National News

More provinces are loosening COVID-19 restrictions as hospitalizations in some parts of the country appear to plateau, but health officials caution that eased measures could lead to increased infections in the coming weeks.

MONTREAL — A Quebec judge is expected to rule by Monday whether a provincial health order that prevents unvaccinated caregivers from entering nursing homes to care for relatives should be suspended.

OTTAWA — After the Winnipeg city council voted Monday to condemn racist imagery at a protest over the weekend, a Regina resident wanted his councillors to do the same.

FREDERICTON — An American who has spent nearly 35 years in prison for the murder of a New Brunswick police officer was denied full parole on Wednesday.

OTTAWA — The Canadian Medical Association and a group of domestic and international activists are calling on the federal government to do more to boost COVID-19 vaccination efforts in less developed countries in order to end the pandemic.

TORONTO — Eight patients on gurneys line a hallway of a Toronto emergency department one Tuesday afternoon in January. Three more rest down another hall. "Help me, help me," a patient moans. "Lady, be quiet!" another yells back.

Canada's three foremost weather-minded marmots are at loggerheads this Groundhog Day.

BEIJING — Charles Hamelin's teammates were speculating recently about who might carry Canada's flag into the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. Hamelin had a hard time keeping a straight face.

BEIJING — Women's hockey captain Marie-Philip Poulin and short-track speedskating star Charles Hamelin have been named Canada's flag-bearers for Friday's opening ceremonies of Beijing's Winter Olympics More coming. The Canadian Press

OTTAWA — More than 850 people have been assigned a special number to help avoid being inadvertently ensnared by Canada's no-fly list.