta continues to have some of the most rigorous water l...
Deadline approaching: Ottawa wants answer from Prairies on AgriStability program
The federal government wants a yes or no from the three Prairie provinces on proposed upgrades to a program that protects farmers against large declines in income. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau held a news conference Wednesday to gi...
Variants could dash B.C. hopes for indoor religious services, experts say
VANCOUVER — Growing COVID-19 case numbers from variants of concern in British Columbia could dash the province's hopes for indoor religious services or any other return to normal life in the near future, experts say. Sally Otto, a University of British...
