COVID-19 Ottawa:

There are 40 new confirmed, COVID-19 cases in Ottawa Monday.

8,212 total cases have been recorded in the Capital, with 7,498 resolved, and 347 active. Another person in Ottawa has died from the virus, sending that total up to 367.

COVID-19 Ontario:

There are 1,589 new cases, and 19 more deaths from the virus across Ontario.

The province has recorded 105,501 cases throughout the pandemic, with 3,505 deaths, and 88,992 cases resolved.

Hillier to Lead Ontario Vaccine Distribution Plan:

Ontario has appointed retired General Rick Hillier to lead the province’s vaccine rollout.

Hillier previously served as the Chief of Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces for three years. Premier Doug Ford says deployment of the vaccine will require an expert in logistics, which makes Hillier’s appointment important.

Vars Rollover:

It was a slippery drive in the Capital Monday morning with a few collisions reported.

Ottawa Fire had to extricate the driver of a vehicle that rolled over in Vars around 9:30 am. The man was treated by paramedics at the scene, but the extent of his injuries is unclear.

Two Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative Projects Moving to Construction Phase:

We now know the first two communities approved to go into the “construction phase” of projects supported by the Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative.

Muskowekwan First Nation in Saskatchewan is getting $2-million from the federal government to build a Family Healing and Wellness Centre that will allow First Nations families to stay together.

Pikangikum First Nation in Northern Ontario gets $1.25-million to build an eight residential unit Community Safe Village. It will provide safe, transitional, emergency housing with professional and culturally sensitive support for community members escaping violence.

Fiscal Update Coming Next Week:

The federal Liberals will deliver a long-awaited update on the economy next Monday.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland made the announcement today in the House of Commons.

The Liberals had promised an update this fall on the federal deficit. The government has not tabled a budget for this fiscal year, but in July it delivered what it called a ‘fiscal snapshot” that estimated the deficit was heading for a record of $343.2-billion.

Mississauga Nations Closer to Self-Determination:

The federal government is supporting the Mississauga Nation’s efforts to achieve self-determination.

It’s contributing $120-thousand through the Nation Rebuilding Program to the six Mississauga Nation communities.

$4-million will be shared by 10 Ontario Nations through the program this fiscal year.