TORONTO —
Vaccine rollout across the country has been off to a rocky and slow start, but with more doses set to arrive in the coming days and weeks, here’s where each province and territory stands on getting shots in arms.
British Columbia
B.C.’s first phase of vaccine delivery is expected to be completed this month with more shots going into arms beginning in March 2021.
Those eligible in the next round of vaccines are seniors over the age of 80, Indigenous seniors aged 65 and over, Elders, health-care workers, vulnerable populations living and working in congregated settings,and staff providing in-home care to seniors.
The general population is expected to begin receiving their first doses of the vaccines in April through to the fall of 2021.
Alberta is in the first stage of getting their population vaccinated, what the province refers to as Phase 1A, which is expected to run until the end of Feb. 2021. This phase will see health-care workers directly in contact with patients receiving doses of the vaccine. All residents of long-term care are also eligible for the vaccine during this period, regardless of age.
The next group in line will focus on people age 75 or older, and Indigenous populations over 65 years who are living on a reservation. This phase is expected to begin in February.
Alberta is expected to receive 14,100 doses of the Moderna vaccine and 54,990 doses of the Pfizer vaccine between Feb. 22 and 28.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan remains in the first stages of their vaccine rollout program, targeting long-term care residents and staff, health-care workers who may come into direct contact with COVID-19 patients, residents age 70 and older, and residents over the age of 50 who live in remote areas.
The province expects to begin vaccinating the general population by April 2021.
Manitoba remains in the first stages of their vaccine rollout schedule. Those currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccines are health-care workers in critical care settings, acute care and long-term care homes, laboratory staff handling COVID-19 specimens, and workers in correctional facilities.
Manitoba is expected to receive 6,100 doses of the Moderna vaccine and 17,550 doses of the Pfizer vaccine between Feb. 22 and 28.
Ontario
Ontario is in the first phase of its vaccine rollout plan which is expected to end in March 2021. The Ontarians eligible in this phase are residents and staff of long-term care facilities for seniors, health-care workers employed at hospitals, Indigenous adults and adults receiving home health care for chronic conditions.
As vaccine supplies and deliveries increase, the province will expand its vaccination program to target younger populations aged 70 and up, and those with chronic health conditions that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Quebec will receive 28,500 doses of the Moderna vaccine and 107,640 doses of the Pfizer vaccine betweenFeb. 22 and 28.
P.E.I.
Prince Edward Island is in the first stage of its vaccine rollout schedule, targeting those most vulnerable to contracting COVID-19.
Those eligible to get their shots include residents and staff of long-term care homes, health-care workers who are in direct contact with patients, seniors over the age of 80, anyone over the age of 18 living in Indigenous communities, and residents and staff of shared living facilities.
The next group of residents eligible for the vaccine include health-care workers who were not included in the first stage, seniors aged 70 and older and essential workers.
For Feb. 22 to 28 PEI will receive 500 Moderna doses and 1,170 Pfizer doses.
New Brunswickers eligible for the vaccine are those living and working in long-term care facilities, health-care workers who are in direct contact with patients, and adults living in First Nations communities.
The next group able to roll up their sleeves are those who live and work in communal living settings, health-care workers not included in the first stage and first responders.
New Brunswick is expected to receive 2,400 Moderna doses and 9,360 Pfizer doses between Feb. 22 and 28.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador continues the first stage of their vaccine plan, working to inoculate the most vulnerable and at risk individuals.
Those eligible for vaccination in the province include people living in long-term care facilities for seniors, health-care workers in direct contact with patients on those involved in the COVID-19 response, and adults in remote or isolated Indigenous communities.
Newfoundland and Labrador are expected to receive 1,800 Moderna doses and 7,020 Pfizer doses between Feb. 22 and 28.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia continues with the first phase of the vaccine rollout plan, targeting high-risk populations in the province.
Nova Scotians eligible for the vaccine are health-care workers who have direct contact with patients, staff and residents of long-term care facilities and staff and residents of the Department of Community Services facilities.
The next round of eligible residents include health-care workers who may have contact with patients, residents and staff of communal living settings, and those who are required to travel out of province regularly for work. Phase 2 will also include people aged 80 and older, as well as those between the ages of 75 and 79, according to the government website.
Nova Scotia will receive 3,000 Moderna doses and 11,700 Pfizer doses between Feb. 22 and 28.
Nunavut
Nunavut is expecting to have enough doses by March 2021 to vaccinate 75 per cent of its population over the age of 18.
The territory is expected to receive 11,000 Moderna doses between Feb. 22 and 28.
Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories continue in the first phase of vaccine rollout targeting priority populations.
Residents eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine are those of an advanced age, members with existing chronic conditions, are at high-risk of spreading the virus, and those living in remote communities.
Yukon continues to vaccinate the most vulnerable and high-risk populations in the territory. Those who live in long-term care settings and frontlinehealth-care workers are able to receive the vaccine.
Into March, all eligible people aged 18 and up in Whitehorse are able to get the vaccine. The territory plans to have enough doses to vaccinate 75 per cent of residents over 18 years of age by the end of March.
Yukon is expected to receive 16,100 doses of the Moderna vaccine between Feb. 22 and 28.
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.
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.
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.
