When it comes to those who could be establishing their political loyalties for years to come, federal parties are thinking about more than just platform promises.

It was perhaps the first unscripted moment of humanity in the first week of the 2021 federal election campaign as three federal leaders swung out West in the hunt for votes.

The Conservative leader has faced questions about his party’s pledge to protect “the conscience rights” of health-care professionals who refuse to provide services like abortion or medical assistance in dying.

To participate in the official leaders’ debates, the People’s Party of Canada needed to be registering four per cent support in national polls as of Aug. 20.

Mayor Tory and all 25 Toronto city councillors are fully vaccinated.

TD, CIBC and BMO announced Friday new policies requiring employees working on-site to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, following a similar move by RBC on Thursday.

In the U.S., a COVID surge is now causing spikes in pediatric hospitalizations. Experts still don’t know if Delta is more dangerous for kids, but say the best way to protect them is to keep the fourth wave under control — and get vaccinated.

While it was widely assumed Labour Day would see the start of a mass movement back to Toronto’s office towers, a growing fourth wave has some now saying we might not return until 2022.

A former Progressive Conservative MPP’s challenge of some COVID-19 lockdown restrictions imposed by Premier Doug Ford has been dismissed in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice.

Meanwhile, Toronto public health is urging employers to implement workplace vaccination policies.

Economists say national politicians’ options are mostly limited to what they can’t do, won’t do, or won’t work quickly.

The United States border will stay closed to non-essential land and ferry crossers from Canada until Sept. 21.