Good evening, these are the top stories tonight.
Top headlines:
- A member of Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s legislature is calling on him to admit he botched the fourth wave of COVID-19
- Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is facing criticism for holding a packed event in Brampton, Ont., with 400 people in attendance on Tuesday. Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole says the event lacked common sense and physical distancing
- Canada’s inflation rate has jumped to 4.1 per cent, partly because of comparisons to a year ago, when prices were tepid during the COVID-19 pandemic
Note: England is ditching vaccine passports, and mandatory face mask rules before the winter. Incorrect information appeared in the Sept. 14 issue of the Coronavirus Newsletter
In the past seven days, 30,071 cases were reported, up 14 per cent from the previous seven days. There were 199 deaths announced, up 38 per cent over the same period. At least 2,031 people are being treated in hospitals and 1,489,806 others are considered recovered.
Canada’s inoculation rate is 13th among countries with a population of one million or more people.
Sources: Canada data is compiled from government websites, Johns Hopkins and COVID-19 Canada Open Data Working Group; international data is from Johns Hopkins University.
Coronavirus explainers: Coronavirus in maps and charts • Tracking vaccine doses • Lockdown rules and reopening
Photo of the day
Protesters gather near parliament in Ljubljana today. Hundreds of anti-vaccination protesters hurled flares at the parliament building in the Slovenian capital on Wednesday to protest against a new measure that mandates a COVID-19 pass for entering almost any shop, service or a workplace in the country.The Associated Press
Coronavirus in Canada
- A new report from Ontario’s fiscal watchdog says the government did not spend any money from a new $2.7-billion COVID-19 response program aimed at supporting public health in the first quarter. A spokeswoman for Health Minister Christine Elliott disputed the finding, noting that the $2.7-billion is allocated for the entire fiscal year. Meanwhile, Toronto introduced a “Days of Vaxtion” program – a series of pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics, with a focus in areas with low inoculation rates.
- In Quebec, an auxiliary nurse, testifying at coroner’s inquest into 47 deaths at the Herron long-term care home, said that dozens of elderly residents died from thirst, malnourishment and neglect during the first wave of COVID-19. And, a Université Laval professor says, “a recent study showed two-thirds of Quebeckers with symptoms don’t go get tested,” prompting calls to offer rapid testing across the province.
- In Alberta, a member of Jason Kenney’s caucus said the Premier should admit that he mishandled the fourth wave of COVID-19 and take action. Earlier this week, the province’s top doctor, Chief Medical Health Officer Deena Hinshaw, said the move to drop all health restrictions set the stage for the current surge in hospitalizations.
- Nova Scotia reported six new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday and health officials are warning of hospital staffing shortages.
- Masks will be required once again in indoor public spaces in Prince Edward Island beginning Friday at 8 a.m. And, all children between the ages of 8 and 12 will have to take a COVID-19 test upon entering the province.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is defending holding a packed event in Brampton, Ont., with 400 people on Tuesday evening, saying the event was in keeping with provincial guidelines.
- Mr. Trudeau said the Liberals followed all regulations around capacity because it is necessary to follow guidelines “as we get through this.”
- The pandemic has been a key element of this election campaign, including lingering questions about why Mr. Trudeau decided to trigger an election during the fourth wave of the pandemic.
COVID-19 protests: Despite having nothing to do with lockdowns or vaccine mandates, health care workers are still being targeted by those demonstrating against COVID-19 rules. Andrea Woo joined The Decibel podcast to discuss who is organizing these demonstrations.
Coronavirus around the world
- India is considering exporting COVID-19 vaccines soon, mainly to Africa, as it has partly immunized a majority of its adults and supplies have surged, a source says.
- In the United States, the Army said soldiers who refuse a COVID-19 vaccine could be dismissed from their positions.
Coronavirus and business
Canadian inflation surged in August at the quickest pace since 2003, fuelled by widespread price gains, including for shelter and services that reopened in the summer as governments relaxed coronavirus restrictions.
- The consumer price index jumped 4.1 per cent in August from a year earlier, Statistics Canada said Wednesday.
Also today: Indigenous tourism operations are not expected to return to prepandemic levels until 2028.
And: Britain’s inflation rate posted a record jump last month to hit its highest level in almost a decade, more than economists had forecast, although much of the boost reflected restaurant prices artificially pushed down a year ago by government subsidies.
Globe opinion
- Robyn Urback: Will the pain of death actually be a wake-up call for unvaccinated Americans?
More reporting
- The Ontario Hockey League will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for entry into facilities starting Sept. 22. The league previously mandated that all players, team staff and billet families be vaccinated for the coming season
- Some New Orleans Saints offensive coaches tested positive for COVID-19, coach Sean Payton says
- H&M’s sales still lag prepandemic levels as COVID-19 restrictions keep shoppers from stores
Information centre
- Everything you need to know about Canada’s travel restrictions for vaccinated and unvaccinated people
- Waiting for a second dose? We answer your COVID-19 vaccine questions
- What is and isn’t ‘paid sick leave’ in Canada? A short primer
- Got a vaccine ‘hangover’? Here’s why
Sources: Canada data are compiled from government websites, Johns Hopkins University and COVID-19 Canada Open Data Working Group; international data are from Johns Hopkins.
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