By Canadian Press

In the news today: Services affected by Canada Post strike

Dec 4, 2024 | 1:17 AM

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

Strike disrupts mail-in cancer screening kits, drivers’ licence renewals, book loans

Canadians waiting on government documents, such as passports and health cards, can expect delays. The federal government says those who didn’t pay extra to pick up their passports will be affected. Those who need the document urgently are advised to call Service Canada or visit in person to request the passport be made available for pickup instead. Provinces that send residents at-home cancer screening kits are warning people not to send them back by mail during the strike. Some charities are also reporting a drop in donations that they attribute to the strike. In some cases, Canada Post delivers library materials directly to patrons but that is now on hold. So too, are interlibrary loan services facilitated by the Canadian Library Materials Service, which gets a reduced rate to ship materials to registered public libraries, university libraries and other libraries operated by non-profit organizations.

Assembly of First Nations chiefs turn attention to child welfare

The Assembly of First Nations special chiefs assembly continues today, with child welfare expected to be one of the main agenda items. Nine resolutions are dedicated to reforming the First Nations child and family services program after chiefs in October voted against a $47.8-billion deal with Canada that was intended to do just that. They passed resolutions at that assembly calling for a new negotiation and legal team in hopes it would bring more transparency to the deal. Chiefs passed a resolution Tuesday demanding the federal government launch a national inquiry into systemic racism in policing and the deaths of First Nations people. The resolution came after a string of incidents between Aug. 29 and Sept. 24 that left nine First Nations people dead during or after interactions with police.

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Here’s what else we’re watching…

Alberta trans bills pass legislative debate

A trio of bills affecting transgender people in Alberta have passed the final stage of debate in the legislature and are set to become law. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have already promised to challenge the legislation in court, calling it discriminatory. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the bills are necessary to protect children and female athletes, but the Opposition NDP says they will put already vulnerable people at further risk. The changes include requiring children under 16 to have parental consent if they want to change their names or pronouns at school. One bill will prohibit doctors from treating those under 16 seeking transgender treatments, such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

State memorial set for former B.C. premier Horgan

A provincial state memorial service for former British Columbia premier John Horgan will be held later this month in Colwood, west of Victoria. Horgan, who died in November after his third bout with cancer, will be remembered on Dec. 15 at the Q Centre arena, which has a capacity of about 4,000 people. A statement from Premier David Eby’s office says the event will be open to the public and more details about how to attend will be released soon. Horgan served as B.C.’s New Democrat premier for five years before stepping down in 2022, and was appointed as Canada’s ambassador to Germany last year. In June, Horgan announced he was on leave from his diplomatic post after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

T&T moves into new territory with first U.S. store

Canada’s biggest Asian grocery chain is expanding south of the border, hoping to bring its patented array of food, skin care and more to a new market. T&T is opening a store on Thursday in Bellevue, Washington, the first of three planned U.S. locations. The Bellevue location will be the 37th T&T store after a period of recent growth for the banner, owned by Loblaw since 2009. The T&T brand began in 1993, when Tina’s mother Cindy, with the help of her husband Jack, opened two stores in Burnaby and Richmond, B.C. Tina and her sister Tiffany — who is coming up from Los Angeles for the Bellevue opening — make up the two Ts in the store name.

What drives Swift superfans, bound on Vancouver?

Heather Roy says that when she and 12-year-old daughter Harper attend Taylor Swift’s second show in Vancouver on Saturday, it will also feel like Harper’s big sister Evelyn, who died of cancer in 2020, is with them. Swift’s music provided comfort to Evelyn during treatment for neuroblastoma. Now, Swift is a connection to Evelyn for her mother and sister, who won their tickets in a giveaway and will be travelling to the show from Calgary. The intensity of the connection fans feel to Swift and her music is the driving force behind the immense success of the Eras Tour, which begins its three-night Vancouver run on Friday. In Vancouver, fans are making plans to surprise Swift at all three shows — including by singing Happy Birthday on the final night of the tour to celebrate the singer’s 35th birthday on December 13.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024.

The Canadian Press