Quebec premier will wait until next week before giving recommendations on Christmas gatherings
Premier Francois Legault says he’s not making public health recommendations about Christmas gatherings just yet.
At a news conference on Tuesday, Legault said he will await recommendations due next week from director of public health Dr. Horacio Arruda before making any announcements about how many people Quebecers will be allowed to celebrate the season with this year.
The Tuesday conference was primarily to discuss how the province plans to mitigate the labour shortage. Legault used the occasion to clarify a statement he’d made Monday regarding a possible easing of restrictions on gatherings over the holiday period.
“What I said yesterday is I hope personally we can increase the amount, the number of people in houses from 10 to 20 (or) 25," he said.
"I hope so. But we'll have recommendations from Dr. Arruda next week, so I will follow the recommendations of Dr. Arruda."
Quebec officials had recently shown some optimism about family and friends getting together for the holidays now that children under 12 are eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations. But concerns about the new Omicron variant, as well as an increase in cases in Quebec in recent days, may have dashed those hopes.
Quebec reported 784 new cases on Tuesday, down from highs late last week not seen in months, with 1,037 new cases reported on Nov. 26 and 1,171 the following day.
The first case of the Omicron variant was reported in Quebec on Monday.
Legault said he would also make recommendations about travel restrictions following the advice of public health.
“I like it very much when Quebecers stay in Quebec. My first choice is to see Quebecers staying here visiting the regions like Charlevoix," he said.
"It's a decision coming from public health and I will follow the recommendation of public health."
In the meantime, Montreal public health officials are set to hold a news conference Wednesday with an update on COVID-19 in the city.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.