nationalobserver--2020-11-19--Ontario auditor to release value-for-money audits on the environment

Ontario may not meet its greenhouse gas emission targets because they 're not a `` cross-government priority , '' the province 's auditor general said Wednesday , casting doubt on a key environmental pledge made by Premier Doug Ford .
Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk 's findings come in a series of environmental value-for-money audits released along with her annual review of the province 's Environmental Bill of Rights .
Lysyk found the Progressive Conservative government is not focused enough on reducing fossil fuel use or energy emissions from buildings , which could hinder efforts to fulfill the promise it made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 .
`` Our audit found the province risks its 2030 emission-reduction target , in part because climate change and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is not yet a cross-government priority , '' she said in a statement .
In 2018 , then environment minister Rod Phillips pledged that Ontario would meet Canada 's obligations under the Paris Agreement and introduced a plan to achieve that goal .
• The province ’ s gambit : Alberta group touts hydrogen economy as ‘ step ’ to net-zero world Under the Paris Agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in global average temperature to below 2 degrees Celcius – targets were set to reduce emissions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 .
For Ontario , that means a reduction in emissions from 161 megatonnes to 143 megatonnes by 2030 .
But Lysyk said two government ministries and a key agency on the file neither assess or enforce energy efficiency compliance for buildings despite it being a major contributor to Ontario 's greenhouse gas emissions .
She notes that use of natural gas to heat buildings is increasing and those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ontario , contributing approximately 24 per cent of the provincial total .
Lysyk said the energy ministry also does n't have a long-term energy plan that aligns with the province 's 2030 emissions targets .
The ministry has n't required the Ontario Energy Board to develop an updated natural gas conservation framework , the report said .
`` This means conservation efforts will likely remain at current levels , and opportunities for further emissions reductions may be missed , '' the report said .
Ontario may not meet its greenhouse gas emission targets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # climatechange # climatecrisis # ontpoli Lysyk said her findings could mean the province needs to re-assess its emissions plan and its targets .
`` I think they need to update the plan to be somewhat practical in what 's being communicated to the public , '' she said .
In another audit , Lysyk said her office found numerous instances of the province not following the rules under its own Environmental Bill of Rights .
The legislation , created in 1993 , enshrines the province 's responsibility to the environment and citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in many cases ministries are not providing enough time for consultation on legislation or not posting environmentally significant proposals publicly at all .
`` Given that the Environmental Bill of Rights has been with us for 26 years , the level of non-compliance by ministries is surprising , '' Lysyk said .
`` We strongly encourage the ministries to be more diligent in this regard . ''
Environment Minister Jeff Yurek defended the government 's record of complying with the Environmental Bill of Rights , and said the province remains committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's a difficult path , '' he said .
`` We 're not the the province with the largest reductions , but we 're in the top four of reducing emissions , and we have a long way to go . ''
NDP environment critic Peter Tabuns slammed the government for failing to live up to its commitments to address climate change .

Ontario may not meet its greenhouse gas emission targets because they're not a "cross-government priority," the province's auditor general said Wednesday, casting doubt on a key environmental pledge made by Premier Doug Ford. Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk's findings come in a series of environmental value-for-money audits released along with her annual review of the province's Environmental Bill of Rights. Lysyk found the Progressive Conservative government is not focused enough on reducing fossil fuel use or energy emissions from buildings, which could hinder efforts to fulfill the promise it made to fight climate change after taking office in 2018. "Our audit found the province risks its 2030 emission-reduction target, in part because climate change and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is not yet a cross-government priority," she said in a statement. In 2018, then environment minister Rod Phillips pledged that Ontario would meet Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement and introduced a plan to achieve that goal.
Under the Paris Agreement – which commits to keeping the increase in global average temperature to below 2 degrees Celcius – targets were set to reduce emissions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. For Ontario, that means a reduction in emissions from 161 megatonnes to 143 megatonnes by 2030. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions But Lysyk said two government ministries and a key agency on the file neither assess or enforce energy efficiency compliance for buildings despite it being a major contributor to Ontario's greenhouse gas emissions.
She notes that use of natural gas to heat buildings is increasing and those emissions are the third largest source in Ontario, contributing approximately 24 per cent of the provincial total. Ontario may not meet its greenhouse gas emission targets the province's auditor general says. #climatechange #climatecrisis #ontpoli Lysyk said the energy ministry also doesn't have a long-term energy plan that aligns with the province's 2030 emissions targets. The ministry hasn't required the Ontario Energy Board to develop an updated natural gas conservation framework, the report said. "This means conservation efforts will likely remain at current levels, and opportunities for further emissions reductions may be missed," the report said. Lysyk said her findings could mean the province needs to re-assess its emissions plan and its targets. "I think they need to update the plan to be somewhat practical in what's being communicated to the public," she said.
In another audit, Lysyk said her office found numerous instances of the province not following the rules under its own Environmental Bill of Rights. The legislation, created in 1993, enshrines the province's responsibility to the environment and citizen's participation in decision-making. Lysyk said that in many cases ministries are not providing enough time for consultation on legislation or not posting environmentally significant proposals publicly at all.


nationalobserver--2020-11-19--Security and health experts to lead review of pandemic warning system

A former national security adviser will lead a probe of whether Canada 's pandemic warning system failed just before COVID-19 struck , Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Wednesday .
Margaret Bloodworth will chair a three-member review panel studying what went wrong with the Global Public Health Intelligence Network .
She will be joined by former deputy public health officer Dr. Paul Gully and Mylaine Breton , who studies the organization of front-line health care at Université de Sherbrooke in Quebec .
The network , known commonly as GPHIN , was created more than two decades ago and helped flag both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu in 2009 , before either really exploded .
It is a big part of the World Health Organization 's work gathering intelligence on health concerns arising around the world , such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014 .
But its focus on international outbreaks of disease shifted in 2019 when the Public Health Agency of Canada adjusted the network 's mandate to focus more on domestic matters .
• The province ’ s gambit : Alberta group touts hydrogen economy as ‘ step ’ to net-zero world Some experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much early intelligence or consistent warnings on the novel coronavirus as it emerged in China last fall .
Dr. Theresa Tam , the federal chief public health officer , has said GPHIN notified her last Dec. 31 of a mysterious cluster of pneumonia cases linked to a potentially new virus , and notified her provincial counterparts within days .
According to Chinese reports , that was just four days after Chinese authorities were notified by doctors in Hubei province about a SARS-like virus causing pneumonia — but a month after the first discussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China .
GPHIN 's warning also was issued the day after a warning came from ProMED , a similar alerting system run by the International Society for Infectious Diseases .
At the end of October Tam said COVID-19 has provided many lessons for public health about the systems Canada had in place to respond to an emerging pandemic , what worked and what did n't , including as it relates to GPHIN .
`` GPHIN is something that we should be proud of , '' Tam said , at a news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We need to think about what the next iteration of GPHIN looks like . ''
Hajdu said she ordered the review after scientists at the Public Health Agency of Canada said their concerns about GPHIN 's priorities were not being heard by senior officials at the agency .
She said the three panellists will report to her in the spring .
`` I think that they will do an exemplary job at discovering why those decisions were made , '' Hajdu said .
Hajdu said a network like GPHIN is `` a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think it 's very , very important that we understand what happened and , furthermore , how we ensure that we build it up to to make sure it has the strongest potential to alert Canada to emerging health threats , both globally but also here domestically , '' she said .
Conservative health critic Michelle Rempel Garner said Hajdu does n't need a review panel because the decisions to adjust GPHIN 's priorities would not have been finalized without the minister herself signing off on the plan .
`` Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who did ? ''
said Rempel Garner .
`` I do n't think we need an inquiry for that .
We just need them to be honest . ''

A former national security adviser will lead a probe of whether Canada's pandemic warning system failed just before COVID-19 struck, Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Wednesday. Margaret Bloodworth will chair a three-member review panel studying what went wrong with the Global Public Health Intelligence Network. She will be joined by former deputy public health officer Dr. Paul Gully and Mylaine Breton, who studies the organization of front-line health care at Université de Sherbrooke in Quebec. The network, known commonly as GPHIN, was created more than two decades ago and helped flag both the SARS pandemic in 2003 and H1N1 flu in 2009, before either really exploded. It is a big part of the World Health Organization's work gathering intelligence on health concerns arising around the world, such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014. But its focus on international outbreaks of disease shifted in 2019 when the Public Health Agency of Canada adjusted the network's mandate to focus more on domestic matters.
Some experts have said that shift left Canada without much early intelligence or consistent warnings on the novel coronavirus as it emerged in China last fall. Dr. Theresa Tam, the federal chief public health officer, has said GPHIN notified her last Dec. 31 of a mysterious cluster of pneumonia cases linked to a potentially new virus, and notified her provincial counterparts within days. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions According to Chinese reports, that was just four days after Chinese authorities were notified by doctors in Hubei province about a SARS-like virus causing pneumonia — but a month after the first discussion of symptoms of an unknown virus began in China.
GPHIN's warning also was issued the day after a warning came from ProMED, a similar alerting system run by the International Society for Infectious Diseases. A former national security adviser to probe Canada's pandemic warning system. #COVID19 #cdnpoli #pandemic At the end of October Tam said COVID-19 has provided many lessons for public health about the systems Canada had in place to respond to an emerging pandemic, what worked and what didn't, including as it relates to GPHIN. "GPHIN is something that we should be proud of," Tam said, at a news conference releasing her annual report Oct. 28. "We need to think about what the next iteration of GPHIN looks like." Hajdu said she ordered the review after scientists at the Public Health Agency of Canada said their concerns about GPHIN's priorities were not being heard by senior officials at the agency. She said the three panellists will report to her in the spring. "I think that they will do an exemplary job at discovering why those decisions were made," Hajdu said.
Hajdu said a network like GPHIN is "a critically important tool for Canada." "I think it's very, very important that we understand what happened and, furthermore, how we ensure that we build it up to to make sure it has the strongest potential to alert Canada to emerging health threats, both globally but also here domestically," she said. Conservative health critic Michelle Rempel Garner said Hajdu doesn't need a review panel because the decisions to adjust GPHIN's priorities would not have been finalized without the minister herself signing off on the plan.


nationalobserver--2020-11-19--Canada-U.S. border closure extended another month as American COVID-19 cases rise

The Canada-U.S. border is set to remain closed well into December .
A federal source speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly confirmed the 30-day rollover of the closure that was set to expire on Friday .
Visits such as vacations , day trips and cross-border shopping excursions have been forbidden since March in an effort to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus .
The mutual restrictions have been jointly extended on a monthly basis by the two countries ever since they were first imposed .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is clear evidence the COVID-19 pandemic is slowing in the United States , which is it is clearly not .
• The province ’ s gambit : Alberta group touts hydrogen economy as ‘ step ’ to net-zero world The U.S. is setting daily records for new cases and hospitalization rates , and the death toll is tracking toward 250,000 .
The travel ban does not apply to those who must cross to ensure the continued flow of goods and essential services , including truckers and hospital staff .
Canada has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members .
American states and cities are also imposing rigid new restrictions on bars and restaurants as health officials urge caution before the Nov. 26 Thanksgiving holiday .
U.S. President Donald Trump , meanwhile , continues to stonewall his duly elected successor , Joe Biden .
Biden , who is trying to implement a strategy to battle the virus , says Trump 's refusal to co-operate with his transition team could result in even more U.S. deaths .
The Canada-U.S. border is set to remain closed well into December .
# USCanada # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides need to co-ordinate on a plan to distribute promising new COVID-19 vaccines so they can be deployed as soon as they 're ready .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 18 , 2020 .

The Canada-U.S. border is set to remain closed well into December.
A federal source speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly confirmed the 30-day rollover of the closure that was set to expire on Friday.
Visits such as vacations, day trips and cross-border shopping excursions have been forbidden since March in an effort to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The mutual restrictions have been jointly extended on a monthly basis by the two countries ever since they were first imposed.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said the ban won't be eased until there is clear evidence the COVID-19 pandemic is slowing in the United States, which is it is clearly not.


nationalobserver--2020-11-19--Building a farm — and food security — where a northern highway ends

Ken Shaw knew it was time to expand his front garden when panic buying at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak stripped the shelves in his local grocery store .
“ I just took over the boulevard , ” said the Prince Rupert , B.C.-based agrologist and professor at Coast Mountain College , who started putting planter boxes in vacant parking spaces along the cul-de-sac in March .
By autumn , he ’ d donated over $ 2,000 worth of vegetables to the local food bank on top of feeding friends and family .
“ My goal was to demonstrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible , ” he said .
Few people grow food in Prince Rupert , but that may soon change .
This fall , Ecotrust Canada , a local community development organization , announced it had received funding to build a demonstration and teaching farm on a vacant downtown lot .
The farm is the first step of a larger initiative by the organization to increase food security in region .
Empty shelves in Prince Rupert 's grocery stores early in the pandemic prompted Ken Shaw to expand his garden onto the street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended up producing roughly $ 125 worth of food each week , which he donated to a local food bank .
Photo by Ken Shaw “ There ’ s this narrative in Prince Rupert that you can ’ t grow food here because we don ’ t have a lot of flat land , and whatever is flat is muskeg or bedrock , and it rains all the time , ” said Alexie Stephens , program manager in the Skeena region for Ecotrust Canada , and the project ’ s co-ordinator .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change.
” • The province ’ s gambit : Alberta group touts hydrogen economy as ‘ step ’ to net-zero world Roughly 17 per cent of households in northern B.C .
are food insecure , according to the province ’ s Provincial Health Services Authority .
Prince Rupert and the surrounding areas are particularly hard hit , with about a fifth of the census region ’ s population classified as low-income by Statistics Canada .
The issue is compounded by the city 's remoteness .
Prince Rupert is an 18-hour drive away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 78 per cent of B.C.
’ s food .
It ’ s literally at the end of the road , meaning that food is more expensive and less fresh than in southern parts of the province .
These are problems the farm will address , and not only by growing food .
The space will be open to everyone , explained Stephens , and act as a food-centred hub for the town .
The farm itself will be made up of planter beds to avoid contaminants that might be lurking in the vacant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will include lessons on agricultural techniques and season-long support for new gardeners in the community .
Excess food grown in the garden will be donated to local food security organizations , and planter beds will be available for community groups who want to grow food for fundraisers .
“ There ’ s this narrative in Prince Rupert that you can ’ t grow # food here , ” said Alexie Stephens of @ Ecotrustcanada .
“ That ’ s something we want to change . ''
# urbanfarming # sustainableagriculture # foodsecurity “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt it was a good fit in supporting two key goals that we ’ ve identified in recent community planning efforts — the revitalization of our downtown and supporting broader aims of food security for our region , ” said Lee Brain , mayor of Prince Rupert , in a written statement .
Breaking news !
The Northwest Food Systems Initiative , a new partnership project by the City of Prince Rupert and Ecotrust Canada , has received support from the Northern Development under its Strategic Initiatives Fund .
# foodsecurity # resilientrecoveryhttps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ecotrustcanada ) November 6 , 2020 The municipal government is a partner on the project and helped secure funding through the Northern Development Initiative Trust , a regional non-profit that supports grassroots economic development initiatives .
And the farm is only the first part of the project , Stephens said .
Eventually , she aims to create a distribution network with Prince Rupert and other communities in northern B.C .
“ We ’ re finding through research and listening to people in this community and across the region that there ’ s great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smithers , in Haida Gwaii .
But not many of the communities are talking to each other , ” she said .
Vast distances between communities — the nearest major town , Terrace , is about 150 kilometres away — make it difficult for local fish harvesters , farmers and ranchers to distribute their products across the region .
That means , for instance , that it ’ s harder to buy beef from Smithers , an inland community with ranches and more arable land , in Prince Rupert than it is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ ( This project ) is not just about the goods that we ’ re producing on the urban farm , but it ’ s also creating a network that locals have access to that brings them food from other local areas in a relatively affordable way.
” Still , Stephens hopes the farm will give more than just food .
“ The idea is also really a gathering place for people to come and share ideas and learn from each other.
” More than half Prince Rupert 's population is Indigenous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and cultural divides , cut through the community , she explained .
Addressing them is a key part of the farm ’ s programming and will build on previous partnerships between Ecotrust Canada and local Indigenous organizations .
“ Bringing together people around food seems like a natural way to bridge divides .
It can be a pretty neutral territory to be able to share food with individuals and put other things aside , ” she said .

Ken Shaw knew it was time to expand his front garden when panic buying at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak stripped the shelves in his local grocery store. “I just took over the boulevard,” said the Prince Rupert, B.C.-based agrologist and professor at Coast Mountain College, who started putting planter boxes in vacant parking spaces along the cul-de-sac in March. By autumn, he’d donated over $2,000 worth of vegetables to the local food bank on top of feeding friends and family. “My goal was to demonstrate what is possible with as little impact as possible,” he said. Few people grow food in Prince Rupert, but that may soon change. This fall, Ecotrust Canada, a local community development organization, announced it had received funding to build a demonstration and teaching farm on a vacant downtown lot. The farm is the first step of a larger initiative by the organization to increase food security in region. Empty shelves in Prince Rupert's grocery stores early in the pandemic prompted Ken Shaw to expand his garden onto the street in front of his house. It ended up producing roughly $125 worth of food each week, which he donated to a local food bank. Photo by Ken Shaw
“There’s this narrative in Prince Rupert that you can’t grow food here because we don’t have a lot of flat land, and whatever is flat is muskeg or bedrock, and it rains all the time,” said Alexie Stephens, program manager in the Skeena region for Ecotrust Canada, and the project’s co-ordinator. “That’s something we want to change.” Roughly 17 per cent of households in northern B.C. are food insecure, according to the province’s Provincial Health Services Authority. Prince Rupert and the surrounding areas are particularly hard hit, with about a fifth of the census region’s population classified as low-income by Statistics Canada. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The issue is compounded by the city's remoteness. Prince Rupert is an 18-hour drive away from Vancouver, the distribution hub for about 78 per cent of B.C.’s food. It’s literally at the end of the road, meaning that food is more expensive and less fresh than in southern parts of the province.
“There’s this narrative in Prince Rupert that you can’t grow #food here,” said Alexie Stephens of @Ecotrustcanada. “That’s something we want to change." #urbanfarming #sustainableagriculture #foodsecurity These are problems the farm will address, and not only by growing food. The space will be open to everyone, explained Stephens, and act as a food-centred hub for the town. The farm itself will be made up of planter beds to avoid contaminants that might be lurking in the vacant lot’s natural soil. Programming will include lessons on agricultural techniques and season-long support for new gardeners in the community. Excess food grown in the garden will be donated to local food security organizations, and planter beds will be available for community groups who want to grow food for fundraisers. “(The City of Prince Rupert) felt it was a good fit in supporting two key goals that we’ve identified in recent community planning efforts — the revitalization of our downtown and supporting broader aims of food security for our region,” said Lee Brain, mayor of Prince Rupert, in a written statement. Breaking news! The Northwest Food Systems Initiative, a new partnership project by the City of Prince Rupert and Ecotrust Canada, has received support from the Northern Development under its Strategic Initiatives Fund. #foodsecurity #resilientrecoveryhttps://t.co/wppc5JXWCT — Ecotrust Canada (@ecotrustcanada) November 6, 2020
The municipal government is a partner on the project and helped secure funding through the Northern Development Initiative Trust, a regional non-profit that supports grassroots economic development initiatives. And the farm is only the first part of the project, Stephens said. Eventually, she aims to create a distribution network with Prince Rupert and other communities in northern B.C. “We’re finding through research and listening to people in this community and across the region that there’s great food stuff happening in Terrace, in Smithers, in Haida Gwaii. But not many of the communities are talking to each other,” she said.


nationalobserver--2020-11-20--Canada’s future hangs in the balance, Trudeau says, as COVID-19 cases rise

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is warning that Canada ’ s future hangs in the balance if people don ’ t reduce their contacts to prevent dire new COVID-19 projections from becoming a reality .
While Ontario is moving two hot spots into a lockdown stage to try to stave off such a scenario , Quebec wavered on the question of whether exceptions should be made in the name of the holiday spirit .
Trudeau summoned his full powers of persuasion on Friday to bring home the stakes of federal forecasts predicting that Canada is on track to see tens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if there isn ’ t a severe reduction in socialization .
He urged Canadians to reverse the grave trajectory by staying home and strictly limiting contacts during a news conference outside his home at Rideau Cottage , the site of the prime minister ’ s daily briefings during the first wave of the pandemic last spring .
After weeks of similar calls , Trudeau warned that if Canadians don ’ t take immediate action , the consequences may be felt for generations to come .
• Crisis ?
What crisis ?
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a profitable 2020 `` This is the future of our country .
It ’ s the future of our children .
It ’ s the future of our loved ones and our seniors , '' Trudeau said .
`` It ’ s our economy , it ’ s our businesses , it ’ s everything altogether . ''
The caution came as public health authorities released their latest modelling on Friday indicating that COVID-19 case counts have far surpassed levels seen during the first wave .
If Canadians increase their contact rates going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could skyrocket to 60,000 per day by the end of the year , according to the updated projections .
That would be a twelvefold increase from the current level of around 5,000 cases per day , which is already putting pressure on health-care systems in some regions .
At current rates of contact , officials predict that Canada is headed toward a surge of more than 20,000 cases per day by the end of December .
Trudeau said closures may be necessary to slow the spread of the virus in some regions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping businesses shoulder lost revenues .
`` This is the future of our country .
It ’ s the future of our children .
It ’ s the future of our loved ones and our seniors , '' Trudeau said Friday , standing outside Rideau Cottage , the site of his daily briefings during the first wave .
# COVID19 But Trudeau said the long-term economic fallout of out-of-control transmission far outweighs the short-term costs of shutdowns .
`` Doing things to protect people ’ s health is the best way to minimize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trudeau said .
`` Going into lockdown and supporting businesses ... is a better way of ensuring their success in a few months , in a few years , than trying to tough ( it out ) through a virus that is running around unchecked . ''
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said the Liberal government ’ s appeals for people to just stay home ring hollow without more support for those who have no choice but to leave their homes to work , often in essential occupations .
Meanwhile , Ontario is moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown in an effort to curtail rampant community spread .
Starting Monday , indoor gatherings will be restricted to members of the same household in the two regions , which have reported the highest number of daily cases for weeks .
Authorities are also asking residents to avoid leaving the house for non-essential reasons .
Other strictures include limiting non-essential retailers to curbside pickup , banning indoor dining at restaurants and bars and capacity limits at grocery stores , pharmacies and big-box retailers .
Premier Doug Ford , who has been reluctant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said urgent action was necessary to avoid a projected spike in infections that could overwhelm intensive care units and lead to greater loss of life .
Ontario reported 1,418 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday , along with eight new deaths related to the virus .
Manitoba ’ s chief public health officer echoed federal pleas for people to stay home as much as possible as the province reported 437 new cases on Friday .
Dr. Brent Roussin said further restrictions could be imposed if conditions don ’ t improve in Steinbach , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Winnipeg , where the test positivity rate has been roughly 40 per cent over the last 10 days .
A local hospital reported it had to triage patients in their cars because there was no room inside .
Manitoba has already faced a series of tightening rules as the province has jumped to the top of the country ’ s per-capita infection rate .
Quebec reported 1,259 new COVID-19 infections on Friday and 32 more deaths related to the virus .
And while the province remains in partial lockdown , Premier Francois Legault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lift restrictions on gatherings for four days — between Dec. 24 and Dec. 27 — so people can spend Christmas with their families .
But public health officials said on Friday that Quebecers will only be able to firm up their plans for the holidays on Dec. 17 , cautioning that recommendations could change depending on the status of the outbreak .
Also on Friday , Canada ’ s chief public health officer urged individuals and public health authorities to do everything in their power to bring infection rates down to manageable levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need for Canadians to minimize their contacts , warning that if socialization rises above current levels , Canada could be careening toward a worst-case scenario .
`` Absolutely do not go above what we have now , '' Tam told reporters .
`` Otherwise , we ’ re really in trouble . ''
The strain on the health-care system is already showing in some regions , said Tam , with some hospitals postponing important medical procedures and intensive care units reaching near or full capacity .
Tam pointed to western European countries confronting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Canada could be heading , and what it will take to douse the wildfire spread of the virus .
Countries such as France and Belgium are starting to curb massive case increases and surging hospitalizations after closing non-essential businesses and limiting outings , said Tam .
The federal forecasts predict that at current rates , Canada ’ s case total could land between 366,500 and 378,600 and the death toll could fall between 11,870 and 12,120 by the end of the month .
Currently , Tam said an average of 4,800 COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase of about 15 per cent from last week .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 20 , 2020 .

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is warning that Canada’s future hangs in the balance if people don’t reduce their contacts to prevent dire new COVID-19 projections from becoming a reality. While Ontario is moving two hot spots into a lockdown stage to try to stave off such a scenario, Quebec wavered on the question of whether exceptions should be made in the name of the holiday spirit. Trudeau summoned his full powers of persuasion on Friday to bring home the stakes of federal forecasts predicting that Canada is on track to see tens of thousands of new COVID-19 cases per day if there isn’t a severe reduction in socialization. He urged Canadians to reverse the grave trajectory by staying home and strictly limiting contacts during a news conference outside his home at Rideau Cottage, the site of the prime minister’s daily briefings during the first wave of the pandemic last spring. After weeks of similar calls, Trudeau warned that if Canadians don’t take immediate action, the consequences may be felt for generations to come.
"This is the future of our country. It’s the future of our children. It’s the future of our loved ones and our seniors," Trudeau said. "It’s our economy, it’s our businesses, it’s everything altogether." The caution came as public health authorities released their latest modelling on Friday indicating that COVID-19 case counts have far surpassed levels seen during the first wave. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions If Canadians increase their contact rates going into the holiday season, COVID-19 cases could skyrocket to 60,000 per day by the end of the year, according to the updated projections.
That would be a twelvefold increase from the current level of around 5,000 cases per day, which is already putting pressure on health-care systems in some regions. "This is the future of our country. It’s the future of our children. It’s the future of our loved ones and our seniors," Trudeau said Friday, standing outside Rideau Cottage, the site of his daily briefings during the first wave. #COVID19 At current rates of contact, officials predict that Canada is headed toward a surge of more than 20,000 cases per day by the end of December. Trudeau said closures may be necessary to slow the spread of the virus in some regions, pledging his government’s commitment to helping businesses shoulder lost revenues. But Trudeau said the long-term economic fallout of out-of-control transmission far outweighs the short-term costs of shutdowns. "Doing things to protect people’s health is the best way to minimize lasting damage to the economy," Trudeau said.
"Going into lockdown and supporting businesses ... is a better way of ensuring their success in a few months, in a few years, than trying to tough (it out) through a virus that is running around unchecked." NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said the Liberal government’s appeals for people to just stay home ring hollow without more support for those who have no choice but to leave their homes to work, often in essential occupations. Meanwhile, Ontario is moving Toronto and the neighbouring Peel Region into lockdown in an effort to curtail rampant community spread.


nationalobserver--2020-11-20--Election-interference warning systems mandate should be extended: evaluation

OTTAWA — A new evaluation says the Trudeau government should consider activating its election-interference warning system not just during the next general campaign but also in the pre-writ period .
For the 2019 election the government established a `` critical election incident public protocol '' amid concerns that rogue players might try to manipulate candidates or voters .
The evaluation by former senior public servant Jim Judd , made public Friday , says although there were no significant incidents to trigger the protocol last year , it was successfully implemented .
Under the protocol , if the government became aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period , security agencies would brief a panel composed of the Privy Council clerk ( the country ’ s top public servant ) , the national security adviser and the deputy ministers of foreign affairs , justice and public safety .
If the panel found there a substantial threat to a free and fair election , it would tell the prime minister , political party officials and Elections Canada and then a public announcement will be made .
• Crisis ?
What crisis ?
One of Canada ’ s largest landlords is having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is known about the incident and any steps they should take to protect themselves .
Judd suggests changing the operational time frame for the panel to include both the writ and pre-writ periods .
`` The principal reason is that it is unlikely that any potential foreign interference would be confined to the writ period alone , '' the evaluation says .
`` A recent case in point is the cyberattacks on the Australian parliament and three of the largest political parties .
Those were carried out before the 2019 election campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel ’ s time frame would allow the revelation of any foreign interference to be made by a non-partisan body , thereby diminishing the possibility the government might be accused of using national security for partisan advantage , Judd adds .
The evaluation acknowledges that given the current minority-government scenario , it would not be possible to make this change if the Liberals suddenly lose the confidence of the House of Commons , triggering an election before the next scheduled ballot in October 2023 .
A new evaluation says the Trudeau government should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just during the next general campaign but also in the pre-writ period .
# cdnpoli This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 20 , 2020 .

OTTAWA — A new evaluation says the Trudeau government should consider activating its election-interference warning system not just during the next general campaign but also in the pre-writ period.
For the 2019 election the government established a "critical election incident public protocol" amid concerns that rogue players might try to manipulate candidates or voters.
The evaluation by former senior public servant Jim Judd, made public Friday, says although there were no significant incidents to trigger the protocol last year, it was successfully implemented.
Under the protocol, if the government became aware of an interference attempt during the writ period, security agencies would brief a panel composed of the Privy Council clerk (the country’s top public servant), the national security adviser and the deputy ministers of foreign affairs, justice and public safety.
If the panel found there a substantial threat to a free and fair election, it would tell the prime minister, political party officials and Elections Canada and then a public announcement will be made.


nationalobserver--2020-11-20--Many loopholes in international ban on heavy fuel in Arctic shipping: environmentalists

Environmental groups say a new ban on a highly polluting shipping fuel in Arctic waters is full of gaps and Canada should not make use of loopholes in the new regulations for heavy fuel oil .
`` Arctic states and communities have been calling for a complete ban , not a half-ban , '' said Andrew Dumbrille of the World Wildlife Fund .
This week , the International Maritime Organization approved regulations originally drafted last February on heavy fuel oil .
The new rules ban use of the fuel after July 1 , 2024 .
The agreement , reached by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee , allows countries with Arctic coastlines to grant waivers to ships sailing under their flags until 2029 .
Double-hulled ships are also able to keep burning the fuel until 2029 .
That means shippers will be able to keep burning the fuel responsible for almost half the black carbon released into the Arctic for nearly a decade .
Black carbon , a type of soot , darkens sea ice and hastens its melt .
• Crisis ?
What crisis ?
One of Canada ’ s largest landlords is having a profitable 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left when all other components of crude oil have been distilled off .
It is highly toxic and difficult to clean up in the event of a spill .
`` A catastrophic spill in the Arctic — you can ’ t measure those costs , '' said Dumbrille .
`` The social costs , the cleanup costs , the impact to livelihoods and communities and to nature ... it ’ s not even measurable . ''
A moderate spill in Russia in 2003 had visible impacts on marine mammals more than a decade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven out of eight Arctic countries , as well as by Indigenous groups such as the Inuit Circumpolar Conference and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. , which oversees the Nunavut land claim .
Russia , where most Arctic shipping takes place , held out for the loopholes , said Dumbrille .
`` In order to keep Russia in the tent , the other Arctic states had to acquiesce . ''
`` A catastrophic spill in the Arctic — you can ’ t measure those costs , '' said Andrew Dumbrille of the World Wildlife Fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleanup costs , the impact to livelihoods and communities and to nature ... it ’ s not even measurable . ''
Heavy fuel oil has been banned in the Antarctic for years .
A Transport Canada spokeswoman wouldn ’ t say if Canada will use the waivers to allow ships to keep using the fuel after 2024 .
`` Any decisions taken with respect to the ban will align with the mandate of Transport Canada to ensure a safe , secure , efficient , and environmentally responsible implementation of a heavy fuel oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frederica Dupuis wrote in an email .
Canadian Arctic families depend heavily on sea shipments for domestic goods .
A Transport Canada study found that switching to cleaner fuels could raise costs for households by up to $ 650 a year .
Dumbrille said the cost difference has shrunk and that figure is out of date .
The Nunavut government and Inuit groups have suggested compensation should be made available to make up for increased costs .
Dupuis said Canada will continue to consult with industry and Indigenous communities .
`` The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic realities of these communities , and therefore continues to work and help them to find ways to adapt to any changes . ''
Dupuis added that Canada continues to support a phased-in ban of heavy fuel oil .

Environmental groups say a new ban on a highly polluting shipping fuel in Arctic waters is full of gaps and Canada should not make use of loopholes in the new regulations for heavy fuel oil. "Arctic states and communities have been calling for a complete ban, not a half-ban," said Andrew Dumbrille of the World Wildlife Fund. This week, the International Maritime Organization approved regulations originally drafted last February on heavy fuel oil. The new rules ban use of the fuel after July 1, 2024. The agreement, reached by consensus by the organization’s environmental committee, allows countries with Arctic coastlines to grant waivers to ships sailing under their flags until 2029. Double-hulled ships are also able to keep burning the fuel until 2029. That means shippers will be able to keep burning the fuel responsible for almost half the black carbon released into the Arctic for nearly a decade. Black carbon, a type of soot, darkens sea ice and hastens its melt.
Heavy fuel oil is what’s left when all other components of crude oil have been distilled off. It is highly toxic and difficult to clean up in the event of a spill. "A catastrophic spill in the Arctic — you can’t measure those costs," said Dumbrille. "The social costs, the cleanup costs, the impact to livelihoods and communities and to nature ... it’s not even measurable." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions A moderate spill in Russia in 2003 had visible impacts on marine mammals more than a decade later.
The ban was supported by seven out of eight Arctic countries, as well as by Indigenous groups such as the Inuit Circumpolar Conference and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., which oversees the Nunavut land claim. "A catastrophic spill in the Arctic — you can’t measure those costs," said Andrew Dumbrille of the World Wildlife Fund. "The social costs, the cleanup costs, the impact to livelihoods and communities and to nature ... it’s not even measurable." Russia, where most Arctic shipping takes place, held out for the loopholes, said Dumbrille. "In order to keep Russia in the tent, the other Arctic states had to acquiesce." Heavy fuel oil has been banned in the Antarctic for years. A Transport Canada spokeswoman wouldn’t say if Canada will use the waivers to allow ships to keep using the fuel after 2024.
"Any decisions taken with respect to the ban will align with the mandate of Transport Canada to ensure a safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible implementation of a heavy fuel oil prohibition in the Canadian Arctic," Frederica Dupuis wrote in an email. Canadian Arctic families depend heavily on sea shipments for domestic goods. A Transport Canada study found that switching to cleaner fuels could raise costs for households by up to $650 a year. Dumbrille said the cost difference has shrunk and that figure is out of date.


nationalobserver--2020-11-20--Process for appointing federal judges unconstitutional, lawsuit alleges

TORONTO — Canada ’ s process for appointing federal judges is unconstitutional because it is open to partisan political interference , a new lawsuit claims .
The unproven application was filed in Federal Court by Democracy Watch , a non-profit advocating for democratic reform and government accountability .
In its court filing , Democracy Watch asserts the Canadian system gives too much discretionary power to the justice minister , who appoints all Federal Court and Superior Court judges .
The application notes the cabinet position is itself a political appointment .
Currently , provincial advisory committees — members are chosen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of candidates to the minister .
The minister , who has a dual role as attorney general , in turn puts the lists to cabinet as well as to members of Parliament from the governing party , the filing states .
Ultimately , the appointment decision falls to the minister `` based , at least in part , on the opinions of these politicians from , and members of , the ruling party and hand-picked AG appointees , '' the application states .
• Crisis ?
What crisis ?
One of Canada ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 `` The AG ’ s discretionary and ultimately political role in the appointments system creates and perpetuates actual bias or the reasonable apprehension of bias . ''
Judicial appointments in Canada seldom garner the kind of headlines the partisan confirmation process in the U.S. recently generated after President Donald Trump ’ s highly politicized appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court .
However , Duff Conacher , with Democracy Watch , said there are similarities here .
`` Like the U.S. judicial appointments system , Canada ’ s federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and control to ensure that appointments are based on merit , and that the judiciary is actually independent and impartial , '' Conacher , the group ’ s co-founder , said .
The lawsuit , yet to be tested , asks Federal Court to declare the system violates the Constitution and infringes fair trial and other rights .
It also wants the court to offer direction on how to fix the alleged problem .
The government would not comment given the lawsuit is before the courts but a spokeswoman for Attorney General David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and merit-based .
A new lawsuit filed in Federal Court argues Canada 's judicial appointments system violates the Constitution and infringes on fair trial and other rights .
# cdnpoli The appointment decision takes in several factors , such as the needs of the court , the diversity of the bench and a candidate ’ s expertise , Rachel Rappaport said .
“ Our government is proud of the more than 400 outstanding jurists , women and men , who we have appointed to the bench , and the transparent and accountable appointments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Rappaport said in a statement .
According to the lawsuit , the minister ’ s control of who gets to sit on the bench creates a `` politicized and partisan system . ''
The problem , the filing states , starts with the attorney general ’ s outsized role in appointing six of the seven members of provincial advisory councils , which recommend suitable candidates .
The recommended list is forwarded for input to cabinet and various MPs from the government ’ s party among others .
Ultimately , the suit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointment choice is based at least in part on his hand-picked advisory panel and the opinions of the politicians and members of the governing party .
A key problem is the resulting `` woeful '' under-representation on the bench of women , visible minorities and Indigenous people , Democracy Watch alleges .
This in turn risks harm to the disproportionately high numbers of Black and Indigenous people who face charges , it claims .

TORONTO — Canada’s process for appointing federal judges is unconstitutional because it is open to partisan political interference, a new lawsuit claims. The unproven application was filed in Federal Court by Democracy Watch, a non-profit advocating for democratic reform and government accountability. In its court filing, Democracy Watch asserts the Canadian system gives too much discretionary power to the justice minister, who appoints all Federal Court and Superior Court judges. The application notes the cabinet position is itself a political appointment. Currently, provincial advisory committees — members are chosen by the minister — submit a list of candidates to the minister. The minister, who has a dual role as attorney general, in turn puts the lists to cabinet as well as to members of Parliament from the governing party, the filing states. Ultimately, the appointment decision falls to the minister "based, at least in part, on the opinions of these politicians from, and members of, the ruling party and hand-picked AG appointees," the application states.
"The AG’s discretionary and ultimately political role in the appointments system creates and perpetuates actual bias or the reasonable apprehension of bias." Judicial appointments in Canada seldom garner the kind of headlines the partisan confirmation process in the U.S. recently generated after President Donald Trump’s highly politicized appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions However, Duff Conacher, with Democracy Watch, said there are similarities here.
"Like the U.S. judicial appointments system, Canada’s federal system is too open to political influence and control to ensure that appointments are based on merit, and that the judiciary is actually independent and impartial," Conacher, the group’s co-founder, said. A new lawsuit filed in Federal Court argues Canada's judicial appointments system violates the Constitution and infringes on fair trial and other rights. #cdnpoli The lawsuit, yet to be tested, asks Federal Court to declare the system violates the Constitution and infringes fair trial and other rights. It also wants the court to offer direction on how to fix the alleged problem. The government would not comment given the lawsuit is before the courts but a spokeswoman for Attorney General David Lametti defended the current system as non-partisan and merit-based. The appointment decision takes in several factors, such as the needs of the court, the diversity of the bench and a candidate’s expertise, Rachel Rappaport said. “Our government is proud of the more than 400 outstanding jurists, women and men, who we have appointed to the bench, and the transparent and accountable appointments process we put into place in 2016," Rappaport said in a statement.
According to the lawsuit, the minister’s control of who gets to sit on the bench creates a "politicized and partisan system." The problem, the filing states, starts with the attorney general’s outsized role in appointing six of the seven members of provincial advisory councils, which recommend suitable candidates. The recommended list is forwarded for input to cabinet and various MPs from the government’s party among others. Ultimately, the suit claims, the attorney general’s appointment choice is based at least in part on his hand-picked advisory panel and the opinions of the politicians and members of the governing party.


nationalobserver--2020-11-20--B.C. expands COVID-19 restrictions and orders masks in public spaces as virus surges

British Columbia is making it mandatory to wear masks in public spaces , while social interactions will be under new restrictions until Dec. 7 because of a surge in COVID-19 cases .
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry earlier imposed restrictions on social gatherings in areas covered by the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities , but says COVID-19 is spreading to other places and the order will now be provincewide .
Henry said Thursday the previous measures have failed to decrease the number of cases and the health-care system is under strain .
`` We need to urgently reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the province in these next two weeks , '' she told a news conference .
When asked what health officials would examine to determine whether the stricter measures are working , Henry said a particular focus would be paid to the percentage of cases that can not be linked to a known COVID-19 cluster .
• Crisis ?
What crisis ?
One of Canada ’ s largest landlords is having a profitable 2020 All worship services and community and social events will be suspended , along with high-intensity group fitness , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spin classes .
There are exceptions for baptisms , weddings and funerals , but they are limited to 10 people .
Henry is also asking people to reduce non-essential travel .
“ It has been challenging and we ’ ve seen impacts on our health-care system as well , ” she said .
People need to treat the second wave of COVID-19 like they did during the spring , when social interactions were largely curtailed , Henry said .
The province tried to limit the spread of COVID-19 through regional controls , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a point where action is needed across B.C .
Limiting the transmission of the virus has proven more difficult during colder months , particularly from indoor activities , Henry added .
British Columbia is making it mandatory to wear masks in public spaces , while social interactions will be under new restrictions until Dec. 7 due to surge in COVID-19 cases .
# bcpoli # Covid19 # COVID19BC B.C .
announced 538 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday , bringing the province ’ s total to 24,960 .
Henry says 17,207 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also announced one new death , for a total of 321 .
The goal of the measures is to reduce social interactions , and officials will be encouraging workplaces to continue allowing employees to work from home , if possible .
Henry said the decision to suspend social and community gatherings was made “ very reluctantly.
” “ Right now , I have concerns that we have transmission happening even if it is supposedly with the appropriate measures in place , ” she said .
Transmissions have been seen in businesses largely among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff areas , Henry said .
“ I think it ’ s fair to say we ’ re all a little tired of this and people perhaps got a little complacent in some areas .
Now we ’ re seeing that we need to pay attention in aspects of the business , ” she said .
Authorities will be stepping up inspections of places , with a particular focus on bars , to ensure safety precautions are followed .
Despite recent COVID-19 outbreaks at schools , Henry said students will not be required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe place where transmission of the virus is largely not being seen , she said .

British Columbia is making it mandatory to wear masks in public spaces, while social interactions will be under new restrictions until Dec. 7 because of a surge in COVID-19 cases. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry earlier imposed restrictions on social gatherings in areas covered by the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities, but says COVID-19 is spreading to other places and the order will now be provincewide. Henry said Thursday the previous measures have failed to decrease the number of cases and the health-care system is under strain. "We need to urgently reduce the level of transmission and our cases across the province in these next two weeks," she told a news conference. When asked what health officials would examine to determine whether the stricter measures are working, Henry said a particular focus would be paid to the percentage of cases that cannot be linked to a known COVID-19 cluster.
All worship services and community and social events will be suspended, along with high-intensity group fitness, such as interval training, hot yoga and spin classes. There are exceptions for baptisms, weddings and funerals, but they are limited to 10 people. Henry is also asking people to reduce non-essential travel. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “It has been challenging and we’ve seen impacts on our health-care system as well,” she said.
People need to treat the second wave of COVID-19 like they did during the spring, when social interactions were largely curtailed, Henry said. British Columbia is making it mandatory to wear masks in public spaces, while social interactions will be under new restrictions until Dec. 7 due to surge in COVID-19 cases. #bcpoli #Covid19 #COVID19BC The province tried to limit the spread of COVID-19 through regional controls, she said, but it has come to a point where action is needed across B.C. Limiting the transmission of the virus has proven more difficult during colder months, particularly from indoor activities, Henry added. B.C. announced 538 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the province’s total to 24,960. Henry says 17,207 people have recovered from the virus. The province also announced one new death, for a total of 321.
The goal of the measures is to reduce social interactions, and officials will be encouraging workplaces to continue allowing employees to work from home, if possible. Henry said the decision to suspend social and community gatherings was made “very reluctantly.” “Right now, I have concerns that we have transmission happening even if it is supposedly with the appropriate measures in place,” she said.


nationalobserver--2020-11-20--Trudeau warns Canada's future depends on our response to the COVID-19 crisis

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada 's future hangs in the balance if people do n't reduce their contacts to rein in the spread of COVID-19 .
Trudeau addressed reporters outside his home at Rideau Cottage — the site of his daily briefings during the first wave of the pandemic last spring — on Friday following the release of grim new forecasts suggesting that Canada is on track to see COVID-19 cases climb by 60,000 per day if socialization increases .
He says Canadians must do everything in their power to reverse this trajectory by staying home and reducing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing fatigue Canadians face as the pandemic drags on , but says actions now could determine the country 's fate for generations to come .
He also recognized the financial toll closures could take , and says his government his committed to helping businesses weather the storm .
• Crisis ?
What crisis ?
One of Canada ’ s largest landlords is having a profitable 2020 But Trudeau says that lockdown measures are a better way to ensure long-term economic success than letting the spread of the virus continue unchecked .
Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sobering warning : If contacts increase above current levels , we 'll be heading toward a worst-case scenario .
`` Absolutely do not go above what we have now , '' Dr. Theresa Tam told reporters .
`` Otherwise , we 're really in trouble . ''
Tam emphasized the `` urgency '' to decrease infections as officials released forecasts indicating that COVID-19 case counts have far surpassed levels seen during the first wave .
If Canadians increase their contact rates going into the holiday season , COVID-19 cases could skyrocket to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year , according to the modelling .
That would be a twelvefold increase from the current level of around 5,000 cases per day , which is already straining the health-care system in some regions .
Dr. Theresa Tam says # COVID19 cases could skyrocket to 60,000 per day by the end of the year if Canadians increase their contact rates .
# cdnpoli # COVID-19 # secondwave Tam warned `` the time is now '' for Canadians to do everything to do reduce their contacts , saying it will take a combined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health authorities to bring infection rates down to manageable levels .
Tam said at current rates of contact , Canada is careening toward a surge of more than 20,000 cases per day by the end of December , with a commensurate increase in hospitalizations and deaths .
Tam pointed to Western European countries confronting COVID-19 resurgences as a cautionary tale of where Canada could be heading , and what it will take to douse the wildfire spread of the virus .
Countries such as France and Belgium are starting to curb massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-essential businesses and limiting outings to the necessities , said Tam .
She noted that several provinces , such as Manitoba , have implemented tougher restrictions in recent days , saying authorities will hopefully see the rewards of those measures in the weeks to come .
The federal forecasts predict that at current rates Canada 's case total could land between 366,500 and 378,600 and the death toll could fall between 11,870 and 12,120 by the end of the month .
Currently , Tam said an average of 4,800 cases are being reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent from last week .
Some hospitals have postponed important medical procedures , said Tam , and some intensive care units are near or at capacity .
The models suggest the percentage of people testing positive has increased to about 6.5 per cent , above the World Health Organization 's benchmark of five per cent .

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada's future hangs in the balance if people don't reduce their contacts to rein in the spread of COVID-19. Trudeau addressed reporters outside his home at Rideau Cottage — the site of his daily briefings during the first wave of the pandemic last spring — on Friday following the release of grim new forecasts suggesting that Canada is on track to see COVID-19 cases climb by 60,000 per day if socialization increases. He says Canadians must do everything in their power to reverse this trajectory by staying home and reducing their contacts. The prime minister acknowledged the growing fatigue Canadians face as the pandemic drags on, but says actions now could determine the country's fate for generations to come. He also recognized the financial toll closures could take, and says his government his committed to helping businesses weather the storm.
But Trudeau says that lockdown measures are a better way to ensure long-term economic success than letting the spread of the virus continue unchecked. Earlier, Canada's chief public health officer issued a sobering warning: If contacts increase above current levels, we'll be heading toward a worst-case scenario. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "Absolutely do not go above what we have now," Dr. Theresa Tam told reporters. "Otherwise, we're really in trouble."
Tam emphasized the "urgency" to decrease infections as officials released forecasts indicating that COVID-19 case counts have far surpassed levels seen during the first wave. Dr. Theresa Tam says #COVID19 cases could skyrocket to 60,000 per day by the end of the year if Canadians increase their contact rates. #cdnpoli #COVID-19 #secondwave If Canadians increase their contact rates going into the holiday season, COVID-19 cases could skyrocket to 60,000 per day by the end of the year, according to the modelling. That would be a twelvefold increase from the current level of around 5,000 cases per day, which is already straining the health-care system in some regions. Tam warned "the time is now" for Canadians to do everything to do reduce their contacts, saying it will take a combined effort on the part of individuals and public health authorities to bring infection rates down to manageable levels. Tam said at current rates of contact, Canada is careening toward a surge of more than 20,000 cases per day by the end of December, with a commensurate increase in hospitalizations and deaths.
Tam pointed to Western European countries confronting COVID-19 resurgences as a cautionary tale of where Canada could be heading, and what it will take to douse the wildfire spread of the virus. Countries such as France and Belgium are starting to curb massive cases increases and surging hospitalizations after closing non-essential businesses and limiting outings to the necessities, said Tam. She noted that several provinces, such as Manitoba, have implemented tougher restrictions in recent days, saying authorities will hopefully see the rewards of those measures in the weeks to come.


nationalobserver--2020-11-20--Singh says feds must end relationship with for-profit long-term care homes

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and union officials are calling on the federal government to put a stop to its role in for-profit long-term care homes , where deadly COVID-19 outbreaks are worsening as the second wave of the pandemic takes hold .
Singh and two unions say the government must transform Revera from a for-profit corporation into a publicly managed entity .
The company runs more than 500 seniors ' residences in Canada , the United States and the United Kingdom .
It is owned by a federal Crown corporation that manages public-service pensions , which bought it out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have tested positive for the novel coronavirus and 32 have died in an outbreak at just one Toronto facility over the past seven weeks , one of two dozen Revera homes where outbreaks have occurred .
`` These are grandparents .
These are our loved ones .
And they are being lost in completely preventable scenarios , '' Singh said Thursday at an emotional rally on Parliament Hill alongside families of nursing-home residents who died this year .
• Crisis ?
What crisis ?
One of Canada ’ s largest landlords is having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people we care for because profits are taking priority over people , '' he said , calling for-profit residences the site of `` the worst conditions . ''
Chris Aylward , president of the 200,000-member Public Service Alliance of Canada , dubbed the treatment of residents in private seniors ' homes a `` national crisis '' that is `` absolutely shameful . ''
He is asking the government to initiate discussions between the Public Sector Pension Investment Board ( PSP ) , the Crown corporation that owns Revera , and provincial health authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owned and managed network of nursing homes .
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in August found that for-profit homes in Ontario were likelier to see more extensive COVID-19 outbreaks and more deaths , though the odds of an outbreak in the first place were no greater than at non-profit residences .
The rate of death was 29 per cent higher at for-profit homes than at non-profit ones at 23.4 per thousand , according to the study .
The results cited older design standards — including fewer single-occupancy rooms — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons for the disparate outcomes .
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and union officials says the federal government should end its role in for-profit long-term care homes .
# COVID-19 # secondwave # cdnpoli Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday he `` respect ( s ) provincial jurisdiction . ''
At the same time , `` we will be there as a federal government '' to help protect our seniors ' rights , he said , citing billions of dollars in extra support funds transferred to the provinces .
Ottawa asked the Canadian Red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes in Ontario facing outbreaks last month , after sending in the military to help out in homes in Quebec and Ontario last spring , Trudeau noted .
Health Canada spokeswoman Maryse Durette said questions about whether the Liberal government would consider trying to end Revera 's for-profit model should be directed to the provinces , given their constitutional jurisdiction over health care .
Asked about its handling of nursing-home outbreaks , the press secretary for Ontario 's long-term care minister said it needs more funding from Ottawa to address systemic issues after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in long-term care supports .
`` As we confront the second wave , we must continue to implement the lessons learned from Wave 1 , '' said Krystle Caputo .
The success of that implementation is now in question .
Ontario reported 100 active outbreaks at long-term care homes and 619 cases among residents on Thursday , as well as 529 cases among staff .
Out of 7,857 total cases among long-term care residents in Ontario , 2,115 have died — about 61 per cent of COVID-19-related deaths in the province .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my heart and turn my stomach , ” said Sharleen Stewart , who represents more than 60,000 workers in Ontario as president of the SEIU Healthcare union .
“ This is the second wave .
We know what happened , we ’ ve seen it . ''
Stewart , who spoke to reporters virtually after a rally where 2,000 pairs of empty shoes dotted the Hill ’ s main lawn to symbolize those who died , said long-term care homes like Revera 's should be run like hospitals to make them accountable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estate corporation `` masquerading as a resident-care company , '' she said , with a business model beneficial to investors but not seniors .
Perennial problems include low staffing levels , substandard wages and benefits and , amid the pandemic , a dearth of personal protective equipment , she said .
Revera says it developed a `` comprehensive pandemic playbook '' to keep COVID-19 off its properties and contain the illness when it gets in , with regular surveillance testing of staff to identify positive cases .
`` Unfortunately , and tragically , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus has spread via asymptomatic spread and has only been detected after many staff and residents have been infected and developed symptoms , '' spokesman Larry Roberts said in an email .
Workers live in the community and residents travel to and from local hospitals for treatment , which puts long-term care homes at greater risk , he said .
PSP , the federally owned pension fund manager that owns Revera , said the safety and well-being of residents and employees are a primary focus .
It notes the 59-year-old firm 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directors , `` including a former medical professional , '' and that its confidence in management and staff is `` unwavering . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 19 , 2020 .

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and union officials are calling on the federal government to put a stop to its role in for-profit long-term care homes, where deadly COVID-19 outbreaks are worsening as the second wave of the pandemic takes hold. Singh and two unions say the government must transform Revera from a for-profit corporation into a publicly managed entity. The company runs more than 500 seniors' residences in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. It is owned by a federal Crown corporation that manages public-service pensions, which bought it out in 2007. Revera confirms that 93 residents have tested positive for the novel coronavirus and 32 have died in an outbreak at just one Toronto facility over the past seven weeks, one of two dozen Revera homes where outbreaks have occurred. "These are grandparents. These are our loved ones. And they are being lost in completely preventable scenarios," Singh said Thursday at an emotional rally on Parliament Hill alongside families of nursing-home residents who died this year.
"We are losing people we care for because profits are taking priority over people," he said, calling for-profit residences the site of "the worst conditions." Chris Aylward, president of the 200,000-member Public Service Alliance of Canada, dubbed the treatment of residents in private seniors' homes a "national crisis" that is "absolutely shameful." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions He is asking the government to initiate discussions between the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP), the Crown corporation that owns Revera, and provincial health authorities to transition the company into a publicly owned and managed network of nursing homes.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in August found that for-profit homes in Ontario were likelier to see more extensive COVID-19 outbreaks and more deaths, though the odds of an outbreak in the first place were no greater than at non-profit residences. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and union officials says the federal government should end its role in for-profit long-term care homes. #COVID-19 #secondwave #cdnpoli The rate of death was 29 per cent higher at for-profit homes than at non-profit ones at 23.4 per thousand, according to the study. The results cited older design standards — including fewer single-occupancy rooms — and "chain ownership" as key reasons for the disparate outcomes. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday he "respect(s) provincial jurisdiction." At the same time, "we will be there as a federal government" to help protect our seniors' rights, he said, citing billions of dollars in extra support funds transferred to the provinces. Ottawa asked the Canadian Red Cross to send workers into some care homes in Ontario facing outbreaks last month, after sending in the military to help out in homes in Quebec and Ontario last spring, Trudeau noted.
Health Canada spokeswoman Maryse Durette said questions about whether the Liberal government would consider trying to end Revera's for-profit model should be directed to the provinces, given their constitutional jurisdiction over health care. Asked about its handling of nursing-home outbreaks, the press secretary for Ontario's long-term care minister said it needs more funding from Ottawa to address systemic issues after the province invested more than $500 million in long-term care supports. "As we confront the second wave, we must continue to implement the lessons learned from Wave 1," said Krystle Caputo.


nationalobserver--2020-11-23--Public could be on the hook for decommissioning N.L. offshore oil installations

At the beginning of 2020 , decommissioning Newfoundland and Labrador ’ s offshore oil installations seemed a distant concern .
But after a crash in oil prices amid a global pandemic , Husky Energy , which owns and operates the White Rose oilfield about 350 kilometres east of St. John 's , announced in September it was reviewing its operations in the province .
“ All options are on the table , and accelerating abandonment remains a possibility , '' Kim Guttormson , a spokeswoman for the company , said in an emailed statement last month .
The cost of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be borne by taxpayers , is not public information , however .
Thomas Schneider , an associate accounting professor at Ryerson University in Toronto and a member of the United Nations Expert Group on Resource Management , says it should be .
`` That ’ s important public information , because there ’ s a high probability that those liabilities are going to fall on the public , on the Canadian taxpayer and the Newfoundland taxpayer , '' Schneider said in a recent interview .
`` ( But ) the name of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secret as possible , and I don ’ t understand that . ''
• Ottawa wants to hear your ideas on how to tackle food waste • Crisis ?
What crisis ?
One of Canada ’ s largest landlords is having a profitable 2020 Schneider says oil companies like Husky list massive , multi-billion-dollar lump sums on their books for decommissioning costs , but those costs are n't broken into projects or timelines .
And they 're not often backed up with actual capital , he said .
Last month , Schneider co-authored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Accountants of Scotland looking at the decommissioning accounting practices of resource-industry companies .
The paper calls on governments and those setting accounting standards to demand more transparency from companies in their reporting of decommissioning costs , plans and timelines .
Scotland is one of several countries coming face to face with the costs and complications of decommissioning offshore oil installations in the North Sea .
In Canada , Alberta is grappling with thousands of abandoned wells that will take billions in public money to clean up .
Among other issues , both the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sold to smaller companies with smaller budgets that ca n't pay for decommissioning once the oil runs dry , Schneider said .
Spokeswomen for Husky and Exxon , the majority owner in the Hebron and Hibernia fields in the Newfoundland offshore , said decommissioning costs are not public information .
Suncor spokeswoman Sneh Seetal would not provide an estimate and said it was “ premature ” to ask .
Suncor operates the Terra Nova oilfield off Newfoundland , but it 's not currently producing .
The massive Terra Nova production vessel is docked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a safe and reliable return to operations .
.
.
can be determined , ” Seetal said in an email last month .
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Petroleum Board confirmed it does not have up-to-date decommissioning estimates from the operators .
When operators are ready to abandon their projects , they submit an application with a detailed plan and cost breakdown , which is approved by the provincial government .
Costs of decommissioning N.L .
offshore kept 'secret ' but public could be on the hook .
# Newfoundland # oil # offshore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by oil companies , provincial Energy Minister Andrew Parsons said in an emailed statement .
He said the province does not have current decommissioning costs or plans from companies .
Newfoundland and Labrador lets oil companies claim decommissioning cost overruns against past royalties they have paid .
That means if costs are higher than expected , the government could owe companies a royalty refund .
When asked if he expects the Newfoundland and Labrador public to wind up covering some of those costs , Parsons said , any estimate would be “ premature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offshore projects.
” Russell Williams , a political scientist at Memorial University in St. John ’ s , disagrees .
“ If we ’ re to believe what Husky has said about White Rose , they ’ re talking openly about no longer operating , ” he said .
Timing aside , there ’ s a larger issue at play , Williams said : Ignoring the costs of future liabilities so they become another government ’ s problem is a “ common psychological pitfall ” for resource-dependent governments .
“ But as citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think like that , because we ’ re going to pay this bill , whoever the minister responsible for it is , '' he said in an interview .
`` And therefore we deserve a better level of public accountability and public oversight of what exactly the plans are for these facilities.
” Like Schneider , he points to Alberta as an example of what goes wrong when these costs are ignored .
He also points to Newfoundland and Labrador 's own legacy of abandoned , contaminated industrial sites , such as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Falls-Windsor .
`` There are public liabilities here that simply aren ’ t being adequately captured or calculated in our assessment about whether these are good investments or good projects , '' he said .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23 , 2020 .

At the beginning of 2020, decommissioning Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil installations seemed a distant concern. But after a crash in oil prices amid a global pandemic, Husky Energy, which owns and operates the White Rose oilfield about 350 kilometres east of St. John's, announced in September it was reviewing its operations in the province. “All options are on the table, and accelerating abandonment remains a possibility," Kim Guttormson, a spokeswoman for the company, said in an emailed statement last month. The cost of decommissioning, and how much of it will be borne by taxpayers, is not public information, however. Thomas Schneider, an associate accounting professor at Ryerson University in Toronto and a member of the United Nations Expert Group on Resource Management, says it should be. "That’s important public information, because there’s a high probability that those liabilities are going to fall on the public, on the Canadian taxpayer and the Newfoundland taxpayer," Schneider said in a recent interview. "(But) the name of the game is to keep it as secret as possible, and I don’t understand that."
Schneider says oil companies like Husky list massive, multi-billion-dollar lump sums on their books for decommissioning costs, but those costs aren't broken into projects or timelines. And they're not often backed up with actual capital, he said. Last month, Schneider co-authored a paper for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland looking at the decommissioning accounting practices of resource-industry companies. The paper calls on governments and those setting accounting standards to demand more transparency from companies in their reporting of decommissioning costs, plans and timelines. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Scotland is one of several countries coming face to face with the costs and complications of decommissioning offshore oil installations in the North Sea. In Canada, Alberta is grappling with thousands of abandoned wells that will take billions in public money to clean up. Among other issues, both the North Sea and Alberta are seeing infrastructure sold to smaller companies with smaller budgets that can't pay for decommissioning once the oil runs dry, Schneider said.
Spokeswomen for Husky and Exxon, the majority owner in the Hebron and Hibernia fields in the Newfoundland offshore, said decommissioning costs are not public information. Costs of decommissioning N.L. offshore kept 'secret' but public could be on the hook. #Newfoundland #oil #offshore Suncor spokeswoman Sneh Seetal would not provide an estimate and said it was “premature” to ask. Suncor operates the Terra Nova oilfield off Newfoundland, but it's not currently producing. The massive Terra Nova production vessel is docked “until an economically viable solution for a safe and reliable return to operations . . . can be determined,” Seetal said in an email last month. The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Petroleum Board confirmed it does not have up-to-date decommissioning estimates from the operators. When operators are ready to abandon their projects, they submit an application with a detailed plan and cost breakdown, which is approved by the provincial government. That approval process “minimizes underestimates” by oil companies, provincial Energy Minister Andrew Parsons said in an emailed statement. He said the province does not have current decommissioning costs or plans from companies. Newfoundland and Labrador lets oil companies claim decommissioning cost overruns against past royalties they have paid. That means if costs are higher than expected, the government could owe companies a royalty refund.
When asked if he expects the Newfoundland and Labrador public to wind up covering some of those costs, Parsons said, any estimate would be “premature, given the current status of our offshore projects.” Russell Williams, a political scientist at Memorial University in St. John’s, disagrees. “If we’re to believe what Husky has said about White Rose, they’re talking openly about no longer operating,” he said. Timing aside, there’s a larger issue at play, Williams said: Ignoring the costs of future liabilities so they become another government’s problem is a “common psychological pitfall” for resource-dependent governments.


nationalobserver--2020-11-23--Canadian government's rent subsidy program for businesses hurt by COVID-19 opens today

Businesses struggling to pay the bills because of the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to start applying today for a @ @ @ @ @ offered by the federal government .
The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy replaces an earlier @ @ @ @ @ in the spring that saw little pickup because it relied on landlords to apply for @ @ @ @ @ will cover up to 65 per cent of rent or commercial mortgage interest on a @ @ @ @ @ declines , with an extra 25 per cent available to the hardest-hit firms .

Businesses struggling to pay the bills because of the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to start applying today for a long-awaited new commercial rent-relief program offered by the federal government.
The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy replaces an earlier rent-support program for businesses introduced in the spring that saw little pickup because it relied on landlords to apply for help.
The new program will cover up to 65 per cent of rent or commercial mortgage interest on a sliding scale based on revenue declines, with an extra 25 per cent available to the hardest-hit firms.
Federal cabinet ministers will highlight the program during a news conference Monday, when they will also open two programs designed to help businesses owned by Black Canadians.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, which represents thousands of small companies across the country, is welcoming the new rent program as long overdue for firms hit hard by COVID-19.


nationalobserver--2020-11-23--Governments' COVID response must include effective risk messaging

We appear to have a problem with risk communication in Canada .
Last Monday , Ontario ’ s chief medical officer of health was widely quoted as having said : “ I would like to think everybody would be in green , especially for the time of Christmas , ” referring to that province ’ s least stringent set of COVID-19 public health restrictions , according to the colour-coded framework introduced a couple of weeks ago .
A day later , Ontario ’ s health minister said : “ I don ’ t think it ’ s something that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Such inconsistencies reflect more than a divergence in holiday cheer .
They reflect a failure to apply one of the most basic risk communication principles of supplying audiences with consistent and clear messages .
And Ontario isn ’ t alone .
Manitoba ’ s premier attracted controversy with the recent decision to hire a private security firm to enforce provincial public health orders after stating just a few weeks before : “ A government ca n't protect you from this virus , you have to protect each other , ” suggesting that citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 risks .
• Ottawa wants to hear your ideas on how to tackle food waste • Crisis ?
What crisis ?
One of Canada ’ s largest landlords is having a profitable 2020 So what is risk communication , and how can it be leveraged to improve a government ’ s pandemic response ?
Risk communication in its simplest form is the communication or dissemination of information about risks .
It is often deployed during a crisis or other situation when some danger , either real or perceived , fuels widespread public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field of research .
In fact , it emerged in the 1970s as a way for scientific experts and government decision-makers to address an increase in public fears over environmental pollution , such as toxic dump sites and disasters like the Three Mile Island nuclear accident .
We have come a long way since then in refining our approaches to risk communication and developing best practices based on years of experience .
Perhaps , then , it is surprising to find an inconsistent , and occasionally non-existent , application of risk communication practices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Canadian jurisdictions .
During a pandemic , the importance of effective risk communication as it pertains to health risks can not be understated .
When a single individual ’ s actions ( or inactions ) can pose a direct risk to the health of numerous others , the risk must be managed .
But to undertake risk communication for the sole purpose of educating or informing the public about the risks of a health hazard would be a misguided approach .
After all , if a shortage of information on risks was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making less risky decisions , tobacco companies would have long gone bankrupt .
Instead , the key to communicating risks effectively also rests on the engagement and involvement of the public to take actions and adopt risk-reducing behaviours and , increasingly , on the perceived transparency and credibility of leaders and risk communicators .
`` The key to communicating risks effectively rests on the engagement and involvement of the public to take actions and adopt risk-reducing behaviours , '' says @ cathy_slavik .
# COVID19 Early on in the COVID-19 outbreak , public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses largely focused their risk communication efforts on disseminating information on the virus , its transmission and how to prevent its spread .
While the risks were uncertain and still evolving , public health officials across Canada tried to keep the public updated on risks as new evidence emerged .
That was fine then .
But once risks to health increased exponentially with greater community transmission , messages from political leaders ( who began to lead the pandemic response in many provinces ) containing clear instructions and consistent explanations of risks were less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways to improve risk communication ?
Firstly , risk communication requires a communicator , one consistent lead spokesperson , ideally with expertise in the risk at hand , or some prior training in the handling of a public health crisis in this case .
When a lead communicator shows agreement with experts and other officials , and emphasizes co-ordination between them , all the better .
The lead communicator should be honest about the costs incurred with certain government decisions , what is known and unknown about the risk , and should provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Displaying authentic empathy and compassion is important in establishing openness and acknowledging the public ’ s concerns .
These are not just gimmicks , these practices can foster more transparency , build public trust and increase the credibility of those leading the response .
Secondly , risk communication requires the careful crafting of messages .
Tailoring communications to specific audiences in specific areas is a way to make sure those audiences are receiving relevant information on risks actually present in their community .
Journalist Matt Gurney recently suggested we could rely on local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messaging .
He ’ s not wrong for pointing out the lack of targeted messaging for areas experiencing higher health risks .
Additionally , messages that address the uncertainty of a situation can help the public come to terms with fluid or evolving risks , and studies have also shown that discussing the management of risks over longer time periods is more likely to lead to the adoption of less risky behaviours .
Using language that accommodates various learning styles and levels of knowledge around health , by incorporating both textual and numeric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , makes the message more accessible to a wider audience .
The stakes have never been higher .
With so much information and misinformation available these days on COVID-19 , ineffective risk communication may lead to a disengaged or skeptic population that seeks information from less credible sources .
While government leaders across many Canadian jurisdictions continue to scrutinize the grim forecasts of COVID-19 infection rates , despite the efficient systems of colours displayed , what if leaders also took the time to effectively communicate the risks they pose ?
Despite all that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impactful it can be , researchers like myself are still learning a lot about how it can be best applied in today ’ s context , decades after its original inception .
For one thing , newer communication mediums like social media and other online forums have changed the way that many individuals interact with information .
And as we look towards what comes next in a post-pandemic world , risk communication will continue to be an important tool for health promotion .
If you ’ d like to learn more about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d like to help us learn how to improve the communication of health risks , please consider participating in our research study based at McMaster University .
Using an anonymous online experiment , we ’ re exploring how health risks are perceived and understood by different people , so that we can develop improved tools for health messaging .
Cathy Slavik is a PhD candidate in health geography at McMaster University .

We appear to have a problem with risk communication in Canada. Last Monday, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health was widely quoted as having said: “I would like to think everybody would be in green, especially for the time of Christmas,” referring to that province’s least stringent set of COVID-19 public health restrictions, according to the colour-coded framework introduced a couple of weeks ago. A day later, Ontario’s health minister said: “I don’t think it’s something that we can count on at this point.” Such inconsistencies reflect more than a divergence in holiday cheer. They reflect a failure to apply one of the most basic risk communication principles of supplying audiences with consistent and clear messages. And Ontario isn’t alone. Manitoba’s premier attracted controversy with the recent decision to hire a private security firm to enforce provincial public health orders after stating just a few weeks before: “A government can't protect you from this virus, you have to protect each other,” suggesting that citizens were the ones primarily responsible for managing COVID-19 risks.
So what is risk communication, and how can it be leveraged to improve a government’s pandemic response? Risk communication in its simplest form is the communication or dissemination of information about risks. It is often deployed during a crisis or other situation when some danger, either real or perceived, fuels widespread public concern. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions It is not a new field of research. In fact, it emerged in the 1970s as a way for scientific experts and government decision-makers to address an increase in public fears over environmental pollution, such as toxic dump sites and disasters like the Three Mile Island nuclear accident.
We have come a long way since then in refining our approaches to risk communication and developing best practices based on years of experience. Perhaps, then, it is surprising to find an inconsistent, and occasionally non-existent, application of risk communication practices by those leading the COVID-19 response in many Canadian jurisdictions. "The key to communicating risks effectively rests on the engagement and involvement of the public to take actions and adopt risk-reducing behaviours," says @cathy_slavik. #COVID19 During a pandemic, the importance of effective risk communication as it pertains to health risks cannot be understated. When a single individual’s actions (or inactions) can pose a direct risk to the health of numerous others, the risk must be managed. But to undertake risk communication for the sole purpose of educating or informing the public about the risks of a health hazard would be a misguided approach. After all, if a shortage of information on risks was the only thing that stopped people from making less risky decisions, tobacco companies would have long gone bankrupt. Instead, the key to communicating risks effectively also rests on the engagement and involvement of the public to take actions and adopt risk-reducing behaviours and, increasingly, on the perceived transparency and credibility of leaders and risk communicators. Early on in the COVID-19 outbreak, public health officials leading most of the communication responses largely focused their risk communication efforts on disseminating information on the virus, its transmission and how to prevent its spread. While the risks were uncertain and still evolving, public health officials across Canada tried to keep the public updated on risks as new evidence emerged. That was fine then. But once risks to health increased exponentially with greater community transmission, messages from political leaders (who began to lead the pandemic response in many provinces) containing clear instructions and consistent explanations of risks were less apparent. So, what are some ways to improve risk communication?
Firstly, risk communication requires a communicator, one consistent lead spokesperson, ideally with expertise in the risk at hand, or some prior training in the handling of a public health crisis in this case. When a lead communicator shows agreement with experts and other officials, and emphasizes co-ordination between them, all the better. The lead communicator should be honest about the costs incurred with certain government decisions, what is known and unknown about the risk, and should provide a timeline of events whenever possible. Displaying authentic empathy and compassion is important in establishing openness and acknowledging the public’s concerns. These are not just gimmicks, these practices can foster more transparency, build public trust and increase the credibility of those leading the response.