All passengers leaving from Canadian airports, as well as those travelling domestically via planes, trains, and cruises, will be required to show proof of full vaccination as of Saturday, Oct. 30. The new federal travel rules will apply to people 12 years and older. The government says there will be a “short transition period” for those who are in the process of being vaccinated during which they will be able to travel if they can show a negative COVID-19 molecular test, taken no more than 72 hours from their departure. The transition period will end on Nov. 30, at which time all travellers will have to show they’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, “with very limited exceptions to address specific situations such as emergency travel, and those medically unable to be vaccinated.” The new rules will apply to air travel within Canada, as well as transborder or international flights leaving from Canadian airports; rail travel, including on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineering trains, and marine travel on what the government describes as “non-essential passenger vessels” — like cruise ships — that are 24 hours or longer. As of Nov. 30, travellers will be required to use a new pan-Canadian vaccine passport, which will be issued through provinces and territories. The new proof of vaccination system will show the traveller’s name, date of birth, and which vaccines they received, as well as when. Border agents and air operators will be able to scan a QR code to view this information. Until the end of November, travellers will be able to use their provincial proof of immunization cards.
Canada’s new defence minister, Anita Anand, has met with military leadership just two days after being sworn into her role. She is vowing to make the battle against sexual misconduct in the military her priority. Anand tweeted about the meeting, saying the Canadian Armed Forces have supported communities across the country through the pandemic, proving yet again our defence team is a crucial part of our nation’s fabric. Multiple senior members of the military have been removed from posts or placed on leave due to allegations of misconduct. After taking over the position in Tuesday’s cabinet shuffle, Anand says her priority is to keep members of the armed forces safe and protected while making sure that they have access to proper supports and systems in place to achieve justice.
Friday is the deadline for employees in the core federal public service in Canada to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that public servants, including members and reservists of the RCMP, would have to be double vaccinated in order to keep working. The order even applies to those who are working from home, as well as contracted personnel who require access to federal government worksites. By Nov. 15, employees who do not declare their vaccine status or are unvaccinated will be placed on administrative leave without pay. But unions say there are still many questions about how requests for accommodations will be handled. Trudeau has said exemptions will be difficult and onerous to obtain, and simply having a personal conviction that vaccines are “bad” will not be sufficient. The federal government says making a false statement would constitute a breach of the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and may result in an employee being fired.
Indigenous child-welfare advocates say if the Trudeau government is serious about its commitment to reconciliation, it won’t take a case back to court. The government has until later today to announce if it will compensate First Nations children removed from their homes on reserves who endured abuse and suffering in provincial foster care systems. Or it could choose to appeal a Federal Court ruling that upheld two historic decisions from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Another decision involves making more First Nations children eligible for accessing government services despite jurisdictional disputes about payment.
Winter season parking rates are set to go into effect in White Rock next week – which means free weekday parking at the beach. On Monday, Nov. 1, the city will switch to its off-season rates, which includes free parking from Monday to Friday and reduced rates on the weekends and in the parade. “The City of White Rock is making it that much easier to enjoy the amazing restaurants, retailers, services, and more on Marine Drive. Let’s all be sure to take them up on it,” the White Rock BIA wrote on its Facebook page Thursday while announcing the seasonal parking change. Rates at Centennial Arena remain the same year-round. Free parking along the waterfront will stay until the end of January, until “shoulder season” rates apply in February and March.
B-C residents now have access to the Canada-wide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, allowing them to travel outside the province. Health Minister Adrian Dix says the federal card can be downloaded in the same way that people received their provincial proof of vaccination. People will still need their B-C vaccination card to access settings such as restaurants or sporting events. Also today, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has extended the mandate that masks be worn in all indoor public spaces, after the previous order was set to expire on October 31st.
The B-C government says a new addictions and mental health treatment facility in Coquitlam could influence how the province develops care in the future. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson says the 105-bed Red Fish Healing Centre is a first of its kind and will allow patients to be treated for mental health and addictions together. Selina Robinson, B-C’s finance minister and a former addictions counsellor, says the treatment centre has been a long time in the making. The centre replaces the Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addiction, which will be decommissioned in the future.
Mounties in Surrey say one man has been hospitalized after a shooting at a home. The R-C-M-P say they received a report of a shooting in the Whalley area today at 1 p-m and a suspect was arrested at the scene. The victim has been taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Mounties say the investigation is in the early stages, but both the suspect and victim are believed to know one another.
Police are searching for a bald, clean-shaven man in his 30s who allegedly pulled a knife and threatened a hotel concierge in downtown Vancouver. Police say it happened three weeks ago when the concierge spotted a man peering into cars in the parkade of the Robson Street hotel and challenged him. Constable Tania Visintin (VIZ’-in-teen) says the suspect pulled out a knife and chased the employee before running to the street where he got away. A video of the suspect has been released and police want to talk to anyone who recognizes him. (The Canadian Press)
Police are urging adults who choose to dress up for Halloween parties this weekend to leave imitation weapons at home. Vancouver police say imitations have been an “issue” in the past — as officers can’t always tell the difference between real and fake handguns, hatchets and swords. If a weapon is a vital part of a costume, police say it should be easily identifiable as a toy. Halloween enthusiasts are also reminded that fireworks are restricted — or banned — in most cities and police will have extra patrols on Saturday and Sunday to ensure everyone stays safe.
Premier John Horgan has received wishes for a speedy recovery from one of his favourite “Star Trek” characters. Horgan — a self-professed “Trekkie” — announced yesterday he was going in for biopsy surgery today after doctors found a growth in his throat and he posted the statement on his Twitter feed. Kate Mulgrew, who played Captain Kathryn Janeway on “Star Trek: Voyager,” tweeted in reply that she wished him “a recovery that moves at warp speed.” Horgan, who’s been spotted wearing “Star Trek” socks in the past, responded with thanks, saying that Mulgrew’s character on the series was “the best captain ever.”
British Columbia has reported 584 new cases of COVID-19 and nine more deaths, bringing the death toll to two-thousand-156. The Health Ministry says four-thousand-982 infections are active, including 436 people in hospital with 156 in intensive care. It says 89.8 per cent of eligible residents aged 12 and up have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 85 per cent have received two doses. The province says unvaccinated people accounted for 59 per cent of COVID-19 cases diagnosed between October 21st and 27th and close to 68 per cent of hospitalizations between October 14th and 27th.
B-C’s top doctor has issued updated rules for adults supervising or coaching youth sports, saying they must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Health Minister Adrian Dix says the mandate is a reflection of the need to require vaccination in such settings, which are less structured than workplaces.