Canada & World

A doctor prepares for a surgical procedure at a hospital in Washington on June 28, 2016. The latest data release by the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows Canadians still struggled with long wait times for surgeries last year compared to the days before COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Molly Riley

Pandemic ups and downs likely still compounding surgical backlogs across Canada

The ups and downs of pandemic waves continue to affect wait times…

A doctor prepares for a surgical procedure at a hospital in Washington on June 28, 2016. The latest data release by the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows Canadians still struggled with long wait times for surgeries last year compared to the days before COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Molly Riley
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki speaks during a news conference in Ottawa, Wednesday October 21, 2020. In a new mandate letter issued to RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, Mendicino instructs the national police force to proactively disclose documents, help uncover truths and allow for alternative forms of investigation as communities “seek justice at their own pace.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Help heal Indigenous residential school trauma, public safety minister tells RCMP

Force told to proactively disclose documents and allow for alternative forms of investigation

RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki speaks during a news conference in Ottawa, Wednesday October 21, 2020. In a new mandate letter issued to RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, Mendicino instructs the national police force to proactively disclose documents, help uncover truths and allow for alternative forms of investigation as communities “seek justice at their own pace.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Asylum seekers cross the border from New York into Canada at Roxham Road in Hemmingford, Que., Wednesday, March 18, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Weather, eased COVID-19 restrictions fuel spike in irregular Canada-U.S. migration

Illegal and irregular migration is beginning to ramp back up towards pre-pandemic levels

Asylum seekers cross the border from New York into Canada at Roxham Road in Hemmingford, Que., Wednesday, March 18, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
FILE - Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II smiles while receiving the President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis and his wife Paola Cassis during an audience at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, April 28, 2022. Buckingham Palace says Queen Elizabeth II will not attend the opening of Parliament on Tuesday amid ongoing mobility issues. The palace said in a statement Monday, May 9 that the decision was made in consultation with her doctors and that the 96-year-old monarch had “reluctantly’’ decided not to attend.(Dominic Lipinski/Pool Photo via AP, file)

Queen delegates opening of Parliament for first time

Delegating her role to Charles could be seen by the public as evidence a transition is underway

FILE - Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II smiles while receiving the President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis and his wife Paola Cassis during an audience at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, April 28, 2022. Buckingham Palace says Queen Elizabeth II will not attend the opening of Parliament on Tuesday amid ongoing mobility issues. The palace said in a statement Monday, May 9 that the decision was made in consultation with her doctors and that the 96-year-old monarch had “reluctantly’’ decided not to attend.(Dominic Lipinski/Pool Photo via AP, file)
Nine year old Zoriana greets her sister, Sofiia, as her and their mother, Natalia, arrive from Ukraine in St. John’s, Monday, May 9, 2022. Newfoundland and Labrador received its first plane load of refugees from Ukraine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Greg Locke

Tears, hugs and joy in St. John’s, N.L., as 166 Ukrainian refugees arrive from Poland

People waved Ukrainian flags and held up signs of welcome at the St. John’s International Airport

Nine year old Zoriana greets her sister, Sofiia, as her and their mother, Natalia, arrive from Ukraine in St. John’s, Monday, May 9, 2022. Newfoundland and Labrador received its first plane load of refugees from Ukraine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Greg Locke
In this photo provided by Pfizer, a lab technician visually inspects COVID-19 Paxlovid tablet samples in Freiburg, Germany in December 2021. As more doctors prescribe Pfizer’s powerful COVID-19 pill, new questions are emerging about its performance, including why a small number of patients appear to relapse after taking the drug. (Pfizer via AP, File)

Rare cases of COVID returning pose questions for Pfizer pill

U.S. government has spent more than $10 billion to purchase pills

In this photo provided by Pfizer, a lab technician visually inspects COVID-19 Paxlovid tablet samples in Freiburg, Germany in December 2021. As more doctors prescribe Pfizer’s powerful COVID-19 pill, new questions are emerging about its performance, including why a small number of patients appear to relapse after taking the drug. (Pfizer via AP, File)
A sign for The New York Times hangs above the entrance to its building, Thursday, May 6, 2021 in New York. The New York Times moved swiftly to change the word fetus, Monday’s answer to its daily Wordle puzzle, out of fear that it would be seen as some sort of commentary on the debate over abortion rights. The game, which became a sensation late last year and was bought by The Times in January, gives users six tries to guess a different five-letter word each day. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Wordle answer changed to avoid fraught word, NY Times says

Appearance of ‘fetus’ was ‘entirely unintentional and a coincidence’

A sign for The New York Times hangs above the entrance to its building, Thursday, May 6, 2021 in New York. The New York Times moved swiftly to change the word fetus, Monday’s answer to its daily Wordle puzzle, out of fear that it would be seen as some sort of commentary on the debate over abortion rights. The game, which became a sensation late last year and was bought by The Times in January, gives users six tries to guess a different five-letter word each day. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
A rat crosses a Times Square subway platform in New York on Jan. 27, 2015. So far this year, people have called in some 7,100 rat sightings — that’s up from about 5,800 during the same period last year, and up by more than 60% from roughly the first four months of 2019, the last pre-pandemic year. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Oh, rats! As New Yorkers emerge from pandemic, so do rodents

Through April, people have called in some 7,400 rat sightings

A rat crosses a Times Square subway platform in New York on Jan. 27, 2015. So far this year, people have called in some 7,100 rat sightings — that’s up from about 5,800 during the same period last year, and up by more than 60% from roughly the first four months of 2019, the last pre-pandemic year. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
This combination of photos provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office in April 2022 shows inmate Casey White, left, and Assistant Director of Corrections Vicky White. On Saturday, April 30 the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office said that Vicky White disappeared while escorting the inmate, being held on capital murder charges, in Florence, Ala. The escaped inmate and the former jail official were taken into custody Monday, May 9 in Indiana, according to an Alabama sheriff. (U.S. Marshals Service, Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office via AP, File)

Fugitive inmate captured after manhunt, ex-jail officer dead

Former Alabama jail official was on the run with murder suspect

This combination of photos provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office in April 2022 shows inmate Casey White, left, and Assistant Director of Corrections Vicky White. On Saturday, April 30 the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office said that Vicky White disappeared while escorting the inmate, being held on capital murder charges, in Florence, Ala. The escaped inmate and the former jail official were taken into custody Monday, May 9 in Indiana, according to an Alabama sheriff. (U.S. Marshals Service, Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office via AP, File)
An Ontario Provincial Police logo is shown during a news conference in Barrie, Ont., on April 3, 2019. A British Columbia flight instructor alleges the pilot of a plane that crashed in northern Ontario with two wanted men on board had been advertising flight tours on a plane that wasn’t registered for commercial use. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

B.C. pilot involved in Ontario plane crash reported for improper registration: instructor

Small aircraft crashed near Sioux Lookout, Ont. last month, killing 2 wanted men, 2 others

An Ontario Provincial Police logo is shown during a news conference in Barrie, Ont., on April 3, 2019. A British Columbia flight instructor alleges the pilot of a plane that crashed in northern Ontario with two wanted men on board had been advertising flight tours on a plane that wasn’t registered for commercial use. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
A gas station sign is seen in front of a wall mural as gas prices surpass $2.00 per litre, Monday, May 9, 2022 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Surging gas prices compound inflation’s toll on Canadians, hurt consumer sentiment

Inflationary domino effect sees gas prices raising shipping costs, which then hike price of goods

A gas station sign is seen in front of a wall mural as gas prices surpass $2.00 per litre, Monday, May 9, 2022 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Demonstrators against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other restrictions leave in a truck convoy after blocking the highway at the busy U.S. border crossing near Coutts, Alta., on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Crown seeks direct indictment for 1 of 4 accused in Coutts, Alta., border blockade

4 men facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder in connection with incident earlier this year

Demonstrators against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other restrictions leave in a truck convoy after blocking the highway at the busy U.S. border crossing near Coutts, Alta., on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Governor General Mary Simon smiles during a round-table discussion with northern organizations, Monday, May 9, 2022 in Kuujjuaq, Que. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon is beginning her tour of the Nunavik region of northern Quebec today by meeting with local officials, including the Kuujjuaq mayor and council, the Kativik regional government, the school board and the board of health and social services. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

‘Welcome home, Mary’: Gov. Gen. Mary Simon begins tour of Nunavik

‘Mary’s been advocating for Inuit people our entire lives’

Governor General Mary Simon smiles during a round-table discussion with northern organizations, Monday, May 9, 2022 in Kuujjuaq, Que. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon is beginning her tour of the Nunavik region of northern Quebec today by meeting with local officials, including the Kuujjuaq mayor and council, the Kativik regional government, the school board and the board of health and social services. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The streets of Banff are seen on March 24, 2020, when Parks Canada restricted vehicles in national parks and at national historic sites during the COVID-19 pandemic. A study that analyzed data on the movement of grizzly bears and wolves in Alberta’s Bow Valley shows the animals are avoiding developed areas and times when lots of people are around. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Research shows grizzly bears and wolves avoid towns, trails in Alberta’s Bow Valley

Movement Ecology analyzed two decades of GPS information from 34 grizzly bears and 33 wolves

The streets of Banff are seen on March 24, 2020, when Parks Canada restricted vehicles in national parks and at national historic sites during the COVID-19 pandemic. A study that analyzed data on the movement of grizzly bears and wolves in Alberta’s Bow Valley shows the animals are avoiding developed areas and times when lots of people are around. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Vancouver Police Department headquarters is seen in Vancouver, on Saturday, January 9, 2021. Vancouver police say a 26-year-old man has been charged in connection with a fatal stabbing in a park Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Man charged with second-degree murder in Vancouver’s fourth homicide

Eric Kim is charged with second-degree murder in connection to death in Vancouver’s Crab Park

Vancouver Police Department headquarters is seen in Vancouver, on Saturday, January 9, 2021. Vancouver police say a 26-year-old man has been charged in connection with a fatal stabbing in a park Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police “E” Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday April 13, 2018. RCMP in Alberta say a mother and her eight-month-old daughter are dead, and that a male who police believe was the woman’s brother was also found dead nearby from what investigators believe was self-inflicted injuries. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Mom and baby found dead in Alberta home, man thought to be brother found dead nearby

29-year-old woman and her child found in their home in Newell County, southeast of Calgary

The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police “E” Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday April 13, 2018. RCMP in Alberta say a mother and her eight-month-old daughter are dead, and that a male who police believe was the woman’s brother was also found dead nearby from what investigators believe was self-inflicted injuries. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Lawyer Jonathan Denis speaks to the media in Calgary on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. The Alberta Court of Appeal is to release its decision today on a contempt of court ruling against Denis, a former justice minister. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Graveland

Former Alberta justice minister loses bid to stay contempt of court decision

Jonathan Denis also appealing contempt decision, judge says that appeal hearing best place for case

Lawyer Jonathan Denis speaks to the media in Calgary on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. The Alberta Court of Appeal is to release its decision today on a contempt of court ruling against Denis, a former justice minister. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Graveland
Iuliia holds her dog, Chackie, upon her arrival to a reception center for displaced people in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Sunday, May 8, 2022. Iuliia drove her grandmother’s friend from Kherson as thousands of Ukrainian continue to leave Russian occupied areas. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

No end in sight for Ukraine war as Putin hails Victory Day

Much-anticipated speech offered no new insights into how he intended to salvage the grinding war

Iuliia holds her dog, Chackie, upon her arrival to a reception center for displaced people in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Sunday, May 8, 2022. Iuliia drove her grandmother’s friend from Kherson as thousands of Ukrainian continue to leave Russian occupied areas. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The price of gas is seen as a motorist fills up at a gas station in Montreal on Friday, May 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Gas could rise by five cents this week and five cents the week after, analyst says

Average price of gas in Canada is pushing towards $1.97 per litre

The price of gas is seen as a motorist fills up at a gas station in Montreal on Friday, May 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
A for sale sign is displayed in front of a house in the Riverdale area of Toronto on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021. Brokers say prospective buyers who have grown tired of going up against dozens of competitors to snag a home are starting to get some relief from the frenzy seen earlier this year in many markets. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Evan Buhler

Fewer home bids easing competition for some, but prices still high: brokers

Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal brokers say plenty of properties are seeing fewer offers

A for sale sign is displayed in front of a house in the Riverdale area of Toronto on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021. Brokers say prospective buyers who have grown tired of going up against dozens of competitors to snag a home are starting to get some relief from the frenzy seen earlier this year in many markets. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Evan Buhler