COVID-19-related hospitalizations, fatalities jump in Alberta

Positive, left, and negative COVID-19 antigen rapid tests are picture in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

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Travellers from 13 more countries now eligible to visit Canada without a visa

Canada is expanding the list of countries whose residents are eligible to visit this country without a travel visa.

Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, centre, Rechie Valdez, Member of Parliament for Mississauga, and Kevin Lamoureux, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg North, make an announcement regarding visa-free travel in the Winnipeg airport, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Johnston to launch foreign interference hearings in July, calls allegations of bias 'quite simply false'

Canada's special rapporteur on foreign interference David Johnston calls the allegations swirling around his objectivity 'quite simply false,' and said Tuesday he plans to push ahead with his work, launching public hearings next month

'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure': Experts say a national fire service could help battle wildfires

During a record-setting wildfire season, experts say prevention of more disasters is important, citing a Canada-wide fire service could help mitigate blazes.

Environment minister says he could accelerate action on climate change if he didn’t have to 'fight' the Conservative Party

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault told Power Play host Vassy Kapelos it would 'greatly help' Canada's capacity to accelerate the fight against climate change if he didn't have to 'fight the Conservative Party of Canada.'

'We never give up': RCMP helicopter joins search for 14-year-old boy in North Saskatchewan River

An RCMP helicopter is assisting with the search for the 14-year-old boy who went missing in the North Saskatchewan River nearly 48 hours ago.
Michael White, convicted of killing pregnant wife, gets full parole

An Edmonton man convicted of killing his pregnant wife and dumping her body in a ditch has been granted full parole.
'Exciting to see him in person': Alphonso Davies hosts soccer camp in Edmonton

Edmontonian and Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies held a soccer camp for children at Victoria Soccer Club on Tuesday.

Vancouver

B.C. prepares for fire evacuations, displacements amid healthcare staffing crisis

The officials tasked with preparing for and responding to natural disasters in the province are bracing for widespread evacuations of B.C. communities amid tinder-dry conditions that are already prompting dire wildfire predictions.
Drinking alcohol will be allowed in some Burnaby parks this summer

Visitors will be able to legally drink booze in some Burnaby parks starting June 23, as city councillors voted in favour of an alcohol in parks pilot project on Monday.
Vancouver lifeguard shortage not to blame for reduced West End pool hours, park board says

The chair of the Vancouver Park Board says he has received several complaints since expanded hours at Second Beach Pool went away.

Atlantic

Barrington Lake wildfire 'being held,' not expected to move weather permitting

A record-size wildfire in Shelburne County, N.S., isn’t likely to move if conditions don't change, officials say.
New N.S. Health website shares estimated ER wait times

A new website created by Nova Scotia’s health authority shares hourly estimated wait times for many emergency departments across the province.
'They lost everything': Halifax evacuees grapple with new normal

Officials gave the outside world its first look inside the destruction from the Halifax-area wildfires Tuesday.

Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island wildfire surges in size, forces rolling highway closures

An out-of-control wildfire on Vancouver Island surged in size Tuesday, covering more than a square kilometre and forcing intermittent closures of the only highway to Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet.
End of an era: BC Ferries closes Pacific Buffet

It's a sad day for British Columbians who enjoyed the unlimited food offerings provided by the BC Ferries Pacific Buffet.
Severely entangled humpback whale rescued off Haida Gwaii, B.C.

Video shows Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) staff leading the rescue of a severely entangled humpback whale off the coast of British Columbia last week.

Toronto

3 people attacked by dog in Burlington, animal shot dead by police

A dog has been shot dead by police after three people were attacked in Burlington Tuesday afternoon, police say.
More fire bans issued as smoke from Ontario, Quebec wildfires lingers in Toronto

More fire bans have been put into effect as wildfires continue to burn in Quebec and northern Ontario.
'It's conquering the mountain, and I think the mountain is us': 24 Ontario women set to climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Since August 2022, a group of 24 women has been training — rain, sleet or shine — for the trip of a lifetime.

Montreal

Quebec wildfires: Town of Chibougamau declares state of emergency, orders immediate evacuation

The entire town of Chibougamau, in central Quebec, was told to evacuate Tuesday evening as wildfires prompted officials to declare a state of emergency.
Quebec politicians pass bill that will give themselves a $30K raise

Quebec MNAs are about to get a significant pay raise. The National Assembly adopted Bill 24 on Tuesday afternoon, which will increase the politicians' base salaries by $30,000 per year.
'A situation that's unprecedented': Quebec confronted with more than 150 wildfires

As one Quebec city that had been threatened by wildfires lifted an evacuation order Tuesday, authorities turned their attention to communities in the northern and northwestern parts of the province where firefighters worked to beat back threats from out-of-control blazes.

Ottawa

Air quality risk in Ottawa high as wildfire smoke blankets the city

A special air quality statement remains in effect for the National Capital Region because of wildfire smoke blowing across the region. Environment Canada's air quality health index is at a high level of risk.
How to take care of yourself and your pets in smoky conditions

The wildfire smoke blanketing Ottawa can cause a variety of health problems for people and animals. Ottawa has already seen an increase in emergency room visits for respiratory issues as thick smoke hangs over the region.
Centennial Lake fire 'greatly suppressed', area mayor says; evacuation order still in effect

The wildfire burning at Centennial Lake, about 150 km west of Ottawa, has been significantly reduced and is being held with a burnt area.

Kitchener

Wildfire smoke from Quebec, northern Ontario lingers in K-W

A haze is lingering in the air and there’s a faint smell of smoke in areas across southwestern Ontario as wildfires continue to burn in Quebec and northern Ontario.
Trustee brings school board to court over temporary suspension for alleged breach of conduct

A trustee with the Waterloo Region District School Board brought the board to court on Tuesday, arguing that a suspension handed to him in 2022 was unfair and unreasonable.
OPP turn to Six Nations residence in search for Amber Ellis

The search for Amber Ellis, a Hagersville woman reported missing in March 2021, is returning to the community where she was last seen.

Saskatoon

Saskatoon bakery sees business rise after hiring newcomers from Ukraine

A willingness to hire newcomers to Canada has brought new business to Nestor’s Bakery.
City emails reveal how a Saskatoon shelter was relocated and shed light on early concerns

While Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) publicly mulled moving its downtown emergency shelter to a location on 20th Street near the city's core, city documents reveal the wellness centre's present Fairhaven area location was heavily favoured early in the process.
Powerful Sask. storm winds rip barn off foundation, destroy grain bins

A farmer near the village of Goodsoil says wind storms that tore through northwestern Saskatchewan on Monday nearly sucked his father out of the house.

Northern Ontario

Emergency orders expanded in northeast Ont. due to forest fires

While firefighters get more forest fires under control in northern Ontario, travel restrictions declared under an emergency order are being expanded in several communities.
Northern Ont. teen, 13, facing new sexual assault charge, 10 total

A 13-year-old male from Elliot Lake in northern Ontario has been charged with sexual assault again, bringing the total to 10, after another survivor came forward.
3 people attacked by dog in Burlington, animal shot dead by police

A dog has been shot dead by police after three people were attacked in Burlington Tuesday afternoon, police say.

Winnipeg

Religious teachings at St. James school to be allowed next year following vote by board of trustees

Some students at an elementary school in the St. James-Assiniboia School Division will be receiving 30 minutes of religious teaching next year after the board of trustees passed a bylaw Tuesday evening.
RCMP investigating abandoned home in connection with disappearance of woman in 2020

The search for a Manitoba woman reported missing three years ago has lead RCMP to an abandoned home in western Manitoba for an investigation.
'Something we need to prepare for': ECCC says warm summer expected in Winnipeg

The heat in the city of Winnipeg will moderate in the next few days, but Environment Canada says residents should expect a hot summer this year.

Regina

Trial for man accused of brother's death resumes, appears in court by video

The trial for the man accused of his brother’s death resumed on Tuesday morning, with the accused appearing in court by video.
Local powerlifting athlete to compete in Special Olympics World Games in Germany

Regina’s Aaron Higgins will compete at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany at the end of the month in powerlifting.
Regina city councillor's decision to 'reply all' could result in reprimand

Regina city council will have a decision on its hands Wednesday, about whether a reprimand is needed for Coun. Andrew Stevens after he disclosed a confidential report.