Bill Blair

58 Articles

Floodwaters cover a road that runs through farmland in Abbotsford, B.C., on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. File photo by The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

Impacts of climate change are here 'sooner than expected and they're devastating,' Trudeau tells Parliament

The House of Commons held an emergency debate on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, night on the devastating floods in British Columbia amid increased attention to how ill-prepared the country is for the effects of a changing climate.

By Mia Rabson | News, Politics | November 25th 2021

Flooded farms are seen along the Trans-Canada Highway in this aerial photo in Abbotsford, B.C., on Monday, November 22, 2021. Photo by The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

Canada's critical infrastructure must be strengthened

Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair says the risk of future storms has to be taken into account as British Columbia rebuilds following massive rainstorms and deadly mudslides.

By Mia Rabson | News, Politics | November 24th 2021

Flooded farms are seen in this aerial photo in Sumas Prairie, Abbotsford, B.C., on Monday, November 22, 2021. File photo by The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

B.C., U.S. cut red tape for emergency border travel

The federal minister of emergency preparedness says border guards have been advised that British Columbia residents can cross into the United States for essential supplies because of flooding in the province after some were reportedly facing fines or told they would have to quarantine on returning to Canada.

Coronavirus in Canada

By Beth Leighton & Brieanna Charliebois | News, US News, Politics | November 24th 2021

Rising flood waters surround buildings in Abbotsford, B.C., on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. File photo by The Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward

Feds relax EI rules for B.C.'s climate victims

The federal government promised to expedite employment insurance applications and ease travel restrictions at British Columbia's borders on Sunday, November 21, 2021, among a host of measures meant to help residents of the flood-ravaged province recover from recent storms and weather new ones expected in the days ahead.

By Nick Wells | News, Politics | November 22nd 2021

After B.C. flooding, billion-dollar questions for Canada

The cascading natural disasters in British Columbia have destroyed key pieces of infrastructure that experts say should trigger a nationwide risk assessment to prepare for Canada’s rapidly changing climate.

By John Woodside | News, Politics, Ottawa Insider | November 19th 2021

In this Oct. 11, 2020, photo, a woman wearing a face mask to help curb the spread of the coronavirus browses her smartphone as a masked woman walks by the Huawei retail shop promoting its 5G network in Beijing. File photo by The Associated Press/Andy Wong

Security experts say there is no way Canada can go with Huawei

As the Liberal government prepares to unfurl its policy on next-generation mobile networks, global security experts say all signs point to the exclusion of Chinese vendor Huawei Technologies from the long-awaited blueprint.

By Jim Bronskill | News, Politics | November 15th 2021

Liberal candidate for Scarborough Southwest Bill Blair speaks during a campaign event in Ottawa, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. File photo by The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

Ottawa sending more help to N.W.T. to deal with COVID surge

The federal government is sending more help to the Northwest Territories to deal with a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Coronavirus in Canada

By The Canadian Press | News, Politics | October 19th 2021

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney gives a COVID-19 update in Edmonton on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. File photo by The Canadian Press/Jason Franson

Only deaths are keeping Alberta hospitals from being overrun top doc says

The head of Alberta's health system says the COVID-19 hospital crisis has become so dire, a key reason the system hasn't collapsed is because patients are dying.

Coronavirus in Canada

By Dean Bennett | News, Politics | September 24th 2021

Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney unveil an opening sign after speaking about the Open for Summer Plan and next steps in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, in Edmonton on June 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Jason Kenney wrestles with COVID-19 hospital crisis, UCP revolt

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney fought Tuesday to contain a rapidly expanding COVID-19 crisis that has overrun hospitals and ignited a party revolt against his leadership.

Coronavirus in Canada

By Dean Bennett | News, Politics | September 21st 2021

Canadian and American flags fly near the Ambassador Bridge at the Canada-USA border crossing in Windsor, Ont. on Saturday, March 21, 2020. File photo by The Canadian Press/Rob Gurdebeke

Canada opens up, but U.S. adds 30 days to border travel restrictions

Canada's bilateral overtures to fully vaccinated American visitors went unrequited on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 as the Department of Homeland Security formally extended its travel restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border for at least the next 30 days.

Coronavirus in Canada

By James McCarten | News, US News, Politics | July 22nd 2021

Bill Blair

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