The federal government’s Fall Economic Statement shows the Canadian economy is weak but headed toward improvement. It also shows just how quickly its economic assumptions can be upended if things don’t improve. The Fall Economic Statement hinges on an improving economy, which is no sure thing. Almost any budgetary process …
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RSV infections surge as hospitals brace for return of ‘normal’ respiratory virus season
On a weekday afternoon, coughs and cries echo throughout the brightly lit waiting room of the Just for Kids Clinic at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto. It’s clear this year’s respiratory virus season is already underway, said Dr. Anne Wormsbecker, chief of pediatrics at the hospital, one of three …
Read More »Billions at stake as Doug Ford government prepares to change booze retailing in Ontario
For Ford’s Progressive Conservatives, the chief goal is meeting a yet-to-be-fulfilled 2018 campaign promise to allow convenience stores to sell beer and wine. But multiple sources in various parts of the alcohol and retail industry say much more than that is on the table. Negotiations involve beer, wine and spirits …
Read More »47-year-old Sask. student turns to crowdfunding to buy her very first home
Lori Deets has been in the rental market since she graduated high school almost 20 years ago. But now, the 47-year-old is hoping to crack into Saskatchewan’s housing market with a novel approach: crowdfunding to buy her very first home. Inflation, debt, cost of living are making it hard for …
Read More »A walk-in visit could kick you off a family doctor wait-list
An Ottawa woman says she was kicked off an Ontario waiting list for a family doctor after visiting an Appletree clinic where she says she was rostered with a family doctor without her knowledge. Charlotte Coates, 30, joined the Health Care Connect wait-list — a government-run matching program — in …
Read More »Freezing rain warning issued for Ottawa area
Tuesday evening could be icy for Ottawa and its neighbours. Environment Canada issued freezing rain warnings around 1 p.m. for the capital and communities around it as far as Gatineau, Prescott-Russell, Brockville and Sharbot Lake. Environment Canada has freezing rain warnings, in red, and winter weather travel advisories, in grey, …
Read More »Police chief apologizes to teen brothers after charges dropped in gang-related killing
Calgary’s police chief apologized to two teen brothers and their family Tuesday — promising an independent review of the matter — following a decision to drop the charges against them in connection to a gang-related fatal shooting last week. A 14-year-old Calgary boy faced charges of first-degree murder and attempted …
Read More »Lucky loser from Price is Right located, accepts all-expenses paid trip to New Westminster
New Westminster, B.C.’s campaign to put itself on the world tourist map got a boost Tuesday, thanks to a lucky loser from The Price is Right. Phillip Fitzpatrick blew a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to New Westminster — about a 20-kilometre drive southeast of Vancouver — touted …
Read More »Canada’s inflation rate cools to 3.1% but the cost of living keeps going up
Canada’s consumer price index rose by 3.1 per cent in the year up to October, down from 3.8 per cent the previous month but in line with what economists were expecting. Gasoline prices the biggest reason for the deceleration. Canada’s consumer price index rose by 3.1 per cent in the …
Read More »Quebec public sector workers begin 3-day strike, shuttering schools and hitting health care
A provincewide public sector strike that started Tuesday morning is keeping schools closed until Thursday and maybe even longer in some parts of the province. More unions, including one that represents 80,000 health-care professionals, are scheduled to strike later this week. Labour minister said conciliator being called in to help …
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