'It was really bad': Alex Goligoski after 9-3 loss to Avalanche

Arizona Coyotes defensemen Alex Goligoski appreciates the need move from a 9-3 shellacking but wants his teammates to think about what went wrong so they can create good habits.

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  • Regina resident who thought she'd be given Pfizer vaccine shocked after being told she'd get AstraZeneca

    Maxine Koskie says when she heard she wouldn't be getting the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as planned, she broke down and cried. The Regina resident is waiting for surgery and required a vaccine for the procedure — one she's been waiting for since last October. She made an appointment online for vaccinations for her and her husband at the Evraz Place immunization site in Regina, which, based on previous Saskatchewan Health Authority information, she believed was offering the Pfizer-BioNTech shot. But just before she was set to receive the shot, the nurse informed Koskie she and her husband would be getting the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine instead. "It was a complete surprise to both of us," she said. "They're acting more like a dictatorship, because they're taking away the freedom of choice," she said. "I made the conscious choice to go for a Pfizer vaccine and that was not an option for me." Koskie says she ended up receiving the shot out of necessity, but the experience left her feeling let down by the government. 'It's been very underhanded' Premier Scott Moe and Health Minister Paul Merriman need to be transparent with the people of Saskatchewan, she says. "My concern is that it's been very underhanded," she said, adding the experience left her feeling appalled. "I was so upset with the disrespect." The Saskatchewan Health Authority announced "vaccine delivery changes" in an online notice on Friday. "The SHA has re-allocated the AstraZeneca vaccine for use in the Regina mass immunization sites at the International Trade Centre and the University of Regina to allow for the administration of Pfizer vaccines through the drive-thru starting Friday, while vaccine supply is available," the health authority said online. One of the province's first mass vaccination clinics at the International Trade Centre at Regina's Evraz Place. One Regina resident is fuming after only discovering at her appointment that she wasn't getting the brand of vaccine she expected.(Matt Duguid/CBC) Koskie thinks patients should be notified directly about any changes to their appointment or vaccine plan before they arrive for their appointments. She says she wasn't alone in her anger and frustration, as others around them also expressed concern when they were informed of the change. "They need to be honest and when they change things on the spur of the moment, they need to get that information out to the public that it is going to affect." Efficacy concerns She said the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was her shot of choice because she feels it provides better protection. AstraZeneca has said its vaccine had a 76 per cent efficacy rate at preventing symptomatic illness — compared with rates of about 95 per cent for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, and about 67 per cent for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which was the fourth and latest approved by Health Canada. As well, data from one small trial suggested the AstraZeneca vaccine did not protect against mild to moderate illness from the B1351 variant of the coronavirus, which was first identified in South Africa. However, Dr. Supriya Sharma, Health Canada's chief medical adviser, told CBC in a February interview that "Where it matters the most, against severe disease, hospitalization and death … [AstraZeneca] seems to be quite effective against the variant." Sharma also said laboratory tests and real-world evidence suggest the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine seems to be "quite effective" against the B117 variant, which was first identified in the United Kingdom. The clinical trials of both Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech were completed before the variants of concern took off worldwide. 'Safe and effective': health ministry In a statement sent to CBC, Saskatchewan's Ministry of Health said vaccine availability is dependent on numerous factors, including the increasing presence of coronavirus variants of concern in the Regina area. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization guidelines suggest the AstraZeneca vaccine should be used only for people older than 55. But the presence and transmission of variants of concern in Regina has required the province to "accelerate the vaccination program" for those under 55, the health ministry said. "All vaccines approved by Health Canada are safe and effective at preventing the most serious forms of COVID-19 illness and death. All residents have been asked to take the vaccine that is available to them," the ministry said. "If those receiving the vaccine have concerns regarding a certain brand of vaccine due to their medical history, they should speak to their primary care physician or a public health nurse directly prior to their appointment." The ministry also said patients are informed about the brand of vaccine they will receive, noting they are free to refuse the vaccine if they have concerns. However, Koskie says she thinks the government is "not accepting responsibility or ownership" for the fact people may be caught off guard when they're told they'll be receiving a different vaccine once they're at an appointment. "They're in a position where they have no choice," she said. She's already made a call to the ministry on the issue, and now plans to file a formal written complaint. 'Any vaccine is a good vaccine': health minister Health Minister Paul Merriman addressed questions about vaccines on Saturday, following a rare weekend sitting of the legislature. He said a "very minimal" number of people out of the thousands who have booked appointments at Evraz Place have refused a vaccine because they didn't want to take a specific brand. "Any vaccine is a good vaccine, unless there are very certain circumstances where a doctor or a health-care provider has recommended you don't do that," he said, noting people can rebook later if they're concerned about the type of vaccine offered to them. He says the province is not in a position to "pick and choose" when it comes to vaccines, and pointed out Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab has already received the AstraZeneca shot. Merriman said the province will work to accommodate people who are unable to get a certain vaccine due to medical conditions outlined by a doctor, encouraging them to call into the province's vaccine line at 1-833-727-5829 beforehand. But he said there are no plans moving forward for the government to inform members of the public about which vaccines will become available to them, as supply fluctuates. "There will be, to my knowledge, no advance warning of what you are getting," he said. "People assume that they're getting one vaccine or not, but any vaccine is a good vaccine right now."

  • Liberal delegates endorse a universal basic income, reject capital gain tax hike

    Liberal delegates to the party's policy convention have overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution calling for the establishment of a universal basic income (UBI) in Canada, while also rejecting a call to hike the capital gains tax. By a vote of 77 per cent, Liberal members on hand for the policy plenary today backed a call to permanently implement an income program similar to the Canada emergency response benefit (CERB), which kept millions of people afloat with monthly cheques during the first wave of the pandemic. With 8.7 per cent of Canadians living below the poverty line and thousands more struggling to make ends meet, backers of this policy say a UBI would "ensure that communities at risk (including Indigenous peoples) are able to feel financially secure." "Given the success of the CERB program, a UBI will assist seniors and low-income Canadians maintain an adequate standard of living, regardless of working status," the resolution reads. Speaking to delegates assembled online, Alex Spears of the Young Liberals of Canada said a UBI would ensure the country's "strong and robust social safety net is adapted to the 21st century," adding that a program to send cheques to all families is "completely consistent with our values as a party." He said the program would "put more cash in the hands of working Canadians and families" and could lift millions out of poverty. "UBI is not a silver bullet and it ought to be done in conjunction with many other progressive policies, but it is a critical step," he said. Would a UBI work? The resolution does not say how such a costly program would be designed and implemented. Few jurisdictions around the world have successfully enacted programs that make regular payments to all citizens without means tests or work requirements. The parliamentary budget officer last week concluded that a universal basic income could almost halve Canada's poverty rate in just one year, but at a steep cost: $85 billion in 2021-22, rising to $93 billion in 2025-26. While the resolutions are non-binding — the government ignored a 2018 convention vote to decriminalize all illicit drug use, for example — the policy endorsements could help inform future government spending and the Liberal Party's election platform. The government has said it's preparing to spend up to $100 billion this year to kick start the post-pandemic economy even after it reported a record-high deficit of $381 billion in the last fiscal year. While the idea of a UBI has gained traction in progressive circles — supporters maintain the massive price tag of such a program could be offset by dismantling existing provincial social welfare schemes — academics who study poverty reduction are split on its value. A 529-page report authored by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and the University of Calgary concluded after a three-year investigation that a basic income for all is not the best way to address poverty and other social problems. Instead, the report said, governments should boost existing social support programs for vulnerable groups through improved disability assistance, dental care programs and more money to help the working poor pay rent. A more targeted approach to help the disadvantaged, as opposed to a universal program like UBI, would do more to lift people out of poverty, the report concluded. Conservative MP Ed Fast, the party's finance critic, said pursuing a UBI would be a "risky and unknown experiment that will leave millions more Canadians behind." He said the Liberal Party is trying to "reimagine" the Canadian economy while the country is still struggling with the pandemic. "The fact that UBI was supported at the convention this weekend is par for the course with Justin Trudeau and the Liberals. Instead of focusing on creating jobs, they are fixated on implementing risky, expensive and untested economic policies," Fast said. Delegates endorse pharmacare, 'green new deal' Liberal delegates also supported other progressive policies, such as the creation of a national pharmacare program and a "green new deal" to dramatically lower greenhouse gas emissions. B.C. members backing the new green-friendly policies say Canada needs a "10-year national mobilization" plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 because "a changing climate threatens human life, healthy communities and critical infrastructure." While this proposal is also light on specifics, its supporters are calling for an "urgent, transparent and inclusive consultation process" with workers, labour unions and businesses affected by the shift to cleaner fuel sources. Delegates agreed there should be a "just transition" for energy workers who will lose their jobs as a result of move to renewable energy. Inheritance tax, capital gains hike rejected At a time when all levels of government are searching for new revenue streams to offset the costs of the COVID-19 pandemic, Liberal delegates rejected a resolution from the party's Ontario chapter to hike the capital gains tax. Currently, when an investment is sold — a stock, a mutual fund or any one of a number of other assets — 50 per cent of any increase in value is taxed as income. For example, if a person buys a share in a publicly traded company for $20 and sells it for $40 at a later date, then $10 will be added to a person's income for tax purposes; the other $10 earned goes untaxed. This preferential tax treatment is designed to encourage people to make investments to drive economic growth and provide companies with easy access to capital. Critics maintain this unfairly benefits the rich. The Ontario chapter proposed reducing the capital gains tax exemption to zero — meaning all investment gains would be taxed as income. As part of the same proposal, the Ontario chapter pitched an "inheritance tax" on all assets over $2 million. That proposal did not specify the rate at which these assets should be taxed, or how and when such a system would take effect. Delegates rejected the idea along with the suggestion to increase the capital gains tax by a 62-38 margin. 'Please make me pay more taxes' One delegate, Jake Landau, the president of the Don Valley West Young Liberals, said he considers himself "upper middle class" and he believes the current system is tilted toward the wealthy. "I am asking everyone, please make me pay more taxes. I want to pay my fair share," he said. Another delegate named Linda — who also did not give her last name — said she worries that a change to the capital gains tax might open the door to the federal government taxing the sale of primary residences. In the last election, the Conservative Party warned that a Liberal government would look to cash in on rising home values by levying a capital gains tax on home sales to raise funds — a charge the Liberals have denied. Delegates to the Liberal Party's virtual policy convention rejected a call to increase the capital gains tax.(Graeme Roy/The Canadian Press) Right now, sales of primary homes are exempt from capital gains taxes — meaning the owners don't have to pay taxes on any increase in a home's value when it's sold. The same rules do not apply to secondary, seasonal or investment properties, which are taxed like other investments. "My concern with this is it is a blanket resolution," said Linda. "There are many people relying on capital gains in their home in order to retire and not live in poverty." 'Long-term care can be a nightmare' Party members also overwhelmingly backed a policy proposal — with 97 per cent in favour — to reform the country's long-term care home system, which has been hit hard with death and disease throughout this pandemic. "The pandemic has shown us that long-term care can be a nightmare," said one unnamed Liberal delegate. "Seniors will do anything they can to stay out." The policy calls on the federal government to introduce new legislation to set "enforceable" national standards to prevent a repeat of the COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities that have claimed the lives of thousands. Kathleen Devlin of the Senior Liberals' Commission said Canadians have been "horrified" by the conditions reported in long-term care homes throughout this health crisis. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are shown at Residence Yvon-Brunet, a long-term care home in Montreal, Saturday, May 16, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world.(Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press) She said the Canadian Armed Forces report last summer from the pandemic front lines "embarrassed us all." Soldiers reported that residents in some long-term care homes were bullied, drugged, improperly fed and in some cases left for hours and days in soiled bedding. "While it's a provincial responsibility to deliver it, there needs to be federal leadership to give all Canadians equity when they're at their most vulnerable," Devlin said. "Sometimes we need a crisis to face what we already know." According to the resolution, these new standards would address accommodation conditions, staffing levels, qualifications and compensation. The proposed legislation also would demand greater transparency in how homes are operated "and public accountability through random inspections and annual public reporting."

  • Turkey's Erdogan calls for end to 'worrying' developments in eastern Ukraine, offers support

    Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday called for the "worrying" developments in eastern Ukraine's Donbass region to come to an end after meeting his Ukrainian counterpart in Istanbul, adding Turkey was ready to provide any necessary support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held more than three hours of talks with Erdogan in Istanbul as part of a previously scheduled visit, amid tensions between Kyiv and Moscow over the conflict in Donbass. Kyiv has raised the alarm over a buildup of Russian forces near the border between Ukraine and Russia, and over a rise in violence along the line of contact separating Ukrainian troops and Russia-backed separatists in Donbass.

  • Thousands protest in Belgrade, demand government action to stop pollution

    Several thousand people blocked traffic in front of the Serbian parliament on Saturday in a protest against lack of government action to prevent water, land and air pollution by industries such as the mining sector. Protesters, who came to Belgrade from all over Serbia, held banners reading "Cut corruption and crime not forests," and "Young people are leaving because they cannot breathe". In recent years Serbia has started selling its mining resources to foreign companies, despite opposition by local residents who had warned that increased ore exploration could cause greater pollution.

  • Erin O'Toole says 'I didn't hide who I was' running for Conservative leader

    OTTAWA — Erin O'Toole assured Conservative supporters that he never hid who he was in his bid to secure the party leadership, telling a high-profile conference on Saturday that the "true blue" campaign he ran to secure the party helm does reflect his true colours.O'Toole fielded questions about his authenticity during an evening question-and-answer session that closed out a conference hosted by the Canada Strong and Free Network, formerly the Manning Centre.He's being branded as "Liberal-lite" in some quarters, the same descriptor O'Toole once leveled at former rival and ex-parliamentarian Peter MacKay during last year's leadership race.O'Toole, who during the contest pitched himself to party members as a "real Conservative," said he finds those now making similar comments about him to be "humorous."He said he's been trying to grow the party's appeal to a wider swath of Canadians since assuming the party reins. O'Toole contended that bigger tent should include those who identify as Indigenous, working-class and LGBTQ if the party wants to ensure success in the next election. "I didn't hide who I was when I was running for leader," said O'Toole."All of the things I ran on, I'm still running on now. I'm also, though, reaching out and trying to communicate our Conservative ideas to more people in new ways." O'Toole told conference attendees that Conservatives must fight an election on the issues of today rather than those of decades past. Those issues include his willingness to slash millions from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and modernize its mandate, as well as crack down on illegal rail blockades, positions he said help set him apart from Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The theme of Saturday's conference was "build back right," which played off Trudeau's oft-expressed wish to "build back better" when helping Canada's economy recover from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.The think tank's annual convention — moved online in accordance with public health advice to avoid in-person gatherings — was billed as the largest networking event for both small-c and big-C conservatives to discuss current issues.Among them was how to expand the scope of the Conservative movement. Lilly Obina, a black woman who campaigned for different Conservative candidates and ran for a nomination in 2015, said one reason the party doesn't resonate with the black community is its messaging around cuts, which needs to be better explained. The senior project executive with Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada told a panel that economics are important to the black community, who she said can feel targeted when the party talks about reducing the size of government. "We need to be able to empathize with what goes (on) in the black community," she said. "For example, when they say we are experiencing systemic racism, let's recognize that, let's be empathetic. You might not have solutions to everything, but at least just acknowledge that the problem exists."Tenzin Khangdsar, who did cultural outreach for Alberta Premier Jason Kenney when he served as Immigration Minister under former prime minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government, said the party has had previous success with reaching newcomers despite the present-day challenges. The former candidate pointed to how a large number of their votes were captured under former prime ministers Brian Mulroney and Harper, the latter of whom was aided by Kenney's efforts to build relationships with immigrant communities. "He was dubbed the minister of curry in a hurry for a reason," said Khangdsar, citing how he would attend upwards of 15 community events in a weekend. "No one likes when it you're approached just during an election, that's very transactional."He suggested forging personal relationships is an important way to sway votes among new immigrants and ethnic-Canadians,, even more so than with non-ethnic residents. "Our playbook was very simple: We were very confident that most new Canadians were small-c conservatives. We just had to make them big-C Conservatives," Khangdsar said. "And I would even add that applies to most Canadians."Harper was among those who appeared at Saturday's conference in a pre-taped panel discussion with former British prime minister David Cameron. Moderated by Senator Linda From, the centre's president said their talk couldn't be publicized beyond the conference because of a contract with the former leaders. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2021. Stephanie Taylor, The Canadian Press

  • South African variant can 'break through' Pfizer vaccine, Israeli study says

    The coronavirus variant discovered in South Africa can "break through" Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine to some extent, a real-world data study in Israel found, though its prevalence in the country is low and the research has not been peer reviewed. The South African variant, B.1.351, was found to make up about 1% of all the COVID-19 cases across all the people studied, according to the study by Tel Aviv University and Israel's largest healthcare provider, Clalit. But among patients who had received two doses of the vaccine, the variant's prevalence rate was eight times higher than those unvaccinated - 5.4% versus 0.7%.

  • Court: RCMP disregarded law, murder suspect acquitted

    A British Columbia man charged with second degree murder and attempted murder in a high profile homicide has been acquitted. A British Columbia Supreme Court justice ruled investigators with the province's special homicide unit disregarded Canadian law when dealing with key pieces of evidence. As Jordan Armstrong reports, now there are questions about whether other criminal cases will get their day in court.

  • Federal NDP chases younger voters by making Singh the online face of the party

    Last month, federal NDP Leader Jagmeet took part in a split-screen Instagram livestream with blogger Sarah Nicole Landry, known by the handle @thebirdspapaya to her 1.9 million followers. You won't find much talk of Canadian politics in Landry's posts, if any. They tend to focus instead on motherhood, empowerment and health. Singh stuck to much the same themes in his talk with Landry, which focused on her ideas and struggles through the pandemic — placing Singh, who has over 600,000 Instagram followers, in the role of empathetic listener. The conversation typified the NDP's digital strategy to reach Canadians between the ages of 18 to 40 — a strategy that puts Singh's personality and personal brand ahead of granular policy debates. Through social media influencers, the party wants to bypass traditional forms of advertising to project Singh's image to an audience that's hard to reach through conventional political messaging. WATCH: NDP turns to influencers Singh appears to be working to become a pervasive presence on digital platforms like TikTok and Clubhouse in the coming months. He recently put out an online call for Canadians to text him on the Community social media platform. The party is also planning to place ads in video games and wrap buses with colourful ads featuring Singh front and centre. "It's really taking a look at where people are spending a lot of their time and using that as a motivation for where we are spending money, so people get to know who Jagmeet is," said Mélanie Richer, Singh's director of communications. Building Singh's brand The party is making big plans to build Singh's brand. It's preparing to spend nearly $12 million just on ads for the next campaign — roughly what the NDP spent for its entire campaign in the 2019 election. The NDP is launching a new series of ads today, starting with one airing during tonight's game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators. The ads are unconventional by Canadian party standards. Singh himself doesn't say a word in them. WATCH: Using untraditional ways to reach young voters Instead, the ads use text and images to tell a story about the party fighting for working people during the pandemic. They're aimed at those who might feel disenchanted by the results of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promise of a new kind of politics. The challenge for the NDP is in translating digital likes into votes — especially since it's focusing on an age group that historically tends not to cast ballots in large numbers. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh takes photos with university students in Toronto on Oct. 8, 2019.(Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press) Campaign insiders argue the NDP is playing a long game. "Rather than trying to chase votes directly from younger people, we only need to find a small subset of hyper-engaged young people," said Zain Velji, a former campaign manager for Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and former digital director for Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley. "Give them disproportionate access, disproportionate skin in the game, perhaps even disproportionate titles on the campaign so that they can be the standard bearers to their social network." WATCH: Singh's version of a viral rendition of Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams' Velji said the NDP needs an approach to campaign advertising that will keep it from becoming mere noise on social media. He said the party needs to find a way to keep Singh's brand and message fresh so it continues to echo through social media influencers — giving a $12 million campaign $50 million worth of reach. Will the strategy pay off? The party needs this strategy to work if it's to make significant gains in the next federal election. The NDP is trailing the Liberals in the 18 to 34 age group by six points, said CBC polling analyst Eric Grenier —but those voters still represent opportunity for New Democrats. "Those voters might ... be the ones who are most likely to be disillusioned by the Liberals, that they're not as progressive as maybe Justin Trudeau might have said he was back in 2015," he said. "Getting younger voters to the polls in big numbers — and if they vote for the NDP — would help them a lot, particularly in a lot of urban ridings where the NDP was shut out in the last election." WATCH: Singh says young people will make history in the next election Singh told reporters on Friday he believes young people are going to make history in the next election because they're at the forefront of so many social justice movements, from the fight against climate change to Black Lives Matter. "I love the idea of young people asking their parents and their grandparents to say, 'Hey, we need help. New Democrats are the ones offering this help for us to make our future better. Please lend us your votes so that we can bring in the changes that we need to help us out,'" Singh said. "Young people can influence people around them and I'm excited for what's going to happen." Singh will rally the NDP base with a keynote speech Sunday to wrap up a three-day virtual policy convention. Today, British Columbia Premier John Horgan — the only NDP leader who currently heads a government — and veteran Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath are addressing the convention. The 2,000-plus delegates assembled virtually around the country today are debating resolutions on social security, green programs and issues of human rights and discrimination.

  • Venezuela paid $64 million to receive vaccines through COVAX - vice president

    "You know that the COVAX mechanism requires an advance - Venezuela has even doubled the required advance," said Rodriguez, adding that the government had deposited "59.2 million Swiss francs in the accounts of GAVI," a co-leader of the COVAX program that seeks to improve low-income countries' access to vaccines. Rodriguez did not specify what funds the government used to pay for the vaccines.

  • COVID-19 vaccinations by postal code begin as Ontario targets hot spot neighbourhoods

    TORONTO — Efforts to expand Ontario's vaccine rollout to adults of all ages in certain long-standing hot spots drew massive lineups at one pop-up clinic on Saturday as those otherwise excluded from the province's immunization drive rushed to get their shots. Hundreds lined up for hours in Toronto's Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood, some with lawn chairs in tow, eager to get their first dose of vaccines that are still generally reserved for Ontarians of certain ages or occupations. Ema Golich waited roughly four hours before getting her shot, but that didn't soften her anticipation for a moment she'd been thinking about for months.“I feel good, I feel excited," said the 22-year-old student as she neared the front of the line."We've been in the pandemic for a year and it finally feels like it’s on its way out. This is one step toward going back to regular life."Fozia Chaudhary brought her daughter, who's still too young to get the vaccine, to the clinic because her husband had to work. She said timing was of the essence for her neighbourhood, which has been deemed a COVID-19 hot spot by health authorities.“This is a crowded area and I heard there’s so many people catching the virus," she said."So I decided if we have this opportunity to get the vaccine, why not? Why not get it today?”The clinic at Thorncliffe Park is an example of an approach the province is hoping to implement in several other hard-hit neighbourhoods.Ontario announced the plan this week, saying it will be sending mobile teams into postal codes where the virus is prevalent, offering shots to residents aged 18 and older in congregate settings, residential buildings, faith-based centres and large workplaces. The areas will be selected based on patterns of transmission, illness and death from COVID-19.Officials have said the plan will take some time to fully launch, but experts say the approach is a good one that will help blunt the impact of the third wave that's sending younger people to the hospital, many of them workers in essential jobs like manufacturing."I think this intervention is one of the best things that we can do right now to change the trajectory," said Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti, an infectious disease physician at Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, Ont."It's not going to get us out of the third wave, but it's going to be something that can hopefully blunt some of the severity of it. At the same time, once we start to come out of it, it's going to be a robust protection in the coming months."Chakrabarti said lowering the eligible age range to 18 in hot spots is "vital" to breaking chains of transmission in neighbourhoods where workers often bring the virus home to their families, a pattern he says is especially pronounced during the third wave. It's likely that some people living outside the selected postal codes might try to "game the system" to receive a shot, Chakrabarti said, but there are mechanisms like asking for proof of address that would minimize some of that activity. Attendees at the Thorncliffe Park clinic were being asked to present their provincial health cards as proof of postal code. Even if some higher-income people become eligible through living within the postal code, the approach is still a good way to reach those most at risk, Chakrabarti said."Don't let perfect get in the way of good," he said. He also noted that it's the right move to make now, following the province's initial approach that prioritized long-term care residents, health-care workers and the oldest seniors — which he said has protected the vulnerable and kept health-care workers on the job."I think that was the right first step to do regardless of what's happening now," he said.Dr. Naheed Dosani, a palliative care physician and health justice advocate, said Friday that he also welcomed the shift to an "exposure-based approach" in vaccinations, calling it a good step to help protect workers as virus variants are sickening young people more severely. "We know that communities where essential workers are living, and particularly where racialized people in low income people live, these are the hardest-hit areas and these areas need to get prioritized for vaccination," he said."A postal code system is not perfect, in the sense that there is gentrification in almost every region that exists, but it's a framework for us to ensure we're targeting those who are hardest hit by COVID-19."It's not the only thing that should be done to protect workers, Dosani noted, pointing to other measures like paid sick leave, paid time off to get vaccinated and formal plans to bring shots directly to workplaces would further help those at risk of infection on the job. He also said a mobile approach would benefit homebound people who can't get to clinics, and involving family doctors more fully in the vaccine rollout plan would help improve access within hard-hit communities."Every step we can take to address health disparities in implementation of COVID-19 vaccine access will help a lot," Dosani said.A spokesman with the Islamic Society of Toronto, which helped organize the vaccine clinic in Thorncliffe Park, said a similar pop-up site Friday saw people line up hours before the first 200 doses were administered at Masjid Darussalam Thorncliffe Mosque."We have tents outside and with the infection rate so high here lots of people really want the vaccine," said Ilyas Mulla."It's good to have easy access and help the local community."This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2021. — with files from Liam Casey Denise Paglinawan and Holly McKenzie-Sutter, The Canadian Press

  • COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Saturday, April 10

    Even as the Atlantic bubble is scheduled to bring down barriers in the Atlantic provinces in a little more than a week, many P.E.I. tourism operators are still trying to decide whether to open this season. Coffee shops in Charlottetown are delicately discouraging "computer campers" from taking up tables for hours at a time when space is at a premium. Now with the bubble scheduled to reopen April 19, two brothers from P.E.I. now living in New Brunswick are reviving a P.E.I.-themed beer in hopes of luring Islanders to the mainland. P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office announced one new case of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the province's 13-month total to 162. Prince Edward Island's seesawing unemployment rate went down to 8.1 per cent in March, a year after the COVID-19 pandemic began to take a bite out of jobs. That's according to Statistics Canada data released Friday. A message issued by Buckingham Palace Friday asked Commonwealth citizens to refrain from gathering to mourn Prince Philip's death at 99, citing the need to avoid further COVID-19 outbreaks. P.E.I.'s condolences over the death of the Duke of Edinburgh will be collected online only; Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry said Islanders could find a link at www.lgpei.ca. Continuing pandemic restrictions have quashed any hope of staging Anne of Green Gables — The Musical at the Charlottetown Festival this summer. Organizers announced the Anneless 2021 lineup on Thursday. Prince Edward Island recorded its 162nd case of COVID-19 Friday, with news of a case linked to travel outside the Atlantic region. Elsewhere in the Atlantic region: Also in the news These Islanders are currently eligible for a vaccine People over 60. People over the age of 55 may book for an AstraZeneca vaccine at a pharmacy. People providing health care services to the public — including optometrists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists — and their support staff. Firefighters, police officers, power-line workers. Residents and staff of long-term care homes. Adults living in Indigenous communities. Residents and staff of shared living facilities. Truck drivers and other rotational workers. Further resources Reminder about symptoms The symptoms of COVID-19 can include: Fever. Cough or worsening of a previous cough. Possible loss of taste and/or smell. Sore throat. New or worsening fatigue. Headache. Shortness of breath. Runny nose. More from CBC P.E.I.

  • Italy reports 344 coronavirus deaths on Saturday, 17,567 new cases

    Italy reported 344 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday against 718 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections fell to 17,567 from 18,938 the day before. Italy has registered 113,923 deaths linked to COVID-19 since its outbreak emerged in February last year, the second-highest toll in Europe after Britain and the seventh-highest in the world. Some 320,892 tests for COVID-19 were carried out in the past day, compared with a previous 362,973, the health ministry said.

  • RCMP investigate child's death at motel in Duncan, B.C.

    Police on Vancouver Island and the BC Coroners Service are investigating the death of a six-year-old child at a motel in Duncan Friday night. RCMP say officers and first responders were called to the motel for a report of an unresponsive child shortly after 9 p.m. PT The child was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead. Police say the North Cowichan Duncan General Investigation Section is leading the investigation, with support from the Forensic Identification Section and front-line officers. 'It's heartbreaking' The BC Coroners Service is also conducting a separate investigation, RCMP said. On Saturday, officers could be seen collecting evidence at the Falcon Nest Motel. The motel's manager, Valma Sampson, said a family had been in the suite. "It's heartbreaking," Sampson said, adding that she herself has a five-year-old. "It's a sad situation." RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said victim services have been supporting the family.

  • Egypt, Sudan reject Ethiopian proposal for data sharing on Renaissance dam

    Egypt and Sudan on Saturday rejected an Ethiopian proposal to share data on the operations of its giant hydropower dam on the Blue Nile after negotiations between the three countries in Kinshasa this week ended without progress. Ethiopia is pinning its hopes of economic development and power generation on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Egypt fears will imperil its supply from the Nile. Sudan is also concerned about the impact on its own water flows.

  • How Toronto police will enforce Ontario's stay-at-home orders, amid third COVID-19 wave

    The Toronto police chief is urging the public to abide by provincial stay-at-home orders. The order, which came into force on Wednesday, is in place for the next four weeks, as Ontario attempts to curb rising case counts. On Friday, Ontario reported another 4,227 cases of COVID-19, the second-most on a single day at any point during the pandemic. "I urge all Torontonians to please comply," said Chief James Ramer in a Saturday news release. "Do not go out unless it's for essential reasons only." Toronto police are not allowed to stop cars or enter homes simply to check if a person is complying with the order, nor can they compel a person who is outside to explain the reason they left their home. However, if officers have "probable grounds to suspect someone has violated" a public health order, they are allowed to ask for identification and a person who refuses can be arrested or charged with obstructing a police officer.

  • More than 700,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Toronto

    A total of 710,852 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Toronto as the city continues to work with health-care partners, pharmacies and Toronto Public Health in its rollout plan. Currently, people aged 50 and older who live in high-risk areas as identified by postal code can book vaccination appointments online or by phone at city-run COVID-19 immunization clinics. On Saturday, Mayor John Tory received his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at a pharmacy on Queen Street West. "I hope people will see, first of all it was utterly without any consequence or pain of any kind whatsoever and secondly, understand that any of the vaccines that have been approved, they wouldn't have been approved by Health Canada if they weren't safe and effective for people," Tory said after getting the shot. "This one was the AstraZeneca one and I'm completely confident taking it because it has been approved by our Health Canada and it has been given to millions of people around the world. "I think what's really important is just get vaccinated, it doesn't matter which one, just get a vaccination if you are eligible," Tory added. Vaccinating essential workers where they live Following this week's provincial announcement that everyone in Ontario's hardest-hit neighbourhoods aged 18 and up can get vaccinated, Toronto's approach is shifting further toward vaccinating essential workers where they live — in areas where we know there are high COVID-19 case counts, the city said in a news release on Saturday. It says hospital and health-care partners have clinics up and running, vaccinating residents in hot spot neighbourhoods right now. Several neighbourhoods in and around Toronto are home to the largest proportion of racialized workers who have disproportionately borne the impact of the pandemic. Yet, they were not included in phase one of the province's vaccination rollout. In Toronto's east end, Michael Garron Hospital is hoping to administer 1,000 doses of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday to residents in two hard-hit neighbourhoods, Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park. Abdullah Alazzawi says he 'feel more alive, more free,' after receiving his first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at a pop-up clinic in Thorncliffe Park Saturday morning.(CBC News) Abdullah Alazzawi said he got to the site at 5 a.m. to secure a spot in the line. "It's an amazing feeling, I feel more alive, more free," he told CBC News. "I think more people should get the vaccine." Alazzawi said it was a hectic process but was worth the wait. "I think they should speed up the process a little bit, get a lot more people vaccinated so a lot more people have a chance to be safe and live with their loved ones safely," he said. More than 222,000 appointments booked On Friday, Scarborough Health Network held a mobile clinic at a high school in a hot spot neighbourhood where they vaccinated staff and students. As of Saturday morning, the city says approximately 222,085 people have booked COVID-19 vaccination appointments at a city-run clinic, an increase of 52,115 people since the vaccine eligibility was expanded on Friday. The city says there are appointments still available and eligible residents are encouraged to book an appointment through the dark blue 'Book a Vaccine' button with the added option of booking by phone through the provincial vaccine information line at 1-888-999-6488. The city and health-care partners are working to operate a total of approximately 34 clinics Saturday, including mobile teams and on-site clinics, to vaccinate priority groups identified by the province of Ontario's priority framework. These clinics are only vaccinating those in the priority groups who have confirmed appointments.

  • Trudeau winds up Liberal convention with election campaign-style speech

    OTTAWA — Justin Trudeau is winding up a three-day Liberal convention with a partisan speech that reads like the launch of an election campaign. The prime minister has insisted he has no interest in calling an election in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. But his closing speech to the convention is all about positioning his party as the only one with "real solutions to real problems" while portraying the Conservatives as disconnected and the Bloc Quebecois as a party that is all talk and no action. He avoids any direct mention of the NDP and Greens altogether. Trudeau urges Liberal rank and file to reach out to a neighbour who planted a blue, orange or green sign on their lawns during the 2019 campaign, tell them about the Liberal plan for surviving the pandemic and reviving the economy and listen to what more they think needs to be done. Trudeau's Liberals hold only a minority of seats in the House of Commons so they could be defeated or choose to trigger an election at any time. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2021. Joan Bryden, The Canadian Press

  • Family of Regina cancer patient with sudden cognitive deterioration wants visitation flexibility

    On Tuesday, Regina resident Richard Baron suddenly found that he could not recognize his family members. He did not know where he was, and he thought it was the Fourth of July. The next day, the 64-year-old's wife, Belinda Chorney, called an ambulance after Baron refused to go to the hospital. He was struggling to answer questions and was unaware what day it was, according to his daughter, Ashleigh Woytuik. On Thursday, doctors at Regina's Pasqua Hospital said that Baron had a brain tumour the size of two grapes. It all happened so quickly. Now, Baron's family is advocating for more flexibility in COVID-19 restrictions that limit hospital visitation. Chorney and Baron have been together for 35 years. She was able to be with him during his admission, and during his MRA and CT scans at Pasqua Hospital. Baron was transferred alone to Regina General Hospital in the early hours of Thursday morning. "They informed my parents that he would be going to the general hospital, but that he would have to go alone at that point in time," said Woytuik. That news, and knowing that their father would be alone in his state, really hurt her and her older brother Chris, Woytuik said. She said on Thursday, she spent the whole day contacting Premier Scott Moe's office, MLAs and anyone else that might help her mother get into Baron's official diagnosis meeting on Friday. Ashleigh Woytuik says her father had difficulty understanding what was happening while he was in the hospital.(Submitted my Ashleigh Woytuik ) "[My dad] was very cognitively un-present. I was able to talk to him. He was just not comprehending fully what's going on. He was telling me things like ... he can see my daughter." She was able to speak with a manager, who agreed to let her mother be present for the results of the CT and MRI scans, Woytuik said. "But they made it clear to me that this was not going to be a regular thing." Alone in the hospital On Friday, doctors told Woytuik's parents that Baron had lung cancer, which has spread to his brain. As of Friday night, he is temporarily back home. He will need to have surgery to have the tumour removed from his brain in a week. But the family has received no further information on whether they will be able to be with him at the hospital going forward. The Saskatchewan Health Authority told CBC that it cannot comment on specific patient cases due to the health information protection act. Due to concerns over the rise in cases involving coronavirus variants of concern, a decision was made earlier this month "to restrict family presence and visitation in Regina SHA facilities and long-term care homes to Level 3," the health authority said in a statement. That means that two family or support members can be present at the same time for end-of-life care only, according to the health authority. One essential family or support person can be designated to assist with care if needed, as determined by the care team. "If patients or family members have concerns, we encourage them to contact our quality of care co-ordinator's office directly," the SHA's statement said. Woytuik describes her father as "a big old goofball," adding her children adore their grandfather. "He has always been the type of dad that will be there the moment that you tell him that you need him, without any question," she said. "Even in the midst of all of this going on, yesterday he was saying to me, 'Don't worry, we're gonna have time to go fishing.'" Baron and his wife, Belinda Chorney, with their grandchildren. (Submitted by Ashleigh Woytuik ) But knowing that her father is in a deteriorating state of mind and doesn't understand what's going on is worrying for the family. She's concerned about his mental health. "There have been times when he has been crying on the phone, and where he's said, 'I want to come home,'" said Woytuik. "My mom said when she talked to him on the phone he said that someone came in and told him that the prognosis didn't look good. I don't know if that actually happened, and I doubt it did. But this just shows he's thinking things are happening that aren't happening," she said. "He said to my mom yesterday, 'You can just come up to the building, pull the car up on the side of the building, and I'll come down to you and we can go.' It's hard for him to deal with, but also for my mother to deal with, and being told that she can't go be with him." Baron playing with his young grandchildren. 'He has always been the type of dad that will be there the moment that you tell him that you need him, without any question,' says Woytuik.(Submitted by Ashleigh Woytuik ) Woytuik says she wants the province and the Saskatchewan Health Authority to give clear guidelines on when hospital personnel can make exceptions to visitation rules, and allow them to use their discretion. "The doctors and nurses are wonderful. And I want to make it clear that this is not an attack on the health-care system, or the people that are there serving and taking care of my father," she said. But "the things that are being expected of families going through these situations are not OK and they're not realistic." She believes that the authorities who put the restrictions in place are trying to do what's best for the community as a whole. "But I do believe that in situations like this with my dad, where he's not cognitively functioning properly [and] there's been a traumatic diagnosis … there needs to be exceptions made for at least one person to be there for him." Woytuik says her mother is willing to follow any and all rules so she can be by Baron's side. In-hospital risks Dr. Dennis Kendel, a health policy consultant and the former registrar of the Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons, says there are risks that need to be managed around hospital visits, and the dangers of bringing infection in. That's why Saskatchewan hospitals have rigid protocols, he said. But "now that we've had a whole year of experience with this, I do hope that we might be able to get some flexibility," he said. He'd like to see clinical care teams have more discretionary authority to accommodate special arrangements, "particularly when a person is a cognitively impaired and they're very confused and lost in the setting in the hospital," he said. "Having the ability of somebody from the family to come and be with them can be quite calming." That's not only important to the family, "but it probably alleviates some of the time demands on the professional staff," he said. "If you have a highly agitated and anxious person, it takes infinitely more staff time." Dr. Dennis Kendel, a health policy consultant and the former registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, says he feels sympathy for Baron and his family. (Trent Peppler/CBC) The possibility a visitor could bring the coronavirus into a hospital might put people in a shared hospital room at risk, Kendel says — but there are ways to reduce that danger. "To mitigate the risk that she could pick up the virus and bring it into the hospital ... you have to be very fastidious in making sure that she isn't in contact with people from whom she could get the virus," he said. "So in that circumstance you have somebody else get your groceries and bring them in you. You don't go out at all, you just stay at home." Visitors would also have to comply with the hospital's requirements for wearing personal protective equipment. While the restrictions are hard for many families, "I don't think the staff at the bedside have lost any empathy at all [throughout the pandemic]," said Kendel. "In fact, it's weighing very, very heavy on them ... the things that they are seeing and the inability of family to be in contact." Many families have turned to the option of connecting with patients in hospital virtually. Baron's family has that option, but Woytuik said he has trouble understanding why they're not with him and the calls have been short. "Technology can sometimes bridge that gap," said Kendel. "But when people are cognitively impaired, it's a whole different situation."

  • Saskatoon's Lighthouse vaccinates hundreds of front-line workers using leftover doses

    Hundreds of front-line workers in Saskatoon have a new layer of protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. The Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. and the Saskatchewan Health Authority have distributed 440 Pfizer vaccines to front-line workers thanks to extra doses left over once the Lighthouse's clients were inoculated. Anna Pacik, the Lighthouse's manager of fundraising and communications, said sharing those doses was positive for everyone working with marginalized people in the city. "We know there's a need of so many more [doses] than we're actually getting," she said. "So it was really important for us to be able to not waste, but also to be able to support the community support people who do a lot of work in, and around, the Lighthouse." Pacik said local police officers, firefighters and staff from community organizations like Prairie Harm Reduction (PHR) — which operates the province's only supervised drug consumption site — were among those to receive a shot. "To be able to share that gift with the folks that support our programs and our people here, it gives you such a wonderful feeling," she said. "It's just a win, win, win all around." Anna Pacik, the organization’s manager of fundraising and communications, says sharing the vaccines is a "win, win, win" as it benefits both frontline staff and those the Lighthouse works to serve and support. (Don Somers/CBC) Jason Mercredi, PHR's executive director, said the organization has been working with the Lighthouse for years and the relationship has been made stronger by the pandemic. "We're two organizations that don't really have the option to not operate," he said. "We're both very concerned about the people living in poverty, homeless people, people living with addictions, so it just makes sense for the two of us to work together." Jason Mercredi, the executive director of Prairie Harm Reduction, says his staff jumped at the chance to get their vaccines. (Kendall Latimer/CBC) Mercredi said the Lighthouse and the SHA are trying to be proactive as they can with vaccine supply. "We jumped at that opportunity," he said. Mercredi said PHR supports calls from unions to have essential workers vaccinated, saying it doesn't make sense to him that some front-line workers, like police, are still working without protection against the COVID-19 virus. Local community support offivers were among those who recieved doses of the Pfizer vaccine through the Lighthouse. (Submitted by Community Support Program) Community support officers (CSOs), who patrol the city's downtown and other business improvement districts, also received the Pfizer vaccine from the Lighthouse. CSO supervisor Rob Garrison said his staff are on the front lines everyday. "There were a lot of things we went through as a team, so it was really nice last week that we all went there together and ... were all able to get it at the same time, at the same place," he said. "It was just a great team building thing after a year of hardship." A statement from the Saskatchewan Health Authority said it has a strategy in place to ensure no vaccine doses are wasted and the Lighthouse's distribution of the extra doses is that strategy in action.

  • 7 arrested at Mississauga demonstration in response to SIU clearing police in killing of Ejaz Choudry

    Seven people were arrested on Saturday at a demonstration in response to Ontario's police watchdog's ruling to not lay criminal charges against the officer who shot and killed Ejaz Choudry, a 62-year-old man with schizophrenia. Choudry's family and community members gathered in Mississauga around 1 p.m. outside his apartment building, at the intersection of Morning Star Drive and Goreway Drive, where he was killed while having a mental health crisis last summer. The demonstration happened days after the release of a report by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) into Choudry's death. "The SIU keeps letting the cops who do their jobs terribly off with no warning, no consequences, leaving families and communities reeling and with questions and then no answers," said Asher Hill, who was at the gathering. Ahead of the planned demonstration, Peel police in a tweet Saturday morning recognized people's right to peacefully protest. A few hours later, they tweeted that demonstrators were occupying the roadway of the intersection of Morning Star Drive and Goreway Drive. They encouraged drivers to use alternate routes. Choudry's family and community members gathered in Mississauga on Saturday around 1 p.m. outside his apartment building, at the intersection of Morning Star Drive and Goreway Drive, where he was killed while in crisis last summer. (Jessica Ng/CBC) At 4:30 p.m., protestors made it clear that they were going to move the demonstration onto the nearby train tracks, said Peel police spokesperson Akhil Mooken. In response, officers created a police safety line to prevent people from occupying the tracks. That's when some demonstrators tried to push their way through them, Mooken said. As a result, he said, seven demonstrators were arrested. As of Saturday night, charges were still pending. The demonstration was organized by the Malton People's Movement (MPM), a group that was formed in response to Choudry's death, to fight against police brutality and support families of those killed or injured by police. Advocacy group demands answers from Peel officials On Tuesday, SIU director Joseph Martino said that the Peel Regional Police officer who fired two bullets into Choudry's chest acted reasonably when he opened fire from the balcony of the man's locked apartment on June 20 of last year. Choudry's family had called a non-emergency line requesting medical assistance for him. They said he was in crisis and reportedly had a pocketknife, the SIU's report said. After an approximately three-hour encounter, Choudry was shot and killed by police after they found him wielding a large kitchen knife and shouted at him in English — a language his family has said he didn't properly understand — to drop the weapon, the report said. Ejaz Ahmed Choudry, a 62-year-old father of four with schizophrenia, was fatally shot by Peel Regional Police last June. Ontario's Special Investigations Unit says there will be no criminal charges in his death. (Submitted by Choudry family) Speaking to CBC News at the demonstration Saturday afternoon, MPM member Vijay Balasundaram said there have been too many incidents of police violence, and the group is taking to the streets until they get some kind of justice. "We have no choice," he said, pointing to other cases where the SIU has cleared police in fatal encounters involving people in crisis, such as Regis Korchinski-Paquet, D'Andre Campbell and Clive Mensah. "Enough is enough," Balasundaram said. "The community needs justice, the community needs accountability." He said rallies and protests like the one on Saturday have catalyzed instances of police reform, such as officers being made to wear body cameras while on duty and Peel police suspending a program that put uniformed officers in schools. The advocacy group is demanding that officials in Peel Region, such as Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, respond to their actions. They also want to know the name of the officer who killed Choudry, which was omitted in the SIU report. Police need more help in mental health response: officer Police spokesperson Mooken said because the SIU did not lay any charges, the officer has a reasonable right to privacy under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. "As an organization, we do have to respect that," he told CBC News Saturday afternoon. Mooken said as a result of Choudry's death, Peel police started a pilot project where officers are trained with body cameras. He said they will begin using them while on duty later this month, but said they need more support in responding to people with mental health issues. "Police should not be the primary responders to a mental health crisis," he said. "We need to work to find an alternative solution to how we can support those that are suffering a mental health crisis and will continue to work with our partners and continue to advocate for them." Loss of hope in police force, SIU Sean Akan, another MPM member, says something more needs to be done when it comes to holding police accountable for their actions. "We have multiple Black men killed, we have brown men killed ... No matter what the context, everyone has the officers cleared," Akan said. "That's the most frustrating thing." He said he has lost hope in the police force and the SIU. Aruna Sharma was Choudry's neighbour for two decades and described him as being very nice and gentle. Aruna Sharma (bottom right) became visibly emotional when describing Choudry, her neighbour of two decades. She said she is angry at the SIU's decision to clear police in her friend's killing. (Jessica Ng/CBC) "He [had] some problems. It doesn't mean police can come and shoot him. And [the police officer] was not punished," she said, becoming visibly emotional in an interview with CBC News. Sharma said she is angry with the police watchdog's decision regarding the death of her friend.