Airlines and Pearson ask government to drop mandatory arrival testing requirement
People travel at Pearson International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada's largest airlines and the country's busiest airport are asking the federal government to drop its rule requiring mandatory arrivals testing for COVID-19.
In a letter to the federal and Ontario governments, Air Canada, WestJet and Toronto Pearson are calling for a shift of the testing capacity from the airports to the community.
As COVID-19 cases have surged in recent weeks, many provinces have decided to restrict molecular PCR testing to those at a higher risk of being hospitalized from COVID-19 or who are in settings where the virus could spread more quickly.
Travellers coming to Canada need to have a pre-arrival negative molecular test result for COVID-19. Once they arrive, those coming from any country other than the U.S. are tested again and must isolate until they get their results. Those coming from the United States are tested randomly.
The airlines and airport say testing arriving travellers isn't the best use of Canada's limited testing resources. They say the percentage of positive tests for those checked at the Canada's airports in the most recent week reported is far lower than tests in the community.
Air Canada, WestJet and Pearson want the government to revert to random arrival testing of international travellers and only require isolation for those arriving from an international location if they are exhibiting symptoms or test positive on a random test. They say those who do not have any symptoms after a negative pre-departure test before travel to Canada should not be required to isolate.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada sending more artillery to Ukraine, 'crucial' to fight against Russia: Anand
Canada is sending an additional 20,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine for the Ukrainian military to use in its ongoing defence against the Russians. This ammunition—155mm calibre, as well as fuses and charge bags—is being donated, but comes at a cost of $98 million, according to the federal government.
Power outages persist across Ontario and Quebec as death toll rises
Power outages caused by the powerful and deadly storm that swept across Ontario and Quebec on Saturday are stretching into another day, as hydro providers warned customers they could be waiting even longer for service to be fully restored.
11 killed in shooting attacks on 2 bars in Mexico
Eleven people, eight of them women, were killed in simultaneous shooting attacks on two bars in north-central Mexico, authorities said Tuesday.
Satellite images appear to show Russian ships loading up with Ukrainian grain in Crimea
Russia's theft of Ukrainian grain appears to be ramping up as it continues its war on the country, according to new satellite photos of the Crimean port of Sevastopol.
Baby formula: Health Canada monitoring 'potential' sunflower oil shortage
Health Canada says it is preparing for the possibility that a shortage of sunflower oil could further strain baby formula supplies in Canada.
'The destruction is incredible': 150,000 Ontarians remain without power, says Hydro One
A Hydro One spokesperson says the storm that ripped through Ontario over the long weekend has caused significant damage across the province, and it could still be days before some power outages are restored.
Amber Heard rests case in civil suit without calling Depp
Actor Amber Heard rested her case Tuesday in the civil suit between her and ex-husband Johnny Depp without calling Depp to the stand.
200 bodies found in Mariupol as war rages in Ukraine's east
Workers digging through the rubble of an apartment building in Mariupol found 200 bodies in the basement, Ukrainian authorities said Tuesday, as more horrors come to light in the ruined city that has seen some of the worst suffering of the 3-month-old war.
Davos climate focus: Can 'going green' mean oil and gas?
As government officials, corporate leaders and other elites at the World Economic Forum grapple with how to confront climate change and its devastating effects, a central question is emerging: to what extent can oil and gas companies be part of a transition to lower-carbon fuels?
Montreal
-
Quebec opposition parties say they plan to vote against Bill 96
The Coalition Avenir Quebec government says it plans to move forward with Bill 96, a sweeping language reform and update of Bill 101, despite criticism by opposition parties.
-
Some Quebecers will likely wait weeks before severely damaged power lines are fixed
After this weekend's fierce storm, some Quebecers are being told to hunker down and get ready to live on generators, or without power, for several weeks.
-
Hydro-Quebec still working to restore power after intense weekend storm
Hydro-Quebec is still working to restore power to many homes following the weekend storm that left hundreds of thousands of people in the dark.
London
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | London, Ont. Mayor Ed Holder to retire
London, ONt. Mayor Ed Holder will be retiring from politics at the end of the current term of council.
-
Monday fire leaves family displaced
A London, Ont. family has been displaced after fire tore through their home on Monday evening.
-
Three years later, police still looking for London man
Three years after he was last seen, London, Ont. police are renewing a call to find Tyler McMichael.
Kitchener
-
Brantford woman killed during Saturday's storm
The woman killed at Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area during Saturday's storm has now been identified as Shelby Humble-Neale of Brantford.
-
Storm cleanup continues in Waterloo region, Kitchener’s largest high school closed
The largest high school in Kitchener has been closed Tuesday due to a power outage, as the area continues to recover from Saturday's storm.
-
Not guilty plea entered, jury selection begins in death of man found in freezer
Chad Rue Waters, 48, has pleaded not guilty to first degree murder in the death of Ashley Pereira.
Northern Ontario
-
Ontario election 2022 platform guide: What are the parties promising?
CTVNewsToronto.ca has compiled a list of some of the major pledges made by the leaders of the province’s four major parties.
-
Timmins couple donates property to farmers market
The Mountjoy Farmers Market in Timmins has a permanent home thanks to a large property donation from local business owners Barry and Celine Petroski
-
Police say impaired golf cart driver refused to pull over
A 36-year-old Kirkland Lake resident has been charged following an incident May 22 involving a golf cart driver who refused to stop for police.
Ottawa
-
LIVE AT 4 P.M.
LIVE AT 4 P.M. | Here's what you need to know about Ottawa storm cleanup
Tens of thousands of people across the Ottawa region are still without power Tuesday morning as hydro crews continue repair work following Saturday's massive storm.
-
Ottawa city council meeting cancelled in storm aftermath
Ottawa city council's meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled as cleanup from Saturday's storm continues.
-
Spoiled food: City of Ottawa adds more disposal bins
The city of Ottawa is setting up disposal bins at locations across the city for residents to get rid of food spoiled because of the ongoing power outages.
Windsor
-
Vandalism reported at Windsor Catholic school
A Windsor Catholic elementary school has been hit with vandalism.
-
No new deaths and 163 new high-risk COVID-19 cases over 5 days in Windsor-Essex
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is reporting no new deaths and 163 new high-risk COVID-19 cases over the past five days.
-
Fundraiser for Ukrainian efforts happening in Leamington
A community event in support of the Southwestern Ontario Gleaners is happening in Leamington today.
Barrie
-
Barrie police lift lockdown at Eastview Secondary School following threat investigation
Barrie police are clearing Eastview Secondary School after two threats resulted in the school being locked down Tuesday morning.
-
Highway 400 wrong way driver charged with impaired
Police say officers stopped a suspected impaired driver travelling the wrong way along Highway 400 in Simcoe County.
-
Senior identified as victim of deadly Thornbury crash involving bike and motorcycle
Provincial police identified a cyclist killed in a collision with a motorcycle on Highway 26 in Thornbury earlier this month as a 71-year-old man.
Atlantic
-
Mask mandate drops in Nova Scotia public schools Tuesday
When students in Nova Scotia return to school on Tuesday after the Victoria Day long weekend, wearing masks will be optional.
-
Man wanted for incident that prompted lockdown of Halifax mall arrested
A man wanted in connection with two robberies and an incident that prompted that lockdown of the Halifax Shopping Centre in March has been arrested.
-
Man, 19, dies following single-vehicle crash in Shediac Cape, N.B.
A 19-year-old man has died following a single-vehicle collision in Shediac Cape, N.B.
Calgary
-
Flames searching for answers to McDavid, Oilers with Edmonton eyeing 3-1 series lead
The Calgary Flames need to figure out a way to at least begin to contain Connor McDavid. The same goes for Leon Draisaitl. Evander Kane, too.
-
B.C., Alberta farms confirm latest avian flu outbreaks
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed two more outbreaks of avian influenza in small flocks - one in southern British Columbia and the other in southeastern Alberta.
-
Under the big top: Circus sets up at CrossIron Mills
Staff with the Royal Canadian International Circus are raising the big top as the troop prepares to perform over a dozen shows at CrossIron Mills.
Winnipeg
-
'It's overwhelming': Manitoba premier, officials, get an aerial view of flood-stricken Whiteshell
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, along with government officials took an aerial tour of the Whiteshell Provincial Park on Tuesday as the area deals with significant floodwaters.
-
Winnipeg Police looking for 'people of interest' in 21st homicide investigation
The Winnipeg Police Service is asking for the public's help to identify two women considered people of interest in the homicide of a Winnipeg woman.
-
Monkeypox fears could stigmatize LGBTQ2S+ community, expert says
A theory that the recent outbreak of monkeypox may be tied to sexual activity has put the gay community in an unfortunate position, having fought back against previous and continued stigma around HIV and AIDS, an LGBTQ2+ centre director says.
Vancouver
-
2 B.C. men ordered to pay $13,000 for illegally hunting 3 moose
Two B.C. men have been ordered to pay thousands of dollars and were handed hunting bans in connection to the poaching of three moose.
-
WATCH LIVE
WATCH LIVE | Trudeau to talk Invictus Games in Vancouver after unmarked graves ceremony in Kamloops
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be in Metro Vancouver today where he is expected to discuss housing and food bank issues.
-
CTV News Vancouver recognized for excellence in flood coverage
CTV News at 6 was named B.C.'s best newscast as the Vancouver newsroom won multiple journalism awards.
Edmonton
-
Edmonton's K-Days to get $10M from federal government
The federal government is providing $17.5 million for tourism projects in the province, including $10 million for Edmonton's K-Days fair.
-
City of Edmonton, Oilers Entertainment Group hosting fans for Game 4 rally
As the Oilers prepare for Game 4 against the Calgary Flames, excitement is building for fans in the capital region.
-
Canada sending more artillery to Ukraine, 'crucial' to fight against Russia: Anand
Canada is sending an additional 20,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine for the Ukrainian military to use in its ongoing defence against the Russians. This ammunition—155mm calibre, as well as fuses and charge bags—is being donated, but comes at a cost of $98 million, according to the federal government.