Boil Water Advisory Deadline Update:

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says the pandemic has changed everything. He says that’s one of the reasons why the government won’t meet its promise to lift all boil-water advisories in First Nations communities by March.

Miller announced earlier this week $1.5-billion dollars in funding aimed at ending at least 22 long-term water advisories, though a new deadline was not announced.

COVID-19 Ottawa:

Ottawa Public Health is reporting 46 new, confirmed COVID-19 cases, and two more deaths from the virus Wednesday.

8,567 cases have been reported here throughout the pandemic, with 7,827 resolved, and 362 active. 378 people in the Capital have died after contracting the Novel Coronavirus.

COVID-19 Ontario:

Across Ontario, 1,723 new cases, and 35 more deaths from the virus are being reported.

The province has now recorded a total of 119,922 cases, with 3,698 deaths, and 101,698 patients recovered.

Britain Approves Vaccine, Singh Wants Crown Corporation:

Britain has become the first country in the world to authorize a COVID-19 vaccine and that’s putting pressure on Canada and other countries to follow suit.

It’s a historic step toward eventually ending the pandemic that has killed more than 1.4-million people around the world.

Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh wants the Canadian government to set up a Crown corporation dedicated to producing vaccines and critical medications. Singh doesn’t want Canada to have to rely on other countries in health emergencies.

No Pay Raise for Contract Teachers at Carleton:

A requested pay increase for contract teachers at Carleton has been denied by the university.

Members of CUPE Local 4600 had requested the top up. The union says many of these teachers are working extra hours as students and faculty get adjusted to virtual material delivery. Some of the 800 contract instructors have suggested they are working full-time hours, despite only teaching one course.

Six Nations Homicide:

Police are investigating a homicide on Six Nations territory, east of Brantford.

Six Nations police say the man who died was shot on a driveway in front of a home last night. Provincial police are assisting in the investigation, which has identified two suspects who were known to the victim.