Analysis of the COVID-19 Impact: Luxury SUV Market 2020-2024 | Preference for Safety and Comfort to Augment Growth

The Canadian Press
Sen. Josh Hawley has new publisher for 'Big Tech' book
NEW YORK — Sen. Josh Hawley has found a new publisher after his book was dropped by Simon & Schuster in the wake of the siege of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. The conversative publisher Regnery announced Monday that Hawley's “The Tyranny of Big Tech” will come out this spring. “Regnery is proud to stand in the breach with him. And the warning in his book about censorship obviously couldn’t be more urgent,” Regnery President and Publisher Thomas Spence said in a statement. Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, has been widely condemned for his encouragement of the Jan. 6 protest that ended with a violent mob rampaging through the Capitol. Thousands had gathered that day as Congress voted to formally certify Joe Biden's win over Trump. Hawley and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, also a Regnery author, led objections in the Senate to Biden's victory, citing baseless claims the election was stolen. The Associated Press
a day ago
The Canadian Press
COVID-19: Edmundston region of New Brunswick enters red pandemic-alert level
FREDERICTON — New Brunswick reported 26 new COVID-19 infections Monday as the Edmundston region entered the province's highest pandemic-alert level.Health officials said New Brunswick had more than 300 active reported infections. The largest number of new cases on Monday were identified in the Edmundston region, located in the northwest of the province, bordering Quebec.The move into the "red" alert came after the province reported 36 infections Sunday — the highest single-day number since the start of the pandemic. Red-level rules require businesses to close or to reduce operations to essential activities. Residents are asked to stay home in single-family bubbles as much as possible, though schools remain open. Outdoor gatherings are limited to five people or fewer, while in-person dining at restaurants is prohibited.Many of the cases identified in the Edmundston zone are at the Nadeau Poultry plant in the community of Haut-Madawaska, west of Edmundston and near the border with Maine and Quebec."There is a problem at the Nadeau plant," Haut-Madawaska Mayor Jean-Pierre Ouellet said in an interview Monday. "There are about 20 workers that have been diagnosed positive with COVID-19.""The plant is closed until Friday in order for the management to clean the facility," he said.Representatives of the company could not be reached for comment, but Public Health officials confirmed the outbreak and said a second round of mass testing will occur at the facility on Tuesday."We have kept the avalanche of cases out of New Brunswick so far," Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, said in a statement Monday afternoon."We must act now to keep this virus from doing even more damage than we are already seeing, especially with transmission now in workplaces. We cannot keep COVID-19 out completely, so we must do absolutely everything we can to prevent it from spreading within our province," she said.On Sunday, Russell said Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton are close to moving into red alert. Public Health also reported several new cases in schools Monday. Officials reported a case at Ecole Elementaire Sacre-Coeur in Grand Falls and another at a daycare located in the school. There is also a positive case at Quispamsis Middle School in Quispamsis. Colin Furness, an epidemiologist at the University of Toronto, said if New Brunswick is to control the rise in new cases it needs to redouble efforts to reduce travel from outside the Atlantic region."If the province keeps doing what it's doing, you'll have more cases — plenty more — but not at the level that will get out of control," Furness said in an email Monday. "New Brunswickers should feel confident and optimistic, and of course, vigilant — drop your guard and you can get swamped between now and the summer."This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2021. Kevin Bissett, The Canadian Press
23 hours ago
Local Journalism Initiative
Peterborough Police not stopping vehicles to check for stay-at-home compliance
Officials have shot down a rumour circulating on social media that Ontario Provincial Police officers were sitting in cruisers on Chemong Road and stopping drivers to check if they were complying with the new stay-at-home order in place. A Facebook posting that was shared more than 1,500 times suggested OPP in unmarked and marked cars were set up along the road between Peterborough and Bridgenorth, pulling over vehicles with more than two people in them and performing random checks to make sure people were only travelling for essential purposes. “We have received calls about an officer who was parked in a cruiser on Chemong Road Thursday morning,” Peterborough Police responded on Twitter on Thursday night. “The officer was there as part of speed enforcement and using a speed measuring device. With regard to the Ontario orders, complaints will drive enforcement.” During Friday’s virtual Peterborough Public Health press briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith also denied it. “Yesterday there was a speed trap on Chemong because the speed limit was reduced on one section of it — and people weren’t observing that,” Smith said. “I did have the opportunity to speak to police yesterday about it. And they have assured me they have not pulled anyone over randomly to find out if their trip was essential — that people had been pulled over because they had been speeding. And that was the only reason they had been pulled over.” Ontario’s stay-at-home order went into effect Thursday for the province but the government said police don’t have the authority to randomly stop residents on the street to make sure their trip is essential. At Friday’s briefing, medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra similarly said Peterborough Police aren’t doing random stops for COVID compliance or the stay-at-home order. “In addition, I’ve certainly heard from employees who are quite anxious about having to come to work because they are essential and they need to leave their homes,” Salvaterra said. “Employers are not required to provide them with letters. And so employees do not need to have a letter saying they are essential workers. I think we can all take a breath and relax a bit about what this means as far as if you are having to leave the home and is it essential — you will not be stopped and quizzed about this.” Smith said he has found no evidence that police across the province are stopping vehicles to confirm their trips are essential. “What I have seen is misinterpretations of someone being pulled over because they were speeding. And someone else making the assumption they were being checked about why they were out,” Smith said. Marissa Lentz is a staff reporter at the Examiner, based in Peterborough. Her reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. Reach her via email: mlentz@peterboroughdaily.com Marissa Lentz, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Peterborough Examiner
22 hours ago
CBC
Biden’s decision on Keystone XL a political headache, economic blow for Canada
Joe Biden’s apparent plan to swifty stop construction of the Keystone XL pipeline may not have been a surprise in political circles, but it will certainly be a headache for Justin Trudeau’s government and be an economic blow for Alberta.
16 hours ago
Local Journalism Initiative
Deninu Kųę́ First Nation resumes COVID-19 roadblock
The Deninu Kųę́ First Nation on Monday asked visitors and non-essential workers to refrain from travel to the community, resuming a roadblock on the highway entering Fort Resolution. In a Facebook post, the First Nation tie the action to the current cluster of COVID-19 cases in Fort Liard alongside concern about the virus in Yellowknife and Hay River. “Due to the recent reports of COVID-19 cases in the surrounding communities and the high number of calls received by concerned Elders and community members, we will be monitoring all incoming travellers until further notice,” the post stated. The First Nation previously set up a checkpoint on the highway in April last year. Leaders in Jean Marie River and Sambaa K’e had already asked visitors to stay out of their communities. Sarah Sibley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio
22 hours ago
The Canadian Press
Quebec man charged with second-degree murder in stabbing death of mother
MONTREAL — A 23-year-old man was charged with second-degree murder today in the weekend slaying of his mother. Francis Normand's 49-year-old mother died after she was found stabbed Sunday inside an apartment in Montreal's Plateau-Mont-Royal borough. The victim has been identified in court documents as Francine Roux. She was transported to hospital in critical condition and was declared dead Sunday afternoon. Normand was arrested at the scene. A police spokesman said Sunday the accused was sent for a psychological evaluation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2021. The Canadian Press
23 hours ago
Yahoo News Canada
Alberta government halts appointments for first COVID-19 vaccine dose, looking into their own purchasing agreements
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced Monday that the province will not be scheduling anymore appointments to administer first COVID-19 vaccine doses, but is looking to enter into their own bilateral purchase agreement with other producers.
21 hours ago
The Canadian Press
Health officials in Prince Edward Island report four new COVID-19 cases
CHARLOTTETOWN — Prince Edward Island reported four new cases of COVID-19 Monday. Three of the cases were linked to travel outside Atlantic Canada and involved a woman in her 20s, a man in his 40s and a man in his 50s. The fourth case involved a woman in her 50s who is a close contact of a previously reported case. Prince Edward Island has 10 active reported cases of COVID-19; the province has reported a total of 108 infections since the start of the pandemic. Chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison said Monday all Islanders should get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19 and should isolate until the results come back. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2021. The Canadian Press
22 hours ago
Local Journalism Initiative
Port McNeill Grade 12 student observes Black Shirt Day for anti-racism
Grade 12 student Mackenzie Cox is wearing all black today for Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, newly dubbed by the Anti-Racism Coalition based in Vancouver as Black Shirt Day. Taking inspiration from Pink Shirt Day (for anti-bullying) and Orange Shirt Day (for acknowledging the history and ongoing effects of residential schools), organizers hope the day will bring awareness to anti-racism and civil rights. They are petitioning for the B.C. government to officially recognize Black Shirt Day, but in the meantime schools around the province are already on board. “We need to make more of a big deal about putting an effort to get to know everyone’s background,” 17 year-old North Island Secondary School student Cox said. “Here [in Port McNeill] we have the First Nations, so I think it would be important to get to know more of that, and also from other countries so we are more aware and so no one feels left out, or like we don’t care. “Because we do care, but not showing it, and not talking about it in classes, that’s of course what they’re going to think, that we don’t care.” She heard of Black Shirt Day just two days ago, so there wasn’t much time to get the school engaged. She went straight to Vice-Principal Ben Donahue for support, who immediately agreed. They made a few announcements, but it’s more of a soft launch before going full throttle next year. READ MORE: Petition calling for official anti-racism Black Shirt Day gaining traction in B.C. Donahue is planing to make it an annual occurrence, with resources for teachers and students in hopes that the school can continue to engage in anti-racist learning. “It’s a chance to raise awareness about racism. Race has an impact on all of our lives. I know during the Black Lives Matter [protests in the summer], it was cool seeing people realizing we’ve still got a lot to learn. “Especially for me being a white male, there are so many different ways people experience the world, and it’s on me to learn more about it. I think Black Shirt Day is a symbolic way to show we all have a bunch more learning to do,” he said. Cox is graduating this year and plans to study counselling at the University of Victoria, but hopes the school can continue to participate in things like this. “A lot of people don’t partake in [the shirt days] because they don’t like orange or the colour pink. I don’t think they understand that even just wearing that colour T-shirt for that day is a commitment to show that we care.” Do you have something to add to this story or something else we should report on? Email: zoe.ducklow@blackpress.ca Zoë Ducklow, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, North Island Gazette
23 hours ago
The Canadian Press
Uganda police surround Bobi Wine's opposition party offices
KAMPALA, Uganda — The opposition party of Ugandan presidential challenger Bobi Wine said on Monday that police have prevented top officials from going to their headquarters in the capital, Kampala, as they prepare to launch a legal challenge to free Wine from house arrest. Police swooped in at dawn at the offices of Wine’s National Unity Platform, diverted traffic, and stopped people from entering, party spokesman Joel Ssenyonyi told The Associated Press. Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, was the main challenger in presidential elections last week that electoral authorities say long-time leader Yoweri Museveni won with 58% of the vote. Wine, who took 34% of the vote, has rejected the official outcome as fraudulent and insists he will use all legal means to protest the allegedly “cooked-up” results. Wine can petition the East African nation's Supreme Court, but justices have been reluctant to rule against Museveni in previous election suits. Wine’s party has said it has video evidence of the military stuffing ballot boxes, casting ballots for people and chasing voters away from polling stations. Opposition lawmaker Medard Sseggona, an attorney for Wine, said he feared police would seize any vital information related to the polls that was kept at the party’s headquarters. Questions continue to swirl over the validity of the official election results, especially after the electoral commission on Monday acknowledged an account in the local press that results from over 1,000 polling stations had not been counted. The commission, trying to meet a constitutional deadline, concluded that the vote difference between Museveni and his closest challenger Wine "would not be overturned by votes from the remaining 1,223 polling stations,” it said on Twitter. The Daily Monitor newspaper reported that the vote-rich central district of Wakiso, widely seen as Wine's stronghold, was the most affected. Museveni has dismissed the claims of vote-rigging. “I think this may turn out to be the most cheating-free election since 1962,” when Uganda won independence from Britain, said Museveni in a national address on Saturday. But the election was marred by violence ahead of polling day as well as an internet shutdown that remained in force until Monday morning, when access was restored for most Ugandans. Social media sites remain restricted. Wine has been effectively under house arrest since he cast his vote and now is allegedly unable even to receive visitors. Police thwarted opposition officials who were trying to meet with Wine at his home outside Kampala in order to discuss the way forward, Ssenyonyi said. Lawmaker Francis Zaake has been hospitalized since Saturday after allegedly being assaulted by police who denied him access to Wine's house, and Wine tweeted late on Monday that the U.S. ambassador wanted to see him "but was turned away from my gate by the soldiers who have held me and my wife captive for the past five days.” The opposition party will seek a court order to end Wine's apparent house arrest, Ssenyonyi said. “His home is not a detention facility,” he said. Wine told reporters late Sunday that some of his followers “have been abducted and are missing. The military is conducting a massive campaign to arrest our agents. Many are on the run.” Ugandan police are holding at least 223 suspects over election-related offences, police said in a statement Monday. Police spokesman Fred Enanga said security forces are “maintaining a security presence” around Wine's home as a pre-emptive measure against possible rioting in the aftermath of the disputed polls. Wine is allowed to leave his home under “escort” in order to prevent his followers from “instigating riots and violent demonstrations," he said. Police similarly surrounded the home of opposition candidate Kizza Besigye after presidential elections in 2016, preventing him from going out after the official results of his loss to Museveni had been declared. Wine has said his campaign against Museveni is nonviolent and that his followers are unarmed. In a generational clash watched across the African continent that has a booming young population and a host of aging leaders, the 38-year-old singer-turned-lawmaker posed arguably the greatest challenge to Museveni, 76, since he came to power in 1986. Calling himself the “ghetto president,” Wine had strong support in Uganda’s cities, where frustration with unemployment and corruption is high. Museveni's support is concentrated in rural areas, where many still praise him for bringing stability. A long-time U.S. security ally once praised as part of a new generation of African leaders, Museveni at the start of his presidency criticized African leaders who refused to step aside but has since overseen the removal of constitutional limits on the presidency. Uganda’s elections are often marked by allegations of fraud and abuses by security forces. The U.S. State Department urged “independent, credible, impartial, and thorough investigations” into reports of irregularities. “We reiterate our intention to pursue action against those responsible for the undermining of democracy and human rights in Uganda,” it said. Rodney Muhumuza, The Associated Press
23 hours ago
The Canadian Press
Rural Ontario doctors await vaccine while big cities move to vaccinate LTC residents
Doctors in rural Ontario say they're still waiting to get vaccinated against COVID-19 while big cities have moved to vaccinate residents of long-term care homes after going through front-line health workers. Most regions placed under "green zone" restrictions in November are expected to wait until February to receive their share of the province's vaccine supply. There might be a bias toward the province's larger, urban areas despite rural areas seeing rising COVID-19 cases as well, said an emergency room doctor in Perth, Ont. "They seem to think that things are only happening in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal," said Dr. Alan Drummond. "But we saw COVID patients in the first wave and we are seeing COVID patients during the second wave." Drummond, 66, said he still sees and treats COVID-19 patients despite being considered high-risk due to his heart disease and age. "I could have stepped aside last February or March from emergency service and my colleagues recognize those in the high-risk category," he said. "But no, it's my job. This is what I've trained my entire life to do and I wasn't going to step aside." Drummond said small hospitals like his become immediately under threat when one emergency physician or nurse gets sick and quarantines. "We need to make sure that emergency health-care workers are vaccinated," he said. A group of emergency physicians on Wednesday called on the government and health authorities to provide transparency about who gets prioritized for vaccinations. Many front-line physicians, emergency department staff and paramedics have not been vaccinated, particularly those in outlying and scarcely resourced areas, said the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians. The group said that at the same time, vaccinations are being given to urban providers with little to no direct patient contact. "Many front-line staff have been given no indication of when they can anticipate being vaccinated, nor if it will take weeks or months, increasing their stress while they provide acute care to the population," it said in a statement. During a news conference on Monday, Premier Doug Ford pointed to the federal government when asked about vaccine supply for rural areas in Ontario. "Right now, we're working in collaboration with the federal government," said Ford. Vaccination of all long-term care staff and residents in Toronto, Peel, York and Windsor-Essex is expected to be done by Jan. 21, the Health Ministry said. The ministry said vaccination for those in long-term care homes has begun in many other parts of the province and its goal is to administer the first dose in all homes no later than Feb. 15. Meanwhile, front-line staff at a Sarnia, Ont., hospital have been eager to know when they could receive the vaccine, said Dr. Mike Haddad, chief of staff at Bluewater Health. "There is a bit of anxiety and there's some advocacy going on," he said. "People are not necessarily very happy." But Haddad, a critical care doctor, said he understands that high-risk populations, like those in long-term care homes in his region, should be given priority. Lambton County, which Sarnia is part of, is set to receive its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine during the first week of February, according to its public health unit. "The need is very urgent here and the sooner we can get vaccines, the better," said Dr. Sudit Ranade, Lambton Public Health's medical officer of health, during a news briefing on Thursday. The county has seen a rise in outbreaks within long-term care homes and the community in the last few weeks, said Ranade. Haddad said the least they can do now is break the cycle of spread. "We can't do anything about it locally, we're just waiting for the vaccines," he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2021. This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship. Denise Paglinawan, The Canadian Press
23 hours ago
Initiative de journalisme local
Centre de femmes Entre Ailes: une main tendue, même en temps de pandémie
Comme la majorité des organismes, le centre de femmes Entre Ailes a dû s’adapter en 2020 à une nouvelle réalité en temps de pandémie. Une situation qui a forcé la direction et les intervenantes à redoubler d’ardeur et faire preuve d’adaptativité afin de demeurer accessibles pour les clientèles les plus fragilisées par la situation. Ainsi, au fil des derniers mois, les rencontres se sont transportées sur la plateforme Zoom où une activité récurrente comme le Déjeun’ailes a par exemple fait place aux sympathiques Pyjama-Café en mode virtuel. L’organisme présentait d’ailleurs ces derniers jours une nouvelle programmation saisonnière comprenant des activités portant sur des sujets aussi variés que l’ostéopathie, les impôts et la justice climatique. Malgré les avantages de la technologie, le défi de maintenir le contact avec les résidentes de Boucherville et de la MRC de Marguerite-D’Youville demeure un enjeu de taille en période d’isolement. Si on considère en particulier que le rapprochement entre les femmes demeure un important moteur de l’organisme. Selon la coordonnatrice du centre Entre Ailes, Mme Sylvie Riendeau Langlais, la situation reste d’ailleurs plus problématique pour certains groupes en particulier. « C’est un grand défi notamment pour celles qui n’ont pas de connaissances en informatique, avance cette dernière. Mais c’est surtout inquiétant pour les femmes qui sont victimes de violence. Nous avons remarqué à ce sujet qu’il y avait plus de demandes d’information depuis le début de la pandémie. Nous ne faisons pas d’hébergement, mais nous pouvons les référer. Le problème, c’est que les maison d’hébergement sont aussi très sollicitées présentement et souvent remplies à pleine capacité. » Mme Riendeau Langlais rappelle par ailleurs que, pour certaines femmes, le fait de devoir vivre sept jours semaines, 24 heures sur 24 avec un conjoint ou proche parent agresseur laisse peu de répit. « Il n’y a plus ces moment durant lesquels la tension est moins grande parce que l’agresseur n’est pas à la maison. Alors la femme demeure dans un état d’hypervigilance. Elle se demande à quoi il pense, à quel moment il va éclater. Mentalement, c’est très épuisant et ça ajoute au sentiment d’isolement. » Pour Mme Riendeau Langlais, il est donc important que les femmes sachent que les services sont toujours là pour elles, malgré les restrictions et les directives gouvernementales actuelles. « Elles doivent savoir qu’elles peuvent aller dans une maison d’hébergement, rappelle cette dernière, qu’elles peuvent avoir de l’aide, des conseils. Elles peuvent nous appeler aussi pour avoir des références, de l'information et du soutien. » La coordonnatrice de l’organisme, qui va de nouveau souligner la Journée internationale des droits des femmes le 8 mars, avance également que les femmes qui vivent dans la pauvreté, les mères monoparentales et les immigrantes qui n’ont pas un réseau de contact bien établi ont aussi pu souffrir davantage de l’isolement causé par la situation actuelle. Pour plus d’information sur le centre, visitez le site www.entreailes.org ou encore la page Facebook de l’organisme.Steve Martin, Initiative de journalisme local, La Relève
22 hours ago
CBC
Alberta's COVID-19 numbers continue to drop, with 474 new cases reported Monday
As the province awaits its next vaccine shipment, the province continues to see declining rates of COVID-19. On Monday, Alberta reported 474 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. There are 739 people in hospital with the disease, 120 of whom are in intensive care. The province also reported 11 more deaths, bringing the total number of deaths to 1,447. "Over the last month we've seen active cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions and our transmission rate decline," Dr Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, said at a news conference. "This is a testament to the hard work and sacrifices of so many." But Hinshaw emphasized that case numbers in Alberta are still very high. Three months ago, on Oct. 18, the active case count was just over 3,000, while on Monday it was 11,923. "Critically, on Oct. 18, there were 120 people in hospital with COVID-19," she said. "Today we have more than six times that total. "All of this means we are making progress but we are not out of the woods yet. "So as we ease the restrictions on three provincewide measures today, please continue to take every precaution you can, and make good choices — choices that will help reduce the spread of COVID-19, choices that will help save lives and our health-care system, and choices that will help lead us in a direction where we may be able to safely relax more measures in the weeks ahead." WATCH | Dr. Hinshaw describes province's approach to easing restrictions Alberta began easing some public health restrictions Monday, allowing hair salons, barbershops, esthetics, manicure and pedicure businesses, reflexology, piercing and tattoo shops, and other personal and wellness services to reopen by appointment only. But not everything is going as hoped in the fight against COVID-19. In a Monday morning news conference, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced the province's ability to issue vaccines will have outstripped supply by early Tuesday at the latest. The next shipment of the vaccine isn't expected until later in the week, Kenney said. When the vaccine does arrive, it will be used for second doses that have already been booked, Hinshaw said. "What I can tell you is that at the moment it does seem like we have enough vaccine in hand, as well as what's been committed, even with the reduction in the Pfizer supplies, to be able to offer that second dose to all who've booked it." As of Monday, 89,814 doses of vaccine have been administered in the province. Both Kenney and Hinshaw said that first-dose vaccinations have wrapped up at all 357 long-term care and designated supported living facilities in the province. The Pfizer vaccine supply has been temporarily slowed because the pharmaceutical giant is cutting production to upgrade its manufacturing capacity at its facility in Belgium.
23 hours ago
Local Journalism Initiative
Closed, open and now closed again: Brighton business owners discuss lockdown challenges
In a short video, Gina Boyd presents a woman’s dainty shoe with a hand-painted floral design and a light pink high heel. While her downtown Brighton store is currently closed to walk-in patrons, the sharply-dressed entrepreneur is inside doing promotional videos that she then uploads to her social media pages. G. Boyd Boutique carries a variety of leather and handmade shoes, wallets, handbags and jewellery. Promoting her store online and creating the videos are efforts she has ramped up lately as she and other retailers face another shutdown because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Non-essential businesses, like G. Boyd Boutique, are permitted to offer curbside pickup of orders placed online or on the phone. However, Ontario is also now under a stay-at-home order, which requires residents to stay put unless they’re headed out for essential items, medical appointments or work. While Boyd said she and other store owners are feeling the weight of another closure, she is embracing the additional ways to sell. Non-essential businesses were also closed in mid-March 2020 for several weeks as a measure aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus. They were then permitted to open with safety measures until the province announced another lockdown starting Dec. 26, 2020. The stay-at-home order then came into effect Jan. 14. “I’m doing my best,” Boyd said. “Curbside is the only weapon we have.” There’s frustration in the small business community because some big-box stores can stay open because they sell food and other essentials, but they also sell products like clothes and housewares. At press time, Boyd was attempting to access a recently-announced small business grant from the province. Just before the stay-at-home order was announced, Brighton Mayor Brian Ostrander encouraged residents to consider local businesses if they were making purchases. “If you need to purchase anything, please reach out to a local business to request curbside or porch delivery,” Ostrander said. There was also a big push before Christmas to promote shopping locally. From hosting Old St. Nick, to launching a shop local incentive to introducing a holiday decorating contest, the Municipality of Brighton, the Downtown Business Improvement Area and others kicked off the holiday season in high gear. Boyd said while the holiday season for her wasn’t as busy as previous ones, she definitely saw the community step up and shop locally, which she and other merchants she spoke with greatly appreciated. She said her heart goes out to business owners of hair and nail salons and restaurants, noting she bought gift certificates for people on her Christmas list and encourages others to consider doing the same for upcoming occasions. “We want the downtown to survive and thrive,” Boyd said. Andreas Becker, who owns Read and Green, a second-hand bookstore on Main Street, is also using social media and the phone to take orders while his doors are closed. “The closing and reopening of the store and re-closing have certainly disrupted the flow of things,” Becker told the Independent. “However, by early autumn I started considering that another closing would come so I started posting extra online through my Facebook page and figuring out how to turn the page into a business page where you can click the button and make a purchase… I’m still working on that part,” he noted. “Using social media is the way in which I’ve adapted. I’ve also begun to call-forward my store number to my cell phone and that allows me to take calls when I’m not there and I’ve made a number of sales just by phone and arranging for a pick-up time. “I think adaptability is the most important thing, I do recognize that one of the challenges for many businesses is a chain of supply, which puts a bit more stress on foreseeing and pre-ordering. I’m very fortunate with Read and Green that I have a very large inventory in the store, which will help me ride out any supply challenges. This is a difficult time, but it opens the door to some creative solutions.” Brighton is fortunate its downtown business owners support each other, work together as a team and have loyal customers, Boyd said. “The only way we can stay alive is with the blessings of our community and thank goodness they are knocking on our doors. We’ve got to keep the small town going.” Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Northumberland News
23 hours ago
CBC
How barbershops have become venues for Black men to talk about racism, mental health
A new program that pairs free hair cuts with mental health support is encouraging Black men and boys in the Halifax area to open up about racism and the stresses of the pandemic from the comfort of a barbershop chair. Dr. Ron Milne hopes the familiar venue will feel like a safe space for them to talk about their mental health, "an area that people in general, but men particularly, don't like to talk about," he said. While two barbers provide free cuts, fades and shaves, Milne and other health-care professionals are there to help direct the conversation. "One of the common things we hear is about racism in the workplace and, you know, a number of the men have experienced that or are experiencing it," Milne told CBC's Information Morning on Monday. Sessions are taking place every Monday and Wednesday until Feb. 1 at two locations — Crowning Glory Hair Studio on Wyse Road in Dartmouth and at the East Preston Business Centre. The barbershop model has been successful elsewhere, said Milne, a family doctor with the Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative. The initiative is part of Nova Scotia Health and creates programs for Black men to access health care in their communities. "We do talk about, you know, legal issues and issues with the police ... in light of George Floyd's killing and so forth. That's another topic that comes up," Milne said. In some cases, he said the Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative has been able to get involved and help men navigate the justice system. "Sometimes we're able to connect these men with the lawyer or speak to their own lawyer, and we've had a couple of cases, you know, before the courts where we've gotten involved and helped the men to get a better outcome than they might have," Milne said. Another big topic of conversation during the sessions has been the pandemic and how it disproportionately impacts people of colour, Milne said. The Health Association of African Canadians has been hosting virtual town halls for Black Nova Scotians since last spring to talk about some of these issues. Sharon Davis-Murdoch, co-president of the association, said it's clear the province needs more culturally specific programs like this. The barbershop project is funded by the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, which also funded similar sessions for women last fall. "The women's conversations could be quite different to the men's, but generally as a people we are dealing with all kinds of racism and the impact of racism as a social determinant of health," Davis-Murdoch said. She said many Black women are working as caregivers and on the front lines as essential workers and therefore have added stress about contracting COVID-19. "Women talked a lot about their experiences of structural racism," Davis-Murdoch added. "You know, we break down that racism isn't just overt racism. It's not only direct so it's systemic. It can be internalized." After the men's sessions wrap up at the end of the month, the team will assess how the project went and write a report they hope will be used to ensure similar programs are offered in the future. "We will apply for more grants, but ultimately, we would like it to be part and parcel of the delivery of health-care in Nova Scotia," Davis-Murdoch said. MORE TOP STORIES
22 hours ago
Local Journalism Initiative
North Island First Nations nominate RCMP officer for Reconciliation Award
Port Hardy’s former cop Chris Voller has been nominated for a BC Reconciliation Award by his former boss Sgt. Wes Olsen and the four local First Nations and the District of Port Hardy. Kwakiutl, Quatsino, Gwa’sala and ‘Nakwaxda’xw First Nations unanimously recommended to put forth Voller’s name for the award. The nomination package was in process when they found out Olsen had already submitted Voller’s name, so the four Nations and Port Hardy Council teamed up and added their support Olsen’s bid. Voller spent nine years on the North Island between Port McNeill and Port Hardy, before finishing his term last October. He saw reconciliation as a key priority for RCMP officers, a necessary relationship building as a key to successful community policing in the area, and directed his team to become part of the communities they serve, and to approach law enforcement as proactively, as opposed to re-actively, whenever possible. He was frequently seen at community gatherings, developed friendships with First Nations leaders, and supported Indigenous-led initiatives such as the Managed Alcohol Program and the Indigenous Court. READ MORE: Officer Chris Voller says farewell to the North Island READ MORE: Port Hardy Mounties help First Nation chief build smokehouse Created last November by the BC Achievement Foundation and the Lieutenant Governor’s office, this is the first round of nominations for the award. Winners will be announced in the spring of 2021, chosen by a committee of elders, First Nations leaders and representatives from the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. All the adjudicators are Indigenous people. The award is not about winners as it is having models of excellence to share with B.C., encouraging more similar actions, said BC Achievement Foundation Executive Director Cathryn Wilson. Do you have something to add to this story or something else we should report on? Email: zoe.ducklow@blackpress.ca Zoë Ducklow, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, North Island Gazette
23 hours ago
The Canadian Press
Italy: Conte clears hurdle to retain power, bigger one ahead
ROME — Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte won a crucial vote in Parliament's lower house Monday night after a coalition defector's lawmakers abstained in the balloting, but he must clear a much tougher hurdle less than 24 hours later in the Senate to hold on to power. Lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies voted 321 to 259 in approval of Conte's government, after the premier sought their backing to overcome a political crisis — lamenting that it had left Italian citizens bewildered in the midst of the pandemic. There were 27 abstentions. Conte lost his coalition majority with the defection of Cabinet ministers belonging to former Premier Matteo Renzi’s tiny but key Italia Viva (Italy Alive) party, that threatened to collapse his government. The open ballot in the Chamber was tantamount to a confidence vote on the government. Conte's chances of prevailing in the vote received an important boost when a lawmaker in Renzi's party announced in Parliament after Conte's speech that Italy Alive's deputies would abstain in the balloting. But a much tougher hurdle looms Tuesday in the Senate where Renzi’s party has 18 members, meaning Conte would seek support from outside his wobbly coalition to stay in power — even if Renzi's party again abstains in that vote. Even should Conte's government survive in terms of numbers in Parliament, Renzi's party pullout last week highlighted the coalition's fragility. Conte would likely need backing from the thin ranks of centrists outside his coalition or the opposition to be able to get legislation passed, including vital economic measures to rescue an economy that was already stagnant before the pandemic pummeled it. Renzi has faced harsh criticism for the power play during a pandemic that has killed more than 82,000 Italians. But with billions of European Union recovery funds expected to flow into the country, he has defended the move as necessary to prevent Conte from amassing too much power. “Did we always take the best decisions? Everyone can make their evaluations,” Conte told the lower house. “For my part, I can say the government worked with the utmost care and attention for the delicate balances, including constitutional ones,” while keeping in mind the heavy implications for ordinary Italians. “If I can speak in the name of the whole government, with head high, it is not out of the arrogance of someone who believes not to have made errors,” Conte said. “It is out of awareness of how the whole government put all of its physical and mental energy into best protecting the nation.” He expressed perplexity at the political crisis for which he saw “no plausible basis” at a moment when “the pandemic is still in full course.” He said the developments in Rome had provoked “deep dismay” in the country, when the priority should be fighting the virus and relaunching the economy. . The interest rate Italy pays on its public debt has nudged up in recent days, but it is nowhere near the high levels reached during Italy’s 2011 political crisis. During the debate, Conte used his follow-up speech to pitch to centrists, who might be wary of backing a government whose senior party is the populist 5-Star Movement. After avowing to keep his government solidly pro-European Union, Conte promised his coalition would be aligned with the agenda of the incoming U.S. administration of Joe Biden, whose presidency, he said, is viewed with “great hope.” “I already have had a long and warm phone conversation with him,” Conte told the Chamber. He added that the Biden agenda is “our agenda.” During his speech to lawmakers, Conte conceded one point of contention, that he would give up the secret services portfolio. But he also made clear that it would be hard to mend fences with Renzi. "We can't forget what has happened, and you can't think of regaining the climate of trust,'' Conte said. Italia Viva lawmaker Ivan Scalfarotto accused Conte of setting up too many tasks forces during the pandemic, and not taking enough action. Conte, a lawyer by training hailed for his mediation skills, was tapped by Italy’s 5-Star Movement to run the government after the indecisive 2018 election led to a governing coalition of the 5-Stars with a right-wing group led by League party leader Matteo Salvini. That government fell when Salvini, then interior minister, mounted a failed power grab. Conte was able to form a new government with the support of the left-wing Democratic Party, which then included Renzi. Renzi later defected from the party he once ran, giving himself the ability to shake up the government by yanking loyal ministers. Renzi acted after Conte unveiled a plan to manage the EU recovery funds himself, which was widely seen as accumulating too much power. ___ Barry reported from Milan. Frances D'Emilio contributed from Rome. Colleen Barry And Nicole Winfield, The Associated Press
22 hours ago
The Canadian Press
Blanchet's choice to block critics on Twitter limits free speech: experts
OTTAWA — Dozens of people say Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet has blocked them on Twitter after they criticized his statements about Transport Minister Omar Alghabra. Richard Moon, a law professor at the University of Windsor, says it is credible to claim that Blanchet infringed the charter-guaranteed right to freedom of expression of those who can no longer see or comment on his tweets. Moon says politicians use their Twitter accounts as a public political platform, so excluding someone from responding to what they say there over their political views could be a restriction on that right. Duff Conacher, co-founder of Democracy Watch, says Blanchet's Twitter account is a public communication channel and he cannot decide arbitrarily to not allow voters to communicate with him there. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson faced a lawsuit in 2018 from local activists he had blocked on Twitter; the court action was dropped after Watson conceded his account is public and unblocked everyone he had blocked. Blanchet has been a subject of criticism since last week after his party claimed a link between Alghabra and what a Bloc news release called "the political Islamic movement." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2020 ——— This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship. The Canadian Press
22 hours ago
Local Journalism Initiative
Ontario calls second state of emergency to fight COVID
Premier Doug Ford has announced that Ontario will be returning to a State of Emergency due to increasing COVID-19 cases. In the his daily press conference today, Ford said the state of emergency will last at least 28 days with the possibility that it could be extended if numbers have not begun to slow or drop. Additionally, the premier also announced a Stay at Home order that will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, January 14. Under this stay at home order, people in Ontario will only be able to leave their homes for groceries, medical or pharmacy appointments, exercise or essential work. “The latest modelling data shows that Ontario is in a crisis and, with the current trends, our hospital ICUs will be overwhelmed in a few short weeks with unthinkable consequences," Ford said. "That's why we are taking urgent and decisive action, which includes declaring a provincial emergency and imposing a stay-at-home-order. We need people to only go out only for essential trips to pick up groceries or go to medical appointments. By doing the right thing and staying home, you can stay safe and save lives." In addition to the state of emergency and stay at home orders, the province released a list of further restrictions to help curb the spread of COVID-19, including what is being called the “U.K. variant” which has shown to be 56 percent more easily transmissible, though not necessarily more deadly. Those new or modified restrictions, per a release from the province, include: The emergency measures also give authority to all enforcement and provincial offences officers to issue tickets to individuals who aren't in compliance with stay at home orders or wearing a mask indoors or another public space. These authorizations are extended to the OPP, local police forces, bylaw officers and provincial workplace inspectors. At a separate press conference earlier today, the province revealed new COVID-19 modelling that shows ICUs in the province could become overwhelmed with cases by early February, with an estimated 1,000 people in hospital beds by that time. Modelling also shows that deaths from the virus are on track to increase to 100 per day by late February, a figure that is more than double the current daily number. Included in the announcement was that provincial data showed mobility and contacts between people has not gone down with the current restrictions. Ontario's Minister of Health Christine Elliott noted this continuing lack of care surrounding public health orders was impeding progress towards controlling the COVID-19 pandemic in the province. “Despite our best efforts, COVID-19 is continuing to spread in our communities, our hospitals, our long-term care homes, and our workplaces. We are continuing to see concerning trends across the province, including a tragic number of deaths," Elliott said. "We have made great strides in vaccinating tens of thousands of Ontarians, and we can't let these efforts go to waste. Urgent action is required to break this deadly trend of transmission, ensure people stay home, and save lives." As part of the drive to identify and isolate COVID cases more quickly in the spaces that will be allowed to remain open over the next month, such as long term care homes and schools, Elliott said the province will be providing up to 300,000 COVID-19 tests per week During the premier's press conference this afternoon, it was also revealed that schools in some of the harder hit regions in southern Ontario would see their return to in-class learning pushed further back to February 10, with ford reminding the province he would not hesitate to avoid taking unnecessary risks when it came to school aged children. For residents in northern parts of Ontario, the premier said it would be up to local health units to decide what steps would need to be taken for schools in their catchment areas. tTe premier acknowledged that people are getting tired and frustrated with the continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he urged the public to remain vigilant and to continue to follow public health measures in order to keep the pandemic from getting worse and winding up where the experts fear it will. “I've seen how tough we can be, through the first wave and beyond,” Ford said. “As I've said before, 'tough times don't last, but tough people do' and we have the toughest people in the world right here in Ontario. My friends; stay home, stay safe and save lives.” Ken Kellar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Fort Frances Times
23 hours ago
CBC
What security in Washington, D.C., looks like ahead of the inauguration
Following the deadly violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 by pro-Trump rioters, security measures for Joe Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration have ramped up. CBC's Thomas Daigle shows what it looks like on the ground.
18 hours ago

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