Wow! Check out these marshmallow-like chunks of ice bobbing along a river

These floating chunks of ice in Sudbury, Ontario looked more like bobbing marshmallows than the pancake variety usually spotted.

Latest Stories

  • New 'statement to police' card for Indigenous people released in Alberta

    An Edmonton non-profit has created a new wallet-sized card to help Indigenous people know their rights if stopped by police in Alberta. The statement to police card created by the Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA) provides a list of people's rights and a paragraph that can be read to police. It also lists the organization's contact information. Staff say the card is to help Indigenous people invoke their rights. "This is basically to help, especially in interactions with the police where it's potentially a crisis, or you get flustered or caught off guard, to just have what you need to say there, so police also know that there are responsibilities on both sides," said Daena Crosby, director of legal education, media and research with NCSA. "We tried to make it as easy as possible." The NCSA offered a slightly different version of the card previously, and the new iteration of the free card was started shortly after the provincial government banned the practice of carding by police last November and imposed new rules on street checks. "This is an NCSA-specific project so it is focused on Indigenous communities themselves but with Black Lives Matter and the conviction yesterday for George Floyd's murder, this information is paramount to all people, all Canadians. Everyone has the right to know what their legal rights are," said Crosby. "It's just getting access to that information that's a challenge and having the tools the people need to be able to keep themselves alert to what their rights are and also safe in those interactions as well." Daena Crosby, director of legal education, media and research with Native Counselling Services of Alberta, holds up the printed card with the statement to police that can be read.(CBC News) Carding is "disproportionately targeting Indigenous and Black communities in Alberta," NCSA said in a news release. "NCSA recognizes that the solutions to systemic racism go well beyond this card. However, this is one small step in the right direction." Carding refers to arbitrary stops by police and asking members of the public for their personal information, even if there is no suspicion of wrongdoing. Ajay Juneja, a criminal defence lawyer in Edmonton, said the card will help people know their rights. "This is particularly important for [Indigenous people] and the majority of clients serviced by Native Counselling Services because they're disproportionately targeted by the police, subject to street checks and carding," he said. "I think this card will go a long way assisting people in knowing when they have the right to not identify themselves and to walk away." In the first six months of 2020, Edmonton police conducted 3,591 street checks. (CBC) A 2017 CBC News investigation found that in 2016, Indigenous women were nearly 10 times as likely to be street checked as white women. The same year, Indigenous people were six times more likely than white people to be stopped by Edmonton police. Black people were almost five times as likely as white people to be stopped, data showed. Carding was banned by the provincial government last year but street checks, when police say there is a specific reason to stop and question a member of the public, continue. Edmonton Police Service staff worked with NCSA to develop the card, according to the NCSA press release. "We see the value in this card as an opportunity to provide that knowledge and mutual understanding between individuals and officers regarding their rights and responsibilities … we hope it removes any feelings of fear or uncertainty while also allowing room to build on relationships with the communities our members serve," EPS Deputy Chief Alan Murphy said in a statement. Crosby said the goal now is to circulate the free cards, which can be downloaded online, to as many Indigenous communities in Alberta as possible. "The more people who know, the better."

  • Grizzly victim knew risks of living with bears, friends say

    BILLINGS, Mont. — Grizzly bears are part of life in the gateway communities around Yellowstone National Park, and backcountry snowmobile guide Charles “Carl” Mock knew well the risks that come with working, hiking and fishing among the fear-inspiring carnivores, his friends said. Mock was killed after being mauled by a 400-plus pound (181-plus kilogram) male grizzly while fishing alone at a favourite spot on Montana's Madison River, where it spills out of the park and into forested land that bears wander in search of food. The bear had a moose carcass stashed nearby and wildlife officials say it likely attacked Mock to defend the food. The grizzly was shot after charging at a group of seven game wardens and bear specialists who returned the next day. Bear spray residue found on Mock's clothing suggested he tried to ward off last week's attack using a canister of the Mace-like deterrent, considered an essential item in the backcountry. He usually carried a pistol, too, but wasn't on the day he was killed just a few miles north of the small town of West Yellowstone where he lived, according to two friends. While some on social media questioned the inherent perils of such a lifestyle in the wake of Mock's death, those who knew him said he accepted the risk as a trade-off for time spent in a wilderness teeming with elk, deer, wolves and other wildlife. “People don't understand that for us who live here, that's what we do every day,” said Scott Riley, who said he fished, hunted, hiked and kayaked numerous times with Mock over the past decade. West Yellowstone has just over 900 full time residents but gets throngs of summer tourists at one of the main entrances to the park. “We had a bear in town two nights after Carl was mauled. It's not like we're just running around in the forest tempting them. They are everywhere," said Riley, who manages a snowmobile dealership in West Yellowstone. Mock, 40, managed to call 911 following the mauling and was found by rescuers propped against a tree with the cannister of bear spray in one hand, his father, Chuck Mock, told the Billing Gazette. His other hand had been “chomped off” as he tried to protect himself. One of the animal's teeth punctured his skull and Mock died two days later in an Idaho hospital after undergoing extensive surgery. The Yellowstone region that spans portions of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming has more than 700 bears. Fatal attacks on humans are rare but have increased in recent decades as the grizzly population grew and more people moved into rural areas near bear habitat. Since 2010, grizzlies in the Yellowstone region killed eight people including Mock. The last fatality around West Yellowstone that town Mayor Jerry Johnson could recall happened in 1983, when a 600-pound (272-kilogram) bear dragged a Wisconsin man from his tent and killed at the Rainbow Point campground north of town. Grizzlies are protected under federal law outside Alaska. Members of the region’s congressional delegation have introduced legislation to lift protections and allow grizzly hunting. Mock had been “in awe” of Yellowstone from a young age, according to his father, and moved from Idaho to West Yellowstone about 10 years ago. For the past five years he worked as a guide for a snowmobile touring company owned by Johnson. He was known for being helpful to friends and his love of outdoor adventure, Johnson said. A community memorial service for Mock, is scheduled for Saturday at West Yellowstone's Union Pacific Dining Lodge. His relatives will hold a private funeral, Johnson said. Riley said he and Mock came upon bears in the wild numerous times. Sometimes a grizzly would make a bluff charge, running at Riley and Mock but always backing down before last week's attack. “I've held my bear spray 100 times but never had to use it,” Riley said. “What happened to Carl could happen to anybody that walks into these forests at any given time ... I would say if the forest kills me, the forest kills me." Matthew Brown, The Associated Press

  • Premier Moe says Ontario anti-mask protester should stay out of Saskatchewan

    Premier Scott Moe had strong words Wednesday for an Ontario anti-masker who is slated to make two appearances in Saskatchewan this weekend — including one in a community recently touched by a nearby party-turned-superspreader. "I don't think this is any time for someone to be travelling halfway across the country to come in and to advocate for Saskatchewan people to be not wearing masks, not following public health orders, and doing it in an area where we have just had the very first few cases of what be proved to be a quite a bit more of a challenging virus," Moe said. The premier was referring to Chris Saccoccia, who also identifies himself as "Chris Sky." Saccoccia has rallied against health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. A "Calgary Freedom Walk" video dated April 17 and posted on Saccoccia's website shows him leading a crowd of dozens of unmasked people in a chant of, "Just say No!" According to Saccoccia's website and Twitter feed, his "freedom convoy" is set to arrive in Maple Creek, Sask., on Saturday. Maple Creek is about 476 kilometres southwest of Regina. An Easter weekend "recreational party" in the Maple Creek area went "way over" the current outdoor gathering limit and featured "minimal" adherence to public health rules, according to Health Minister Paul Merriman. According to Global News, more than 100 people attended that party and the ensuing outbreak involves the UK variant. As of Friday, 40 cases of COVID-19 were tied to the event. Moe said he couldn't say whether the highly transmissible P1 variant associated with Brazil is specifically tied to that outbreak, but noted that five cases of the P1 variant were just reported in the southwest region (under which Maple Creek falls) on Tuesday. Holding a mass gathering in the area would be "highly inappropriate," Moe said. "He's going to Maple Creek?" Ryan Meili, the leader of the Saskatchewan NDP, asked incredulously when told of Sky's planned stop. "When we have P1 variants showing up in the southwest of the province? Where we had a major outbreak after a party? "What an idiot. He should stay the hell away from Saskatchewan." CBC News has reached out to Saccoccia for comment. The health zone that includes Maple Creek and 26 other communities in southwest Saskatchewan reported 64 active cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, nearly double the caseload from a week before. (Guy Quenneville/CBC) Regina is also listed as a stop on Saccoccia's tour. The capital city has faced the brunt of Saskatchewan's coronavirus variant of concern cases in recent weeks, as well as a surge in infected ICU patients. Health officials are strongly recommending against travel in and out of the city. "The City of Regina continues to call on everyone to respect all provincial public health measures currently in place, including the recommendation [against] travel," the city said in an emailed statement to CBC News. Chris Saccoccia's 'freedom convoy' poster touts upcoming stop in Maple Creek and Regina. (Chris Sky) Maple Creek mayor alerts RCMP Michelle McKenzie, the mayor of Maple Creek, said the town learned Tuesday afternoon of Saccoccia's upcoming weekend stop and alerted the RCMP to inform them of a possible large gathering. "They will be monitoring for non compliance," she said. CBC News has reached out to the Saskatchewan RCMP for comment. One Facebook post spreading the word about Saccoccia's event encouraged people from the nearby communities of Fox Valley, Consul, Richmound, Tompkins, Piapot, Medicine Hat and Swift Current to attend. "It is a high concern. It's very unfortunate," McKenzie said. 'We respect peaceful protests': mayor McKenzie said that as a leader, she has to walk a fine line when it come to events like those hosted by Saccoccia. "We want to make sure the Town of Maple Creek supports freedom of speech and respects each individual's rights and opinions. We also respect peaceful protests as it's the right of Canadian citizens," she said. "However, at this time, we do not encourage mass gatherings due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in our community and the variants of concern." If anyone is thinking of attending Saccoccia's event, they should "keep it lawful" and stay home if they're feeling unwell, McKenzie said. Chris Saccoccia, seen here during a protest against mandatory mask measures on Toronto's TTC, was fined $1,000 last fall for contravening the federal Quarantine Act. (Evan Mitsui/CBC) All public and private outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people under Saskatchewan's current public health order. "Those public health orders are in place for a reason This is what can happen if they're not followed," McKenzie said.

  • Toronto breaks its record for COVID-19 hospitalizations, ICU patients

    Toronto reached a grim new high Wednesday, reporting 1,010 people with COVID-19 are in hospital and 194 are in the intensive care unit. "Today's numbers reflect the seriousness of the situation in which we find ourselves," said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa, warning the city is on track to reach the milestone of 3,000 COVID-19 related deaths. The city reported 27 more deaths Wednesday, bringing the total to 2,970, along with 1,302 new cases of the virus. Toronto will ramp up vaccinations further in the 13 "hottest" of the hot spot neighbourhoods, as part of a "sprint strategy" Mayor John Tory said on Wednesday. Tory said Toronto will be "significantly" increasing vaccination capacity at city-run clinics by 20 to 25 per cent. "We have dramatically increased available capacity but we don't have the supply," the mayor said. A woman is vaccinated with a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at a pop-up vaccine clinic in Toronto's Jane and Finch neighbourhood, in the M3N postal code, on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Despite rates of COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations far exceeding other areas of the city, residents of the M3N postal code continue to struggle with the lowest vaccination rates in Toronto. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press) The city expects that situation to change in about three weeks when the province increases supply of doses to more than 60,000 doses per week, up from 56,000. To match supply forecasts, 231,000 additional appointment spots will soon be available for May 10 through June 6, said Toronto Fire Chief and head of Emergency Management Matthew Pegg. As the city expands its mobile vaccination clinic efforts, it's enlisting the help of paramedics and firefighters, Pegg said. "This will further assist some of our most vulnerable residents, such as those experiencing homelessness, those who rely on shelters and drop-in centres and those living outdoors," Pegg said. The city vaccinated over 25,600 people yesterday, with thousands of doses administered at pop-up and mobile clinics in hot spot neighourhoods, according to Toronto Public Health, noting only a small number of appointments are available at city-run clinics for the next two weeks. A pop-up clinic for residents 18 years and older will run at Jane and Finch for postal codes M3L, M3N and M3M, the city said. A mobile clinic will operate in postal code M3N. Doctors say a record number of patients in the Toronto area are being transferred to other regions as the third wave puts incredible strain on the health-care system. There's concern about what would happen if there's a further spike in COVID-19 cases. "I am very concerned about the potential for us to not be able to meet the demand of the pace at which patients will present through the front doors of our hospital," said Dr. Andrew Healey, chief of emergency services and an emergency and critical care doctor at William Osler Health System, a network of hospitals in Toronto and Peel Region. "We are dangerously close to not being able to provide typical care in typical spaces to the patients who present with COVID-19 infection and others in our hospital system."

  • Alberta teachers and education minister swap accusations of politicizing curriculum

    EDMONTON — Education Minister Adriana LaGrange says the group representing Alberta teachers is playing politics with a proposed new kindergarten to Grade 6 curriculum and isn’t sincere about real bridge-building. The Alberta Teachers' Association has publicly stated the proposed learning plan is “fatally flawed, and teachers, academics and curriculum experts should work on a revised version." “I have the utmost respect for teachers, and the work that they do, and the professionalism that they have,” LaGrange said when asked about the association Wednesday. “I want them to weigh in on the curriculum," she said. "The union for teachers appears to want to make it more political. I really don’t want to go down that path. I prefer to work collaboratively. “The fact they have not reached out to me or my department since the curriculum has come out to set up a meeting, to have a discussion, speaks volumes to me.” LaGrange’s spokeswoman, Nicole Sparrow, in a subsequent statement, said the minister’s door remains open. “Alberta’s government will continue to work with the education system, including the teachers' union, to gather all feedback to make this the best curriculum possible,” said Sparrow. “It is clear that the union is more interested in political theatre than actually providing feedback.” Teachers president Jason Schilling lobbed the accusation right back. “We need to have the whole curriculum redesign process depoliticized. In fact, I would like to see politicians get out of the way and let’s go back to the way we used to do curriculum redesign,” Schilling said in an interview. Schilling said LaGrange cancelled a memorandum of understanding in late 2019 that had put teachers and other experts at the centre of the curriculum review. Teachers have fought for a place at the table ever since, he said. “The association has essentially been shut out,” said Schilling. “The minister is very well aware of the fact I have concerns about the curriculum, that I want to make sure that teachers are involved, (so) that we can get this right.” The result has been a high-profile back-and-forth word fight. The teachers association says it was shut out of the curriculum consultation. LaGrange counters that 100 teachers were involved. Schilling has said it was 100 teachers for two days who had to sign non-disclosure agreements. The ATA has said 91 per cent of teachers in an in-house survey are against the curriculum. LaGrange has dismissed the survey sample she says was less than seven per cent as minuscule. Sarah Hoffman, the NDP Opposition's education critic, said LaGrange and the United Conservative government need to meaningfully work with teachers who have the expertise and front-line experience on what works and what doesn’t. “The minister is picking massive fights and trying to discredit teaching professionals who work to make sure students learn quality information to set them up for success,” said Hoffman. The draft is to be piloted in select schools this fall and fully implemented in September 2022. To date, almost 30 of Alberta’s 63 school boards, including the public school boards in Edmonton and Calgary as well as francophone school boards, say they won’t teach it. It’s been the subject of fierce debate since being outlined by LaGrange in late March. Advocates defend it as a common-sense approach that includes basic concepts, such as multiplication tables, along with real-life skills for the information age, including how to budget and computer code. The ATA and other critics say the plan is not developmentally appropriate for young kids, is jammed with random facts, and too loosely structured with concepts well over students' heads. They say it pushes Eurocentric history while giving short shrift to francophone and Indigenous cultures and perspectives. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2021. Dean Bennett, The Canadian Press

  • The latest numbers on COVID-19 in Canada for Thursday, April 22, 2021

    The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 4 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 22, 2021. There are 1,147,463 confirmed cases in Canada. _ Canada: 1,147,463 confirmed cases (89,167 active, 1,034,533 resolved, 23,763 deaths).*The total case count includes 13 confirmed cases among repatriated travellers. There were 8,421 new cases Wednesday. The rate of active cases is 234.62 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 60,309 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 8,616. There were 51 new reported deaths Wednesday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 318 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is 45. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.12 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 62.53 per 100,000 people. There have been 30,274,366 tests completed. _ Newfoundland and Labrador: 1,049 confirmed cases (31 active, 1,012 resolved, six deaths). There was one new case Wednesday. The rate of active cases is 5.94 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been 15 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is two. There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 1.15 per 100,000 people. There have been 236,011 tests completed. _ Prince Edward Island: 174 confirmed cases (13 active, 161 resolved, zero deaths). There were zero new cases Wednesday. The rate of active cases is 8.14 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of nine new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is one. There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is zero per 100,000 people. There have been 136,080 tests completed. _ Nova Scotia: 1,856 confirmed cases (79 active, 1,710 resolved, 67 deaths). There were 25 new cases Wednesday. The rate of active cases is 8.07 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 73 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 10. There were zero new reported deaths Wednesday. Over the past seven days there has been one new reported death. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is zero. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.01 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 6.84 per 100,000 people. There have been 470,988 tests completed. _ New Brunswick: 1,804 confirmed cases (139 active, 1,631 resolved, 34 deaths). There were seven new cases Wednesday. The rate of active cases is 17.79 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 52 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is seven. There was one new reported death Wednesday. Over the past seven days there has been one new reported death. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is zero. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.02 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 4.35 per 100,000 people. There have been 286,705 tests completed. _ Quebec: 340,397 confirmed cases (12,221 active, 317,338 resolved, 10,838 deaths). There were 1,217 new cases Wednesday. The rate of active cases is 142.53 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 9,366 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 1,338. There were six new reported deaths Wednesday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 75 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is 11. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.12 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 126.4 per 100,000 people. There have been 7,911,852 tests completed. _ Ontario: 429,123 confirmed cases (42,917 active, 378,417 resolved, 7,789 deaths). There were 4,212 new cases Wednesday. The rate of active cases is 291.28 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 30,288 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 4,327. There were 32 new reported deaths Wednesday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 179 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is 26. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.17 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 52.86 per 100,000 people. There have been 13,465,492 tests completed. _ Manitoba: 36,632 confirmed cases (1,833 active, 33,838 resolved, 961 deaths). There were 164 new cases Wednesday. The rate of active cases is 132.9 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 1,097 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 157. There was one new reported death Wednesday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of seven new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is one. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.07 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 69.67 per 100,000 people. There have been 637,594 tests completed. _ Saskatchewan: 38,883 confirmed cases (2,551 active, 35,863 resolved, 469 deaths). There were 231 new cases Wednesday. The rate of active cases is 216.43 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 1,792 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 256. There were four new reported deaths Wednesday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 11 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is two. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.13 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 39.79 per 100,000 people. There have been 732,675 tests completed. _ Alberta: 175,230 confirmed cases (20,180 active, 153,002 resolved, 2,048 deaths). There were 1,699 new cases Wednesday. The rate of active cases is 456.37 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 10,699 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 1,528. There were zero new reported deaths Wednesday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 19 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is three. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.06 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 46.32 per 100,000 people. There have been 3,970,651 tests completed. _ British Columbia: 121,751 confirmed cases (9,166 active, 111,039 resolved, 1,546 deaths). There were 862 new cases Wednesday. The rate of active cases is 178.06 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 6,881 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 983. There were seven new reported deaths Wednesday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 25 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is four. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.07 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 30.03 per 100,000 people. There have been 2,389,799 tests completed. _ Yukon: 77 confirmed cases (two active, 74 resolved, one death). There were zero new cases Wednesday. The rate of active cases is 4.76 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of one new case. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is zero. There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 2.38 per 100,000 people. There have been 8,824 tests completed. _ Northwest Territories: 45 confirmed cases (two active, 43 resolved, zero deaths). There were two new cases Wednesday. The rate of active cases is 4.43 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of two new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is zero. There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is zero per 100,000 people. There have been 17,070 tests completed. _ Nunavut: 429 confirmed cases (33 active, 392 resolved, four deaths). There was one new case Wednesday. The rate of active cases is 83.86 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been 34 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is five. There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 10.16 per 100,000 people. There have been 10,549 tests completed. This report was automatically generated by The Canadian Press Digital Data Desk and was first published April 22, 2021. The Canadian Press

  • Trudeau on why flights continue to arrive every day in Canada amid concerns about COVID-19 outbreak

    Global News reporter Richard Zussman asks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau why his government is not stopping international flights from India from arriving in Vancouver, as the country deals with concerning mutations of COVID-19. Zussman asks Trudeau why flights from the U.K. were suspended last December and not flights from other countries of concern.

  • Mother relieved in-person school to resume in small town Sask. after challenges with remote learning

    A Saskatchewan mother is relieved after hearing her children will be back to in-person learning on Monday. Brooklyn Karnes-Herbst is working full-time in Regina, her husband is working full-time as a subcontractor and four of their five children are doing remote learning in their community of Pangman, Sask. Pangman is about 90 kilometres south of Regina. It's a busy time for the blended family. Most of the children — who are aged three, eight, eight, 10 and 10 — are forced to learn on tablets because the family doesn't have the means to buy laptops for each of them. "It's tough because you want to be as positive as you can for them. But when you're also not really feeling the positivity and when the teachers are showing their frustrations, it's really hard," Karnes-Herbst said. Karnes-Herbst said it's important they take precautions and stay safe, but they need to balance that with the mental health and quality of learning for students. She said she's relieved the South East Cornerstone School Division is letting some classrooms return to in-person learning with precautions on April 26. Learning on tablets, iPhone, with slow Internet Karnes-Herbst currently works from home two days a week and her grandmother watches the children on the other days. Internet access and connectivity is tough in the small town. "Now, when you get everyone from that area, phone calls are dropping. People can't connect," she said. "The links for their Teams conversations don't come through." It's honestly making sure that they don't feel at fault because none of this is their fault. - Brooklyn Karnes-Herbst Karnes-Herbst said it's been incredibly tough on the teachers as well, because they're trying to organize tests or assignments yet children's internet connections cut out. She said she's working to help her children understand it's OK if technology fails. "It is what it is," she said. "It's honestly making sure that they don't feel at fault because none of this is their fault." No masks at home but less learning: Children "It's kind of just even more stressful than at school," Carter Karnes, aged 10, said of learning at home. When the school closed, Carter and his brother Nixon, also 10, were told to take their textbooks home but not much else. Karnes-Herbst said the boys weren't told there was a positive case within the school. "I was like, what? Why are we doing remote learning? Because everybody was here at school today. The kindergarten's, every single person in their classes were there," Nixon said. Nixon Karnes has to currently learn on a tablet in Brooklyn Karnes-Herbst bedroom so that he doesn't have many distractions around. (Google Meet) Nixon works on a laptop and Carter on a tablet, both in Brooklyn's bedroom. Blake, eight, is at the kitchen counter with an iPhone 6 and Parker, also eight, at the breakfast nook on a tablet. The two couldn't be close together due to feedback from being in the same meeting. "It's a little bit of both, easy and hard," Parker said. Meanwhile, Blake said he likes that he doesn't need to wear a mask when at home, but both he and Parker agreed they learn more in school. Carter, Parker and Blake all mentioned they miss their friends. Blake Herbst had to learn for some time on an iPhone because the family didn't have the means to buy a new laptop. (Google Meet) Karnes-Herbst said her older boys are feeling overwhelmed also because of the amount of homework that comes with remote learning. Karnes-Herbst said the average person doesn't know how tough this is. "We've never received anything from the school board asking us if we would be willing to have our children still attend," she said. "We understand that we're taking that risk simply because their mental status and their learning abilities are so much more in-person than on the Internet." Karnes-Herbst 's children school has about 60 students in Kindergarten to Grade 12. It has its first positive case in early April during the entire pandemic. "So to clump us in with Weyburn and Estevan is really unfortunate because as a small community, we've had very little cases within even the community," Karnes-Herbst said. "So now you've taken everything away from my kids, including school." Karnes-Herbst said the importance of schools shows how teachers need to be vaccinated sooner. On Tuesday, the provincial government announced teachers could start booking appointments to be vaccinated late next week. "Their education is huge and it's on the line right now and that's not fair to these kids."

  • Sask. doctors advised not to write notes recommending specific vaccine brand for patients

    Saskatchewan doctors have been advised by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to refrain from writing patients notes recommending a specific COVID-19 vaccine brand. The SHA said that at clinic locations, there are patients saying their physicians are recommending they only receive a specific brand. For example, Pfizer over Moderna, or Moderna over AstraZeneca. "There is no clinical evidence to support this recommendation," the SHA said in a statement. Those who may get a specific type of vaccine include people who have extremely vulnerable conditions, but those conditions have already been approved and listed by the Ministry of Health. All vaccines in Canada are safe and approved for use said the Saskatchewan Health Authority. It is encouraging people to get the first shot that is offered to them. (Leah Hennel/AHS) The SHA said physician support on this issue is "critical to ensure overall vaccine uptake and protecting people as quickly as possible." It also helps the vaccination process run more smoothly. "This becomes very confusing and anxiety-provoking for our patients, but also for our immunization staff who are showing up to work to do the best that they can and are often put in very difficult situations when they have to challenge a patient on their eligibility," physician executive Dr. Kevin Wasko said on April 15 during a physician's town hall meeting. "Please, follow the science." Not the time to vaccine shop: Shahab Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said all COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada are safe and effective. "This is not the time to hesitate or vaccine shop," said Shahab, who got the AstraZeneca shot. "The vaccine only works once it's in your arm and has the two to three weeks to work." Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province's chief medical health officer, received AstraZeneca-Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine at Regina's drive-thru clinic. (CBC) Health Minister Paul Merriman said people don't get an advanced warning of the brand they'll receive. Despite this, he said "we have had very minimal people that did not want to take a specific vaccine." "We don't have the amount of vaccines to pick and choose right now," Merriman said Saturday during a scrum with reporters at the Saskatchewan Legislature. "Every vaccine is a good vaccine."

  • Ontario calls wild pigs 'ecological trainwreck.' Now it wants a plan to keep them out

    Wildlife officials in Ontario are drafting a new strategy to keep wild pigs from establishing themselves in the province, to prevent what officials have referred to as an "ecological train wreck." The province published its proposal on Wednesday, asking hunters, trappers and other outdoor enthusiasts for their input into how to deal with a potential porcine invasion, should it arrive. "Based on experiences from other jurisdictions, it is clear that the least costly and most effective approach for managing wild pigs is to act early," the Ontario government website said. The proposal seeks to add wild pigs, along with 12 other invasive species, to the Ontario Invasive Species Act, giving authorities more means at their disposal to eradicate the wily and elusive animals. The new regulations would also ban the release of pigs into the wild. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is drafting protocols in the event a pig escapes from a farm or transport truck, so it can be notified immediately, and the animal can be recaptured or dispatched as soon as possible. Sask. expert says Ontario on right track Ontario's announcement Wednesday follows the introduction of a wild pig protocol this spring by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) to help hunters, trappers and outdoor enthusiasts properly identify the animals and report their locations to the MNRF. A wild pig spotted at the side of the road near Alderville First Nation, north of Cobourg, Ont.(Inaturalist.org) "Once they become established, it's virtually unheard of to get rid of them. If they become widespread in a place like Ontario, there's virtually no chance of eradication," said Ryan Brook, a wild pig expert and an associate professor at the University of Saskatchewan. "We've missed that window in Saskatchewan. I think Ontario is in a good position to get on it. If I were grading this as a project, I would give them an A-plus for effort." Brook and his team have been studying wild pigs in Canada for 11 years. He said there is so far no evidence of any established populations in Ontario, and the province is doing the right thing by showing leadership on the issue and acting early. "I would argue they are the worst invasive large mammal on the planet. They have an amazing ability to reproduce," he said. "A small problem can turn into a massive out-of-control problem very quickly." "They can be very large. They're very dangerous to people. They have razor-sharp tusks. They can be aggressive and they're highly mobile, and they're incredibly smart. So all those characteristics and the fact that they will eat literally almost anything means they will be very successful." React 'as soon as you find pigs' Brook said wild pigs were introduced to Saskatchewan many years ago when a tractor-trailer carrying a load of domestic wild boar across the province crashed. The 11 animals on board escaped and only seven were recovered. "There was four that went into a park and they turned into well over 100 animals in a few years," he said. Brook said Saskatchewan has tried a number of methods to eradicate wild pigs without success, including traps and highly trained ground teams who quickly go into an area and physically remove the pigs. In his studies of wild pigs, Brook has travelled to other jurisdictions, including the United States, to see how other places have handled the problem, and in all of them, he's seen only one common thread for dealing with the animal effectively. "You need really good leadership that's going to make tough decisions. You need to be monitoring very hard, and as soon as you find pigs, you have to react." 'Active surveilliance' needed for eradication Brook said that, more than any other province, Ontario is showing solid leadership on the wild pig issue and is embracing a science-based approach. Researchers net a wild pig in Saskatchewan. The animal's legs are put in handcuff-like restraints and they are blindfolded while biologists examine and collar them.(Submitted by Ryan Brook) "I think eradication is on the table, but it will still take major effort, especially through active surveillance," said Brook. He said most jurisdictions rely on passive surveillance, by encouraging hunters, trappers and anglers to report pig sightings to a tip line. Ontario just recently added wild pigs to the list of animals that can be reported to its invasive species tip line. But Brook said finding wild pigs is more complicated than just sitting by the phone. The more proactive we are and aggressive we are in searching out those pigs, the better. - Ryan Brook, University of Saskatchewan, wild pig expert "'We'll wait and you call us,' that's useful, but we've found in our research here in the Prairies that you probably only get one to three per cent of actual pig sightings from that. The overwhelming majority of pig sightings we have is by putting out trail cameras or going out and knocking on doors." Brook said pigs are nocturnal, elusive and often hide in thick cover, making underground burrows or nesting among cattails in wetlands, spruce trees in forests and building what he calls "pigloos" in the winter. "They tunnel into snowbanks and make almost like an igloo," he said, noting he's fitted pigs with radio collars, and even with the aid of satellites and a helicopter, still wasn't able to spot them with his own eyes. "They're very hard to find," said Brook. "I don't think we should pretend this is easy. The more proactive we are and aggressive we are in searching out those pigs, the better."

  • Cannabis production bylaws in Niagara – by municipality

    On Oct. 17, 2018, the province of Ontario legalized the regulated sale of recreational use cannabis by private, licensed retailers. Since then, however, different regions and municipalities have been working through their own legalities to regulate the cultivation and production of cannabis. When it comes to recreational use, municipalities follow the legal guidelines as outlined by the federal government: You must be 19 or older to purchase cannabis or related products; you can legally possess up to 150 grams of cannabis products in varying forms; and all Canadians are limited to four cannabis plants per household. Also, distributing cannabis products to anyone under the age of 18 or driving while under the influence are both strictly prohibited. Different municipalities have different breakdowns for cultivation, production and processing practices that can vary per city or town. Here’s the latest breakdown for the Niagara region. NIAGARA FALLS In June 2019, the City of Niagara Falls passed an interim control bylaw (ICB) that prohibited the production, processing or cultivation of cannabis and was set to expire on June 22, 2020, but in June it was extended to September 2020, then later it was extended for another year. As a result, final regulations have yet to be passed later this year. WEST LINCOLN In 2019, the Township of West Lincoln passed a bylaw that permitted the production of cannabis under specific regulations. This bylaw from West Lincoln comes as an amendment to a 2017 bylaw that initially only had regulations exclusively for medical marijuana growing facilities. LINCOLN Lincoln passed an interim control bylaw that was lifted in 2020 when a zoning bylaw was passed, along with an official plan, however a licensing system is still in the works. In April 2021 the town passed a nuisance bylaw after concern from residents about already existing cannabis facilities. NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE Much like with the other municipalities, Niagara on-the-Lake initially passed an ICB in 2019 to allow time for a review and the time was extended into 2020. On July 15, 2020 council passed a zoning bylaw, allowing cannabis production facilities to operate under specific circumstances. PELHAM The Town of Pelham had enacted an ICB two days before the federal legalization of cannabis. This ICB was extended into 2019, then again into 2020. In July 2020, the town passed an official zoning plan, indicating the proper regulation required for cannabis production. PORT COLBORNE Like other municipalities, Port Colborne also enacted an ICB that saw the freeze of marijuana production to figure out regulation of production and processing. After a 2019 extension on the initial ICB, in January of 2020, the city implemented new bylaws that included an allowance for outdoor growing. WELLAND Welland council waited over a year after legalization before enacting an ICB. Originally enacted in December of 2019 for one year, the city voted in favour of another year-long freeze in December 2020. WAINFLEET Wainfleet adopted its bylaw in March of 2019. Like the other municipalities, it called for a freeze for a year of all cannabis facilities. In 2020, the town forwarded that freeze until November. In November, the freeze was pushed to March 2021. The township has not yet responded to Niagara This Week’s inquiries about more recent updates. ST. CATHARINES St. Catharines waited until February 2020 before implementing an ICB, which, much like the other municipalities, put cannabis production on hold for a year. In January of 2021, the ICB was extended to February 2022. THOROLD Initially, Thorold’s official plan was amended in 2019 to only permit licensed marijuana production facilities in the designated rural industrial zone. However the city’s new zoning bylaw, put into effect March 16, includes provisions around indoor licensed marijuana production facilities that are not limited to medical use. As of right now, these production facilities are only permitted in the rural industrial zone in Thorold. FORT ERIE In February 2020, Fort Erie voted down an ICB and temporarily reverted to operating under its 2014 medical marijuana bylaw. After some discussion between council and residents in early 2021, the town is expected to finalize a decision later in the year. Moosa Imran, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Grimsby Lincoln News

  • Returning students, seasonal workers can get vaccinated while isolating, says Yukon's top doc

    Students and seasonal workers who have returned to Yukon and are self-isolating won't have to wait to be vaccinated against COVID-19, says Yukon's chief medical officer. In his weekly news conference on Wednesday, Dr. Brendan Hanley said health officials have figured out a way to allow those in mandatory self-isolation to get a shot. Right now, most people arriving in Yukon are required to self-isolate for 14 days. Hanley said on Wednesday that returning students or seasonal workers will be allowed to leave isolation "for a short period of time" to attend a vaccination clinic. Before their shot, however, they'll be tested. Only those who test negative will then get a shot, he said. They'll then have to go back into self-isolation for the remainder of the 14-day period. "This is certainly not a get-out-of-self-isolation-early card," Hanley said. He also said health officials are now recommending that anybody sharing accommodation with someone in self-isolation should also be isolating. However, they are not required to do so by Yukon's Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA). "We know it is hard to keep apart unless completely separated," Hanley said, explaining his new recommendation. "And with the spread of variants, we need to be extra-cautious." Watch Wednesday's news conference here: 2 active cases 'close to recovery' Also on Wednesday, health officials announced one new case reported in Yukon, but said the person was never infectious in the territory. The affected person is an adult and the case is associated with international travel, according to a news release. The person tested positive on return to Canada, and completed self-isolation before arriving in Yukon. Officials say the person is now recovered, and there were no exposures in the territory. The case is the territory's 78th. Yukon's 77th case of COVID-19 was announced on Monday. Officials said the affected person is an adult in rural Yukon, and the case was connected to travel within Canada. An exposure notice was also issued for a restaurant in Watson Lake. On Wednesday, Hanley said that person was now recovered. Two other cases, in Whitehorse, were announced last week and health officials said they involved the P1 variant of concern. Hanley said on Wednesday that those people are "close to recovery." The territory's online vaccine tracker, updated Monday, says 71 per cent of eligible Yukoners had received their first shot of the Moderna vaccine, and 59 per cent had received their second shot. Vaccination rates in Yukon are 'moving up and that's great. And I think we just need to keep that upward movement going,' said Hanley.(Steve Silva/CBC) Hanley said Yukon is doing relatively well, but is still at risk of importing variants of concern. He says the territory is not immune to what's happening elsewhere in Canada. "It is hard to predict the next few weeks, but waves do come to an end and vaccine uptake is really starting to take off in the rest of Canada. And that is good news for us." He said younger adults in Yukon still lag when it comes to getting vaccinated — though the numbers are still climbing, he said. "It's moving up and that's great. And I think we just need to keep that upward movement going," he said. "If we can continue to get our younger people up to the same levels as our older citizens, we will be well-positioned to have great summer where we can ease up on many of our current restrictions." He would not say what restrictions might be eased, or when. Asked about the N.W.T.'s announcement on Wednesday that it was changing self-isolation requirements for vaccinated adults, Hanley said he was happy to see changes being made "where they can be," but would not say whether Yukon would make similar changes.

  • B.C. records 862 new cases of COVID-19 and 7 more deaths

    B.C. health officials announced 862 new cases of COVID-19 and seven more deaths on Wednesday. In a written statement, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said there are 8,906 active cases of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus in B.C. A total of 483 people are in hospital, 164 of whom are in intensive care. The new case numbers show B.C.'s rolling caseload average is on a downward trend, but hospitalizations — which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases — are up from last Wednesday. At that time, 397 people were in hospital, with 120 in intensive care. The provincial death toll from the disease is now 1,546. That includes, for the first time in B.C., a person in their 20s who has died of COVID-19. "This case, as in all cases of young people who pass away, is particularly tragic," Dix told reporters Wednesday. Few details have been released about the case, but according to a situation report from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, the person died sometime between April 3 and 10. Public health is actively monitoring 13,135 people across the province who are self-isolating after being exposed to COVID-19. On Tuesday, Northern Health declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Dawson Creek and District Hospital in the medical inpatient unit, after two patients tested positive for the virus. The provincial statement Wednesday said "there is no new update on the variants of concern." However, the health ministry confirmed that as of April 4, there had been 39 cases of the B1617 variant in B.C. — a variant first identified in India, where COVID-19 is now surging. The B.C. Centre for Disease Control is now calling B1617 a variant of interest, and more information about its presence in the province will be available later this week. So far, 1,456,946 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, with 88,335 of those being second doses. Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) said in a statement transmission in Whistler, a long-running hot spot, has dropped by more than half compared to last week. The authority identified 72 new cases this week after confirming 179 last week. VCH said Wednesday it will be running an additional vaccination clinic day in Whistler on April 28 for those who missed or were unable to attend the one-week clinic last week. Incoming travel restrictions Earlier this week, Premier John Horgan announced Solicitor General Mike Farnworth would be drafting orders for strict new travel measures that will come into effect Friday and last until after the May long weekend. Those orders, Horgan said Monday, are intended to stop people leaving their health authorities for non-essential reasons. There will be random audits of travellers to make sure people are in compliance. Full details on the official rules will be announced Friday, including a clearer definition of what constitutes "essential travel" and what penalties might be in store for those who break the rules. In the meantime, Farnworth provided a piece of further clarity on Wednesday for two neighbouring health authorities: The minister said Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health will be considered a single region under the new orders. B.C. Premier John Horgan is pictured on March 18. The province announced Monday new travel restrictions are being drafted in B.C. to come into effect this Friday.(Mike McArthur/CBC) He told reporters the restrictions will be most focused on catching people travelling for recreation, with roadblocks set up around BC Ferries' terminals as well the area of Highway 1 where people leave the Lower Mainland en route to the Interior. The province has also asked the tourism industry to reject bookings from people travelling outside their local areas. Restrictions banning indoor dining and adult fitness activities at gyms have been extended for another five weeks. Who is eligible for vaccination? As of Wednesday, British Columbians born in 1991 or earlier can register online, by phone or in-person at a Service B.C. office. Once registered, individuals will be contacted when it is their time to book an appointment. People born in 1981 or earlier are eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine now through pharmacies and, in some hard-hit areas, special clinics. Officials have released a list of 13 community health service areas that have seen the highest COVID-19 case rates, which will be given top priority through the clinics. Eligibility for those clinics is based on postal code. People who wish to get the AstraZeneca vaccine through a pharmacy need to book their shot with the pharmacy itself. The province provides a list of participating pharmacies online. Pharmacies have limited supplies of the vaccine. Also on Wednesday, the Abbotsford School District informed teachers and staff they are now eligible to receive the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, with priority being given to those employees who work directly with students.

  • Israel intensifying air war in Syria against Iranian encroachment

    Israel has dramatically expanded air strikes on suspected Iranian missile and weapons production centres in Syria to repel what it sees as a stealthy military encroachment by its regional arch-enemy, Western and regional intelligence sources say. Capitalising on a longtime alliance with Syria, Iran is moving parts of its advanced missile and arms industry into pre-existing underground compounds to develop a sophisticated arsenal within range of Israeli population centres, according to Israeli and Western intelligence sources and Syrian defectors. Israel tolerated the entry of thousands of Iranian militia fighters from Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan into Syria to fight alongside President Bashar al-Assad against insurgents seeking to topple his authoritarian family rule.

  • Nevada inmate fighting execution seeks firing-squad option

    LAS VEGAS — A convicted killer who is fighting a possible June execution date that would make him the first person put to death in Nevada in 15 years is calling for the state to consider the firing squad as an option, a rare method in the United States. Attorneys for Zane Michael Floyd say he does not want to die and are challenging the state plan to use a proposed three-drug lethal injection, which led to court challenges that twice delayed the execution of another convicted killer who later took his own life in prison. “This is not a delaying tactic,” Brad Levenson, a federal public defender representing Floyd, said Monday. But a challenge of the state execution protocol requires the defence to provide an alternative method, and Levenson said gunshots to the brain stem would be “the most humane way.” “Execution by firing squad ... causes a faster and less painful death than lethal injection,” the attorneys said in a court filing Friday. Nevada once allowed firing squads, but state law now requires the use of lethal injection in sentences of capital punishment. Three U.S. states — Mississippi, Oklahoma and Utah — and the U.S. military allow capital punishment by gunfire. The last time that method was used in the United States was in Utah in 2010. Floyd's attorneys are asking a federal judge in Las Vegas to stop Floyd from being put to death until prison officials “devise a new procedure or procedures to carry out a lawful execution.” Levenson said he and attorney David Anthony are fighting multiple issues in state and federal courts, with the possibility that Floyd’s death could be set for the week of June 7. Prosecutors will seek an execution warrant at a state court hearing next month. The 45-year-old was convicted in 2000 of killing four people with a shotgun in a Las Vegas supermarket in 1999 and badly wounding a fifth person. Floyd appeared to exhaust his federal appeals last November, and the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear his case. Floyd wants a chance to seek clemency at a June 22 meeting of the Nevada State Pardons Board, Levenson said. Floyd's attorneys argue that a three-drug injection combination the state wants to use — the sedative diazepam, the powerful synthetic painkiller fentanyl and a paralytic, cisatracurium — would amount to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of his constitutional rights. Anthony made similar arguments on behalf of Scott Raymond Dozier before Nevada's last scheduled execution was called off in 2017 and 2018. Dozier killed himself in prison in January 2019. A judge blocked the first date after deciding that use of the paralytic might cause painful suffocation while Dozier was aware but unable to move. Pharmaceutical companies that made the three drugs stopped the second date with arguments against using their products in an execution, an issue several states are facing. Floyd would be the first person executed in Nevada since 2006, when Daryl Mack asked to be put to death for his conviction in a 1988 rape and murder in Reno. Nevada has 65 inmates awaiting execution, a state Department of Corrections spokeswoman said. ___ This story was first published on April 19, 2021. It was updated on April 21, 2021, to correct the number of Nevada inmates awaiting execution based on information from the Department of Corrections. There are 65 inmates, not 72. Ken Ritter, The Associated Press

  • 'Completely offensive' COVID-response protest at Regina hospital sparks outrage from Opposition, premier

    A small group of protesters that has frequently been stationed outside the legislature in Regina, as well as the immunization centre in the city, are now at Regina General Hospital. The presence of the group — who are protesting a range of COVID-19 pandemic responses — at the hospital has created outrage, amidst record-high COVID-19 cases in ICUs. On Wednesday, 34 COVID-19 patients were in intensive care in Regina. All four of Wednesday's reported deaths from the illness were from the Regina zone. Protesters carried signs and blared loud music outside the hospital on Wednesday. One of the protesters' messages greeting those entering and exiting the Regina General Hospital. (Nichole Huck/CBC) Premier Scott Moe and Opposition NDP Leader Ryan Meili did not mince words when addressing the group. Meili revealed that his father is in the ICU at the Regina hospital with a non-COVID related illness. "What does it feel like if you're leaving the hospital, visiting a loved one in the ICU, and then you go out and see these idiots with signs saying COVID isn't real?" Meili said. "It's completely offensive, ridiculous. It shouldn't happen. And these people need to get a life." WATCH | A look at some of the signs posted outside Regina General Hospital Moe said the group should take their concerns to the legislature, not where health-care workers and families are supporting those in need. Hospital staff are working as hard as they can to save lives, with high numbers in the hospital's ICU, the premier said. Both Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili and Premier Scott Moe condemned protesters outside Regina General Hospital Wednesday. (CBC) He called the protesters "highly inappropriate." "We have people working in our ICU and in that hospital environment that are working as hard as they've ever worked in their careers," Moe said. "And they're doing it … [for] those same families that are crossing through those same front doors," he said. "They're doing it because of their loved ones that are in there. And I know that they can relate to their own loved ones and their own family members."

  • Recommended staking moratorium in Yukon land use planning areas misses the mark, critics say

    Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation's chief disagrees with a recommendation included in the Yukon Mineral Development Strategy that suggests staking moratoriums in land use planning areas should be capped at 20 per cent. Roberta Joseph said the recommendation doesn't go far enough, adding that too much staking in a given area runs the risk of prioritizing mining before land use plans are completed. "This recommendation is not really a balanced approach," she said. "There's no fairness in a plan that's already being dictated by all of the permits and licences that are being issued," she said, referring to the regional land use plan that's underway in the Dawson area. The mineral development strategy includes 95 recommendations that seek to balance environmental stewardship, First Nations rights and industrial development. In the coming years, the Yukon government is tasked with implementing recommendations that include streamlining land use planning, improving the royalty system and modernizing mining legislation. The strategy states that identifying staking prohibition areas at the start of land use planning will "reduce a major source of uncertainty for the industry and a significant concern for First Nations, non-governmental organizations and Yukoners in general." "A proactive approach will also provide economic stimulus by allowing exploration and development to proceed in areas that are deemed to have low sensitivity while regional land use planning is underway," it says. Panel member Math'ieya Alatini said the recommended 20 per cent staking moratorium seeks to target specific environmental, social and cultural attributes rather than institute a blanket ban. "It's that balancing piece again," she said. "It's really allowing the conversation to happen around what are no-go zones and what are sensitive areas that you really want to identify upfront, so that there's not this ambiguity." A day before the territorial election was called, the Yukon government announced that staking would be off-limits in about 12 per cent of land included in the Dawson planning area. Tombstone Territorial Park brings total staking withdrawals in the region up to 17 per cent, according to a Yukon government news release. Environmental groups question recommendation Randi Newton, the conservation manager with the Yukon chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, said the staking moratorium is too small to ensure mineral development doesn't predetermine the outcome of land use planning. "It makes much more sense to put a full withdrawal in place at the beginning of planning, so you're making sure you're protecting these areas that are ecologically and culturally valuable but that we just haven't mapped out yet," she said. Don Reid, a conservation zoologist with Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, said region-wide staking moratoriums would give land use planning commissions a fair shake of completing their work. Staking needs to be reined in to prevent complicating land use planning down the line, he added. "It prejudices the future use of that staked land in favour of mining and results in the need to compensate the staker should a different choice be made for that land," Reid said. Opportunity to get things right: Chief Among the many recommendations the strategy outlines, one stands out for Joseph, in particular — revamping the quartz and placer acts. She says modernizing mining legislation presents an opportunity to address longstanding concerns. "I think that we need to be able to sit down and identify the most immediate issues at this time and move forward in working with the government," she said. Joseph said she's going to continue to review the strategy to ensure it aligns with Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin's final agreement.

  • N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 1 new death, outbreaks at 2 facilities

    New Brunswick has lost another resident to COVID-19. Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an individual between the ages of 60 and 69 in the Saint John region, Zone 2, has died as a result of the disease. This brings the total number of COVID-related deaths in the province to 34. In a news release, Dr. Jennifer Russell and Health Minister Dorothy Shephard extended their sympathies to the victim's loved ones. "I am saddened to learn that another individual has lost their life as a result of COVID-19," Shephard said. "On behalf of all New Brunswickers, I share my sincere condolences with the family and friends of this person." There are currently 138 active cases in New Brunswick.(CBC News) Seven new cases reported Seven new cases were reported, affecting four zones, on Wednesday. The cases break down in this way: Moncton region, Zone 1, one case: an individual 20 to 29. This case is travel-related. Saint John region, Zone 2, two cases: an individual 50 to 59. an individual 90 or over. Both of these cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases. Edmundston region, Zone 4, three cases: an individual 19 or under. an individual 40 to 49. an individual 50 to 59. Two of the three cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and the other one is under investigation. Miramichi region, Zone 7, one case: an individual 40 to 49. This case is travel-related. The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 1,804. Since Tuesday, seven people have recovered for a total of 1,631 recoveries. There have been 34 deaths, and the number of active cases is 138. Fifteen patients are hospitalized, including five in an intensive care unit. A total of 278,711 tests have been conducted, including 1,005 since Tuesday's report. Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada: Outbreaks declared at two homes Outbreaks have been declared at two special care homes following a confirmed case of COVID-19 at each facility. The affected facilities are Pavillon Beau-Lieu, a special care home in Grand Falls in the Edmundston region, and Murray Street Lodge in Grand Bay-Westfield in the Saint John region. Members of the provincial rapid outbreak management team have been sent to provide support for residents and the facilities' care teams, Public Health said in a news release Wednesday. Possible exposure at child-care facility A possible exposure to a positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed at Garderie Happy Feet Daycare in Grand Falls, in the Edmundston region. Families who have been affected have been notified, Public Health said Wednesday. "If you do not hear directly from Public Health, you have not been identified as a close contact," the department said in a news release. Health Minister Dorothy Shephard asked New Brunswickers to "be patient" as the province begins to vaccinate its largest age demographic, those 65 and older. "These appointments can fill up quite quickly," she said.(Government of New Brunswick) Why this next stage of the rollout will take some time If you're 65 or older, you can now book an appointment to get your COVID-19 vaccination. Odds are, you've already tried doing just that — and might have had a little trouble booking one. That's not a surprise to Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Russell and Health Minister Dorothy Shephard, who have both made a point of asking this particular age group to pack a little patience as they queue up for the jab. The 65-and-up group is the largest demographic group in the province, so the sheer volume of callers and online bookers will mean it takes longer to get through this stage of the rollout. "These appointments can fill up quite quickly," Shephard said Tuesday in announcing the new age group's eligibility. "We know that the phones start ringing from the time we announce it at this press conference." But there are other reasons booking an appointment might take a few tries. "Keep in mind this is a really complex rollout," Russell told Information Morning Moncton Wednesday. "There are a lot of moving parts, recommendations change, prioritizations change." Russell noted there are "things we don't have control over, such as a Moderna shipment being delayed," as well as the fact that many pharmacies are already fully booked for appointments through the next few weeks. However, she said, the province is still on track for administering a first dose to every New Brunswicker who wants one by July 1. "We do ask people to be patient," Russell said. "I don't imagine that once an age category is introduced it will take more than a few weeks to get it done." If you are 65 or over and want to book a vaccine appointment, there are several ways you can do so. Here's how: Book online at gnb.ca/bookavaccine Call 1-833-437-1424 Contact a participating pharmacy New possible exposure warnings Public Health has identified potential public exposures to the virus at the following locations: E.& P. Sénéchal Center, Vitalité Health Network vaccination clinic, 60 Ouellette St., Grand Falls, on Monday, April 19 between1:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. Holy Spirit Parish (Saint Matthews worship site), 45 Dollard Dr., Saint John, on Sunday, April 18 between 11 a.m. and noon. Previous potential exposure notifications Public Health has identified recent possible public exposures to COVID-19 in Edmundston: Familiprix, 131 de l'Église St., on April 8, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Jean Coutu, 77 Victoria St., Edmundston on April 16, between 1: 30 p.m. and 2 p.m.; on April 14, between noon and 12:45 p.m.; and on April 12, between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Public Health also identified a traveller who may have been infected while on the following flights on April 14 and 15: Air Canada Flight 8970 – from Ottawa to Montreal, departed at 6:28 a.m. on April 14. Air Canada Flight 8898 – from Montreal to Moncton, departed at 8:14 a.m. on April 14. Air Canada Flight 318 – from Calgary to Montreal, departed at 11:53 a.m. on April 15. Air Canada Flight 8906 – from Montreal to Moncton, departed at 7:08 p.m. on April 15. People who were at these areas are eligible to be tested for COVID-19, even if they are not experiencing symptoms. Corrected possible exposures The dates and times for some recent possible public exposures in Saint John have changed on the government's website. "Through follow-up tracing work [Monday], it turns the individuals provided the wrong dates by mistake," Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane said in an email. The new information information includes: Service New Brunswick, 15 King Square North, on April 15 between 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Rocky's Sports Bar, 7 Market Square, on April 15 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. What to do if you have a symptom People concerned they might have COVID-19 symptoms can take a self-assessment test online. Public Health says symptoms shown by people with COVID-19 have included: Fever above 38 C. New cough or worsening chronic cough. Sore throat. Runny nose. Headache. New onset of fatigue, muscle pain, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell. Difficulty breathing. In children, symptoms have also included purple markings on the fingers and toes. People with one of those symptoms should: Stay at home. Call Tele-Care 811 or their doctor. Describe symptoms and travel history. Follow instructions.

  • US outlines possible sanctions relief for Iran in nuke talks

    WASHINGTON — A senior U.S. official said Wednesday that the Biden administration has laid out examples of the kinds of sanctions on Iran it’s willing to lift in exchange for Iran’s return to compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal. The official said the U.S. through intermediaries has presented Iran with three baskets of sanctions: those it’s prepared to lift, those it’s not prepared to lift and those that will require further study to determine if they are in fact appropriate for relief under the nuclear deal. The official briefed reporters on condition of anonymity because of the confidential nature of the discussions. The official declined to specify which sanctions fall into which baskets but said the third group is the most problematic. That’s because it includes measures that current officials believe may have been imposed by the previous administration simply to complicate any potential return to the deal that former President Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018. Any sanctions relief offered by the administration will be strongly opposed by Republicans in Congress, who on Wednesday unveiled draft legislation to codify the Trump-era sanctions in law. Relief will also likely be opposed by Israel, which regards Iran as an existential threat, as well as Gulf Arab states wary of Iran's increasing aggressiveness in the region. The 2015 deal gave Iran billions of dollars in sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. But that relief largely evaporated after Trump pulled out of the deal and began a self-styled “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran by re-imposing the earlier sanctions and adding new ones. While the agreement allowed countries to continue to impose sanctions on Iran for non-nuclear reasons, such as support for terrorism and human rights abuses, some of the additional U.S. sanctions would have to be removed if Washington is to return to the deal, according to the official. The official said the Trump administration had designated some nuclear sanctions as terrorism sanctions. That makes it more difficult for a future president to return to the deal. Many of the sanctions that Trump imposed on Iran were clearly related to the nuclear program, including those that targeted companies and officials working on atomic matters, and would have to be removed if the U.S. returned to the deal. But others, ostensibly imposed on terrorism and human rights grounds, are less clear cut, including those on Iran’s financial, shipping, manufacturing and energy sectors. The official said the Biden administration is still determining which of those were legitimately related to terrorism and human rights. The official said there is not yet any sanctions relief agreement between Iran, the U.S. or other parties in the indirect negotiations taking place in Vienna on reviving the nuclear deal. Those talks are in recess but are expected to resume next week. The official would not give a timeframe on when the talks might conclude. Iran is demanding the removal of all sanctions that the Trump administration imposed on it following its withdrawal from the agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. The Biden administration has said it will only lift sanctions if Iran returns to compliance with the restrictions the agreement placed on its nuclear activities. The official said no decision had been made on the sequencing of either side's moves but stressed that a situation in which the U.S. removes its sanctions before Iran takes any action to resume its compliance would be “unacceptable.” State Department spokesman Ned Price said earlier Wednesday that the talks had produced “some signs of progress.” But, he cautioned that “we probably have a longer road ahead of us than we do in the rearview mirror at this point. And that is because of the inherent challenges in this process. And many of those challenges, at least, are not going away.” The talks in Vienna broke on Tuesday with delegates from Russia and Iran reporting limited progress. Russia’s representative Mikhail Ulyanov said after a meeting of the deal’s so-called Joint Commission of senior officials from France, Germany, Britain, China and Iran that they had noted “with satisfaction the progress in negotiations to restore the nuclear deal.” Meanwhile, Iran’s delegate, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, also sounded a positive note, telling Iran’s official IRNA news agency that the talks were “moving forward despite difficulties and challenges.” Matthew Lee, The Associated Press

  • The legal war between the Saudis and their former spymaster

    The family of a former top Saudi intelligence official who is living in exile and locked in an international feud with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman say they have become pawns in the kingdom’s efforts to bring the spy chief home. Now, an attempt by the family to appeal the convictions has failed, according to Saudi authorities. The Jabri family alleges that Saudi authorities interfered in the legal process, including circumventing appeals proceedings, which Riyadh denies.