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Premier Jason Kenney says Albertans should expect to learn next week the province’s plan to lift COVID-19 public health measures, including the Restrictions Exemption Program.

Middlesex-London Health Unit reported three deaths and 122 COVID-19 cases on Friday, compared with two deaths and 217 cases last Friday.All three deaths involved men. One was in his 50s and not associated with a long-term care or retirement home.

Interactive: Inside COVID’s rehabilitation hospitals A recent preprint study _ one that has not been peer-reviewed _ suggested that mild Omicron infection doesn’t render enough immunity to prevent future infections, while infections from the Delta variant, which tended to be more severe, produced higher protection.Dr. Fahad Razak, an internist and member of the province’s science advisory table, said Ontario is not seeing “significant” numbers right now of people with more than one Omicron infection.But milder illnesses that give people congestion, cough, fever, and leave them feeling unwell but not so sick that they need to go to the hospital — like many Omicron infections — may leave people more susceptible to reinfection, he said.“The parts of your immune system that protect against those milder infections, they tend to wane much faster than the parts of your immune system that protect against the more severe infection,” Razak said.

Omicron subvariant called BA.2 has been identified in New Brunswick, the province announced Friday.In a release, it said the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre’s microbiology laboratory in Moncton identified the variant in a sample from a person in Zone 1, the Moncton region.

Critical Infrastructure Defence Act is being applied differently to non-Indigenous protests than it is to Indigenous protests.In a statement, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation chief and council said if the Coutts protest was organized by Indigenous people, authorities would have responded quickly to remove it.“Over the past several days we have watched in dismay as the border blockade at Coutts, Alta., is allowed to continue without intervention from authorities.” Movement at Coutts border on 5th day of blockade, one lane open in each direction Demonstrators began parking their vehicles and blocked the highway between southern Alberta and the United States on Saturday in solidarity with similar events in Ottawa and countrywide — to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates and broader public health measures.The tie-up stranded travellers and cross-border truckers for days, compromising millions of dollars in trade and impeding access to basic goods and medical services for area residents.Police tried to peacefully break up the demonstration Tuesday, only to see others breach a nearby police barricade and join the blockade.Chad Williamson, a lawyer representing truckers blocking access to the border crossing, said Wednesday afternoon they spoke with Mounties and agreed to open some blocked lanes.However, on Thursday, a second protest on Highway 4 about 20 kilometres north of Coutts choked off traffic, RCMP said. New blockade pops up as Coutts border protest enters 6th day The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said that at about 12 p.m.

pic.twitter.com/9G7DQsVMe0— Chris Nilan (@KnucklesNilan30) February 3, 2022He says he consulted his doctor and because of an unspecified medical condition he decided against vaccination.Nilan says a request for an exemption was refused, and on Tuesday he received a letter signed by a Bell Media executive informing him his contract was being terminated, which he called an “unfair action.” Vaccinated Canadians who catch COVID-19 can get booster 3 months after positive test: NACI Bell Media did not comment on the departure, but Nilan’s profile was erased from the TSN 690 website.Nilan, who had hosted “Off the Cuff” on the station for several years, played 688 games in the National Hockey League between 1979 and 1992 with the Canadiens, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers.

There are signs of progress at the blockade near the Coutts border in southern Alberta, as protesters open up some lanes to traffic. But as Lauren Pullen reports, another blockade to the north is impacting traffic.

Quebec premier says no tolerance for mayhem as COVID-19 protest convoy heads to capital There were 3,400 new cases of the disease confirmed bringing the caseload since the start of the health crisis to 875,429.Some 30,530 PCR tests were carried out at screening facilities, with access still reserved to high priority groups like health workers.Meanwhile 55,984 self-declared rapid tests were registered on the government website, including 42,627 positive tests. COVID-19: Campaign to vaccinate students in Montreal schools picks up Vaccination continues, with 44,230 doses administered in the last 24 hours.

COVID on Friday, with 517 in intensive care units.This is down by 163 hospitalizations and a decrease of 24 in ICUs since the previous day. Last Friday, there were 3,535 hospitalizations with 607 in ICU.The province recently began distinguishing between those who were admitted to hospital directly because of COVID, and those who were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for the virus.Of the 2,634 people in hospital with COVID-19, 54 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 46 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.Of the 517 people in ICUs with the virus, around 83 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while around 17 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

Ontario long-term care visitor restrictions under review, new minister says General visits from people five years and older who have had at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed to resume on Feb.

Fully vaccinated Canadians who experienced a COVID-19 infection should wait at least three months to get a booster shot after symptoms start or testing positive, according to Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

Grocery stores across the country saw a steep rise in dairy prices on Tuesday, with price tags in some provinces increasing by as much as 15 per cent. Anne Gaviola explains what’s behind the soaring prices.

Canadians ought to be worried about whether crowdfunding websites could be used to finance hate groups and other extremist organizations, financial crime and security experts warn.

COVID-19 pandemic. Internationally trained nurses to work in Ontario hospitals to ease staffing crunch Shaji’s last step is to complete 400 hours of practical work, which she has been doing at London Health Sciences Centre in cardiac care at University Hospital.“I was really nervous because all I have is like my practicum experience from my nursing program back home.

After two years serving as the interim head coach, Mark McConkey is shedding that title, as he’s been promoted to the team’s new head coaching position.

A Calgary woman is calling for bylaws to be changed when it comes to plugging in your car on the street. As Tomasia DaSilva reports, the call comes after her vehicle was damaged.

As protests drag on in Ottawa, disrupting the lives of the capital’s residents, pressure is mounting for law enforcement to step in. Though, as Eric Sorensen reports, there are growing concerns about the $10 million raised to support the demonstrations, where the money is coming from, and what it’s really being used for.

Although traffic is moving again at the international border crossing near Coutts, Alberta, demonstrators say they will resume their blockade if COVID-19 restrictions are not lifted. As Heather Yourex-West reports, there are signs Alberta Premier Jason Kenney may be bowing to the pressure.

After the Conservative Party of Canada ousted Erin O’Toole as federal leader, the race is on once again for a fresh face to fill the top job. David Akin looks at the candidates likely to run, and the Tories already ruling themselves out.

Candice Bergen says her goal as interim leader of Canada’s Official Opposition will be to strengthen the conservative movement and leave the next leader with a party that’s ready to win.The Conservative caucus elected the Manitoba MP and former deputy party leader on Wednesday to serve as interim head after a majority of MPs ousted Erin O’Toole from the top job. Conservatives elect Candice Bergen as interim party leader Bergen faces a caucus that has spent weeks divided and angry over O’Toole’s leadership since last year’s federal election loss.She also takes on the role at a time when anti-vaccine mandate protesters have jammed downtown Ottawa, honking into all hours of the night and forcing the closure of many businesses and services.Some Conservative MPs accused O’Toole of failing to take a clear stance on the protest, while Bergen has offered her full support to the group and dismissed reports of racism and harassment among the demonstrators as the actions of a small few.Bergen’s Tory colleagues greeted her with a standing ovation in the House of Commons Thursday as she made her debut as interim leader during question period, where she took aim at the Trudeau government for refusing to extend an “olive branch” to the demonstrators.“Can the prime minister please tell Canadians what role he thinks the government can play and what they can do to solve the impasse?” Bergen asked.The protesters have clogged the capital for nearly a week and say they won’t leave until vaccine mandates and other COVID-19 restrictions are abolished.

anti-COVID-19 restrictions protests in Ottawa, amid calls for a more aggressive response to the demonstrations.Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said in a statement Thursday night that RCMP had approved a request from the City of Ottawa for additional resources to help the Ottawa Police Service, including an increase in officers.“This request is in addition to RCMP resources and support already in place since the arrival of the convoy in Ottawa,” Mendicino said.A RCMP spokesperson could not confirm how many officers were being deployed or when they were expected to arrive. Canadian military ‘not a police force,’ Anand says amid frustration over Ottawa protest Protests against government mandates for COVID-19 vaccines and masks, as well as restrictions on certain businesses, have plagued the streets surrounding Parliament Hill for nearly a week.Organizers of the truck convoy have vowed not to leave until policymakers meet their demands to end public health mandates tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.At least four arrests have been made so far for uttering threats, mischief and weapons charges.Ottawa police said Thursday it has issued 30 tickets related to excessive noise created by truck horns as well as various traffic offences — marking a change in tactics after earlier refusing to pursue bylaw charges.

according to the Nova Scotia RCMP.Although police did not identify the accused in a news release, a court document identified him as Jeremy MacKenzie, who was in Ottawa for the so-called truckers’ protest against COVID-19 measures.The host of an anti-authority podcast and YouTube channel, MacKenzie is a Canadian military veteran who served in Afghanistan. The RCMP alleged in a search warrant application that he had post-traumatic stress disorder.The police investigation began on Jan.

Essex police were called to the home when neighbours reported a disturbance and shortly thereafter paramedics were called in.Paramedics attempted to save her, according to the Essex police, but were unsuccessful. Media reports indicate Wadsworth was the victim of a stabbing.Det.

Legislative bureau chief Keith Baldrey joins us with some surprising details about B.C.’s ICU number.

The City of Edmonton is exploring its options to keep the Restrictions Exemption Program, if and when the province decides to officially scrap it. As Nicole Stillger explains, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi says it’s too soon.

Dairy prices are soaring in Canada, as inflation continues to climb. Business correspondent Anne Gaviola explains why this is happening, and how long the sticker shock could last.

Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Ontario on Thursday Keith Wilson, an attorney representing the trucker protesters in Ottawa, confirmed to the media that GoFundMe continues to hold the “bulk” of the money donated over recent days and weeks to the trucker protest movement as it conducts “heightened” diligence to determine where the money is going or what is is intended for.

City of Calgary officials are exploring their options if the Alberta government rescinds the restrictions exemption program. Here’s Adam MacVicar with the main concerns if COVID-19 restrictions are lifted too soon.

As countries around the world begin to relax COVID-19 mandates, Canadian health experts are warning against easing COVID-19 restrictions too soon, saying it could be problematic for some provinces.

B.C. health officials release a written statement reporting 985 people are in hospital with COVID-19 related illnesses and 145 are in critical care on Thursday, Feb. 3. Legislative bureau chief Keith Baldrey has an analysis of the numbers.

Canadian military ‘not a police force,’ Anand says amid frustration over Ottawa protest “The FSIN Executive strongly opposes the actions and tactics of the ‘Freedom Convoy’ protestors, some of whom have been openly sharing ignorant acts of cultural appropriation of First Nations culture and spirituality, publicly and online,” read the statement.“The FSIN condemns such open acts of racism and ignorance, which are being committed across our traditional Treaty territories.”FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron shared his frustration with the convoy.“Our First Nations communities have been some of the hardest hit since the beginning of the pandemic.  We have been working tirelessly to distribute PPE and supplies to our First Nations because we are highly vulnerable to COVID-19,” said Cameron.“Our families and communities have suffered insurmountable losses because of this horrible virus and our First Nations Chiefs have implemented some of the strictest protocols in the country to keep their membership safe.” Trudeau: Ottawa residents need their ‘lives back,’ won’t commit to negotiate with truckers He went on to call the way the drums were used in the protest videos that surfaced a ‘disgrace’.“This convoy is an insult to our Chiefs, our communities, and to the hundreds of loved ones we’ve lost through this pandemic.  Not only are these protestors risking lives and spreading false information, but they’re also disrespecting our traditional drums, pipes, and medicines,” stated Cameron.“It’s a disgrace to see our culturally sacred items being used improperly, without proper protocol, in support of anti-vaccine protests.”The FSIN statement finished with a reminder about Indigenous culture.“The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations

COVID-19: City of Calgary updates vaccine passport bylaw, including age and ID requirements The city’s vaccine passport bylaw has been in effect since September 2021, which made it mandatory for certain Calgary businesses like bars, restaurants and movie theatres to opt into the provincial passport system.Changes were made to the bylaw in November 2021 — and again last month — to better align it with the provincial program.Due to the language in the bylaw, it “ceases to have effect” if the province’s program is scrapped.City officials said the mask bylaw, however, would be unaffected by the change.Premier Jason Kenney announced early this week that his government is hoping to remove some public health restrictions, including the vaccine passport program, by the end of the month if the province’s COVID-19 situation improves sufficiently to warrant the changes.Kourtney Penner, the city councillor for Ward 11 and chair of the city’s emergency management committee, has made a request to city administration and CEMA for an update on the impacts to the city. COVID-19 causing Calgary Transit staffing shortages, route changes, cancellations “We do know that there would be impacts and we would have to respond accordingly,” Penner told Global News.

At his weekly update, Dr. Kieran Moore said masking will likely be the last public health measure to disappear. Matthew Bingley reports.

A demonstration is expected in Toronto this weekend. Supporters of the truckers’ convoy are being told to meet up at various locations in the GTA on Saturday morning and then head to Queen’s Park.

COVID-19 restrictions on Tuesday, and it’s drawing some mixed reactions.Sports and recreation tournaments will be allowed to resume.“It’s a step in the right direction in that we are getting back to what some sort of new normal is going to be,” Manitoba Chambers of Commerce president and CEO Chuck Davidson told Global News.“In terms of what’s going to change, I think not much is going to change for Manitobans, it’s only going to be those larger events and I think limited larger events in the short term.” Manitoba to gradually relax health restrictions, expand business, arts supports: Stefanson Davidson said he was pleased to see additional supports for arts and cultural organizations, but the updated public health orders don’t provide much change for the restaurant and hospitality sector.“I think what we’re really looking for is what’s the next step,” he said. “The real industry that’s been impacted is hospitality, and restaurants still being able to only operate at 50 per cent capacity is a huge challenge.”The province is aiming to have no restrictions in place by the springtime.

COVID-19: Quebec health system remains ‘fragile,’ says public health director Bernard “Rambo” Gauthier, a well-known union leader from Quebec’s Côte-Nord region, posted a video to Facebook on Thursday morning, stating he was departing with about 50 vehicles toward the provincial capital and promising to stay there.“We’re doing this for the next generation — our kids — but also for ourselves,” Gauthier said in the video. “I’m tired of not being able to see my friends, go out for a beer with my friends, go out to the restaurant with my girlfriend — a normal life.

Protestors remain in the capital with demands for the federal government to lift COVID-19 health measures. The Prime Minister is holding firm and says the government will support the city and its police force.

Manitoba’s COVID-19 numbers for February 3 show seven more people have died from the virus while the number of hospitalizations has dropped slightly.

Canadians are paying more for milk this week.

As disruptive protesters demanding an end to COVID-19 restrictions refuse to leave Ottawa, residents are questioning why the city’s police are not taking more action to clear them out. Abigail Bimman explains what’s causing police to hesitate and what options they are considering, as residents’ frustrations boil.

COVID-19 pandemic.Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) says their adult acute inpatient occupancy continues to exceed 100 per cent with sites reporting rates close to 120 per cent. Adult intensive care unit (ICU) capacity is also stretched exceeding 92 per cent as of Thursday.“Unfortunately, our reality in Hamilton and across our region remains highly pressured.

Truck convoy draws large crowd in London, Ont. on Thursday Organizers had originally expected between 250 to 300 vehicles to participate in the convoy, according to Horvat.Prior to the convoy’s arrival, Elgin County OPP had posted on their Twitter account that Culloden Road, Talbot Line, Rogers Road, Glencolin Line and Imperial Road/John Street would be impacted.Hundreds of trucks and cars just finished a slow roll convoy through my hometown Aylmer, Ontario.

COVID-19-related deaths on Thursday, lifting the death toll in the region to 370 including 11 people over the first three days of February.“Today we are reporting five deaths in our community related to COVID-19. The individuals were three males in their 80s, one female in her 80s, and a male in his 70s,” Dr.

Home Hardware in Strathroy, Ont., west of London, has been shared hundreds of times online after the message was changed to express support for the controversial trucker convoy.On Feb. 2, the sign read, “We support the truckers — end the mandates.” The message was changed the following day, returning to the typical signage announcing store deals or other shopping information.Global News has requested comment from the owner of the Strathroy location but had yet to hear back by publication time.

Middlesex-London Health Unit reported three deaths and 189 COVID-19 cases on Thursday, compared with one death and 220 cases last Thursday.The deaths involved two men, in their 60s and 80s, and a woman in her 90s. None were associated with long-term care homes or retirement homes.Meanwhile, the London Health Sciences Centre reported 139 COVID-19 inpatients on Thursday, with 25 in critical care.As noted, LHSC is caring for 139 COVID-19 inpatients, with 25 inpatients in adult critical care, compared with a record-high 166 inpatients, 19 of whom were in critical care, last Thursday.Of those, there are five or fewer in Children’s Hospital with zero in pediatric critical care. Last Thursday, the same figures were reported.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) regional director for Europe Dr. Hans Kluge said on Thursday the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe was entering a “plausible endgame,” driven by a “large capital of immunity,” built up by a combination of vaccine drives, a favourable seasonality pause, and lower severity of the Omicron variant.

trucker protests following days of criticism that noise bylaws and the rules of the road were not being enforced.The OPS laid 30 traffic tickets while patrolling the Centretown, Sandy Hill, Glebe and the ByWard Market/Lowertown neighbourhoods on Wednesday, all areas surrounding the convoy’s footprint on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill.The tickets fell as follows:Ottawa police say one driver was charged for driving while criminally prohibited and the vehicle was impounded for 45 days. A police spokesperson couldn’t immediately say what kind of vehicle this was when asked Thursday morning.

Alphonso Davies is fine but bored as he recovers from myocarditis following a bout with COVID-19.Bayern said Jan. 5 that the 21-year-old from Edmonton had joined a lengthy list of players who had tested positive for COVID, adding Davies was well and self-isolating at home.Davies was back training a week later, but his return was put on hold with Bayern reporting Jan. 14 that tests showed the Canadian was suffering from signs of an inflammation of the heart muscle.