EntertainmentThe Canadian PressEven more chaotic than usual, Globes still had their moments
In the opening moments of a Golden Globes night even more chaotic and confounding than usual, co-host Tina Fey raised a theoretical question: “Could this whole night have been an email?” Only the next three hours would tell. Well, sure, it could have been an email. But then you wouldn't have had Chadwick Boseman’s eloquent widow, bringing many to tears as she explained how she could never be as eloquent as her late husband. Or Jane Fonda, sharply calling out Hollywood for its lack of diversity on a night when her very hosts were under fire for exactly that. Or Chloé Zhao, making history as the first woman of Asian descent to win best director (and the first woman since 1984.) Or 98-year-old Norman Lear, giving the simplest explanation for his longevity: never living or laughing alone. Or Jodie Foster kissing her wife joyfully, eight years after very tentatively coming out on the same telecast. Of course, there were the usual confounding results and baffling snubs, compounded here by some epic Zoom fails. But then we had the kids and the dogs. And they were adorable. Next year, can we still have the kids and the dogs, please? Some key moments of the first and hopefully last virtual Globes night: AN OVERDUE RECKONING The evening began under a cloud of embarrassing revelations about the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and its lack of inclusion, including the damaging fact that there are no Black members in the 87-person body. Fey and co-host Amy Poehler addressed it early: “Even with stupid things, inclusivity is important." Winners like Daniel Levy of “Schitt's Creek” and presenters like Sterling K. Brown referred to it. Jane Fonda made it a theme of her powerful speech accepting the Cecil B. DeMille award. And the HFPA made a hasty onstage pledge to change. “We recognize we have our own work to do,” said vice-president Helen Hoehne. “We must have Black journalists in our organization.” “I DON'T HAVE HIS WORDS” The best-actor award to Chadwick Boseman for “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom” had been expected. That did not dull the emotional impact of his victory. His widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, tearfully accepted in his honour, telling viewers that her husband, who died of colon cancer at 43 before the film was released, “would say something beautiful, something inspiring, something that would amplify that little voice inside of all of us that tells you you can. That tells you to keep going, that calls you back to what you are meant to be doing at this moment in history.” But, she said poignantly, “I don't have his words." Co-star Viola Davis could be seen weeping as Ledward spoke. She was not alone. PREDICTABLE ZOOM FAILS It was obvious there were going to be awkward Zoom fails. It started early, when the very first winner, Daniel Kaluuya for “Judas and the Black Messiah,” was on mute as he accepted his award, leaving presenter Laura Dern to apologize for technical difficulties. Thankfully, the problem was resolved in time for the actor to speak. Jason Sudeikis, whose charmingly rambling speech ("This is nuts!") and rumpled hoodie signalled he hadn't expected to win, finally realized he needed to “wrap this puppy up.” And winner Catherine O'Hara ("Schitt's Creek") had some perhaps unwelcome help from her husband, whose efforts to provide applause sounds and play-off music on his phone while she spoke lost something in translation, causing confusion on social media. Oh yes, and there were those conversations between nominees before commercials — did they know we heard them? KIDS AND PETS, STILL BRINGING JOY Still, the virtual acceptances from winners stuck at home had a huge silver lining: happy kids and cute pets. When Mark Ruffalo won for “I Know This Much is True,” two of his teens could not control their joy enough to stay out of the camera shot. Not to be outdone, the adorable young daughter of Lee Isaac Chung, writer-director of the Korean-American family drama “Minari,” sat in his lap and hugged him throughout his acceptance for best foreign language film. “She’s the reason I made this film,” said Chung. Winner Jodie Foster ("The Mauritanian") also had a family member in her lap: her dog. Also seen: Sarah Paulson's dog, and Emma Corrin's cat. LOVE FOR BORAT, SNUB FOR BAKALOVA ... AND EXPOSURE FOR GIULIANI Bulgarian actress Maria Bakalova, breakout star of Amazon’s “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” had been widely expected to win, but lost out to Rosamund Pike ("I Care a Lot") who saluted Bakalova's bravery. In her movie, Pike said, “I had to swim up from a sinking car. I think I still would rather do that than have been in a room with Rudy Giuliani.” The former New York mayor's infamous cameo was also the butt of jokes from “Borat” star Sacha Baron Cohen, who called Giuliani “a fresh new talent who came from nowhere and turned out to be a comedy genius ... I mean, who could get more laughs from one unzipping?” Baron Cohen, who won for best actor in a comedy, also joked that Donald Trump was “contesting the result” of his win. A FIERY FONDA Did you expect anything less from Fonda? In her memorable DeMille award speech, the multiple Globe winner extolled the virtues of cinematic storytelling — “stories can change our hearts and our minds” — then pivoted to admonishing Hollywood. “There's a story we’ve been afraid to see and hear about ourselves,” she said, “a story about which voices we respect and elevate and which we tune out: a story about who’s offered a seat at the table and who’s kept out of the rooms where decisions are made.” She said the arts should not merely keep step with society, but lead the way. “Let's be leaders,” she said. ZHAO MAKES HISTORY When Zhao won best director for her haunting and elegant “Nomadland,” she was the first Asian American woman ever to win that award. But that wasn't the only way she made history: it was the first directing Globe for a woman in nearly 40 years, since Barbra Streisand won for “Yentl." Her film, a look at itinerant Americans, “at its core for me is a pilgrimage through grief and healing,” Zhao said. “For everyone who has gone through this difficult and beautiful journey at some point in their lives, we don’t say goodbye, we say: See you down the road.” With Zhao's win, the road widens for other female directors. ___ This story has been corrected to show that Norman Lear is 98, not 99. Jocelyn Noveck, The Associated Press
- NewsThe Canadian Press
Who have provinces pegged to receive COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks?
As COVID-19 vaccine supplies ramp up across the country, most provinces and territories have released details of who can expect to receive a shot in the coming weeks. Here's a list of their plans to date: Newfoundland and Labrador The province says it is in Phase 1 of its vaccine rollout. Health-care workers on the front lines of the pandemic, staff at long-term care homes, people of "advanced age" and adults in remote or isolated Indigenous communities have priority. Chief medical health officer Dr. Janice Fitzgerald has said Phase 2 will begin in April if vaccine supply remains steady. The second phase prioritizes adults over 60 years old, beginning with those over 80, as well as Indigenous adults, first responders, rotational workers and adults in marginalized populations, such as those experiencing homelessness. Adults between 16 and 59 years old will be vaccinated in the third phase of the rollout, and Fitzgerald has said she expects that to begin this summer. --- Nova Scotia Health officials began expanding access to COVID-19 vaccines on Feb. 22, opening community clinics for people aged 80 years and older. Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, has said the province's plan is to open another 10 clinics in March for 48,000 people who will be mailed a letter informing them how to book an appointment. Strang said the vaccination program will then expand to the next age group in descending order until everyone in the province is offered the chance to be immunized. The age groups will proceed in five-year blocks. Future community clinics are to be held March 8 in Halifax, New Minas, Sydney and Truro; March 15 in Antigonish, Halifax and Yarmouth; and March 22 in Amherst, Bridgewater and Dartmouth. The province began its vaccination campaign with residents of long-term care homes, those who work directly with patients, those who are 80 and older, and those who are at risk for other reasons including First Nations and African Nova Scotian communities. Nova Scotia plans to have vaccine available to at least 75 per cent of the population by the end of September 2021. --- Prince Edward Island The province says the first phase of its vaccination drive, currently slated to last until the end of March, targets residents and staff of long-term and community care, as well as health-care workers with direct patient contact at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure. Those 80 and older, adults in Indigenous communities, and truck drivers and other rotational workers are also included. The next phase, which is scheduled to begin in April, will target those above 70 and essential workers. The province intends to make the vaccine available to everyone in late summer and fall. --- New Brunswick The province is also focusing on vaccinating those living in long-term care homes, health-care workers with direct patient contact, adults in First Nations communities and older New Brunswickers in the first phase, which lasts until at least March. The next phase is scheduled to begin in the spring and includes residents and staff of communal settings, other health-care workers including pharmacists, first responders and critical infrastructure employees. The government website says once the vaccine supply is continuous and in large enough quantities, the entire population will be offered the shots. --- Quebec Quebec started vaccinating older seniors on Monday, after a first phase that focused largely on health-care workers, remote communities and long-term care. In Montreal, mass vaccine sites including the Olympic Stadium opened their doors to the public as the province began inoculating seniors who live in the hard-hit city. The government announced last week it would begin booking appointments for those aged 85 and up across the province, but that age limit has since dropped to 70 in some regions, including Montreal. The province says the vaccination of children and pregnant women will be determined based on future studies of vaccine safety and efficacy in those populations. --- Ontario The province began vaccinating people with the highest priority, including those in long-term care, high-risk retirement home residents, certain classes of health-care workers and people who live in congregate care settings. Several regions in Ontario moved ahead Monday with their plans to vaccinate the general public, while others used their own systems to allow residents aged 80 and older to schedule appointments. Toronto also began vaccinating members of its police force Monday after the province identified front-line officers as a priority group. Constables and sergeants who respond to emergency calls where medical assistance may be required are now included in the ongoing first phase of Ontario's vaccine rollout, a spokeswoman for the force said. A day earlier, Toronto said the province expanded the first phase of its vaccination drive to include residents experiencing homelessness. The provincial government has said it aims to begin vaccinating Ontarians aged 80 and older starting the week of March 15, the same day it plans to launch its vaccine booking system, which will offer a service desk and online portal. It has said the vaccine rollout will look different in each of its 34 public health units. When asked about the lack of provincewide cohesion, Health Minister Christine Elliott said that public health units know their regions best and that's why they have been given responsibility to set the pace locally. --- Manitoba Manitoba is starting to vaccinate people in the general population. Appointments are now available for most people aged 94 and up, or 74 and up for First Nations people. Until now, vaccines have been directed to certain groups such as health-care workers and people in personal care homes. Health officials plan to reduce the age minimum, bit by bit, over the coming months. Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of the province's vaccine task force, has said inoculations could be open to all adults in the province by August if supplies are steady. --- Saskatchewan The province is still in the first phase of its vaccination rollout, which reserves doses for long-term care residents and staff, health-care workers at elevated risk of COVID-19 exposure, seniors over the age of 70 and anyone 50 or older living in a remote area. In all, nearly 400,000 doses are required to finish this stage. The next phase will be focused on vaccinating the general population by age. It hopes to begin its mass vaccination campaign by April, but there if there isn’t enough supply that could be pushed back to June. Saskatchewan will begin immunizing the general population in 10-year increments, starting with those 60 to 69. Also included in this age group will be people living in emergency shelters, individuals with intellectual disabilities in care homes and people who are medically vulnerable. Police, corrections staff and teachers are among the front-line workers not prioritized for early access to shots. The government says supply is scarce. --- Alberta Alberta is now offering vaccines to anyone born in 1946 or earlier, a group representing some 230,000 people. Appointments are being offered through an online portal and the 811 Health Link phone line. Shots are also being offered to this cohort at more than 100 pharmacies in Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton starting in early March and the government has said there are also plans to include doctors’ offices. Health Minister Tyler Shandro has said all eligible seniors should have their first shots by the end of March. But he said Monday that the province will not give Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to anyone over the age of 65 after the National Advisory Committee on Immunization expressed concerned there is limited data on how well it will work in older populations. The first phase of the vaccine rollout also included anyone over 65 who lives in a First Nations or Metis community, various front-line health care workers, paramedics and emergency medical responders. Phase 2 of the rollout, to begin in April, is to start with those 65 and up, Indigenous people older than 50 and staff and residents of licensed supportive living seniors’ facilities not previously included. --- British Columbia British Columbia will extend the time between the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines to four months so all adults could get their initial shot by the end of July. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says evidence from the province and around the world shows protection of at least 90 per cent from the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. The province launched the second phase of its immunization campaign Monday and health authorities will begin contacting residents and staff of independent living centres, those living in seniors' supportive housing as well as homecare support clients and staff. Seniors aged 90 and up can call to make their appointment starting next Monday, followed a week later by those aged 85 and over, and a week after that by those 80 and up. Henry also says first responders and essential workers may be eligible to get vaccinated starting in April as the province also decides on a strategy for the newly authorized AstraZeneca vaccine. --- Nunavut The territory says it expects enough vaccines for 75 per cent of its population over the age of 18. After a COVID-19 vaccine is administered, patients will be tracked to ensure they are properly notified to receive their second dose. Nunavut's priority populations are being vaccinated first. They include residents of shelters, people ages 60 years and up, staff and inmates and correctional facilities, first responders and front-line health-care staff. --- Northwest Territories The Northwest Territories its priority groups — such as people over 60, front-line health workers and those living in remote communities — are being vaccinated The territory says it expects to vaccine the rest of its adult population starting this month. --- Yukon Yukon says it will receive enough vaccine to immunize 75 per cent of its adult population by the end of March. Priority for vaccinations has been given to residents and staff in long-term care homes, group homes and shelters, as well as health-care workers and personal support workers. People over the age of 80 who are not living in long-term care, and those living in rural and remote communities, including Indigenous Peoples, are also on the priority list for shots. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 2, 2021. The Canadian Press
BusinessReutersInstacart valuation more than doubles to $39 billion with latest funding round
The San Francisco start-up, whose transaction volumes surged sixfold last year as doorstep delivery boomed during lockdowns, said on Tuesday it plans to use part of the new funds to increase its corporate headcount by an estimated 50% in 2021. The company was valued at $17.8 billion in November following the closing of a previous funding round. Its latest cash injection comes just a few months after California backed a ballot proposal that upheld the status of app-based delivery drivers as independent contractors- a major boost for the likes of Instacart and Uber Technologies Inc, which rely on people to work independently and not as employees.
NewsCBCRegina's Iceville season comes to an end, will return next winter
Iceville at Mosaic Stadium has closed for the season following a successful two months. The event cost the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) $20,000 to host. With over 13,000 people lacing up skates and attending Iceville, CEO Tim Reid said it "might have been the best investment we ever made." "Watching others get down to the field level for the first time was part of the magic of Iceville. For so many of us, we don't have that opportunity to be at ice level, or field level, and look up at the stadium. It really is a remarkable feeling for people," Reid said. Over 200,000 people registered to skate at Iceville, but the season was cut short due to the warming weather. "With Iceville, we have found an opportunity even through COVID-19 to bring our community together," said Tim Reid, CEO and president of Regina Exhibition Association Limited. "We ironically saw more bookings in the winter months during COVID-19 than we saw in a traditional, regular operating year," Reid said. Iceville, which was Saskatchewan's largest outdoor skating rink, was created with the goal to provide a new recreational opportunity for Regina. "Since the pandemic hit we've been forced to find new ways to adjust and continue life in as normal a way as possible," Regina mayor Sandra Masters said. "Getting outside in any form has proven to be not only a great escape for us but a necessary health break for many of us." Reid says REAL was overwhelmed by the support. The event will return next winter prior to the holiday season. WATCH | An overhead look at Iceville inside of Mosaic Stadium in Regina Supporting the Regina Food Bank While thousands attended Iceville over a two-month period, it also helped raise money for the Regina Food Bank. Over 5,500 pounds of food was raised through the event, which will create over 5,000 meals for the community, said John Bailey, CEO of the Regina Food Bank. During the pandemic, the demand for food has increased. In 2021, 110,000 people used the Regina Food Bank, which is an increase from the 80,000 the year before, Bailey said. "We're really growing our need which is unfortunate, but what we are incredibly grateful for is the support of our community and making sure neighbours feed neighbours."
- NewsCBC
Sailing ships to carry cargo from Port of Halifax
Cargo shipping company Neoline is planning to use wind and sail to move freight out of Halifax and across the Atlantic Ocean.
- HealthInitiative de journalisme local
Covid-19 : le vaccin d’Astra Zeneca n’est pas efficace chez les 65 ans et plus
Selon la dernière mise à jour de ses recommandations, le comité consultatif national de l’immunisation (CCNI) ne recommande pas l’utilisation du vaccin d’Astra Zeneca contre la COVID-19 chez les personnes âgées de 65 ans et plus, « en raison des données insuffisantes ». Ce vaccin approuvé vendredi dernier par Santé Canada est efficace à 62 % chez les participants âgés de 18 à 64 ans. Le CCNI a indiqué sur le site officiel des autorités de la santé publique que « les réponses humorales étaient plus faibles chez les personnes de 65 ans et plus que chez les personnes de 18 à 64 ans, d’après des données non publiées » qui lui avaient été présentées. Contrairement au Canada, certains pays comme la France ont indiqué que le vaccin d’Astra Zeneca pouvait être administré sans limites d’âge. Le comité a également précisé que l’intervalle entre la première et la deuxième dose du vaccin Astra Zeneca pourrait avoir une incidence sur l’efficacité du vaccin, l’efficacité étant moindre si l’intervalle est inférieur à 12 semaines. Plus simple et plus accessible Ce vaccin développé en partenariat avec l’université d’Oxford est « plus facile à transporter, à entreposer et à manipuler que les vaccins à ARNm et, par conséquent, pourrait être plus facile à utiliser pour une distribution plus large par l’intermédiaire des pharmacies et des prestataires de soins de santé primaires. » Selon les experts de santé publique, il doit être entreposé et transporté à une température comprise entre +2 et +8 °C, ce qui nécessite l’utilisation d’une infrastructure de chaîne du froid standard largement disponible dans les provinces et territoires. Le vaccin d’Astra Zeneca de conception plus classique est dit à vecteur viral alors que les produits de Pfizer-BioNTech et de Moderna reposent sur la technique d’acide ribonucléique (ARN messager). Godlove Kamwa, Initiative de journalisme local, Le Canada Français
- ScienceLocal Journalism Initiative
401 bridges over Grand to be replaced starting this spring
KITCHENER — Get ready for more major Highway 401 construction: the bridges crossing the Grand River in Kitchener are about to be replaced. Work will start this spring and is scheduled to finish in spring 2025, according to Jacob Ginger, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation. Both of the bridges crossing the Grand River will be replaced to widen the highway from six lanes to ten lanes total in that section. Ramp closures and lane restrictions will be needed to complete the work, but in general two lanes of traffic will be maintained in both directions on the 401, says Ginger. Work to replace the bridges will be done in three stages beginning with the westbound lanes. While the bridges are being replaced, work will also be done on the King Street overpass and on the King Street interchange ramp. This will involve widening the 401 in certain areas to stage a westbound speed change lane from King Street to Homer Watson Boulevard. Pavement and storm sewers will be reconstructed, and lighting improved. The Ministry of Transportation has completed the detailed design of the project and is now finding a contractor. This portion of the Grand River is home to multiple species at risk including one mussel species and two fish species, according to Gary Wheeler, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. The ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks has given the Ministry of Transportation a permit to complete work in the area that allows the ministry to capture, collect, transport, harm or kill the species at risk, as well as damage habitat. To minimize the impact of the project, the ministry is required to choose a bridge design with minimal in-water components, complete the in-water aspects of the project outside of the species’ spawning season, find and relocate individuals of the species before construction begins in the water, among others requirements. “No direct impacts such as killing or harming individual members of the Species are expected to occur given the proposed mitigation measures and capture/handling and relocation protocols,” says Wheeler. “However, individual members of the species may be incidentally harmed or killed and, therefore, the permit authorizes accidental harm or mortality,” Some habitat destruction is expected because the project will use in-water rock-based causeways and because of staging equipment on the banks of the river, says Wheeler. He says these areas will be rehabilitated after the project is finished. The bridges cross the Grand River about four or five kilometres downstream from the Kitchener wastewater treatment plant. This is within the section of the river researchers dubbed the ‘Dead Zone’ where mussel species were found to be completely missing most likely because of high nutrient levels coming from the plant. Since the plant received upgrades that greatly improved the river’s water quality more than seven years ago, area researchers have been monitoring the dead zone to see if mussel species make a comeback. Leah Gerber’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report on stories about the Grand River Watershed. Email lgerber@therecord.com Leah Gerber, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Waterloo Region Record
- HealthInitiative de journalisme local
Rosine Chouinard-Chauveau, le visage du délestage
L’annonce de la mort de la jeune Rosine Chouinard-Chauveau, fille des comédiens Normand Chouinard et Violette Chauveau, que l’on a justifiée par le délestage dans tous les médias, a chamboulé le Québec. Celle qui a perdu la vie à 28 ans, en raison du report d’une chirurgie dont la nature n’a pas été révélée au public, laisse dans le deuil son jeune fils Maël, ses parents et tout l’avenir qu’il lui restait, faute de lit ou de personnel. La charge mentale des ambulanciers Patrick Dufresne, un ambulancier de Chambly bien connu chez nous, a raconté avoir fait partie des premiers répondants à l’urgence entourant le drame. Bien qu’il n’ait pas voulu s’adresser directement au journal par peur d’outrepasser son mandat, il a témoigné sur les médias sociaux. « Nous avons tout tenté pour la sauver, sans savoir qui elle était à ce moment. C’est toujours émouvant d’annoncer la mort aux proches. Encore plus en sachant maintenant que le délestage a causé sa mort. » Au début de la pandémie, on rapportait qu’Urgences-santé était intervenue plus de 2000 fois auprès de patients potentiellement infectés par la COVID-19 en seulement un mois. Aujourd’hui, on parle d’une charge supplémentaire générée par l’augmentation des AVC, des malaises cardiaques et autres menaces fatales engendrées par l’inaction et l’absence de soins, ce qui n’est pas sans affecter le moral des paramédicaux. Des chiffres parlants Québec calcule que l’on fait 34 % moins d’interventions chirurgicales dans les hôpitaux et que l’on en serait à 44 % sans l’aide du privé. Encore aujourd’hui, le délestage semble être un concept flou pour beaucoup de Québécois, qui croient à tort que seules les interventions non vitales telles que les chirurgies orthopédiques en sont affectées. D’une branche médicale à l’autre Du côté des médecins, on parle de délestage calculé. Le Dr Sarkis Meterissian, chirurgien-oncologue au Centre universitaire de santé McGill (CUSM), a raconté n’avoir délesté la chirurgie d’aucune de ses patientes atteintes d’un cancer du sein diagnostiqué, car ce type d’intervention en est une d’un jour ne nécessitant pas de monopoliser un lit pour une plus longue période. Ailleurs, dans les hôpitaux Charles-Le Moyne et Pierre-Boucher, des patientes du cancer du sein sont quand même délestées alors que leur cancer progresse, selon des sources internes et externes. Rappelons que ces hôpitaux ont été désignés par le ministère de la Santé pour recevoir des patients atteints de la COVID-19 depuis des mois, ce qui complique l’organisation du personnel et réduit la capacité d’accueil en zone froide. À l’Hôpital du Haut-Richelieu, on découragerait des patients de venir en consultation pour des anomalies cardiaques parce qu’ils pourraient y attraper la COVID. Ce serait le cas de Stéphanie Samson, une Chamblyenne que l’on a renvoyée chez elle. « Si l’on vous admet en cardiologie, vous risquez d’attraper la COVID », lui aurait-on dit. Eric Sabbah, cardiologue à l’Hôpital Pierre-Boucher, a confié au journal qu’en matière de délestage pour les maladies du cœur, l’erreur réside dans le fait d’avoir « peur de venir à l’hôpital et d’attraper la COVID », ce qui retarde le dépistage et la prise en charge médicale. Il ajoute que « c’est impossible de penser que dans un même hôpital, on sera capable de garder une section COVID et une section non COVID. C’est malheureusement la base du problème de tout délestage. Même si l’on veut garder une section qui roule et qui est verte en soins intensifs, elle devient rapidement chaude, et les gens qui doivent être opérés pour d’autres raisons n’ont plus de place en surveillance aux soins intensifs. On préfère donc retarder leur opération pour éviter toute complication postopératoire. C’est un calcul. On se dit qu’ils sont mieux d’attendre de trois à six mois sans attraper la COVID, quittes à ne pas se faire opérer ». L’anxiété chez les médecins La peur d’attraper la COVID-19 occupe l’esprit du Dr Sabbah, comme pour beaucoup d’autres au front. Sur le terrain, les chirurgiens et les médecins spécialistes étant des ressources rares et indispensables pour beaucoup de patients, le stress lié à l’idée de contracter la COVID et de ne plus pouvoir exercer est omniprésent. On peut penser au cas de patients qui ne peuvent plus être reçus en consultation par leur médecin, leur cardiologue ou leur chirurgien, parce que ce dernier a contracté la COVID, ce qui mène au report d’un diagnostic ou encore d’une intervention qui pourrait leur sauver la vie. C’est donc que ces médecins doivent composer avec la peur pour leur propre santé, pour celle de leurs proches, mais aussi pour leurs patients, qui risquent d’être délestés s’ils en viennent à ne plus pouvoir les traiter, malgré eux. Aujourd’hui, la mort de Rosine Chouinard-Chauveau donne un visage au délestage, soulevant l’indignation des uns et des autres, bien que le mystère plane encore sur le mal qui l’affectait. Reste à savoir si les questions que son décès a exacerbées trouveront réponse auprès des instances décisionnelles et médicales. Chloé-Anne Touma, Initiative de journalisme local, Le Journal de Chambly
- BusinessInitiative de journalisme local
Mieux aider les commerces à Chambly
La Ville de Chambly se dote d’une conseillère en développement économique pour mieux accompagner les entreprises et les commerces du territoire dans leur processus d’implantation ou d’expansion. C’est Mme Kim Desaulniers qui, chargée d’occuper ce tout nouveau poste, veillera à offrir aux entreprises un soutien de proximité, à stimuler l’achat local, à contribuer au rayonnement des acteurs locaux et à attirer de nouveaux investissements. Un rôle clé à jouer La mairesse de Chambly, Mme Alexandra Labbé, explique que l’arrivée de Mme Desaulniers était prévue au budget et qu’elle est financée par l’aide gouvernementale octroyée aux municipalités pour mieux faire face à la pandémie. « Les pouvoirs d’une Ville sont très limités lorsqu’il s’agit d’aider directement les commerçants. Pour le conseil, il était vraiment important de trouver une ressource qui pourrait aider les entreprises, directement ou indirectement, en élaborant un plan de relance, et orienter les gens au bon endroit. On est aussi en train d’agrandir le parc industriel, en prévision de l’implantation de nouvelles entreprises, et Mme Desaulniers se chargera notamment de cet aspect. Elle aura plusieurs mandats et terrains de jeux et soutiendra l’équipe d’urbanisme. Mais à Chambly, on le voit bien, la relance se passe rapidement et on ne manque pas de projets pour occuper notre nouvelle ressource. » Un défi de taille Avec la pandémie qui fait des ravages chez nos entrepreneurs et qui a précipité le départ de l’ex-président de la Chambre de commerce du Bassin de Chambly (CCIBC), M. Sébastien Dion, Mme Desaulniers, ainsi que la nouvelle présidente de la CCIBC, Mme Anick Cormier, devront composer avec les retombées de la crise et s’armer d’idées pour mieux aider la relance. « On peut saluer le beau travail de Sébastien Dion, qui a changé beaucoup de choses pour l’achat local et qui laisse une belle marque. Les commerçants et les gens de Chambly peuvent être fiers de ce qui a été accompli dans les dernières années », souligne Mme Labbé. « Heureusement, on est bien contents de voir Anik Cormier, qui était déjà au C.A. depuis longtemps, reprendre la présidence. Elle forme avec les deux vice-présidents (Sandrine Milante et Luc Rousseau) un beau trio au comité exécutif. » Chloé-Anne Touma, Initiative de journalisme local, Le Journal de Chambly
BusinessCBCUnifor reaches tentative deal with 2nd 'feeder four' plant
Unifor Local 444 has reached a tentative deal with one of the local factories that supply parts for the Stellantis Windsor Assembly Plant. The union said on social media Monday that workers with Avancez will vote virtually on the new collective agreement Saturday. Avancez is a Michigan-based company, which has a plant at 599 Sprucewood Ave., on the west side of Windsor. Union members at another one of the "feeder four" plants, ZF/TRW, voted 78.1 per cent in support of accepting a new deal struck late last month. The union is pattern bargaining with the four Stellantis suppliers, which also include Dakkota and HBPO. Workers at each of the plants have previously indicated they support going on strike if necessary. More from CBC Windsor
- NewsThe Canadian Press
Body found inside burning home near Peterborough, Ont.: police
Police say a person has died in a house fire near Peterborough, Ont. Provincial police say flames broke out at a home in Otonabee-South Monaghan Township around 6 p.m., Monday. They say the building was fully engulfed by the time officers and firefighters arrived. Investigators say two occupants managed to get out of the home, but another person was found dead inside. They say the office of the fire marshal is investigating. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and no details about the victim have been released. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 2, 2021. The Canadian Press
NewsThe Canadian PressNew rules appear to push international air travel down even further than pre-pandemic
OTTAWA — Canada's new COVID-19 testing and quarantine rules for international air travellers appear to have convinced even more would-be travellers to stay put in recent weeks. In the last two weeks of January international arrivals fell to 106,000 people, and in the first two weeks of February, the figure fell further to 94,000 people, according to data from Canada Border Services Agency. The drop in international arrivals in early February is about four times the decline seen between early January and early February in 2019 and 2020. It came after Ottawa started making all international air travellers show proof of negative COVID-19 tests before boarding their planes. Since Feb. 22, international air travellers also must quarantine in specified hotels for three days after landing, pending the results of second COVID-19 tests. "That’s a very strong disincentive for people to fly," said John Gradek, an aviation expert and McGill University lecturer. "They scared everybody with a $2,000 bill for those three days." The government began musing about the quarantines in January but didn't confirm the details until Feb. 12. CBSA data doesn't yet reflect what impact that may have had. Reports of 10-hour phone waits to book a room and overcrowded hotels with delayed meal service have only added to the disincentive since the quarantine rule took effect Feb. 22. "It appears that it's just running totally out of control," said Marty Firestone, president of Travel Secure, a Toronto-based company that specializes in travel insurance. "The whole thing is not only a logistical nightmare, but it's turning into just, well, a nightmare." He said the quarantine is pushing snowbirds to delay their return or to make plans to fly to a border city such as Buffalo, N.Y., and cross into Canada by land — typically via car rental — to avoid being holed up in a hotel. The quarantine applies only to air travellers. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and national public health officials began urging Canadians to avoid international travel last March as the COVID-19 pandemic was spreading rapidly around the globe. By the end of March they started barring most non-citizens or permanent residents from travelling here for purposes that aren't considered essential — such as helping with the pandemic or truck drivers bringing in supplies. The impact was relatively swift and massive, with international arrivals falling from an average of about 780,000 a week in April and May 2019, to fewer than 20,000 a week in 2020. While air travel did start to tick up in the summer, and rose even further in December, overall it has consistently remained less than 10 per cent of what it was in previous years. There was a small increase after Christmas, with almost 170,000 people arriving in Canada by air between Dec. 28 and Jan. 10. That compares with about 128,000 between Dec. 14 and Dec. 27. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 2, 2021. — With files from Christopher Reynolds Mia Rabson, The Canadian Press
NewsThe Canadian Press6 Dr. Seuss books won't be published for racist images
BOSTON — Six Dr. Seuss books — including “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street” and “If I Ran the Zoo” — will stop being published because of racist and insensitive imagery, the business that preserves and protects the author's legacy said Tuesday. “These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong,” Dr. Seuss Enterprises told The Associated Press in a statement that coincided with the late author and illustrator’s birthday. “Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ catalogue represents and supports all communities and families," it said. The other books affected are “McElligot’s Pool,” “On Beyond Zebra!,” “Scrambled Eggs Super!,” and “The Cat’s Quizzer.” The decision to cease publication and sales of the books was made last year after months of discussion, the company told AP. “Dr. Seuss Enterprises listened and took feedback from our audiences including teachers, academics and specialists in the field as part of our review process. We then worked with a panel of experts, including educators, to review our catalogue of titles," it said. Books by Dr. Seuss — who was born Theodor Seuss Geisel in Springfield, Massachusetts, on March 2, 1904 —- have been translated into dozens of languages as well as in braille and are sold in more than 100 countries. He died in 1991. He remains popular, earning an estimated $33 million before taxes in 2020, up from just $9.5 million five years ago, the company said. Forbes listed him No. 2 on its highest-paid dead celebrities of 2020, behind only the late pop star Michael Jackson. As adored as Dr. Seuss is by millions around the world for the positive values in many of his works, including environmentalism and tolerance, there has been increasing criticism in recent years over the way Blacks, Asians and others are drawn in some of his most beloved children’s books, as well as in his earlier advertising and propaganda illustrations. The National Education Association, which founded Read Across America Day in 1998 and deliberately aligned it with Geisel’s birthday, has for several years deemphasized Seuss and encouraged a more diverse reading list for children. School districts across the country have also moved away from Dr. Seuss, prompting Loudoun County, Virginia, schools just outside Washington, D.C., to douse rumours last month that they were banning the books entirely. “Research in recent years has revealed strong racial undertones in many books written/illustrated by Dr. Seuss,” the school district said in a statement. In 2017, a school librarian in Cambridge, Massachusetts, criticized a gift of 10 Seuss books from first lady Melania Trump, saying many of his works were “steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes.” In 2018, a Dr. Seuss museum in his hometown of Springfield removed a mural that included an Asian stereotype. “The Cat in the Hat," one of Seuss' most popular books, has received criticism, too, but will continue to be published for now. Dr. Seuss Enterprises, however, said it is “committed to listening and learning and will continue to review our entire portfolio." Numerous other popular children’s series have been criticized in recent years for alleged racism. In the 2007 book, “Should We Burn Babar?,” the author and educator Herbert R. Kohl contended that the “Babar the Elephant” books were celebrations of colonialism because of how the title character leaves the jungle and later returns to “civilize” his fellow animals. One of the books, “Babar’s Travels,” was removed from the shelves of a British library in 2012 because of its alleged stereotypes of Africans. Critics also have faulted the “Curious George” books for their premise of a white man bringing home a monkey from Africa. And Laura Ingalls Wilder’s portrayals of Native Americans in her “Little House On the Prairie” novels have been faulted so often that the American Library Association removed her name in 2018 from a lifetime achievement award it gives out each year. ___ AP National Writer Hillel Italie contributed from New York. Mark Pratt, The Associated Press
NewsReutersMyanmar U.N. envoy, junta make rival claims to U.N. representation
Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations in New York has formally staked his claim as the country's legitimate representative while the junta seeks to replace him in a dispute that will likely have to be settled by the world body's 193 member states. Myanmar state television announced on Saturday that Kyaw Moe Tun had been fired for betraying the country, a day after he urged countries to use "any means necessary" to reverse a Feb. 1 coup that ousted the nation's elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. But in letters to the U.N. General Assembly president Volkan Bozkir and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken - seen by Reuters on Tuesday - Kyaw Moe Tun said he remains Myanmar's U.N. ambassador.
BusinessReutersSwitzerland's GAM closes fund linked to Greensill Capital
GAM said it was taking the decision to close the $842 million GAM Greensill Supply Chain Finance Fund because of "market developments and resulting media coverage" related to supply chain finance. Greensill did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The niche lender, which provides financing to help companies spread the cost of their supply bills, relies on investors to buy its assets and the moves by GAM and Credit Suisse deprive it of sources of funding.
BusinessThe Canadian PressVancouver home sales up 73% year-over-year, market shifts in favour of sellers: REBGV
VANCOUVER — The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says the market is heating up so fast that home sales in the region doubled between January and February and have climbed by more than 70 per cent since last year. The board says February sales in the B.C. region totalled 3,727, a 73.3 per cent increase from the 2,150 sales recorded the year before and a 56 per cent spike from the 2,389 homes sold the month before. February sales were so strong that REBGV says they were 42.8 per cent higher than the month's 10-year sales average. The board says the region saw 5,048 new listings in February, up from 4,002 the year prior. The MLS home price index composite benchmark for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver reached just over $1 million in February, a 6.8 per cent increase. REBGV says the market is shifting in favour of sellers because housing supply listings aren't keeping up with the demand and competition among homebuyers is pushing up prices. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 2, 2021. The Canadian Press
- SportsInitiative de journalisme local
Jacqueline Simoneau gagne l'or sans la foule
La première étape de la Série mondiale virtuelle de la Fédération internationale de natation artistique (FINA) s’est déroulée de façon bien spéciale cette année, tout en rapportant une médaille d’or à l’athlète Jacqueline Simoneau. Exceptionnellement cette année, et pour continuer la compétition malgré la pandémie, les performances devaient être enregistrées à l’avance. Chaque athlète a fait sa routine seule dans une piscine. Une adaptation rapide « Dès que la pandémie est arrivée, la communauté de natation artistique a continué les entraînements virtuellement. On a donc aussi imaginé des compétitions virtuelles, chose que les sports ‘‘jugés’’, comme la natation artistique, ont pu se permettre », nous explique Stéphane Côté, directeur des communications et événements de Natation artistique Canada. Jacqueline a pu continuer ses entraînements pendant la pandémie à l’Institut national du Sport du Québec, qui demeure ouvert depuis l’été. « On prend évidemment plusieurs précautions. » Des conditions uniques En entrevue avec le journal, la jeune athlète de natation originaire de Chambly raconte que c’est la première fois qu’elle assistait à sa performance sans voir celle des autres et sans connaître son pointage. C’est effectivement dans la voiture, en présence de sa mère, qu’elle a visionné sa compétition le 21 février dernier, pour apprendre qu’elle avait obtenu un pointage de 90.1 pour son programme filmé en janvier et par la même occasion, qu’elle remportait la médaille d’or du solo libre de la série. « J’étais très contente, mais j’aurais pu faire encore mieux. Je viens de performer cette routine et j’y ai obtenu un bien meilleur résultat! La compétition, je l’ai vécue comme un mode d’entraînement, parce que c’était préenregistré en janvier, puis diffusé le 21 février dernier. C’était ma piscine d’entraînement que je connais, c’était facile sur ce point. Ce qui m’a embêtée, c’était de ne voir ni les juges sur le bord de la piscine, ni la foule derrière. » L’enfance à Chambly Bien qu’elle ait déménagé à Ville Saint-Laurent quand elle avait environ sept ans, Jacqueline se remémore son enfance à Chambly. « J’ai encore mes amis à Chambly. J’y ai fait beaucoup de sport, je jouais au hockey et je nageais beaucoup. Mais c’est en déménageant à Montréal que j’ai vu la nage synchronisée et que je suis tombée en amour avec le sport. » Chloé-Anne Touma, Initiative de journalisme local, Le Journal de Chambly
- NewsLocal Journalism Initiative
'A wonderful opportunity': New Oro-Medonte elementary school and community centre ready to roll
Kids who aren’t even a twinkle in their parents’ eyes will benefit from a new school on Line 4 North. A partnership 11 years in the making will begin the physical ground work to build a joint community hall and public elementary school in the coming weeks. “It’s really a wonderful opportunity for the entire Oro-Medonte community,” said Coun. Ian Veitch during the Feb. 24 council meeting, before approving the motion to let the tree clearing begin. Reaching back to the township’s Strategic Plan of 2010, it was determined a community centre along the Horseshoe Valley Road corridor, providing recreation, arts and culture, should be considered. The wish-list item drew a little closer to a reality in 2013 when a 19-acre plot of land was purchased by the township. The Simcoe County District School Board had plans to build an elementary school in the area and a partnership was born of the need to share tax dollars and acreage. “It’s definitely unique within our board,” said Andrew Keuken, manager of planning with the school board. There are existing shared-use school and municipality agreements, such as the collaboration of space within Elmvale District Secondary School and a shared library at Nottawasaga Pines in Angus, but no partnerships of this sort in Simcoe County, he said. Mayor Harry Hughes has seen this project through since its inception and said the partnership is one of a kind. “It has turned out very well for us,” Hughes said of the initial purchase of the land. “That school was the only school in rural Ontario that the Ministry (of Education) granted funding to build during that intake. And that would be because we had the land and that partnership agreement in place and I think that would be instrumental in the ministry’s considering to give the money in order to build a school.” Line 4’s as-yet-unnamed centre will include a fitness centre, a multipurpose area for hosting meetings and gatherings, an 8,000-square foot gymnasium, as well as external trails. The school’s 36,324-square-foot portion will host three kindergarten classrooms, 11 regular-sized classrooms, a learning centre and library. Council approved the funding of about $7 million, which will pull $4.4 million derived from development charges, $2.5 million in debt issuance and another $150,000 from its parkland reserve account. Hughes said he hopes to see the new community hall and school open in fall 2023. Cheryl Browne, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Barrie Advance
NewsThe Canadian PressLady Gaga's dog walker speaks out after Hollywood shooting
LOS ANGELES — Lady Gaga's dog walker, who was shot last week during a robbery in Hollywood when two of the singer’s French bulldogs were stolen, described the violence and his recovery “from a very close call with death" in social media posts Monday. Ryan Fischer’s posts included pictures taken from his hospital bed, where he says “(a) lot of healing still needs to happen” but he looks forward to reuniting with the dogs. Fischer was shot once as he walked three of Lady Gaga's dogs on Wednesday night on a street just off the famed Sunset Boulevard. Video captured by the doorbell camera of a nearby home captured Fischer's screams of “Oh my God! I’ve been shot!” and “Help me!” and “I’m bleeding out from my chest!” Police are seeking two men in the attack and said Monday they are still investigating. The two dogs, named Koji and Gustav, were returned unharmed Friday evening when a woman showed up at a Los Angeles police station with them. Detectives do not believe she was involved in the robbery or shooting and did not know if she would receive the $500,000 reward Lady Gaga had offered for the dogs' return. The singer is currently in Rome to film a movie. Fischer thanked Lady Gaga for her support during the ordeal, writing “your babies are back and the family is whole ... we did it!" in Instagram posts. A third dog, named Asia, escaped the assailants and lies down next to Fischer “while a car sped away and blood poured from my gun shot (sic) wound,” he wrote. The doorbell video shows a white sedan pulling up and two men jumping out. They struggled with the dog walker before one pulled a gun and fired a single shot before fleeing with two of the dogs. Stefanie Dazio, The Associated Press
NewsReutersIsraeli defence chief sees 'special security arrangement' with Gulf states
Israel's defence minister said on Tuesday it intends to develop a "special security arrangement" with new Gulf Arab allies, who share common concerns about Iran. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain established formal relations with Israel last year. As part of their U.S.-backed rapprochement, Israel and the UAE have proposed defence and military cooperation.
- NewsInitiative de journalisme local
Saint-Wenceslas: un nouveau sentier à tester
SAINT-WENCESLAS. Les Loisirs de Saint-Wenceslas invitent les amateurs de raquette et de randonnée pédestre à tester un circuit de 1,4 km. Un essai, s’il est concluant, qui mènerait, possiblement au développement de nouveaux sentiers dans la forêt située au bout de la rue Saint-Arnaud. «On est en campagne et il faut aller en ville pour marcher dans le bois», s’étonnait Éric Thériault. L’entrepreneur, avec l’aide de Mathieu Lessard, l’initiateur de la Course de la conquête du bois, va s’attaquer au problème. «Déjà, le circuit est tracé pour la course à obstacles. On a discuté au comité des loisirs de le rendre accessible cet hiver et, après autorisation de la municipalité, le site était fonctionnel après quelques jours», explique Éric Thériault qui s’assure de l’entretien avec sa motoneige. Accessible à pied ou en raquette, le circuit est pensé tant pour les débutants et les familles que pour ceux qui sont à la recherche d’une expérience plus intense. «On a la rivière Blanche et les arbres sont magnifiques, encore plus avec la neige qui tombe en ce moment, c’est féerique», ajoute Mathieu Lessard. «C’est un site avec beaucoup de potentiel pour les amateurs de plein air qui pourrait être exploité à l’année. C’est un joyau à découvrir», conclut Éric Thériault. Stéphane Lévesque, Initiative de journalisme local, L'Hebdo Journal
- NewsInitiative de journalisme local
Concours Idée d’affaires : 1250 $ en prix remis à la communauté étudiante
Le Centre d’entrepreneuriat et d’essaimage de l’Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (CEE-UQAC) a remis plus de 1000 $ à la communauté étudiante postsecondaire du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, dans le cadre de son concours Idée d’affaires. Le but de cette initiative est de stimuler l’esprit entrepreneurial des étudiants. Ils n’ont aucune obligation de se lancer en affaires pour ce concours, c’est leurs idées qui comptent. Pour cette 23e édition du concours, 26 projets ont été soumis au jury composé d’Émilie Lavoie Gagnon, de la RUCHE Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, de Karine Jean, de l’INKUB Desjardins, et de Joanne Doucet, de la Suite entrepreneuriale à Alma. Le CEE-UQAC était fier de souligner que la pandémie ne semblait pas avoir freiné la motivation entrepreneuriale des étudiants. Le concours était ouvert à tous les étudiants et diplômés de moins de cinq ans, professeurs, chargés de cours de l’UQAC pour sa catégorie universitaire. Pour la catégorie collégiale, les mêmes critères s’appliquent pour tous les étudiants, diplômés, professeurs et chargés de cours de l’un des collèges de la région. Le premier prix universitaire a été attribué à Marc-André Girard, un étudiant libre. Son projet intitulé FoodBrawl lui a valu la somme de 750 $. D’ailleurs, les projets sont confidentiels, seuls leurs noms sont dévoilés. Laurie Simard, étudiante au doctorat en biologie, a raflé le deuxième prix, qui était accompagné d’une bourse de 250 $, pour son projet Programme COGNi-ACTif. Son équipe était composée de Tommy Chevrette, Martin Lavallière, Julie Bouchard et de Yan Breuleux. Le prix Coup de cœur est allé au projet TrépAnimal de Pierre-Yves Glidden et de Patrick Dubé. Quant au prix collégial, accompagné d’une bourse de 250 $, il est allé à Fabrice Tremblay, qui étudie en AEC Programmeur-Analyste au Collège Multihexa. Myriam Arsenault, Initiative de journalisme local, Le Quotidien
EntertainmentThe Canadian PressHarmonizing at home changes life of sisters in the Staves
NEW YORK — Many nights growing up, some combination of the Staveley-Taylor sisters huddled on the staircase to listen when their parents invited friends over and took out guitars to sing Bob Dylan or Crosby, Stills and Nash songs. They were supposed to be in bed. Let that be a lesson, parents. Kids are always absorbing things, and you never know if it will change their lives. Today, Emily, Jessica and Camilla Staveley-Taylor perform together in their own band, the Staves, characterized by the celestial harmonies of three sisters who grew up blending their voices. “There was always music on in the house,” said 31-year-old Camilla, the youngest of the trio. “Our parents were very musical. They could sing and harmonize and we soaked that in. I don't really remember a time when we didn't sing together.” The sisters' first gig, when Camilla was only 14, came at the Horn pub in their native Watford, a town in Hertfordshire, England. Family and friends heard them cover songs by Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, the Beatles and Norah Jones. “I think everyone we had ever met came down,” said Jessica, 34. “We had done our most successful show and it was the first time in our lives. We thought, ‘This is great, we can pretty much take over the world now.’” About a decade ago, their educations complete, the sisters decided to take a stab at a career in music. Most popular at home in England, the Staves released their third album, “Good Woman,” last month after a long and rough layoff. It's lyrically and sonically bolder than the more stately folk sound typified by the aching beauty of “No Me, No You, No More” on a 2015 album produced by Justin Vernon, aka Bon Iver. The voices remain ever central, however. The Haim sisters are a modern-day comparison, although Haim's sound is sunnier, California pop-rock. A more apt reference point is the American trio of Maggie, Terre and Suzzy Roche, first active in the 1970s. All three Staveley-Taylor sisters write music, although older sister Emily, 37, took on more of an editor's role recently since becoming a mom in 2019 (tending to her daughter, Emily sat out a Zoom interview with The Associated Press). To avoid arguments, all songs are credited to the Staves. Middle sister Jessica most often sings the melody, with Camilla taking the high harmonies and Emily low. They mix it up a bit on “Good Woman,” including some unison singing. “We always kind of feel that until the others can fit into a song, only then does it become a Staves song,” Jessica said. “If not, maybe it's for another project.” The sisters have spent some time in the United States, moving briefly to Nashville in their early days, and to Minnesota near Vernon when they made an album with him. “Every time we'd go and do something in America, our friends would say, ‘Have you broken America?'" Jessica said. “They think it would be like the Beatles coming in to JFK.” The Staves weren't planning on a near six-year wait between albums. Their mother, Jean, died in the summer of 2018, two weeks after their grandmother died. Camilla, who had stayed behind in Minnesota, saw a long-term relationship break up and she, too, headed back to England. “We just felt very alone and very at sea,” Jessica said. “It ended up that we just needed some time away to be a family and not worry about being a band, and to look after each other. In an annoying way, we just sort of imposed a lockdown on ourselves.” With that break came a crisis in confidence. Did they even want to do this anymore? What kind of band did they want to be? Would Emily still want to be a part of it? Were the songs they had written any good? They had intended to make “Good Woman” themselves, but instead called in producer John Congleton for some perspective. His enthusiasm proved infectious. Most of these life experiences are evident in the new songs, if you listen closely enough. Pulling through self-doubt, in a relationship or a chosen field, are themes of the title cut, “Failure” and “Paralysed.” The luminous “Sparks” references the loss of their mother. “When you miss someone's presence, you don't really think about the huge things,” Camilla said. “You think about the small things — how someone smells, hearing the keys in the door or how their footsteps sound. At the time, that was kind of the only way we could express our sadness and how we were feeling. It would take far longer for us to zoom out and be remotely philosophical about it.” Part of what they were trying to capture on “Good Woman” was the way their band gives the Staves a fuller, more muscular sound than is often heard in their recordings. “We pushed ourselves and pushed the limits on certain songs of where they could go,” Jessica said. “I like the feeling of confidence and boldness. It comes, I must say, from growing older and experiencing more of life and more things that cement your sense of self... I think we found more of a voice for this record.” David Bauder, The Associated Press
- NewsCBC
Public needs open, honest discussion to maintain trust in vaccines, says specialist
Open communication about evolving decisions around COVID-19 vaccinations is very important to keep public trust, says Dr. Isaac Bogoch, a member of Ontario's COVID-19 task force.
- EntertainmentRumble
Making a Realistic Buffalo CAKE that will blow your mind
Natalie Sideserf creates a hyper-realistic buffalo CAKE inspired by Duff Goldman and his brand-new cookbook! Check it out!
