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Mask-wearing a ‘personal choice’ as COVID-19 measures ease: PHAC – Global News

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Canada’s deputy chief public health officer says mask-wearing is a “personal choice” and he’ll personally continue to wear a mask as the ongoing easing of COVID-19 public health measures continues.

Several provinces across the country lifted their mask mandates earlier this week, while others will follow suit soon.

“Clearly mask-wearing is a well-tested, tried and true personal protective practice,” Dr. Howard Njoo said during a Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) press conference Friday. “Is it a mandatory requirement? No, it’s a personal choice under one’s individual risk assessment.”

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COVID-19 patients may be infected with multiple variants at the same time: studies

He said it’s time now to give Canadians the opportunity to take personal responsibility to make their own choice in terms of risk management whether it comes to travelling or engaging in activities.

Saskatchewan did away with mandatory masking on Feb. 28, while Alberta lifted the requirement on March 1.

Mask mandates in Ontario will be removed by the end of March and the Quebec government will ease mask requirements starting in April.

Read more:

COVID-19 — No end in sight for Waterloo Region’s state of emergency

Canada’s top doctor, Dr. Theresa Tam, says whether Canadians decide to wear a mask or not, it’s important not to stigmatize people who do.

“Think about who you are with … maybe they’re at higher risk, so (have) that consideration for others,” Tam said Friday at the same press conference.

She said COVID-19 is still “circulating widely” and the epidemiological situation is variable across the country, but compared with last week, COVID-19 case counts have gone down by 4.5 per cent.

“While some jurisdictions are currently reporting increased case counts, ongoing easing of public health measures could lead to increased transmission in more areas over the coming weeks,” Tam said.

Like Njoo, Tam also called on Canadians not to forget the personal protective habits they’ve learned, like wearing a mask and staying home when sick.


Click to play video: 'COVID-19: ‘Good level’ of protection against Omicron in community, Tam says'



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COVID-19: ‘Good level’ of protection against Omicron in community, Tam says


COVID-19: ‘Good level’ of protection against Omicron in community, Tam says

Tam said if it’s Omicron that’s circulating in the next few months, then Canadians have a “very good level of protection in the community,” but cautioned that officials may need to re-evaluate the risk to Canadians if another variant emerges. She also warned Canadians can expect to see an increase in COVID-19 cases as people start travelling and places continue to open up to fuller capacity.

However, with strong protection from vaccines and declining hospitalizations due to COVID-19, Tam said “we need to turn our focus on easing societal disruption” caused by public health measures.

“This is a time of recovery as well as time to address the broader impacts of the pandemic while being ready to respond to future potentially severe waves,” she added.

© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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RCMP arrest second suspect in deadly shooting east of Calgary

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EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.

Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.

Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.

Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.

Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.

RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.

Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.

“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.

But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.

“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.

While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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26-year-old son is accused of his father’s murder on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast

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RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.

Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.

The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.

It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.

Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.

The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Metro Vancouver’s HandyDART strike continues after talks break with no deal

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VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.

Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”

However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.

McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”

About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.

McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.

He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.

The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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