Canada column for Sunday, Nov.28/21
THE CANADIAN REPORT
By Jim Fox
Federal Health Minister Jean- Duclos said Canada has banned travel from seven countries in southern Africa where a new variant of COVID-19 has been found.
Global Affairs Canada is also warning against all travel to the region for the foreseeable future.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can return home — but they'll face tests and a14-day quarantine.
The ban, encouraged by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, comes as his province reported 927 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, which is the most in one day in more than two months.
Chief medical officer Dr. Kieran Moore said the newly discovered variant potentially could be resistant to existing vaccines and more transmissible than the delta variant that accounts now for nearly all new cases in Canada’s most-populous province.
There is a “need for immediate action today,” Ford said, adding that “anyone arriving before the ban is implemented should be tested and quarantined.”
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After days of massive flooding and mudslides begin to ease in British Columbia, a slow-moving storm has washed away parts of Nova Scotia on the east coast.
“The damage from the storm is significant, probably at least $7 million,” said Premier Tim Houston.
The storm – dumping up to a foot of rain with powerful winds over three days – washed out sections of the Trans-Canada Highway and the Cabot Trail in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
“We have people that have been displaced from their homes and communities that are shut in and isolated,” Houston said.
The damage is still being assessed along with providing help to those affected and seeking federal assistance.
“There’s a lot of work to be done to rebuild, repair and restore,” Houston said.
Out west, more storm and mudslides are forecast as British Columbia Premier John Horgan announced a state of emergency.
Thousands were forced from their homes and others were stranded along with several deaths.
Horgan urged people to “do the right thing” and not hoard food as supplies dwindle at grocery stores.
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News in brief:
Statistics Canada reports that job vacancies have soared past 1 million, leaving employers having difficulty finding workers as the economy starts to recover. There were 1.01-million job openings largely in the hospitality industry such as food services and hotels with the highest proportion of unfilled positions, at 14.4 per cent. British Columbia and Quebec have more jobs than those seeking work. Amazon is advertising on line for warehouse workers at $17 Canadian ($14 U.S.) and more an hour with no experience needed.
- Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot was back performing at Toronto’s historic Massey Hall for his 170th show in the venue’s 127-year history. Lightfoot, 83, has been on hiatus due to the pandemic and was the hall’s closing act in 2018. During that time, the hall underwent a massive $184-million restoration. Also in show biz, Canadian rock singer Bryan Adams has tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Italy. He is said to be fully vaccinated and it was his second positive test in a month.
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Facts and figures:
Canada’s dollar is lower 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 500 points to 21,112 Friday after the price of oil plunged and over news of a new COVID variant. The TSX Venture index was down 50 points to 939.
The average price for gas in Canada is steady at $1.45 a liter (Canadian) or $5.51 for a U.S. gallon.
Lotto Max: (Nov. 23) 14, 17, 25, 27, 31, 32 and34; bonus 20. (Nov. 19) 1, 13, 14, 17, 25, 28 and 41; bonus 43.
Lotto 6/49: (Nov. 24) 10, 11, 18, 20, 35 and 48; bonus 39. (Nov 20) 15, 25, 26, 29, 42 and 43; bonus 22.
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Regional brief:
- Canada’s murder rate has surged to levels not seen in more than a decade. That’s largely due to violence in Alberta and the deaths of 22 people in Nova Scotia last year in a mass murder. Statistics Canada said there were 743 homicides last year, the highest recorded in Canada since 1991. That pushed the rate up by 7 percent to 1.95 homicides per 100, 00 population in 2020, compared with 1.83 in 2019 while Toronto had 105 deaths, down 25.
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thecanadareport.blogspot.com
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