National News

The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. There are 761,226 confirmed cases in Canada. _ Canada: 761,226 confirmed cases (57,740 active, 683,953 resolved, 19,533 deaths).

OTTAWA — Pfizer and BioNTech will cut back on how many vials of COVID-19 vaccine they send Canada this year if the federal health regulator agrees to change the vaccine label to say every vial contains six doses instead of five.

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart says he's encouraged by the federal health minister's commitment to work with the city after it asked that possession of small amounts of illicit drugs be decriminalized.

The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times eastern): 6:20 p.m. There are several new COVID-19 "hot spots" in British Columbia and health officials say it shows how easily the virus can spread.

Concern over the Alberta government's decision to drop a coal policy that has protected the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains for decades is growing among area communities.

IQALUIT — The national organization representing Inuit women in Canada has signed an agreement with the RCMP to work to reduce violence against Inuit women, children and gender diverse people.

OTTAWA — A lawyer for Hassan Diab says a French appeal court's order that the Ottawa sociology professor stand trial for a decades-old synagogue bombing is the latest misstep in a long odyssey of injustice.

TORONTO — An investigation into a scourge of NetWalker ransomware attacks has led to charges against a Canadian man, the U.S. Department of Justice said on Wednesday.

A new work-permit program aimed at encouraging international students to settle in Canada opened for applications Wednesday, offering hope to some eager graduates who were still seeking more details on the program.

HALIFAX — A lawyer for one of three people who allegedly supplied ammunition to the gunman who murdered 22 people in Nova Scotia criticized a lack of Crown disclosure as the case started Wednesday.