nationalobserver--2020-11-03--Victoria mayor says mural on systemic racism has led to 'difficult conversations'

Mayor Lisa Helps says the vandalism of art in public places is n't acceptable after a mural in Victoria that has sparked a debate over freedom of expression and systemic racism was defaced on the weekend .
The `` More Justice , More Peace '' mural was vandalized with spray paint on Saturday morning .
The mural in the city 's Bastion Square was criticized by the police chief in August because it included the acronym ACAB , which is commonly held to mean `` All Cops Are Bastards '' or `` All Cops Are Bad . ''
Chief Del @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeply disrespectful '' to those who serve in the police department .
The artists recently removed the acronym that was inside the letter 'S ' in the mural .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • What will the U.S. election do to hate in Canada ?
• Most mechanics 'scared ' to work on electric vehicles , industry veteran says They also added a message saying the mural had been censored .
The message reads : `` This letter has been censored by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Department .
In doing so , Victoria is contributing to the silencing of Black and Indigenous voices and experiences across this land . ''
In a statement on Monday , Helps said she was disappointed by the vandalism , adding that the new language on the mural fits with the city 's public art policy `` and is a reflection of the artists ’ experience of the past few weeks and months . ''
`` This is a very challenging situation .
There are very difficult conversations that have been happening regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city .
And these difficult conversations will continue to happen . ''
On Friday , Manak expressed his disappointment with the censorship message added to the mural , saying it is `` as offensive , if not more so , than the original anti-police rhetoric in the initial artwork . ''
`` In my opinion , the divisive message contained in this artwork is inaccurate , misinformed , and disrespectful , '' he said in a statement .
`` It is an affront to the women and men of the Victoria Police Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , compassion and honour . ''
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps says the vandalism of art in public places is n't acceptable after a mural in Victoria that has sparked a debate over freedom of expression and systemic racism was defaced .
# racism # bcpoli # Victoria Helps said `` difficult conversations lie ahead '' for the city .
“ We need to recognize power imbalances , recognize systemic discrimination , recognize that right now there is an 'us ' and a 'them ' with different access to power , to institutions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic security . ''
The mural is the work of 17 artists and is meant to raise awareness of injustices suffered by Black and Indigenous people as well as others .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 2 , 2020 .

Mayor Lisa Helps says the vandalism of art in public places isn't acceptable after a mural in Victoria that has sparked a debate over freedom of expression and systemic racism was defaced on the weekend. The "More Justice, More Peace" mural was vandalized with spray paint on Saturday morning. The mural in the city's Bastion Square was criticized by the police chief in August because it included the acronym ACAB, which is commonly held to mean "All Cops Are Bastards" or "All Cops Are Bad." Chief Del Manak said the anti-police slogan was "deeply disrespectful" to those who serve in the police department. The artists recently removed the acronym that was inside the letter 'S' in the mural.
They also added a message saying the mural had been censored. The message reads: "This letter has been censored by the City of Victoria influenced by the Victoria Police Department. In doing so, Victoria is contributing to the silencing of Black and Indigenous voices and experiences across this land.'' Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions In a statement on Monday, Helps said she was disappointed by the vandalism, adding that the new language on the mural fits with the city's public art policy "and is a reflection of the artists’ experience of the past few weeks and months."
"This is a very challenging situation. There are very difficult conversations that have been happening regarding the systemic racism that exists in our city. And these difficult conversations will continue to happen." Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps says the vandalism of art in public places isn't acceptable after a mural in Victoria that has sparked a debate over freedom of expression and systemic racism was defaced. #racism #bcpoli #Victoria On Friday, Manak expressed his disappointment with the censorship message added to the mural, saying it is "as offensive, if not more so, than the original anti-police rhetoric in the initial artwork." "In my opinion, the divisive message contained in this artwork is inaccurate, misinformed, and disrespectful," he said in a statement. "It is an affront to the women and men of the Victoria Police Department, who serve our communities with integrity, compassion and honour." Helps said "difficult conversations lie ahead" for the city. “We need to recognize power imbalances, recognize systemic discrimination, recognize that right now there is an 'us' and a 'them' with different access to power, to institutions, to jobs, to resources, to economic security."


nationalobserver--2020-11-03--No budget yet for federal Liberals' promise to plant two billion trees by 2030

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 's massive tree-planting promise from the 2019 election has yet to be allocated a single dime .
Trudeau pledged a year ago that the government would plant two billion more trees by 2030 , or about 200 million extra trees per year .
It was to be part of a $ 3-billion , decade-long effort to manage , conserve and restore forests , grasslands and wetlands , starting with $ 300 million in 2020-21 .
It was clear last month that no trees had been planted this year , a failure Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Now it has become clear the program was never given any money .
`` We are awaiting a budget decision , '' said Beth MacNeil , assistant deputy minister of the Canadian Forest Service , before the House of Commons ' natural-resources committee on Oct. 30 .
`` But in the meantime we do continue , myself and my team , since late last fall to engage with potential partners . ''
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • What will the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Most mechanics 'scared ' to work on electric vehicles , industry veteran says Alberta Conservative MP Rachael Harder said called the lack of a budget for tree planting `` shameful . ''
`` It 's a tree scam , '' she said .
NDP environment critic Laurel Collins agreed with Harder that the Liberals have constantly promised to take action on climate change but the follow-through has been abysmal .
Collins said the fact the tree promise did n't even have a budget yet is `` kind of shocking . ''
Typically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each year in Canada , and the pledge for two billion more over a decade was to be on top of that .
Over 10 years , that would have meant about 33 million more trees a month during tree-planting season .
Over the nine years left , the government will have to plant at least 37 million more a month .
In mid-June , O'Regan said he was hoping the summer would be `` one of the most ambitious '' tree-planting seasons Canada had ever seen but was trying to figure out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs to keep workers safe in the era of COVID-19 .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 's massive tree-planting promise from the 2019 election has yet to be allocated a single dime .
# trudeau # cdnpoli # Liberals `` It 's setting up to be and will be a good down payment on our commitment to two billion ( trees ) . ''
he said in an interview June 15 .
The government ultimately provided $ 30 million to tree-planting companies and pulp and paper mills to improve COVID-19 safety measures .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the added money that was available , not a single tree planter actually contracted COVID , '' MacNeil said Friday .
`` So the extra measures that we took — extra vehicles , extra dining halls , right along the whole tree-planting value chain , the protection of communities that these tree-planters went into — was a success , and all 600 million trees got planted this year . ''
O'Regan 's spokesman , Ian Cameron , said Monday the extra planting will be done .
He did not explain why there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but said the government is finalizing the program 's design , including where the trees will be planted , what kind of trees they will be , and how they will be monitored to see how many survive .
MacNeil said two billion trees will cover an area twice the size of Prince Edward Island .
Forests can be large carbon sinks , absorbing millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide , keeping it from trapping more heat in our atmosphere .
However when trees die , they emit the carbon dioxide they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada 's forests have been a net contributor to global warming , emitting more carbon than they are absorbing .
The Forest Products Association of Canada last winter outlined for the government some of the challenges inherent in fulfilling its tree-planting pledge , including the pressures on nurseries to grow millions more seedlings for planting — seedlings can take one to four years to mature .

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's massive tree-planting promise from the 2019 election has yet to be allocated a single dime. Trudeau pledged a year ago that the government would plant two billion more trees by 2030, or about 200 million extra trees per year. It was to be part of a $3-billion, decade-long effort to manage, conserve and restore forests, grasslands and wetlands, starting with $300 million in 2020-21. It was clear last month that no trees had been planted this year, a failure Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan's staff chalked up to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now it has become clear the program was never given any money. "We are awaiting a budget decision," said Beth MacNeil, assistant deputy minister of the Canadian Forest Service, before the House of Commons' natural-resources committee on Oct. 30. "But in the meantime we do continue, myself and my team, since late last fall to engage with potential partners."
Alberta Conservative MP Rachael Harder said called the lack of a budget for tree planting "shameful." "It's a tree scam," she said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions NDP environment critic Laurel Collins agreed with Harder that the Liberals have constantly promised to take action on climate change but the follow-through has been abysmal.
Collins said the fact the tree promise didn't even have a budget yet is "kind of shocking." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's massive tree-planting promise from the 2019 election has yet to be allocated a single dime. #trudeau #cdnpoli #Liberals Typically about 600 million trees are already planted each year in Canada, and the pledge for two billion more over a decade was to be on top of that. Over 10 years, that would have meant about 33 million more trees a month during tree-planting season. Over the nine years left, the government will have to plant at least 37 million more a month. In mid-June, O'Regan said he was hoping the summer would be "one of the most ambitious" tree-planting seasons Canada had ever seen but was trying to figure out how to help tree-planting companies facing increased costs to keep workers safe in the era of COVID-19. "It's setting up to be and will be a good down payment on our commitment to two billion (trees)." he said in an interview June 15. The government ultimately provided $30 million to tree-planting companies and pulp and paper mills to improve COVID-19 safety measures.
"I'm very happy to report that with the added money that was available, not a single tree planter actually contracted COVID," MacNeil said Friday. "So the extra measures that we took — extra vehicles, extra dining halls, right along the whole tree-planting value chain, the protection of communities that these tree-planters went into — was a success, and all 600 million trees got planted this year." O'Regan's spokesman, Ian Cameron, said Monday the extra planting will be done. He did not explain why there hasn't been a budget allocated yet, but said the government is finalizing the program's design, including where the trees will be planted, what kind of trees they will be, and how they will be monitored to see how many survive.


nationalobserver--2020-11-03--Canada approves first HIV self-test in long-awaited move to reduce screening barriers

Federal regulators have approved the first HIV self-test in Canada in a long-awaited move that experts say is critical to diagnosing people who do n't know they have the virus .
Health Canada granted a medical device licence on Monday to a one-minute , finger-prick blood test manufactured by Richmond , B.C.-based bioLytical Laboratories .
The move comes after a concerted effort by health-care providers and community organizers to get Canada to catch up to the dozens of other countries that have adopted HIV self-testing technology , which has been endorsed by the World Health Organization as a tool to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As of 2016 , there were more than 63,000 Canadians living with HIV , one in seven of whom were unaware of their condition , according to estimates released by the Public Health Agency of Canada .
Dr. Sean Rourke , who led a clinical trial that regulators assessed as part of their review of bioLytical 's self-test kit , said the approval could be the `` missing piece '' to reaching the roughly 9,000 people in Canada with undiagnosed HIV , allowing them to access life-extending treatment and preventing further transmission of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • What will the U.S. election do to hate in Canada ?
• Most mechanics 'scared ' to work on electric vehicles , industry veteran says `` It opens up some incredible doors , '' said Rourke , a scientist with the Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael 's Hospital in Toronto .
`` We 've had for a number of years traditional opportunities for testing ... but self-testing allows people to test at home or where they live . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Self Test is more than 99 per cent accurate compared to traditional laboratory results .
The question was whether people would understand how to use it , said Rourke .
He helped launch a study in August 2019 involving roughly 700 participants at four sites across Ontario , Quebec and Manitoba to assess whether users could follow the self-test 's instructions and accurately interpret the results .
The findings , which are being reviewed for publication , suggest that more than 92 per cent of participants successfully performed the `` critical '' steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drawing a drop of blood and mixing it with solutions .
BioLytical 's chief scientific officer Michelle Zaharik said the research indicates the self-test is accessible to people of all backgrounds in all parts of Canada .
The device 's instructions have been tweaked to further reduce room for user error , she said .
Canadian regulators have approved the first HIV self-test in Canada .
# HIV # testing Zaharik said the next step will be sitting down with stakeholders and government officials to determine a strategy to bring the product to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a price , Zaharik said bioLytical is working to ensure that the self-test is `` affordable and accessible '' for every Canadian .
The diagnostics company is also working with U.S. regulators to make the device available across North America , said Zaharik .
Rourke said the rollout could n't come soon enough as the COVID-19 crisis has heightened the hurdles that prevent people from getting tested .
According to roughly 300 front-line providers he surveyed in August and September , the pandemic has cut access to clinical HIV testing services nearly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national self-testing strategy , said Rourke .
In January , Rourke is teaming up with community organizations to launch a telehealth program that will distribute 60,000 free self-tests and connect people with care providers .
But Rourke said it 'll take a much broader public health effort to fill the gaps in the system that have left many populations without access to HIV testing .
`` There needs to be a stronger voice that it 's not acceptable in Canada , when you have the science that we have for HIV and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we can to make sure everyone has access to them . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3 , 2020 .

Federal regulators have approved the first HIV self-test in Canada in a long-awaited move that experts say is critical to diagnosing people who don't know they have the virus. Health Canada granted a medical device licence on Monday to a one-minute, finger-prick blood test manufactured by Richmond, B.C.-based bioLytical Laboratories. The move comes after a concerted effort by health-care providers and community organizers to get Canada to catch up to the dozens of other countries that have adopted HIV self-testing technology, which has been endorsed by the World Health Organization as a tool to reduce the number of undetected infections. As of 2016, there were more than 63,000 Canadians living with HIV, one in seven of whom were unaware of their condition, according to estimates released by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Dr. Sean Rourke, who led a clinical trial that regulators assessed as part of their review of bioLytical's self-test kit, said the approval could be the "missing piece" to reaching the roughly 9,000 people in Canada with undiagnosed HIV, allowing them to access life-extending treatment and preventing further transmission of the disease.
"It opens up some incredible doors," said Rourke, a scientist with the Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. "We've had for a number of years traditional opportunities for testing ... but self-testing allows people to test at home or where they live." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions According to bioLytical, the INSTI HIV Self Test is more than 99 per cent accurate compared to traditional laboratory results. The question was whether people would understand how to use it, said Rourke.
He helped launch a study in August 2019 involving roughly 700 participants at four sites across Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba to assess whether users could follow the self-test's instructions and accurately interpret the results. Canadian regulators have approved the first HIV self-test in Canada. #HIV #testing The findings, which are being reviewed for publication, suggest that more than 92 per cent of participants successfully performed the "critical" steps to complete the test, which involves drawing a drop of blood and mixing it with solutions. BioLytical's chief scientific officer Michelle Zaharik said the research indicates the self-test is accessible to people of all backgrounds in all parts of Canada. The device's instructions have been tweaked to further reduce room for user error, she said. Zaharik said the next step will be sitting down with stakeholders and government officials to determine a strategy to bring the product to market. While she couldn't pinpoint a price, Zaharik said bioLytical is working to ensure that the self-test is "affordable and accessible" for every Canadian. The diagnostics company is also working with U.S. regulators to make the device available across North America, said Zaharik.
Rourke said the rollout couldn't come soon enough as the COVID-19 crisis has heightened the hurdles that prevent people from getting tested. According to roughly 300 front-line providers he surveyed in August and September, the pandemic has cut access to clinical HIV testing services nearly in half, reinforcing the need for a national self-testing strategy, said Rourke. In January, Rourke is teaming up with community organizations to launch a telehealth program that will distribute 60,000 free self-tests and connect people with care providers.


nationalobserver--2020-11-03--Disband the anti-Indigenous RCMP and start over

The Mounties fiddled while the Mi ’ kmaq fisheries burned .
That viral video of RCMP officers idly watching arson at lobster pounds convinced National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Perry Bellegarde to disrupt his normally conflict-averse Twitter feed with a public call for the resignation of RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki .
Bellegarde called it a year of “ civil unrest , ” which , he says , included racist attacks on Mi ’ kmaq fishermen on the East Coast , RCMP raids in Wet ’ suwet ’ en territory and an officer needlessly tackling and punching Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Inuk man purposely smacked to the ground by the door of a moving police cruiser in the North .
When she was appointed in 2018 , Lucki was given a mandate to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples , promote gender equality , address workplace harassment and protect the civil liberties of Canadians .
Bellegarde clearly doesn ’ t think the RCMP is hitting the note on reconciliation .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • What will the U.S. election do to hate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work on electric vehicles , industry veteran says The B.C .
Civil Liberties Association isn ’ t happy with her record , either .
Earlier this year , the group filed a formal complaint about the RCMP ’ s use of so-called `` exclusion zones , '' wide swatches of areas where officers claim extraordinary powers to detain , search and arrest people .
As it turned out , the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission ( CRCC ) , which oversees the RCMP , had already warned the force it was operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RCMP decided to ignore that caution .
And full disclosure as a press freedom advocate : I have personally used up the goodwill of a half-dozen pro-bono lawyers and drained about a litre of ink since January trying to keep the RCMP from harassing , illegally detaining or unlawfully arresting journalists .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Public Safety Minister Bill Blair are so far defending Lucki , saying she has the right vision and just needs more time to change the culture at the RCMP .
After all , change doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CRCC issued a report panning the force for a long-standing and deeply rooted culture of harassment and workplace bullying .
It described the culture as “ toxic , ” and suggested investigations were being impacted and the public trust eroded .
It will take more than increased civilian oversight or body cameras to fix the # RCMP — it 's time to reimagine the force , writes @ NatObserver columnist @ karyn_pugliese .
# reconciliation # cdnpoli The report describes an internal structure that protects toxic behaviour such as bullying , gender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good cops to keep their heads down and punishes whistleblowers .
Although problems had been apparent for more than a decade , the CRCC said RCMP leadership resisted change and had largely ignored its past recommendations .
Shortly after that , Commissioner Bob Paulson apologized to thousands of female officers and civilians who had been sexually assaulted or harassed by members of the force .
Victims were compensated , but there was no public reckoning for the perpetrators .
The public was only told a small but “ potent minority ” of men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in the harassment or assault of more than 3,000 women , what discipline they faced and whether they are still active on the force was not made public .
And one could go back further , in RCMP history , a national inquiry panned the RCMP for its handling of investigations into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls , numerous cases of excessive force , a number of incidents where the RCMP overstepped their legal powers and the killing of Inuit sled dogs .
At its base , the RCMP was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their lands and enforce the residential school system even when it meant tearing children out of the arms of mothers .
This is by no means a complete list .
So , in 2018 , when Lucki , a 31-year veteran of the force , walked into the top job and accepted the mandate , her eyes should have been wide open to the issues .
But when she was recently asked if racism was systemic , she fumbled , finally stating that it is an individual issue .
Essentially , Lucki is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad apples .
The truth is toxic behaviour is rarely a solo act .
Bad apples grow in an environment that nurtures them , excuses their behaviour and protects them .
Consider this : shortly after Colten Boushie , a 22-year-old Cree youth , was shot in the back of the head , an RCMP officer wrote the following in a Facebook group : “ Too bad the kid died but he got what he deserved ... How many of us work on or near reserves and are getting fed up with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets caught breaking the law ?
” Lucki refused to make the officer ’ s name public for privacy reasons , which is standard for the RCMP .
The officer was disciplined on the `` lower level '' of the force ’ s disciplinary spectrum , which Lucki described as some form of reconciliation with the Indigenous community .
Otherwise , the officer ’ s position on the force was not impacted .
In an interview with APTN News , Lucki called the officer ’ s behaviour unacceptable .
But the more serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist sentiments on the force went unaddressed .
Meanwhile , APTN News has captured dozens more RCMP officers openly posting racist statements about Indigenous people on social media .
They are anecdotal but point to a pattern repeated in case after case by the RCMP .
Lucki ’ s failure to see that pattern , to understand that the problem is not a few individuals but a system that has a deeply rooted toxic culture , is why she can not fix the RCMP .
The city of Camden , N.J. , faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent-crime rate was out of control , the police force was considered incompetent at best , corrupt at worst .
Attempts to fix the internal culture at the heart of the problem had failed .
So they scrapped the force .
The process was tough and controversial .
The results are not perfect .
But few Camden residents would deny the new force is a vast improvement over the old one .
Removing Lucki and appointing a new commissioner will not fix the RCMP .
It will take more than increased civilian oversight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up through the ranks has already normalized an unacceptable culture .
It ’ s time to think about disbanding the RCMP and starting over .

The Mounties fiddled while the Mi’kmaq fisheries burned. That viral video of RCMP officers idly watching arson at lobster pounds convinced National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Perry Bellegarde to disrupt his normally conflict-averse Twitter feed with a public call for the resignation of RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki. Bellegarde called it a year of “civil unrest,” which, he says, included racist attacks on Mi’kmaq fishermen on the East Coast, RCMP raids in Wet’suwet’en territory and an officer needlessly tackling and punching Chief Allan Adam in the West, and an Inuk man purposely smacked to the ground by the door of a moving police cruiser in the North. When she was appointed in 2018, Lucki was given a mandate to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, promote gender equality, address workplace harassment and protect the civil liberties of Canadians. Bellegarde clearly doesn’t think the RCMP is hitting the note on reconciliation.
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association isn’t happy with her record, either. Earlier this year, the group filed a formal complaint about the RCMP’s use of so-called "exclusion zones," wide swatches of areas where officers claim extraordinary powers to detain, search and arrest people. As it turned out, the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC), which oversees the RCMP, had already warned the force it was operating beyond its powers. Apparently, the RCMP decided to ignore that caution. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions And full disclosure as a press freedom advocate: I have personally used up the goodwill of a half-dozen pro-bono lawyers and drained about a litre of ink since January trying to keep the RCMP from harassing, illegally detaining or unlawfully arresting journalists.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Public Safety Minister Bill Blair are so far defending Lucki, saying she has the right vision and just needs more time to change the culture at the RCMP. After all, change doesn’t happen overnight. It will take more than increased civilian oversight or body cameras to fix the #RCMP — it's time to reimagine the force, writes @NatObserver columnist @karyn_pugliese. #reconciliation #cdnpoli True enough. Problems with RCMP long predate Lucki’s appointment. In 2017, the CRCC issued a report panning the force for a long-standing and deeply rooted culture of harassment and workplace bullying. It described the culture as “toxic,” and suggested investigations were being impacted and the public trust eroded. The report describes an internal structure that protects toxic behaviour such as bullying, gender and racial discrimination, one that encourages good cops to keep their heads down and punishes whistleblowers. Although problems had been apparent for more than a decade, the CRCC said RCMP leadership resisted change and had largely ignored its past recommendations.
Shortly after that, Commissioner Bob Paulson apologized to thousands of female officers and civilians who had been sexually assaulted or harassed by members of the force. Victims were compensated, but there was no public reckoning for the perpetrators. The public was only told a small but “potent minority” of men were responsible. How many men were involved in the harassment or assault of more than 3,000 women, what discipline they faced and whether they are still active on the force was not made public. And one could go back further, in RCMP history, a national inquiry panned the RCMP for its handling of investigations into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, numerous cases of excessive force, a number of incidents where the RCMP overstepped their legal powers and the killing of Inuit sled dogs. At its base, the RCMP was set up to force Indigenous people off their lands and enforce the residential school system even when it meant tearing children out of the arms of mothers. This is by no means a complete list.


nationalobserver--2020-11-05--No plans for green recovery in Doug Ford’s 2020 budget

The Ontario government delivered a budget focused on COVID-19 Thursday , with record-high spending pouring into pandemic response and tax cuts , but no whiff of a green recovery .
At a time when Canada is seeking to cut greenhouse gas emissions and other jurisdictions ’ COVID-19 recovery plans have used green investments to boost the economy — like British Columbia , which included measures targeting carbon pollution — Ontario ’ s budget did not include much on the environment .
“ A lot of jurisdictions are talking about a just recovery and a green recovery , but you did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this Progressive Conservative government , ” she said .
“ I don ’ t think those are part of their vocabulary.
” • Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • Christian school with ties to Ford questioned if climate change is ‘ Earth worship ’ • She moved to Canada to escape living under Donald Trump Budgets are normally released in March , meant to outline the government ’ s spending plans for the year .
But as COVID-19 took hold this spring , Ontario delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The province ’ s deficit will soar to a new high of $ 38.5 billion this year , as projected in August .
Spending will also be record-breaking , with the government ’ s budget swelling to $ 187 billion — an unprecedented spending plan for a government that , before COVID-19 , had pledged to balance the province 's books .
“ It ’ s an outstanding budget , ” Premier Doug Ford said of the delayed version released Thursday , saying the funding was needed to pay for the province 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 45 billion in COVID-related supports over the next three years , spanning health response , funding for people and business , and economic stimulus measures .
It ’ s focused on three pillars : “ protect , ” “ support ” and “ recover.
” Unlike the Progressive Conservatives ’ 2019 budget , this one didn ’ t make dramatic overall cuts to ministry spending .
In terms of new environmental investments , however , it outlined very little .
“ A lot of jurisdictions are talking about a just recovery and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't hear any of these words from this Progressive Conservative government , ” said Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath .
# onpoli The budget allocated some money for green spaces : a one-time investment of $ 6 million to spruce up camping facilities at Ontario parks , and $ 20 million over four years to help conservation authorities buy more protected land that ’ s currently privately owned .
It also included new funding for water programs , including $ 15 million over two years to improve the management of stormwater and wastewater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lake Ontario .
Another $ 10 million has been set aside to monitor and report to the public about sewage that flows into the Great Lakes , plus $ 12 million over two years will be put towards a pilot program to try to detect COVID-19 outbreaks early through wastewater testing .
The government also announced plans to expand the “ quality and quantity ” of the Greenbelt , a strip of protected lands encircling the Greater Toronto Area .
That could include increasing conservation space or setting aside land for a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget points specifically to the East Humber Headwaters in King Township , Ont.
, on the Oak Ridges Moraine , an ecologically important ridge that is part of the Greenbelt .
The document didn ’ t note a specific timeline or amount of funding for the potential park , and elsewhere it noted that the government plans to build a major highway cutting through the Greenbelt .
“ There ’ s nothing of substance here , ” said Keith Brooks , a programs director at the green non-profit Environmental Defence .
Ontario Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should have included funding for measures like electric vehicles and lowering the cost of storing green energy .
Instead , he added , the province is approving developments like one in Pickering , Ont.
, that would pave over a protected wetland .
“ Economists , business leaders around the world are saying that the smart money is in green recovery , ” he said .
Opposition parties also criticized the budget for failing to deliver significant new funding for long-term care and health care .

The Ontario government delivered a budget focused on COVID-19 Thursday, with record-high spending pouring into pandemic response and tax cuts, but no whiff of a green recovery. At a time when Canada is seeking to cut greenhouse gas emissions and other jurisdictions’ COVID-19 recovery plans have used green investments to boost the economy — like British Columbia, which included measures targeting carbon pollution — Ontario’s budget did not include much on the environment. Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath called it a missed opportunity. “A lot of jurisdictions are talking about a just recovery and a green recovery, but you didn't hear any of these words from this Progressive Conservative government,” she said. “I don’t think those are part of their vocabulary.”
Budgets are normally released in March, meant to outline the government’s spending plans for the year. But as COVID-19 took hold this spring, Ontario delayed releasing its budget until the fall. The province’s deficit will soar to a new high of $38.5 billion this year, as projected in August. Spending will also be record-breaking, with the government’s budget swelling to $187 billion — an unprecedented spending plan for a government that, before COVID-19, had pledged to balance the province's books. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “It’s an outstanding budget,” Premier Doug Ford said of the delayed version released Thursday, saying the funding was needed to pay for the province's COVID-19 response.
The 2020 budget includes $45 billion in COVID-related supports over the next three years, spanning health response, funding for people and business, and economic stimulus measures. It’s focused on three pillars: “protect,” “support” and “recover.” “A lot of jurisdictions are talking about a just recovery and a green recovery, but you didn't hear any of these words from this Progressive Conservative government,” said Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath. #onpoli Unlike the Progressive Conservatives’ 2019 budget, this one didn’t make dramatic overall cuts to ministry spending. In terms of new environmental investments, however, it outlined very little. The budget allocated some money for green spaces: a one-time investment of $6 million to spruce up camping facilities at Ontario parks, and $20 million over four years to help conservation authorities buy more protected land that’s currently privately owned. It also included new funding for water programs, including $15 million over two years to improve the management of stormwater and wastewater that can cause sewage to overflow into Lake Ontario. Another $10 million has been set aside to monitor and report to the public about sewage that flows into the Great Lakes, plus $12 million over two years will be put towards a pilot program to try to detect COVID-19 outbreaks early through wastewater testing.
The government also announced plans to expand the “quality and quantity” of the Greenbelt, a strip of protected lands encircling the Greater Toronto Area. That could include increasing conservation space or setting aside land for a new provincial park in the GTA. The budget points specifically to the East Humber Headwaters in King Township, Ont., on the Oak Ridges Moraine, an ecologically important ridge that is part of the Greenbelt. The document didn’t note a specific timeline or amount of funding for the potential park, and elsewhere it noted that the government plans to build a major highway cutting through the Greenbelt.


nationalobserver--2020-11-05--Why should young people care about Ontario’s 2020 budget?

There wasn ’ t much relief for university students in the provincial budget unveiled on Thursday , with the Ontario government of Premier Doug Ford more focused on young people looking to get into the trades .
The delayed budget for 2020-21 featured tax relief and promises of lower electricity bills for business in an update to government spending plans also meant to protect people from COVID-19 , support them and their livelihoods and start to recover from the pandemic .
Recalling the promise Ford made in March to do whatever it takes to get Ontario through the crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promise has not changed , and it will not change.
” Post-secondary students have been calling for the province to extend a temporary deferral of loans due under the Ontario Student Assistance Program ( OSAP ) , which expired at the end of September , but there was no hint of that in the fiscal plan .
The government will instead expand the loan program to those enrolled in approved micro-credential programs .
It is spending almost $ 60 million over three years to boost the use of the bite-sized education modules , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it tries to match workers to the types of jobs industries think they ’ ll need .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • Christian school with ties to Ford questioned if climate change is ‘ Earth worship ’ • She moved to Canada to escape living under Donald Trump The government will also spend $ 17 million this year to boost its youth apprenticeship program for high school students , and $ 6 million to promote the trades to elementary and high school students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to regain jobs lost in the early months of the pandemic , and those in and around Toronto and Ottawa again likely bore the brunt of last month ’ s renewed restrictions for hospitality and other work they often do .
Monthly federal jobs data released on Oct. 9 showed that Canadian youth employment was still 10 per cent below where it was in February , despite 62,000 more young women and 66,000 more young men working .
The provincial budget said it would help tourism and hospitality workers and other industries hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job opportunities , offering $ 180.5 million over three years for career development .
The budget also includes another one-time payment to parents of $ 200 per child under the age of 12 and $ 250 per child under the age of 21 with special needs , similar to what was offered in the weeks after the pandemic first hit .
That ’ ll cost $ 380 million , adding to the $ 378 million spent in the first round .
And it provided another $ 60 million over three years for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , double an existing budget that was set to expire .
There wasn ’ t much relief for university students in the provincial budget unveiled on Thursday .
# onpoli The budget comes months late , after the one almost ready to be presented to the legislature back in March was entirely subsumed by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Ottawa created a specific relief payment for students earlier in the pandemic but did not renew or replace it when emergency worker benefits were turned to several types of recovery payments .
The strain of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic put particular stress on two of the biggest parts of society the province is in charge of funding and operating : health care and education .
Critics say they have underspent on the pandemic-related needs for both , leading to backlogged results from an insufficient number of tests and unsafe classrooms .
It is planning to spend $ 45 billion over three years in pandemic-related response , an update to the $ 30-billion price tag it affixed to it in August .
Outside of pandemic response , the Ford government said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher in 2020-21 than they were in 2019-20 ( $ 31 billion versus $ 30.2 billion ) , but plans to flatten that out to $ 31.1 billion and $ 31.3 billion in 2021-22 and 2022-23 , respectively .
Post-secondary spending is likely to tick steadily higher in the outlook , hitting $ 11.2 billion by 2022-23 .
Health-care spending , again not including the additional spending to equip it to fight COVID-19 , is set to rise to $ 64.6 billion in 2020-21 and onward from there to $ 67 billion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ sober truth that we will be facing this pandemic for some time ” and that Ontario stands at a pivotal point .
The province expects to record a 6.5 per cent fall in real GDP this year , rebounding to 4.9 per cent in 2021 before cooling to 3.5 and two per cent in 2022 and 2023 .
It pointed to significant uncertainty in the outlook , however , noting that private-sector economists had a 2.4 percentage point spread in their 2020 GDP forecasts , more than three times the average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in 2009 , in the wake of the global financial crisis .
To that end , it also presented its own “ alternative economic scenarios ” of growth of as much as 7.5 per cent and as low as 3.3 per cent in 2021 , as well as a one to 3.1 per cent range for 2022 , and 1.4 to 2.3 per cent in 2023 .

There wasn’t much relief for university students in the provincial budget unveiled on Thursday, with the Ontario government of Premier Doug Ford more focused on young people looking to get into the trades. The delayed budget for 2020-21 featured tax relief and promises of lower electricity bills for business in an update to government spending plans also meant to protect people from COVID-19, support them and their livelihoods and start to recover from the pandemic. Recalling the promise Ford made in March to do whatever it takes to get Ontario through the crisis, Finance Minister Rod Phillips said “this promise has not changed, and it will not change.” Post-secondary students have been calling for the province to extend a temporary deferral of loans due under the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), which expired at the end of September, but there was no hint of that in the fiscal plan. The government will instead expand the loan program to those enrolled in approved micro-credential programs. It is spending almost $60 million over three years to boost the use of the bite-sized education modules, which grant workers specific certifications, as it tries to match workers to the types of jobs industries think they’ll need.
The government will also spend $17 million this year to boost its youth apprenticeship program for high school students, and $6 million to promote the trades to elementary and high school students. Younger people have been the slowest to regain jobs lost in the early months of the pandemic, and those in and around Toronto and Ottawa again likely bore the brunt of last month’s renewed restrictions for hospitality and other work they often do. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Monthly federal jobs data released on Oct. 9 showed that Canadian youth employment was still 10 per cent below where it was in February, despite 62,000 more young women and 66,000 more young men working.
The provincial budget said it would help tourism and hospitality workers and other industries hit hard by job loss with training and job opportunities, offering $180.5 million over three years for career development. There wasn’t much relief for university students in the provincial budget unveiled on Thursday. #onpoli The budget also includes another one-time payment to parents of $200 per child under the age of 12 and $250 per child under the age of 21 with special needs, similar to what was offered in the weeks after the pandemic first hit. That’ll cost $380 million, adding to the $378 million spent in the first round. And it provided another $60 million over three years for the province’s Black Youth Action Plan, double an existing budget that was set to expire. The budget comes months late, after the one almost ready to be presented to the legislature back in March was entirely subsumed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ottawa created a specific relief payment for students earlier in the pandemic but did not renew or replace it when emergency worker benefits were turned to several types of recovery payments.
Broader numbers The strain of dealing with the long-running effects of the pandemic put particular stress on two of the biggest parts of society the province is in charge of funding and operating: health care and education. Critics say they have underspent on the pandemic-related needs for both, leading to backlogged results from an insufficient number of tests and unsafe classrooms.


nationalobserver--2020-11-05--Federal environment minister defends offshore drilling rules amid biodiversity concerns

Canada ’ s environment minister defended government regulations Wednesday related to the impacts of oil drilling off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador .
Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson told the House of Commons environment committee that “ all drilling projects must respect high environmental standards ” after a Bloc Québécois MP raised questions about a government rule change meant to help industry .
Monique Pauzé asked Wilkinson about the Liberal government ’ s announcement in June that it was excluding individual exploratory offshore drilling projects from having to undergo a federal impact assessment .
One of Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newfoundland Slope is also east of St. John ’ s .
The 55,000-square-kilometre section of the ocean is important for biodiversity since it contains fragile corals and sponges that help out other marine life by acting as spawning grounds or nurseries , according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans .
“ In your documents , you talk about biodiversity of oceans , ” Pauzé asked Wilkinson in French .
“ You excluded important offshore drilling projects from environmental assessments ... is there not a contradiction in terms of what the government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there are biodiversity issues with things such as whales and other species .
They ’ re very important , ” said Wilkinson in response in French .
He noted that he was the former fisheries and oceans minister , and in that capacity , had “ worked on this in great detail.
” Canada ’ s environment minister defended government regulations Wednesday related to the impacts of oil drilling off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador .
# cdnpoli “ Our regulations establish clear processes for drilling projects offshore , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects must respect high environmental standards and the regulations are clear , ” Wilkinson said .
“ We can protect the environment and support this industry as well.
” Equinor 's two discoveries appear to have been made to the southeast of the marine refuge 's southern tip based on location data sourced from the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board and the fisheries department .
“ Safe operations to ensure regulatory and environmental integrity are critical in all of Equinor 's activities , ” said Equinor head of communications Alex Collins .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in , or proximate to , the Northeast Newfoundland Slope marine refuge area.
” Wilkinson was at the committee to respond to questions related to the government ’ s main estimates , a standard document that shows the estimated spending from federal organizations .
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada announced Oct. 28 that it was implementing a “ followup program ” for the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore oil drilling regional assessment , and invited the public to comment on the program ’ s draft terms of reference through Dec. 12 .

Canada’s environment minister defended government regulations Wednesday related to the impacts of oil drilling off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson told the House of Commons environment committee that “all drilling projects must respect high environmental standards” after a Bloc Québécois MP raised questions about a government rule change meant to help industry. Monique Pauzé asked Wilkinson about the Liberal government’s announcement in June that it was excluding individual exploratory offshore drilling projects from having to undergo a federal impact assessment. That change was touted by the government at the time as lending a helping hand to Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore oil industry, which has been battered by the pandemic’s economic toll as well as low global oil prices. Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan said it was the “number 1” request that “business and investors” had been asking for. Last week, energy company Equinor said it had discovered oil in two locations east of St. John’s following an exploration drilling campaign. Newfoundland and Labrador's oil and gas industry group called the discoveries, which Equinor made with partner BP Canada, an “encouraging” sign for business “at a time when encouraging news is needed.”
Locations of oil discoveries off the coast of St. John's and the Northeast Newfoundland Slope marine refuge. Photo C-NLOPB, DFO, Canada's National Observer Equinor says ‘environmental integrity’ is ‘critical’ Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Environmental groups have raised concerns about the government’s exploratory drilling exemption. WWF-Canada, Sierra Club Canada Foundation and Ecology Action Centre have said a larger regional assessment of the impacts of exploratory oil drilling off the province’s coast was “flawed” and so cannot be used as a basis for allowing individual exemptions.
One of Canada’s marine refuges, the Northeast Newfoundland Slope is also east of St. John’s. The 55,000-square-kilometre section of the ocean is important for biodiversity since it contains fragile corals and sponges that help out other marine life by acting as spawning grounds or nurseries, according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Canada’s environment minister defended government regulations Wednesday related to the impacts of oil drilling off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. #cdnpoli “In your documents, you talk about biodiversity of oceans,” Pauzé asked Wilkinson in French. “You excluded important offshore drilling projects from environmental assessments ... is there not a contradiction in terms of what the government’s saying?” “Of course, there are biodiversity issues with things such as whales and other species. They’re very important,” said Wilkinson in response in French. He noted that he was the former fisheries and oceans minister, and in that capacity, had “worked on this in great detail.” “Our regulations establish clear processes for drilling projects offshore, such as those in Newfoundland, and all drilling projects must respect high environmental standards and the regulations are clear,” Wilkinson said. “We can protect the environment and support this industry as well.” Equinor's two discoveries appear to have been made to the southeast of the marine refuge's southern tip based on location data sourced from the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board and the fisheries department.
“Safe operations to ensure regulatory and environmental integrity are critical in all of Equinor's activities,” said Equinor head of communications Alex Collins. “The wells mentioned are not located in, or proximate to, the Northeast Newfoundland Slope marine refuge area.” Wilkinson was at the committee to respond to questions related to the government’s main estimates, a standard document that shows the estimated spending from federal organizations. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada announced Oct. 28 that it was implementing a “followup program” for the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore oil drilling regional assessment, and invited the public to comment on the program’s draft terms of reference through Dec. 12.


nationalobserver--2020-11-05--Kenney urges Albertans to 'up our game' on COVID

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says it ’ s time to “ up our game ” when it comes to COVID-19 by putting a lid on super-spreader house parties .
Alberta reported a one-day record of 622 cases on Friday and hospitalizations due to the infection continue to increase .
“ If the case count continues to grow that will be reflected in additional pressure on the hospital system , and that ’ s why Albertans should be seriously concerned , ” Kenney said at a news conference Monday .
“ It ’ s time for Albertans , for us all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said his United Conservative government has taken steps to control the spread of COVID-19 , including limiting to 15 the number of people allowed at most social gatherings in Edmonton and Calgary .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • Christian school with ties to Ford questioned if climate change is ‘ Earth worship ’ • She moved to Canada to escape living under Donald Trump He said the government is adding to the 800 contract tracers already in place and working to speed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more advertising and public education rollouts , he added .
Kenney acknowledged the increase in cases stemming from private house parties is hitting hard , but said closing bars and restaurants would not rectify that .
“ My message is : Knock it off , ” Kenney said .
“ We get it .
We ’ re all sick and tired of this .
We ’ re impatient .
I totally understand younger people especially want to get together with their friends .
That ’ s just natural .
But I would just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selfish.
” He said officials were able to trace a number of deaths in a nursing home to someone ’ s house party .
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says it ’ s time to “ up our game ” when it comes to COVID-19 by putting a lid on super-spreader house parties .
As of Friday , the province had more than 5,000 active cases with 140 people in hospital , 25 of them in intensive care .
The death toll stood at 323 .
The coronavirus has also hit Alberta ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget deficit is predicted to explode to $ 24 billion from about $ 6 billion .
Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley said Kenney is not doing enough to keep Albertans safe or to bail out the economy .
“ This premier is essentially sleepwalking this province into an unavoidable economic lockdown , which will be bad for the economy , ” she said before question period .
“ This premier is abdicating his responsibility to take action simply by repeating the ‘ personal responsibility ’ mantra , but unfortunately failing to acknowledge what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( rising ) case numbers.
” Notley wants an accelerated response , including hiring more than 1,300 contact tracers and making the COVID-19 national tracing app available in Alberta immediately .
“ Her critique can not be taken seriously when she says Alberta has done nothing , ” he said .
“ We have spent over 700-million additional dollars in the health-care system alone .

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says it’s time to “up our game” when it comes to COVID-19 by putting a lid on super-spreader house parties. Alberta reported a one-day record of 622 cases on Friday and hospitalizations due to the infection continue to increase. “If the case count continues to grow that will be reflected in additional pressure on the hospital system, and that’s why Albertans should be seriously concerned,” Kenney said at a news conference Monday. “It’s time for Albertans, for us all, to up our game.” Kenney said his United Conservative government has taken steps to control the spread of COVID-19, including limiting to 15 the number of people allowed at most social gatherings in Edmonton and Calgary.
He said the government is adding to the 800 contract tracers already in place and working to speed up test turnaround times. There will be more advertising and public education rollouts, he added. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Kenney acknowledged the increase in cases stemming from private house parties is hitting hard, but said closing bars and restaurants would not rectify that.
“My message is: Knock it off,” Kenney said. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says it’s time to “up our game” when it comes to COVID-19 by putting a lid on super-spreader house parties. “We get it. We’re all sick and tired of this. We’re impatient. I totally understand younger people especially want to get together with their friends. That’s just natural. But I would just say: please don’t be selfish.” He said officials were able to trace a number of deaths in a nursing home to someone’s house party. As of Friday, the province had more than 5,000 active cases with 140 people in hospital, 25 of them in intensive care. The death toll stood at 323. The coronavirus has also hit Alberta’s economy hard. This year’s budget deficit is predicted to explode to $24 billion from about $6 billion.
Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley said Kenney is not doing enough to keep Albertans safe or to bail out the economy. “This premier is essentially sleepwalking this province into an unavoidable economic lockdown, which will be bad for the economy,” she said before question period. “This premier is abdicating his responsibility to take action simply by repeating the ‘personal responsibility’ mantra, but unfortunately failing to acknowledge what we see developing in terms of the (rising) case numbers.”


nationalobserver--2020-11-05--Could the U.S. learn from Canada about elections?

The United States could have avoided the `` crippling political paralysis '' it is experiencing if it had a central elections administrator like in other democracies , says an American professor who teaches in Canada .
Prof. Jason Opal of the history and classical studies department at McGill University in Montreal said he worries his country 's `` hyper-partisan hatred '' will worsen even as millions of mail-in ballots are being counted .
Elections Canada is an example of a national agency that should have provided lessons for his country at least 20 years ago when the winner of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , he said in an interview on Wednesday .
President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden have both suggested they would emerge as the victors , with Trump saying he would turn to the Supreme Court before ballots were counted in several battleground states including Pennsylvania and Michigan .
Opal said it 's time for the United States to reconsider its use of the electoral college , which since 1787 has put the election of presidents in the hands of 538 electors chosen by state legislatures .
Victory is based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • Christian school with ties to Ford questioned if climate change is ‘ Earth worship ’ • She moved to Canada to escape living under Donald Trump `` One party perceives itself as benefiting from the electoral college or the absence of a standardized institution , '' said Oppal , who moved to Canada 11 years ago and cast his ballot by mail a month ago in his last home state of Maine .
He said the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western democracies '' in not having an organization like Elections Canada .
`` It 's kind of ironic because the U.S. is the first at this with really long democratic traditions , well preceding that of Canada .
But they have not been updated , they are really showing their age .
They 're sclerotic and they ca n't handle this kind of hyper-partisan hatred . ''
Regardless of who wins the White House , Opal said many Americans are anxious about a system that may cast doubts on the legitimacy of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in ballots before , on , or after election day .
`` That 's why this is just a mess .
There is no national democratic standard for how votes are counted and when they are counted , '' he said .
`` It 's just hard not to imagine continued political paralysis in my home country .
It really is a bad situation . ''
Elections Canada was established a century ago as an independent non-partisan body to administer federal elections as part of a parliamentary system that is similar to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The United States could have avoided the `` crippling political paralysis '' it is experiencing if it had a central elections administrator like in other democracies , says an American professor who teaches in Canada .
Dianna English , spokeswoman for Democrats Aboard in Canada , said even within the 50 states , local decision-making at the county level means U.S. elections become highly politicized .
`` There are certainly things that states can do better .
We would certainly love it if the state legislatures in many of these states like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sooner , '' she said from Toronto , where she moved from New York about 18 months ago .
`` Right now , I 'm feeling a desire for leadership within our country to protect the process for all American voters , particularly for those of us who vote from outside the United States and need to send our ballots in by mail or fax or email for our voice to be heard . ''
She sent her ballot to New York by courier because of concerns about timely delivery by the U.S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman of Republicans Abroad Canada , said the election system is based on important historical precedence and he does n't see any chance of the two major parties agreeing to change it .
At the very least , there should be a standard for accepting mail-in ballots , he said .

The United States could have avoided the "crippling political paralysis" it is experiencing if it had a central elections administrator like in other democracies, says an American professor who teaches in Canada. Prof. Jason Opal of the history and classical studies department at McGill University in Montreal said he worries his country's "hyper-partisan hatred" will worsen even as millions of mail-in ballots are being counted. Elections Canada is an example of a national agency that should have provided lessons for his country at least 20 years ago when the winner of the presidential race was undeclared for nearly three weeks, he said in an interview on Wednesday. President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden have both suggested they would emerge as the victors, with Trump saying he would turn to the Supreme Court before ballots were counted in several battleground states including Pennsylvania and Michigan. Opal said it's time for the United States to reconsider its use of the electoral college, which since 1787 has put the election of presidents in the hands of 538 electors chosen by state legislatures. Victory is based on getting at least 270 electoral college votes.
"One party perceives itself as benefiting from the electoral college or the absence of a standardized institution," said Oppal, who moved to Canada 11 years ago and cast his ballot by mail a month ago in his last home state of Maine. He said the "U.S. is by far the outlier in Western democracies" in not having an organization like Elections Canada. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "It's kind of ironic because the U.S. is the first at this with really long democratic traditions, well preceding that of Canada. But they have not been updated, they are really showing their age. They're sclerotic and they can't handle this kind of hyper-partisan hatred."
Regardless of who wins the White House, Opal said many Americans are anxious about a system that may cast doubts on the legitimacy of the results based on states counting millions of mail-in ballots before, on, or after election day. The United States could have avoided the "crippling political paralysis" it is experiencing if it had a central elections administrator like in other democracies, says an American professor who teaches in Canada. "That's why this is just a mess. There is no national democratic standard for how votes are counted and when they are counted," he said. "It's just hard not to imagine continued political paralysis in my home country. It really is a bad situation." Elections Canada was established a century ago as an independent non-partisan body to administer federal elections as part of a parliamentary system that is similar to the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Dianna English, spokeswoman for Democrats Aboard in Canada, said even within the 50 states, local decision-making at the county level means U.S. elections become highly politicized. "There are certainly things that states can do better. We would certainly love it if the state legislatures in many of these states like Michigan allowed the votes to be counted sooner," she said from Toronto, where she moved from New York about 18 months ago.
"Right now, I'm feeling a desire for leadership within our country to protect the process for all American voters, particularly for those of us who vote from outside the United States and need to send our ballots in by mail or fax or email for our voice to be heard." She sent her ballot to New York by courier because of concerns about timely delivery by the U.S. Postal Service. Mark Feigenbaum, chairman of Republicans Abroad Canada, said the election system is based on important historical precedence and he doesn't see any chance of the two major parties agreeing to change it.


nationalobserver--2020-11-05--She moved to Canada to escape living under Donald Trump

Melanie Gardner moved to Canada to escape Donald Trump 's presidency , but even on the other side of the border she said the stress of the U.S. election is taking a physical toll .
`` I just went to the dentist this morning .
I 've been grinding my teeth so that I 'm having vicious pain in my mouth , '' she said from Ottawa on Wednesday .
`` So I have to make a concerted effort to stop that . ''
But she ca n't unclench her jaw just yet .
Despite Gardner 's Ottawa address , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all too real to her , affecting her daughter who remains south of the border , her siblings and cousins , and the homeland for which she still has hope .
Gardner , a retired U.S. government librarian , was among many Americans who pondered crossing the 49th parallel after Trump was elected four years ago .
Google Trends show the search `` move to Canada '' spiked after the 2016 election , and surged again on Tuesday night .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ford questioned if climate change is ‘ Earth worship ’ • What will the U.S. election do to hate in Canada ?
But with a Canadian husband , Gardner was in a position to do it .
`` My husband is from Ottawa , and he was saying , at that point , it did n't feel like the same country to him that it had been for over 30 years when he was working in Washington .
And he did n't any longer feel welcome .
And so I said , 'Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let 's just move there . '
'' It took about two years , she said , but she and her husband sold their Maryland house and sought solace in Canada 's capital .
And while she said the move felt -- and continues to feel -- right to her , it did n't bring the respite she and her loved ones expected .
`` Everybody -- all my friends and family -- said , 'Oh , well , you know , you 're away from all of it .
So you must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' I said , 'It 's up here .
It crosses the border .
It 's in the newspapers , it 's on the news .
They ca n't stop watching because of how horrible it is , ' '' Gardner said .
She could n't stop watching either , and this year began working with Democrats Abroad to ensure Americans overseas know how to vote .
Melanie Gardner moved to Canada to escape Donald Trump 's presidency , but even on the other side of the border she said the stress of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll .
`` Many of those people do n't know they actually can vote , '' she said .
She 's spent hours every day answering people 's questions in an effort to get out the vote , while taking Zoom exercise classes , going for walks and working on a quilt in a bid to take care of herself .
But even if her work pays off and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wins the presidency , she said she wo n't be moving back to the U.S. `` People have asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I said the fact that it seemed like home right away , '' she said .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5 , 2020 .

Melanie Gardner moved to Canada to escape Donald Trump's presidency, but even on the other side of the border she said the stress of the U.S. election is taking a physical toll. "I just went to the dentist this morning. I've been grinding my teeth so that I'm having vicious pain in my mouth," she said from Ottawa on Wednesday. "So I have to make a concerted effort to stop that." But she can't unclench her jaw just yet. Despite Gardner's Ottawa address, the as-yet-undetermined results of the election are all too real to her, affecting her daughter who remains south of the border, her siblings and cousins, and the homeland for which she still has hope. Gardner, a retired U.S. government librarian, was among many Americans who pondered crossing the 49th parallel after Trump was elected four years ago. Google Trends show the search "move to Canada" spiked after the 2016 election, and surged again on Tuesday night.
But with a Canadian husband, Gardner was in a position to do it. "My husband is from Ottawa, and he was saying, at that point, it didn't feel like the same country to him that it had been for over 30 years when he was working in Washington. And he didn't any longer feel welcome. And so I said, 'Well, you've got family there. Let's just move there.'" Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions It took about two years, she said, but she and her husband sold their Maryland house and sought solace in Canada's capital.
And while she said the move felt -- and continues to feel -- right to her, it didn't bring the respite she and her loved ones expected. Melanie Gardner moved to Canada to escape Donald Trump's presidency, but even on the other side of the border she said the stress of the U.S. election is taking a physical toll. "Everybody -- all my friends and family -- said, 'Oh, well, you know, you're away from all of it. So you must be calm and everything is good.' I said, 'It's up here. It crosses the border. It's in the newspapers, it's on the news. They can't stop watching because of how horrible it is,'" Gardner said. She couldn't stop watching either, and this year began working with Democrats Abroad to ensure Americans overseas know how to vote. "Many of those people don't know they actually can vote," she said. She's spent hours every day answering people's questions in an effort to get out the vote, while taking Zoom exercise classes, going for walks and working on a quilt in a bid to take care of herself.
But even if her work pays off and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wins the presidency, she said she won't be moving back to the U.S. She's set down roots here. "People have asked what most surprised me about Canada and I said the fact that it seemed like home right away," she said.


nationalobserver--2020-11-05--Feds remain quiet on turmoil of U.S. election count

The political silence in Ottawa was deafening on Wednesday after Donald Trump 's bombastic declarations of victory in the U.S. presidential election and his threat to take his re-election fight to the Supreme Court .
Trump was following through on his plan to claim a triumph even though mail-in votes were still being legally counted , including in key swing states such as Pennsylvania , a process that could take days .
While the temptation to speak out in defence of the apparent breach of democratically accepted electoral norms might have been overwhelming , the Trudeau government has held its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen the fallout of authoritarianism first-hand , say silence was the only option .
`` Canada and other allies need to stay quiet , except for statements supportive of an orderly democratic process .
What happens in these next hours and days is being watched very carefully around the world by legitimately elected leaders , dictators and coup leaders alike , '' said Michael Bociurkiw , a Canadian who worked for the Organization for Security Co-operation in Ukraine for two years following Russia 's invasion of Ukraine 's Crimea region in 2014 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. election could impact Canada • Christian school with ties to Ford questioned if climate change is ‘ Earth worship ’ • She moved to Canada to escape living under Donald Trump Bociurkiw said the silence is imperative even though Trump 's remarks strike him as `` something that we might have expected to come out of the mouth of someone like Vladimir Putin , who 's a master at fomenting chaos , causing confusion . ''
Stephen Pomper , senior director of policy for Washington-based International Crisis Group , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Trump to prematurely declare victory but the world needs to step back and wait patiently .
`` Both campaigns need to create space for all votes to be counted , as do U.S. and foreign political leaders .
Foreign leaders should express their support for the democratic process and hold back on any congratulations until it has run its course . ''
There 's more at stake for Canada than just giving American the voters the time and space to be fully counted .
Any premature declaration , especially if it appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could create a damaging economic backlash if Trump were to eventually prevail .
The Trudeau government learned that lesson the hard way during the lengthy , and at times bitter , renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement .
The Trudeau Liberals strictly enforced communication discipline that forbade any reaction to Trump 's provocative tweeting throughout the talks , including trash-talking Canadian farmers and steel producers .
The political silence in Ottawa was deafening on Wednesday , November 4 , 2020 , after Donald Trump 's bombastic declarations of victory in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take his re-election fight to the Supreme Court .
When Trump imposed punitive tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum , the government did publicly brand them as unfair to Canada .
When Trudeau reiterated that point at the closing press conference of the 2018 G7 leaders ' summit he was hosting in Charlevoix , Que.
, Trump went ballistic on Twitter on his way out , calling Trudeau `` very dishonest and weak . ''
Last week , Trudeau telegraphed that neither he nor Canada 's top allies would be making any declarations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the American voters had been settled .
Appearing at a virtual meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel , the European Union Council president , he committed Canada to working with whomever Americans elected .
`` The uncertainty means we continue to stay stoic , avoid any comment that will come back to bite us and continue to plan for every contingency , '' said Colin Robertson , the vice-president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and a retired diplomat with extensive U.S. experience .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a slimmer Republican Senate majority and House ( with a ) slightly shaved Democrat majority .
This means we need to continue to work both sides of the aisle because our interests are many , and we need to be constantly reminding Americans of why we matter and why trade serves their interest as well . ''
Behind the scenes , Canada and some of its Western allies are likely dreading another scenario : what if Trump picks up the phone and wants to talk before the election is settled ?
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or any of their Western counterparts will discuss on the record .
But Bessma Momani , an international affairs specialist at the University of Waterloo , said that 's something they may have to brace for .
`` A big challenge for Canada now is that Trump may want to declare victory before all votes are counted and expect allies to send in their congratulations , '' she said .
That could leave Canada in a situation where `` Trump will take this very personally and be punitive on trade matters . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Americans are more divided than ever and the Canadian government 's approach must be recalibrated to reflect that , said Sarah Goldfeder , a consultant and former U.S. diplomat who served two ambassadors in Ottawa .
`` This narrative that Trump was just ( elected by ) a lot of Americans that were , you know , stupid or mistaken , and they did n't really mean to vote for him ... that 's not actually true . ''
Even if Biden wins , `` that does n't mean that the underlying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' that has taken hold in the U.S. political discourse will have suddenly disappeared , said Goldfeder .
“ We 're very much operating in four-year cycles right now.
” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5 , 2020 .

The political silence in Ottawa was deafening on Wednesday after Donald Trump's bombastic declarations of victory in the U.S. presidential election and his threat to take his re-election fight to the Supreme Court. Trump was following through on his plan to claim a triumph even though mail-in votes were still being legally counted, including in key swing states such as Pennsylvania, a process that could take days. While the temptation to speak out in defence of the apparent breach of democratically accepted electoral norms might have been overwhelming, the Trudeau government has held its tongue. Some analysts, who have seen the fallout of authoritarianism first-hand, say silence was the only option. "Canada and other allies need to stay quiet, except for statements supportive of an orderly democratic process. What happens in these next hours and days is being watched very carefully around the world by legitimately elected leaders, dictators and coup leaders alike," said Michael Bociurkiw, a Canadian who worked for the Organization for Security Co-operation in Ukraine for two years following Russia's invasion of Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014.
Bociurkiw said the silence is imperative even though Trump's remarks strike him as "something that we might have expected to come out of the mouth of someone like Vladimir Putin, who's a master at fomenting chaos, causing confusion." Stephen Pomper, senior director of policy for Washington-based International Crisis Group, said it was "reckless and wrongheaded" for Trump to prematurely declare victory but the world needs to step back and wait patiently. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "Both campaigns need to create space for all votes to be counted, as do U.S. and foreign political leaders. Foreign leaders should express their support for the democratic process and hold back on any congratulations until it has run its course."
There's more at stake for Canada than just giving American the voters the time and space to be fully counted. The political silence in Ottawa was deafening on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, after Donald Trump's bombastic declarations of victory in the U.S. presidential election and his threat to take his re-election fight to the Supreme Court. Any premature declaration, especially if it appears to side with Democrat Joe Biden, could create a damaging economic backlash if Trump were to eventually prevail. The Trudeau government learned that lesson the hard way during the lengthy, and at times bitter, renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The Trudeau Liberals strictly enforced communication discipline that forbade any reaction to Trump's provocative tweeting throughout the talks, including trash-talking Canadian farmers and steel producers. When Trump imposed punitive tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, the government did publicly brand them as unfair to Canada. When Trudeau reiterated that point at the closing press conference of the 2018 G7 leaders' summit he was hosting in Charlevoix, Que., Trump went ballistic on Twitter on his way out, calling Trudeau "very dishonest and weak." Last week, Trudeau telegraphed that neither he nor Canada's top allies would be making any declarations about the U.S. vote until the will of the American voters had been settled. Appearing at a virtual meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, the European Union Council president, he committed Canada to working with whomever Americans elected.
"The uncertainty means we continue to stay stoic, avoid any comment that will come back to bite us and continue to plan for every contingency," said Colin Robertson, the vice-president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and a retired diplomat with extensive U.S. experience. "The Congress will look roughly the same: a slimmer Republican Senate majority and House (with a) slightly shaved Democrat majority. This means we need to continue to work both sides of the aisle because our interests are many, and we need to be constantly reminding Americans of why we matter and why trade serves their interest as well." Behind the scenes, Canada and some of its Western allies are likely dreading another scenario: what if Trump picks up the phone and wants to talk before the election is settled?


nationalobserver--2020-11-05--Canada's first case of rare swine flu variant found in Alberta patient

Canada 's first case of a rare swine flu variant has been found in a patient from central Alberta , but the province 's chief medical officer of health says it seems to be isolated .
Dr. Deena Hinshaw says the Influenza A H1N2v case was detected in mid-October after the patient showed up at an emergency department for medical care .
`` This currently appears to be one isolated case , '' Hinshaw said at a news conference Wednesday .
`` It is also the only case of influenza that has been reported so far this flu season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pigs , including H1N2 , can infect people — although this is not common . ''
When cases appear in humans , they are called 'variant ' viruses and a ' v ' is added to the end of the name .
• Here ’ s how the outcome of the U.S. election could impact Canada • Christian school with ties to Ford questioned if climate change is ‘ Earth worship ’ • She moved to Canada to escape living under Donald Trump Hinshaw said it 's the first reported case of H1N2v @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandatory — and one of only 27 cases globally .
Health Canada said on its website the other cases include 24 in the United States and two in Brazil .
`` Based on current evidence in Canada , the risk to human health is low , '' it noted .
The federal agency said swine flu viruses do n't normally infect people , but there have been infrequent exceptions .
It can be contracted by humans when they breath in respiratory droplets from an infected pig or touch something with the virus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nose .
`` All have been linked to direct or indirect contact with swine and none of the previously reported cases have caused sustained human-to-human transmission , '' added Hinshaw .
The Alberta patient , she said , had mild symptoms , was tested for influenza and COVID-19 as is routine in hospitals , and recovered quickly .
Canada 's first case of a rare swine flu variant has been found in a patient from central Alberta .
# swineflu # alberta `` There is no evidence at this time that the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hinshaw said Alberta Health is working closely with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry , as well as Alberta Health Services and the Public Health Agency of Canada , to determine the source of the virus and to verify that no spread has occurred .
`` Retrospective testing of central Alberta COVID samples from the past two weeks for influenza is almost complete and no positive influenza samples have been found , '' she said .
Hinshaw said Alberta Health Services will offer optional influenza testing to anyone in central Alberta who shows up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Keith Lehman , the province 's chief veterinarian , said they are still investigating the source of the virus .
`` At the moment , there are no links to slaughterhouses , '' said Hinshaw , who added that they are looking into potential links to some pig farms in the area .
Lehman said the animal health investigation is using information provided by the patient .
`` We have identified some potential sources and we are continuing to investigate , '' he said .
Lehman added that it 's not unusual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western Canada and around the world .
`` Within Western Canada , we have routine surveillance that is undertaken for our swine farms and we tend to see anywhere from roughly 10 to 30 cases identified per quarter , '' he said .
`` It is a virus that is not uncommon in our swine populations . ''
Lehman said there 's no increased risk to other hog operations because they have strong biosecurity practices to prevent it from spreading .
If a pig does contract it , it 's typically a mild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that H1N2 in pigs is not food-related .
`` It is not transmissible to people through pork meat or other products that come from pigs and there is no risk associated with eating pork , '' said Hinshaw .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Nov. 4 , 2020 .

Canada's first case of a rare swine flu variant has been found in a patient from central Alberta, but the province's chief medical officer of health says it seems to be isolated. Dr. Deena Hinshaw says the Influenza A H1N2v case was detected in mid-October after the patient showed up at an emergency department for medical care. "This currently appears to be one isolated case," Hinshaw said at a news conference Wednesday. "It is also the only case of influenza that has been reported so far this flu season. "Influenza viruses that normally circulate in pigs, including H1N2, can infect people — although this is not common." When cases appear in humans, they are called 'variant' viruses and a 'v' is added to the end of the name.
Hinshaw said it's the first reported case of H1N2v in Canada since 2005 when reporting became mandatory — and one of only 27 cases globally. Health Canada said on its website the other cases include 24 in the United States and two in Brazil. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "Based on current evidence in Canada, the risk to human health is low," it noted.
The federal agency said swine flu viruses don't normally infect people, but there have been infrequent exceptions. It can be contracted by humans when they breath in respiratory droplets from an infected pig or touch something with the virus on it and then touch their mouth or nose. Canada's first case of a rare swine flu variant has been found in a patient from central Alberta. #swineflu #alberta "All have been linked to direct or indirect contact with swine and none of the previously reported cases have caused sustained human-to-human transmission," added Hinshaw. The Alberta patient, she said, had mild symptoms, was tested for influenza and COVID-19 as is routine in hospitals, and recovered quickly. "There is no evidence at this time that the virus has spread further," she said. Hinshaw said Alberta Health is working closely with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, as well as Alberta Health Services and the Public Health Agency of Canada, to determine the source of the virus and to verify that no spread has occurred.
"Retrospective testing of central Alberta COVID samples from the past two weeks for influenza is almost complete and no positive influenza samples have been found," she said. Hinshaw said Alberta Health Services will offer optional influenza testing to anyone in central Alberta who shows up for COVID-19 testing. Both she and Dr. Keith Lehman, the province's chief veterinarian, said they are still investigating the source of the virus.


nationalobserver--2020-11-05--Canada's COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths likely to rise in coming weeks: Tam

Severe cases of COVID-19 may soon rise as hospitalizations and deaths catch up to the recent spread of the illness , Canada 's chief public health officer warned on Wednesday , as Quebec and Ontario reported almost 50 deaths between them .
Dr. Theresa Tam said hospitalizations tend to trail behind new cases , raising concerns that the worst effects of the second wave could be upcoming .
`` As hospitalizations and deaths tend to lag behind increased disease activity by one to several weeks , the concern is that we have yet to see the extent of severe impacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease activity , '' she said in a statement .
`` As well , influenza and respiratory infections typically increase during the fall and winter , placing increased demands on hospitals . ''
Her statement came as Quebec reported 33 new deaths and Ontario 16 , for a total of 49 between them .
Manitoba also reported the death of a woman in her 80s at a Winnipeg personal care home and the death of a woman in her 90s connected to an outbreak at St. Boniface Hospital .
• Here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could impact Canada • Christian school with ties to Ford questioned if climate change is ‘ Earth worship ’ • She moved to Canada to escape living under Donald Trump New cases in Quebec also surged back above 1,000 after dipping below 900 the previous day .
Hospitalizations in the province have also increased in each of the last three days .
Tam said the number of severe cases continues to rise across the country , with an average of almost 1,200 people in hospital and 40 new deaths per day across Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said health authorities are grappling with outbreaks in a number of settings , including long-term care , schools , factories and social gatherings .
In Ontario , those outbreaks involve a wedding-related event in the Waterloo region that authorities have linked to at least 16 cases , as well as a school in York Region that was ordered to close after six students and three staff tested positive for COVID-19 .
Seventy-four employees at an Olymel meat-packing plant in Princeville , Que.
, have also tested positive for COVID-19 , a spokesman confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battling a second outbreak at a plant southeast of Quebec City , where 124 workers have active cases of COVID-19 .
In Manitoba and Quebec , authorities threatened tough fines for those who gather in violation of local health rules amid worryingly high case counts .
In Winnipeg , police said they would start issuing fines of almost $ 1,300 for gatherings in private homes that exceed limits .
The Winnipeg region , which reported 276 new cases on Wednesday , was recently moved into a restricted category , with private gatherings capped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
Canada 's public health officer Theresa Tam says COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations likely to rise over next few weeks .
# COVID-19 # pandemic # COVID In Quebec , deputy premier Genevieve Guilbault warned restaurant owners in the province 's red zones who open their dining rooms in defiance of rules , that both they and their customers could face harsh fines .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov 4 , 2020 .

Severe cases of COVID-19 may soon rise as hospitalizations and deaths catch up to the recent spread of the illness, Canada's chief public health officer warned on Wednesday, as Quebec and Ontario reported almost 50 deaths between them.
Dr. Theresa Tam said hospitalizations tend to trail behind new cases, raising concerns that the worst effects of the second wave could be upcoming.
"As hospitalizations and deaths tend to lag behind increased disease activity by one to several weeks, the concern is that we have yet to see the extent of severe impacts associated with the ongoing increase in COVID-19 disease activity," she said in a statement.
"As well, influenza and respiratory infections typically increase during the fall and winter, placing increased demands on hospitals."
Her statement came as Quebec reported 33 new deaths and Ontario 16, for a total of 49 between them. Manitoba also reported the death of a woman in her 80s at a Winnipeg personal care home and the death of a woman in her 90s connected to an outbreak at St. Boniface Hospital.