The number of Canadians who have died because of the COVID-19 pandemic is now over 1,200 — more than double the lower estimates in federal projections published last week. The surge in deaths is due to unexpected outbreaks of the disease in long-term care facilities, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today. Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief…

For all the May long weekend dreamers, the hope of national park camping has officially been dashed. All reservations up to May 31 are being automatically cancelled and Parks Canada won’t be taking any new reservations until at least June 1, according to a news release. All camping facilities are affected by the ban, including…

The Edmonton Catholic School Division is temporarily laying off 708 staff as of April 30, the division said Thursday. “This is in response to the funding changes made by Alberta Education following the cancellation of classes due to COVID-19,” the division said in a media statement. Edmonton Catholic Schools has been directed by the provincial government…

As David Neil adapted to isolation to deal with the current pandemic, he started to realize how much he missed open mic nights in coffee shops and jamming with friends. He started a group on Facebook called the Isolation Jam Sessions, as a place where family and friends could post videos of themselves performing songs.…

An inmate at the maximum-security Edmonton Institution alleges correctional officers are taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic by assaulting prisoners and denying them medical treatment.  Luqman Osman finds it difficult to sleep at night.  He’s alone in a cell at the maximum-security Edmonton Institution, one of 24 inmates in the newly named Structural Integration Unit…

Alberta’s governing United Conservative Party ended 2019 with a $2.3-million deficit and net liabilities of $1.1 million, according to year-end financial statements posted by Elections Alberta.  The party’s liabilities, which combine the 2019 deficit, the net assets from the previous year and the deficit from the provincial election campaign period, were $1,117,489.  The NDP, Alberta’s Official Opposition,…