National News

OTTAWA — A long-time Conservative MP says he won't seek re-election when the next federal vote comes around. Phil McColeman made the announcement in a social media post.

OTTAWA — It was near the end of June that Dr. Vivek Goel decided to give up his job as vice-president research at the University of Toronto to make whatever contribution he could as a public health physician.

Quebec Liberal member Pierre Arcand is being asked to return home amid mounting criticism over his decision to vacation in the Caribbean.

OTTAWA — Come Jan. 1, Canada Pension Plan contributions are going up again, although higher than originally planned.

The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 8:20 p.m. ET on Tuesday Dec. 29, 2020. There are 565,506 confirmed cases in Canada. _ Canada: 565,506 confirmed cases (72,271 active, 477,857 resolved, 15,378 deaths).

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 Dec. 30 ... What we are watching in Canada ...

MONTREAL — It was a former CFL player and community activist who helped push the concept of systemic racism to the forefront in Quebec politics this year, after forcing the city of Montreal to confront the issue.

FREDERICTON — Blaine Higgs says 2020 taught him a lot about the importance of perseverance. The New Brunswick Premier says his province held the line this year against COVID-19, guarding Atlantic Canada from Quebec to the north and Maine to the west.

OTTAWA — A new poll suggests the COVID-19 pandemic has made some Canadians feel more grateful for what they have.

OTTAWA — Sen. Elaine McCoy, who sat as an Independent from the day she was appointed to the upper chamber, has died. McCoy died Tuesday in Ottawa. She was 74. Born in Brandon, Man.