Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed …

Hantavirus Testing Might Not Be Useful for Asymptomatic Individuals: Experts

Health experts have raised concerns about the effectiveness of testing individuals for hantavirus, particularly those who have been exposed but do not exhibit any symptoms. Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia's provincial health officer, indicated that public health officials globally are evaluating this matter, especially as passengers from a hantavirus-affected cruise ship return to their home countries.

Dr. Henry explained that testing for certain viruses may not yield reliable results until patients develop symptoms. Furthermore, there is limited understanding of how effective testing is for the rare hantavirus in asymptomatic cases. Bryce Warner, a hantavirus researcher from the University of Saskatchewan, stated that health officials are facing a "unique" scenario, as physicians typically would not suspect the rare virus unless a patient is already symptomatic.

MP Urges Canadians to Complete Census Amid Privacy Concerns

A member of Parliament from the Liberal Party is urging Canadians to participate in the census, emphasizing its importance for community planning despite some citizens voicing privacy concerns. Several Canadians have expressed their discontent with the census via social media, fearing the questions to be invasive, with some protesting by posting photos of torn forms or envelopes marked "return to sender." Mark Gerretsen, MP for Kingston and the Islands, assured that the census is not a ploy for personal data collection by the prime minister, but rather a vital tool for gathering community data which influences decisions about local services, including the number of schools, hospitals, and federal funding allocations.

New Mayors and Councillors Elected in New Brunswick Municipal Elections

Following the municipal elections held on Monday, residents of New Brunswick are waking up to new leadership in several cities. Unofficial results from Elections New Brunswick reveal that Steve Hicks has secured the mayoralty in Fredericton, defeating former MP Jenica Atwin in the race to succeed Kate Rogers. Meanwhile, in Moncton, Shawn Crossman, a three-term city councillor, has captured the mayoral seat, focusing his campaign on critical issues like public safety, housing, and infrastructure development. In Saint John, incumbent mayor Donna Reardon has been re-elected, defeating challenger Barry Ogden by a considerable margin.

New Canadian Asylum Law Leaves Migrants in Uncertainty

Advocates and legal representatives for refugees are expressing deep concern regarding new federal legislation that has stranded numerous migrants in a state of limbo. This law, passed in late March, retroactively disqualifies any migrant who entered Canada irregularly after June 2020 from applying for asylum. Since its enactment, the federal government has reportedly issued around 30,000 letters to ineligible claimants, inducing panic and confusion among individuals who had recently arrived in Canada. Gauri Sreenivasan, co-executive director of the Canadian Council of Refugees, stated that these notifications exacerbate the anxiety faced by new arrivals and leave many uncertain about their future options.

Canadiens Set to Compete for 3-1 Series Lead Against Sabres

This evening, the Montreal Canadiens aim to take a 3-1 series lead against the visiting Buffalo Sabres in their NHL playoff matchup. After suffering a substantial 6-2 loss to the Canadiens on Sunday, leaving them trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff noted critical mistakes and subpar decisions that need to be addressed. The Canadiens are experiencing a resurgence in their offensive play, which is alleviating pressure on rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes as they prepare for this pivotal game at Bell Centre. Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis emphasized that the playoffs have been thrilling and the atmosphere highly charged, and he anticipates that tonight's key game will reflect that intensity.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 12, 2026.