Lethbridge news

• Students in PPE, social distancing and modified school calendar among topics of Alberta parent survey

  07-05-2020 23:17
  
  While the provincial government has already told Alberta families to expect to end the 2019-20 school year online, plans are in the works to establish what in-person schooling would look like, whenever that happens. The Alberta School Council Assocation (ASCA) has released a survey for all parents asking a number of questions about what sort of concerns they have about a possible return to classes, what areas they want officials to pay particular attention to and how they might want classrooms t
  
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• William Shatner slams Lethbridge police after May 4 Stormtrooper incident

  07-05-2020 23:02 via globalnews.ca
  
  May 4th has been dubbed ‘Star Wars Day’ as a clever play-on-words for the popular phrase “may the force be with you.” When one local restaurant tried to celebrate the occasion, things didn’t go as planned. Eloise Therien reports on how the incident has garnered attention from a high-profile celebrity.
  
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• City of Calgary lays off 430 transit workers as a result of COVID-19

  07-05-2020 22:59
  
  City officials had some sad news Thursday as hundreds of workers with Calgary Transit have lost their jobs. City manager David Duckworth says the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a 90 per cent drop in ridership across the network and, as a result, hundreds of workers have lost their jobs. On Wednesday, city officials announced up to 450 layoffs are expected at Calgary Transit due to a steep decline in ridership. In a memo obtained by CTV Calgary, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 583 confirme
  
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• CEMA to update on COVID-19 response in Calgary at 5 p.m.

  07-05-2020 22:59
  
  Calgary Emergency Management Agency officials will provide an update on the response to COVID-19 in Calgary at 5 p.m. Thursday. CEMA Deputy Chief Sue Henry, Mayor Naheed Nenshi and city manager David Duckworth are scheduled to give the update. On Wednesday, city officials announced up to 450 layoffs are expected at Calgary Transit due to a steep decline in ridership. In a memo obtained by CTV Calgary, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 583 confirmed the difficult news.  "Calgary Transit is
  
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• Alcohol-free club supports members virtually during pandemic

  07-05-2020 22:58
  
  It’s called the ‘Boring Little Girls Club’ and Kira Dunlop started it a year and a half ago. The 24-year-old struggled with substance abuse since the age of 14. She’s been sober now for three years and knows that others who’ve faced a similar situation to her are feeling isolated. “We’re struggling right now as a society, as human beings without being able to connect with each other,” said Dunlop. “When you have had problematic substance abus
  
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• Alberta workers returning home should be tested after oilsands outbreak: N.L. top doctor

  07-05-2020 22:57 via globalnews.ca
  
  The maritime province announced two more cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. Of those, one is connected to the Kearl Lake work site north of Fort McMurray, Alta.
  
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• Calgary physicians create choir to relieve COVID-19 stress

  07-05-2020 22:06
  
  Several dozen Calgary physicians have joined together to form a choir to help relieve stress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Calgary anesthesiologist Dr. Wendy Hall came up with the idea, after seeing a Toronto-area physician’s choir. "I just put it out there to see if anyone would be interested in forming a choir with me and the response was really over," Hall told CTV News. So far, only female physicians are taking part but men are welcome too. The group conduct rehearsals online, o
  
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• Bottleneck for job hunters expected after CERB ends this fall

  07-05-2020 21:43
  
  Layoffs and business shutdowns during the pandemic have left thousands of Albertans without work and while many can access government funding, a Calgary staffing agency is urging job seekers not to pass up opportunities right now. Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), for people who lost income due to COVID-19, provides $2,000 a month for up to four months, but About Staffing CEO Sharlene Massie says it will likely create a bottleneck of people searching for work when the program is set to e
  
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• IKEA Canada introduces curbside pickup for a $5 flat rate

  07-05-2020 21:33
  
  Now that the Canadian economy is showing signs of reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic, some companies are rejoining the retail market to provide services once more. IKEA Canada, which closed all of its locations coast-to-coast on March 16, is now offering curbside pickup for customers in every province except Quebec. That province's stores are expected to launch the service on May 11. Curbside pickup won't be available Sundays, the company says in a release, and all customers who choose the opt
  
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• Alberta First Nations worried by suspension of oilsands environmental monitoring

  07-05-2020 21:03 via globalnews.ca
  
  Almost all wildlife and bird monitoring, often done by remote cameras, is suspended, as is testing for leaks of methane.
  
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• Calgary man missing for more than 2 weeks leaves family desperate for answers

  07-05-2020 20:54
  
  Simpson Van Der Linden is described by his family members as fun-loving, outgoing and sweet.  The 34-year-old Calgary man has been missing for more than two weeks as those closest to him continue to search for answers and appeal to the public for help.  “He’s been an incredible big brother for me,” said Bretton Chad.  “He’s known in our family for his witty banter and keeping things light, but then sometimes taking a topic too far in a good-hearted ki
  
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• 'We’ve learnt in a very hard way': Calls for more COVID-19 protections in long-term care facilities

  07-05-2020 20:44
  
  An online petition is calling on all levels of government to do significantly more to protect residents and staff in long-term care. As of Thursday afternoon, more than 43,000 people had signed the Change.org Protect People in Long-Term Care petition that urges Ottawa to take "extraordinary measures" due to the ongoing outbreaks at these facilities across the country. Michelle van Beusekom is a cofounder of the petition and says they want to see a nationwide strategy because it’s a nationw
  
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• Kodiaks volleyball adds Clay Thierman to roster for 2020-2021 season - Lethbridge News Now

  07-05-2020 20:29 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Kodiaks volleyball adds Clay Thierman to roster for 2020-2021 season  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Pronghorns men's soccer adds three new players to 2020 recruiting class - Lethbridge News Now

  07-05-2020 20:27 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Pronghorns men's soccer adds three new players to 2020 recruiting class  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Multiple Kodiaks earn CCAA Academic All-Canadian honours - Lethbridge News Now

  07-05-2020 20:25 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Multiple Kodiaks earn CCAA Academic All-Canadian honours  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• May the 4th Lethbridge stormtrooper takedown an embarrassing twist as Skywalker saga ends - Edmonton Journal

  07-05-2020 20:16 via edmontonjournal.com
  May the 4th Lethbridge stormtrooper takedown an embarrassing twist as Skywalker saga ends  Edmonton Journal
  
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• Dr. Hinshaw to provide daily update on COVID-19 in Alberta at 3 p.m. Thursday

  07-05-2020 20:09 via globalnews.ca
  
  The daily update to Albertans on the COVID-19 situation and the public health response will happen a little earlier than usual on Thursday.
  
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• Coronavirus: Alberta sees ‘daily numbers declining’ but Hinshaw urges caution

  07-05-2020 20:09 via globalnews.ca
  
  On Thursday, Dr. Deena Hinshaw said 54 new cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Alberta, bringing the provincial total to 6,017.
  
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• Trudeau says he does not share view that oil and gas sector is beyond saving

  07-05-2020 20:06
  
  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he does not agree that oil and gas in Canada is dead. Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet and Green parliamentary leader Elizabeth May both claim the oil price shock that has devastated Canada's oil patch in recent weeks should be the final sign that the industry cannot and should not be saved. Both would rather the government pour economic recovery money into transitioning workers in Alberta's oil industry to renewable energies instead. Trudeau, howev
  
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• 'Stop kicking us while we're down': Alberta premier has harsh words for politicians who say oil industry is dead

  07-05-2020 20:06
  
  Alberta Premier Jason Kenney took direct aim Thursday at federal politicians who say the oil industry in Canada is dead and focus should shift to renewables in the future. "Please stop kicking us while we're down. We Albertans have been generous and we will continue to be generous, but these attacks on our natural resource industries are unwarranted, they are divisive, they are, I believe in a way, un-Canadian at a time like this," he said during an update on the province's response to COVID-19.
  
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• Calgary police seek suspect who allegedly stopped to make purchase after stealing cash from store's office

  07-05-2020 19:57
  
  The Calgary Police Service has released surveillance images of a theft suspect at a southeast gas station who allegedly delayed his getaway to stop and buy a few things. According to police, a man entered the Esso store in the 2800 block of 17th Avenue S.E. on the afternoon of May 3. After a few minutes, he proceeded to the office area in the back of the store, forced his way into a locked room and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. The man returned to the shop area and proceeded to make a pur
  
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• Canadian Natural surprises by maintaining dividend while cutting spending

  07-05-2020 19:16
  
  Operating costs and production levels are set to fall at Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. but, unlike many of its peers, the company left its long-standing dividend intact and took no asset impairment charges in its first-quarter report on Thursday. The move to leave its quarterly dividend at 42.5 cents per share surprised analysts, who questioned its sustainability given low oil prices and refinery cutbacks as the COVID-19 pandemic reduces fuel demand throughout North America. In its 20th consec
  
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• Hinshaw to deliver Thursday's COVID-19 update at 3 p.m.

  07-05-2020 18:48
  
  Alberta's chief medical officer of health will issue Thursday's COVID-19 update at 3 p.m. Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced 70 new cases of the coronavirus and six more deaths on Wednesday. In total, Alberta has 5,963 cases — 3,552 recovered and 2,411 active — and 112 deaths.Infographics: COVID-19 in Alberta by the numbers This is what we know about Alberta's COVID-19 cases More at Edmonton.ctvnews.ca/coronavirusEighty-two of the active cases are currently in hospital, with 19 of them in i
  
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• Alberta surpasses 6,000 cases of COVID-19

  07-05-2020 18:48
  
  Alberta surpassed 6,000 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, with 54 new cases and two more deaths. The province-wide totals are now 6,017 cases — 3,809 recovered and 2,208 active — and 114 deaths. This is a breaking news update. More to come. Original story: Alberta's chief medical officer of health will issue Thursday's COVID-19 update at 3 p.m. Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced 70 new cases of the coronavirus and six more deaths on Wednesday. In total, Alberta has 5,963 cases — 3,552 re
  
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• Loaded handgun and drugs seized during planned traffic stop in Bassano, Alta

  07-05-2020 18:22
  
  Three Calgarians face charges after drugs and a loaded handgun were seized during a planned traffic stop as part of an investigation into suspected drug shipments into the Medicine Hat-area. According to the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT), the vehicle was stopped in the town of Bassano on May 1 following an investigation involving the Medicine Hat Police Service, Calgary Police Service and Bassano RCMP. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of an estimated $35,000 worth
  
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• PM says 'reflection' needed on essential workers' safety as Cargill protests continue

  07-05-2020 18:11
  
  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the situation at the Cargill meat plant in Alberta is another reminder of how the country must do a better job of protecting workers' health and safety, but insisted it’s a matter of provincial jurisdiction. Responding to a question about the protests at the meat processor near High River, Trudeau said the federal government will continue to support provinces in the "continued flow of food supply chains" and making sure workers in these industries are pro
  
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• No federal intervention, but continued support for provinces: PM Trudeau on Cargill protests

  07-05-2020 18:11
  
  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the situation at the Cargill meat plant in Alberta is another reminder of how the country must do a better job of protecting workers' health and safety, but insisted it’s a matter of provincial jurisdiction. Responding to a question about the protests at the meat processor near High River, Trudeau said the federal government will continue to support provinces in the "continued flow of food supply chains" and making sure workers in these industries are pro
  
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• Cargill workers, many of them new to Canada, face isolation over COVID-19

  07-05-2020 18:11
  
  Many of the workers at an Alberta meat processing plant hit with COVID-19 are Filipino and new to Canada, and now face an increasing sense of isolation over the outbreak. The Cargill meat processing plant in High River, Alta., has seen 949 cases of COVID-19, including one death of an employee, identified as Biu Thi Hiep. The virus forced a two-week shutdown of the facility, which ended on Monday. Some community members say Cargill employees, most of them from the other side of the world, are bei
  
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• Face masks will required to shop at T&T Supermarket, Whole Foods

  07-05-2020 18:10
  
  Customers at two supermarket chains in Canada will soon have to wear face coverings while shopping. In an online advisory posted earlier this week, T&T Supermarket said masks must be worn as of May 11. Describing the pandemic as a "critical time," the grocery store chain cited Public Health Agency of Canada advise that appropriate use of face masks or coverings can reduce the spread of COVID-19. And in an email to CTV News Thursday, Whole Foods Market confirmed its stores would implement a s
  
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• Face masks will be required to shop at T&T Supermarket, Whole Foods

  07-05-2020 18:10
  
  Customers at two supermarket chains in Canada will soon have to wear face coverings while shopping. In an online advisory posted earlier this week, T&T Supermarket said masks must be worn as of May 11. Describing the pandemic as a "critical time," the grocery store chain cited Public Health Agency of Canada advise that appropriate use of face masks or coverings can reduce the spread of COVID-19. And in an email to CTV News Thursday, Whole Foods Market confirmed its stores would implement a s
  
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• Face masks will be required to shop at T&T Supermarket; temperature checks already in effect

  07-05-2020 18:10
  
  Customers of a supermarket chain headquartered in B.C. will soon have to wear face coverings while shopping. In an online advisory posted earlier this week, T&T Supermarket said masks must be worn as of May 11. Describing the pandemic as a "critical time," the grocery store chain cited Public Health Agency of Canada advise that appropriate use of face masks or coverings can reduce the spread of COVID-19. Health Canada has said non-medical face masks can reduce the spread of the wearer's own
  
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• Passenger shocked by packed Air Canada flight: ‘I was a little disappointed’

  07-05-2020 18:03 via globalnews.ca
  
  An Edmonton woman who works in health care and flies frequently for work is raising concerns over what she said was a lack of safety precautions taken on her Air Canada flight home from Toronto earlier this week, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
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• Coronavirus: Trudeau rejects ‘oil is dead’ claim from Greens, Bloc Quebecois

  07-05-2020 17:47 via globalnews.ca
  
  "I don't share that assessment," Trudeau said when asked about the assertions.
  
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• Calgarians encouraged to build their own Calgary Tower

  07-05-2020 17:26
  
  Could you build a miniature version of the Calgary Tower using rolls of paper towel? What about building one with Lego, or maybe using some plastic tubing from the garage? Calgarians are invited to build their own versions of the famous landmark using household material and post a photo online, using the hashtag #mycalgarytower. Some of the favourites will be shared on social media and everyone who posts a pic will be entered to win one of three family visits once the tower reopens after the COV
  
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• Murphy Oil Corporation closes Calgary office, moves headquarters to Houston, Texas

  07-05-2020 17:06 via globalnews.ca
  
  Murphy Oil Corporation says the recent drop in crude oil prices is responsible for its decision to close its longstanding office in Calgary and relocate its corporate headquarters from El Dorado, Arkansas to an existing office in Dallas, Texas.
  
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• Historic St. John's regatta called off because of COVID-19 - Lethbridge News Now

  07-05-2020 16:44 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Historic St. John's regatta called off because of COVID-19  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Ottawa to unveil funding model for provinces to top-up essential worker pay

  07-05-2020 16:29
  
  The Prime Minister is expected to introduce cost-sharing agreements with a number of provinces looking to give their front-line workers some extra help. The flexible agreements are intended to allow provinces to tailor the program to suit their different needs and decide which essential worker is most in need of a financial boost. Part of the objective in proposing a federal wage top-up is to encourage essential workers to stay on job, despite the potential risks. It’s also meant to compen
  
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• Calgary-based Parkland Fuel sees $79 million loss in first quarter on higher revenues

  07-05-2020 15:57 via globalnews.ca
  
  Parkland Fuel Corp. says it saw a $79-million loss in the first quarter.
  
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• Canadian Natural Resources looks to cut spending, reports $1.28B first quarter loss

  07-05-2020 15:36 via globalnews.ca
  
  Canadian Natural Resources said it is looking to cut its costs this year by $745 million compared with last year as it reported a first-quarter loss of $1.28 billion.
  
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• Enbridge reports $1.43B Q1 loss, moves to cut costs, delay some spending

  07-05-2020 15:22 via globalnews.ca
  
  Enbridge reported a first-quarter loss of nearly $1.43 billion as it was hit by one-time non-cash charges in the quarter including a writedown of its investment in DCP Midstream, a joint venture in the U.S.
  
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• Viability of Calgary’s Green Line transit project called into question

  07-05-2020 14:34
  
  Councillor Jeremy Farkas says he plans to submit a notice of motion that questions the current Green Line project and calls for it to be altered to stay on track with the city's "new reality." "The Green Line was based on pre-crash, pre-COVID assumptions," said Farkas in a release. "The current proposal is an unacceptable risk of financial catastrophe to taxpayers at every level of government." The total cost of the current plans for the LRT project  — which would extend from 16 Ave N
  
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• 'You deserve a raise': PM says deal reached to top up wages for essential COVID-19 workers

  07-05-2020 11:09
  
  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that an agreement has been reached with all provinces and territories to top up the wages of some essential front-line workers including those in long-term care facilities where COVID-19 has spread among both residents and staff, with deadly impact. Resuming his Rideau Hall COVID-19 updates, the prime minister offered new details on how cost-sharing initiative between the federal government and the provinces and territories will work, and who will qualify. He s
  
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• S&P/TSX composite up, while U.S. stock markets also rise; oil prices up

  07-05-2020 09:42
  
  Gains in the energy, financial and industrial sectors led Canada's main stock index higher in late-morning trading, while the price of oil also moved up. The S&P/TSX composite index was up 88.85 points at 14,919.59. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 320.06 points at 23,984.70. The S&P 500 index was up 40.80 points at 2,889.22, while the Nasdaq composite was up 115.85 points at 8,970.24. The Canadian dollar traded for 71.31 cents US compared with an average of 70.80 cen
  
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• S&P/TSX composite up on higher metal prices and energy sector despite dip in oil

  07-05-2020 09:42
  
  Canada's main stock index moved slightly higher on the growing shine from metals and a stronger energy sector despite lower crude oil prices. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 2.95 points at 14,833.69. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 211.25 points at 23,875.89. The S&P 500 index was up 32.77 points at 2,881.19, while the Nasdaq composite was up 125.27 points at 8,979.66. The Canadian dollar traded for 71.35 cents US compared with an average of 70.80 cents US on W
  
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• North American stock markets open trading higher, oil prices gain ground

  07-05-2020 09:42
  
  North American stock markets started the trading day by moving higher, while the price of oil also gained ground. The S&P/TSX composite index was up 181.68 points at 15,012.42. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 275.72 points at 23,940.36. The S&P 500 index was up 40.24 points at 2,888.66, while the Nasdaq composite was up 119.78 points at 8,974.17. The Canadian dollar traded for 71.02 cents US compared with an average of 70.80 cents US on Wednesday. The July crude oil
  
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• World-first COVID-19 dialysis treatment comes from Canadian research team, doctors say

  07-05-2020 06:02
  
  A team of researchers based in London, Ont. is the first in the world to attempt treating critical COVID-19 patients with a modified form of dialysis, doctors say. The team at the Lawson Health Research Institute is led by Dr. Chris McIntyre, who while working in the intensive care unit at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), determined more treatment options were needed to fight COVID-19 in the hardest hit patients. “This led to the idea of treating a patient’s blood outside of the
  
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• Alberta offers grants to child care centres, day homes to prepare for relaunch

  07-05-2020 04:22 via globalnews.ca
  
  The province is offering up to $17.8 million in grants to child care centres and approved family day homes as they prepare to open as part of Alberta's relaunch strategy.
  
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• Winnipeg-born Brendan Leipsic’s comments ‘unacceptable and offensive’: NHL

  07-05-2020 04:09 via globalnews.ca
  
  Winnipeg-born NHL player Brendan Leipsic is facing massive criticism after private messages degrading women were exposed online.
  
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• Shortage of PPE a growing concern among dentists as offices slowly reopen

  07-05-2020 04:00
  
  Canadian dental offices that closed their doors during the initial shutdown of businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic now worry the equipment needed to conduct their business is in short supply as they begin reopening. In Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, dental offices were allowed to reopen on May 4, while dentists in British Columbia are permitted to resume operations mid-May. In Atlantic Canada, dental offices in New Brunswick will reopen as part of their third stage, marked by three-to-f
  
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• Coronavirus: Alberta museums taking cautious approach to reopening

  07-05-2020 03:28 via globalnews.ca
  
  Like many other businesses and services, museums have been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic and while they have been given the green light to reopen next Thursday, some museum officials said they won't be.
  
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