Omicron variant

Canada has recorded its 30,000th COVID-19 death since the pandemic began in early 2020, surpassing a grim milestone just as the country braces for the potential fallout of surging infections driven by the Omicron variant.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged Canadians to be cautious over the holidays as the country's two largest provinces started taking steps to slow surging cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his cabinet ministers need to focus on tangible results and not lose sight of the government's broader goal of creating a more diverse and inclusive Canada, even as Omicron is threatening to push the transition from pandemic to recovery down the road yet again.

The Senate gave quick approval on Thursday, December 16, 2021, to a new round of pandemic aid after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland made a pre-Christmas plea to rubber-stamp the help and promised that benefits would flow quickly to businesses and workers in need.

Conservative MPs will be free to travel internationally over the holidays while their Liberal and NDP counterparts have been told to stay home.

Dramatically rising case counts of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in Ontario, Quebec and around the world has British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix warning about a "time to exercise caution."

The federal government on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, advised Canadians against non-essential international travel in an effort to protect against the Omicron variant, while Ontario and Quebec announced thousands of new COVID-19 infections.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland released a fall economic statement today, Dec. 14, 2021, that outlined a better-than-expected economic rebound, but also billions more in spending, including on the response to the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The Liberals have found themselves with a financial windfall amid an economic rebound, though the extra room is largely spoken for thanks to COVID-19 measures and relief for flooded British Columbia.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland pleaded with provinces to use the COVID-19 rapid tests they've already been sent as she promised Ottawa will spend another $1.7 billion to buy millions more of them in the next few months.

The lightning spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant is prompting federal politicians to reconsider the wisdom of having several hundred MPs crammed together in the House of Commons.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has consulted the premiers on additional border and travel measures that could help slow the community spreading of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is unlikely to be wiped out completely, but it might be tamed, Canada's chief public health officer said on Monday, December 13, 2021.

Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan says the government is open to amending legislation that would provide 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated workers.

The Trudeau Liberals are set to unveil an update on the health of federal finances and its outlook for the economy while facing competing demands on benefits, taxes and economic growth.