Social media creators recruited to fight COVID-19 misinformation

Facebook and public health officials are turning to social media creators to help fight vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19 misinformation.

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  • Kanye agrees with Kim on joint custody in divorce response

    LOS ANGELES — Kanye West agrees with Kim Kardashian West that they should have joint custody of their four children and neither of them need spousal support, according to new divorce documents. West's attorneys filed his response Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court to Kardashian West's divorce filing seven weeks earlier, which began the process of ending their 6 1/2-year marriage. West's filing was virtually identical to Kardashian West's original petition, agreeing that the marriage should end over irreconcilable differences, and that the two should share custody of their children: North, age 7, Saint, age 5, Chicago, age 3, and Psalm, who turns 2 next month. And like Kardashian West's filing, West's asks that the court's right to award spousal support to either person be terminated. According to Kardashian West's Feb. 19 petition, the two have a pre-nuptial agreement, and under it they kept their property separate throughout their marriage. The divorce filings bring an impending end to one of the most followed celebrity unions in recent decades, between the 40-year-old reality TV superstar Kardashian West, and the 43-year-old rap and fashion mogul West. It was the first marriage for West and the third for Kardashian West, who has not asked the court to change her name back to just Kardashian, though she may still do so during the divorce process. The Associated Press

  • 'Unhinged conspiracy theorists:' Kenney blasts protesters for threatening top doctor

    EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is urging the public to hold on a little longer by following COVID-19 restrictions while condemning those using threats and intimidation to protest the rules. Provincial sheriffs estimated about 750 people gathered at the legislature on Monday to protest public-health restrictions. Some chanted "lock her up" in reference to the province's chief medical health officer, Dr. Deena Hinshaw. "They also chanted 'just say no' to vaccines," Kenney later said on Twitter. "It’s particularly offensive to threaten a committed public servant like Dr. Hinshaw, a consummate professional who has offered the best possible health advice to govt. I call on those responsible to stop the threats & law breaking, which is a disservice to their own cause." Kenney added that another large protest on Sunday at GraceLife Church west of Edmonton, which was recently closed by health officials for violating restrictions, resulted in the arrest of a protester who allegedly shouted racial insults at a First Nations woman on a nearby reserve. Kenney said a car belonging to the chief of Enoch Cree Nation was also vandalized. No tickets were issued at the legislature protest, Alberta Justice spokesman Jason van Rassel said. "Albertans respect the freedoms of speech and protest," said Kenney. "But breaking the law, trespassing, threats and intimidation go too far. I condemn these actions and statements. It is increasingly clear that many involved in these protests are unhinged conspiracy theorists." Earlier Monday, Kenney held a news conference and asked Albertans to keep following the rules and get vaccinated. Kenney said the amount of available vaccine is increasing and he expects a quarter of Albertans will have some protection from the novel coronavirus in a matter of weeks. Half of the population should have at least one shot by the end of May, two-thirds by the end of June and three-quarters by mid-September, he said. "We're nearing the end of a long and tiring journey. It is our path to recovery and freedom," Kenney said. "Once two-thirds of us have immunity, we'll start to feel back to normal. There'll be no formal restrictions. (Calgary) Stampede, sporting events, other festivals will be possible, especially if outdoors. "Once three-quarters of us are immune, we expect we'll be fully back to normal." Kenney said masks and physical distancing will still be encouraged of Albertans but not mandated. The province has opened what it calls rapid flow vaccination clinics in Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Red Deer, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. Mega clinics — each able to able to administer up to 1,000 doses per hour and 6,000 per day — opened in Calgary and Edmonton on Monday. Kenney has said vaccine rollout is critical, as the impact of COVID-19 on the province has become a race between the rise of the variants and getting a critical mass of people vaccinated. The variants, which are more contagious than the original strain, now make up about half of Alberta's 14,800 active cases. On Monday, Alberta reported a slight dip in new COVID-19 cases with 1,136 infections. It said 679 new variant cases were also identified. There were also 390 people in hospital because of the virus and 90 were in intensive care. "Right now the variants are winning that race," said Kenney. He added that socializing among young people remains a concern. A Calgary high school had to shut down recently because students were having house parties. And in Athabasca, northeast of Edmonton, a number of schools had to be closed because of infections. "A bunch of kids from one of those schools were brought together by their parents for a birthday party," Kenney explained. "Apparently the virus had a 100 per cent attack rate at that birthday party. All of the kids, who came to that birthday party, got sick." This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2021. — By Bill Graveland in Calgary The Canadian Press

  • Alberta bill removes mandatory vaccinations, repeals Bill 10 powers

    Mandatory vaccinations and other measures currently enshrined in the Public Health Act to manage health emergencies would be dropped under new legislation tabled in the Alberta legislature on Monday. Bill 66, the Public Health Amendment Act, repeals powers the government gave itself through legislation passed in April 2020. The measures in Bill 10, the Public Health Emergency Powers Amendment Act, allowed ministers to unilaterally amend legislation by ministerial order. The measure was meant to keep public services operating but was widely criticized for being unconstitutional by giving the government too much power. Health Minister Tyler Shandro said Bill 10 was drafted in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to address fears the legislature would not be able to meet. However, MLAs managed to adapt and kept meeting safely, he said. "The legislature has continued to successfully debate and the government has passed critical legislation to support lives and support livelihoods through this extraordinary time," Shandro said. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms filed a constitutional challenge shortly after Bill 10 was passed into law. . Last October, Shandro announced the government would repeal the the legislation. Last month, an Alberta Court of Queen's Bench judge dismissed the court action for that reason. Edmonton-City Centre MLA David Shepherd, the NDP Opposition critic for health, said the changes proposed in Bill 66 have more to do with blowback over Bill 10 than with improving public health. "It's mostly about cleaning up the political messes for Jason Kenney and the UCP," he said. Shepherd said the NDP proposed amendments to limit the government's powers when Bill 10 was first debated, but they were voted down by the UCP majority in the legislature. He said Kenney chose to strike a special committee of MLAs to examine the Public Health Act rather than admitting he made a mistake. Vaccination a 'personal choice' Other measures included in Bill 66 includes a provision to immediately tell someone who is being detained for public health reasons where they are going and lists criteria that must be met before they can be examined or given medical treatment. The bill defines the qualifications for a chief medical officer of health and mandates the Public Health Act is reviewed every decade. It also removes a provision for conscripting Albertans to help during a public health crisis. Lorian Hardcastle, an associate professor who specializes in health law at the University of Calgary, said the power to unilaterally amend legislation goes back to 2002, when the government implemented changes in the period after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 amid concerns the legislature would be unable to meet during a crisis. "This was a power that was unique to Alberta," she said. "No other province allowed the minister of health to amend other statutes during a public health emergency." Alberta's public health act is more than 100 years old. Last June, the government appointed a special committee of MLAs to review the act and suggest updates. The committee's report, tabled in October 2020, said MLAs received 41 public submissions against mandatory immunizations during a pandemic. People who made submissions argued vaccinations should be a personal choice and mandating them is an overreach of government power. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, told the committee last summer that the power to mandate immunizations has never been used, so she had no issue with the government taking it out of the legislation.

  • How police choose to intervene in crowded parks raises concerns of racial profiling

    Two incidents in a busy Montreal park — widely shared on social media over the weekend — have critics concerned that the likelihood of getting stopped for violating COVID-19 prevention rules depends on who you are and not what you are doing. On Saturday, witnesses filmed a group of five women of colour, who were seated in Jeanne-Mance Park in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood, being surrounded by police officers. Fatima Keita, who was fined more than $1,500 for breaking the province's rules for small outdoor gatherings in public settings, said the park was filled with others doing the same thing. "We're all trying to stop the spread, right?" she said. "But this is not about COVID measures. The police wanted to be authoritarian with me. They wanted to specifically target me." Video of the incident shows that Keita was part of one of many small groups of people sitting together in the park. Quebec's latest rules on outdoor gatherings allow people to meet outside without wearing a mask, provided they are seated two metres apart from those they do not live with. "People were literally kissing each other over there," she told CBC News. David Kroeker-Maus was nearby when he saw a group of about 10 officers surround the women. "No one was bothering us, and no one was bothering most of the other picnic-goers," said Kroeker-Maus, who filmed the incident. "It looked pretty racially motivated." Video of a man being held and punched by Montreal police officers in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood was shared widely over the weekend.(Submitted by Leigh O'Brien) Another video, also from Jeanne-Mance Park, showing a man getting repeatedly punched in the head while being detained by officers, is raising questions about use of police force. Several officers are seen around the man, as they put him in a hold that one anti-racism advocate says looks chillingly familiar. The video shows "shocking, very unacceptable and very questionable use of force," says Fo Niemi, the executive director of the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations. He points out that Derek Chauvin, a police officer in Minneapolis, is currently on trial for murder after using a similar hold that resulted in the death of George Floyd. "Did we learn anything from the George Floyd case last year?" asked Niemi. Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante told reporters Monday morning that it's important to know the context of an incident, beyond what is shared online. "What I can tell you is that police officers are not targeting people based on the colour of their skin if they are in a park. It would be based on people's behaviour," Plante said. Plante says that's why she supports body cameras for police officers: "Where we can also have the beginning, the middle and the end. I think this is very important." In a statement, the Montreal police service said it follows the recommendations of public health and the provincial government when enforcing COVID-19 prevention measures. In the past week, the police service issued 1,005 fines related to COVID-19 prevention, up from 797 a week earlier. For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here. (CBC)

  • Labour Department investigating workplace injury aboard N.S. fishing vessel

    The Labour Department has issued a stop-work order on a fishing vessel in southwestern Nova Scotia after a gruesome workplace injury this weekend. RCMP say a 24-year-old man was working in the engine area when it went into gear. He got caught in the machinery and suffered life-threatening injuries. Police were called to Camp Cove Wharf Road in Argyle at 4:43 a.m. AT on Saturday. The man was taken by ambulance to Yarmouth Regional hospital and then to Halifax via helicopter. Incident not considered suspicious RCMP don't believe the cause of the injury is suspicious. In an emailed statement to CBC News, Labour Department spokesperson Shannon Kerr said a stop-work order has been issued and an inspection is being carried out. "Where our inspection is ongoing, we have no further information to share at this time," she said. The vessel was not named. Social media posts have identified the victim as Andrew Saulnier. A GoFundMe page says he's a young father who has had one leg amputated, and more surgeries are to follow. MORE TOP STORIES

  • P.E.I. has 3 new cases of COVID-19, all tied to travel

    P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, confirmed three new cases of COVID-19 on the Island Monday afternoon. Word of the new cases came in a news release. The three people involved all recently travelled outside of the Atlantic region, Morrison's statement said. "The individuals, one in their 30s, one in their 40s and one in their 60s … all tested positive through routine testing. They are self-isolating and being followed by public health daily." In relation to a previous positive case, Morrison added a flight exposure notification involving anyone who travelled on Air Canada flight AC8302 from Montreal to Charlottetown on Tuesday, April 6. They should already be isolating in line with public health guidance, "but are also advised to monitor closely for symptoms and if any develop, visit a drop-in testing clinic." Prince Edward Island has now had 165 cases of COVID-19 in the 13 months since the pandemic began. The province now has seven active cases. Elsewhere in the Atlantic region on Monday: 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.

  • Younger people in COVID-19 hot spots confused about how to get vaccinated, expert says

    A member of the province's vaccine distribution task force is trying to clear up confusion among some people aged 18 to 49 in hot-spot neighbourhoods about how to get immunized against COVID-19. Dr. Isaac Bogoch said residents in that age group living in high-risk areas will be able to get the shots in mobile and pop-up clinics that are locally advertised. And contrary to what some have thought, they will not yet be able to book an appointment online at a mass vaccination clinic. The comments by the infectious disease specialist come after City of Toronto officials said there was some confusion following the announcement by the Ontario government last Wednesday that people 18 and older could get vaccinated with the help of mobile teams. "I wish there was more clarity at the time of the announcement," Bogoch told CBC Toronto. "I think it's important to note that, anyone who lives in those hot spots is certainly eligible for vaccination. There's no age cutoff for vaccination if you live in those hot spots. But the program is really bringing vaccines to the people," he added. Bogoch said these clinics are strategically located in community centres, places of worship, workplaces and at locations close to high density housing. "How will I know where they are? The answer is it's very, very locally advertised. It is truly a locally advertised vaccination. For example, if it's coming to a place of work, people at that place of work will be notified. If it's going to a community centre, members of that community will be notified." Dr. Isaac Bogoch, infectious disease specialist, says: 'How will I know where they are? The answer is it's very, very locally advertised. It is truly a locally advertised vaccination. For example, if it's coming to a place of work, people at that place of work will be notified. If it's going to a community centre, members of that community will be notified.'(Craig Chivers/CBC) Bogoch noted there was a pop-up vaccination clinic in Thorncliffe Park on the weekend in the parking lot of the Masjid Darus Salaam mosque. The clinic was across from Iqbal Halal Foods. "Obviously, that's available for people who live in that area. You have to show proof of ID that demonstrates that you live in that postal code. That's a very local vaccine clinic for a particular community," he said. He said the idea is to lower the barriers for vaccines for the "highest of high risk." Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg, general manager of emergency management, agreed that there's been a lack of clarity about the clinics, but said that was partly due to the rapidly changing course of the pandemic. "I appreciate that there is some confusion and I think that we all appreciate how quickly these things are moving and how quickly we're all having to respond and pivot, if you will, to the changes that are being made." Pegg said people 18 and older in hot spots are not eligible to book through the provincial booking system nor at any of the mass vaccination clinics run by the city. "Generally speaking, pop-up and mobile clinics are brought to the attention of eligible clients directly by primary care physicians, employers, building managers, faith leaders and other local leaders, who are directly connected with those for whom these clinics will serve," Pegg said. Alexandra Hilkene, spokesperson for Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott, said more details on how people 18 and older can make an appointment at pop-up and mobile clinics in Toronto and Peel Region will be provided in the near future with the help of Toronto Public health and Peel Public Health. "In these high-risk areas in Toronto and Peel, mobile teams, working with public health units, community groups, and local businesses will be established to administer vaccines to individuals 18+ to targeted settings as supply allows," she said. "This includes high-risk congregate settings, residential buildings, faith based locations, and large employers. Pop-up clinics will also be set-up in highly impacted neighbourhoods to administer vaccines to those 18+, including at faith-based locations and community centres."

  • Richmond crab processing factory fined more than $110K for obstructing inspection, other violations

    A seafood processing company in Richmond and a commercial fisherman have together been fined more than $110,000 for violating Canada's Fisheries Act. On Sept. 8, 2018, a Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) officer inspected Tenshi Seafood Limited — a large crab processing, distribution and exporting plant. When the officer arrived, he witnessed a man run from the factory, hop in his vehicle and speed away with "what looked like a crab crate in the back," according to a statement from the DFO. Then, while inside the building, the DFO says the officer found several undersized crabs discarded in the processing plant. The statement goes on to say the co-owner of Tenshi Seafood Limited, Desi Liu, and some of his staff then obstructed the officer from completing the inspection, saying Liu and his staff wouldn't answer questions or provide the necessary paperwork for the discarded crabs. Liu also tried to destroy evidence by eating a receipt, it said. "That's a serious offence," said Jason Guno, Fisheries and Oceans detachment commander for Fraser coastal. "The fisheries industry is regulated and all entities have to abide by the conditions and one of them is to assist with the regulatory nature of the industry." On March 4, 2021, Tenshi Seafood Limited and Liu were found guilty of violating the Fisheries Act in a Richmond Provincial Court. The company was fined $75,000 and Liu was ordered to pay $25,000. Fisherman also fined Thuong Nguyen, the master of the Dream Chaser commercial vessel and one of Tenshi's suppliers, was also fined $10,000. His license prohibits the fishing of undersized dungeness crabs. "It means that the crabs don't get to mature to the appropriate size. If they haven't had a chance to propagate and reproduce, you're affecting the natural order of things in terms of renewable resources," said Guno. He confirmed that Nguyen was the man the officer first saw fleeing from the plant. "He was later identified and found guilty of obstruction," Guno said. The DFO says, under the Fisheries Act, it is illegal to obstruct or hinder a fishery officer, fishery guardian or an inspector who is carrying out duties or functions. "I think it's a good message to everyone involved in the seafood industry [that] it's a serious offence to not cooperate and assist fisheries officers when they're doing an investigation," said Guno. Tenshi Seafood Limited must also publish a letter addressed to its customers explaining the offences and that it was found guilty.

  • Excited Puppy Totally Loses It When Owner Comes Home

    Yuki the Shiba Inu reacts in the most adorable way! Priceless!

  • Man pleads not guilty to supplying ammunition in Nova Scotia mass shooting case

    HALIFAX — One of the three people who allegedly supplied ammunition to the gunman who murdered 22 people in Nova Scotia last spring has pleaded not guilty to the charge. A lawyer representing James Banfield entered the plea today in a Halifax-area courtroom. His three-day trial in Dartmouth provincial court is scheduled to start Jan. 24, 2022. Banfield was one of three people charged in December with unlawfully transferring ammunition to the killer before the mass killing on April 18-19, 2020. The same charge was laid against Banfield's sister, Lisa, who was the spouse of the killer, and her brother-in-law, Brian Brewster. The offences are alleged to have occurred in the month before the slayings, and the RCMP have said the three “had no prior knowledge of the gunman's actions.” Police say the rampage started the night of April 18, 2020, after Gabriel Wortman assaulted Lisa Banfield at their seasonal home in the village of Portapique. Police have confirmed the killer, who disguised himself as a Mountie and drove a replica RCMP vehicle, was armed with two semi-automatic handguns and two semi-automatic rifles when he subsequently set fires to properties and killed 13 people in the village. He killed another nine people the following day in several other communities in northern and central Nova Scotia before he was fatally shot by two RCMP officers at a gas station in Enfield, N.S., about 35 kilometres north of Halifax. The victims included an RCMP officer, two nurses, two correctional officers, a family of three, a teacher and some of his neighbours in Portapique. Investigators say they determined the ammunition was purchased and trafficked in Nova Scotia. The provincial and federal governments have established a joint public inquiry to investigate the killings and to produce recommendations aimed at preventing a similar tragedy. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2021. The Canadian Press

  • N.B. First Nation wins historic $145M land claim settlement after decades-long battle

    The federal government will pay out $145 million to the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation in northwestern New Brunswick in what is now the largest federal land claim settlement in Maritime history. The settlement settles a dispute that wound through the courts for more than two decades. "This claim strikes at the heart of what it has meant to have grown up on reserve lands" and to be "marginalized as a people," Madawaska First Nation Chief Patricia Bernard said in a statement. "Our ancestors did not surrender their right to the land.'' In addition to $145 million, the settlement includes an option for the First Nation to acquire up to 783 hectares to add to its reserve. The land can be anywhere in the province and there is no time limit on its acquisition. The band's court battle for legal recognition of its claim dates back to 1996. In that claim, the band argued Canada breached its lawful obligations in transferring lands — including lands that now encompass most of downtown Edmundston — to third parties and did not fulfil the provisions of the Royal Proclamation of 1763. In November 2017, a federal tribunal ruled that the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation's claim to 1,578 hectares was valid. However, the tribunal does not have the authority to return the land, so four years of negotiations for financial compensation settlement followed before the settlement was reached in mid-March. On Monday evening, Carolyn Bennett, the federal minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations, congratulated Bernard and the Maliseet First Nation on the conclusion of the "historic settlement." "Achieved through the unwavering dedication, determination and hard work of Chief Bernard and the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, this settlement will stand as a major step forward on the path of renewal and reconciliation between our two nations," Bennett said in an email. Bennett's office confirmed the $145-million settlement is the largest federal land claim settlement in the Maritimes. Previously, the largest settlement in the Maritimes was the Halifax County 1919 Invalid Surrender specific claim with the Millbrook and Sipekne'katik First Nation, which was settled on April 24, 2020, for $49,204,071. "Honouring Canada's legal obligations to First Nations and working collaboratively to renew relationships are key to advancing reconciliation with First Nations in Canada," the office said Monday evening. The settlement also includes an option to acquire 783 hectares anywhere in New Brunswick to add to the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation's land reserve.(Julia Wright / CBC News file photo) Victory represents a new beginning, chief says In an interview Monday, Bernard, who is also the lawyer who launched and litigated the initial claim and was the negotiator in the settlement, said the hard-won victory represents a new beginning for the Madawaska community. "We're putting $50 million into a legacy trust fund that will generate money on a continuous basis," Bernard said. As well, she said, all of the community members will get per-capita distribution. The money will also fuel economic and infrastructure development for the community, Bernard said. Consultations will now get underway with the community to determine the sort of lands Madawaska should be considering for acquisition. "We're going to consult with the community with respect to, you know, what are we are looking for," Bernard said. "Are we looking for an area to practise traditional ceremonies, are we looking for residential, are we looking for economic development? So we have to consult with the community on that." For Bernard, the road to victory has been a long and personal journey. "The amazing thing for me is that I was involved right from the beginning," she said. "I did the initial research, the initial legal opinion, litigated the claim in the tribunal and then did the negotiation. "This has been a personal goal of mine to see it through, and having it done has been an amazing feeling, so I'm quite happy with the outcome."

  • New outbreak declared at Windsor-Essex school involves variant of concern

    A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at St. John Vianney Catholic Elementary School in Windsor. The Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board made the announcement on Monday morning. In a news release, the board said public health officials made the declaration after receiving confirmation that of an additional case in one of two cohorts dismissed on April 6. The update has yet to be reflected on the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit's website as of Monday morning. "As per provincial direction, a school outbreak is declared if there are two or more cases in a school and if there is evidence that at least one case could have been infected in the school," the board said in a statement. According to the board's website, there are three cases of COVID-19 active within the school. The board said a COVID-19 variant of concern has been identified in the cohort. Those who may have been affected are being contacted by the health unit. The board said the rest of the school community is considered low risk and can continue attending as usual. Schools are currently on spring break. There are 22 active cases of COVID-19 within the Catholic board, its website shows. The public school board has seen 17 cases declared since the beginning of the month, according to its website. There are two other outbreaks active at other schools in the region — Centennial Central Public School and St. Peter Catholic School. Dr. Wajid Ahmed, medical officer of health for the region, said Monday that Windsor-Essex is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases within schools, with many cohorts dismissed. "We are monitoring the cases in our schools to assess any changes in the local risk," he said at the health unit's daily briefing, adding that he'll provide an update if the risk changes or a switch to online learning becomes necessary.

  • Councillors approve energy plan that puts Edmonton on the road to a net-zero future

    The City of Edmonton is moving toward being a low-carbon municipality within 30 years, and is adopting an energy transition strategy now to help get it there. Council's executive committee agreed Monday that council as a whole should approve the Community Energy Transition Strategy at a meeting next week. The plan aligns with goals of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to keep the global temperature increase to no more than 1.5 degrees above average, and to become carbon neutral by 2050. The strategy would expand on current investments like the district energy system in the Blatchford neighbourhood, along with an electric vehicle charging infrastructure, more electric buses and LRT, and energy efficiency standards for new buildings. The energy initiatives are estimated to cost Edmonton $100 million a year, plus capital costs for new city buildings starting in the 2023-2026 budget cycle. The city would also need consistent investment totalling about $2.4 billion a year from the federal and provincial governments and the private sector. Mayor Don Iveson said the city needs to set incentives and regulations while it's developing renewable energy industries. "That's going to unlock hundreds of thousands of jobs answering these challenges and achieving carbon neutrality — a balanced carbon budget if you will — by 2050." Edmonton is in a challenging position as GHG emissions have increased over the past decade. The city has one of the highest per capita emissions levels in the world at 18 tonnes per person. Four major sources contribute to GHG emissions in Edmonton: transportation (31 per cent of total emissions); manufacturing, industry and construction (27 per cent); commercial and institutional buildings (20 per cent) and residential buildings (18 per cent). Boost retrofits The committee heard from 20 people at the meeting, including representatives from the city's Energy Transition Climate Resilience Committee. One member, Shafraaz Kaba, encouraged council and administration to adopt any measures that will quickly advance the goal of zero emissions by 2050. "We underline that every decision city council makes has to be a carbon decision," Kaba told the committee. "The time is now to make this happen." The city's strategy would incorporate stricter regulations when constructing new homes and buildings, which could mean changes in zoning bylaws and codes. Chandra Tomaras, program manager of the City Environmental Strategies department, said right now only seven per cent of renovation permits are related to energy retrofits. That needs to be 10 times higher to reach the city's goals, she said. "We need 10,12,13,000 homes a year being renovated for energy efficiency," Tomaras said. Tomaras said one of the important steps in the plan requires partnerships and advice from industry to emission-neutral buildings. Coun. Ben Henderson is calling for net-zero building standards to be adopted sooner rather than later. Some things, like replacing furnaces, are easier to retrofit but the structure of a building is not, Henderson suggested. "That's the bit that I'm worried about, that we are just building ourselves another set of neighbourhoods that are going to be our nightmare 10 years from now," Henderson said. "I would love us to get there as fast as we possibly can." Stephanie McCabe, manager of the urban form and corporate strategic development branch, said the city will continue to work with industry on establishing net-zero building standards and bring in regulations while watching the affordability of new housing.

  • COVID-19 vaccination won't break your fast this Ramadan, say experts

    As Muslims begin their second month-long fast under a COVID-19 Ontario-wide lockdown — but this time with vaccines available — some wonder whether they should be getting the shot while fasting. The fasting period, from sunrise to sunset, each day of the holy month of Ramadan starts Tuesday, and includes no food or drink, which has led some members of Ontario's Muslim community to turn to religious and health experts for guidance. Aarij Anwer, interim imam and Islamic education co-ordinator with the London Muslim Mosque, said community members have asked him if they are permitted to get vaccinated while fasting. "This is their question, 'Can I take it? I got the appointment on this day of April and then we'll be fasting on that day. What do I do, write it off?' Those are the most frequently asked questions. The answer is you can take your vaccine shot. No problem." Tackling misinformation Anwer said he's trying to tackle the confusion and misinformation about the vaccines, as well as encourage Muslims to get vaccinated. London Muslim Mosque members, as well as other Muslims worldwide, are going through their second Ramadan starting Tuesday since the pandemic began over a year ago.(Maram Hijazi/CBC) "That is something that we are encouraging Muslims to take, as part of their commitment to their faith, as part of their commitment to their well-being." Referring to Islamic agencies both in North America and internationally, Anwer said there is an understanding the vaccine does not physically break a person's fast. "Non-nutritious injections, for example vaccines, have no effect on the fast and will not invalidate the fast. A person can take this and their fast will continue to be intact." Nour Al-Farawi, a primary-care nurse practitioner, said it's important for everyone, including Muslims, to get the vaccine as soon as they are able to, even if it's during the month of Ramadan. "It is well established that intramuscular injection is not a form of sustenance or food, and therefore is permissible," Al-Farawi said. "I do want to stress we are in the third wave of this pandemic and it's important, now more than ever, to keep ourselves and others around us safe and healthy, and this vaccine rollout is unlike any we may have experienced in the past," she said. For those concerned about possible side-effects of the vaccine while fasting, Al-Farawi said most are mild and do not last long. "If there's anything that's stopping you, make sure you're making an informed decision before you decide not to get [the vaccine]," said Al-Farawi. "I can't stress enough that it's very important at this time." Keeping well during fasting period The Canadian Muslim COVID-19 Task Force, which provides culturally appropriate guidance and messaging around the coronavirus for Muslim communities across Canada, echoed the same advice for Muslims. "This year, the COVID-19 vaccine will likely be available to many individuals during the month of Ramadan," the task force's website reads. "Everyone is recommended to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible, and without delay." The Canadian Muslim COVID-19 Task Force, which provides culturally appropriate guidance and messaging around the coronavirus to Muslim communities, recommends people get vaccinated 'as soon as they are eligible, and without delay.'(Kate Dubinski/CBC News) Under the task force's guidelines for fasting this year, it notes that getting tested for COVID-19 while fasting, or taking the vaccine, doesn't break a fast. "It is not necessary to eat before or right after vaccination. Staying hydrated and eating nourishing suhoors [meal before sunrise] will help ensure that we are staying well for activities during Ramadan, including vaccination," the website reads. The task force says individuals who feel worsening side-effects after getting the shot and feel that it will worsen if they continue to fast are permitted to stop. COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Middlesex-London are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET daily; all appointments are booked in advance through the covidvaccinelm.ca website or by phone at 226-289-3560.

  • Sask. softball officials try to silence parents after coach charged with child abuse, says mom

    Saskatoon softball officials are trying to silence parents after a prominent coach was charged with child abuse, says one mother. Heidi Dutton says parents were told to sign a confidentiality agreement before entering an emergency meeting over the weekend. The meeting was called to discuss the sexual assault charges against 56-year-old Ricky Davis. Dutton refused to sign. "It's 2021. It's time we teach our girls and women that sexual assault is something we talk about openly and we don't hide," Dutton said. Dutton says officials need to create a safe space to invite any other victims to come forward. But she said softball officials are trying to shut down discussion with the attempted "gag order." 'We've done our job' Saskatoon Minor Softball League volunteer board member Noreen Murphy declined to discuss the non-disclosure agreement. She said they've dealt with the issue, and there's nothing more they can do. "We've done our job. We've suspended him. To me, that's all we're involved in. That's it. We're moving forward. We have a league to prepare for," Murphy said. According to police, Ricky Davis, 56, was charged with sexually assaulting a child between the ages of five and nine between February 2012 and December 2017. Police investigators "are concerned that there may be other victims" and are asking them to come forward, according to a news release. After charges were announced late last week, Davis was suspended from his positions as coach of the under-16 girls' Saskatoon Hustlers team, as the team's local zone commissioner and as Saskatoon Minor Softball League board member. An emergency meeting was held at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex in Saskatoon on Saturday. Dutton and other parents were asked to sign a form as they entered. Non-disclosure agreement Dutton said she thought it was a standard COVID-19 contact tracing form, but it was a non-disclosure agreement. She refused to sign and took her seat. Shortly after the meeting began, she said another parent asked why they had to sign, and asked if police told officials it was necessary. According to Dutton, an official said the forms were necessary because they "didn't want to see discussions in the media." An official asked her to leave, but she argued against it and was allowed to stay. During the meeting, Dutton said, she and others raised concerns about Davis. Dutton said this was the first she's heard of any alleged criminal behaviour, but she and others have lodged multiple complaints over the years about Davis's methods and lack of transparency. Dutton said she and others have either resigned or been forced off the minor softball board for questioning Davis. Ricky Davis, 56, is accused of sexually assaulting a child.(Supplied by Heidi Dutton) Murphy said the league, like other minor sports organizations, has a rigorous, 10-step screening process for coaches and volunteers that includes a criminal record check. Murphy said they will be posting a statement on the SMSL website and social media notifying everyone of the suspension. The Hustlers team posted a statement on its website Monday afternoon. "Protecting the participants within our softball community is our first priority and it is a responsibility we take seriously," read the statement. Davis's first court appearance was scheduled for Monday morning in Saskatoon, but it was delayed due to a backlog of other cases. No one from Softball Saskatchewan could be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

  • Youth accused in hit-and-run death of Calgary officer still has no lawyer

    CALGARY — An 18-year-old-man charged as a young offender in the hit-and-run death of a Calgary police officer has asked for another court delay as he tries to find a lawyer.The accused is charged with first-degree murder in the New Year's Eve death of Sgt. Andrew Harnett, who had tried to pull over an SUV because its plates didn't match its registration.Police have said Harnett was dragged by the SUV before he fell and was hit by another car.The alleged driver of the SUV, who was 17 when he was charged, can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.He had a lawyer during a previous bail hearing and says he is close to hiring another lawyer for trial.The case was adjourned to April 26.This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2021. The Canadian Press

  • Ottawa police chief administrative officer dismissed after allegedly misusing company vehicle

    Ottawa Police Service chief administrative officer Jeff Letourneau is no longer with the service following allegations he was using a company vehicle for personal use and not paying taxes for it. In a statement issued Monday, the Ottawa Police Services Board wrote that effective immediately, "Letourneau is no longer employed in the Ottawa Police Service, as a result of a unanimous decision." The decision comes after a letter was submitted to the board in late March by the president of the Ottawa Police Association Matt Skof. The letter details allegations it received from an anonymous email, that was also sent to city council. It said that Letourneau, who approves purchases of the OPS fleet, was using a fleet vehicle and not paying the taxes on it. It is also unclear if Letourneau was authorized to have use of a company vehicle in the first place. Potentially thousands in unpaid taxes The letter points to the Sunshine List, which discloses salaries earned by city employees that exceed $100,000. According to that list, Letourneau earned more than $242,000 as chief administrative officer last year, but only paid $1,060 in taxable benefits. Comparatively, another former executive with a similar salary paid nearly $13,000 in taxable benefits in 2018. Between 2018 and 2020, Letourneau has only paid between $860 and $1,060 in taxable benefits a police executive, amounts that don't make sense according to Skof. It's believed Letourneau has used the vehicle for personal trips outside of city limits and also used for his daily commute to work from his residence in Braeside, so it would have "well over 150,000 kilometres on it," Skof said. Between maintenance, gas and mileage, Skof said there's a lot that may have been spent "all at the taxpayers expense." "I think the taxpayers would take quite exception to having that amount of money go missing ... by the very person that holds the budget for the entire police department." Skof said how much "misuse may have occurred" could only be discovered through an investigation by the Ottawa Police Services Board. Board looking for replacement In its statement, the board said Police Chief Peter Sloly "has implemented interim measures" until it finds a replacement for Letourneau. The board went on to write that it "is committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to make decisions that earn the highest level of trust." "Due to the confidential nature of personnel matters, the board will not be providing any further comment," reads the statement. At this point, there are no charges against Letourneau and the allegations have not been proven in court. CBC reached out to Letourneau Monday evening for an interview but he declined to comment.

  • Regina council unanimously approves $4M land sale despite opposition from nearby businesses

    Regina council has unanimously approved an option for an undisclosed company to purchase more than 250 hectares of land north of the city despite last-minute opposition to the sale. The purchaser is described only as "an independent commercial party" in a report that was approved by council at a special council meeting on Monday. The $4-million purchase price for the 633.6 acres (256.4 hectares) of land is below market value, but the potential development was touted as bringing "substantial economic opportunity for the City of Regina," according to the report. Although the public is not privy to the discussions, councillors confirmed during the special meeting that they know the identity of the developer. They've also been provided a more detailed economic assessment than what has been shared publicly. The parcel of land in question is north of the city, and shown on this map with blue diagonal stripes.(City of Regina) The city's administrative staff confirmed that the developer's board will be making a decision on where to locate the potential development, which includes Regina, "very soon." Business opposition Despite the unanimous support that it received from council, the decision was not universally praised. Two companies presented council with their objections to the deal ahead of the vote on Monday. AGT Foods opposed the sale, citing a lack of consultation and concern over the developer's intentions. Representatives from Federated Co-Op Ltd. (FCL), whose refinery borders on the parcels, voiced their opposition to the deal. The company said they only found out about the potential sale by reading a CBC News story on the subject and claimed the potential future development would box FCL in and restrict future expansion. FCL recently acquired True North Renewable Fuels. The deal, representatives told council on Monday, was made with the knowledge that they would look to expand into land adjacent to the refinery — including some or all of the parcels up for vote. Although FCL wanted to be offered the chance to take part in a bidding process, that door was swiftly closed by council's vote. The undisclosed developer has now been granted a $4-million option to purchase the land, with $50,000 of that being considered a non-refundable fee. That option to purchase will be required to be exercised within one year. The City of Regina and the developer would also need to come to further agreements on a number of unspecified details that require further study. Those would come before council for approval and would likely include further details on the developer and its plans. If the option to purchase is exercised but construction of the proposed development doesn't get underway within two years of the purchase, the City of Regina would have the right to take ownership of the parcels. That process would require the city to refund the $4-million option, minus the $50,000 fee.

  • New rules about wearing masks outside went little noticed in Quebec; government PR strategy blamed

    Major changes were made last week to Quebec's rules about where and when masks have to be worn in public, but critics say the government made little effort to inform people that they were expected to do something different. Since Thursday, Quebecers living in orange and red zones — which cover most of the province — have been required to wear masks outside under certain circumstances. Those circumstances include: When you're doing a sporting or recreational activity with people from households other than your own. The rule holds whether or not you're two metres apart. When you're sitting outside with people from different households at distances less than two metres. The mask isn't necessary if you can keep at least two metres distance while sitting. The sunny, warm weather in Montreal this past weekend drew thousands to the city's green spaces, offering the first real test of whether the public had registered the rule change. Among Montreal media outlets, the consensus was that they hadn't. "In Montreal, parks are packed and the mask ignored," read a weekend headline in Le Devoir. "Even the police are confused about wearing the mask," said the Journal de Montréal on Sunday. In Outaouais, where added lockdown measures are in place to deal with spiraling infection rates, hundreds crowded onto a beach, prompting police to try to spread them out, or get them to wear masks. The outdoor mask rule was among several new measures the Quebec government introduced last week to slow the spread of COVID-19 variants, which are more contagious and more likely to send infected people to hospital. "Public Health was worried that many people who are taking advantage of the warm weather will forget the basic rule of keeping a two-metre distance from people from different households," said Marie-Claude Lacasse, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry. "This is all the more important with the high transmission levels of variants," she said. Even if outdoor activities remain among the safest settings for socializing, the variants require the public to take extra precautions, said Nathalie Grandvaux, who researches infectious diseases at the Université de Montréal. "When you look at how fast variants are spreading elsewhere, I don't think we can afford to wait to see if we get infections outside," she said in an interview with Radio-Canada. "For once we are ahead of the curve." But Grandvaux said that in order for the public to adopt the new measure, the government needs to take the time to explain why it's necessary. "If I can make a small suggestion to the government: take five minutes at a news conference [this week] to explain why you brought in this rule," she said. About those news conferences Those provincial government news conferences — chaired by Premier François Legault, and attended by Health Minister Christian Dubé and Public Health Director Dr. Horacio Arruda — have recently become a source of irritation for many. The irritation stems less from what is said than what is not said. The change around wearing masks outside was announced in a statement released after Tuesday's 5 p.m. news conference, meaning journalists couldn't relay the information when ratings and readership was highest. That statement also slipped in a travel ban to yellow zones and new spacing rules for movie theatres. Several hundred people gathered Saturday at the beach in Gatineau's Park des Cèdres. Gatineau is under added lockdown measures because of high transmission rates. (Radio-Canada) Last week also saw Quebec's workplace safety board stipulate that procedure masks must be worn at all times at work, and that cloth masks no longer meet safety standards — two other significant changes that Legault didn't mention during his news conference. "People want to find solutions to this pandemic," Grandvaux said. "If they understand why they're being asked to do something, they'll do it." Legault's critics are concerned his news conferences — which are carried live on the network news channels — are blurring the line between public health and partisan messaging. In his appearances last week, Legault began by defending himself against opponents who have questioned his handling of the pandemic. He has, at various times in the past, used the news conferences to assure Quebecers that he will meet his election promises, or to comment on the latest academic freedom controversy. Time to rethink the model? Arruda, meanwhile, rarely appears in public without either the premier or the health minister by his side, unlike some of his counterparts in other provinces. That has frustrated attempts by journalists and opposition politicians to clarify the public health reasoning behind certain policy decisions, such as the need to rollback the curfew to 8 p.m. in Montreal and Laval, which Legault made at a surprise announcement on Thursday. "It is time to separate political communication from scientific communication," Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, Québec Solidaire's health critic, said in an open letter this weekend. The Parti Québécois's parliamentary leader, Pascal Bérubé, said the government should be announcing major rule changes before the news conferences begin, to allow journalists to prepare questions. Provincial government news conferences — chaired by Premier François Legault, and attended by Health Minister Christian Dubé and Public Health Director Horacio Arruda — have recently become a source of irritation for many.(Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press) "The government has to remember that the news conferences that it holds in connection with the pandemic are not opportunities to show off … but moments to provide clear and complete information to the Quebec public," Bérubé said in an interview with La Presse Canadienne. "We absolutely have to rethink the formula." The political context, of course, is that the opposition has been unable to dent the government's popularity and may be anxious to draw attention to their proposals. But even the National Assembly's press gallery acknowledged it had concerns about how the government distributed information last week. "It is, effectively, a problem," Marco Bélair-Cirino, president of the gallery, said in an interview with the Journal de Montréal on Sunday. The events last night in Montreal, where a large anti-curfew protest devolved into vandalism, underscored the potential for increased resistance to public health measures if the government can't make the case for why they're still necessary.

  • Alberta on track to give 300,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines per week, premier says

    The province is on track to give 300,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine per week, Premier Jason Kenney says. The premier provided an update on Alberta's vaccine rollout Monday morning, hours before massive, rapid flow vaccine clinics were set to open their doors in Calgary and Edmonton. Kenney said he visited the clinic at the Edmonton Expo Centre and was impressed by what he saw. The large Calgary and Edmonton clinics, which can give up to 1,000 doses per hour and 6,000 per day, will begin offering people between the ages of 55 and 64 the AstraZeneca vaccine, he said. The province's "stretch goal" is to give 500,000 doses per week if demand is there, Kenney said. By the end of May there should be about 48 to 50 per cent protection among Albertans, at which point Albertans can expect to see some of the public health restrictions eased, he said. Once 64 per cent of Albertans have immunity, hopefully by the end of June, restrictions may be further eased but masking and distancing will still be encouraged, Kenney said. By September, when hopefully 72 per cent of people have immunity, Alberta could be in full recovery, he said. The premier reiterated that as long as vaccine supplies arrive as promised, every adult in Alberta will be offered at least a first dose by the end of June. 'No credible alternative' Asked about criticism from members of the public and his government over the reintroduction of public health measures as variant cases surged, Kenney said he doesn't like the restrictions either, but there are no other safe options. "We truly concluded that there has been no credible alternative to avoid large-scale, preventable deaths and the overwhelming of the healthcare system," he said. The premier said that in the race between variants and vaccine, the province is losing. He said vaccines are the best hope to turning things around. "We're nearing the end of a long and tiring journey. It is our path to recovery and freedom." More than 865,500 vaccine doses have been administered across the province, and Alberta has one of the best vaccine programs in Canada, he said. Asked about current statistics showing Alberta behind other provinces' immunization rate, Kenney said there have been problems with the data reported to Alberta Health, and the numbers will be updated later Monday. Immunization campaign The province is launching its immunization campaign in stages and distribution continues to ramp up. Phase 2C launched Monday. As of 8 a.m., health-care workers in patient-care facilities or who provide services directly to clients in the community became eligible to book an appointment. Eligible health-care workers include: Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and all other health care professionals and their office or support staff who provide in-person, direct patient care. Individuals working in patient-care facilities or providing services directly to clients in the community for Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health, Alberta Precision Labs, DynaLife and students undertaking placement practicums in clinical areas. Health-care workers on First Nations reserves and Métis settlements. The latest stage of immunization comes as Alberta contends with a worsening third wave of infection, driven by a surge in variant cases. On Sunday, the province reported 1,183 new cases and 942 new variant cases, which now account for about 50.5 per cent of active cases in Alberta. There were 376 people in hospital, including 90 in intensive care. The province also recorded another death, meaning 2,013 Albertans have died of the disease. There were 14,293 active cases across the province, an increase of about 600 active cases from the day before.