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OTTAWA — Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says Admiral Art McDonald has voluntarily stepped down as chief of the defence staff as he is investigated on unspecific allegations.

EDMONTON — Two of Alberta's largest First Nations have written letters to coal companies saying they will oppose any new mine proposals in the Rocky Mountains since the provincial government has consistently ignored their concerns.

Several international travellers arriving at Toronto's Pearson International Airport have refused to comply with a new rule requiring a three-day hotel quarantine, local police said Wednesday.

IQALUIT, Nunavut — The Nunavut community of Arviat has declared a state of emergency over rising COVID-19 case numbers. There were 27 active cases Wednesday in the hamlet of about 2,800 people, which lies on the western coast of Hudson Bay.

The latest developments on the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada (all times eastern): 6:15 p.m. B.C. officials are reporting 456 new cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths, pushing the death toll in the province to 1,338.

OTTAWA — New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh says he will not trigger an election as long as the COVID-19 pandemic persists, relieving some pressure on Liberals concerned about cooking up a budget palatable to the NDP.

OTTAWA — A lawyer for prospective refugee claimants says a federal judge was correct in finding an agreement between Ottawa and Washington results in people being imprisoned by U.S. authorities.

WASHINGTON — Canada and the United States will push each other toward more ambitious climate goals, Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said Wednesday after a meeting with special envoy John Kerry.

TORONTO — Migrant and undocumented workers must have access to the COVID-19 vaccine as part of Canada's immunization effort, advocates said Wednesday, calling on all levels of government to ensure the workers are guaranteed the shots.

Tens of thousands of seniors in the Prairies secured appointments to receive COVID-19 vaccines Wednesday as officials in the two provinces hardest hit by the pandemic laid out their own plans for inoculating older residents.