Ottawa

Ottawa needs a whole new approach to national security threats, experts say

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More than 250 national security experts, including former high-ranking government officials, are calling on Ottawa to re-imagine its approach to security threats to confront new sources of peril — from fast-spreading disease outbreaks to natural disasters driven by climate change.Members of the Canadian Forces arrive by front end loader to help residents cope with catastrophic flooding in Abbotsford, B.C. on November 20, 2021.…

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Ottawa nixing molecular COVID test requirement for Canadians taking short trips abroad: sources

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Fully vaccinated Canadians taking short trips abroad will soon no longer need proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test to return home, say sources.The federal government has been facing mounting pressure to drop the rule that requires travellers entering Canada to show proof of a molecular COVID-19 test. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)Fully vaccinated Canadians taking short trips abroad…

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Ottawa spent more money in Alberta than it raised in tax revenues from the province in 2020, economist says

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For the first time in decades, Alberta received more federal support than it raised in revenues last year, new data from Statistics Canada shows — and was also the largest recipient of COVID-related federal spending increases in Canada.Customers enjoy a meal at Annabelle’s Kitchen in Calgary’s Marda Loop neighbourhood on June 11, 2021. (The Canadian Press)For…

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Ottawa sending more help to N.W.T. to deal with COVID-19 surge

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Federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says Ottawa has approved a request from the N.W.T. to provide “surge capacity support” for infection prevention and control, contact tracing and testing.Minister of Public Safety Bill Blair said Ottawa has approved a request from the Northwest Territories to provide ‘surge capacity support’ for infection prevention and control, contact…

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Ottawa to consider vaccine mandate exemptions for some remote Indigenous communities

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The federal government is working on exemptions to its newly released mandatory vaccine policy for people in remote Indigenous communities, many of which are only accessible by air.Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, is one of 182 difficult-to-access communities where the exemption could apply. (Matisse Harvey/Radio-Canada)The federal government is working on exemptions to its newly released mandatory vaccine…

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Ottawa promises to step up after Alberta asks for help with airlifting COVID-19 patients

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Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says the federal government will pitch in after Alberta asked for help with airlifting COVID-19 patients, ICU-registered nurses and respiratory therapists.Dr. Ayesha Khory is pictured in the moments before intubating a COVID-19 patient in an Alberta intensive care unit. (AHS)Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says the federal government will pitch…

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