Journal from isolation: what happens now?
In hindsight, I chose a poor time to take a vacation. My wife and I flew to a resort in Cancun, Mexico, on the morning of March 10, to get some much-needed R&R while my parents watched our children, aged four and (almost) two. As we packed our bags the evening before we left, the […]
Feds asking travellers from abroad to self-identify coronavirus symptoms amid concerns over screening efforts
Canada’s border services officers are now asking travellers arriving in Canada from abroad to declare whether they have any of the symptoms associated with coronavirus and to self-isolate for at least 14 days upon arrival. In a tweet Monday morning, the Canadian Border Services Agency announced “new enhanced measures” that would be in place at […]
Trudeau facing ‘confluence of extremely challenging problems’ in ‘unprecedented’ situation, say pollsters
The daunting set of challenges for the Trudeau government in the first few months of its second mandate—the downing of Ukrainian Flight 752 by an Iranian missile that killed all 176 onboard including 57 Canadians, the Wet’suwet’en solidarity blockades, the coronavirus pandemic crisis, the meltdown in equity markets potentially leading to a recession, the cancellation […]
The Hill braces for Covid-19
As Canada tries to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the Hill is also adjusting. Like many sports leagues across the world, the House of Commons has suspended until April 20, missing two sitting weeks. Access to the House and Senate is being limited to parliamentary personnel and to the Hill media. Tours are being […]
Chinese envoy calls on Canada to take ‘concrete steps’ to resolve Meng extradition issue
China’s ambassador in Ottawa says Canada needs to take “concrete steps” to improve the Canadian-Chinese relationship, but would not say if China shares that responsibility. In an interview at the Chinese embassy on March 12, Cong Peiwu said Canada should “address” the case of detained Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and when that “outstanding issue” is […]
I refuse to join wave of panic reacting to COVID-19
OTTAWA—Call me contrarian. But I refuse to join the wave of panic reacting to the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. Two women in Australia were arrested for fighting over the purchase of toilet paper. People are crossing the street when they see anyone who looks a little different from them. The price of hand sanitizers […]
Coronavirus pandemic shuts down Parliament Hill, all committee travel, parliamentary functions cancelled
PARLIAMENT HILL—From cancelling town halls to abandoning work trips to suspending Parliament until April, the threat of coronavirus has upended federal politicians’ plans and social interactions, forcing them to retreat from many of their engagements as the world grapples with the unpredictable fallout of the pandemic and the prime minister works from home for the […]
Interparliamentary group puts freeze on international travel amid coronavirus fears
The body responsible for approving parliamentary associations’ trips has decided to put a freeze on international travel plans for the coming months as fears grow over the spread of the coronavirus. In a press release on Wednesday, the Joint Interparliamentary Council, which has both Senators and MPs as members, said that it has ordered a […]
Canada ‘very far’ from quarantining measures, says Trudeau, as feds announce $1-billion coronavirus fund
PARLIAMENT HILL—The federal government announced a $1-billion fund Wednesday aimed at mitigating the spread of the coronavirus. Speaking to reporters assembled in the National Press Theatre, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) said, “We have a responsibility to make sure Canada is ready for all scenarios.” The package of measures includes $500-million in support to […]
The first line of defence should be our last resort for the coronavirus
OTTAWA—On March 4, Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance told the audience at the Conference of Defence Association’s annual forum that the Canadian Armed Forces are in the “pre-pandemic” planning mode in response to the global spread of the COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. Vance explained that the CAF’s approach to this planning […]
