Media

1. Information about COVID-19 at Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge for Women

   The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) advises that four inmates at Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge for Women in Saskatchewan have tested positive for COVID-19. The health and safety of our employees, inmates, and the public continue to be our top priority. We are closely monitoring the situation, and measures are in place to minimize spread of the virus within the institution.

2. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Warkworth Institution 

   On February 4, 2023, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, a package containing contraband and unauthorized items was seized following a suspected drone drop at Warkworth Institution, a medium-security federal institution. The seized items included approximately 306 grams of marijuana, 164 grams of tobacco, 134 grams of shatter (cannabis concentrate), and 15 grams of MDMA.

3. Government of Canada Announces New Elements to Safeguard Marine Protected Areas and to Help Meet Marine Conservation Targets

   The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, will jointly announce new key elements that will help Canada safeguard areas of our oceans that need protection, and that will help us meet the ambitious target of conserving 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030.

4. Government of Canada to make an announcement in support of Black Canadian communities 

   The Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Ahmed Hussen, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Marci Ien, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Diversity and Inclusion), Paul Chiang and Member of Parliament for London West, Arielle Kayabaga, will be making an important announcement in Canada’s efforts to improve social and economic outcomes in Black communities.

5. Minister Gould to attend  Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Sustainable Communities Conference in Ottawa

   The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, will announce Canada’s 2023 Voluntary National Review on the Sustainable Development Goals. The Minister will make this announcement at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Sustainable Communities Conference.

6. The Government of Canada will hold a technical briefing on health system funding

   Officials from the Government of Canada will hold a technical briefing on health system funding.

7. Indigenous-Federal-Provincial-Territorial meeting held in Ottawa to discuss and advance priorities

   Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, federal Minister of Indigenous Services, convened a meeting in Ottawa with the Honourable Marc Miller, federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, the Honourable Karina Gould, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, many provincial and territorial Ministers of Indigenous Affairs, and leaders and representatives from the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), and the Métis National Council (MNC).

8. Assault of an inmate at Atlantic Institution

   On January 29, 2023, an inmate was found to have been victim of an assault at Atlantic Institution, a maximum-security federal institution. The injured inmate was evaluated by staff members and transported to an outside hospital to receive treatment. The inmate has since returned to the institution.

9. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Archambault Institution

   On February 5, 2023, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Archambault Institution, a federal multi-level security institution. The contraband and unauthorized items seized included 154 grams of hashish, 260 grams of tobacco, one cellphone, and one memory card. The total estimated institutional value of this seizure is $14,880.

10. Government of Canada and coastal First Nations announce progress to protect a large unique marine area off the Pacific West Coast

    The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard together with Cloy-e-iis, Dr. Judith Sayers with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, President Gaagwiis Jason Alsop with the Council of the Haida Nation, Chief Jeff Jones with the Pacheedaht First Nation, James Wallas, Elected Councillor with Quatsino First Nation will jointly announce progress on the proposed Tang.ɢwan — ḥačxwiqak — Tsig̱is Marine Protected Area.

11. Bridge at St. Andrews Lock and Dam closed to motorists

    Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise users that the bridge at the St. Andrews Lock and Dam will be closed to vehicular traffic for deck replacement work.

12. Government of Canada requests research proposals to address northern contaminants and plastic pollution

    Together, with Indigenous partners, scientists are assessing the presence of contaminants and plastics pollution in Northern and Arctic communities. These partnerships will lead to solutions to reduce the presence of contaminants in local food sources, including traditionally harvested country foods integral to Indigenous culture and food security in the North and Arctic.

13. The Government of Canada invests in ocean science for ocean protection

    The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, along with Kate Moran, President and CEO of the University of Victoria’s Ocean Networks Canada will make a funding announcement in support of ocean monitoring.

14. Samuel De Champlain Bridge: Special Illumination to Celebrate Black History Month

    Montréal, Quebec, February 4, 2023 — On February 5, the Samuel De Champlain Bridge will be lit up in red, green, and yellow from sunset to 1 a.m. to celebrate Black History Month.

15. First marine refuge within the Gwaxdlala/Nalaxdlala area in Knight Inlet is established

    The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Chief John Powell (Winidi) of the Mamalilikulla First Nation, and the Honourable Nathan Cullen, B.C. Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, will announce the establishment of a new marine refuge in the Gwaxdlala/Nalaxdlala area in Knight Inlet on the coast of British Columbia.

16. Marine Protection Network Partners Endorse Network Action Plan at IMPAC5 Congress

    The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Chief Marilyn Slett of the Heiltsuk Nation, and Dallas Smith, Board President of Nanwakolas Council together with the Honourable Nathan Cullen, BC Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship will jointly announce the completion of the Northern Shelf Bioregion Network Action Plan.

17. Government of Canada Provides Funding to Prince Edward Island to Support Crisis Hotlines 

    Crisis hotlines are a lifeline to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and are critical support services. Today, Jenna Sudds, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, and the Honourable Natalie Jameson, Prince Edward Island’s Minister responsible for the Status of Women, announced $500,000 to support crisis hotlines across Prince Edward Island.

18. Government of Canada to support clean air and local economic growth by powering federal operations in Alberta and Saskatchewan with clean electricity

    The Government of Canada is taking meaningful action on its Greening Government Strategy commitment to power federal buildings with 100% renewable electricity by 2025 to help fight climate change and support local renewable electricity projects.

19. Minister Vandal unveils new PrairiesCan service location and federal investments in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region

    Minister Vandal announces new PrairiesCan service location in Fort McMurray and more than $2.1 million in PrairiesCan funding for Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo area organizations.

20. Government of Canada Announces Nearly $15 Million in Federal Investments for New EV Chargers Across the GTA

    Jean Yip, Member of Parliament for Scarborough–Agincourt, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, was joined by MP Shafqat Ali and MP Julie Dzerowicz to announce federal investments totalling nearly $15 million for the installation of more than 2,350 EV chargers, 2,100 of which will be installed across the Greater Toronto Area.

21. Electric Vehicle-Related Investments

    Jean Yip, Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Agincourt, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, Shafqat Ali, Member of Parliament for Brampton Centre, and Julie Dzerowicz, Member of Parliament for Davenport, announced a total investment of $14,863,599 to 32 organizations to install more than 2,350 EV chargers, 2,100 of which will be installed across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

22. Funding addresses key challenges and advances equity for 2SLGBTQI+ communities in PEI

    Every Canadian deserves to fully participate in all spheres of society, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Through project funding, the Government of Canada is protecting 2SLGBTQI+ equality and continuing to address systemic discrimination.

23. Escape from Saskatchewan Penitentiary – Minimum Security Unit

    On February 2, 2023, during the 9:30 p.m. count in the minimum security unit at Saskatchewan Penitentiary, a multi-level security federal institution, staff members discovered that Brian Patrick Aubichon was not accounted for.

24. Minister Sajjan to kick off International Development Week with panel discussions on education for displaced populations and nature-based solutions at IMPAC5

    The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, will kick off this year’s International Development Week (IDW) with a dialogue with Canada’s Refugee Education Council and a high-level discussion on marine nature-based solutions at IMPAC5 in Vancouver.

25. House of Commons adopts legislation for a Canada Disability Benefit

    The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) has the potential to transform the lives of working-age persons with disabilities. In Canada, persons with disabilities are twice as likely to live in poverty and have trouble making ends meet. This cornerstone of the Government’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) is now one step closer to becoming a reality.

26. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Collins Bay Institution 

    Between January 24 and 29, 2023, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, several packages containing contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Collins Bay Institution, a federal multi-level security institution. The seized items included approximately 1.4 kilograms of marijuana, 244 grams of fentanyl, 256 grams of tobacco, stabbing weapons, as well as cell phones, and accessories.

27. Government of Canada funds program to address labour shortages and attract newcomers in the Southern Interior of B.C.

    Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, announced $485,410 in PacifiCan funding for Community Futures North Okanagan to expand the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot in the Southern Interior of B.C.

28. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Warkworth Institution

    On January 30, 2023, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, a package containing contraband and unauthorized items was seized following a suspected drone drop at Warkworth Institution, a medium-security federal institution. The seized items included approximately 200 grams of tobacco, 192 grams of marijuana, and 250 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

29. Minister Mendicino to Make an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Announcement for the Greater Toronto Area

    The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, Maninder Sidhu, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Julie Dzerowicz, Member of Parliament for Davenport, Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton, and Jennifer McKelvie, Deputy Mayor of Toronto, will make an announcement to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure. A media availability will follow.

30. Minister Vandal to unveil new PrairiesCan service location and announce federal investments for projects in northeast Alberta

    The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan, will officially unveil a new PrairiesCan service location in Fort McMurray and outline federal support for tourism, community infrastructure and business programs in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Region.

31. CanNor invests $300,000 to expand Sanikiluaq's multi-purpose community research centre 

    Targeted investments protecting the environment can preserve the land for future generations while encouraging economic growth. Nunavut's Belcher Islands in Hudson Bay are an important ecological part of Canada, and home to a variety of unique wildlife like the Eider Duck.

32. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Cowansville Institution

    On January 31, 2023, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Cowansville Institution, a medium-security federal institution. The contraband and unauthorized items seized included 504 grams of hashish, 200 grams of tobacco, and eight grams of cocaine. The total estimated institutional value of this seizure is $57,690.

33. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Drummond Institution

    On January 29, 2023, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, a package containing contraband and unauthorized items was seized at Drummond Institution, a federal medium-security institution. The contraband and unauthorized items seized included 210 grams of hashish, 200 grams of tobacco, a cell phone, accessories, and two SIM cards. The total estimated institutional value of this seizure is $29,200.

34. Minister Khera and Minister Duclos announce the appointment of a new member to the National Seniors Council  

    Older Canadians are important and integral members of our communities. The Government of Canada is seeking advice to inform ongoing work that helps Canadians age with dignity, safety, comfort and respect and in the best possible health, while enjoying social and economic security.

35. Marie Beaulieu – Biography 

    Marie Beaulieu has been appointed as a member of the National Seniors Council for a term of three years, beginning January 27, 2023.

36. Louis Bull Tribe and Canada sign historic agreement to further support the well-being of First Nations children and community

    Today, a ceremony was held on traditional territory to celebrate the signing of the Louis Bull Tribe – Asikiw Mostos O’Pikinawasiwin Society – Canada Child and Family Services Bilateral Agreement. This will support the implementation of Louis Bull Tribe’s Asikiw Mostos O’Pikinawasiwin law. The agreement was signed by Chief Desmond Bull, Louis Bull Tribe; and Catherine Lappe, Assistant Deputy Minister at Indigenous Services Canada on behalf of Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services.

37. Government of Canada announces the Social Innovation Advisory Council members

    The Government of Canada is taking steps to encourage innovative approaches to address persistent social inequalities and environmental challenges faced by Canadians. The Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy aims to provide better support for community organizations working to achieve positive solutions to persistent social problems, including those faced by marginalized populations.

38. Minister Boissonnault to make an announcement on behalf of Minister Jaczek regarding clean electricity

    Members of the media are invited to join the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, for an announcement on clean electricity.

39. Minister MacAulay to visit the Veterans Affairs Canada Winterlude exhibit commemorating the 25th anniversary of Operation RECUPERATION

    The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, along with Natacha Dupuis, Veteran representative, will visit an exhibit commemorating the 25th anniversary of Operation RECUPERATION, the Canadian Armed Forces response to the 1998 Ice Storm.

40. Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, Applauds Canada’s Approach to Energy Security and the Energy Transition

    Dr. Fatih Birol, the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) praised Canada’s strong climate actions and efforts to support global energy security during a fireside chat with the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, at the University of Ottawa.

41. Government of Canada announces $5.2 million to boost. B.C. clean technology sector

    British Columbia is home to some of the most innovative clean tech companies in the world. By linking up innovators and adopters, this sector will be well-positioned to grow while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling some of the toughest climate-related challenges we face.

42. Alexandra Bridge closed to motorists

    Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise users that the Alexandra Bridge will be closed to motorists to accommodate inspection work.

43. MP Michael McLeod announces support for business innovation and economic growth in the Northwest Territories

    Building a strong economy means supporting businesses as they adapt, grow and seek out new economic opportunities. In the Northwest Territories (NWT), Indigenous and Northern businesses are building a path forward through creativity, new ideas and innovation, and diversifying our economy, and the Government of Canada is making targeted investments to support businesses and create good jobs Northerners can depend on.

44. CanNor makes key investments to support innovation and diversification in the Northwest Territories

    Today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament, Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister for PrairiesCan and Minister for CanNor, announced investments of over $210,000, delivered by CanNor, to support three projects that enhance economic development in the Northwest Territories (NWT) through innovation and diversification.

45. Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office industry meeting

    The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, met with representatives from 22 industry associations on January 30, 2023, to discuss the creation of the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO).

46. CBSA seizure of 89 bricks of suspected cocaine leads to RCMP charges

    The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are committed to preventing illicit narcotics from entering our communities.

47. New cost control framework to support the growth of 22,500 additional quality child care spaces in Alberta

    Child care is not just a social policy—it is an economic policy, too. Access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive child care will grow the economy, allow more women to enter the workforce and help give every child in Canada the best start in life. That’s why, in Budget 2021, the Government of Canada made a transformative investment of nearly $30 billion to create a Canada-wide early learning and child care system with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners.

48. Increased use of higher-cost medicines continues to put pressure on Canadian public drug plans

    A new Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) report finds that prescription drug expenditures by Canadian public drug plans increased by 4.2% in 2020-21, bringing annual spending to $12.3 billion.

49. Advance CBSA Declaration now available at Calgary International Airport: Make your customs and immigration declaration in advance and save time at the airport

    Advance CBSA Declaration now available at Calgary International Airport Make your customs and immigration declaration in advance and save time at the airport

50. MP Bains to announce new network to promote collaboration and growth in B.C.’s clean technology sector

    Parm Bains, Member of Parliament for Steveston-Richmond East, on behalf of the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, will announce a new network to create opportunities in B.C.’s clean technology sector.