A Comprehensive Look at News Events in January 2023

Canada Celebrates First National Ribbon Skirt Day

 

On January 4, Canada observed its inaugural National Ribbon Skirt Day, following the passing of a bill in Parliament towards the end of the previous year. The inspiration behind this event came from a 10-year-old girl named Isabella Kulak, who wore a ribbon skirt to her rural Saskatchewan school in December 2020. Unfortunately, a staff member at the school deemed her outfit not formal enough. However, the school division later apologized for the incident.

COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Passengers Leaving China

 

Despite protests and threats of retaliation from Beijing, passengers flying out of China, Hong Kong, and Macau are now required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test upon entering Canada. This decision was made due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in China. The federal government announced this new requirement the week before, following the footsteps of other countries such as the United States and several EU nations.

Canada’s Victory at the World Junior Hockey Championship

 

On January 5, Canada emerged victorious at the world junior hockey championship by defeating Czechia 3-2 in the final game of the tournament. Dylan Guenther scored his second goal of the night at 6:22 of overtime, securing the win for Canada. Shane Wright, celebrating his 19th birthday, contributed the other goal. This victory marked Canada’s first consecutive gold medals since their five-year winning streak from 2005 to 2009.

Political Unrest in Brazil

 

Supporters of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who refused to accept his electoral defeat, stormed Congress, the Supreme Court, and the presidential palace. This event, reminiscent of the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, saw thousands of demonstrators bypassing security barricades, breaking windows, and invading the three buildings. Some protesters were advocating for a military intervention to reinstate Bolsonaro to power. The chaos occurred just a week after the inauguration of his leftist rival, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Avalanche Tragedy in Southeastern B.C.

 

A devastating avalanche claimed the life of a police officer in the mountains of southeastern British Columbia. The Nelson Police Board reported that Constable Wade Tittemore, 43 years old, was killed, while Constable Mathieu Nolet sustained critical injuries near Kaslo, approximately an hour’s drive north of Nelson. The officers were on snowmobiles when they were struck by the snowslide.

Rebranding of the Brownies Branch

 

The Girl Guides of Canada made the decision to rename the Brownies branch, introducing the new name “Embers.” This change came after the organization identified that the previous name deterred some racialized girls and women from joining the outdoor adventure and activity group. CEO Jill Zelmanovits announced that Embers was chosen through an online vote by current and former members, prevailing over the alternative option, Comets.

Explosions and Fire in St. Catharines

 

A hazardous waste facility in downtown St. Catharines, Ontario, experienced explosions and a subsequent fire, resulting in one person being seriously injured. The city’s fire services chief reported that the incident occurred just after 6:30 a.m. and subsequently spread to a nearby industrial building. The employee at the waste facility, who suffered significant burns, was immediately taken to the hospital but unfortunately passed away the next day.

Tragic Explosion at a Propane Facility

 

Three workers lost their lives in an explosion at the Propane Lafortune facility, located north of Montreal. The incident took place in St-Roch-de-l’Achigan, a well-known community. Fire Chief Francois Thivierge explained that the first units on the scene attempted to intervene but had to retreat due to the risk of further explosions.

Sad Demise of Lisa Marie Presley

 

Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of the legendary Elvis Presley, tragically passed away in Los Angeles. Her mother, Priscilla Presley, made the announcement, although no further details about her death were immediately available. Lisa Marie, aged 54, left behind a significant musical legacy as well as being a well-known figure in her own right.

COVID-19 Death Toll in China

 

China reported a staggering number of nearly 60,000 deaths related to COVID-19 and COVID-19-related complications recorded since early December. This data release came amidst criticism of the Chinese government for failing to provide transparent reporting on the status of the pandemic. The death toll included 5,503 deaths caused by respiratory failure due to COVID-19, as well as 54,435 fatalities resulting from other ailments combined with COVID-19.

Passing of Former Ontario Lieutenant-Governor David Onley

 

Former Ontario lieutenant-governor David Onley, who served in the position for seven years, sadly passed away at the age of 72. Onley, who contracted polio as a child, became the first visibly disabled person to hold the lieutenant-governor position when he was appointed in 2007. He advocated for accessibility issues throughout his tenure and beyond, delivering a scathing critique of Ontario’s efforts to comply with its own accessibility legislation at one point.

Loss of Hockey Legend Wayne (Gino) Odjick

 

Wayne (Gino) Odjick, a prominent figure in the NHL who played for the Canucks, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, and Montreal Canadiens, sadly passed away at the age of 52. Odjick spent the initial eight seasons of his career with the Canucks after being selected by them in the 1990 entry draft. In 2014, he was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a disease that affected his organs and heart.

Rock Icon David Crosby’s Death

 

Rock legend David Crosby passed away at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness. His wife confirmed the news, stating that the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Famer was surrounded by his family during his final moments. Crosby was a founding member of both the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.

Tragic Avalanche Claims Second Officer’s Life

 

The second off-duty officer caught in an avalanche in the British Columbia Interior earlier in the month unfortunately succumbed to severe internal injuries. Constable Mathieu Nolet, who was skiing in a mountain pass near Kaslo, B.C., along with his colleague, was swept down the mountain by a large avalanche. Despite efforts to rescue him, Nolet could not recover from his injuries.

Deadly Shooting at California Dance Club

 

A man identified as Huu Can Tran, 72 years old, opened fire at a dance club in California, killing 10 people before turning the gun on himself. Police reported that the perpetrator shot himself as officers closed in on the van he used to flee the scene. The shooting occurred during Lunar New Year celebrations in Monterey Park, leaving 10 others injured.

Passing of Longtime Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion

 

Hazel McCallion, affectionately known as “Hurricane Hazel,” passed away at the age of 101. McCallion had a remarkable political career, serving as the mayor of Mississauga, Ontario, for over three decades. Her leadership was virtually unchallenged, securing landslide victories for 12 successive terms. McCallion decided to retire from office at the age of 93, leaving an enduring legacy.

World Health Organization’s Decision on COVID-19

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) chose not to declare an end to the global public health emergency caused by COVID-19. This decision was made on the third anniversary of the initial declaration made by Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, which prompted the implementation of pandemic restrictions worldwide. Tedros highlighted the rising number of weekly deaths since early December, with over 170,000 deaths reported in the past eight weeks. He emphasized that the actual number was likely much higher.

Passing of Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull

 

Bobby Hull, a revered figure in hockey and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, passed away at the age of 84. Hull was the first player in NHL history to score over 50 goals in a single season. His professional career spanned 23 years, during which he played for the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and Hartford Whalers, as well as the World Hockey Association’s Winnipeg Jets. Hull, along with his Chicago teammate Stan Mikita, popularized the use of curved hockey stick blades in the NHL.

Deadly Suicide Bombing in Pakistan

 

A suicide bombing at a mosque situated inside a police compound in Peshawar, Pakistan, claimed the lives of at least 100 people. The attack also left over 200 others wounded, with the majority of casualties being police officers. The bomber detonated the explosives while more than 300 worshippers were inside the mosque or approaching it. A commander of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on Twitter.