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B.C. victim of Wainwright fire was everybody's best friend, says rugby coach
Wainwright victim everybody's best friend: coach
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Facebook, Nadine Dunford (Mandatory Credit)
The former rugby coach for Pte. Hayden Lykkemark, one of four soldiers who died in a fire at CFB Wainwright on Saturday, says all of the teenager's team and his schoolmates thought of him as their best friend.
Trevor Plater, who coached Lykkemark in his senior year at Langley Secondary School in Langley, B.C., says Lykkemark was "always looking out for everybody."
Canada's military says officials were aware of a wildfire in the area but didn't consider it a threat before a violent windstorm blew in, killing four and sending scores of soldiers to hospital with bad burns.
Pte. Aidan Goulding of North Vancouver, Sgt. Morgan Wong of Edmonton and Pte. Shaun Farrell of Prince Albert, Sask. also died in the fire.
Plater says Lykkemark, who was 19, was particularly close to former teammate Kane Lewis who has set up an online fundraiser for his friend’s family.
Lewis says in a statement on the donation page, which has raised more than $20,000, that he and Lykkemark joined the army at the same time, and were in the same platoon for basic training.
“That’s where he became more than just a friend; he became a brother. He was always looking out for everyone and always kept himself in check,” Lewis' statement says.
The Langley Rugby Club says in an online statement that Lykkemark was a dedicated student, athlete and friend who made a positive impact on people around him.
“Hayden’s legacy of service, friendship, and compassion will not be forgotten,” it says.
The victims of the fire served in the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based at Edmonton
Plater says in an interview on Monday that Lykkemark "wasn't afraid to make tackles or get in or do his part."
"He wasn't necessarily somebody who talked a lot but he had a big impact when he did and he was always listening and paying attention,” he says.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.
By Nono Shen | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Measles outbreak over after 2 years, thousands infected in Canada: PHAC
Measles outbreak over after two years
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne
A measles outbreak that spanned two years and infected thousands of people in Canada is over.
The Public Health Agency of Canada made the declaration in a press release Monday, stating that more than 6,400 people were infected across 10 provinces.
Two infants in Ontario and Alberta who were infected with measles while in the womb died after they were born.
The outbreak began in New Brunswick in October 2024 and about a year later led to the loss of Canada’s measles elimination status due to ongoing transmission of the highly contagious disease for more than 12 months.
Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Joss Reimer says that although it's encouraging to see the outbreak declared over, it doesn’t mean that measles is gone.
Infectious disease experts have attributed the return of measles to declining vaccination rates, misinformation-fuelled vaccine hesitancy and distrust of authority, as well as disruptions to routine immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Measles continues to circulate globally, and we can expect to see further travel-related cases here at home,” Reimer said in a statement.
Ontario, which was one of the most affected provinces, declared its outbreak over last fall, while Alberta's ended in July. Public health officials in Manitoba said the province’s last laboratory-confirmed case was in August.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.
Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
By Hannah Alberga | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Federal ministers defend major projects bill at House committee meeting
Ministers defend Bill C-39 at House committee
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Four federal ministers are defending the government's contentious legislation to speed up major projects in the House of Commons today, as Ottawa continues to face criticism from Indigenous, environment and labour groups.
The 243-page bill would fast-track approvals for major projects, cut their review times and create zones of "national interest" to pre-approve certain types of projects.
Labour leaders and union members gathered across Canada last week to protest Bill C-39, arguing the legislation would undermine workers' right to strike.
A collective of First Nations groups has also condemned the legislation, arguing it would weaken environmental oversight and strip away their ability to influence decisions affecting their territories.
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said today that Bill C-39 does not reduce Ottawa's requirement to consult with Indigenous rights holders and "a more efficient process does not mean a less rigorous one."
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the legislation looks to reduce administrative burdens while also maintaining strong safety and environmental standards.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.
By Catherine Morrison | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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