Category Archives: Prairies/BC
Alberta makes testing changes as Omicron COVID-19 variant continues to soar
EDMONTON — Alberta is adjusting its COVID-19 testing rules to cope with the ongoing rise in cases driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province's chief medical officer of health, is urging Albertans with COVID-19 s...
B.C. reports 2,046 new COVID-19 infections with high demand for tests
VICTORIA — British Columbia reported 2,046 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, eclipsing the previous record set the day before as the Omicron variant spreads. The province says 975 cases of the highly transmissible variant have been confirmed so far,...
Manitoba COVID-19 testing so backed up case numbers under-reported: province
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government says COVID-19 testing is so backed up in the province that case counts have been under-reported. The province says in a COVID-19 bulletin Thursday that demand at test collection sites in Winnipeg and across the provin...
Saskatchewan premier defends not imposing more COVID rules ahead of holidays
REGINA — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says low COVID-19 hospitalizations and manageable case numbers mean the province doesn't need new public health measures. Moe defends the province's decision to forgo stronger restrictions in a short video posted...
B.C. businesses can apply for grant to offset latest COVID-19 shutdown costs
VANCOUVER — New one-time grants are on the way for businesses in British Columbia that were forced to shut down by the latest COVID-19 restrictions. Ravi Kahlon, the minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation, said affected businesses, such as ...
Alberta UCP holds Christmas party after health minister asked all to cancel plans
EDMONTON — Alberta's Opposition says the governing United Conservative Party showed hypocrisy by going ahead with a Christmas party a few hours after the health minister strongly encouraged workplaces to cancel holiday gatherings. NDP house leader Chri...
Manitoba premier does not like federal carbon backstop, eyes provincial price
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is hoping to design its own carbon-pricing plan that could shift the emphasis slightly away from income-tax rebates to spending more on green-energy projects. "What I want to see is results, better results, in Manitob...
Another peak in COVID-19 case counts in B.C., six more deaths
VANCOUVER — British Columbia has recorded its highest-ever daily COVID-19 case count with 1,474 new infections reported Wednesday as the Omicron variant takes over. The fast-spreading variant led provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry to impose ne...
Alberta registered nurses to vote on four-year deal with pay hike of 4.25 per cent
EDMONTON — An Alberta nurses' union is asking its members to sign off on a proposed four-year collective agreement that amounts to pay increases of 4.25 per cent. The increase is among the recommendations from a third party mediating the agreement
Yukon needs more people trained to give shots for its COVID-19 booster program
WHITEHORSE — Plans to ramp up Yukon's COVID-19 booster campaign are being hindered by a shortage of people to give the shots, the public services minister said Wednesday. John Streiker said there is an urgent need for vaccination help as the
