Computer hack caused massive delays for Canadian air travelers on Sunwing flights

    Canada column for Sunday, April 24/22

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    Thousands of people have been stranded all week in sun destinations and at Canadian airports due to a data security breach involving Sunwing Airlines.

   The problem began last weekend and is slowly improving for the Toronto-based “low-cost airline” that connects Canadian destinations with the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.

   Would-be flyers report chaos and confusion with a lack of information on when their planes might leave.

   As a result of the breach, the airline has to check-in passengers manually after the server networks belonging to a third-party service provider, Airline Choice of Illinois, were compromised.

   “We apologize to our customers for the ongoing delays and thank them for their patience and understanding during this unfortunate situation” Sunwing said in a statement.

   Passengers whose flights have been delayed by more than three hours should be entitled to compensation under Canadian air passenger protection regulations.

   Sunwing has subcontracted aircraft from other airlines, including WestJet, AirTransat and Nolinor Aviation, to relieve backlogs and has offered customers changes in their departure dates with no fees for flights that were scheduled between April 19 and 22.

   “We actually thought it was nice that we got an extra night’s stay at first in Veradero, Cuba, but now I’m thinking this isn’t fun anymore,” said Tania Cameron, of Kemora, Ontario.

    ---

    Canadians are paying more for goods and services as the country’s inflation rate soared to 6.7 percent last month.

   It was the fastest annual increase in more than three decades, affected by world affairs that have pushed up oil prices and the continuing pandemic-related supply chain crunch.

   The latest increase, after a 5.7 percent jump in February, puts it at the highest reading since January 1991 when the Goods and Service Tax was introduced.

  Statistics Canada noted prices were also driven higher with the hot housing market and supply chain constraints.

   House prices were up 12.9 percent over last year, grocery store prices rose 8.7 percent, with dairy products and eggs rising 8.5 percent and higher prices for pasta and cereal, with average hourly wages up3.4 percent.

    ---

    News in brief:

   Montreal Canadiens’ hockey legend Guy Lafleur has died at age 70 of lung cancer. He led the National Hockey League to a record 24 Stanley Cups and was a member of the team’s Ring of Honor that includes Jean Béliveau and Maurice (Rocket) Richard. Team owner Geoff Molson described Lafleur as “one of the greatest players in Habs’ history and an extraordinary ambassador for our sport.” He is survived  by wife Lise and sons Martin and Mark.

    --

        Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is steady at 79 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.25 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is 1 percent while the prime lending rate at commercial banks is 2.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are down, with the Toronto index at 21,650 points while the TSX Venture index is 880 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $1.76 a liter or $6.69 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.

   Lotto Max: (April 19) 1, 6, 10, 27, 42, 45 and 50; bonus 43. (April 15) 1, 6, 18, 21, 30, 32 and 37; bonus 35.

   Lotto 6/49: (April 20) 6, 10, 13, 17, 21 and 37; bonus 34. (April 16) 7,13, 26,35,36 and 38; bonus 40.

    ---

    Regional brief:

    - A Toronto woman narrowly escaped death after being pushed by a stranger onto the subway tracks as a train approached. The woman, 39, rolled under the platform at the Yonge and Bloor station to avoid being hit by the train. She escaped with a broken rib. Video helped the police make an arrest of Edith Frayne, 45, for attempted murder when she was seen at a Toronto GO train station. Last November, a man was pushed onto the subway tracks and injured at the same station while last week, there was an unprovoked stabbing on the subway that left a man injured.

 -30-

 canadareport.blogspot.com

 

Canada's cenral bank makes big jump in its key interest rate to fight inflation

    Canada column for Sunday, April 17/22

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    Canada’s central bank has made its biggest key interest rate increase in 20 years in the battle against inflation.

   The jump in the key rate of the Bank of Canada by .50 percent to 1 percent is said to be the first of more – perhaps raising the target several times this year.

    “With inflation well above target and the economy moving in excess demand, there is a need to normalize monetary policy relatively quickly,” said Bank Governor Tiff Macklem.

   The bold move was necessary as inflation and economic growth has passed the bank’s forecasts.

   For consumers, what it means is a bonus for those with money in the bank and higher fees for those with variable-rate mortgages and loan payments.

   The central bank rise also prompted commercial banks to increase their prime-lending rates to

2.7 percent.

   Originally, the bank’s prediction early this year was an annual rate of inflation at an average of 5 percent for the first half of the year but it is now 6 percent.

   World events pushed inflation higher with higher prices for commodities such as gasoline and food, budging the rate from its historic lows of 0.25 percent.

   “A robust jobs market with unemployment below pre-pandemic levels is driving demand and consumer spending at a feverish pace,” Macklem said.

    ---

    At the height of the pandemic’s sixth wave, Ontario’s top doctor couldn’t be found to comment publicly because he was taking a vacation in the Caribbean, reporters learned.

   At a news conference last week – the first in almost five weeks for Dr. Kieran Moore –

 Premier Doug Ford said he “never rests and works around the clock for the people of Ontario.”

   Health Minister Christine Elliott and Ford mentioned that he was at a medical conference.

   “While Dr. Moore was away, we had an acting chief medical officer of health as well as five assistant medical officers of health who were closely following the situation in Ontario,” Elliott said.

   Moore now recommends that the provincial government extend remaining mask mandates in settings such as hospitals, long-term care and public transit after the current end date of April 27.

    --

    Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is steady at 79 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.25 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate has jumped to1 percent while the prime lending rate at commercial banks is 2.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are mixed, with the Toronto index up at 21,855 points while the TSX Venture index was down at 884 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is lower at $1.69 a liter or $6.42 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.

   Lotto Max: (April 12) 3, 5, 7, 19, 32, 34 and 50; bonus 25. (April 8) 1, 2, 14, 15, 21, 26 and  29; bonus 4.

   Lotto 6/49: (April 13) 9, 27, 31, 33, 45 and 49; bonus 20. (April 9) 12, 28, 34, 41, 46 and 49; bonus 2.

    ---

    Regional briefs:

   - There are reminders of winter in Winnipeg and across Southern Manitoba as a multi-day storm dumped snow and brought high winds. Environment Canada said the storm left behind up to 50 cm (two feet) of snow. The highest amounts of snow fell in the south and the Interlake and Parklands regions. There were also blizzard warnings for southeastern Saskatchewan at mid-week. Earlier rain resulted in the province using flood controls in the Red River Floodway before the snow.

 -30-

 canadareport.blogspot.com

 

Foreigners prohibited from buying houses for a profit in Canada government budget

    Canada column for Sunday, April 10/22

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

    By Jim Fox

    The door has been slammed shut on foreigners wanting to buy up houses in Canada for profit while impacting the supply and cost for people living here.

   Calling it an “affordability crisis” with a limited supply of housing, the government of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in its budget has banned non-Canadians from buying residential properties for two years.

   Refugees, international students wanting a permanent residence and those with work permits are exempt.

   As promised, the government said it will continue to oversee the impact foreign money is having on housing costs and will strengthen the ban if necessary.

   The budget also outlines plans for creating a tax-free First Home Savings Account that would give first-time homebuyers the ability to save up to $40,000 towards a house.

   It also calls on Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. to develop 100,000 new housing units and set aside $1.5billion over two years to create 6,000 affordable units.

   Starting on May 7, the government will tax house flippers who buy properties to renovate and put them back on the market less than a year later for quick gains.

    ---

    Toronto area doctors are at odds with the Ontario government over relaxed COVID public health measures.

   The number of cases has been growing in a sixth wave of the virus since the province lifted mask mandates and public gathering limits in March.

   Dr. Kieran Moore, the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, is no longer giving daily updates to guide residents.

   Premier Doug Ford, who faces an election on June 2, said the recent rise in hospitalizations is “a little spike” while Toronto’s medical officer, Dr. Eileen de Villa, has called for the wearing of masks in most settings, a move endorsed by Mayor John Tory.

    ---

 News in brief:

   - Tributes are pouring in for famed musical conductor Boris Brott who was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Hamilton, Ontario. He was78 and the artistic director and conductor of the Montreal Classic Orchestra. “He was an extraordinary ambassador of classical music, recognized beyond our borders, a mentor to countless young musicians and a very dear friend to many among them,” an orchestra notice said.

    ---

    Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is lower at 79 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.25 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is steady at 0.5 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are lower, with the Toronto index at 21,834 points while the TSX Venture index is886 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is lower at $1.70 a liter or $6.46 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.

   Lotto Max: (April 5) 14, 24, 34, 39, 43, 48 and 50; bonus 20. (April 1)  7, 10, 18, 29, 38, 43 and 50; bonus 41.

   Lotto 6/49: (April 6) 2, 8, 9, 16, 39 and 49; bonus 21. (April 2) 5, 12, 15, 29, 42 and 44; bonus 38.

    ---

    Regional briefs:

   - After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, hundreds of cruise ships will be again visiting Canada, leaving residents near the cruise ship terminals in Victoria and Vancouver concerned that the virus will spread with all of the visitors. The first scheduled arrival of the season was canceled after several outbreaks were reported on the Caribbean Princess. There are 358 cruise ships with 780,000 passengers expected in British Columbia this season.

   - Quebec’s coveted maple syrup harvest was too much to resist for one of the ringleaders in the theft of $18 million of the liquid gold. The Supreme Court of Canada raised the fine for Richard Vallieres, who is serving an eight-year prison term, for the 2016 heist to the value of the stolen syrup at $9.1-million. Court was told 9,500 barrels of syrup were stolen from a warehouse over two years and he sold it for $10 million.

 -30-

 canadareport.blogspot.com

 

Canada considers urging fourth vaccine as numbers of infection grow

   Canada column for Sunday, April 3/22

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    An increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, combined with public health indicators, is pushing Canada to recommend second vaccine booster shots.

   The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is to release guidance on more doses of the vaccine in the next week.

     Many health practitioners are calling this the sixth wave that is causing growing concerns about hospital capacity and staff burn out, said Anna Maddison of Health Canada.

  NACI earlier recommended that people who are “moderately to severely compromise” receive a fourth dose of the vaccine six months after getting their third one.

   The number of cases of infection has been growing since most provinces dropped mask- wearing rules and eased restrictions on public events.

   Colin Furness, a University of Toronto epidemiologist, said it has been a bad idea to say “everyone take off your mask and we’ll have a hospital bed when you need it.”

   Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said the province isn’t considering bringing back any COVID-19 measures despite rising infections and hospitalizations.

   That’s because there is a highly vaccinated population with increased hospital capacity and access to antiviral medications, she said.

    ---

    New vaccine testing requirements are now in effect for fully vaccinated travelers.

   The Canadian government has eased testing requirements for international travel as demand surges after two years of the pandemic.

   Gone are the pre-entry testing requirements for fully vaccinated Canadians to enter Canada by air, land or water but some rules remain.

   Travelers must still show proof of vaccination and still have to use the ArriveCAN ap prior to returning including those taking a cruise or flying within 72 hours before boarding.

   There are no changes to rules for those partially vaccinated or unvaccinated to provide a positive molecular or negative rapid antigen test.

   For those cruising, an antigen test is required to board a ship no more than one day before departure but isn’t required to leave the ship.

   The government cautions that the virus can spread easily between people in close quarters, such as on cause ships, and infections are still “very high even for those who are fully vaccinated.” Government details at: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid

    ---

   News in brief:

   A $5-billion investment will create a large-scale electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor, Ontario, across from Detroit. Automaker Stellantis and South Korean battery-maker LG Energy Solution will build the plant to make the “cars of the future from start to finish.” It will be the largest investment in Canadian automotive manufacturing history, said Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. The plant will employ about 2,500 people along with work at auto parts-makers for a total impact of about 10,000 jobs. Construction is to start this year with a goal of being operational by 2025.

    ---

    Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is steady at 80 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.25 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is steady at 0.5 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are mixed, with the Toronto index down at 21,890 while the TSX Venture index is up at 892 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is lower at $1.74 a liter or $6.61 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.

   Lotto Max: (March 29) 7, 17, 32, 34, 39, 45 and 47; bonus 42. (March 25) 3, 7, 16, 18, 27,32, and 37; bonus 17.

   Lotto 6/49 :(March 30) 3, 7,15, 21, 35 and 40; bonus 37. (March 26) 5, 11, 21, 22, 38 and 45; bonus 44.

   ---

    Regional briefs:

   - Live Nation is planning to open a new concert hall in Toronto’s Beaches neighborhood to host about 150 events annually. Called 713 Music Hall on Queen street, representing the area’s phone code, the opening performance will be Willie Nelson & Family on Nov. 17.

   - The Rolling Stones’ Live at El Mocambo nightclub recordings in Toronto has been released after 45 years. Over the years, the Stones have played at the club and others in Toronto to prepare for their upcoming concerts. The 23 songs from the two secret 1977 shows had the band billed as the Cockroaches to keep crowds away.

 -30-

canadareport.blogspot.com

 

Canada's Liberal government forms an alliance with the socialist New Democrats

   Canada column for Sunday, March 27/22

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    It’s a case of strange bedfellows as Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has formed a coalition government of sorts by an alliance with the socialist New Democratic Party (NDP).

   The arrangement ensures Trudeau’s minority government will stay in power for at least three more years until the next election by being propped up by the NDP.

  The two political parties will support each other as both fell short of a majority last year.

   It’s a slap against the Conservative party that is the official opposition as it seeks to find a new leader.

   Canada’s Parliament has 338 members, with the Trudeau Liberals having 159 elected and the Conservatives 119 to form another minority government.

   The deal with 25NDP members will allow the Liberals to pass bills unheeded and rule.

   Otherwise should a major bill fail to pass, the government could fall in a non-confidence motion and an election must be held.

   “They've cooked up a backroom deal that would see Justin Trudeau get the majority power that he tried desperately to get last fall in the last election, but he failed to get,” said interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen.

   “Voters did not vote for a Liberal-NDP government,” she said.

    There was a similar deal in 2017 in British Columbia with the NDP and Green parties.

 

   ---

 

    Oil-rich Alberta will stop collecting its fuel tax on April 1and offer a $150 electricity rebate in an effort to help Albertans deal with rapidly rising fuel and energy costs.

     Rebates are also to be offered in Nova Scotia and now Quebec will also provide some help to people coping with high gasoline and food prices.

   The spring budget includes a one-time payment of $500 to every adult earning $100,000 or less to help offset the impact of inflationary price increases.

   Finance Minister Eric Girard said it will be transferred directly into Quebecers’ bank accounts after they file their 2021 income tax returns.

   The payments are to “help Quebecers weather significant inflation that the government expects will reach 4.7 percent this year.

   It will be paid to 6.4 million people at a cost of $3.2 billion.

 

   ---

   News in brief:

   - Unifor national president Jerry Dias has resigned amid an investigation into $50,000 given to him by a supplier of COVID-19 rapid test kits. He then promoted the kits to employers of union members, said secretary-treasurer Lana Payne, calling it against the code of ethics. Unifor is the largest private sector union in Canada.

   - Toronto Mayor John Tory said he will seek a third term in the Oct. 24 municipal election.  Tory said he is seeking another term because the city “needs an experienced leader” who will continue to make Toronto “a more livable and more affordable place to live, to work and build a future.”

 

   ---

  

   Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is higher at 80 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.25 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is steady at 0.5 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 21,937 while the TSX Venture index is 883 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $1.76 a liter or $6.68 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.

   Lotto Max: (March 22) 14, 16, 20, 26, 33, 36 and 48; bonus 1. (March 18) 5, 7, 12, 18, 26, 29 and 46; bonus 25.

   Lotto 6/49: (March 23) 8, 11, 12, 23, 29 and 36; bonus 49. (March 19) 4, 7, 26, 36, 42 and 47; bonus 32.

 

   ---

 

   Regional briefs:

   - The organizers of the “Freedom” truck convoy that jammed Ottawa, Canada’s capital city for almost a month, now jointly face more mischief, intimidation and obstructing charges. They are now being heard by the courts, with those arrested out of jail on bail. The rally with hundreds of parked trucks and thousands of demonstrators against pandemic rules cost the city and police services $36.3 million and restitution is being sought for the losses.

 

-30-

 

canadareport.blogspot.com

Canada relaxes border rules to no longer need a virus test as of April 1

    Canada column for Sunday, March 20/22

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

   There’s good news for travelers as those vaccinated will no longer need to show a COVID-19 test to enter Canada as of April 1.

   Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said the more-lenient border policy is possible because of Canada’s high vaccination rate and fewer cases of the virus being detected at the border.

   The change comes at the start of the tourist season and as the pandemic has declined with fewer cases since mid-January.

   The positivity rate at airports was about 10 percent in January and has fallen to 1 percent now, Duclos said.

   Arriving tourists still must be vaccinated and need to upload their information to the ArriveCan app.

   Travelers could still be subject to random molecular tests when they arrive at Canadian airports and land border crossings.

   For those taking cruises, they will still need to be tested before boarding but will not need to take a test to get off the ship, said Transport Minister Omar Alghabra.

   “Canada's tourism sector is ready to ensure the safety of travelers, employers and the communities in which they operate,” said Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault. “They are ready to welcome back the world.”

   Unvaccinated traveler rules are unchanged with the need for a negative rapid antigen or molecular test upon arrival and eight days later and quarantine for 14 days.

    ---

    The oil-rich province of Alberta will help drivers coping with record-high gas prices.

   Premier Jason Kenney said his government is working on a plan with rebates that would “provide immediate relief for the growing gasoline prices.”

   As well, Kenney said he wants to “ensure the Alberta treasury receives additional royalties from these higher prices, with some passed on to consumers.”

   The higher prices, with gas selling for more than $1.50 a liter ($5.70 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds) in Alberta, are “eating into people’s wallets and ability to pay the bills,” Kenney said.

   ---

   News in brief:

   - Two Canadian students were the only survivors of a two-vehicle crash that killed nine people in Texas. Dayton Price, 19, of Mississauga, Ontario and Hayden Underhill, 20, of Amherstview, Ontario were seriously injured in the crash between a pickup truck driven by a 13-year-old boy and a van with members of the University of the Southwest Golf Teams. Six students and their coach and the two people in the truck were killed in the fiery crash.

    --

     Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is higher at 79 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.2 6in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is steady at 0.5 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are mixed, with the Toronto index up at 21,771 while the TSX Venture index is down at 851 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is lower at $1.75 a liter or $6.65 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.

   Lotto Max: (March 15) 3, 7, 12, 17, 23, 38 and 40; bonus 27. (March 11) 5, 7, 12, 22, 28, 43 and 47; bonus 1.

   Lotto 6/49: (March 16)1, 3,8,14, 15 and16; bonus 33. (March 12) 3, 8, 20, 24, 37 and 47; bonus 31.

    ---

    Regional briefs:

   - Western Canadian farmers say they will face a ““catastrophic” crisis shipping their products should there be a strike or lockout by3, 000 CP Rail workers at midnight tonight (Sunday).

Negotiations have been ongoing since September by the railway and Teamsters Canada. Workers have voted to go on strike and the railway said a lockout could happen “to bring this uncertainty to an end,” said CP Chief Executive Keith Creel. The main issues are wages, pensions and work rules.

   - Automotive parts companies in Windsor, Ontario are looking to hire up to 500 Ukrainian refugees to help address a shortage of workers in the city across from Detroit. The Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association wants to open up employment opportunities, said Larry Koscielsk of CenterLine (Windsor) Ltd. He is the son of Polish immigrants who came to Canada during the Second World War.

 -30-

 canadareport.blogspot.com

 

Long-distance car trips are out for many Canadians over soaring gas prices

    Canada column for Sunday, March 13/22

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    Many Canadians are scrapping long-distance highway trips as gasoline prices reach record highs, exceeding $2 a liter ($7.50 a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds).

   “It means vacations postponed,” for spring road trips and this week’s March school break, said federal politician McTeague, president of Canadians for Affordable Energy.

   He puts out a daily prediction of where gas prices are headed across Canada.

   Now that the pandemic is easing, people were looking to get away but are faced with super-high pump prices for gas.

   It’s also translating into a one-week national average gas price increase of 26 cents a liter ($1 a U.S. gallon to $1.85 a liter ($7) by Sunday, McTeague said.

   “As fuel prices filter their way through the economy, it’s likely to raise the price of everything else substantially, he added.

   Gas prices reached $2 a liter in Vancouver and Montreal, $1.75 in Toronto  and $1.67 in Halifax, said Natural Resources Canada.

   “Gas prices continue to be headed north towards record territory,” McTeague said.

    ---

    The Ontario government plans to remove most mask mandates on March 21 and end remaining public health orders in April.

   Canada’s most populous province will shift the onus of protection from COVID-19 to people, said Premier Doug Ford.

   “We’re going to move forward cautiously and if someone wants to keep a mask on, good for them,” he said.

   The announcement came as 1,974 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Ontario on March 9.

   “Improving health indicators, such as a stable test positivity rate and declining hospitalizations, as well as Ontario’s high vaccination rates and the availability of antiviral treatments, allow for mask mandates to now be lifted, said Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health.

   Up next on Monday will be the end of the mandatory vaccinate-or-test policies for workers in schools, child-care settings, hospitals and long-term care.

   Masking requirements in most settings will be removed – including schools and child-care settings – except for public transit and health-care settings such as long-term care facilities.

    ---

    News in brief:

   - Former Quebec Premier Jean Charest is expected to be among the candidates to enter the race to succeed Erin O'Toole who resigned as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Charest, 63, is also a former leader of the Quebec Liberal and federal Progressive Conservative parties. The only declared candidate is Pierre Poilievre, said to be known for “extreme conservative views and fiery rhetoric in Parliament.” The candidates must declare by April 19 and the leader will be decided on Sept. 10.

    ---

    Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is slightly lower at 78 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.27.3 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is 0.5 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 21,581 while the TSX Venture index 855 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is at another record high of $1.87 a liter or $7.10 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.

      Lotto Max: (March 8) 10,12, 13, 18, 25, 26 and 37; bonus 39. (March 4) 2, 4, 14,18, 24 ,46 and 47; bonus 23.

   Lotto 6/49: (March 9) 16, 25, 31, 34, 40 and 42; bonus 15. (March 5) 5, 9, 10, 32, 38 and 40; bonus 44.

    ---

    Regional brief:

   - A huge container ship, the length of two football fields, is adrift off the west coast of Newfoundland. The Canadian Coast Guard said the half-mile-long MSC Kim reported engine problems and is being towed 50 miles to Port au Port. There were no reported injuries or pollution problems. The vessel is sailing under the flag of Panama and owned by Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Co.

 -30-

canadareport.blogspot.com