Canada column for Sunday, July 11/21
THE CANADIAN REPORT
By Jim Fox
The rapidly moving wildfires that flattened the village of Lytton, British Columbia took with it two lives.
The 1,000 or so area residents had just 15 minutes to flee from their homes as the massive fires took aim at the community and continues out of control.
Police are working to locate those unaccounted for in the remains of the village – 90 percent of has been destroyed.
Toxic smoke from the buildings was keeping officials and investigators out as they look for a cause.
There was some speculation the main fire started from sparks from a passing freight train or lightning.
Elsewhere in the province, scorching heat in the past week topping 118F was said to be a contributing factor in 719 sudden deaths, triple the number that would normally occur, said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner.
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Canada has taken the first step to loosen the restrictions on cross-border travel with the United States.
Canadians and permanent residents who are fully vaccinated are now able to enter the country without having to quarantine as long as they have proof of inoculation and have submitted a negative COVID-19 test.
Eligible air travellers are also exempt from the quarantine requirement that they spend their first three days in Canada in a government-approved hotel at their expense.
The government continues to advise against crossing the border for non-essential reasons.
U.S. citizens heading to Canada by land for non-essential travel are still not allowed to enter the country.
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News in brief:
- The body of one of four Canadians missing in the collapse of a 12-story condo building in Surfside, Florida has been found. She was identified as Ingrid Ainsworth, 68, found with her husband, Tzvi, 68, in the Champlain Towers South condominium building. She and her husband lived in Australia, where Tzvi is originally from, for nearly two decades before moving to Florida to be closer to their children. Three Canadians are still missing.
- Inuk leader Mary Simon was appointed Canada’s first Indigenous governor general to succeed former astronaut Payette who resigned amid controversy over her treatment of staff. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the appointment to the post that is Queen Elizabeth II’s representative in Canada. “I can confidently say that my appointment is a historic and inspirational moment for Canada and an important step forward on the long path towards reconciliation,” Simon said.
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Facts and figures:
Canada’s dollar is lower at 80 cents U.S. and a U.S. dollar returns $1.25 in Canadian funds 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 lower, with the Toronto index at 20,061 points and the TSX Venture index 922 points.
The average price for gas in Canada is steady at $1.36 a liter (Canadian) or $5.16 for a U.S. gallon.
Lotto Max: (July 6) 10, 14, 25, 26, 38, 41 and 50; bonus 49.(July 2) 6, 14,35, 37, 40, 43 and 46; bonus 19.
Lotto 6/49: (July 7) 11, 16, 21, 26, 42 and45; bonus 22. (July 3) 4,7, 10, 31, 33 and 38; bonus 23.
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Regional briefs:
- Dundas Street, a major roadway in and around Toronto, is closer to having a name change to reflect displeasure with Scotsman Henry Dundas’ association with the transatlantic slave trade years ago .Mayor John Tory and a city council committee are one vote away from approving the name change. It’s part of a move to take down statues named after those considered unworthy. The Dundas’ discussion came up during discussions and protests against racial injustice, inequality and anti-racism.
- Residents of Atlantic Canada are preparing for the arrival of tropical Storm Elsa this weekend. Forecasters predict the storm’s track will bring heavy rain to much of the eastern provinces of Canada and strong wind gusts especially along the coasts of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. There are expected to be “no significant coastal impacts” from storm surges of six to 10 feet in height.
Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
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