D'Arcy McGee: June 2020

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Victoria Viewpoints: Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Coronavirus response in BC

BC records 12 new cases of COVID-19, no new deaths
BC announces new rules on visiting long-term care homes
Dr. Bonnie Henry takes over Olivia Munn's instagram to fight COVID-19 misinformation
Dr. Bonnie Henry and health minister announce visits to longterm care facilities can resume
Twelve new COVID-19 cases, no new deaths announced in BC Tuesday

Globe and Mail

Institutional investors and developer partnerships increasing in Vancouver's tight property market
Canada Day not a a cause for celebration in many Indigenous communities
Central, Northeastern BC brace for flooding during heavy rains
British Columbia long-term care homes open to visitors as COVID-19 restrictions ease
Enormous surgery backlog underscores the need for health care reform in BC
Yukon ready to ease border controls starting Wednesday
Pacheedaht First Nation and Canadian Coast Guard agree to build new facility to help improve oil spill response

CBC

Not so sweet season for BC Farmers, cherry pickers due weather and COVID-19
Despite looser rules, travel agent doesn't expect Canadians to start flying in large numbers
Misconduct investigation launched over Delta police's handling of case involving chief's wife
BC Health officials call for virtual Canada Day celebrations to keep COVID-19 curve flat
BC Liberals ran ads in Christian magazine that features content opposed to trans rights, assisted death
BC to allow designated visits for residents in long-term care after months of restrictions
Fatal plane crash near Tofino raises possible safety issues: TSB
Homeless man turned church caretaker may end up back on the street
Canadian Coast Guard and First Nation sign MOU to build new base on Vancouver Island

Vancouver Sun

BC long term care homes to be allowed visitors
Delta police handling of case involving chief's wife under investigation
Hastings Racecourse averts disaster, set to race in 2020
BC teacher fired for having sex with two former students
Vancouver Park Board reopening concession stands golf course clubhouse
RCAF Aircraft will buzz Vancouver on Canada Day

Victoria Times Colonist

Visits set to resume in BC care homes starting in July
Bus every 9 minutes being considered for busy Greater Victoria routes
Investigators unable to pinpoint cause of fatal plane crash near Tofino
Tuition revenue slump could crimp budgets

Victoria News

Two Greater Victoria Public Library locations reopen
Central Saanich could allow alcohol in parks soon
Campbell River's defunct cruise ship terminal to undergo evaluation for future plans
BC to start allowing visits to senior care homes

Global

BC Liberals reviewing policy after advertising in social conservative magazine
Eight Cineplex movie theatres in BC to reopen Friday
Vancouver Canadians 2020 baseball season officially cancelled due to COVID-19
'Stand together by staying apart" BC officials on Canada Day celebrations
Petition calling for Kelowna RCMP officer to be fired for alleged assault gains over 300K signatures
'Real threat to food security' : pandemic blamed for drop in Okanagan's fruit production
Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord takes questions from the public at board meeting

Georgia Straight

BC Liberals will acclaim David Grewal as candidate in Vancouver-Fraserview
$92 million replacement for Eric Hamber Secondary School largest seismic project in Vancouver
With $400,000 budget or less, New Westminster offers more affordable housing options in Vancouver

The Tyee

Kenney, like Trump, is Trapped in a Political Fantasyland
For My Family, Remote learning has been a failure of pandemic proportions
A Police wellness check left me terrified and determined to end the practice
Is it up to us to build a Post-Pandemic Utopia?

Vancouver Courier

Why BC paramedics recorded their busiest day ever in overdose calls
BC eases restrictions on nursing home visits

Ottawa Observations: Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Monday, June 29, 2020

Canadians held in China / China tensions

Mulroney urges 'immediate and urgent rethink' of relations with China
China passes new national security law for Hong Kong
Canadian sentenced to eight years in jail by China, renounces citizenship
Politicians urge UN probe of China's forced birth control on Uyghurs
The rule of law is about more than just what the law allows
Canada expresses concern but takes no action over hong Kong security law as China blasts its critics
Canadians must stand up for Uighurs including boycotts of China's products, says human rights activist

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Windsor medical officer won't let migrant farm workers with asymptomatic COVID-19 back to work
Toronto to make face masks mandatory in indoor public spaces to curb spread of COVID-19
Ontario will move to next stage of reopening 'as soon as possible,' Christine Elliott says
Swedish COVID expert says the world still doesn't understand
Dr. Anthony Fauci worries new cases of coronavirus will grow to 100,000 a day in US
BC records 12 new cases of COVID-19, no new deaths
BC announces new rules on visiting long-term care homes
Dr. Bonnie Henry takes over Olivia Munn's instagram to fight COVID-19 misinformation
Dr. Bonnie Henry and health minister announce visits to longterm care facilities can resume
Twelve new COVID-19 cases, no new deaths announced in BC Tuesday

Globe and Mail

WE charity offers teachers $12,000 each for recruiting at least 75 students for volunteer grant program
Volunteers before schools: a sign governments are losing sight of what's urgent
Air Canada cutting 30 domestic routes, closing operations at eight regional airports
Alberta businesswoman Salma Lakhani named lieutenant-governor, first Muslim in role in Canada
Why it's time to safely reopen airlines
Ottawa extends rules barring most foreign travellers from entering Canada until at least July 31

CBC

Teachers to be paid $12K to recruit and manage students under government program with WE Charity
Canada extends ban on most foreign travellers to at least July 31
There's no quick post-pandemic fix for Canada's long-term care facilities, say experts

Kielburger backtracks after saying PM"s office contacted WE about $900M program
Federal Court Justice says judicial diversity targets need 'aggressive' timelines
Air Canada cancels 30 domestic routes, closes 8 stations at regional airports
Canada's economy shrank by almost 20% in March and April, but turnaround seen in May data
Putin allies accuse Canada of interfering with Russia's gay marriage vote
Nova Scotia senators say shooting inquiry must happen now to stave off speculation

Toronto Star

Canada Day in the time of COVID: Maybe this year is a chance for Canada to really, finally look in the mirror
EU opens border to Canada, but not vice versa
City Council votes to make masks mandatory on public in Toronto
Donald Trump and COVID-19 remind Canadians how lucky we are to live here
Ontario ombudsman received more than 800 complaints due to COVID-19

Toronto Sun

Toronto makes masks mandatory
WE contract puts Trudeau in another charity controversy

National Post

Forbes fails to cancel culture as it erases environmentalist's mea culpa
The EU has opened its doors to Canadian Travellers, should you go?
Air Canada discontinues service on 30 regional routes - these are the flights getting cut
WE Charity co-founder said PMO 'called' to award $900M student-grant program, contradicting Trudeau
Canadian Citizen sentenced to eight years by China is latest victim of Huawei feud, Beijing lawyer says
Canadian exporters sentenced in US for breaching Iran embargo by secretly exporting oil and gas equipment
Alberta names Salma Lakhani as Lieutenant-Governor first Muslim in Canadian history to hold role

Maclean's

The hidden racist history of O Canada

Global

BC Liberals reviewing policy after advertising in social conservative magazine
Eight Cineplex movie theatres in BC to reopen Friday
Vancouver Canadians 2020 baseball season officially cancelled due to COVID-19
'Stand together by staying apart" BC officials on Canada Day celebrations
Petition calling for Kelowna RCMP officer to be fired for alleged assault gains over 300K signatures
'Real threat to food security' : pandemic blamed for drop in Okanagan's fruit production
Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord takes questions from the public at board meeting
As Facebook ad boycott intensifies, political parties continue to spend big
Despite some progress, Veterans Affairs still not processing disability claims fast enough
Quebec to make masks mandatory on public transit as of July 13

Miscellaneous

BC Liberals will acclaim David Grewal as candidate in Vancouver-Fraserview
$92 million replacement for Eric Hamber Secondary School largest seismic project in Vancouver
With $400,000 budget or less, New Westminster offers more affordable housing options in Vancouver

Kenney, like Trump, is Trapped in a Political Fantasyland
For My Family, Remote learning has been a failure of pandemic proportions
A Police wellness check left me terrified and determined to end the practice
Is it up to us to build a Post-Pandemic Utopia?

Why BC paramedics recorded their busiest day ever in overdose calls
BC eases restrictions on nursing home visits

12 new cases of COVID to report in BC; guidance on the loosening of rules for seniors/elders visitation

12 new cases, for a total of 2,916 cases in British Columbia made for the narrative for the Tuesday update from Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix

There are 152 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 2,590 people who tested positive have recovered.

Of the total COVID-19 cases, 18 individuals are hospitalized, four of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 981 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,538 in the Fraser Health region, 131 in the Island Health region, 201 in the Interior Health region and 65 in the Northern Health region, that number constant result for Northern Health through the month of June.

There have been no new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 174 deaths in British Columbia.

Today also saw Dr. Henry and Minister Dix provide some guidance on the loosening of visitation rules for long term care seniors/elders facilities in the province, allowing for the first visits since the Pandemic arrived in the province.

“Today is a positive day for all British Columbians. With the necessary pieces in place, long-term care facilities and seniors assisted-living residences can now begin allowing visitors.

British Columbians have flattened the curve, single-site staffing is in place and facilities have been given the additional resources to safely allow for seniors and Elders who have been separated from their loved ones to connect once again.

Like many other areas within our province, with safety plans and precautions in place, we can now slowly and thoughtfully move forward."

The full overview of the new measures for elders/seniors care facilities can be found here.

The full Provincial COVID report for Tuesday can be reviewed here.

Dr. Henry was also part of a global effort on information delivery today, taking over the social media feed of actress Olivia Munn, providing a much larger global audience with her guidance from British Columbia of the last four months.

The BC Centre for Disease control has some valuable Coronavirus notes related to COVID-19 you can explore that information here.

You can learn more about the outbreak from both the Province and the Federal government from the links below:

Federal Government site

British Columbia Government site

The World Health Organization website also offers up the latest advisories on the global situation.

More from Northern Health can be reviewed here

You can review our archive of past statements and local information here.

Local governments and organizations have also provided for increased awareness of COVID-19 issues, the string of statements that came quickly at the end of the week can be reviewed here.

For notes from across Canada and British Columbia we have been archiving the latest items through our political portal Darcy McGee

Ottawa Observations

Victoria Viewpoints

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Regional District seeks your opinion on COVID recovery; launches new Social Media presence through Facebook

North Coast Regional District has launched an online survey project to hear the experiences from residents and businesses of the region when it comes to an economic recovery from the COVID pandemic situation.

The initiative launched through the Regional District website consists of twenty eight questions.

The first six make for information gathering, the remainder providing for a multiple choice process related to our impressions of the approach being taken towards Economic recovery.

Among some of the questions that will be asked of residents:

How confident are you that you have the right resources and benefits from various levels of governments to help support you through this period?

What local initiatives could aid our communities in economic recovery from COVID-19?

What was the top three issues you have faced in the COVID-19 pandemic?

Some of the questions are also based on the BC Government's Restart and Recovery survey, those include:

What would you say will be the TWO most important issues facing British Columbians like you in the year ahead?

When thinking about your own future after COVID-19, are you optimistic or pessimistic?

When thinking about your own workplace and working through the next stages of COVID-19, how safe do you personally feel?

You can take the survey here.

In addition to the opportunity to comment on the economic recovery, Regional District has also expanded on its information options, introducing a Facebook page for residents of the North Coast and Haida Gwaii to keep up to date on Regional Government themes.

In their roll out of the new social media initiative, Regional District notes that they have not historically turned to that option for information sharing, however they have since decided it makes for the most effective method for information delivery.

The NCRD has not historically used any social media accounts. By utilizing various social media channels, this could provide the NCRD with a method of outreach that can reach many community members.

It also allows for more informal information blasts to be broadcast to the public, with directions as to where to go to find more detailed information.

This can ensure that everyone is able to see the basic message that is being broadcast so that the public is informed, as well as giving those who would like to learn more the opportunity to seek that information.

Developing social media accounts allows for real-time information to be shared with the public and allows them to respond immediately. This will allow for faster communication of important information to be distributed throughout the community.

You can follow along from the New Facebook portal here.

Further details about the North Coast Regional District Economic Recovery Communication and Engagement Plan can be found here.

For more notes related to North Coast Regional District see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Hartley Bay to see improved child care options

Residents of the Gitga'at Nation at Hartley Bay will soon be seeing an expansion for affordable child care in the community, with the Province of British Columbia announcing an investment into 24 new licensed spaces to be open by this time next year.

The announcement which was made Friday, notes that the funding will come from the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund and with support the Gitga'at First Nations will assist in the construction of a new stand alone building where 15 school aged child care spaces and nine spaces for children under the age of twelve will be available for local families.

“By making investments in child care, we are giving more parents the option to pursue their work or educational goals, knowing that their kids have a safe, nurturing environment to learn in. I’m proud that this investment will mean better access to good-quality and culturally appropriate child care for families in Hartley Bay, and a facility that meets the community’s needs.” -- North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice

The Hartley Bay facility will feature a curriculum will be created with input from Elders to provide children with culturally enriched learning, such as storytelling, language and traditional art. The existing centre currently provides morning and afternoon snacks for children at no additional cost to parents, and at the new building, which is located across from the local elementary school’s home economics building, the children will receive lunch as well.

The centre will provide staff with the opportunity to upgrade their qualifications locally and become certified early childhood educators without having to travel for their certificates. In addition to the child care centre, the building will house an Aboriginal Head Start on Reserve, with seven spaces moving from another location. The project is part of the Gitga’at First Nation’s strategic plan, which includes building a hotel and restaurant, grocery store and commercial community kitchen.

More notes on the Friday announcement can be found here.

Further items of interest from the Legislature can be explored here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

YPR prepared for potential increase of travellers and any impact on social distancing

With Air Canada indicating that it plans to end its practice of reduced capacity and guaranteed adjacent seats on flights, the prospect of a potential doubling of passengers to Prince Rupert and how that may impact on local social distancing measures, is not something that has airport officials at YPR concerned.

Air Canada's announcement which will see flight capacity increased as of July 1st can be reviewed here.

"As we rebuild our schedule, we are continually increasing the range of products and services available to safely and efficiently enhance our customers' travel experience. As of July 1, we will be transparent about flights booked close to capacity in Economy Class and will provide rebooking options for customers booked on such flights. In addition, we are introducing industry-leading, streamlined, touchless airport processes such as TouchFree Bag Check and virtual queuing, and will be resuming meals designed by our Canadian chef culinary panel. We continue to assess new bio-safety initiatives to further build on the multi-layered, bio-safety approach our best-in-class Air Canada CleanCare+ Program features to give customers confidence in a safe, secure, and enhanced travel experience with Air Canada," -- Andrew Yiu, Vice-President - Product at Air Canada.

The announcement from both Air Canada and West Jet towards those plans to increase capacity, has however caught the attention of the provincial government.

With Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix looking for the airlines to provide further background on how they believe the moves will work towards goals of providing for proper social distancing

We explored the prospect of increased flight levels to Prince Rupert with Airport Manager Rick Leach, who observed by way of an email that the announcement will increase access to flights to and from Prince Rupert, while not having an impact on the protocols in place for transit from the city to the airport on Digby Island.

"This will significantly add capacity to the flight, from 35 to 70 seats. This will not impact social distancing at the airport, or the ferry/bus transportation, our policy will remain in place. All the passengers have been wearing masks and complying with the protocol."

We also reviewed how the restart of operations at the airport has gone, with Mr. Leach making note of the change to the baggage process from the airport to Prince Rupert.

"The restart has gone very well, and AC has been selling most of the available seats, we will see how the load factor holds up against the increased selling capacity. The big win has been the arrival change, which has all the checked bags being claimed at the City Depot.

This mitigates an additional step at the terminal, as customers are no longer required to claim their bags and take it out to the truck, this will allow the buses to depart quicker.

We have been meeting our goal of having the buses depart within 10 minutes of arrival. This is an efficiency that gives personal time back to the customer, we have received a lot of positive feedback."

Canada's two major airlines have found the COVID period a challenging one to navigate with layoffs, and route suspensions put in place.

To further highlight those ongoing issues, today, Air Canada has announced the closure of eight of its regional stations across Canada, with the majority of the closures to take place in Eastern Canada. At the same time the airline has also announced that it will be discontinuing service on 30 Domestic routes.

British Columbia's airports have also faced some extreme challenges as the airline industry scaled back its service and in the case of Prince Rupert eliminated commercial connections for the Spring.

Last Friday, Prince George Liberal MLA Shirley Bond raised the issue of compensation for Northern BC airports as part of a Transportation Committee session through the Legislature.

"In the latest numbers — certainly the briefing that I received — airports are suggesting that the recovery period for them to reach even 2019 levels, could take until 2024. So, there's going to be an extended period of support required, and as I said, airports are — I know the minister is well of that — are a critical part of economic growth in our province.

I just would like to point out that the federal government did announce rent relief for 21 airports, and that did include our own airport of YXS. Rents would be waived from March 1 to December 31, but the total amount of savings for the airport — the Prince George Airport — was something like $29,000, which is 0.5 percent of operating expenses over the same period of time.

So, great that the federal government is paying attention, but, to be honest, the challenges on the ground are absolutely significant for the airports in our province.

So, perhaps the minister could just outline what initiatives the provincial government is going to engage in. What will the province be doing to support airports, both on an operational and, more importantly perhaps from the provincial side, an infrastructure perspective? "

Provincial Minister Claire Trevena in reply noted that the province remains engaged with the Federal government and continues to work with the Aviation council to help airports build up.

Towards any kind of financial assistance to date, the YPR Manager notes that the smaller and medium airports are the ones which are feeling the impacts of the reduced number of flights and activity at airports the most.

With Mr. Leach observing as to what those airports are facing at this pivotal moment of the COVID period.

"Nothing has been determined at this point, but most of the small/medium airports are now in dire financial shape, and are asking for government relief. The larger hub airports in Canada are also feeling the pain and calling for assistance."

For more notes related to air travel across the Northwest see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Port Edward to return Municipal Offices to Regular Schedule in early July, provide update on June's notes

The District of Port Edward is expanding on their COVID response plan starting in early July, with the District Municipal office to be open to the public five days a week for its regular business hours.

The return to regular hours begins on July 6th, previously residents had access to the Municipal Hall on Monday and Tuesday only.

The protocol for service at the Municipal Hall is that residents and visitors will be served one person at a time, those seeking service should make note of the designated waiting spots along the walking path to provide for social distancing.

The announcement through the District's Facebook page also notes that the deadline for Property tax payers in the community is August 4th

And with that, they request that anyone making a payment by cheque or submitting the Home Owner Grant to use the Mail slot on the outer door for the best efforts at social distancing, the District also notes that if requested residents can receive a receipt at a later date following processing.

Residents can also make their tax payments by etransfer at payments@portedward.ca

Port Edward residents are benefiting from an additional month to pay their tax bill, compared to their neighbours in Prince Rupert, where the deadline for Tax Payments is July 2nd.

The District has also provided an update on their June Council session with Mayor Knut Bjorndal's monthly message making note of the wolf attack in the community and the response from the Conservation Officer Service, which continues to make patrols in the District on a regular basis.

As for municipal work ahead in the summer and into the fall, the Mayor notes how the Council will be reviewing and updating some of the District's bylaws, as well as to put out for tender road reconstruction work for the area.

Mr. Bjorndal also pointed residents to the release of the Annual Report which includes the District's Financial statements and Five year plan.

We took a look at that document last week, with this item.

The District newsletter also updates the community on the issue of wolves in the area, with advice on how to keep the community safe, the publication also provides a look at the ongoing efforts at eradicating knotweed and towards Council's focus on a Community Clean Up.

You can find the latest edition of the information update here.

For more notes related to the District see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Monday, June 29, 2020

Victoria Viewpoints: Monday, June 29, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for Monday, June 29, 2020

Coronavirus response in BC

BC reports 26 new COVID-19 cases, no new deaths over three-day period
Concerns about outbreak at Brandi's and airlines eliminating physically distanced seating
No new COVID deaths over the weekend in BC: Doctor Bonnie Henry
BC Health officials want to see evidence that it's safe for airlines to drop distancing
Dr. Bonnie Henry says she's concerned about COVID-19 exposure at Vancouver strip club
BC records 26 new cases on weekend, but no additional deaths
BC records 26 new cases over last three days; plan coming for long-term care visits

Globe and Mail

CN Rail to invest $445-million in British Columbia in 2020
Proposals for two new office towers in Vancouver show promise for commercial office leasing
Two BC Ferries vessels join rescue efforts after small boat takes on water east of Nanaimo
Regional district of Metro Vancouver says it has achieved corporate carbon neutrality

CBC

BC principal's apology for blackface yearbook photo criticized by students
Province appoints 7 people to Surrey's first police board
Province asked to step in after 2 years of protest in BC Interior community
BC Ferries adds 79 round trip sailings to busiest routes starting July 2
Delta police chief promises transparency after wife's alleged assault
BC introduces temporary outdoor job program for youth up to age 29
Number of wildfires, hectares burned in BC so far 'significantly' down over 10 year average
Paramedics responded to 131 overdoses Friday, 'the most recorded in a single day'
Ferry passengers stranded for hours overnight after electrical failure stalls sailing

Vancouver Sun

Government wants Coquitlam house forfeited for alleged link to drug line
Delta Police chief speaks to allegations against wife
'All eyes on Surrey' policing transition, Mayor says as board unveiled
Care and respect for those with dementia is needed more now than ever

Victoria Times Colonist

Victoria Harbour Ferry will sail again after RalMax steps in
First Nation, federal government sign deal for spill response centre
BC government to give loans for fuel efficient switch on home heating
BC introduces temporary outdoor job program for youth up to age 29

Victoria News

Coming months will reveal fate of Greater Victoria's rental market
BC Ferries adds nearly 80 more sailings to summer schedule

Global

BC taxis' annual licencing fee cut in half as part of COVID-19 relief
BC strip club linked to COVID-19 cases 'skirting the rules in some ways': Henry
Police chief in Delta breaks silence on allegations of racism, assault against wife
BC announces $5M grant to get youth back to work during COVID-19 pandemic
Mechanical failure on BC Ferries vessel strands passengers overnight for five hours
Pamela Anderson thanks Trudeau for support of vegan industry: 'Nothing is sexier than compassion'
Vancouver school trustee resigns from committees after racial comments at board meeting
BC caterer calls for 'lifeline' as business chewed up by COVID-19
Ejection seat tangled with parachute in 2019 Snowbirds crash: Investigators
'The actors are the most vulnerable': Filming on two Vancouver-shot TV shows to resume in July

Georgia Straight

BC First Nation members allege racial discrimination by RCMP in its investigation of John Furlong
BC government pays $17.9 million for American Hotel and adjacent property in Vancouver's Strathcona neighbourhood
Smaller than a typical Vancouver lot, West Broadway property assessed over $4 million
After $4.6 million markdown, brand new West Vancouver home sells for $13.2 million

The Tyee

First Nations are faring well in Pandemic, but fear BC's latest moves
Security Camera captures heavily armed RCMP at Wet'suwet'en cultural site
Airbnb Hosts are already plotting their Post-pandemic comeback

Vancouver Courier

Surrey gets its police board with chief to follow, a year behind schedule
Vancouver creator of racist video lives with person of colour in US for two weeks

Ottawa Observations: Monday, June 29, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Monday, June 29, 2020

Canadians held in China / China tensions

China's parliament passes national security law for Hong Kong
Canada urged to amend refugee, immigration rules to welcome Hong Kongers fleeing Chinese crackdown
Hong Kong pro-democracy activists quit Demosisto group, after Beijing passed national security law
China forces birth control on Uyghurs, other minorities to suppress population
China's 'wolf warrior' diplomats are not winning Beijing any friends
What can Canada do to get two jailed Canadians out of China? The options aren't promising
Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong quits democracy group as China passes security law
Chinese lawmakers pass controversial security law for Hong Kong; reports

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Kingston nailed its response to a COVID-19 salon outbreak
Brian Mulroney calls for bold social changes to prepare Canada for a world after COVID-19
Rare syndrome linked to coronavirus found in almost 300 US kids, adolescents
Trudeau says new federal models show COVID-19 progress, but with significant hot spots
COVID-19 transmission 'largely under control' but relapses possible: Dr. Tam
Windsor-Essex remains a main Ontario trouble spot: 4 charts that shows the latest on COVID-19
GTA mayors urge Ford to make masks mandatory to curb spread of COVID-19
'It's unprecedented': 200 new cases of COVID-19 among farm workers near Windsor
'It's still right here with us': Canadian experts nervously watching COVID-19 surge in US
The COVID mission is far from accomplished, despite Trudeau's latest feel-good message
BC reports 26 new COVID-19 cases, no new deaths over three-day period
Concerns about outbreak at Brandi's and airlines eliminating physically distanced seating
No new COVID deaths over the weekend in BC: Doctor Bonnie Henry

Globe and Mail

Lawsuit alleges Ontario government failed to protect long-term care residents from COVID-19 pandemic
Citing lack of COVID-19 safety measures, courthouse workers, lawyers push back against Ontario reopening of courts
Toronto council says no to police budget cut, supports body cameras
Trudeau refuses to commit to repatriating Canadians in Syria amid calls to bring them home

CBC

Government plans to extend quarantine rules requiring self-isolation for travellers: federal official
Asylum-seekers who tried to cross from US last month turned back
Trudeau says only WE Charity can administer $900 million student grant program
Repatriate Canadian former ISIS fighters and family members, Human Rights Watch urges
Tim Horton's mobile ordering app's use of data to be investigated by Canada's privacy commissioner
Veterans Affairs hiring 300 people to cut down disability application backlog
Nova Scotia gunman liquidated assets, stockpiled gas and food due to COVID-19 fears, RCMP say

Toronto Star

Toronto council votes against cutting 2021 police budget, votes for mayor's reform plan
A vitriolic campaign has torn the Conservatives apart. Insiders worry next leader will have a hard time putting the party back together.
'Am I sacred'? Hell, yes': CERB was supposed to be a lifeline during COVID-19. Instead, it may put some seniors in a shakier financial position
Here's why Justin Trudeau ended his daily COVID-19 briefings
Ontario Liberals gearing up for 2022 election

Toronto Sun

Toronto council opts for police reform - not a funding cut
How climate change alarmism hurts the environment - and us
Hey Trudeau, Hey Ford, let's be safe and smart and keep MLA teams out of Canada
How sad that even our flag now comes with a disclaimer
It's time for push back against this defund the police narrative
We need to do more to protect agricultural workers from COVID-19
Nobody said reopening would be easy

National Post

Decision to reduce Trudeau's daily briefings will further erode government insight, experts say
Hundreds of thousands of US visitors are still crossing the border into Canada each week
Introducing Canada's newest COVID-19 bubble, the four Atlantic provinces
Records show charity closely linked to Trudeau has received multiple sole-source contracts from Liberal government
There's nothing charitable about circumventing Parliament

Maclean's

Jason Kenney reaches for economic heights with a race to the bottom

Global

BC taxis' annual licencing fee cut in half as part of COVID-19 relief
BC strip club linked to COVID-19 cases 'skirting the rules in some ways': Henry
Police chief in Delta breaks silence on allegations of racism, assault against wife
BC announces $5M grant to get youth back to work during COVID-19 pandemic
Mechanical failure on BC Ferries vessel strands passengers overnight for five hours
Pamela Anderson thanks Trudeau for support of vegan industry: 'Nothing is sexier than compassion'
Vancouver school trustee resigns from committees after racial comments at board meeting
BC caterer calls for 'lifeline' as business chewed up by COVID-19
Ejection seat tangled with parachute in 2019 Snowbirds crash: Investigators
'The actors are the most vulnerable': Filming on two Vancouver-shot TV shows to resume in July
Ottawa awards $72.6M contract for Halifax-class frigate maintenance to Irving Company
Trudeau says U.S. tariffs on Canadian aluminum would hurt both economies
Trudeau to end daily coronavirus briefings as country moves to reopen
More than defunding police needed to fix 'broken' mental health system: experts
Conservatives ask auditor to probe government $900M partnership with WE Charity

Miscellaneous

BC First Nation members allege racial discrimination by RCMP in its investigation of John Furlong
BC government pays $17.9 million for American Hotel and adjacent property in Vancouver's Strathcona neighbourhood
Smaller than a typical Vancouver lot, West Broadway property assessed over $4 million
After $4.6 million markdown, brand new West Vancouver home sells for $13.2 million

First Nations are faring well in Pandemic, but fear BC's latest moves
Security Camera captures heavily armed RCMP at Wet'suwet'en cultural site
Airbnb Hosts are already plotting their Post-pandemic comeback

Surrey gets its police board with chief to follow, a year behind schedule
Vancouver creator of racist video lives with person of colour in US for two weeks
Trudeau dismisses potential aluminum tariffs as harmful to US economy

26 new cases over three days make for Monday COVID report

The first COVID report for a new week outlined the results gathered since Friday, with 26 new cases recorded in British Columbia with Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix relaying the weekend's notes.

"Today, we are providing case updates for three 24-hour reporting periods. In the first reporting period from June 26 to June 27, we had 10 new cases. In the second reporting period from June 27 to June 28, we had 14 cases. In the last 24 hours, we have had a further two new cases.

This represents 26 new cases since we reported on Friday, for a total of 2,904 cases in British Columbia.

There are 153 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 2,577 people who tested positive have recovered. "Of the total COVID-19 cases, 18 individuals are hospitalized, five of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation."

From the Cross-BC review, the totals of reported cases are as follows:

979 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,529 in the Fraser Health region, 131 in the Island Health region, 200 in the Interior Health region and 65 in the Northern Health region, the Northern Health totals have held at the 65 mark for much of June.

Dr. Henry and Minister Dix called attention to a high profile result over the last few days, noting of the need for anyone in attendance to be tested.

“There has been one new exposure event at Brandi’s Exotic Show Lounge in the Vancouver Coastal Health region. Public health teams are actively contact tracing and have issued an alert for anyone who may have been at the premises June 21, 22, 23 and 24 between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m."

As well, with a summer travel season set to begin, the two public health officials reminded British Columbians of the importance of following the ongoing measures towards safe social interactions.

The full Provincial COVID report for Monday can be reviewed here .

The BC Centre for Disease control has some valuable Coronavirus notes related to COVID-19 you can explore that information here.