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 -- Illicit drug overdose deaths in British Columbia are second only to cancers in shortening the lives of residents to an average age of 44, prompting a call from the chief coroner to let go of old prevention measures that have been "an abject and very costly failure." Photos: 1
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Premier apologizes for COVID-19, AIDS analogy
Kenney-COVID-AIDS
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada -- Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he's sorry for comparing what he calls the stigma of being unvaccinated for COVID-19 to the plight of HIV-AIDS patients in the 1980s. By Dean Bennett. Photos: 1
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Most provinces stick to gradual reopening plans
COVID-Cda
Many provinces indicated Wednesday they would not rush to follow the lead of Alberta and Saskatchewan by quickly dropping COVID-19 vaccination passports and indoor mask requirements. By Kelly Geraldine Malone. Photos: 1
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Relief, caution and dismay for Alberta COVID plan
COVID-Alta
Alberta schools, municipalities and businesses are expressing dismay, relief and confusion as they scramble to adapt to the province lifting COVID-19 public health rules with what they say was no consultation and little advance notice. By Dean Bennett.
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School board says kids can wear masks in class
COVID-Alta-Education
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada -- The chairwoman of one of Alberta's largest school boards says her email inbox is filling up with messages from parents concerned about the UCP government's plan to lift a mask mandate in classrooms. Photos: 1
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Residents mixed over removal of health order
COVID-Sask
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada -- Last summer, Colin Hall became one of the first business owners in Saskatchewan to check for customer's proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
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Manitoba not rushing to loosen COVID-19 rules
COVID-Mba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada -- A top Manitoba health official says the province will not rush to loosen its COVID-19 restrictions simply because some other provinces are doing so.
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Experts: anxiety could rise as restrictions ease
COVID-Reopening-Anxiety
As provinces begin lifting COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, psychology experts expect stress and anxiety to run high among those who remain wary of letting their guards down. By Melissa Couto Zuber. Photos: 1. Moves on the Lifestyles wire.
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Ottawa police warn protesters of mischief charges
Trucker-Protest
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- Ottawa police issued a long-awaited warning to the protesters clogging Canada's capital to clear the streets or risk criminal charges on Wednesday, while deep political divisions burst forward on Parliament Hill after nearly two weeks of anti-vaccine mandate protests. By Mike Blanchfield and Laura Osman. Photos: 1
See also,
RCMP urge border protesters to move to new site
Trucker-Protest-Border
Coutts, Alberta, Canada -- Alberta RCMP officers were met with anger and chants of 'Hell no, we won't go' on Wednesday as they attempted to persuade protesters camped at a United States border crossing to move to another location. By Bill Graveland. Photos: 1
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Border blockades tighten supply chain bottlenecks
Trucker-Protest-Supply-Chain
Amid delivery backlogs and bottlenecked ports, trucker blockades at U.S. border crossing points have added more pressure to an already overloaded supply chain, with the food and automotive sectors particularly vulnerable. By Christopher Reynolds. Photos: 1
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CENSUS NEWS
B.C. sees 2nd-highest population growth in Canada
Census-BC
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -- Canada's latest census shows British Columbia had the second-highest population growth among the provinces, but realtors and buyers say an influx of people has created fiercer-than-ever competition for real estate. By Camille Bains. Photos: 1
See also,
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. Photos: 1
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Alberta growth slowing but still strong: StatCan
Census-Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada -- Laid off twice from energy-related jobs, Calgary engineer Bill Copeland figured it was time to move with the times. By Bob Weber. Photos: 1
See also,
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 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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IN BUSINESS
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, Alberta, Canada -- 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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SPORTS NEWS
Lions sign linebacker Francis, quarterback Harker
FBO-CFL-Lions-Moves
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -- The B.C. Lions signed veteran Canadian linebacker Kevin Francis and American quarterback Isaac Harker on Wednesday.
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Brown rejoins Calgary Stampeders coaching staff
FBO-CFL-Stamps-Coaches
Calgary, Alberta, Canada -- Cornell Brown is back with the Calgary Stampeders coaching staff.
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Roughriders sign national receiver Wesley Lewis
FBO-CFL-Riders-Moves
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada -- The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed national receiver Wesley Lewis on Wednesday.
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Canadian Press Western Bureau
The Canadian Press
