Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022
WEST NEWS ADVISORY
Here are the top Western stories so far today from The Canadian Press. All times are local unless otherwise stated. Entries are subject to change as news develops. If you have questions you can contact B.C./Yukon bureau chief Kevin Ward at kevin.ward@thecanadianpress.com, 604-692-1160, Prairies bureau chief Chris Purdy at chris.purdy@thecanadianpress.com, 780-412-6252, or acting Prairies news editor Colette Derworiz at colette.derworiz@thecanadianpress.com, 780-412-6263, or B.C./Yukon news editor Terri Theodore at terri.theodore@thecanadianpress.com, 604-692-1171.
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NEWS NOW
Toxic drug deaths in B.C. highest ever in 2021
Overdose-Crisis-BC
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada -- The British Columbia coroners service says more people died from suspected illicit toxic drugs in 2021 than were recorded in any other year.
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Protesters block border crossing in Alberta again
Trucker-Protest-Border
Coutts, Alberta, Canada -- A long line of trucks is building at Alberta's main crossing into the United States as protesters against pandemic restrictions once again block the highway leading to the border village of Coutts. By Bill Graveland. , Photos: 1
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Border blockades tighten supply chain bottlenecks
Border-Blockades-Supply-Chain
Trucker blockades at border crossing points are adding more pressure to an already overloaded supply chain. , Photos: 1
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Kenney apologizes for COVID, AIDS analogy
Kenney-COVID-AIDS
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada -- Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has apologized for comparing the stigma of being unvaccinated for COVID-19 to the plight of HIV-AIDS patients in the 1980s. , Photos: 1
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Alberta growth slowing but still strong: StatCan
Census-Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada -- Once Canada's boomtown, the latest census from Statistics Canada suggests Wild Rose Country is becoming just another Canadian province. By Bob Weber. , Photos: 1
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Census 2021: A snapshot of the Prairies
Census-Prairies-Snapshot
For the first time in years, Alberta's growth has lagged behind the national average. Its 4.8 per cent growth rate between 2016 and 2021 was slightly below the national mark of 5.2 per cent. Only two of Canada's fastest-growing municipalities were Albertan and Wild Rose Country had more than its share of communities losing population. Still, the province now has more than 4.2 million people and its capital of Edmonton has pushed past the million-person mark for the first time. , Photos: 1
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Census 2021: A snapshot of British Columbia
Census-BC-Snapshot
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -- Canada's latest census shows British Columbia had the second-highest population growth among the provinces, with immigration, not fertility, hiking B.C.'s numbers. The western province's population grew by 7.6 per cent since the last census in 2021. Data from the census released Wednesday says resort towns like Squamish are among the fastest-growing communities in the country. , Photos: 1
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Census 2021: A snapshot of the North
Census-North-Snapshot
The census data for 2021 tells a very different story across Canada's three territories. Yukon led the country in population growth from 2016 to 2021, increasing by 12.1 per cent and bringing its population from 35,874 to 40,232. It was also the only territory that grew faster than Canada overall. Nunavut grew at a slower pace than the rest of the country, while the population of the Northwest Territories fell slightly from 41,786 to 41,070. According to StatCan, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut are the only jurisdictions in Canada where population increase relies on natural growth. , Photos: 1
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Alberta files legacy NAFTA claim over Keystone XL
Alberta-NAFTA-Keystone
Calgary, Alberta, Canada -- Alberta is seeking $1.3 billion in compensation from the U.S. government in the wake of President Joe Biden's cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline's permit. , Photos: 1
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Alberta venture capital investment on a roll
Alberta-Tech-Investment
Calgary, , -- In Canada's largest oil and gas producing province, investors who have been made wealthy by the energy sector are starting to open their pockets to a budding local tech industry. By Amanda Stephenson. , Photos: 1
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Boston Pizza's fourth-quarter revenue slips
Boston-Pizza-Rslts
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -- Boston Pizza International Inc. reported fourth-quarter profit fell to $12.6 million compared with $19.6 million a year ago as the company continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on the restaurant industry. , Photos: 1
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Cameco reports Q4 profit down, raises dividend
Cameco-Rslts
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada -- Cameco Corp. raised its annual dividend as it reported its fourth-quarter profit and revenue fell compared with a year ago.
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COMING LATER
REGINA - Businesses and students react to Saskatchewan's plan to lift its COVID-19 vaccine passport and mask mandate. Reporter Mickey Djuric will have a story.
EDMONTON - Mayors and school boards are criticizing rapid changes to Alberta's COVID-19 measures. The Canadian Press will have a story.
VANCOUVER - A trial continues for Craig James, former clerk of the B.C. legislature, who faces three counts of breach of trust by a public officer and two charges of fraud. The Canadian Press is monitoring.
VICTORIA - B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry hold a news conference to provide an update on COVID-19.
WINNIPEG - Dr. Jazz Atwal, deputy chief provincial public health officer, and Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead for Manitoba's vaccine implementation task force, hold a COVID-19 briefing. Reporter Steve Lambert is covering.
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Canadian Press Western Bureau
The Canadian Press
