Canada column for Sunday, Aug. 30/20
THE CANADIAN REPORT
By Jim Fox
Canada is extending its travel restrictions with strict quarantine measures by one month through Sept. 30 to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said restrictions on international travel to Canada are for citizens and permanent residents returning home, with some family exceptions.
The government global travel advisory and its pandemic travel health notice tell people to “avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice.”
Those arriving in Canada are being asked whether they have a cough, fever or difficulty breathing.
New arrivals must quarantine for 14 days if they don’t have symptoms or isolate for two weeks if they do.
The aim is to slow the flow of foreign nationals to the country by restricting discretionary travel, including for tourism, recreation and entertainment.
---
Canada’s new Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole says he will work to unite the party and its values while pointing out “Liberal failings and corruption.”
“We must also show Canadians our vision for a stronger, more prosperous and more united Canada," he said in his acceptance speech.
“Canada can and must do better and Conservatives will work hard to earn the trust and confidence of Canadians in the next election,” he said.
O’Toole won the leadership on the third ballot with 57 percent of the votes compared with 43 percent for second-place contender Peter MacKay in a four-person field.
---
News in brief:
- WestJet is demanding that that all passengers as young as two wear masks and face coverings. Those who fail to comply will face penalties including denied boarding, return of the aircraft to the gate to offload the passenger and the suspension of travel on any WestJet aircraft for up to a year. The ruling is part of the airline’s new safety guidelines. “Canadian travellers and all of our WestJet Group employees are counting on us to keep them safe and it is our utmost priority to do so,” said Ed Sims, president and CEO.
- Canada’s economy had its steepest decline on record in the second quarter due to the pandemic that closed businesses and slowed business. The gross domestic product contracted at an annualized rate of 38.7 percent over three months. The economic output rebounded by 6.5 percent in June and 3 percent in July.
---
The Canadian dollar is higher at 76.34 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.309 Canadian before exchange fees.
The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is unchanged at 0.25 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.45 percent.
Canadian stock markets are higher with the Toronto index at 16,705 points and the TSX Venture index 745 points.
The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $1.068 a liter (Canadian) or $4.05 for a U.S. gallon.
Lotto Max: (Aug. 25) 1, 21, 34, 38, 39, 40 and 46; bonus 24. (Aug. 21) 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, 30 and 39; bonus27.
Lotto 6/49: (Aug. 26) 6, 8, 20, 23, 35 and 39; bonus 11.(Aug. 22) 19, 25, 34, 36, 40 and 43; bonus 32.
---
Regional briefs:
- Senator Mike Duffy of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island has lost his challenge to overturn a court decision blocking him from suing the Senate for $7.8 million. The Ontario Court of Appeal agreed with a lower court ruling that the decision to suspend Duffy without pay over an expenses scandal is protected by parliamentary privilege. Duffy was acquitted of 31 criminal charges in 2016.
- The Trump Hotel in Vancouver has closed for good with the owners blaming the pandemic. TA Global Berhad, a multinational Malaysian property company, was licensed to use the Trump name. Two of its Canadian subsidiaries are bankrupt with debts of $$4.795 million. Also in Vancouver, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is said to be looking for a hotel since losing its lease at the Pacific Center.
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment