Canadians cancel holiday trips; big family gatherings over virus outbreak

    Merry Christmas!

    Canada column for Sunday, Dec.26/21

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    It was the week before Christmas and all through the house, Canadians were canceling their travel plans and scaling down family visits as COVID-19 cases surge.

   Surveys show that many people were heeding strong advice from medical officials and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to avoid all non-essential travel as the Omicron variant spread rapidly.

   Hardest hit segments were airline and cruise ship travel to head off the virus wave.

   “We are heeding the advice of the medical profession, our politicians and our leaders and we’re using our own common sense,” Mark Randle of Ottawa told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. as he canceled a long-awaited cruise vacation.

   “It’s not the right time to go,” he said.

   Dr. Theresa Tam, chief public health officer, offered some advice for the holidays: “Practically speaking, this means keeping gathering sizes as small as possible, such as limiting to just family and close friends who you know well.”

    ---

    In his Christmas address, Prime Minister Trudeau called on Canadians to help fight to end the pandemic and to continue helping each other.

   “There is still reason for Canadians to be hopeful despite the ongoing crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

   Among the best ways is to follow public health measures and “encouraging friends and family to get vaccinated and boosted,” he said, adding that “brighter days are ahead.”

   His comments followed the news that six members of his staff and security detail had tested positive for COVID−19.

   ---

    News in brief:

   - Canada is joining other countries in  a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. Prime Minister Trudeau said no federal government officials will attend the games but Canadian athletes will still be allowed to compete. The decision is part of an international effort to send a message to China that its human rights abuses have not gone unnoticed and Canada is “extremely concerned,” Trudeau said.

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    Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is steady at 78 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.28 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

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

   Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 21,248 on Friday while the TSX Venture index is933 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $1.40 a liter (Canadian) or $5.32 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max: (Dec. 21) 13, 23, 26, 27, 28, 38 and 47; bonus 36. (Dec. 17)  9, 14, 16, 33, 39, 46 and 49; bonus 38.

   Lotto 6/49: (Dec. 22) 1, 2, 3, 11, 15 and 43; bonus 46. (Dec. 18) 2, 10, 15, 16, 20 and 49; bonus 18.

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    Regional briefs:

   - Booster shots and rapid virus test kits topped the wish lists of many Canadians this Christmas.

Ontario went through millions of free test kits and shots as people in some cases lined up overnight to get them. There has been explosive growth of the Omicron variant, with Quebec leading with almost 10,000 cases in one day and Ontario with 5,790 as British Columbia topped 2,000 cases. Record numbers were also reached in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

   - The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto has on display a 310-million-year-old tree in its Dawn of Life gallery. The tree fell out of a cliff in Nova Scotia and is among a collection of fossils from UNESCO world heritage sites across the country. The tree remains were discovered at the fossil cliffs at Joggins. They are dated from the Carboniferous era when the cliffs that now line the Bay of Fundy were an equatorial swamp at the heart of the supercontinent Pangea. It traces life from the appearance of the first dinosaurs and mammals.

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 thecanadareport.blogspot.com

Stay home and avoid taking holiday trips, Canadians are advised

    Canada column for Sunday, Dec.19/21

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    “Stay at home, be safe and prudent and avoid foreign travel.”

   That’s the plea from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as Canada faces a surge in pandemic outbreaks.

   Those who do choose to continue with their holiday and winter getaway plans will face tougher scrutiny upon their return to prevent more cases from entering the country.

   “Now is not the time to travel,” the Prime Minister said, warning against non-essential international travel and plans to ramp up arrival tests at airports for incoming overseas travelers.

   Medical officials say Christmas gatherings should be small in size with good ventilation in the rooms and the wearing of high-quality masks, not made of cloth.

   The provinces have started rolling back measures including reduced sizes of gatherings including sports events.

   This includes plans to possibly switch schools and colleges to virtual learning in January.

    ---

    With the number of virus outbreaks across Canada soaring, the government said on Friday it will be reintroducing the travel requirement for a pre-arrival negative PCR COVID-19 test.

   This will be effective on Tuesday (Dec. 21) and includes all travelers leaving Canada without regard of the duration of the trip on their return, said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos.

   The test must be taken in a country other than Canada before their return home to Canada.

   “The Government of Canada is advising Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel outside the country and I will say it again: now is not the time to travel,” he said.

   ---

    News in brief:

   - Canada has recorded its highest single-day new cases of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus in seven months at 7,145 outbreaks across the 10 provinces and territories. This increases the number of active cases to almost 44,000, with Quebec leading at 2,800.  Ontario followed with 2,500, British Columbia, 750, Alberta, 475, Manitoba, 218 and Saskatchewan, 55 new cases. In Atlantic Canada, there are 500 new cases. The push is on to get adults vaccinated with a booster shot along with their two earlier shots.

   - Canada’s Consumer Price Index rose 4.7 percent last month as consumers paid more for most products. Statistics Canada said this matches the increase in October, the highest since February 2003. Transportation and shelter prices contributed most to the increase with gasoline up 43.6 percent, furniture, was 8.7 higher and food was up 4.4 per cent.

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    Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is steady at 78 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.28 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

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

   Canadian stock markets are mixed, with the Toronto index up at 20,889 on Friday while the TSX Venture index was down at 889 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is steady at $1.39 a liter (Canadian) or $5.30 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max: (Dec. 14) 3, 21, 22, 26, 28, 44 and 49; bonus 34. (Dec. 10) 17, 21, 27, 32, 45, 46 and 49; bonus 19.

   Lotto 6/49: (Dec. 15) 1, 9, 12, 18, 35 and 48; bonus 19. (Dec. 11) 1, 6, 26, 27,43 and 46; bonus 12.

    ---

    Regional briefs:

   -   The Coquihalla Highway, a major link between British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and the rest of the province has reopened to essential traffic five weeks after it was heavily damaged by severe rainstorms and flooding. Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said it is “one of the most remarkable engineering feats” in the province. There were 20 locations torn up, destroyed or washed away, including seven bridges.

   - A Nova Scotia woman thought he could win the jackpot by stealing lottery tickets from a store where she worked in Brighton. Mounties were called to investigate when it was found that lottery tickets were being cash without payment for them. The investigation showed the cost of the unpaid tickets and the winnings paid out to the employee was more than $50,000.  Katherine Foote, 30, of Marshalltown, was arrested for theft and fraud.

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 thecanadareport.blogspot.com

Canada advises travelers be "extremely prudent" over the holidays due to pandemic surge

    Canada column for Sunday, Dec.12/21

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

     The Canadian government – while not suggesting that people should forego holiday vacations – suggests that travelers need to be extremely prudent.

   The words of caution came from federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos who said that “things are evolving rapidly and international travel is getting very complicated due to the spread of the omicron variant.”

    Things can change rapidly, he said at a COVID-19 briefing on Friday, advising Canadians to “plan ahead and be prepared for airport delays.

   Canadians returning home must use the ArriveCAN app upon their return, “have a quarantine plan and be prepared for officials to follow up,” he added.

   For those wanting to travel outside Canada over the holidays, the new variant “should be a big alarm bell as there is uncertainty and risks with traveling in other countries over the next few weeks.”

   Ontario, Canada’s most-populous province with 14-million people and includes Toronto, reported 1,453 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, the most in six months.

   The province is considering stronger proof-of-vaccination measures to include certificates that must include scannable QR codes.

    ---

    Toronto Raptors basketball vice-chairman and president Masai Ujiri has tested positive for COVID-19.

   This comes after he hosted a gala for his Giants of Africa charity last weekend.

   Ujiri said he is double-vaccinated and has received a booster shot and everyone who attended had to show proof of vaccination and to wear masks when not eating or drinking.

   Some other guests have also had a positive test.

   “I am now at home, observing the safety protocols by self-isolating for 10 days, monitoring for symptoms and undergoing testing,” he said.

    ---

    News in brief:

   Canada’s central bank warns that increases in the cost of living will continue into next year when it’s expected interest rates will be increased.

   The Bank of Canada announcement said its trendsetting interest rate would remain unchanged at 0.25 percent.

   The annual pace of inflation rose to 4.7 percent in October, the fastest yearly gain in 18 years.

   The bank expects high inflation rates to continue through the first half of next year and then fallback to 2.1 percent that could result in it raising interest rates between April and September.

   ---

    Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is steady at 78 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.28 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

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

   Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 20,846 on Friday while the TSX Venture index was 907 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is steady at $1.39 a liter (Canadian) or $5.30 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max: (Dec. 7) 9, 16, 19, 24, 27, 34 and 40; bonus 7. (Dec. 3) 7, 18, 22, 35, 37, 43 and 45; bonus 44.

   Lotto 6/49: (Dec. 8) 23, 25, 26, 36, 40 and 49; bonus 42. (Dec. 4) 5, 11, 15, 28, 31 and 47; bonus 19.

    ---

    Regional briefs:

   - The “most-costly” weather event in British Columbia’s history resulted in $450 million in flood damage, the Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates. The overall losses are expected to climb as many of the areas in southwestern B.C. didn’t offer flood insurance. The flooding forced 15,000 people from their homes and killed hundreds of farm animals. There was also $155 million in insured damage caused by wildfires over the summer.

   - Schools and universities as well as businesses were closed Thursday when a storm dumped up to16 inches (40 centimeters) of snow across Nova Scotia. The snow started in the southwestern part of the province and spread eastward throughout the evening. Halifax received a foot (30 centimeters) of snow. That amount was similar to amounts of snowfall in areas north of Toronto in Ontario while the city received a few inches.

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 thecanadareport.blogspot.com

Travel to Florida, sun belt destinations, by Canadian snowbirds picks up after border rule changes

    Canada column for Sunday, Dec.5/21

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    Canadian “snowbirds” have been leaving the nest for Florida and other sun-belt destinations after being the cooped up the past year and more due to the pandemic.

   The federal government has lifted its advisory against non-essential travel abroad, saying now that international travelers must be fully vaccinated, with the land border now fully open.

   It It’s still urging caution, suggesting that people older than 50 might want to avoid travel, including to the United States and areas with higher outbreaks of the virus.

   “The pandemic is very much alive,” said Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam.

   “Look at the risks involved in that travel journey and where you're heading to,” she added.

   Updated rules for border crossings took effect on Nov. 30 and people who are fully vaccinated “who depart and re-enter the country within 72 hours by land and air are exempt from providing a pre-entry COVID-19 test result.

   Those arriving by air, except from the U. S., must take a test in a bid to halt the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

   The Canadian Snowbird Association said 30 percent of the more than one-million visitors went south last winter while this year it will be about 90 percent. For the latest rules, go to cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/covid/menu-eng.html

    ---

    Canada’s largest six banks are cashing in on current market conditions.

   BMO Financial Group will increase dividends and share buybacks from its “expense and efficiency commitments,” said chief executive Darryl White.

   The bank reported a fourth-quarter profit of nearly $2.2 billion, up from almost $1.6 billion in the same quarter last year.

   TD Bank Group has a $3.8 billion fourth-quarter profit and raised its quarterly dividend.

   CIBC said it is focusing on growth, including buying the Costco credit card portfolio and a fourth-quarter profit of $1.4 billion.

   The Royal Bank of Canada reported $3.9 billion fourth quarter profit while Scotiabank had a quarterly net income of $2.6 billion.

   National Bank of Canada reported a $776 million quarterly profit and raised its dividend by 23 percent.

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    News in brief:

   - The fledgling Green Party of Canada, which had a poor showing in the federal election, is considering closing its Ottawa office to cut costs and avoid insolvency. The cash-strapped environmental party has had division within its ranks including the resignation of leader Annamie Paul and a drop in financial support with just two elected members of the government.

   ---

   Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is steady at 78 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.28 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s 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 losing 230 points to 20,531 Friday while the TSX Venture index was off 19 points at891.

   The average price for gas in Canada is lower at $1.39 a liter (Canadian) or $5.30 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max: (Nov. 30) 4, 7, 8, 22, 24, 30 and 49; bonus 42. (Nov. 26) 9, 26, 30, 35, 37, 42 and 50; bonus 47.

   Lotto 6/49: (Dec. 1) 14, 17, 27, 34, 36 and 42; bonus 8. (Nov. 27) 6, 7, 14, 23, 35 and 41; bonus 11.

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    Regional brief:

   - Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization “strongly” recommends people 50 and older and “vulnerable individuals” should get a COVID-19 booster shot. The national immunization committee also said that people aged 18 to 49 should also be offered a third vaccine shot six months after their second dose. This week across Canada shots started to be given to children aged four to 11. This comes with increased outbreaks. Ontario and Quebec each recorded more than 1,000 positive cases on Friday.

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 hecanadareport.blogspot.com