Quebec health minister vows to 'not abandon' Ukrainian refugees
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube said he is committed to finding a solution to continue health coverage for Ukrainian refugees in the province.
“We will not abandon Ukrainian refugees,” he wrote on X. “We are still in discussions with the federal government, but we would like to extend their coverage.”
Olha Hnatyshyn teaches economics at John Abbott College and her 69-year-old father lives with her and depends on the medical coverage provided by Canada and Quebec.
“Cutting off on a health care and, support will put me in a very difficult situation,” said Hnatyshyn.
The health coverage is provided under Quebec’s public system (RAMQ) and not the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) for refugees.
Canada granted Ukrainians special visas in 2022 and Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) Quebec provincial council head Michael Shwec said Quebec said it would cut off the health coverage connected to the visas after three years.
“So all health care is being cut off, social assistance being cut off, which doesn't make sense because the very heart of the matter was to help Ukrainians as they come back in the time of need, seek refuge during an awful war,” he told CTV News. “And that awful war continues today.”
Dube said Quebec intends to make sure they will not be cut off.
“Quebec has a commitment to them and we will keep it,” he wrote.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
opinion
opinion Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies
The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
Pickup truck driver killed by police after driving through Texas mall and injuring 5
A pickup truck driver fleeing police careened through the doors of a JCPenney store in Texas and continued through a busy mall, injuring five people before he was fatally shot by officers, authorities said.
Two U.S. Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident, U.S. military says
Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent 'friendly fire' incident, the U.S military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Big splash: Halifax mermaid waves goodbye after 16 years
Halifax's Raina the Mermaid is closing her business after 16 years in the Maritimes.
6 adults, 4 children taken to hospital following suspected carbon monoxide exposure in Vanier
The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to suspected carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning.
'Sonic 3' bests 'Mufasa: The Lion King' at the box office
In the holiday season battle of big-budget family movies, Paramount Pictures’ “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” sped past the Walt Disney Co.’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” to take the top spot at the box office ahead of the lucrative Christmas corridor in theaters.
Toronto
-
Four people taken to hospital, 1 critical after house fire in Etobicoke: paramedics
Four people are in hospital and one person has critical injuries after a house fire broke out in north Etobicoke Sunday afternoon.
-
Westbound QEW, southbound Highway 403 in Oakville closed for police investigation
The westbound Queen Elizabeth Way at Winston Churchill Boulevard along with the southbound lanes of Highway 403 at Upper Middle Road in Oakville are closed due to a police investigation.
-
Cold weather in Toronto slowly easing up after frigid morning
The temperature in Toronto is starting to ease up after a frigid Sunday morning, but still remains well below the freezing mark.
Ottawa
-
6 adults, 4 children taken to hospital following suspected carbon monoxide exposure in Vanier
The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to suspected carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning.
-
Here's how you can watch CTV News at Six on Sundays during the NFL season
With CTV broadcasting NFL football games on Sundays this season, CTV News at Six will be broadcasting live on our website and the CTV News App.
-
Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival cancelled for 2025
The decision follows two consecutive years of cancellations because of insufficient ice conditions on the canal.
Atlantic
-
Cape Breton police arrest second person in missing man investigation
A second person has been arrested in the disappearance of Justin MacDonald in Cape Breton.
-
Canadian organization teaches people to combat loneliness through connection during holiday season.
For some people the holidays are lonely time of year, but a Canadian organization is fostering a “human connection movement” in an effort to bring people together.
-
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland woman washed sick patients' hair every Saturday for more than 20 years
A retired nurse and teacher in Newfoundland was honoured this week for her volunteer work, which included more than two decades washing the hair of bedridden hospital patients.
-
Newfoundland man facing more charges related to youth sex crimes
A 64-year-old Newfoundland man charged with dozens of sex crimes involving young people is facing several new charges.
-
After fanfare of Churchill Falls deal, Newfoundland urged to learn its dam lessons
Energy observers in Newfoundland and Labrador are urging the provincial government to take a sober second look at a massive tentative deal announced last week with Quebec that promises to deliver hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue to the Atlantic province.
Northern Ontario
-
OPP investigating fatal collision Saturday in northwest Ontario
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a fatal collision that occurred on Saturday evening in northwestern Ontario.
-
Unifor members ratify new agreement with Canadian National Railway
Unifor said on Sunday that its members at Canadian National Railway (CN Rail) have ratified a new four-year collective agreement, averting a potential strike action.
-
Northern Ont. man illegally killed three moose, one deer
A man from the northwestern Ontario community of Dinorwic has been found guilty of multiple hunting offences and fined $6,500, banned from hunting for five years and placed on probation for 18 months.
London
-
'Ford Field Experience in London': Detroit Lions host tailgate and watch party at Canada Life Place
It was a sea of Silver and Honolulu Blue on Dundas Place in London, Ont. as over 3,000 fans gathered for a Lions game on Sunday.
-
Standoff in Seaforth at the centre of SIU investigation
Following a standoff in Seaforth on Friday, the province’s police watch dog is investigating an officer’s conduct.
-
Driver charged following collision with hydro box that plunged Listowel into darkness Saturday
OPP and hydro crews were on scene on Hutton Street for much of the day working to clear the collision, and get power restored to the town.
Kitchener
-
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
-
Driver in Kitchener charged after going 180km/h in 70km/h zone
A G2 driver has been charged after going 110km over the speed limit in Kitchener Sunday morning.
-
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
Windsor
-
'Giving back': Kingsville store hands out free fresh groceries ahead of the holidays
Cars lined up outside of Cindy’s Home and Garden store in Kingsville on Sunday morning for the first Green Pick-up Holiday Food Drive-Thru.
-
Looking for a last minute stocking stuffer? This local fundraiser has the thing for you.
If you’re looking for a stocking stuffer idea, consider the Kiwanis Camp Lottery Calendar! It offers $14,000 worth of prizes, including a cash prize every month and a gift up for grabs every week throughout next year.
-
Annual Christmas dinner provides 2,000 meals to Windsor-Essex families
About 30 volunteer drivers toured the region on Saturday, delivering the prepared meals, which included turkey, gravy, stuffing, dinner rolls and vegetables.
Barrie
-
Residents startled by blue flashes in the sky during power outage in Barrie
A power outage on Saturday night left over a thousand Barrie homes in the dark.
-
OPP officers make triple arrests for impaired driving in 24 hour span
Huronia West OPP officers were busy back-to-back days after making triple arrests for impaired driving.
-
High school teacher charged with sexual assault amid allegations involving a student
A 51-year-old teacher from Georgina has been charged with sexual assault following allegations involving a student.
Vancouver
-
Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide
The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed.
-
More strong winds hit parts of B.C.'s coast as record-high temperatures recorded
What has been a windy weekend for parts of B.C.’s coast continued Sunday as Environment Canada issued a fresh set of wind warnings.
-
Drug superlabs leave a toxic mess. Some say B.C.'s cleanup rules are a mess, too
As clandestine drug labs become larger and more complex, so does the toxic mess they leave behind and the tools required to clean them up, creating expensive and dangerous situations for both people and the environment.
Vancouver Island
-
More strong winds hit parts of B.C.'s coast as record-high temperatures recorded
What has been a windy weekend for parts of B.C.’s coast continued Sunday as Environment Canada issued a fresh set of wind warnings.
-
Drug superlabs leave a toxic mess. Some say B.C.'s cleanup rules are a mess, too
As clandestine drug labs become larger and more complex, so does the toxic mess they leave behind and the tools required to clean them up, creating expensive and dangerous situations for both people and the environment.
-
Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide
The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed.
Winnipeg
-
Minnesota-Manitoba border airport permanently shutting down after 70 years
An airport with a runway that spans across the Canada-U.S. border will close for good by the end of this week.
-
Manitoba man hopes to sell parts of unique, homemade musical instrument collection
Eighty-eight-year-old Lorne Collie has been making musical instruments for more than three decades, creations that dazzle for their unique materials as much as their sound.
-
Man attacks family with bear spray after vehicle collision: WPS
A Winnipeg man is facing several weapon-related charges after police said he attacked a family with bear spray.
Calgary
-
Police looking for driver involved in pedestrian collision in downtown Calgary.
One person is in hospital after being struck by an SUV in downtown Calgary early Saturday morning,
-
It was Grandma, in the cafe with a Scrabble tile: Game cafes are big holiday business
It’s the holidays, which means for many across the Prairies, there’s no better time to get locked in a dungeon with a dragon.
-
Traffic advisory issued by RCMP due to poor driving conditions south of Calgary and north of Red Deer
Alberta RCMP issued a traffic advisory early Sunday morning due to poor driving conditions throughout the province.
Edmonton
-
'There’s no support': Domestic abuse survivor shares difficulties leaving her relationship
An Edmonton woman who tried to flee an abusive relationship ended up back where she started in part due to a lack of shelter space.
-
Oilers finding ways to thrive in close encounters
Leon Draisaitl scored 18 seconds into overtime to extend his point streak to eight games as the Edmonton Oilers overcame a slow start to win their second straight game in extra time, defeating the San Jose Sharks 3-2 on Saturday.
-
It was Grandma, in the cafe with a Scrabble tile: Game cafes are big holiday business
It’s the holidays, which means for many across the Prairies, there’s no better time to get locked in a dungeon with a dragon.
Regina
-
Gathering held in Regina to recognize Winter Solstice
Regina's mâmawêyatitân centre held a day of gathering for the Winter Solstice on Saturday.
-
Canada's first sustainable Tim Hortons location to open in Regina this weekend
Canada’s first sustainable Tim Hortons opens in Regina this weekend. The restaurant, located in the city’s east end, features design and operating features that minimize environmental impact.
-
Gravelbourg's transportation program celebrates addition of new vehicle and garage
The town of Gravelbourg is celebrating the addition of a new vehicle and garage which will be used in their local transportation program.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. woman dead following crash on Highway 5
A 69-year-old woman from the Humboldt area is dead after her SUV collided with a truck on Highway 5, according to police.
-
Sask. police investigating mischief incident after bomb report in school
Prince Albert police are investigating a mischief incident after a bomb report in a school Friday afternoon.
-
Prince Albert woman collects donations to make Christmas hampers for community
A Prince Albert woman is spreading holiday cheer by organizing Christmas hampers for those in need.
