Beyond Local

"It's tragic that we are only able to keep pace with these sort of numbers because in part some of our ICU patients have passed away," she said.

Misinformation, mistrust in government faulted for low rural vaccination rates.

Former SNC-Lavalin vice-president Normand Morin and former SNC-Lavalin International Inc. vice-president Kamal Francis have been released from custody and are due to appear in a Montreal court on Sept. 27 along with representatives from SNC-Lavalin and SNC-Lavalin International.

Ardmore duck racer floats up Beaver River and lands on rocky shores of the Barents Sea

The Bloc leader noted premiers have asked Ottawa for an immediate $28-billion injection into their struggling health-care systems. They have also demanded the federal government raise its share of funding for provinces' health-care costs to 35 per cent from 22 per cent.

The Liberals will have to gain enough opposition support to get their agenda through Parliament. The party's platform outlined about $78 billion in new spending over five years, and hoped to ease the burden on the federal treasury by raking in $25 billion in new tax measures. 

Some of Kenney’s caucus members have criticized his health measures as being too little too late, while others say he has gone too far and violated individual rights by imposing a form of voluntary vaccine passports.

The regulator has also spoken to doctors who gave into pressure from patients wanting an exemption letter.

A record number of people voted by mail in the election. 

Kenney is not facing a party leadership review until late next year unless at least 22 United Conservative constituencies vote to hold one earlier. Joel Mullan, the UCP's vice-president of policy, said more than 30 constituency associations have said they intend to call for a review.