Category Archives: Prairies/BC
Six more deaths and 40 active COVID-19 outbreaks reported in B.C. facilities
VICTORIA — British Columbia reported 430 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and six more deaths. There were 4,373 active cases and just over 200,000 people who tested positive for the virus were considered to have recovered. The six deaths brought the...
Manitoba’s new premier to lay out government agenda in throne speech set for Nov. 23
WINNIPEG — Manitoba's new premier is to lay out her government's agenda in a throne speech in three weeks. A day after being sworn in, Heather Stefanson says the legislature will reconvene on Nov. 23 for a brief fall sitting. Among her
Saskatchewan promises return of cancelled health-care services to children
REGINA — Saskatchewan's health minister says he has cried a lot throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but the story that affected him the most was of an 11-month-old whose surgery and physiotherapy were cancelled due to the overloaded health-care system. H...
All Indigenous people eligible for third COVID-19 vaccine dose in Manitoba
WINNIPEG — The province of Manitoba has expanded eligibility for a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to all First Nations, Métis and Inuit people as well as to anyone over 70. Dr.Marcia Anderson, who leads the First Nations pandemic team,
Manitoba unions want Supreme Court to weigh in on public-sector wage freeze case
WINNIPEG — Public-sector unions in Manitoba are hoping to appeal a court ruling that said the government had a right to impose a wage freeze on more than 100,000 workers. The coalition of unions said Wednesday it is asking the Supreme
Northern region in B.C. has highest number of recent COVID-19 deaths
VICTORIA — Four of the five recent deaths linked to COVID-19 in B.C. have occurred in the Northern Health region while one of the deceased lived in the Interior. Those two regions have the lowest vaccination rates, and provincial officials have
Alberta introduces bill to upgrade thousands of kilometres of nature trails
EDMONTON — Alberta is proposing legislation that the government says would modernize and upgrade thousands of kilometres of recreational trails on public lands. Environment Minister Jason Nixon says the proposed Trails Act would allow some trails to be...
B.C. auditor calls for better fraud risk measures at public sector organizations
VICTORIA — Public sector organizations in British Columbia must do more to strengthen their fraud risk assessment and management practices, says auditor general Michael Pickup. A survey of 140 public sector organizations, including ministries, Crown c...
COVID-19 cases declining, but Saskatchewan hospitals still under pressure: top doctor
REGINA — The Saskatchewan government says the province's fourth wave is waning as COVID-19 cases decline, but health officials say hospitals are still under significant pressure. Dr. Saqib Shahab, chief medical health officer, said Tuesday that it will...
Ship that lost 109 containers near Victoria is now stable: operator
VICTORIA — The ship that lost 109 containers overboard near Victoria is now stable and the company that manages the vessel says an initial transit plan is being reviewed by authorities. Danaos Shipping says the remaining containers on the MV Zim