UNDRIP Legislation Tabled:
The Liberals have tabled legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which affirms their right to self-determination.
If Bill C-15 passes, the government would have to work with First Nations, Metis and Inuit to harmonize Canadian policy with the rights and principles contained in the declaration. By law, it would have no longer than three years to create an action plan for those goals.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde says the legislation isn’t perfect. He’s concerned the Trudeau government’s three-year deadline for completing an action plan is too far away.
COVID-19 Ottawa:
There are 41 new, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ottawa Thursday.
Public Health has reported 8608 cases throughout the pandemic, with 7859 cases resolved, and 371 active. No new deaths from the virus were reported today, with that number staying at 378.
COVID-19 Ontario:
1,824 cases, and 14 more deaths are being reported across the province.
Ontario has now reached a total of 121,746 cases, with 3,712 deaths, and 103,239 recovered patients.
Meanwhile, Premier Doug Ford says the province will unveil its vaccine task force on Friday. Health Minister Christine Elliott says the task force will include medical, information technology, and logistics experts.
Quebec Cancels Christmas Gatherings:
The Quebec government is cancelling its plan to allow holiday gatherings over four days at Christmas.
Premier Francois Legault announced Thursday that in the province’s red zones, which cover most of the province, multi-household gatherings of up to ten people will no longer be allowed over Christmas.
Vaccine Approval Expected:
A COVID-19 vaccine could be approved for use in Canada within days, with Health Canada’s chief medical adviser saying final documents from American drugmaker Pfizer are expected Friday.
Doctor Supriya Sharma says the information will include which production lots of the vaccine will be shipped to Canada and when.
Council Divide Laid Bare On Twitter:
Disharmony at City Hall has once again spilled onto social media.
Mayor Jim Watson Tweeted Thursday that he worked with Sport Commissioner Mathieu Fleury to draft a proposal to extend the city’s partnership with Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, owners of the Redblacks and 67’s, for ten more years.
Councillor Shawn Menard quoted the Mayor’s tweet, suggesting he had drafted the motion, since Lansdowne falls in his ward, and that the Mayor was taking credit for other people’s hard work. Menard also said City Hall is one of the worst work environments you could imagine.
City Launches Services for Hearing/Speech-Impaired:
The City of Ottawa is marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by offering a new option for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired.
Residents can now be connected with a sign language interpreter for calls to the city, through the Canada Video Relay Service. Click here for more details.