Alberta premier 'confident' COVID-19 measures could be relaxed by end of March
Premier Jason Kenney says he wants to eliminate Alberta's COVID-19 vaccine passport program as soon as it's safe to do so.
Kenney says the government will move toward a widespread relaxation of public health measures once pressure on the health system and COVID-19 hospitalizations trend down.
He says he is confident those changes could come by the end of March.
The vaccine passport system in Alberta, called the Restrictions Exemption Program, permits businesses to operate with less restrictions if patrons provide proof of vaccination, negative test results or a medical exemption.
Kenney's comments come as Alberta records an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations to 1,469 from 1,418 and a slight decrease in intensive care admissions to 41 from 43.
Alberta's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, also says children under the age of two will be eligible again for provincial PCR testing, since rapid tests and vaccinations are not currently an option for this age group.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada sending more artillery to Ukraine, 'crucial' to fight against Russia: Anand
Canada is sending an additional 20,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine for the Ukrainian military to use in its ongoing defence against the Russians. This ammunition—155mm calibre, as well as fuses and charge bags—is being donated, but comes at a cost of $98 million, according to the federal government.
BREAKING | Language law Bill 96 adopted, promising sweeping changes for Quebec
Bill 96, the provincial government's controversial legislation aimed at protecting the French language in Quebec, has been adopted in the National Assembly.
2 dead after shooting at Texas elementary school: hospital
Two people were dead after a shooting at a Texas elementary school on Tuesday, and more than two dozen children were injured, hospital officials said. Police have said the suspected shooter is in custody.
Ottawa to release findings of military sexual misconduct report in 'coming days'
The findings of a highly-anticipated report about how to tackle sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will be made public in the 'coming days,' a spokesperson for Defence Minister Anita Anand says.
Power outages persist across Ontario and Quebec as death toll rises
Power outages caused by the powerful and deadly storm that swept across Ontario and Quebec on Saturday are stretching into another day, as hydro providers warned customers they could be waiting even longer for service to be fully restored.
Experts hope 'ring vaccination' will contain monkeypox outbreaks
An infectious disease expert believes monkeypox outbreaks can be contained by using a strategy called 'ring vaccination' – which means vaccinating all the close contacts of an infected person.
Baby formula: Health Canada monitoring 'potential' sunflower oil shortage
Health Canada says it is preparing for the possibility that a shortage of sunflower oil could further strain baby formula supplies in Canada.
Satellite images appear to show Russian ships loading up with Ukrainian grain in Crimea
Russia's theft of Ukrainian grain appears to be ramping up as it continues its war on the country, according to new satellite photos of the Crimean port of Sevastopol.
Mapping program Mounties struggled to open could have helped contain N.S. mass killer
A report looking into a mapping program the RCMP had access to -- but couldn't open -- during the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia concludes it could have helped contain the killer's rampage.
Calgary
-
Flames searching for answers to McDavid, Oilers with Edmonton eyeing 3-1 series lead
The Calgary Flames need to figure out a way to at least begin to contain Connor McDavid. The same goes for Leon Draisaitl. Evander Kane, too.
-
Okotoks man in Kia Optima clocked at 209 km/h outside Black Diamond
A 22-year-old Okotoks man will appear in court after a peace officer recorded him speeding at more than double the limit on an undivided highway on Victoria Day.
-
CTV News Calgary wins 2022 RTDNA Prairie Region Award
The Radio Television Digital News Association has recognized CTV News Calgary with a RTDNA Prairie Region Award.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon police seek 2nd suspect in Nutana shooting death
Saskatoon police are searching for a second suspect in connection to a fatal shooting in the city's Nutana neighbourhood.
-
Blaze rips through Saskatoon residential building
A Saskatoon residential building was badly damaged by fire early Monday morning.
-
Signs of COVID-19 jump nearly 21% in Saskatoon's wastewater
The research team monitoring Saskatoon's wastewater for signs of COVID-19 has seen an increase.
Regina
-
Regina COVID-19 viral levels rebound in latest wastewater analysis: U of R
COVID-19 viral levels in Regina’s wastewater levels have bounced back up again in the latest analysis from the University of Regina, following several weeks of a downward trend.
-
Sask. Roughriders players show up to practice despite labour dispute
The Saskatchewan Roughriders went on with practice on Monday at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon despite CFL players rejecting the new collective bargaining agreement with the league.
-
'Network incident' forces Regina Public Schools to shutdown IT systems
The Regina Public School Division (RPSD) said a ‘network-wide’ incident over the long weekend has forced them to take their IT systems offline while an investigation is conducted.
Atlantic
-
Mapping program Mounties struggled to open could have helped contain N.S. mass killer
A report looking into a mapping program the RCMP had access to -- but couldn't open -- during the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia concludes it could have helped contain the killer's rampage.
-
Mask mandates end in all Atlantic Canadian schools, but health officials still recommend their use
For the first time in a long time, students, teachers and staff in all four Atlantic provinces are no longer required to wear a mask while in public schools.
-
Active 2022 Atlantic hurricane season expected, with up to 21 named storms
The Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to Nov. 30, is expected to be a busy one. Experts from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration out of the United States, along with those from the Canadian Hurricane Centre, released predictions for the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane season Tuesday.
Toronto
-
What to do if your food spoiled during power outages caused by Ontario's storm
The violent storm that wreaked havoc in Ontario this weekend left thousands without power for days. Here's how long you should wait before throwing out your food.
-
Parts of Uxbridge, Ont. in ruins after powerful storm
Three days after Uxbridge was hit by a powerful thunderstorm that reduced parts of the small Ontario town to rubble, Mayor Dave Barton says 'there's a lot of work to do.'
-
Monkeypox patients in Ontario must be isolated in health-care settings
Health-care workers treating patients with monkeypox should use proper N95 masks, eye protection and isolation protocols similar to those of COVID-19, officials say.
Montreal
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Language law Bill 96 adopted, promising sweeping changes for Quebec
Bill 96, the provincial government's controversial legislation aimed at protecting the French language in Quebec, has been adopted in the National Assembly.
-
Quebec lawyers ready to take Bill 96, the 'most gratuitous use of power,' to the UN
Bill 96 is 'the most gratuitous use of power I've ever seen,' said lawyer Julius Grey as he unveiled the plan by a committee of Quebec lawyers to challenge the new law, including going to the UN if necessary.
-
Some Quebecers will likely wait weeks before severely damaged power lines are fixed
After this weekend's fierce storm, some Quebecers are being told to hunker down and get ready to live on generators, or without power, for several weeks.
Ottawa
-
WATCH LIVE
WATCH LIVE | Ottawa officials to give update on storm cleanup
Tens of thousands of people across the Ottawa region are still without power Tuesday morning as hydro crews continue repair work following Saturday's massive storm.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING | Ottawa Catholic School Board schools with power open Wednesday
The Ottawa Catholic School Board says all schools with electricity will be open Wednesday.
-
Spoiled food: City of Ottawa adds more disposal bins
The city of Ottawa is setting up disposal bins at locations across the city for residents to get rid of food spoiled because of the ongoing power outages.
Kitchener
-
Brantford woman killed during Saturday's storm
The woman killed at Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area during Saturday's storm has now been identified as Shelby Humble-Neale of Brantford.
-
Storm cleanup continues in Waterloo region, Kitchener’s largest high school closed
The largest high school in Kitchener has been closed Tuesday due to a power outage, as the area continues to recover from Saturday's storm.
-
Guelph students learn about Indigenous culture through art
With the help of Indigenous artist Michael “Cy” Cywink, students at Waverly Drive Public School created a mural that incorporates aspects of First Nations culture.
Northern Ontario
-
Monkeypox patients in Ontario must be isolated in health-care settings
Health-care workers treating patients with monkeypox should use proper N95 masks, eye protection and isolation protocols similar to those of COVID-19, officials say.
-
Police say impaired golf cart driver refused to pull over
A 36-year-old Kirkland Lake resident has been charged following an incident May 22 involving a golf cart driver who refused to stop for police.
-
Vandals leave broken glass strewn across North Bay playground
Thomson Park playground is temporarily closed as officials deal with vandalism that has rendered the park unsafe.
Winnipeg
-
'It's overwhelming': Manitoba premier, officials, get an aerial view of flood-stricken Whiteshell
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, along with government officials took an aerial tour of the Whiteshell Provincial Park on Tuesday as the area deals with significant floodwaters.
-
Crash on St. James Bridge sends one to hospital
One person is in hospital after a crash on the St. James Bridge Tuesday afternoon.
-
Manitobans voted on the worst road in the province. Find out what they chose
Provincial Road 307 – a road connecting Seven Sisters Falls through Whiteshell Provincial Park – has been given the infamous title of Manitoba’s worst road.
Vancouver
-
'The world has to know what happened,' residential school survivor says of reopening old wounds
The effect of an announcement one year ago about the discovery of what is believed to be dozens of unmarked graves has been compared to reopening old wounds by survivors of Canada's residential school system, but one former student said the pain is necessary.
-
New image offers clearer view of Chinatown bear spray suspect
Days after a senior was attacked with bear spray in Vancouver's Chinatown neighbourhood, police have released a new image that provides a clearer view of their suspect.
-
Dog custody dispute between B.C. exes highlights complexity of proving ownership
A B.C. woman has been ordered to return a dog she says she received as a gift through a verbal agreement and repay hundreds of dollars for a pet deposit.
Vancouver Island
-
2 rescued after boat catches fire, sinks off Vancouver Island
Two people were rescued after their boat caught fire off Qualicum Beach, B.C., north of Parksville, on Monday afternoon.
-
Courtenay hands out $200K in fines after 107 protected trees damaged
The City of Courtenay has announced hefty fines for a contractor and property management company after more than 100 protected trees were damaged in the community.
-
'It doesn't take long before it's too late': 6 cases of flesh-eating disease found in Vancouver Island dogs
Six cases of a rare and often fatal flesh-eating disease have been detected in dogs on Vancouver Island in recent months.