National News

The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 5:19 p.m. EDT on Sept. 12, 2020: There are 136,141 confirmed cases in Canada.

VANCOUVER — Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Metro Vancouver, showing a very high risk to health due to wildfire smoke from Washington and Oregon.

TORONTO — Current and former international students called for changes to Canada's immigration rules on Saturday as they face a job market still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

OTTAWA — Federal officials are ironing out the details of a program to help cities buy properties left vacant due to the pandemic so they can quickly create affordable housing.

OSHAWA, Ont. — Funeral arrangements have been announced for the four family members who were slain in their Oshawa, Ont., home earlier this month.

TORONTO — There was no winning ticket for the $19 million jackpot in Friday night's Lotto Max draw. That means the jackpot for the next draw on Sept. 15 will grow to approximately $24 million. The Canadian Press

OTTAWA — A guaranteed basic income for all Canadians has emerged as the top policy choice of Liberal MPs, just as the Trudeau government is crafting its plan to help people weather the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild the ravaged economy.

VANCOUVER — One of the three humpback whales entangled in fishing gear off the coast of British Columbia is now free, although the two other animals have not been located.

HAZELTON, B.C. — The British Columbia government says the protection of the province's old-growth forests requires a united effort of groups, industries and people who have often disagreed over land-use issues.

REGINA — A Saskatchewan judge has ruled a Metis man can stay on the lawn of the provincial legislature to finish his hunger strike against high suicide rates.