Top Stories – Feb 14 – Vaxxes Not Needed

The City of West Kelowna will no longer require staff to have COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of employment. The policy, which required proof of vaccination, was applied to all staff in October 2021. There are currently no employees at the city under accommodation measures because of the policy.

Starting this summer, provincially regulated commercial vehicle operators will be required to use electronic logging devices to track drivers’ time behind the wheel. The BC Trucking Association says it’s pleased that the Province is moving to an ELD mandate starting August 1. It says the system will improve safety for all road users by increasing compliance with hours-of-service regulations.

A pair of underwear that belonged to actor Bryan Cranston in the series Breaking Bad is expected to fetch up to $5,000 at auction. The chemistry teacher-turned-drug-lord Walter White wore the briefs throughout the series, and matching underwear also appeared in his closet. They’re part of a collection of over 1,000 TV and entertainment props and memorabilia items that will be auctioned online.

Victoria is embracing remote work in a bid to recruit and retain talent as it struggles to fill jobs. The deputy minister to the premier sent a memo last week that strongly encouraged ministries to approve flexible work arrangements for employees who want them. New employees will be required to live in a community where their ministry has an office.

Westjet will be resuming seasonal service to prairie destinations from Kelowna this year. There will be 2 flights a week to Regina beginning May 21 and 2 weekly to Saskatoon beginning June 2. Also on June 2, the airline will have the first of 3 weekly flights to Winnipeg.

More than two years after they were ordered, Canadian fighter jets still have not been armed with the type of missiles used by the Americans to bring down four airborne objects in recent days. The U.S. first approved the potential sale of AIM-9X Sidewinders to Canada in June 2020 as part of an effort to upgrade our aging CF-18s. One of the missiles took down an object over central Yukon on Saturday.

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson says the premiers have agreed to accept the health care funding deal offered to them by the Prime Minister, although it is far less than they wanted. Stefanson is spokeswoman of the premiers association. Trudeau offered $46 Billion on top of the planned federal health transfers over the next 10 years while the premiers wanted Ottawa to increase its share of health spending from 22 to 35 percent.

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is calling on Ottawa to reject the takeover of Shaw by Rogers. He says Canadians need lower cell and internet bills, not higher prices and layoffs. His comments come ahead of Friday’s deadline to close the $20-Billion merger.

Rescue efforts are pivoting to recovery from rescue in Turkey and Syria after earthquakes a week ago. There was a miracle yesterday as a little girl less than 10 years old was pulled from the rubble of a building in Turkey. Adding to the misery is that in some villages reduced to rubble, snow is now covering the buildings.

Sports

NHL last night in Vancouver the Canucks lost their second straight game to Detroit, this time by a score of 6-1. The Rangers are at Rogers Arena tomorrow.

The BC Lions have signed receiver Dominique Rhymes to a contract extension just one day after he reportedly asked the team for a trade. He is now set to be a member of the Lions through 2024.

Major League Baseball’s joint competition committee has unanimously approved the permanent implementation of an automatic runner in extra innings. The rule will reportedly apply only during the regular season.