National News

MONTREAL — Quebecers need to be jolted into recognizing the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, Premier Francois Legault said Wednesday, before announcing a provincewide 8 p.m. curfew for the next four weeks.

The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times eastern): 7 p.m. Yukon is reporting one new COVID-19 case, bringing the territory's total to 66.

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps delivered a rebuke to a city council member who travelled to Somalia while many stayed home during the holiday season to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Helps said Wednesday she spoke with Coun.

Federal politicians and northern First Nations expressed concern over Wednesday's sale of energy leases in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

TORONTO — Touting the need for drastic action, Quebec became the first province to impose a curfew Wednesday as soaring COVID-19 infections across Canada intensified the strain on hospitals and prompted some Ontario morgues to run out of space.

OTTAWA — A union representing federal prison guards says vaccinating them against COVID-19 should be a priority, given their front-line role in correctional institutions.

OTTAWA — Industry groups say small businesses are being hammered by high credit-card fees on online purchases as the shift toward e-commerce continues. Visa and MasterCard reduced the fees they collect from businesses to an average annual rate of 1.

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney's office has confirmed he is working out of a penthouse known infamously as the "Sky Palace" because of exterior renovations at the legislature.

OTTAWA — Canada's ban on flights from the United Kingdom is not being extended, replaced by a stringent COVID-19 testing program for air travellers. Canada halted most air travel from the U.K.

EDMONTON — A family member of two Somali women who were attacked in a mall parking lot says they thought they were going to be killed.