Canada added another 6,178 new cases of the novel coronavirus Sunday as news of more politicians travelling abroad during the pandemic despite strict travel advisories came to the forefront.
Sunday’s update pushed Canada’s total COVID-19 cases to 597,397, of which 504,900 have since recovered. A total of 15,865 people have now also died from the virus after 151 more deaths were announced, while 18,731,000 tests have been administered.
While the Global News’ tally currently lists the country’s total caseload at just over 597,000, Canada’s total infections is suspected to have already surpassed the 600,000-mark Sunday due to several provinces and territories not releasing new COVID-19 data either during the holidays or over the weekend.
A new tally of cases released by Health Canada places the country’s total caseload at 601,663 — primarily due to its counting of Alberta’s new coronavirus infections, which has not seen an official release by the province since Dec. 30. Other provinces like B.C., Nova Scotia and P.E.I., as well as the Northwest Territories and Yukon did not release new COVID-19 on Sunday, offering a limited snapshot of the virus’ spread across Canada.
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The federal government also said Sunday that it was mulling over whether it would exclude people travelling overseas from a benefit for those who have to quarantine due to the virus.
2:18 Coronavirus: COVID-19 infection rate climbs among Montreal’s homeless
Coronavirus: COVID-19 infection rate climbs among Montreal’s homeless
Launched in the fall to help Canadians unable to work due to quarantining amid the pandemic, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit allowed $500 per week for a maximum of two weeks.
“The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit was never intended to incentivize or encourage Canadians to not follow public health or international travel guidelines,” the statement said.
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“We strongly urge all Canadians to avoid non-essential travel.”
My statement on the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit and its eligibility criteria. pic.twitter.com/2lY9ZSPdmU
Pierrefonds—Dollard MP Sameer Zuberi recently traveled to Delaware to see his wife’s sick grandfather, while Kamal Khera, who represents Brampton West, flew to Seattle to attend a private memorial for her deceased uncle. Both returned on Dec. 31, and have since resigned from their government and parliamentary roles.
1:58 Coronavirus: Advocate says lack of masks can lead to isolation
Coronavirus: Advocate says lack of masks can lead to isolation
Three other Liberal MPs were also found to have traveled overseas in 2020, though all had done so in the summer or fall when travel restrictions were loosened and new cases were at a low. These include Alexandra Mendès, the MP for Brossard—Saint-Lambert, Lyne Bessette who represents Brome—Missisquoi and Patricia Lattanzio who was elected to Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel.
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Ontario added another 2,964 cases on Sunday as well as 25 additional deaths during its daily update. The province’s total caseload and death toll now stands at 190,962 and 4,650, respectively.
Quebec on Sunday reported more than 7,600 new COVID-19 cases over a three-day period, as well as an additional 121 deaths from the virus. Of those cases and deaths, 2,869 infections and 11 fatalities were recorded over the past 24-hours.
Saskatchewan added another 238 cases Sunday, pushing its provincial total to 16,083 while Manitoba added 100 more infections.
In Atlantic Canada, only New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador reported new COVID-19 data, with N.B. adding seven more cases. N.L. did not record any new cases Sunday.
While Alberta did not officially release new COVID-19 data on Sunday, health authorities there estimated a total of 400 new cases on Jan. 2. The province’s last case count as of Dec. 30 stood at 100,428.
Nunavut did not report any new COVID-19 cases in its daily update Sunday.
Worldwide, cases of the novel coronavirus continue to increase as infections topped 85,095,000 according to Johns Hopkins University. A total of 1,842,590 people have since succumbed to the virus, with the U.S., India and Brazil leading in both cases and deaths.
TORONTO – The first teenager to be sentenced in the death of a Toronto homeless man will not face further time in custody, and instead participate in a community-based program.
The girl, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was 13 at the time of the alleged December 2022 attack on Kenneth Lee, was credited for 15 months of effective pre-trial custody and will serve another 15 months of probation under an Intensive Support and Supervision Program.
Justice David Stewart Rose says the sentence reflects that the teen has taken accountability for her actions by pleading guilty, and experienced institutional malfeasance while in custody, such as being forced to strip naked during searches.
Police have alleged Lee, who was 59 and living in the city’s shelter system, died after he was swarmed and stabbed by a group of girls.
Seven other teens who were between the ages of 13 and 16 at the time were arrested and charged in the case.
Three others pleaded guilty in the case – two to manslaughter and one to assault causing bodily harm – while another four are set to stand trial next year — three for second-degree murder and one for manslaughter.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024.
OTTAWA – Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the government is making some changes to mortgage rules to help more Canadians to purchase their first home.
She says the changes will come into force in December and better reflect the housing market.
The price cap for insured mortgages will be boosted for the first time since 2012, moving to $1.5 million from $1 million, to allow more people to qualify for a mortgage with less than a 20 per cent down payment.
The government will also expand its 30-year mortgage amortization to include first-time homebuyers buying any type of home, as well as anybody buying a newly built home.
On Aug. 1 eligibility for the 30-year amortization was changed to include first-time buyers purchasing a newly-built home.
Justice Minister Arif Virani is also releasing drafts for a bill of rights for renters as well as one for homebuyers, both of which the government promised five months ago.
Virani says the government intends to work with provinces to prevent practices like renovictions, where landowners evict tenants and make minimal renovations and then seek higher rents.
The government touts today’s announced measures as the “boldest mortgage reforms in decades,” and it comes after a year of criticism over high housing costs.
The Liberals have been slumping in the polls for months, including among younger adults who say not being able to afford a house is one of their key concerns.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024.
OTTAWA – The head of a federal inquiry into foreign interference says she will not be publicly identifying parliamentarians suspected by a spy watchdog of meddling in Canadian affairs.
The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians raised eyebrows earlier this year with a public version of a secret report that said some parliamentarians were “semi-witting or witting” participants in the efforts of foreign states to meddle in Canadian politics.
Although the report didn’t name individuals, the blunt findings prompted a flurry of concern that members knowingly involved in interference might still be active in politics.
As inquiry hearings resume today, commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue cautions that the allegations are based on classified information, which means the inquiry can neither make them public, nor even disclose them to the people in question.
As a result, she says, the commission of inquiry won’t be able to provide the individuals with a meaningful opportunity to defend themselves.
However, Hogue adds, the commission plans to address the allegations in the classified version of its final report and make recommendations.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024.
