Canada column for Sunday, March 21/21
THE CANADIAN REPORT
By Jim Fox
“Thanks neighbor,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said to U.S. President Joe Biden for his offer to send Canada 1.5-million doses of COV1D-19 vaccine in a “sharing deal.”
Canada has struggled to get the population vaccinated with some bottlenecks in the delivery of vaccine.
“Vaccines are the path out of this pandemic,” Trudeau said as he reported he deal that will see the United States send doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Canada.
“Canada and the U.S. are each other’s closest friends and most important allies and I know we’ll continue working to keep Canadians and Americans safe,” Trudeau said.
The U.S. is ready to also release 2.5-million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Mexico from a stockpile of 7 million.
Both countries want to immunize their populations quicker and so far about 10 percent, or 3.5-million Canadians have had their first of two planned doses.
Canada expects to receive larger shipments of vaccines in the push to immunize everyone who wants to be by the end of September.
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It’s been a year now and the ban on non-essential travel will continue at the land border between Canada and the U.S.
The restrictions, approved by both countries, are extended now to April 21 in a bid to reduce the spread of the pandemic.
The border will “eventually open, but not today,” Prime Minister Trudeau said.
“We're all eager to be able to travel again, but I think we're all going to wait patiently until such time as the health situation allows us to loosen border restrictions internationally,” he added.
People flying home to Canada and others face having proof of being virus-free and face quarantine periods.
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News in brief:
- Erin O’Toole put it bluntly to his Conservatives who have lost the last two elections saying that “new ideas” are needed. “We are never going to win over Canadians just by relying on Justin Trudeau to continue to disappoint,” he said at the party’s convention. “His scandals, as outrageous as they often are, will never be enough to defeat him,” he added.
- Rogers Communications wants to buy Shaw in deal worth $26 billion that would combine Canada’s two largest cable providers and second-largest cellular company after Bell. The blockbuster deal is subject to government scrutiny and approval.
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Facts and figures:
Canada’s dollar is higher at 79.8 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.25 Canadian before exchange fees.
The Bank of Canada key interest rate remains at 0.25 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.45 percent.
Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 18,854 points and the TSX Venture index at 995 points.
The average price for gas in Canada is steady at $1.25 a liter (Canadian) or $4.75 for a U.S. gallon.
Lotto Max: (March 16) 8, 15, 25, 27, 33, 39 and 44; bonus 20. (March 12) 5, 12, 15, 23, 28, 38 and 39; bonus 46.
Lotto 6/49: (March 17) 4, 9, 13, 25, 44 and 49; bonus 3. (March 13) 15, 24, 27, 29, 42 and 49; bonus 18.
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Regional briefs:
- An easing of virus outbreaks in Atlantic Canada has resulted in the reopening of the border between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick this weekend. As well, remaining restrictions in Halifax and area are being lifted. “Now we look forward to reopening the entire Atlantic bubble,” Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin said.
- A Sudbury, Ontario couple has won the top $70-million tax-free cash jackpot from the Feb. 26 Lotto Max draw on a $5 ticket. Retired mechanic Marc Meilleur and his wife Dorothy-Ann of Noelville said they plan to tour Canada in a new motorhome, buy houses for their kids and new vehicles along with supporting local charities.
Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
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