Canada is reopening land border with U.S. as Americans wait longer

    Canada column for Sunday, July 25/21

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

    By Jim Fox

    Canada is reopening its land border with the United States next month to vaccinated visitors but the U.S. is keeping things closed to non-essential travel for now.

   In a message in the U.S. Federal Register, the government said that while vaccination rates have improved, opening the land border to non-essential travel “still poses too great a risk.”

    The new U.S. order continues until at least Aug 21 for further review.

   There has been pressure from U.S. federal and state officials to get the border reopened after being closed for more than a year over the virus.

   The Department of Homeland Security said the spread of the pandemic requires caution and the agency continues to be in “constant contact with Canadian and Mexican counterparts to identify the conditions under which restrictions may be eased safely and sustainably.”

   Canada is reopening the land border to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens on Aug. 9 and to travellers from other countries on Sept. 7.

   Canadian Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said the U.S. policy doesn’t affect Canada’s decision to open its border.

    ---

    Hundreds of wildfires in British Columbia and northwest Ontario continue out of control and are speeding their toxic smoke eastward across the country.

   The fires during record-breaking high temperatures and dry conditions have forced people from their homes and long-term care facilities and even destroyed most of the village of Lytton in British Columbia.

   With Canada having almost 10 percent of the world’s forests, this year’s fires have come early and with greater intensity than in the past, fire watchers say.

   The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center said there are some 300-uncontrolled active fires burning in several provinces, with the worst in British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

    ---

    News in brief:

   - Canada is projected to win 21 medals by a global tech company at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Gracenote, based in California said its survey shows Canada winning four gold, eight silver and nine bronze medals and ending up in 15th place. It expects the United States, Russia and China will be the top three winners. That would be the seventh consecutive Summer Games win for the U.S.

    ---

     Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is lower at 79 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.26 in Canadian funds 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 20,166 points and the TSX Venture index 902 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is steady at $1.38 a liter (Canadian) or $5.25 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max: (July 20) 2, 13, 15, 19, 38, 39 and 46; bonus 34. (July 16) 13, 17, 24, 26, 33, 46 and 48; bonus 27.

   Lotto 6/49: (July 21) 2, 4, 15, 20, 35 and 45; bonus 10. (July 17) 22, 24, 28, 35, 37 and 45; bonus 49.

    ---

    Regional briefs:

   - A hiker, missing in British Columbia’s Garibaldi Provincial Park for two weeks, has been found alive and well. Daniel Ring, 33, was planning to camp at Rampart Ponds but couldn’t be found two days later, on July 9, prompting a search-and-rescue effort. Wildfire Service crews, responding to reports of smoke near Pitt River, saw him waving from the air and made the rescue. Ring managed to survive on a little fresh water, food and berries.

   - The Quebec Superior Court has ordered the demolition of a $3-million mansion built too close to the road in Gatineau. The court overturned a 2014 city council exemption in the latest twist in the eight-year-old saga since owner Patrick Molla had thought everything was in order. Neighbors complained that the house didn’t fit with the rest of the neighborhood and broke the law.

 -30-

 Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com

Bon oyage! Cruise ships can sail in Canadian waters from November

    Canada column for Sunday, July 18/21

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    Anchors away!

   Cruise ships will again be allowed to sail in Canadian waters three months sooner than expected after the pandemic lockout.

   The Canadian government said the ban will be lifted as of November – too late to help this season of the popular Canada-New England and Canada-Alaska sailings.

   As well, Canada appears to be moving to open up to the world after flight and border-crossing restrictions.

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he is looking at a target of mid-August for when the border might reopen for fully vaccinated Americans and those from the rest of the world in early September.

   The cruise ship reopening is dependent on “if operators are able to fully comply with public health requirements,” said Transport Minister Omar Alghabra.

   “We will welcome cruise ships—an important part of our tourism sector—back in Canadian waters for the 2022 season,” he said.

    ---

    A hot, humid summer afternoon was rocked by a devastating tornado that carved a three-mile path of destruction across Barrie, Ontario.

   Eight people were injured, four seriously, but there were no fatalities in the upscale neighborhood north of Toronto on Thursday.

   Dozens of houses were damaged, many beyond repair, as the tornado touched down with a top wind speed of 130 m.p.h.

   Environment Canada said the tornado formed quickly as it approached and the last-minute warnings sent many people to seek shelter in their basements.

   Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman said it was reminiscent of the 1985 tornado disaster that killed eight people and left damage of $1 billion in the city.

    ---

    News in brief:

   - Former top General Jonathan Vance has been arrested for obstruction of justice. Authorities say it relates to attempting to persuade a woman to make false statements about their past relationship. Military police launched an investigation in February into allegations of misconduct after his retirement.

   - Canada’s central bank has again kept its trendsetting interest rate steady at 0.25 percent. The Bank of Canada noted that the economy is improving as COVID vaccinations increase. The virus variants, however, make the recovery uncertain. The bank is also waiting until inflation settles in at around two percent from its current 3.4 percent.

    ---

     Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is steady 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 higher, with the Toronto index at 20,183 points and the TSX Venture index 928 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $1.38 a liter (Canadian) or $5.25 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max: (July 13) 2, 6, 12, 13, 17, 36 and 48; bonus 25. (July 9) 11, 21, 32, 33, 38, 40 and 44; bonus 19.

   Lotto 6/49: (July 14) 2, 9, 19, 23, 26 and 30; bonus 10. (July 10) 4, 5, 18, 28, 35 and 42; bonus 2.

    ---

    Regional briefs:

   - Wildfires continue to rage in British Columbia with evacuations and an investigation into the fire that destroyed most of the village of Lytton. There are more than 1,500 properties under an evacuation order with thousands more on standby. Several long-term care homes in the 100 Mile House and Ashcroft areas have been evacuated while others are preparing to leave. The investigation into the Lytton fire is looking into possible points of origin including sparks from a freight train.

- Nova Scotia has joined with British Columbia to adopt a federal program to cut daycare rates to as low as $10 a child. The program will fund thousands of subsidized daycare spots. Premier Iain Rankin said average child-care fees in by the end of next year would drop to $20 a day per child and gradually move over five years to $10 a day.

 -30-

 Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com

 

Wildires in wesrern Canada wipe out town of Lytton, B.C.

    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.

    ---

    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.

    ---

    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.

    ---

     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.

    ---

    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

Canadian birthday clebrations somber over finding of children's graves at residential schools

    Canada column for Sunday, July 4/21

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

   Canada Day celebrations on July 1 to mark the country’s 153rd birthday took on a somber note this year.

   That was as the country remembered the lives of hundreds of Indigenous children whose unmarked graves from years ago have been found around several former residential Indian schools.

   There’s a massive investigation now into Canada’s residential school system of boarding schools for Indigenous children with the goal of assimilating them into society.

   The horrors of the school became confirmed last month with the finding of the remains of 215 Indigenous children in at the Kamloops Residential School in British Columbia.

   Then another 751 graves were found on the grounds of the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan.

   In the past week, searching with ground-penetrating radar found 182 unmarked graves in a cemetery at the site of the former Kootenay Residential School at St. Eugene Mission in British Columbia.

   Celebrations for Canada Day were canceled in many places to honor the legacy of victims of the schools and Indigenous Peoples.

   The network of 132 schools was funded by the federal Department of Indian Affairs and administered by Christian churches, housed150, 000 children taken from their parents between 1857 and 1996.

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spent a quiet day with his family “remembering that others may be feeling pain and anger” over the findings.

    ---

    Extreme heat and dry conditions led to the destruction of Lytton, British Columbia by a massive wildfire.

   The fast-moving blaze burned houses and businesses to the ground, leaving the village a smoldering ruin.

   The BC Wildfire Service said the wildfire has grown to cover 25 miles and was out of control when it overtook the village.

   An evacuation order led to 1,000 people fleeing to safety.

   Almost all buildings were lost in the village of 250 people with 1,700 living in the area, including the Mountie detachment, post office, hotel, ambulance service and clinic.

    ---

    News in brief:

   - Four Canadians remain missing in the collapse of a 12-story condo building in Surfside, Florida. Canada's consul general in Miami, Susan Harper, did not provide information on their identities. She said two Canadian families were living there and someone from a third family was visiting at the time.

   - A Toronto police officer was struck and killed by a car in the parking garage at city hall what was called “an intentional and deliberate act.” Constable Jeffrey Northrup was responding to a call for assistance with his partner. A suspect has been arrested. Northrup was a police officer for 31 years and is survived by his wife, three children and mother.

    ---

     Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is steady at 81 cents U.S. and a U.S. dollar returns $1.23 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 higher, with the Toronto index at 20,216 points and the TSX Venture index 962 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $1.36 a liter (Canadian) or $5.16 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max: (June 29) 6, 17, 22, 23, 32, 37 and 47; bonus 13. (June 25) 10, 13, 18, 33, 36, 45 and 47; bonus 22

   Lotto 6/49: (June 30) 9, 10, 13, 26, 28 and 30; bonus 36. (June 26) 15, 27, 36, 37 and 43; bonus 49.

    ---

   Regional briefs:

   - Ontario, a Canadian province with 15-million people, is the only place in North America where indoor dining still isn't allowed due to pandemic rules. The trade association Restaurants Canada is angered over the provincial government’s reopening plan. It calls it “inadequate” and is asking that restaurants be fully reopened while casinos also remain closed.

   - Traffic was heavy as Nova Scotia reopened its border. It allows fully immunized people to visit just in time for the summer tourist season. The amended rules don’t enquire those immunized to self-isolate. Visitors from away are being required to complete a safe check-in form and provide proof of vaccine.

 -30-

 Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com

Canadian horrors as 750 unmarked graves from years ago found near schools

    Canada column for Sunday, June 27/21

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    The grim reality of Canada’s sordid past continues with the discovery of another 751 unmarked graves on the grounds of the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan.

   This discovery comes about a month after the finding of the remains of 215 Indigenous children in unmarked graves at Kamloops Residential School in British Columbia.

   Under investigation now is Canada’s residential school system of boarding schools for Indigenous children with the goal of assimilating them into society.

   Marieval operated from 1898 to 1996 and was run by the Roman Catholic Church until Cowessess First Nation took over in 1981.

   Chief Cadmus Delorme said the findings from ground penetrating radar could include adults in graves with the headstones removed.

   The network of 132 schools was funded by the federal Department of Indian Affairs and administered by Christian churches and housed150, 000 children taken from their parents between 1857 and 1996.

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it a “shameful reminder of the systemic racism, discrimination and injustice that Indigenous peoples have faced, and continue to face, in this country.”

    ---

    Provinces across Canada are lifting pandemic rules including Ontario heading into a Stage 2 strategy several days ahead of schedule.

    People will once again be able to host indoor gatherings of up to five people, meet with up to 25 outdoors and finally book personal care services such as haircuts.

   Outdoor performances and team sports can resume and outdoor attractions such as water parks, including Canada’s Wonderland theme park, are also allowed to reopen.

   Premier Doug Ford credited the “tireless work of our health care heroes and the record-setting success of our vaccine rollout.”

   Outdoor dining and essential retail are expanded in the stage while Waterloo Region stays in the current limits due to outbreaks.

    ---

    News in brief:

   - A world-wide search is on to find a life-saving stem cell transplant for Leia Fallico, 3, of Toronto. She was diagnosed with Dyskeratosis congenita, a rare genetic form of bone marrow failure. Her mixed ethnicity of  Persian and European has made finding her a donor challenging. Eligible donors can register through Canadian Blood Services at www.blood.ca/en

    - Canada’s largest lottery jackpot of $70 million, tax free, has been split between two ticket holders in Toronto and British Columbia. The winning numbers were 7, 11, 22, 28, 33, 44, 49 and 10 (bonus). There were also six Encore prizes worth $100,000 each and 30 $1-million Maxmillion winners on a $5 ticket. The top prize for the next draw was reset at $50 million.

    ---

     Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is steady at 81 cents U.S. and a U.S. dollar returns $1.23 in Canadian funds 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 20,215 points and the TSX Venture index 950 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $1.34 a liter (Canadian) or $5.09 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max: (June 22) 7, 11, 22, 28, 33, 44 and 49; bonus 10. (June 18) 11, 14, 15, 24, 34, 43 and 47; bonus 36.

   Lotto 6/49: (June 23) 9, 17, 20, 22, 34 and 40; bonus 48. (June 19) 13, 15, 17, 25, 34 and 45; bonus 5.

    ---

    Regional briefs:

   - Several people were arrested by Mounties clearing a blockade of the Trans-Canada Highway near the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border. The protest was over restrictions imposed by Nova Scotia on travelers coming from New Brunswick to self-isolate.

   - Tropical storm Claudette roared into Atlantic Canada, dumping heavy rain on parts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. There was localized flooding as the storm was losing strength. In British Columbia, Environment Canada is warning of extreme heat reaching 38C (101F) this weekend. The agency said it will be “dangerously hot” until Tuesday with “little relief at night.”

 -30-

 Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com