Category Archives: Prairies/BC

Alberta health minister says COVID-19 pressure remains high but easing on hospitals

Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping says the vast majority of scheduled surgeries are still being done and overflow field units for COVID-19 patients are no longer needed as the latest wave of the pandemic continues to recede.  “We firmly believe hos...

Yukon slowly lifts COVID-19 restrictions despite pressure brought on by protests

WHITEHORSE — Yukon's acting chief medical officer of health says the territory will continue to gradually lift COVID-19 restrictions despite political pressure brought on by protests and blockades in other parts of the country. Dr. Catherine Elliott sa...

RCMP say main U.S. border crossing in Manitoba closed by vehicle convoy

Traffic was almost at a standstill Thursday as yet anotherprotest against COVID-19 restrictions blocked the main border crossing between Manitoba and the United States. About three dozen trailer trucks, tractors, pickups and snowmobiles halted traffic ...

Hampton House brand chicken nuggets sold in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says a recall has been issued for Hampton House brand chicken nuggets due to a possible salmonella risk. The nuggets distributed by JD Sweid Foods were sold in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Th...

New vaccine mandate applies to all regulated health professionals in B.C. by March 24

VICTORIA — Vaccinations against COVID-19 will be required of all regulated health workers in B.C. under a provincial health order expected to be introduced next week. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the order will take effect March 24 a...

Saskatchewan residents share mix of fear, hope as province lifts COVID-19 measures

REGINA — Colin Hall's business was one of the first in Saskatchewan to require customers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination last summer. The co-owner of Bodhi Tree Yoga in Regina said he wanted to keep his customers safe and he

Wildfire destroys Lytton’s governance records; B.C. gives OK to rewrite bylaws

VICTORIA — British Columbia has introduced legislation that will allow the fire-ravaged community of Lytton to replace and rewrite its governance laws destroyed in the disaster.  Municipal Affairs Minister Josie Osborne says all of village's records an...

Manitoba hints at different approach to COVID-19 rules than other Prairie provinces

WINNIPEG — A top Manitoba health official says the province will not rush to loosen its COVID-19 restrictions simply because some other provinces are doing so. Dr. Jazz Atwal, the deputy chief public health officer, says Manitoba will look mainly at

Teachers’ union, Edmonton school board, worried about Alberta lifting COVID mask rule

EDMONTON — The president of the Alberta Teachers' Association says it is exploring legal options after the province announced it will lift the mask mandate in classrooms and take away power from school boards that disagree with the decision to

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney apologizes for comparing COVID-19 to AIDS

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he's sorry for comparing what he calls the stigma of being unvaccinated for COVID-19 to the plight of HIV-AIDS patients in the 1980s. "In my news conference yesterday I made an inappropriate analogy to