On Friday, Oct. 9, jurisdictions around Canada reported 2,558 new cases of COVID-19, along with 31 fatalities and 2,016 recently recovered patients.
Alberta and Quebec combined to withdraw three deaths from previous dates. However, the nationwide updates have increased Canada’s active case count by 514, leaving 19,008 currently infected patients around the country.
The 2,558 new cases that were announced on Friday marks the largest single-day spike Canada has recorded throughout the pandemic. It surpasses the 2,437 cases that were announced on Thursday.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The latest modelling data was presented Friday by Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam. If people don’t start to limit their contacts, we could be seeing up to 5,000 cases a day by late October to early November.” data-reactid=”19″>The latest modelling data was presented Friday by Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam. If people don’t start to limit their contacts, we could be seeing up to 5,000 cases a day by late October to early November.
“We’re at a tipping point in this pandemic,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday morning while reflecting on the rise in cases nationwide.
Ontario started the day reporting a record-high 939 new COVID-19 patients. The update is part of a worrisome trend that has been developing in Canada’s most populous province, which has led to Premier Doug Ford announcing new restrictions for its three hotspots.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="In New Brunswick, the first school related case has been identified in the Campbellton region, forcing a temporary closure of the high school. Due to a recent spike in cases in the Campbellton and Moncton regions, health officials have imposed new restrictions for those areas.” data-reactid=”22″>In New Brunswick, the first school related case has been identified in the Campbellton region, forcing a temporary closure of the high school. Due to a recent spike in cases in the Campbellton and Moncton regions, health officials have imposed new restrictions for those areas.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="For more on today’s top stories and the spread of the novel coronavirus across the country, please refer to our live updates below throughout the day, as well as our COVID-19 news hub.” data-reactid=”23″>For more on today’s top stories and the spread of the novel coronavirus across the country, please refer to our live updates below throughout the day, as well as our COVID-19 news hub.
19,008 active COVID-19 cases in Canada: 178,117 diagnoses, 9,585 deaths and 149,524 recoveries (as of Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m. ET)
Alberta – 2,225 active cases (19,995 total cases, including 282 deaths, 17,488 resolved)
British Columbia – 1,406 active cases (10,185 total cases, 245 deaths, 8,502 resolved)
Manitoba – 933 active cases (2,428 total cases, 30 deaths, 1,465 resolved)
New Brunswick – 37 active cases (238 cases, 2 deaths, 199 resolved)
Newfoundland and Labrador – 6 active case (279 total cases, 4 deaths, 269 resolved)
Northwest Territories – 0 active cases (5 total cases, 5 resolved)
Nova Scotia – 3 active cases (1,089 total cases, 65 deaths 1,021 resolved)
Ontario – 5,652 active cases (57,681 total cases, 2,997 deaths, 49,032 resolved)
Prince Edward Island – 3 active case (61 total cases, 58 resolved)
Quebec – 8,572 active cases (84,094 total cases, 5,936 deaths, 69,586 resolved)
Saskatchewan – 139 active cases (2,034 total cases, 24 deaths, 1,871 resolved)
Yukon – 0 active cases (15 total cases, 15 resolved)
Nunavut – 0 active cases (no resident cases)
CFB Trenton – 0 active cases (13 total cases, 13 resolved)
Ontario sees record-high increase, leading to more restrictions
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Ontario reported a record-high 939 new daily cases of COVID-19, which has prompted Doug Ford’s provincial government to impose new restrictions on hotspots Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa.” data-reactid=”41″>Ontario reported a record-high 939 new daily cases of COVID-19, which has prompted Doug Ford’s provincial government to impose new restrictions on hotspots Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa.
It’s the 12th straight day the province has exceeded the 500-case mark. Ontario’s daily case count continues to increase, breaking its own record on four occasions over two weeks. Before the recent stretch, the province had not reported more than 500 cases since May 2.
“My friends, the situation today is extremely serious,” said Premier Doug Ford. “All trends are going in the wrong direction.”
Of the most recent 939 cases, 336 were identified in Toronto, 150 in Peel, 126 in Ottawa, 68 in York, 59 in Halton, 40 in Hamilton, 32 in Durham, 28 in Simcoe-Muskoka and 24 in Middlesex-London. The remaining 25 public health units reported fewer than 20 cases, while nine of them reported no new patients at all.
The latest patients were identified after the province completed 44,914 tests. The 2.1 per cent positivity rate is the highest it has recorded since June 7.
There are 358 new cases among those 20-39 years old, the most of any age group. There are 266 new cases among those 40-59, 156 among those 19 and under, and 153 involving those who are at least 60 years old. Twelve of the patients involve long-term care residents and 12 involve health-care workers.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="In K-12 schools across Ontario, there are 56 new cases of COVID-19. That includes 32 among students, nine among staff and 15 that have not yet been identified by the Ministry of Health. Fourteen more schools have reported their first patients in the latest 24-hour stretch. Since they reopened in September, there have been 876 total cases among 429 learning institutions. Four of the province’s 4,828 schools have been forced to close.” data-reactid=”51″>In K-12 schools across Ontario, there are 56 new cases of COVID-19. That includes 32 among students, nine among staff and 15 that have not yet been identified by the Ministry of Health. Fourteen more schools have reported their first patients in the latest 24-hour stretch. Since they reopened in September, there have been 876 total cases among 429 learning institutions. Four of the province’s 4,828 schools have been forced to close.
In the latest 24-hour stretch, five more people have died, including two long-term care residents. In addition, 724 patients have recently recovered.
There are now 5,652 active cases throughout the province. The most Ontario has ever had was on April 25, when there were 5,675 infected patients province-wide during the peak of its first wave.
Of those currently infected patients, 2,325 are in Toronto, 970 in Ottawa and 877 in Peel Region and 540 in York.
Across Ontario, there are 225 people in hospital, the most since June 29. That includes 47 in intensive care and 29 who require a ventilator.
<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Quebec sees another 1,000-plus increase, 146 more cases in schools” data-reactid=”56″>Quebec sees another 1,000-plus increase, 146 more cases in schools
Quebec health officials announced 1,102 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday.
It’s now the seventh time in the past eight days that it has eclipsed 1,000-daily cases, a mark no other province has ever hit. Before the recent stretch, Quebec had not reported a 1,000-case increase since May 2.
Of the latest cases, 345 were identified in the nation’s epicentre of Montreal, 182 in Montérégie, 144 in Quebec City, 87 in Laval, 74 in Mauricie-et-Centre-du-Québec, 67 in Chaudière-Appalaches, 54 in Laurentides, 38 in Estrie, 35 in Lanaudière and 31 in Outaouais.
In the latest 24-hour stretch, four more Quebecers have died. Eighteen other fatalities from previous dates were also added to its death toll, while one was recently removed following an investigation into the cause of death. It leaves the death toll at 5,936.
In addition, 1,001 more people have recently recovered from the virus. Throughout the province, there are now 8,572 currently infected patients, which includes 433 in hospital (up by eight since Thursday) and 67 in intensive care (down by one).
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="In K-12 schools around the province, 146 new cases of COVID-19 were identified in the latest 24-hour reporting period, with 127 among students and 19 among staff. In that same stretch, 26 more schools reported their first case of COVID-19, while the province removed 41 class bubbles that they previously reported had shut down.” data-reactid=”66″>In K-12 schools around the province, 146 new cases of COVID-19 were identified in the latest 24-hour reporting period, with 127 among students and 19 among staff. In that same stretch, 26 more schools reported their first case of COVID-19, while the province removed 41 class bubbles that they previously reported had shut down.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Since schools opened, there have been 3,335 cases among students and staff. That includes 116 who recovered in the latest 24-hour stretch, leaving 1,799 currently infected patients in the system. So far, 1,009 schools have had a case of COVID-19, with 781 of them having an active case at the moment. In total, 975 class bubbles have been shut down and asked to learn remotely.” data-reactid=”67″>Since schools opened, there have been 3,335 cases among students and staff. That includes 116 who recovered in the latest 24-hour stretch, leaving 1,799 currently infected patients in the system. So far, 1,009 schools have had a case of COVID-19, with 781 of them having an active case at the moment. In total, 975 class bubbles have been shut down and asked to learn remotely.
Quebec’s testing numbers are reflective of its output from two days prior. Most recently, it completed 29,729 tests for COVID-19, as it continues to push its capacity.
First school case identified in New Brunswick
Classes are cancelled at Sugarloaf High School in Campbellton after the principal confirmed there was a positive case of COVID-19. (Credit: Serge Bouchard/Radio Canada)
Health officials in New Brunswick have announced that there’s been a confirmed case at Sugarloaf High School in Campbellton.
It’s the first school case that has been reported in the province since K-12 learning institutions opened for the fall semester.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The school has since temporarily closed, while students will learn remotely on Oct. 13 and Oct. 14. It will give teachers time to prepare for the transition to full-time online learning for the high school students who live in Quebec, after the province announced the suspension of non-essential travel between the two provinces on Thursday.” data-reactid=”83″>The school has since temporarily closed, while students will learn remotely on Oct. 13 and Oct. 14. It will give teachers time to prepare for the transition to full-time online learning for the high school students who live in Quebec, after the province announced the suspension of non-essential travel between the two provinces on Thursday.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The closure of the school has provided time for cleaning and contact tracing, according to Sugarloaf Senior High School principal Michael O'Toole, who announced the case on Thursday to parents and guardians on the school’s Facebook page.” data-reactid=”84″>The closure of the school has provided time for cleaning and contact tracing, according to Sugarloaf Senior High School principal Michael O’Toole, who announced the case on Thursday to parents and guardians on the school’s Facebook page.
“We understand you may feel anxious over the coming days,” said O’Toole. “Public Health officials will contact you if your child has been in close contact with the confirmed case and will tell you if your child needs to self-isolate.”
Those who haven’t been contacted will be able to continue to attend school when it reopens.
Along with the news about the school-related case, New Brunswick officials announced 13 new patients on Friday. Twelve of them are in the Campbellton zone — which previously just had one case of COVID-19 — while one more patient has been identified in Moncton.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The cases range in age from 20-79 years old. One of the 13 cases is travel-related, as investigations into the other patients continue.” data-reactid=”88″>The cases range in age from 20-79 years old. One of the 13 cases is travel-related, as investigations into the other patients continue.
No link has been found between the outbreaks in Moncton and Campbellton upon an initial investigation.
Throughout New Brunswick, there are now 37 active cases of COVID-19 — the most since April 12. Twenty-one of those currently infected patients are in the Moncton region, 13 are in the Campbellton region, two in the Saint John region and one in the Fredericton region.
A rise in cases became a concern for New Brunswick after at least 19 cases were linked to an outbreak at Manoir Notre-Dame special care home in Moncton. That includes 17 cases that were announced on Wednesday, while there are now 150 people that are self-isolating in connection to the outbreak, said the province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell.
Public health has also identified a potential public exposure to the virus at the McDonald’s Restaurant on Morton Avenue in Moncton. People who visited this location between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5. should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days.
Updates from the rest of Canada
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Manitoba health officials announced 84 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, which marks the second-largest spike it has recorded in a 24-hour stretch. On Aug. 23, the province reported 72 cases, but a day later health officials notified the public that the increase should have been 96 cases.” data-reactid=”99″>Manitoba health officials announced 84 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, which marks the second-largest spike it has recorded in a 24-hour stretch. On Aug. 23, the province reported 72 cases, but a day later health officials notified the public that the increase should have been 96 cases.
Of the most recent 84 patients, 64 were identified in Manitoba, 12 in Interlake-Eastern, seven in Southern health and one in Prairie Mountain. Three more people have died in the province. The latest victims involve a female in her 80s and a female in her 70s, both from Winnipeg and linked to the outbreak at Parkview Place, and a female in her 80s from Winnipeg linked to Heritage Lodge.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Manitoba officials also notified the public about possible exposures at two schools, one in Winnipeg and the other in Kleefeld. In the latest 24-hour stretch, 11 more people have recovered. However, the province’s active case count went up to 933. It’s now the 12th time in the past 14 days that it has hit a new record high for currently infected Manitobans.” data-reactid=”101″>Manitoba officials also notified the public about possible exposures at two schools, one in Winnipeg and the other in Kleefeld. In the latest 24-hour stretch, 11 more people have recovered. However, the province’s active case count went up to 933. It’s now the 12th time in the past 14 days that it has hit a new record high for currently infected Manitobans.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Two new cases were identified in Newfoundland and Labrador, which increases its active case count to six. One of the recent cases is a female in her 40s in the Western Health region. She is a close contact of a previously identified patient. The other case is a man in his 40s in the Eastern Health region. Officials are “asking people who travelled on Air Canada Flight 690 from Toronto to St. John’s on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, to call 811 to arrange for COVID-19 testing.”” data-reactid=”102″>Two new cases were identified in Newfoundland and Labrador, which increases its active case count to six. One of the recent cases is a female in her 40s in the Western Health region. She is a close contact of a previously identified patient. The other case is a man in his 40s in the Eastern Health region. Officials are “asking people who travelled on Air Canada Flight 690 from Toronto to St. John’s on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, to call 811 to arrange for COVID-19 testing.”
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="In Alberta, 277 new cases of COVID-19 were identified by health officials. A woman in her 80s, linked to the outbreak at Shepherd’s Care Millwoods Long Term Care Centre in Edmonton, has passed away. However, the province has removed two fatalities from its death toll. In the latest 24-hour stretch, 150 patients have recovered, which leaves 2,225 active cases in the province. The Edmonton zone is home to 1,329 of those currently infected individuals, while the Calgary zone is home to 628. Around schools in the province, there are 76 that have had outbreaks declared, meaning there have been at least two cases among students and staff within a 14-day stretch.” data-reactid=”103″>In Alberta, 277 new cases of COVID-19 were identified by health officials. A woman in her 80s, linked to the outbreak at Shepherd’s Care Millwoods Long Term Care Centre in Edmonton, has passed away. However, the province has removed two fatalities from its death toll. In the latest 24-hour stretch, 150 patients have recovered, which leaves 2,225 active cases in the province. The Edmonton zone is home to 1,329 of those currently infected individuals, while the Calgary zone is home to 628. Around schools in the province, there are 76 that have had outbreaks declared, meaning there have been at least two cases among students and staff within a 14-day stretch.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="British Columbia health officials have identified 119 new patients, which includes four epi-linked cases. No one has died in the province’s latest 24-hour stretch, while 104 have recovered. There are now 1,406 active cases province-wide, with 3,180 people in self-isolation since they were in contact with a previously identified patient. There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at the Good Samaritan Delta View Care Centre.” data-reactid=”104″>British Columbia health officials have identified 119 new patients, which includes four epi-linked cases. No one has died in the province’s latest 24-hour stretch, while 104 have recovered. There are now 1,406 active cases province-wide, with 3,180 people in self-isolation since they were in contact with a previously identified patient. There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at the Good Samaritan Delta View Care Centre.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Saskatchewan health officials have identified 22 new cases of COVID-19, throughout the Saskatoon (five), Northern Central (four), Central East (four), Central West (three), Regina (two), South Central (two) and Far North East (two) zones. Twenty-six more people have recovered in that same stretch, which leaves 139 active cases in the province. Eight of those currently infected individuals are in hospital. The Central East zone has the most active cases with 42, as it continues to deal with outbreaks in Yorkton.” data-reactid=”105″>Saskatchewan health officials have identified 22 new cases of COVID-19, throughout the Saskatoon (five), Northern Central (four), Central East (four), Central West (three), Regina (two), South Central (two) and Far North East (two) zones. Twenty-six more people have recovered in that same stretch, which leaves 139 active cases in the province. Eight of those currently infected individuals are in hospital. The Central East zone has the most active cases with 42, as it continues to deal with outbreaks in Yorkton.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Nova Scotia reported no new patients on Friday, as its active case count remains at three. As of Prince Edward Island’s latest update on Oct. 6, there are three currently infected patients in its jurisdiction.” data-reactid=”106″>Nova Scotia reported no new patients on Friday, as its active case count remains at three. As of Prince Edward Island’s latest update on Oct. 6, there are three currently infected patients in its jurisdiction.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="For a timeline of all cases before today, please visit this page.” data-reactid=”107″>For a timeline of all cases before today, please visit this page.
MONTREAL – Travel company Transat AT Inc. reported a loss in its latest quarter compared with a profit a year earlier as its revenue edged lower.
The parent company of Air Transat says it lost $39.9 million or $1.03 per diluted share in its quarter ended July 31.
The result compared with a profit of $57.3 million or $1.49 per diluted share a year earlier.
Revenue in what was the company’s third quarter totalled $736.2 million, down from $746.3 million in the same quarter last year.
On an adjusted basis, Transat says it lost $1.10 per share in its latest quarter compared with an adjusted profit of $1.10 per share a year earlier.
Transat chief executive Annick Guérard says demand for leisure travel remains healthy, as evidenced by higher traffic, but consumers are increasingly price conscious given the current economic uncertainty.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
Dollarama Inc.’s food aisles may have expanded far beyond sweet treats or piles of gum by the checkout counter in recent years, but its chief executive maintains his company is “not in the grocery business,” even if it’s keeping an eye on the sector.
“It’s just one small part of our store,” Neil Rossy told analysts on a Wednesday call, where he was questioned about the company’s food merchandise and rivals playing in the same space.
“We will keep an eye on all retailers — like all retailers keep an eye on us — to make sure that we’re competitive and we understand what’s out there.”
Over the last decade and as consumers have more recently sought deals, Dollarama’s food merchandise has expanded to include bread and pantry staples like cereal, rice and pasta sold at prices on par or below supermarkets.
However, the competition in the discount segment of the market Dollarama operates in intensified recently when the country’s biggest grocery chain began piloting a new ultra-discount store.
The No Name stores being tested by Loblaw Cos. Ltd. in Windsor, St. Catharines and Brockville, Ont., are billed as 20 per cent cheaper than discount retail competitors including No Frills. The grocery giant is able to offer such cost savings by relying on a smaller store footprint, fewer chilled products and a hearty range of No Name merchandise.
Though Rossy brushed off notions that his company is a supermarket challenger, grocers aren’t off his radar.
“All retailers in Canada are realistic about the fact that everyone is everyone’s competition on any given item or category,” he said.
Rossy declined to reveal how much of the chain’s sales would overlap with Loblaw or the food category, arguing the vast variety of items Dollarama sells is its strength rather than its grocery products alone.
“What makes Dollarama Dollarama is a very wide assortment of different departments that somewhat represent the old five-and-dime local convenience store,” he said.
The breadth of Dollarama’s offerings helped carry the company to a second-quarter profit of $285.9 million, up from $245.8 million in the same quarter last year as its sales rose 7.4 per cent.
The retailer said Wednesday the profit amounted to $1.02 per diluted share for the 13-week period ended July 28, up from 86 cents per diluted share a year earlier.
The period the quarter covers includes the start of summer, when Rossy said the weather was “terrible.”
“The weather got slightly better towards the end of the summer and our sales certainly increased, but not enough to make up for the season’s horrible start,” he said.
Sales totalled $1.56 billion for the quarter, up from $1.46 billion in the same quarter last year.
Comparable store sales, a key metric for retailers, increased 4.7 per cent, while the average transaction was down2.2 per cent and traffic was up seven per cent, RBC analyst Irene Nattel pointed out.
She told investors in a note that the numbers reflect “solid demand as cautious consumers focus on core consumables and everyday essentials.”
Analysts have attributed such behaviour to interest rates that have been slow to drop and high prices of key consumer goods, which are weighing on household budgets.
To cope, many Canadians have spent more time seeking deals, trading down to more affordable brands and forgoing small luxuries they would treat themselves to in better economic times.
“When people feel squeezed, they tend to shy away from discretionary, focus on the basics,” Rossy said. “When people are feeling good about their wallet, they tend to be more lax about the basics and more willing to spend on discretionary.”
The current economic situation has drawn in not just the average Canadian looking to save a buck or two, but also wealthier consumers.
“When the entire economy is feeling slightly squeezed, we get more consumers who might not have to or want to shop at a Dollarama generally or who enjoy shopping at a Dollarama but have the luxury of not having to worry about the price in some other store that they happen to be standing in that has those goods,” Rossy said.
“Well, when times are tougher, they’ll consider the extra five minutes to go to the store next door.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2024.
TORONTO – The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has ordered TD Bank Group to pay US$28 million for repeatedly sharing inaccurate, negative information about its customers to consumer reporting companies.
The agency says TD has to pay US$7.76 million in total to tens of thousands of victims of its illegal actions, along with a US$20 million civil penalty.
It says TD shared information that contained systemic errors about credit card and bank deposit accounts to consumer reporting companies, which can include credit reports as well as screening reports for tenants and employees and other background checks.
CFPB director Rohit Chopra says in a statement that TD threatened the consumer reports of customers with fraudulent information then “barely lifted a finger to fix it,” and that regulators will need to “focus major attention” on TD Bank to change its course.
TD says in a statement it self-identified these issues and proactively worked to improve its practices, and that it is committed to delivering on its responsibilities to its customers.
The bank also faces scrutiny in the U.S. over its anti-money laundering program where it expects to pay more than US$3 billion in monetary penalties to resolve.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2024.
