Airport strip hotels viewed for mandatory quarantines

    Canada column for Sunday, Jan.24/21

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    Spending two weeks holed up in an airport strip hotel under mandatory quarantine isn’t the way returning travelers want to wind up their vacations.

   That’s an option being considered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that incudes having the travelers pay their hotel costs as a way to stop the spread of the pandemic by international travel.

   The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that 153 flights have arrived from outside Canada over the last two weeks on which at least one passenger later tested positive for COVID-19.

   As well the land border between Canada and the United States remains closed except for essential travel.

   Trudeau is urging Canadians to stay home and will look at options to make it harder for people to return from foreign trips.

   Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said this option could include police enforcement of two-week quarantine rules for arriving travelers.

   A negative COVID-19 test is also required before taking a flight home.

    ---

    Canada’s relationship with the new U.S. Administration got off to a rocky start as President Joe Biden canceled the multi-billion-dollar expansion of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

   Citing environmental concerns, the pipeline would have carried 830,000 barrels of oil a day 179 miles from Alberta to Nebraska.

   It would have created tens of thousands of jobs and billions in revenues and provided a domestic source of oil.

   Reaction ranged from outrage by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, who called for a trade war with “economic consequences” for the U.S., to disappointment from the prime minister.

   Trudeau discussed the issue with Biden in a telephone conversation on Friday but issued no threats.

    ---

    News in brief:

   - “Tensions have arisen at Rideau Hall . . . and for that, I am sorry,” Julie Payette said as she quit her posting as Canada’s Governor General. The former astronaut whose post was Queen Elizabeth II’s representative in Canada resigned after a scathing report that confirmed allegations of bullying and harassment by  Payette. She will receive $143,000 in benefits a year for life.

   - The Bank of Canada has held its trend-setting interest rate steady at 0.25 percent even as it predicts the economy will shrink for two more months. The central bank expects economy to grow by four percent this year and to almost five percent next year. The rate will remain low until the recovery is well underway, the bank said.

    ---

    Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is lower at 78.52 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.273 Canadian before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada key interest rate is steady at 0.25 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.45 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are lower, with the Toronto index at 17,845 points and the TSX Venture index 947 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $1.105 a liter (Canadian) or $4.19 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max: (Jan. 19) 23, 31, 34, 38, 40, 45 and 50; bonus 41.  (Jan. 15)  5, 23, 31, 35, 36, 37 and 43; bonus 13.

   Lotto 6/49: (Jan. 20) 2, 5, 18, 23, 29 and 47; bonus 45. (Jan. 16) 9, 10, 21, 28, 35 and 43; bonus 34.

    ---

    Regional briefs:

   - WestJet’s Boeing 737 MAX flight that just returned to service was grounded at Calgary airport on Friday after ‘potential fault’ warning. The WestJet flew Canada’s first commercial flight on a 737 MAX in almost two years after it was taken out of the skies after two deadly crashes. The 35 passengers were put on another flight and the plane late resumed service when no fault was found.

   - Changes in consumer habits during the pandemic are leading to Starbucks closing up to 300 locations in Canada by the end of March in its five-year “transformation strategy.” The Seattle- based coffeehouse chain has about 1,400 locations in Canada. Changes include adding drive-thru locations, expanding delivery and curbside pickup-only shops. Godiva, the luxury chocolatier, will close 128 stores in North America, including 11 in Canada.

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Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com

Canadians surveyed want ban on personal international travel due to the pandemic

 Canada column for Sunday, Jan.17/21

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    Most Canadians are in favor of the government prohibiting personal international travel to help control the rise in COVID-19 cases, a poll shows.

   While the land border with the United States remains closed to non-essential travel, flights continue to carry Canadians to their favorite winter destinations, including politicians and health officials who urge others not to do the same.

   An Angus Reid Institute poll found 65 percent approve of a prohibition on personal air travel.

   The poll also found 9 in 10 Canadians say politicians must set an example and stay home.

   Support to bar travel to international destinations was highest in Ontario and lowest in Alberta followed by British Columbia.

   It also found that 7 in 10 Canadians have canceled or put off planned international and domestic travel since the pandemic began.

   A negative COVID-19 test is needed now before being allowed on flights bound for Canada.

     ---

     Ontario Premier Ford has kicked Roman Baber out of his Conservative government for speaking out against the current lockdown in Canada’s most-populous province.

   “While Doug only cares about re-election, lockdowns are killing more than saving,” Baber said. “The lockdown is deadlier than COVID,” he added.

   Baber will be forced to continue as an independent or join another party.

   Ford accused him of putting people at risk by spreading misinformation and undermining the efforts of front-line healthcare workers.

    ---

    News in brief:

   - The ‘ramp-up phase” of Canada’s COVID vaccine rollout is under way as 1.4-million doses are to arrive by the end of the month and another 1.9 million in February. Major-General Dany Fortin, working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, says the doses are from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. That will leave 2.7-million doses to be delivered in March to get to the 6-million doses the companies have promised to ship to Canada before the end of that month.

   - The 10-day-old requirement that a negative virus test is required to board air flights to Canada so far hasn’t stopped all infected people. There have been 35 flights with virus victims landing in Canada since the negative test requirement started. Since the beginning of the year, 178 infected international flights have landed. Cancun had the most infected Toronto-bound flights followed by Dubai, Dublin, Fort Lauderdale, Frankfurt, Punta Cana and Istanbul.

    ---

    Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is steady at 78.7 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.27 Canadian before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada key interest rate is steady at 0.25 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.45 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are mixed, with the Toronto index down at 17,909 points and the TSX Venture index is up to 908 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $1.10 a liter (Canadian) or $4.18 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max: (Jan. 12) 4, 12, 13, 15, 18, 30 and 50; bonus 34. (Jan. 8) 4, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 42; bonus 8.

   Lotto 6/49: (Jan. 13) 20, 27, 28, 37, 38 and 39; bonus 9. (Jan. 9) 4, 8, 18,24, 31 and 32; bonus 40.

    ---

    Regional briefs:

   - Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial government is seeking to win a majority to face troubled times as Liberal Premier Andrew Furey called an election for Feb. 13. He was mandated to hold an election within a year of taking over the party leadership from Premier Dwight Ball. Challenges include an expanding debt with the pandemic, a troubled oil industry and vast public service spending. Interest is high with more than 70 candidates nominated so far.

   - Quebec residents are digging out of up to a foot of snow this weekend. Environment Canada was warning of that amount from part of a larger weather system sweeping east across the province. The weather warning was for up to eight inches by Sunday night in the Montreal area and more across Quebec.

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 Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com

Canadians who travel are cut off from COVID-19 sick leave benefits

    Canada column for Sunday, Jan.10/21

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    Canadians who choose to ignore public health warnings against international travel are no longer eligible for COVID-19 sick leave benefits.

   This follows new rules that took effect last Thursday that require travelers to produce a negative virus test before flying home.

   Upon arrival in Canada, they must quarantine for 14 days either at home or a government-run facility.

   The sudden changes are aimed at preventing future outbreaks of the virus related to foreign travel and have caused chaos in the airline industry, travelers say.

   Visitors to the Caribbean and Mexico are saying it is difficult to get last-minute tests and some places are charging up to $500 a person and there are delays for results.

   WestJet airline said it had to deny boarding to passengers on six international flights into Canada over confusion over the type of testing required on the first day.

    ---

    An Ontario police chief, hospital chief executive and politicians are among the latest community leaders who violated the stay-at-home rules of health professionals.

   Named were Halton Police Chief Stephen Tanner who went to Florida last month to deal with a personal property business matter as did Calgary politician Ron Liepert to California.

   St. Joseph’s Health System in Hamilton won’t say if Dr. Thomas Stewart resigned or was fired for his trip to the Dominican Republic.

   Also apologizing are Conservative politician David Sweet who has resigned as chair of the House of Commons ethics committee and Senator, Don Plett.

   Earlier Rod Phillips resigned from his job as Ontario finance minister.

   Premier Doug Ford warns of more restrictions coming as Ontario reports a record 4,249 new COVID cases in one day.

    ---

    News in brief:

   - Ontario grade school children in southern Ontario including Toronto will continue online learning until Jan. 25 due to an increase in virus cases. Provincial public health officials say the general lockdown in Northern Ontario will be extended another two weeks, matching restrictions for the southern part of the province.

   - Canada lost 63,000 jobs last month in the first decline since April. Statistics Canada reported the unemployment rate was 8.6 percent for December, an increase from 8.5 percent in November. There was an increase in full-time employment, up 36,500, along with a loss of 99,000 part-time jobs. Monthly job gains began in May as restrictions to slow the spread of the pandemic began to ease.

 ---

    Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is higher at 78.7 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.27 Canadian before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada key interest rate is steady at 0.25 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.45 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 18,042 points and the TSX Venture index is 896 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $1.07 a liter (Canadian) or $4.06 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max: (Jan. 5) 1, 16, 21, 24, 35 37 and 39; bonus 45. (Jan. 1) 18, 21, 28, 29, 31, 32 and 49; bonus 38.

   Lotto 6/49: (Jan. 6) 15, 23, 30, 31, 32 and 42; bonus 48. (Jan. 2) 16, 17, 20, 42, 47 and 49; bonus 40.

    ---

   Regional briefs:

   - Calgary-based WestJet airline is cutting hundreds of flights and lying off 1,000 workers to reduce costs. The airline is being hit hard by fewer travelers during the pandemic. The job cuts will be made through furloughs, temporary layoffs, unpaid leaves and reduced hours along with a hiring freeze.

   - How much is that little doggy to rent? That’s the question being asked in Quebec since Premier Francois Legault imposed an 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. He said the curfew would exempt pet owners so people could walk their dogs. Some creative Quebecers are putting ads on Kijiji offering dog rentals for those looking to take late-night walks.

-30-

Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com

Canadian politicians rapped over taking foreign vacations during pandemic

    Canada column for Sunday, Jan3/2021

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    A leading Ontario politician has lost his job and others are being reprimanded for defying public health rules against non-essential travel during the pandemic.

   After a heated meeting with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Finance Minister Rod Phillips admitted making a “dumb mistake” for sneaking off to the posh Caribbean island of St. Barts.

   Ford ordered him back to Toronto where he apologized for taking the vacation while the province was under a lockdown.

   Phillips, who also took a secret trip to Switzerland last summer, resigned his cabinet position.

   Other politicians caught away include Quebec’s Pierre Arcand in Barbados and Youri Chassin in Peru along with Saskatchewan’s Joe Hargrave in Palm Springs, Calif.

   No one else has resigned and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said he won’t discipline anyone for trips abroad including Pat Rehn in Mexico, Municipal Affairs Minister Tracy Allar in Hawaii and Chief of staff James Huckabay, United Kingdom.

   The federal New Democratic Party stripped Niki Ashton of her cabinet roles for travel to Greece.

    ---

    Canada is requiring anyone entering the country by air to have a negative COVID-19 test result starting Jan. 7 to limit the spread of the virus.

   Air travelers must present a negative result to the airline prior to boarding international flights bound for Canada.

   Everyone entering must also follow the mandatory isolation or quarantine requirements.

   When the test is not available, the traveler will be required to report to a designated federal quarantine facility.

   They will have to stay there for the 14-day self-quarantine period mandated by existing travel measures.

    ---

    News in brief:

   - Ontario’s recently appointed patient ombudsman Cathy Fooks has died in an undisclosed “tragic accident.” She was named the province’s advocate for patients and long-term care residents last summer. Health Minister Christine Elliott said she dedicated her life to public service and to improving the quality of health care in the province.

   - After a year battling the fallout from the pandemic, paying down debt is the top financial priority of Canadians this year. The annual CIBC poll said many people took on more debt to cover day-to-day expenses and make up for lost income. About half said their personal finances have been negatively impacted by the pandemic and it will take half of them a year to get back on track.

 ---

    Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is higher at 78.5 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.273 Canadian before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada key interest rate is steady at 0.25 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.45 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are mixed, with the Toronto index down at 17,433 points and the TSX Venture index is up at 875 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is steady at $1.05 a liter (Canadian) or $3.99 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max: (Dec. 29) 8, 12, 23, 25, 29, 43 and 46; bonus 13. (Dec. 25) 8, 12, 16, 30, 38, 48 and 50; bonus 14.

   Lotto 6/49: (Dec. 30) 7, 14, 30, 32, 38 and 45; bonus 6.  (Dec. 26) 21, 26, 28, 33, 34 and 42; bonus 43.

    ---

    Regional briefs:

   - Two teenagers were arrested for first-degree murder in the death of a Calgary police officer on New Year’s Eve. Sergeant Andrew Hartnett, 37, stopped a vehicle that then sped off, striking him. The 12-year veteran of the force was called “a dedicated family man and passionate police officer with an unbelievable sense of humor.”

    - Additional virus testing is planned for the crew of two Canadian Coast Guard vessels under lockdown in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The 44 crew members of the Jean Goodwill and Hudson were exposed to a contractor who had worked on the ships and had tested positive. The crew members are isolating aboard the vessels or at home.

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 Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com