Beyond Local

After two days of games, players testing positive for COVID-19 had put defending champion United States, Russia, and Czechia into mandatory quarantines.

"We are pleased to have completed this important step, nine years ahead of the government target," said TransAlta president and chief executive John Kousinioris. "Our coal transition is among the most meaningful carbon emissions reduction achievements in Canadian history."

Yesterday, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube announced some health workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be allowed to stay on the job. He said the move is necessary to keep the health-care system operational, and the decision would be made on a case-by-case basis under certain conditions. 

"Albertans are natural optimists. They just need a reason for their optimism. Well, there are lots of reasons right now including the fact that we are leading Canada by far in economic growth," the premier told the Calgary Chamber of Commerce this month.

Detailed COVID-19 numbers for the province will be available Dec. 29.

At the time of the budget release in March 2021, six of the top 10 costliest Canadian natural disasters happened in Alberta, including the 2016 Fort McMurray fires, the 2013 floods in Calgary and southern Alberta, and the Slave Lake fire in 2011.

In 2021, young men continued to make up the vast majority of people shot by police. There was also a disproportionate number of people of colour.

Rural women may also be at greater risk of being threatened with a weapon, and according to the year-end report put out by the ACWS, rural perpetrators of domestic homicide in Canada are significantly more likely to use a gun (46 per cent) to kill their partner compared to a knife (21.2 per cent) or any other weapon.

Several provinces reported record-high daily case counts over the Christmas weekend.

A Langdon-area pianist and music teacher has received rock star recognition for his artistry after entering an online cover competition which ran during the month of October (Oct. 15 to 31).