Politicians are no match for a virus
OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of the best lines from the original Ghostbusters movie comes after the character Egon Spengler (played by the late Harold Ramis) beholds the evil god Gozer. Says Spengler: “I’m terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought.” Well, that’s kind of how I’m feeling right now in the midst of this Covid-19 crisis. Okay, […]
Charging gray rhinos
GIBSONS, B.C.—The coronavirus is forcing us to learn valuable lessons. Sometimes governments have to act, and quickly, in protecting their citizens. Sometimes governments have to force a closure of business-as-usual, no matter what the cost, in order to protect all of our futures. Sometimes governments have to have a plan to do things not previously […]
‘Busy and worried’: Italian envoy says country is at ‘forefront’ of COVID-19 battle, urges solidarity in global response
Italy is at the “forefront” of the battle against the novel coronavirus, says its ambassador in Canada, who called for international co-operation and support as his country’s confirmed cases—and death toll—rise by the day. Italian Ambassador Claudio Taffuri also urged all global citizens to do their part in staving off the spread of a virus […]
One-third of Canadians haven’t fully adapted behaviour to respond to threat of COVID-19, poll suggests
As COVID-19 cases across Canada continue to grow, and Ottawa unveils a suite of measures to mitigate its spread, a new poll suggests that one-third of people have either not changed their behaviour at all or have made few adjustments. In a poll released on Friday by Innovative Research Group, 34 per cent of those […]
Conservative MPs, union call for stronger Service Canada centre safeguards amid uptick in EI applicants
Visits to Service Canada locations that help administer employment insurance benefits are surging as Canadians across the country look to weather the financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting opposition and union calls for the government to step up efforts to safeguard the health and safety of both front-line federal public service workers and the […]
Feds still mulling over enforcement of Emergencies Act, as Canada, U.S. prepare to close border
The Canada-U.S. border could close as early as Friday night, says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as both countries continue their efforts to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus and the government continues to consider whether to invoke the Emergencies Act. Mr. Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) addressed reporters outside Rideau Cottage, where he is in self-isolation […]
Politics This Morning: Trudeau unveils $82-billion relief package, as Canada, U.S. strike to deal to seal border
Good Thursday morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outlined a sweeping $82-billion relief package, with some measures targeted at those without the safety net of EI, including gig-economy and self-employed workers amid the pandemic. A nearly $10-billion measure, called the “emergency care benefit,” would provide up to $900 in biweekly payments for those who are self-employed, under […]
Canada green-lights two new diagnostic tests, as coronavirus cases surge to more than 600
The federal government is hoping the approval of two diagnostic tests will help Canada boost its ability to administer tests for the novel coronavirus, as officials say the emergence of cases in the last week show signs of community spread. Speaking to reporters Wednesday afternoon, Canada’s chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, noted there […]
Feds pledge to spend $82-billion to shore up economy amid uncertainty over coronavirus fallout
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outlined a sweeping, $82-billion relief package on Wednesday in an effort to alleviate the concerns of Canadians and businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The package includes the creation of the “emergency care benefit,” a nearly $10-billion measure that would provide up to $900 biweekly for workers who are self-employed, […]
‘Decisive action was required’: how MPs and Senators hammered out deal to close Parliament late into the night
It was about 10:30 on the night of March 12 when a small group of MPs and top staffers struck a deal to suspend Parliament amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic. That deal was laid out in a single motion passed in the House the next day, one that included rushing two supply bills through Parliament, […]
