Health Canada authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine as booster shot
Health Canada received Pfizer’s submission to approve a booster on October 1, 2021. After a thorough, independent review of the evidence, Health Canada has determined that the Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine booster shot meets the Department’s stringent safety, efficacy and quality requirements.
The booster is authorized for adults 18 years of age and older, to be used at least six months after an individual has completed their primary vaccine series. The Comirnaty COVID-19 booster is a full dose of the regular vaccine (30 mcg).
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Ontario invests $48 million in research and technology
The Ontario government is investing $48 million over two years to support ground-breaking work at leading research institutes and universities across the province. This funding was announced in the 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario on November 4.
This investment includes $12 million over two years for Advanced Research Computing (ARC) facilities at 13 research institutions across the province, including St. Catharines, which provide critical computing power and support to Ontario researchers.
Increased use of higher-cost medicines puts pressure on Canadian public drug plans
A new Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) report finds that prescription drug expenditures by Canadian public drug plans increased by 3.7% in 2019-20, bringing annual spending to $12.5 billion. The use of higher-cost medicines has been the primary factor behind rising costs for the public plans over the past five years, and this pressure continues to build.
For the first time in the report’s history, the 10 highest-cost drugs reimbursed by the public drug plans were all rare disease treatments with annual treatment costs of over $100,000. As a result, nearly 60% of overall drug costs for the public plans in 2019-20 were spent on just 5% of beneficiaries.
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New Democrats say they can back PM, but rule out coalition
The leader of Canada’s opposition New Democrats on Tuesday ruled out a formal deal to keep the minority Liberal government in power but added he was willing to work with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“There are things we agree on,” Jagmeet Singh told a news conference when asked about media reports that the two center-left parties might come to an agreement to keep Trudeau in power for three years.
Trudeau fell short of winning a majority in September’s elecion and needs the backing of opposition lawmakers to push legislation through the House of Commons. Minority governments in Canada rarely last more than two years.
Singh said he wanted to see real action from the Liberals to make housing more affordable and fight climate change.
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Wainfleet to conduct municipal election survey
The Township of Wainfleet is reviewing voting methods for the 2022 municipal and school board elections. The Township would like residents’ input into the October 2022 municipal election through the survey below. The feedback gathered from the survey will be used to inform a report that goes to Council as planning for the 2022 municipal election continues.
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Home buyers rush for mortgage pre-approvals amid mounting signs of rate hikes to come
CBC News
Canadians are scrambling to get mortgage pre-approvals and rate holds before the era of low interest rates comes to an end, as some economists predict.
Real estate and mortgage brokers say their clients are increasingly seeking ways to hold on to current rates because many housing markets like Toronto are facing heated conditions making it hard to keep purchase prices down.
“It’s a seller’s market and you barely have the opportunity to put conditions (on a purchase) because there are 400,000 people waiting for their permanent residency, 200,000 of them are already here and there’s buyers lined up around the corners,” said Estee Zacks, the Toronto-based owner of Strategic Mortgage Solutions Inc.
“They feel weak, and they are statistically, so they’re just trying to get a leg up as much as they can.”
Ontario won’t change course on reopening plans yet despite COVID-19 case bump: Elliott
CTV News
Ontario’s health minister says the government isn’t changing course on its reopening plan despite a recent rise in COVID-19 infections.
Health Minister Christine Elliott says a bump in cases was anticipated during the colder weather as people move indoors, and that was factored into the province’s plans.
Experts told The Canadian Press this week that cold weather and the lifting of provincial crowd restrictions on some venues like stadiums and restaurants might be behind the growth in cases.
Tuesday saw 441 new cases reported in the province and seven-day average of 492 daily infections, up from 371 a week ago.
Elliott said if restrictions are reintroduced it will be by region and most likely led by local medical officers of health because they have the best knowledge of their areas and what must be done.
Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker
Niagara COVID vaccination tracker
Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits are now available to businesses. Visit gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits to learn more and reserve kits for your organization.
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Through the Daily Updates, the GNCC aims to deliver important business news in a timely manner. We disseminate all news and information we feel will be important to businesses. Inclusion in the Daily Update is not an endorsement by the GNCC.
