Canada column for Sunday, Oct. 31/21
THE CANADIAN REPORT
By Jim Fox
The Canadian government isn’t budging on its COVID-19 test requirement for air travelers despite mounting pressure.
The rule began at the height of the pandemic last January and was expanded to land travelers a month later.
It calls for non-essential travelers entering Canada to show proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours of their departing flight or planned arrival at a land border.
This is a major irritant for “snowbirds” and other travelers heading to Florida and other winter hot spots as the test requirement even for fully vaccinated travelers can be costly – from $150 and $300for a test.
This fee can be “higher than the cost of the travel itself,” said Jana Ray of the seniors’ advocacy group CanAge.
“Travel is becoming cost-prohibitive for our members, many of whom are retirees on fixed or limited incomes,” said Michael MacKenzie of the Canadian Snowbird Association.
With Canada having the fourth wave of the pandemic in many areas, this “additional layer of protection is deemed important at this time,” said Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a new cabinet with different ministers in key portfolios such as defense, health, foreign affairs and environment along with some rookies heading into his Liberal government’s third mandate.
It’s a 39-member cabinet that was sworn in, with Trudeau calling it a “refreshed and reinvigorated team.”
“I’m really excited about what we're going to be able to accomplish for Canadians and I know that this team is raring to go,.” he said.
Three ministers were dropped: Marc Garneau, Bardish Chagger and Jim Carr, who is ill
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News in brief:
- COVID-19 booster shots are being recommended by Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization for those 80 and older. This could also include other groups from 70 who may be at increased risk of lowered protection over time since their two initial vaccinations. Booster shots should be given at least six months after the second dose of vaccine, NACI said. It is up to the provincial and territorial governments to decide who is eligible.
- Canada’s central bank has again left its trendsetting interest rate unchanged at 0.25 percent as economists suggest interest rates would start rising next year. That’s because the Bank of Canada is trying to tackle inflation by ending stimulus to the economy by buying bonds. Bank Governor Tiff Macklem said the bank is committed to actively drive inflation down with cuts to stimulus.
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Facts and figures:
Canada’s dollar is steady at 81 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.24 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.
The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is 0.25 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.45 percent.
Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 21,124 points and the TSX Venture index 952 points.
The average price for gas in Canada is lower at $1.47 a liter (Canadian) or $5.58 for a U.S. gallon.
Lotto Max: (Oct. 26) 2, 8, 10, 14, 21, 36 and 40; bonus 17. (Oct. 22) 2, 11, 19, 33, 44, 45 and 47; bonus 42.
Lotto 6/49: (Oct. 27) 3, 9, 14, 36, 40 and 46; bonus 41. (Oct. 23)1, 3, 9, 40 ,42 and 44; bonus 46.
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Regional briefs:
- Debris including refrigerators, toys, hair products and food are washing up from a stricken cargo ship at Palmerston Beach on Vancouver Island’s northwest coast. The Canadian Coast Guard said containers from the MV Zim Kingston were among 109 that fell overboard during a storm. The crew members were rescued from the ship when a fire broke out on board. Mariners, pilots and the public are asked to report any sightings of containers and cautioned that two contain hazardous chemicals.
- The Ontario government has a new strategy to improve long-term care homes where COVID-19 outbreaks killed more than 3,800 people during the pandemic. Premier Doug Ford said a bill will increase accountability, enforcement and transparency to the nursing home sector and enshrine residents’ rights at the province’s 626 homes.
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Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
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