National News

MONTREAL — Rail blockades in Quebec remained in place on Monday in spite of a draft deal reached Sunday in British Columbia between Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs and senior government ministers.

OTTAWA — Shoppers across the country were loading carts with everything from gas cans to cat litter in response to warnings from top health officials to stock up on supplies in case of a major outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Canada.

OTTAWA — A federal push to get more Indigenous-owned businesses to bid on government contracts has been slowed by issues over how the data is collected since before last summer, according to internal government documents.

Global Affairs Canada says officials are fully engaged with authorities in Ethiopia after 13 Canadians were detained there last week.

OTTAWA — Former prime minister and foreign minister Joe Clark faces a tough slog during his travels to the Persian Gulf and Africa to campaign for Canada's bid for the United Nations Security Council, analysts said Monday.

WINNIPEG — The leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party has written to the prime minister to ask for a debt relief program for individuals and governments across Canada — a request that one economist says is a bad idea and a recipe for steep inflation.

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says it's going to be a bumpy ride as oil prices fall due to reduced demand tied to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

TORONTO — Ontario reported three new cases of the novel coronavirus Monday, bringing the total in the province to 18, though officials say the virus is not spreading locally.

OTTAWA — The federal government has increased border-screening measures for travellers arriving in Canada from Iran in light of the growing number of novel coronavirus cases linked to that country.

TORONTO — A jurors advocate says he's thrilled that a House of Commons committee is recommending $20 million over the next 10 years to support the mental health of those who have served on juries.