National News

B.C. judge dismisses churches' petition against COVID-19 rules, lawyer says

VANCOUVER — A legal advocacy group that challenged COVID-19 rules in British Columbia says its argument that the restrictions unjustifiably infringed on religious freedoms has been dismissed by a judge.

Mar 18, 2021 9:19 PM Read more >

Canada studying reports from Europe on AstraZeneca vaccine, blood clots

OTTAWA — Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé rolled up his sleeve for the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine Thursday, a display of confidence in the injection that has recently been the focus of concerns over blood clots.

Mar 18, 2021 9:06 PM Read more >

A look at COVID-19 vaccinations in Canada on Thursday, March 18, 2021

The latest numbers on COVID-19 vaccinations in Canada as of 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 18, 2021. In Canada, the provinces are reporting 155,623 new vaccinations administered for a total of 3,565,023 doses given. Nationwide, 615,679 people or 1.

Mar 18, 2021 8:12 PM Read more >

Conservatives say finances are solid, but have yet to pay back federal wage subsidy

OTTAWA — The Conservatives have yet to fulfil a promise to repay the federal wage subsidy, but the party said Thursday it is in solid financial shape and urged its members to rally together for the next federal election.

Mar 18, 2021 7:11 PM Read more >

As trials loom, China says case of two Michaels handled 'in accordance with the law'

WASHINGTON — China's foreign ministry denied any wrongdoing Thursday in their handling of detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, attributing the timing of their trials to little more than coincidence.

Mar 18, 2021 7:07 PM Read more >

Tsilhqot'in call on B.C., Canada to recognize Indigenous jurisdiction amid COVID-19

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — A British Columbia First Nation that won a landmark case establishing rights and title to its territory says ongoing colonialism and systemic racism have hindered its COVID-19 response.

Mar 18, 2021 6:59 PM Read more >

U.S. working on plan to lend doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to Canada, Mexico

Canada's procurement minister says a deal is close to receive Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine doses from the U.S., while the military commander in charge of the rollout here says all adults who wish could be able to get their first shot by July 1.

Mar 18, 2021 6:27 PM Read more >

The latest numbers on COVID-19 in Canada for Thursday, March 18 , 2021

The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 18, 2021. There are 922,848 confirmed cases in Canada. <b>_ Canada: 922,848 confirmed cases (29,280 active, 870,978 resolved, 22,590 deaths).

Mar 18, 2021 6:21 PM Read more >

Canadian fashion mogul facing U.S. sex trafficking charges appeals bail ruling

WINNIPEG — Prosecutors say a Canadian fashion leader facing charges of sex trafficking and racketeering in the United States could use former employees to contact victims if he is released from jail.

Mar 18, 2021 5:26 PM Read more >

B.C. teachers, police and other front-line workers to be eligible for vaccine soon

VICTORIA — Police officers, grocery workers, teachers and child-care staff are among more than 300,000 front-line workers being prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations in the coming weeks, the British Columbia government announced Thursday.

Mar 18, 2021 5:09 PM Read more >