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.
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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.
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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.
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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 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.
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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
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