World Juniors: Canada edges U.S. to stay undefeated

Max Domi scored two goals as Canada topped the United States 5-3 to finish first in its preliminary round group at the world junior hockey championship on Wednesday.

Team captain Curtis Lazar and Sam Reinhart also scored for Canada (4-0-0), which advanced to a quarter-final in Toronto against the fourth-place team in the Group B.

Canada led 3-2 late in the third when Domi scored into an empty net. Dylan Larkin, with his second of the game, got one back for the U.S., and Domi got another empty-netter with five seconds left to play.

Anthony DeAngelo also scored for the U.S. (2-1-1), which finished second in its pool and will stay in Montreal to play the third place team in Group B.

Canadian goaltender Eric Comrie, taking over from Zach Fucale, was solid as the Americans created some dangerous chances, despite being outshot 43-28 by Canada in the game. Winnipeg Jets prospect Comrie may have sealed the starting job with his performance.

The pre-game hype was all about Canada's Connor McDavid and the Americans' Jack Eichel, slated to go one-two in the NHL draft, but while both played well, neither dominated but each had an assist.

A quick pace was set early as the teams exchanged scoring chances at both ends in a first period in which Canada outshot the Americans 17-13.

But Canada took over in the second period, although it took until their 24th shot to beat Thatcher Demko. They did it with speed as Domi fired a puck on a rush and then banged in a pass off the rebound from Sam Reinhart at 7:07.

Canada's power play, which went into the game with a .500 success rate, struck at 10:11 as Morrissey drilled a shot inside the near post from the right circle after passes from Robby Fabbri and Nic Petan.

The Canadians conceded its first power-play goal of the tournament at 12:23 as a pass got through a maze of sticks in front for DeAngelo to fire into an open side.

McDavid blasted down the left wing and saw the rebound of his shot go in off Lazar, who skated hard into the crease, at 10:01 of the third period. The goal stood up to video review.

It was the largest crowd to date at the Bell Centre singing and chanting until an errant pass from Dillon Heatherington to Joe Hicketts in Canada's zone was turned into a tic-tac-toe goal finished at the side of the net with Larkin's first goal of the game.

Of note was a strong game by Canada's fourth line of Frederik Gauthier, Lawson Crouse and Nick Ritchie, who consistently kept the Americans in their zone.

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Canada edges U.S. to stay undefeated

Max Domi scored two goals as Canada topped the United States 5-3 to finish first in its preliminary round group at the world junior hockey championship on Wednesday.

Team captain Curtis Lazar and Sam Reinhart also scored for Canada (4-0-0), which advanced to a quarter-final in Toronto against the fourth-place team in the Group B.

Canada led 3-2 late in the third when Domi scored into an empty net. Dylan Larkin, with his second of the game, got one back for the U.S., and Domi got another empty-netter with five seconds left to play.

Anthony DeAngelo also scored for the U.S. (2-1-1), which finished second in its pool and will stay in Montreal to play the third place team in Group B.

Canadian goaltender Eric Comrie, taking over from Zach Fucale, was solid as the Americans created some dangerous chances, despite being outshot 43-28 by Canada in the game. Winnipeg Jets prospect Comrie may have sealed the starting job with his performance.

The pre-game hype was all about Canada's Connor McDavid and the Americans' Jack Eichel, slated to go one-two in the NHL draft, but while both played well, neither dominated but each had an assist.

A quick pace was set early as the teams exchanged scoring chances at both ends in a first period in which Canada outshot the Americans 17-13.

But Canada took over in the second period, although it took until their 24th shot to beat Thatcher Demko. They did it with speed as Domi fired a puck on a rush and then banged in a pass off the rebound from Sam Reinhart at 7:07.

Canada's power play, which went into the game with a .500 success rate, struck at 10:11 as Morrissey drilled a shot inside the near post from the right circle after passes from Robby Fabbri and Nic Petan.

The Canadians conceded its first power-play goal of the tournament at 12:23 as a pass got through a maze of sticks in front for DeAngelo to fire into an open side.

McDavid blasted down the left wing and saw the rebound of his shot go in off Lazar, who skated hard into the crease, at 10:01 of the third period. The goal stood up to video review.

It was the largest crowd to date at the Bell Centre singing and chanting until an errant pass from Dillon Heatherington to Joe Hicketts in Canada's zone was turned into a tic-tac-toe goal finished at the side of the net with Larkin's first goal of the game.

Of note was a strong game by Canada's fourth line of Frederik Gauthier, Lawson Crouse and Nick Ritchie, who consistently kept the Americans in their zone.

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35 killed in stampede at New Year's event in Shanghai

China's state-run Xinhua News Agency is reporting that 35 people have been killed in a stampede during the city's New Year's celebrations.

The report cites the Shanghai government in saying that another 42 people were injured.

The report says the death and injuries occurred at the city's riverfront Bund area, which can be jammed with spectators for major events.

One Xinhua photo from the scene shows at least one person doing chest compressions on a shirtless person while other people lay on the ground nearby. Another photo shows the area ringed by police.

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Objects in Java Sea spotted as air search for AirAsia jet resumes

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Officials see little reason to believe flight met anything but a grim fate

The Associated Press Posted: Dec 29, 2014 7:31 PM ET Last Updated: Dec 30, 2014 1:18 AM ET

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All survivors now free from fatal Greek ferry fire

Updated

414 people rescued from stricken vessel

The Associated Press Posted: Dec 29, 2014 3:42 AM ET Last Updated: Dec 29, 2014 12:06 PM ET

Greek ferry fire: Evacuations over with 5 people dead 2:02

Greek ferry fire: Evacuations over with 5 people dead 2:02

Italian authorities say the death toll in the Greek ferry fire has risen to eight, and that they are checking to see if anyone else might still be missing.

Italy's transport minister, Maurizio Lupi, said 427 people have been rescued, including 56 crew members.

Italian and Greek rescue crews battled gale-force winds and massive waves to complete the evacuation of hundreds of people from a ferry on fire. (Italian Coast Guard/ Associated Press)

The original manifest listed 478 passengers and crew.

Lupi said it was premature to speculate on whether people were still missing, but suggested that there might have been some people who reserved a spot on the ferry but did not board.

He said they were checking the manifest against the names of the 427 rescued.

An official said that among the survivors, there were also people not listed on the manifest, indicating the possibility that some on board were travelling illegally.

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All survivors now free from fatal Greek ferry fire

The evacuation of the Greek ferry that caught fire off Albania has been completed, and only the vessel's captain and four Italian sailors remain on board to assist in the operation, Italian Premier Matteo Renzi said Monday.

Renzi said they would remain on the ferry to try to hook it up to a tug boat.

Helicopters defied high winds, stormy seas and darkness Monday to pluck hundreds of passengers from the ferry as survivors told of a frantic rush to escape the flames and pelting rain.

The navy said the latest numbers indicate 414 people have been rescued from the ferry, and five bodies removed.

Italian and Greek rescue crews battled gale-force winds and massive waves to complete the evacuation of hundreds of people from a ferry on fire. (Italian Coast Guard/ Associated Press)

The ferry company had originally said there were 478 passengers and crew on board the ferry. Officials couldn't immediately explain the discrepancy between the numbers.

The dead included a Greek man who died after becoming trapped in a lifeboat chute, and four others whose bodies were recovered from the sea Monday, the Greek Coast Guard said. Their identities or the circumstances of their deaths were not immediately known.

Exhausted and cold from their ordeal, 49 passengers reached land Monday in the southern Italian port of Bari, more than 24 hours after fire broke out on a car deck of the ferry making a journey from the Greek port of Patras to Ancona in Italy.

The Greek and Italian premiers separately expressed their condolences to the victims and gratitude to the rescue workers. Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samras said the `'massive and unprecedented operation saved the lives of hundreds of passengers following the fire on the ship in the Adriatic Sea — under the most difficult circumstances," while Renzi said the `'impressive" rescue efforts prevented `'a slaughter at sea."

Passengers described a harrowing scene aboard the ferry as they awaited rescue. (Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images)

Passengers accounts emerging Monday painted a picture of a panicked reaction as the fire spread, with passengers choking on the smoke and struggling to figure out how to reach safety as they suffered both searing heat from the ship's floors and driving rain outside. Prosecutors in Bari were opening an investigation into how the fire started.

A Greek truck driver, reached by The Associated Press aboard one of the rescue vessels, described the rescue scene as "a chaos, a panic." He said the fire alarm came after most passengers, alerted by smoke filling their cabins, had gone outside, and that there was no crew in sight to direct passengers.

`'Our feet were burning and from the feet up we were soaked," Christos Perlis, 32, told the AP by telephone.

When rescue helicopters arrived, Perlis said passengers began to panic.

`'Everyone there was trampling on each other to get onto the helicopter," said Perlis, who said he and another man tried to impose order.

`'First children, then women and then men. But the men, they started hitting us so they could get on first. They didn't take into consideration the women or the children, nothing," Perlis said. He said he reached safety after jumping in a helicopter basket carrying a girl.

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160 still trapped on Greek ferry as first rescued passengers reach land

A cargo ship with 49 people evacuated from a Greek ferry that caught fire in the Adriatic Sea arrived in the Italian port of Bari on Monday, the first big group to reach land. More than 160 people remained trapped on the smoke-filled vessel adrift in rough seas between Italy and Albania.

One person was killed in the risky rescue operation and two others were injured as Italian and Greek rescue ships and helicopters plucked passengers off the stricken vessel and brought them to safety aboard the 10 or so mercantile ships nearby. Those evacuees were to be brought to shore later after the rescue was completed, Greek officials said.

One of the cargo ships, the Spirit of Piraeus, docked in Bari just after 7:30 a.m. local time Monday with 49 survivors aboard. The first to disembark was an injured man wrapped in a yellow striped blanket and wearing bandages around his bare feet, helped down the ship's ladder by two rescue workers.

Other evacuees, many wrapped in blankets, made their way slowly down the ladder with assistance, some thrusting their hands in a victory sign as they waited their turn. Among them were four children. TV crews and relatives gathered on the docks below in near silence.

The evacuees then boarded bright red fire department buses. Officials have said hotels have been booked for them around town.

The ship came ashore in Bari after first trying to dock overnight down the coast in Brindisi. Rough seas forced a change in plans.

Italian and Greek rescue crews battled gale-force winds and massive waves as they struggled Monday to evacuate hundreds of people from a ferry on fire. (Italian Coast Guard/ Associated Press)

The fire broke out before dawn Sunday on a car deck of the Italian-flagged Norman Atlantic, carrying 422 passengers and 56 crew members. All day and night, passengers huddled on the vessel's upper decks, pelted by rain and hail and struggling to breathe through the thick smoke.

By early Monday, 316 people had been evacuated, leaving 161 more on board, Greek Merchant Marine Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis said.

Helicopters rescued passengers throughout the night, completing 34 sorties with winds over 40 knots (75 km per hour).

"Notwithstanding the weather and the darkness, which is another factor, we persisted throughout the entire night," Italian coast guard Admiral Giovanni Pettorino told Sky TG24.

Those remaining on board were given thermal blankets and found places to wait protected from the elements `'even if the conditions remain very difficult," Pettorino said.

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Cleanup continues after CP Rail derailment west of Banff

Cleanup work continues this weekend on a train derailment in Alberta that sent a number of cars tumbling into a creek west of Banff.

Katrina Bluetchen with Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development said most of the rail cars from the CP train, as well as debris, have been removed from 40 Mile Creek.

Bluetchen said the focus now is on clearing the leaked material from the shore of the creek, which flows into the Bow River.

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  CP Rail derailment west of Banff sends cars into creek bed

  
  

Fifteen cars on the train left the tracks early Friday morning carrying lentils and fly ash, an ingredient in concrete.

A spokesman with the Transportation Safety Board said neither are hazardous, but Bluetchen has noted there is concern the fly ash could alter the water's pH or pile up as sediment.

The railway says in an email that it is working with Parks Canada and other environmental authorities to ensure the cleanup and any necessary remediation in the area is "timely and appropriate."

"CP regrets any inconvenience to the citizens of Banff and visitors as the work is finished," the email states.

The railway said it is repairing the track and bridge, and that it expected to reopen the section to traffic sometime overnight between Saturday and Sunday.

Bluetchen noted CP must produce daily reports and plans, as well as work with the province and Parks Canada to make sure it meets Alberta requirements.

She said provincial staff would likely be leaving the area on Sunday. Environment Canada, she said, was the lead agency on the case.

No one from Environment Canada could be reached for comment on Saturday.

The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.

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World Juniors: McDavid's early goal helps Canada beat Germany

Connor McDavid scored a goal and set up two more as Canada posted its second win in as many nights with a 4-0 victory over Germany on Saturday at the world junior championship.

Max Domi, Curtis Lazar and Madison Bowey also scored, while centre Nic Petan picked up three assists to take over the tournament scoring lead with six points. Canada went 3 for 4 on the power play.

McDavid and Lazar got their first points of the tournament against a German squad that kept the score close with tight checking and hard work. The Germans held Canada without a shot over 12 minutes while outshooting them 10-6 in the second frame.

Eric Comrie made 17 saves, while Canada had 31 shots on Kevin Reich. Canada has yet to concede a goal as Zach Fucale shut out Slovakia 8-0 on Friday night.

The Germans were a tougher opponent than the Slovaks, who seemed to roll over as soon as they fell behind. After some earlier Canadian dominance, Germany backchecked hard, clogged the middle the ice and forced the home side to work for their chances.

Some wondered if McDavid, who returned recently from a Nov. 11 hand injury, was off his game but he answered that on a power play 4:11 into the game.

The Erie Otters centre had a pass across the crease blocked, but picked up the loose puck and stuffed it past Reich.

On another man advantage at 12:42, McDavid set up Lazar alone in front to score on a one-timer.

A few seconds after Reich had a spectacular glove save on a Jake Virtanen shot from the slot, Domi fed Sam Reinhart and then found an open spot on the doorstep to slip in the return pass 9:14 into the third period.

Bowey scored from the left side on a man advantage at 15:44.

Germany's best chance came on a second period power play when Marc Michaelis took advantage of a line change to take a pass at the Canadian blue-line and go in alone, but failed to find an opening between Comrie's pads.

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AirAsia flight to Singapore loses contact with air traffic control

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Thomson Reuters Posted: Dec 27, 2014 10:30 PM ET Last Updated: Dec 27, 2014 10:30 PM ET

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Vatican frees woman who bared breast, forbids her ever to return

Italian police officers arrest a Ukrainian feminist group Femen activist after she snatched the statue of Baby Jesus from the Nativity scene set in St. Peter's Square and also bared her breasts. (Associated Press)

The Holy See has released a Ukrainian activist who bared her breasts in St. Peter's Square on Christmas Day and snatched the statue of Baby Jesus from the Vatican's outdoor Nativity scene.

Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said the Holy See prosecutor, met with Yana Zhdanova on Saturday and decided to order her freed.

She was also ordered to never set foot again in Vatican City State, including St. Peter's Basilica, or on other Vatican property outside the tiny city-state's walls.

The Femen protester shouted "God is woman" when she uncovered her chest in the square on Thursday, about an hour after Pope Francis had greeted and blessed tens of thousands of faithful. A Vatican guard then covered her chest with his cloak and took her into Vatican custody.

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Snow, ice sweep across Britain, stranding drivers overnight

New

Thousands in northern England without power

The Associated Press Posted: Dec 27, 2014 9:15 AM ET Last Updated: Dec 27, 2014 9:15 AM ET

Snow and icy weather have swept through parts of Britain, stranding drivers and leaving thousands of homes without power.

Snow also covered parts of Switzerland and southwestern Germany on Saturday, and up to 40 centimetres of snowfall was predicted in higher parts of Germany's Black Forest.

Many motorists in Britain were forced to abandon their cars or were trapped in vehicles after becoming snowed in. Dozens of people travelling from Sheffield to London spent the night in a church after their bus became stuck.

Parts of northern England saw 11 centimetres of snow. Western Power Distribution said 36,000 customers were without power.

Liverpool's John Lennon Airport and Leeds Bradford International closed late Friday as workers cleared snow from the runways. The airports have reopened.

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World Juniors: Canada earns decisive win over Slovakia

Robby Fabbri had two goals and a pair of assists as Canada opened the world junior championship with a dominant 8-0 victory over Slovakia on Friday night.

Nic Petan had a goal and two helpers while Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, Jake Virtanen and Brayden Point each had a goal and an assist. Nick Paul also scored, while Sam Reinhart and Madison Bowey had two assists each.

Zach Fucale needed only 12 saves for the shutout, while Canada fired 34 shots at two Slovak goalies.

Canada will be the heavy favourite again when it faces Germany on Saturday night.

Canada got started in the first period with three goals in a 4:17 span.

Fabbri finished a tic-tac-toe play with Reinhart and Duclair at 4:52, Duclair took a feed from Domi alone in front and put a slick move on Denis Godla at 8:12 and Fabbri got behind the defence to take Nic Petan's pass and lift it over the Slovak goalie at 9:09.

Slovakia coach Ernest Bokros called a timeout and his team played managed to hold Canada off the rest of the period.

Paul fought off a check to lift one in 6:54 into the second frame while Point one-timed Petan's pass in at 11:38. That prompted a goaltending change as Godla, who stopped 18 of 23 shots, was replaced by David Okolicany.

Domi beat him cleanly with a long wrist shot to the top corner on a solo rush at 16:14 and Petan walked out of the a corner with the teams each short a man and zipped one under the crossbar at 17:21.

The Slovaks had one dangerous flurry early in the first period that was held off by Fucale, who wasn't threatened again until he made a big stop on Peter Cehlarik five minutes into the third. Slovakia faces Finland on Saturday.

Canada's top line of Connor McDavid, Curtis Lazar and Nick Ritchie didn't get a point, but didn't need to against over-matched Slovakia.

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Friends and relatives line up for wake of slain NYC police officer

Friends, relatives and colleagues of a policeman gunned down along with his partner lined up outside a church Friday and dozens of officers saluted as his flag-draped casket was carried inside for a daylong wake.

Uniformed city police officers hoisted the casket carrying the body of Officer Rafael Ramos on their shoulders as they made a solemn entrance into Christ Tabernacle Church in the Glendale section of Queens.

• Ismaaiyl Brinsley, NYC police shooter, had troubled past, criminal record


• Ismaaiyl Brinsley identified as suspect in shooting of 2 NYC officers

"Today we weep with the Ramos family, the New York City Police Department and our nation as we mourn the loss of our dear brother," Pastor Ralph Castillo said before the start of the wake. "We loved Rafael Ramos. We loved the way he served people, we loved his faithfulness and the way he served people, and we're going to miss him a great deal."

In the evening, hundreds of additional mourners were expected to spill into the streets outside the church to hear speakers eulogize Ramos. Several giant video screens were being set up for the event.

Ramos' funeral is scheduled for Saturday. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is expected to attend.

Ramos was killed in a brazen daytime ambush Dec. 20 along with Officer Wenjian Liu as they sat in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street. The shooter, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, later killed himself.

Ramos was a longstanding and deeply committed member of the church, where he served as an usher, according to family and friends.

"Whether he was helping a mom with a carriage or bringing someone to their seats, he did it with so much love and so much vigor and so much joy," Castillo said.

Fellow churchgoer Hilda Kiefer waited in line to enter the church for the officer's wake.

"We feel sorry for the family, and nobody deserves to die like this," Kiefer said.

His compassion was in contrast to the emotionally disturbed loner who killed the officers.

Investigators say Brinsley started his rampage by shooting and wounding an ex-girlfriend in Baltimore. He also posted online threats to police and made references to high-profile cases of unarmed black men killed by white police officers.

The killings ramped up emotions in the already tense national debate over police conduct. Since Ramos and Liu were killed, police in New York say they have arrested seven people accused of threatening officers.

Liu's funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

Ramos celebrated his 40th birthday this month. He joined the NYPD in 2012 after working as a school security officer.

The lifelong Brooklyn resident was married with two sons: a 13-year-old who is in middle school and one who attends Bowdoin College in Maine.

The Silver Shield Foundation, a charity founded by the late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, has set aside $40,000 for the education of Ramos' sons. Bowdoin College said it will cover Ramos' older son's education costs as long as he remains a student there.

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a charity created after Sept. 11, 2001, says it will pay off the home mortgages of the two slain officers

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Bargain hunters head to the malls for Boxing Day deals

New

The Canadian Press Posted: Dec 26, 2014 9:23 AM ET Last Updated: Dec 26, 2014 9:23 AM ET

Bargain hunters will be on the prowl at malls today for Boxing Day sales.

Those looking to buy the present they didn't get, unload gift cards or simply shop for the sake of shopping will be out spending on one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

Several major malls including Toronto's Eaton Centre, the West Edmonton Mall and Vancouver's Pacific Centre opened early to accommodate bargain hunters.

And, some online sellers including Amazon and Future Shop have already rolled out their Boxing Day deals.

A online survey commissioned by cash-back shopping site Ebates.ca found that about 40 per cent of Canadians plan to shop on Boxing Day.

The Retail Council of Canada has said holiday promotions are like a marathon, not a sprint, as many stores also take part in earlier Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

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The ultimate 2014 arts and entertainment quiz

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CBC News Posted: Dec 26, 2014 5:00 AM ET Last Updated: Dec 26, 2014 5:00 AM ET

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WW I soldiers' files being digitized by Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada is in the process of digitizing all soldiers' records from the First World War, the most requested items in its collection.

And it's not easy work.

Sylvain Bélanger, director-general in the stewardship branch of Library and Archives Canada, said there are about 640,000, and within each of those folders there are numerous documents. He estimates that, in the end, about four million images will be scanned and digitized.

One of the First World War files that will be available online within the next 12 to 18 months. (Mathieu Theriault/CBC)

"So that's a big effort for our team," Bélanger said, adding the project should take 12 to 18 months.

Each file must be prepared one at a time before the pages can be scanned. Staff remove metal clips and fasteners, while glue is removed from some pages.

And in some files, there are more than formal documents.

In one, staff found a piece of shrapnel. In another, an American social security card. Many have personal photographs, including one taken of a group of officers at a field hospital. The caption just reads "somewhere in France."

Bélanger says it brings these soldiers to life for the staff.

"Every time they go through the file, they find something different. Every soldier has got a history, has got something special related to him," he said.

Library and Archives Canada has been criticized in recent years for keeping too much of its collection locked away in vaults, making it difficult for the public to access. At one point, only two per cent of the entire collection was online. Now, four per cent of its material can be found with the click of a mouse.

A recent report from Auditor General Michael Ferguson was critical too, suggesting that the archives were not in touch with what Canadians want from the institution.

Just four per cent of Library and Archives Canada's collection has been digitized, a number the agency hopes to increase to 15 per cent. (Mathieu Theriault/CBC)

He said a disconnect happens when departments don't have a clear understanding of whether the services they are providing are meeting the needs of their clientele.

"When departments do not fully consider the on the ground impact of their activities, they're missing opportunities that they're hitting the mark for Canadians," Ferguson wrote.

Guy Berthiaume, who was named librarian and archivist of Canada six months ago, said he hopes to one day see 15 per cent of the collection digitized, but not much more than that.

"One-hundred per cent is not the goal. We're not going to go and digitize the phone book, all phone books in Canada. It doesn't make sense," he said.

Instead, Berthiaume would like to see more of the material in the vaults displayed in public exhibits across the country.

He points to why people continue to line up to see the Mona Lisa, even though they can Google the image easily.

"I'm not a psychologist. I can't explain it. But I know it when I feel it. It's a very different emotion when you're with the document than when you see it digitized," Berthiaume said.

Vancouver's chief librarian, Sandra Singh, is leading the digitization effort in her city.

She said Berthiaume's efforts are a step in the right direction.

"Fifteen per cent in the short timeline he's speaking about is pretty ambitious. I would hope over the long term to see even greater collections digitized and provided and made available to Canadians," Singh said.

Berthiaume is seeking the public's input on what should be digitized next. The public can vote on a Top 10 list that's on the website. There are also more public exhibits planned for 2015.

Singh can't wait to see more of what's in the vaults.

"I would suspect that in archives and libraries across the country there are boxes and boxes of collections that are just waiting to be opened, waiting to be described," she said. "Perhaps they'll be catalysts for the next great Canadian novel or the next really insightful piece of analysis of the Canadian story, and where we are and where we might be going."

Berthiaume agrees.

"We're still in the process of defining who we are. And if this institution can be felt as the place to go, to help people know themselves personally, through genealogy or globally through history, that would be a great undertaking," he said.

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WWI soldiers' files being digitized by Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada is in the process of digitizing all soldiers' records from the First World War, the most requested items in its collection.

And it's not easy work.

Sylvain Bélanger, director-general in the stewardship branch of Library and Archives Canada, said there are about 640,000, and within each of those folders there are numerous documents. He estimates that, in the end, about four million images will be scanned and digitized.

One of the First World War files that will be available online within the next 12 to 18 months. (Mathieu Theriault/CBC)

"So that's a big effort for our team," Bélanger said, adding the project should take 12 to 18 months.

Each file must be prepared one at a time before the pages can be scanned. Staff remove metal clips and fasteners, while glue is removed from some pages.

And in some files, there are more than formal documents.

In one, staff found a piece of shrapnel. In another, an American social security card. Many have personal photographs, including one taken of a group of officers at a field hospital. The caption just reads "somewhere in France."

Bélanger says it brings these soldiers to life for the staff.

"Every time they go through the file, they find something different. Every soldier has got a history, has got something special related to him," he said.

Library and Archives Canada has been criticized in recent years for keeping too much of its collection locked away in vaults, making it difficult for the public to access. At one point, only two per cent of the entire collection was online. Now, four per cent of its material can be found with the click of a mouse.

A recent report from Auditor General Michael Ferguson was critical too, suggesting that the archives were not in touch with what Canadians want from the institution.

Just four per cent of Library and Archives Canada's collection has been digitized, a number the agency hopes to increase to 15 per cent. (Mathieu Theriault/CBC)

He said a disconnect happens when departments don't have a clear understanding of whether the services they are providing are meeting the needs of their clientele.

"When departments do not fully consider the on the ground impact of their activities, they're missing opportunities that they're hitting the mark for Canadians," Ferguson wrote.

Guy Berthiaume, who was named librarian and archivist of Canada six months ago, said he hopes to one day see 15 per cent of the collection digitized, but not much more than that.

"One-hundred per cent is not the goal. We're not going to go and digitize the phone book, all phone books in Canada. It doesn't make sense," he said.

Instead, Berthiaume would like to see more of the material in the vaults displayed in public exhibits across the country.

He points to why people continue to line up to see the Mona Lisa, even though they can Google the image easily.

"I'm not a psychologist. I can't explain it. But I know it when I feel it. It's a very different emotion when you're with the document than when you see it digitized," Berthiaume said.

Vancouver's chief librarian, Sandra Singh, is leading the digitization effort in her city.

She said Berthiaume's efforts are a step in the right direction.

"Fifteen per cent in the short timeline he's speaking about is pretty ambitious. I would hope over the long term to see even greater collections digitized and provided and made available to Canadians," Singh said.

Berthiaume is seeking the public's input on what should be digitized next. The public can vote on a Top 10 list that's on the website. There are also more public exhibits planned for 2015.

Singh can't wait to see more of what's in the vaults.

"I would suspect that in archives and libraries across the country there are boxes and boxes of collections that are just waiting to be opened, waiting to be described," she said. "Perhaps they'll be catalysts for the next great Canadian novel or the next really insightful piece of analysis of the Canadian story, and where we are and where we might be going."

Berthiaume agrees.

"We're still in the process of defining who we are. And if this institution can be felt as the place to go, to help people know themselves personally, through genealogy or globally through history, that would be a great undertaking," he said.

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Former president George H. W. Bush to spend another night in hospital

Former U.S. president George H.W. Bush remained hospitalized on Thursday near his home in Houston after experiencing shortness of breath this week, and was in "great spirits," his spokesman said.

Bush, 90, was taken by ambulance to Houston Methodist Hospital on Tuesday. Spokesman Jim McGrath said on Wednesday that the 41st president's prognosis was positive and that he remained hospitalized as a precaution.

"President Bush had another terrific day and is in great spirits," McGrath said on Thursday in an emailed statement.

Bush's wife, Barbara, as well as son Neil and daughter-in-law Maria Bush visited the former president, McGrath said.

• Former U.S. president George H.W. Bush remains in hospital


• George H.W. Bush, a life in politics

"He asked that his sincere wishes for a very Merry Christmas be extended to one and all," McGrath said, adding that Bush will remain at the hospital Thursday evening.

The latest health scare comes two years after Bush, who was president from 1989 to 1993, was admitted to the same hospital for treatment of bronchitis and related ailments.

Bush spent seven weeks recuperating and became so ill he was believed at one point to be near death.

The former Republican president suffers from Parkinson's disease and cannot use his legs. But he celebrated his 90th birthday on June 12 by skydiving in Kennebunkport, Maine, with the Army's Golden Knight parachute team.

His eldest son, former president George W. Bush, this year published a best-selling book about his father, titled 41 - A Portrait of My Father.

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