National News

OTTAWA — The federal privacy commissioner says his offer to advise the government on the implications of collecting data from millions of mobile phones during the COVID-19 pandemic was rebuffed.

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.

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

VANCOUVER — A barge that had been the subject of jokes and the star of many photos after becoming stuck on a popular Vancouver beach during a severe storm in November is on its way out.

ST. JOHN'S, N.L.

The latest developments on ongoing protests against COVID-19 restrictions and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government, both in Ottawa and various cities across Canada. All times eastern: 5:30 p.m.

MONTREAL — A Quebec man who kidnapped his three-year-old son and was the subject of a manhunt over several days last summer has pleaded guilty to 14 charges.

OTTAWA — Canada's Governor General has tested positive for COVID-19. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says in a statement on Twitter that she tested positive Wednesday morning and is experiencing mild symptoms.

MONTREAL — A Quebec father who lost visitation rights because he isn't vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to once again see his 12-year-old son, a Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday.

Kelly Rae, the administrator of Arran, Sask., says the denizens of dwindling rural communities like her own are clinging to a vanishing way of life in Canada.