Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for Kingston, Frontenac and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health, Dr. Piotr Oglaza, speaks at a virtual press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. Screenshot by Yona Harvey.
With 154 new COVID-19 cases, 1,557 active, and two new school outbreaks, the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) region still has the highest rate of COVID-19 infections in the country, according to Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for KFL&A Public Health.
“Unfortunately, we are still number one on that table,” Oglaza said at a virtual press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. “There is strong evidence that there is spread happening throughout the community. The predominant variant is Omicron.”
Despite high testing rates, the KFL&A region also continues to see a very high positivity rate of around seven per cent. What that indicates is that there is significant community spread, and that there may be a number of cases that have not been reported yet.
Oglaza warned that the incubation period of the new Omicron variant is as early as two days. That means that if someone was exposed to the virus, they start being symptomatic in two days and are already transmitting the virus to others — There might be significant spread already occurring from that one case and their contacts before they get tested, Oglaza explained.
“We might be reaching a point where contact management will have diminishing returns. The message to the public is to stay home when sick. It is now [even] more important with the Omicron variant.”
According to Dr. Oglaza, the rate of infection in KFL&A—as of end of day yesterday—is 500 cases per 100,000 people, with the cases of infection highest in the 18 to 29 age group.
“The incubation period of the new Omicron variant is as early as two days. That means that if someone was exposed to the virus, they start being symptomatic in two days and are already transmitting the virus to others.”
– Dr. Piotr Oglaza, MOH, KFL&A Public Health
“We continue to see the spread among the younger demographic. The reality with the spread among [those aged] 18 to 29 [is that] this is the segment of population who value social interactions. They are less likely to be sick, [and are] likely to engage in social interactions, despite symptoms. We urge those individuals to be really mindful of symptoms and not engage in social interaction while symptomatic. That is the key to slowing this spread,” the MOH explained.
Another way to minimize the impact of the Omicron variant is through booster shots, Oglaza said. KFL&A has so far administered over 56,000 doses for third dose coverage.
“That is a high number considering that third dose roll-out started only recently. On December 20, we administered 9,000 doses throughout the region in one day,” he said,noting that the region has also reached a milestone 90 per cent first dose vaccine coverage for its population who are five years and older.
For those individuals who tried to get the third dose of the vaccine, but were unsuccessful, Oglaza had this to say: “Please, please be patient with us. We will get that third dose to you. We have sufficient doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Our clinics and other avenues are not impacted by [shortage of supplies]. I’m pleased to see the strong demand for third doses.”
Indoor gatherings pose the highest risk for the spread of the virus. Oglaza acknowledged that many individuals in the community have already altered their holiday plans.
“We know that many individuals are planning a cautious approach. Those who are fully vaccinated—the vaccines (will) prevent severe disease, but we will still see spread happening,” he said.
Dr. Oglaza advised that anyone who feels sick needs to self-isolate, whether or not they are tested, as “they are most infectious when they are symptomatic. For those [who test[ positive, the most at-risk are household contacts.”
Ultimately, according to the MOH, it is up to the public to take the advice of the KFL&A Public Health. He offered “three principles” for all KFL&A residents to follow with Christmas weekend ahead.
“Protect themselves, protect each other, protect the community,” Dr. Oglaza stated. “I trust that we can do that in this community.”
TORONTO – Canada Goose Holdings Inc. says it has signed a deal that will result in the creation of its first eyewear collection.
The deal announced on Thursday by the Toronto-based luxury apparel company comes in the form of an exclusive, long-term global licensing agreement with Marchon Eyewear Inc.
The terms and value of the agreement were not disclosed, but Marchon produces eyewear for brands including Lacoste, Nike, Calvin Klein, Ferragamo, Longchamp and Zeiss.
Marchon plans to roll out both sunglasses and optical wear under the Canada Goose name next spring, starting in North America.
Canada Goose says the eyewear will be sold through optical retailers, department stores, Canada Goose shops and its website.
Canada Goose CEO Dani Reiss told The Canadian Press in August that he envisioned his company eventually expanding into eyewear and luggage.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Almost seven years since news broke of an alleged conspiracy to fix the price of packaged bread across Canada, the saga isn’t over: the Competition Bureau continues to investigate the companies that may have been involved, and two class-action lawsuits continue to work their way through the courts.
Here’s a timeline of key events in the bread price-fixing case.
Oct. 31, 2017: The Competition Bureau says it’s investigating allegations of bread price-fixing and that it was granted search warrants in the case. Several grocers confirm they are co-operating in the probe.
Dec. 19, 2017: Loblaw and George Weston say they participated in an “industry-wide price-fixing arrangement” to raise the price of packaged bread. The companies say they have been co-operating in the Competition Bureau’s investigation since March 2015, when they self-reported to the bureau upon discovering anti-competitive behaviour, and are receiving immunity from prosecution. They announce they are offering $25 gift cards to customers amid the ongoing investigation into alleged bread price-fixing.
Jan. 31, 2018: In court documents, the Competition Bureau says at least $1.50 was added to the price of a loaf of bread between about 2001 and 2016.
Dec. 20, 2019: A class-action lawsuit in a Quebec court against multiple grocers and food companies is certified against a number of companies allegedly involved in bread price-fixing, including Loblaw, George Weston, Metro, Sobeys, Walmart Canada, Canada Bread and Giant Tiger (which have all denied involvement, except for Loblaw and George Weston, which later settled with the plaintiffs).
Dec. 31, 2021: A class-action lawsuit in an Ontario court covering all Canadian residents except those in Quebec who bought packaged bread from a company named in the suit is certified against roughly the same group of companies.
June 21, 2023: Bakery giant Canada Bread Co. is fined $50 million after pleading guilty to four counts of price-fixing under the Competition Act as part of the Competition Bureau’s ongoing investigation.
Oct. 25 2023: Canada Bread files a statement of defence in the Ontario class action denying participating in the alleged conspiracy and saying any anti-competitive behaviour it participated in was at the direction and to the benefit of its then-majority owner Maple Leaf Foods, which is not a defendant in the case (neither is its current owner Grupo Bimbo). Maple Leaf calls Canada Bread’s accusations “baseless.”
Dec. 20, 2023: Metro files new documents in the Ontario class action accusing Loblaw and its parent company George Weston of conspiring to implicate it in the alleged scheme, denying involvement. Sobeys has made a similar claim. The two companies deny the allegations.
July 25, 2024: Loblaw and George Weston say they agreed to pay a combined $500 million to settle both the Ontario and Quebec class-action lawsuits. Loblaw’s share of the settlement includes a $96-million credit for the gift cards it gave out years earlier.
Sept. 12, 2024: Canada Bread files new documents in Ontario court as part of the class action, claiming Maple Leaf used it as a “shield” to avoid liability in the alleged scheme. Maple Leaf was a majority shareholder of Canada Bread until 2014, and the company claims it’s liable for any price-fixing activity. Maple Leaf refutes the claims.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Companies in this story: (TSX:L, TSX:MFI, TSX:MRU, TSX:EMP.A, TSX:WN)
TORONTO – TD Bank Group, which is mired in a money laundering scandal in the U.S., says chief executive Bharat Masrani will retire next year.
Masrani, who will retire officially on April 10, 2025, says the bank’s, “anti-money laundering challenges,” took place on his watch and he takes full responsibility.
The bank named Raymond Chun, TD’s group head, Canadian personal banking, as his successor.
As part of a transition plan, Chun will become chief operating officer on Nov. 1 before taking over the top job when Masrani steps down at the bank’s annual meeting next year.
TD also announced that Riaz Ahmed, group head, wholesale banking and president and CEO of TD Securities, will retire at the end of January 2025.
TD has taken billions in charges related to ongoing U.S. investigations into the failure of its anti-money laundering program.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
