National News

OTTAWA — Former Conservative leadership candidate and longtime party stalwart Peter MacKay won't attend the party's policy convention this week. MacKay cited work and family as the reason for his absence.

The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 4 a.m. ET on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. There are 915,868 confirmed cases in Canada. <b>_ Canada: 915,868 confirmed cases (31,517 active, 861,832 resolved, 22,519 deaths).

VANCOUVER — Officials in British Columbia and Washington state will release their battle plan today to try to wipe out Asian giant hornets.

The latest numbers on COVID-19 vaccinations in Canada as of 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. In Canada, the provinces are reporting 120,004 new vaccinations administered for a total of 3,271,309 doses given. Nationwide, 604,921 people or 1.

EDMONTON — A friend of a 17-year-old student who died after being attacked at her school says the girl had a heart of gold and is dearly missed by her friends.

OTTAWA — Canada's expert vaccine panel said Tuesday there is now enough "real-world evidence" to show the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 shot is both safe and effective for seniors.

The latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada on March 16, 2021 (all times eastern): 6:30 p.m. British Columbia is reporting 556 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths.

MONTREAL — Two Quebec nurses accused of mocking an Indigenous patient at a public clinic northeast of Montreal have been fired, the regional health authority said Tuesday.

EDMONTON — Alberta’s energy minister is defending her government’s attack on a children’s movie about Bigfoot that she says is "quite offensive" and carries an inaccurate anti-oil message.

TORONTO — CAUTION: This story contains graphic content that may disturb some readers.