Category Archives: Prairies/BC
COVID-19 transmission appears to be on the rise in Alberta, health officials say
EDMONTON — COVID-19 transmission appears to be on the rise in Alberta with positivity rates and wastewater data trending upward, the province’s health minister cautioned Thursday. Jason Copping hesitated to say whether the province may be headed into a...
Saskatchewan has resurgence of COVID-19: chief medical health officer
REGINA — Saskatchewan is experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19, but the province's chief medical health officer says a sixth wave has not arrived. Dr. Saqib Shahab said Thursday the uptick is likely to last until mid-May or early June before cases
Manitoba Education was not prepared for pandemic but was able to respond: auditor
WINNIPEG — Manitoba's auditor general says the Education Department was not prepared for the pandemic, but responded effectively to COVID-19. A report from the auditor's office says the department had not considered risks to schools ahead of time and h...
B.C. floats rules to push charged, convicted politicians out of local elected posts
VICTORIA — The Ministry of Municipal Affairs has introduced new tools it says will help local governments in British Columbia to act when elected officials are accused or convicted of breaking the law. A statement from the ministry says the legislative...
Manitoba’s COVID transmission rising but intensive-care numbers have steadied: doctor
WINNIPEG — Manitoba's chief public health officer says there are increasing signs of COVID-19 transmission, but severe outcomes from the virus appear to have plateaued and there are no plans to reimpose public restrictions. Analysis of wastewater in Wi...
Supreme Court of Canada dismisses injunction on Alberta rules on drug-use sites
A last-ditch legal effort to temporarily bar supervised drug-use sites in Alberta from requiring clients to show personal identification has met a dead end in Canada's top court. The Supreme Court of Canada has decided it will not hear an injunction
New MLA sworn in; expects to sit in UCP caucus despite his dislike of Alberta premier
EDMONTON — Premier Jason Kenney's arch foe is now a member of the Alberta legislature and expects to sit at the United Conservative caucus table despite his public displeasure with the party's leader. “I won a (party) nomination fair and square,
Metro Vancouver mayors ask province for more funding for affordable housing
VANCOUVER — Metro Vancouver mayors are asking the provincial government for more support to provide affordable housing in the region. Housing Minister David Eby acknowledged when he spoke to the mayors committee meeting Wednesday that there is an "endl...
Alberta expands access to fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose
EDMONTON — Alberta is expanding eligibility requirements for a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Beginning Tuesday, those who are ages 70 and older as well as First Nations, Metis and Inuit people 65 and older can get the second booster shot. The
B.C. makes changes to allow a single-step process for workers to unionize
VICTORIA — The British Columbia government is making changes to the Labour Relations Code to allow a single-step process to certify a union when a majority of workers want to unionize. A statement from Labour Minister Harry Bains says the nature
