COVID-19 Ottawa:
Five more people in Ottawa have died from COVID-19.
Ottawa Public Health has recorded 346 deaths from the virus throughout the pandemic. 77 new cases were reported Monday, sending the total up to 7,586 throughout the pandemic, with 6,660 resolved, and 580 active.
COVID-19 Ontario:
Across the province there are 1,242 new cases, and 12 more deaths related to the virus.
Ontario has now recorded a total of 85,395 cases, with 3,245 deaths, and 72,636 resolved.
Vaccine Shows Promise:
One of six drugmakers Canada has signed procurement deals with for doses of their potential COVID-19 vaccine says early clinical data is offering hope.
While Pfizer stresses things could still change before the trials end, the company says in the very early stages, the vaccine appears to offer 90 per cent effectiveness in preventing the virus.
The news indicates the company is on track later this month to file an emergency use application with U.S regulators.
Porter Pushes Back Flight Restart Day:
Porter Airlines has again pushed back its restart date.
Porter says it is extending the suspension of its flights to February 11 due to increasing COVID-19 cases and ongoing travel restrictions affecting customer demand. The regional airline had hoped to restart service on December 15.
Trudeau Speaks With Biden:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has offered his congratulations to U.S. President-elect Joe Biden.
Trudeau tweeted Monday that he spoke with Joe Biden over the phone. He said they discussed the opportunities, and challenges facing both nations, including climate change, and the pandemic.
CHEO To Offer More Autism Services:
Children with autism in the Capital will soon have access to more services at CHEO.
The hospital has announced new programs, including employment workshops, a virtual drop-in for teens, and more. It’s hoped that most of these sessions will begin by early next year.
Click here for more details.
Witnesses Sought In Attempted Abduction:
Ottawa Police are asking witnesses to a frightening incident in Kanata to come forward.
Police say a man driving a white SUV approached two children near a park in the area of March Road and Second Line, just after 3:30 pm Friday.
The man in the vehicle allegedly tried to grab one of the children but got scared off, and fortunately no one was hurt. The man is described as Middle Eastern, 50-60 years old with dark hair, greying on the sides. The SUV has a broken mirror and a peeling license plate.
Anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to call police at 613-236-1222, ext. 5944, while officers are encouraging parents to talk to children about the dangers of accepting rides from strangers.
Insensitive Comments Made at Town Council Meeting:
A northern Alberta First Nation is calling for a boycott of the town of Slave Lake after comments made at a recent town council meeting.
Councillor Joy McGregor gave an update on the local homeless coalition in September. She said in the update, which is still available online, that a lot of people were coming from nearby Indigenous communities and that the town needs to stop being so nice to them and feeding them.
The Driftpile Cree Nation says McGregor’s comments are inappropriate and unacceptable in an era of reconciliation.