National News

REGINA — Eleven months into the COVID-19 pandemic, silence fills Regina's airport. Empty check-in counters line one side of the terminal while the odd employee moves behind reception along a row of vehicle rental desks.

VANCOUVER — Federal government proposals to relax penalties for personal drug possession are a positive step forward for Vancouver's former drug czar, but they're too small to address skyrocketing overdose deaths.

OTTAWA — The national security and intelligence committee of parliamentarians will conduct a review of the RCMP's federal policing mandate. The committee of MPs and senators expects to complete the review next year.

In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what's on the radar of our editors for the morning of Feb. 23 ... What we are watching in Canada ...

The latest numbers on COVID-19 vaccinations in Canada as of 10:30 p.m. ET on Monday Feb. 22, 2021. In Canada, the provinces are reporting 61,733 new vaccinations administered for a total of 1,554,003 doses given.

The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 9:00 p.m. ET on Monday Feb. 22, 2021. There are 849,517 confirmed cases in Canada. _ Canada: 849,517 confirmed cases (31,164 active, 796,630 resolved, 21,723 deaths).

A new Canadian health order requiring a three-day hotel quarantine for air travellers got off to a rocky start on Monday, as some passengers complained of long waits to access the hotel-booking system.

EDMONTON — Alberta’s multiculturalism minister has pushed back against criticism of government silence following a weekend COVID-19 protest that included marchers with torches.

VICTORIA — Public health officials in British Columbia are reporting 1,428 new COVID-19 cases over the past three days, for a total of 77,263 since the pandemic began in the province.

The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times eastern): 8 p.m. British Columbia is reporting 1,428 new COVID-19 cases over the past three days, for a total of 77,263 since the pandemic began.