nationalobserver--2020-12-16--Senators wrestle with scope, constitutionality of assisted dying bill

Canadian senators have started debate on proposed legislation to give some people whose death is not “ reasonably foreseeable ” access to medical assistance in dying ( MAID ) .
The highly controversial Bill C-7 , sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Chantal Petitclerc of the Independent Senators Group , would expand the number of people who can access MAID — an amendment opposed by many Conservative MPs in the House of Commons last week .
The bill attempts to bring the federal law into compliance with a September 2019 Quebec Superior Court ruling by Justice Christine Baudouin , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people near death , as prescribed in the current law , Bill C-14 .
The current law states that only people whose deaths are “ reasonably foreseeable ” are eligible for MAID , leaving some to suffer with extreme pain or a low quality of life for too long .
If successful , Bill C-7 would enable people with lingering , but not imminently fatal , illnesses to seek MAID sooner .
Under Bill C-14 , many people with dementia are ineligible for assisted death because they lose capacity to give a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ C-7 , though , proposes waiving the final consent requirement , which would allow patients with capacity-eroding conditions to consent to MAID in advance .
• How an Anishinaabe lawyer is helping Indigenous communities strengthen their legal traditions • Canada kicks off massive COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Ont .
and Quebec Bill C-7 also proposes scrapping the 10-day reflection period now required for people close to death , an idea welcomed by Dying With Dignity Canada , a human rights charity that advocates for assisted dying .
It continues to exclude people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mental illness .
The changes put forward in C-7 elicited a strong reaction from senators during the first day of debate .
While no proposed amendments were made , some senators raised concerns that assisted death should be expanded further to include people suffering from mental illnesses .
Among them is Conservative Sen. Claude Carignan , who believes this is unconstitutional because it deprives people with a mental illness of a benefit offered to others .
“ This exclusion perpetuates the prejudice that , generally speaking , people with a mental disability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informed consent to make crucial decisions in their lives , ” Carignan stated .
Justice Minister David Lametti has said the exclusion is necessary because the medical community can ’ t agree on whether MAID should be offered to people whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness .
A parliamentary review is needed , but no date for such a study has been decided yet , he said .
The controversial Bill C-7 , sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Chantal Petitclerc , would expand the number of people who can access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed by many Conservative MPs in the House of Commons last week .
# cdnpoli Carignan also opposes C-7 ’ s proposed minimum 90-day assessment period for people not near death , adding it forces people to live “ against their will ” longer than they wish .
He suggests a shortened wait time and exceptions for people who have carefully deliberated their MAID request and can demonstrate the 90-day period will cause them extreme suffering despite receiving medical treatments .
On the other side are senators who fear expanding the scope of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disabilities that their lives aren ’ t worth living .
Senators echoed concerns raised by disability support organizations that object to the government boosting access to MAID instead of improving services for people with disabilities .
Petitclerc , who has a disability herself , said the conflicting objectives are “ not mutually exclusive , ” and that work needs to be done in both areas simultaneously .
“ On the one hand , Bill C-7 aims to allow access to MAID to relieve intolerable suffering before death is reasonably foreseeable , ” Petitclerc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we must ensure that efforts are put forward to make sure that persons with disabilities have access to everything they need to live a full and rich life.
” She particularly hopes plans to scrap the 10-day reflection period are approved .
Many people going through the MAID process fear losing decision-making capacity as they near death and will be forced to suffer intolerably .
“ From the feedback we get from clinicians , individuals who proceed with this choice of assisted dying ( and ) who go through the assessment process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought and when that 10-day wait period initiates , there ’ s an additional anxiety created for them , ” Desjardins says .
“ It would cause further suffering for individuals if that proposed amendment were not to pass.
” Debate on C-7 is slated to end Friday , the deadline imposed by the Quebec Superior Court .

Canadian senators have started debate on proposed legislation to give some people whose death is not “reasonably foreseeable” access to medical assistance in dying (MAID). The highly controversial Bill C-7, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Chantal Petitclerc of the Independent Senators Group, would expand the number of people who can access MAID — an amendment opposed by many Conservative MPs in the House of Commons last week. The bill attempts to bring the federal law into compliance with a September 2019 Quebec Superior Court ruling by Justice Christine Baudouin, who found it unconstitutional to only allow MAID for people near death, as prescribed in the current law, Bill C-14. The current law states that only people whose deaths are “reasonably foreseeable” are eligible for MAID, leaving some to suffer with extreme pain or a low quality of life for too long. If successful, Bill C-7 would enable people with lingering, but not imminently fatal, illnesses to seek MAID sooner. Under Bill C-14, many people with dementia are ineligible for assisted death because they lose capacity to give a final consent immediately before the procedure. C-7, though, proposes waiving the final consent requirement, which would allow patients with capacity-eroding conditions to consent to MAID in advance.
Bill C-7 also proposes scrapping the 10-day reflection period now required for people close to death, an idea welcomed by Dying With Dignity Canada, a human rights charity that advocates for assisted dying. It continues to exclude people who are solely seeking assisted death because of a mental illness. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The changes put forward in C-7 elicited a strong reaction from senators during the first day of debate. While no proposed amendments were made, some senators raised concerns that assisted death should be expanded further to include people suffering from mental illnesses.
Among them is Conservative Sen. Claude Carignan, who believes this is unconstitutional because it deprives people with a mental illness of a benefit offered to others. The controversial Bill C-7, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Chantal Petitclerc, would expand the number of people who can access medical assistance in dying — an amendment opposed by many Conservative MPs in the House of Commons last week. #cdnpoli “This exclusion perpetuates the prejudice that, generally speaking, people with a mental disability are not in a position to give informed consent to make crucial decisions in their lives,” Carignan stated. Justice Minister David Lametti has said the exclusion is necessary because the medical community can’t agree on whether MAID should be offered to people whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness. A parliamentary review is needed, but no date for such a study has been decided yet, he said. Carignan also opposes C-7’s proposed minimum 90-day assessment period for people not near death, adding it forces people to live “against their will” longer than they wish. He suggests a shortened wait time and exceptions for people who have carefully deliberated their MAID request and can demonstrate the 90-day period will cause them extreme suffering despite receiving medical treatments.
On the other side are senators who fear expanding the scope of MAID sends a signal to people with disabilities that their lives aren’t worth living. Senators echoed concerns raised by disability support organizations that object to the government boosting access to MAID instead of improving services for people with disabilities. Petitclerc, who has a disability herself, said the conflicting objectives are “not mutually exclusive,” and that work needs to be done in both areas simultaneously. “On the one hand, Bill C-7 aims to allow access to MAID to relieve intolerable suffering before death is reasonably foreseeable,” Petitclerc says. “On the other hand, we must ensure that efforts are put forward to make sure that persons with disabilities have access to everything they need to live a full and rich life.”


nationalobserver--2020-12-16--Ontario forming advisory group ahead of contentious conservation authority changes

Amid backlash over a controversial bill that gutted conservation authorities ’ powers , the Ontario government is appointing a working group to advise it on how the changes should roll out .
The working group will be led by Conservation Halton president and CEO Hassaan Basit , an evolutionary biologist who has been critical of the changes to conservation authorities , calling them `` disappointing '' in a Dec. 14 email to his organization 's supporters .
The group ’ s work will begin in January , with new regulations rolling out in early 2021 , Environment Minister Jeff Yurek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward together , we want to build stronger relationships with conservation authorities so we can work together to ensure consistent best practices , good governance and appropriate accountability to best serve the people of Ontario , ” Yurek said in a statement .
The Tories say the law makes conservation authorities more streamlined and transparent .
But critics say the rewritten rules undermine the agencies ’ ability to protect vital waterways and ensure development in floodplains is done safely , pointing to one amendment that would force them to approve developments if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zoning order .
While the bill made broad changes to the powers of conservation authorities , some of those changes reference regulations about which the working group will advise the government .
Those regulations will define how the changes in Bill 229 are implemented .
“ My interest was to have a seat at the table at this very critical stage , ” Basit said in an interview Wednesday .
Amid backlash over a controversial bill that gutted conservation authorities ’ powers , the Ontario government is appointing a working group to advise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
# onpoli “ If we ’ re all here to serve Ontarians ... it makes a lot of sense to sit around the table and figure out how best to do that.
” Hassaan Basit , the president and CEO of Conservation Halton , will lead a working group on the rollout of changes to conservation authorities .
Handout photo Kim Gavine , the general manager of Conservation Ontario — a group representing all 36 of the province ’ s conservation authorities — said her organization welcomes the news .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she told Canada ’ s National Observer in a phone interview .
Keith Brooks , a program director at the green non-profit Environmental Defence , said it ’ s interesting that the government managed to get an official from a conservation authority on board , but that he felt cynical about whether the government would listen to the working group ’ s advice .
“ They ’ re trying to patch the boat they already torpedoed , ” Brooks said .
“ I guess we ’ ll have to see how that goes.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other members of the working group “ in the coming weeks.
” Basit told Canada 's National Observer that the structure of the working group is still being finalized , but that it would mainly involve input from conservation authorities .
Other stakeholders , like developers , agricultural groups and environmental organizations may also be involved through one or several subcommittees , he added .
“ It ’ s my understanding that those stakeholders will be at the table in the appropriate subcommittee or subcommittees , ” he said .
The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the draft regulations once they 're finished in early 2021 .
In his statement , Yurek also thanked Basit for helping to “ inform ” a set of last-minute amendments that were added to Bill 229 a few days before it passed , calling it a “ positive and constructive dialogue.
” That set of amendments was controversial — former Greenbelt Council chair David Crombie has said made they made the legislation “ worse.
”  Basit said he and other conservation authorities worked with the government to get some amendments that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one tweak allowed the authorities to continue to have the ability to appeal municipal planning decisions , something the original version of the bill had taken away .
But Basit said he remains concerned about other sections , including one that would compel conservation authorities to approve certain developments .
“ We didn ’ t get everything we wanted .
We still have concerns , ” he said .
“ Being at the table is the best way to highlight things that are not working ...
It all starts with having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Amid backlash over a controversial bill that gutted conservation authorities’ powers, the Ontario government is appointing a working group to advise it on how the changes should roll out. The working group will be led by Conservation Halton president and CEO Hassaan Basit, an evolutionary biologist who has been critical of the changes to conservation authorities, calling them "disappointing" in a Dec. 14 email to his organization's supporters. The group’s work will begin in January, with new regulations rolling out in early 2021, Environment Minister Jeff Yurek announced Wednesday. “As we move forward together, we want to build stronger relationships with conservation authorities so we can work together to ensure consistent best practices, good governance and appropriate accountability to best serve the people of Ontario,” Yurek said in a statement. The working group appears to be an olive branch to conservation authorities, which are watershed protection agencies tasked with managing flood protection, water quality and development near vital waterways. The Ford government has been working to alter how conservation authorities operate since 2019. The Progressive Conservatives have come under fire in recent weeks from the opposition, municipalities and environmental organizations over the latest changes, outlined in a section of the omnibus Bill 229 that was passed Dec. 8.
Seven members of the province’s Greenbelt Council advisory group also resigned en masse earlier this month in protest of the bill. An eighth member quit when the legislation passed. Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said in a statement that the formation of the working group is “ironic” and an “attempt at damage control.” Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “Ford should have set up the working group before gutting the ability of conservation authorities to protect us from flooding,” he said.
The Tories say the law makes conservation authorities more streamlined and transparent. But critics say the rewritten rules undermine the agencies’ ability to protect vital waterways and ensure development in floodplains is done safely, pointing to one amendment that would force them to approve developments if the government issues a special type of land zoning order. Amid backlash over a controversial bill that gutted conservation authorities’ powers, the Ontario government is appointing a working group to advise it on how the changes should roll out. #onpoli While the bill made broad changes to the powers of conservation authorities, some of those changes reference regulations about which the working group will advise the government. Those regulations will define how the changes in Bill 229 are implemented. “My interest was to have a seat at the table at this very critical stage,” Basit said in an interview Wednesday. “If we’re all here to serve Ontarians... it makes a lot of sense to sit around the table and figure out how best to do that.” Hassaan Basit, the president and CEO of Conservation Halton, will lead a working group on the rollout of changes to conservation authorities. Handout photo
Kim Gavine, the general manager of Conservation Ontario — a group representing all 36 of the province’s conservation authorities — said her organization welcomes the news. “We need to move forward,” she told Canada’s National Observer in a phone interview. Keith Brooks, a program director at the green non-profit Environmental Defence, said it’s interesting that the government managed to get an official from a conservation authority on board, but that he felt cynical about whether the government would listen to the working group’s advice.


nationalobserver--2020-12-16--NDP, Liberals blast O'Toole's comments in Facebook video on residential schools

OTTAWA — New Democrats and Liberals are condemning comments by Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole on the original mission of residential schools , characterizing his remarks as corrosive and demanding an apology .
In a video posted to the Ryerson University Conservatives Facebook group last month , O'Toole said the government-sponsored schools aimed initially to educate Indigenous children but later devolved into harmful practices .
`` It was meant to try and provide education .
It became a horrible program that really harmed people .
And we have to learn from that , '' O'Toole said in the Nov. 5 video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched the boarding schools in the 1880s and kept them going for more than a century , seeking to convert and assimilate Indigenous children , who suffered widespread physical and sexual abuse at the institutions .
NDP ethics critic Charlie Angus told reporters Wednesday it is `` false '' and `` disgraceful , revisionist race-baiting '' to suggest that education was the prime goal of the school system , of which Ryerson University namesake Egerton Ryerson was a key architect .
• How an Anishinaabe lawyer is helping Indigenous communities strengthen their legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed from Christmas until at least Jan. 11 `` We are talking about policies that set out to destroy families , to destroy identities , to literally 'kill the Indian in the child , ' '' Angus said , citing a phrase associated with the system 's expansion in the early 20th century .
`` This is really cheap , cheap stuff from him . ''
Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett said she was `` disappointed '' to see O'Toole turn the legacy of residential schools into a `` partisan game . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen to the families and survivors and admit that his remarks caused harm , that he is sorry and that he will work with them to ensure that he and his colleagues will never again try to defend the indefensible , '' Bennett said in a Twitter post .
O'Toole spokeswoman Chelsea Tucker said the Tory leader supports reconciliation and `` takes the horrific history of residential schools very seriously . ''
`` He has also been clear in highlighting the damage cancel culture can have .
Defending free speech , especially on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remembering our past is an important part of aspiring for better in the future , '' she said in an email .
In a video posted to the Ryerson Conservatives Facebook group last month , the Conservative leader said residential schools aimed initially to educate Indigenous children but later devolved into harmful practices .
# cdnpoli The hashtag # ResignOToole was trending Tuesday night on Twitter , and New Democrat Leah Gazan called on him to step down .
`` Time to silence ignorant racist voices that claim founders of residential schools were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Winnipeg MP said in a tweet .
The name of Toronto 's Ryerson University has come under scrutiny in the last three years , part of a broader reassessment of lionized historical figures in an age of heightened social and cultural awareness .
In 2017 , a student-led campaign pushed for the institution to change its name out of respect for residential school survivors .
The campaign highlighted recommendations from Egerton Ryerson — a Methodist minister and public education advocate — on Indigenous schools that helped pave the way for the program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the wider student community , who criticized it as being impractical and disrespectful in its own right .
The same year , Trudeau renamed the former Langevin Block building , which sits across from Parliament Hill and houses the Prime Minister 's Office , arguing at the time that keeping the name of Sir Hector-Louis Langevin — a 19th-century cabinet minister associated with the residential school system — on the edifice clashed with his government 's vision .
O'Toole referenced both Langevin and Ryerson in the video .
`` When Egerton Ryerson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , it was meant to try and provide education , '' he said .
O'Toole went on to say former Liberal prime ministers Pierre Trudeau and Jean Chrétien opened several residential schools , while Tory prime ministers Brian Mulroney and Stephen Harper ended the program and apologized for it , respectively .
`` Where is the woke left calling for the renaming of the Trudeau airport ? ''
O'Toole asked , referring to Montreal 's main air hub .
How Chrétien opened new schools after Mulroney axed the program was not explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Observer in September that the cultural blind spots of the Fathers of Confederation are not comparable to Pierre Trudeau 's .
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission , chaired by Sinclair , issued its final report on residential schools five years ago .
The nearly 4,000-page account details the harsh mistreatment inflicted on Indigenous children at the institutions , where at least 3,200 children died amid abuse and neglect .
Angus said O'Toole 's comments fit into `` a pattern among deniers to rewrite the facts that were found in the Truth and Reconciliation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lynn Beyak , who was booted from the Conservative caucus after posting derogatory letters about Indigenous people on her website in 2017 , and who once again faces the prospect of expulsion from the upper chamber with a motion before the members .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16 , 2020 .

OTTAWA — New Democrats and Liberals are condemning comments by Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole on the original mission of residential schools, characterizing his remarks as corrosive and demanding an apology. In a video posted to the Ryerson University Conservatives Facebook group last month, O'Toole said the government-sponsored schools aimed initially to educate Indigenous children but later devolved into harmful practices. "It was meant to try and provide education. It became a horrible program that really harmed people. And we have to learn from that," O'Toole said in the Nov. 5 video. Christian churches and the federal government launched the boarding schools in the 1880s and kept them going for more than a century, seeking to convert and assimilate Indigenous children, who suffered widespread physical and sexual abuse at the institutions. NDP ethics critic Charlie Angus told reporters Wednesday it is "false" and "disgraceful, revisionist race-baiting" to suggest that education was the prime goal of the school system, of which Ryerson University namesake Egerton Ryerson was a key architect.
"We are talking about policies that set out to destroy families, to destroy identities, to literally 'kill the Indian in the child,'" Angus said, citing a phrase associated with the system's expansion in the early 20th century. "This is really cheap, cheap stuff from him." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett said she was "disappointed" to see O'Toole turn the legacy of residential schools into a "partisan game."
"Mr. O’Toole needs to listen to the families and survivors and admit that his remarks caused harm, that he is sorry and that he will work with them to ensure that he and his colleagues will never again try to defend the indefensible," Bennett said in a Twitter post. In a video posted to the Ryerson Conservatives Facebook group last month, the Conservative leader said residential schools aimed initially to educate Indigenous children but later devolved into harmful practices. #cdnpoli O'Toole spokeswoman Chelsea Tucker said the Tory leader supports reconciliation and "takes the horrific history of residential schools very seriously." "He has also been clear in highlighting the damage cancel culture can have. Defending free speech, especially on campus, is important, just as remembering our past is an important part of aspiring for better in the future," she said in an email. The hashtag #ResignOToole was trending Tuesday night on Twitter, and New Democrat Leah Gazan called on him to step down. "Time to silence ignorant racist voices that claim founders of residential schools were trying to educate Indigenous children," the Winnipeg MP said in a tweet.
The name of Toronto's Ryerson University has come under scrutiny in the last three years, part of a broader reassessment of lionized historical figures in an age of heightened social and cultural awareness. In 2017, a student-led campaign pushed for the institution to change its name out of respect for residential school survivors. The campaign highlighted recommendations from Egerton Ryerson — a Methodist minister and public education advocate — on Indigenous schools that helped pave the way for the program. The effort also prompted considerable backlash from the wider student community, who criticized it as being impractical and disrespectful in its own right.


nationalobserver--2020-12-16--Hurricanes, heat waves and hail: Here are Environment Canada's Top 10 weather stories of 2020

It was another year of record-breaking disasters and crazy , dangerous weather from coast to coast , says Environment Canada 's senior climatologist .
A vicious hailstorm in Calgary wrote off more cars than Albertans normally buy in an entire year .
Heat in Ontario quadrupled Toronto 's normal number of hot , stuffy nights .
The East Coast experienced eight hurricanes compared with the normal two or three .
A chokehold of wildfire smoke gave southern British Columbia some of the dirtiest air in the world .
Waters in the Atlantic , far off Canadian shores , were up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Conditions outside of Canada made for a more active hurricane season , '' Phillips said .
`` It was a hyperactive season . ''
Smoke from vast wildfires in the U.S. Pacific Northwest drifted into southern B.C .
and as far as the eastern slopes of Alberta 's Rocky Mountains .
Victoria and Vancouver had up to 80 per cent more smoky hours in September than they did in 2018 when the province was ablaze .
`` It was an expensive year .
It was an extreme year , '' says Environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were no shockers . ''
# climatechange `` What 2020 showed , through smoky skies in British Columbia , frequent hurricanes in the East , and vanishing ice in the North , is that climate change occurring elsewhere outside of Canada is also having an increasingly greater impact on the health and well-being of Canadians at home , '' Phillips said .
Weather events cost Canadians $ 2.5 billion overall this year — and that 's just insured losses .
Driven by 70-kilometre winds , the icy missiles shattered windows , downed trees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that followed swamped streets , led to blackouts in more than 10,000 homes and cost about $ 1.3 billion in insurance claims .
B.C .
's smoky September took the next spot .
At one point , Victoria was shrouded for 186 consecutive hours .
In some places , temperatures fell eight degrees as smoke blotted the sun .
Vancouver 's air was up to seven times more toxic than it had been during B.C .
's 2018 wildfires .
Back to Alberta for third place .
A cold spring followed by rapid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised water levels on rivers in the Fort McMurray area between 4.5 and six metres in a matter of hours .
The ice slabs were so big explosives could n't remove them and 13,000 residents had to leave their homes for more than a week .
An endless — and merciless — summer in Central and Eastern Canada was fourth .
On May 27 , Montreal hit 36.6 C , an all-time May record .
In June , Quebec broke 140 temperature records .
Ottawa 's average temperature for the hot spell was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the most days above 30 C in 50 years .
Summerside , P.E.I.
, had 10 such days compared with the average of one .
It would n't be a Canadian list without a snowfall story .
This year it came from St. John 's , N.L.
, where a blizzard deemed a `` bomb cyclone '' in January howled 18 straight hours .
Nearly a metre of snow buried cars up to their hood ornaments .
Canada needs to come to grips with climate change , said Phillips , who added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for optimism .
`` The lesson from the pandemic is that the world mobilized , '' Phillips said .
`` Science is the winner .
Climate change ( science ) may very well benefit from that . ''
At least , that 's his hope .
`` There 's no vaccine for extreme weather . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16 , 2020

It was another year of record-breaking disasters and crazy, dangerous weather from coast to coast, says Environment Canada's senior climatologist. A vicious hailstorm in Calgary wrote off more cars than Albertans normally buy in an entire year. Heat in Ontario quadrupled Toronto's normal number of hot, stuffy nights. The East Coast experienced eight hurricanes compared with the normal two or three. A chokehold of wildfire smoke gave southern British Columbia some of the dirtiest air in the world. A flood washed residents of Fort McMurray, Alta., from their homes. "It was an expensive year. It was an extreme year," said Dave Phillips. "There were no shockers."
Compiling the annual list of Top 10 Canadian weather events since 1996 hasn't left Phillips blasé. It's just that, after 24 straight years of normal or above-normal temperatures, this is what Canada can now expect. "Scientists have seen this very clear link between climate change and weather extremes," said Phillips. "There's no denying it any more." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The year 2020, he said, was remarkable for the impact weather and climatic events outside Canada had inside its borders.
Waters in the Atlantic, far off Canadian shores, were up to three degrees warmer than average. "It was an expensive year. It was an extreme year," says Environment Canada's senior climatologist. "There were no shockers." #climatechange "Conditions outside of Canada made for a more active hurricane season," Phillips said. "It was a hyperactive season." Smoke from vast wildfires in the U.S. Pacific Northwest drifted into southern B.C. and as far as the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains. Victoria and Vancouver had up to 80 per cent more smoky hours in September than they did in 2018 when the province was ablaze. "What 2020 showed, through smoky skies in British Columbia, frequent hurricanes in the East, and vanishing ice in the North, is that climate change occurring elsewhere outside of Canada is also having an increasingly greater impact on the health and well-being of Canadians at home," Phillips said. Weather events cost Canadians $2.5 billion overall this year — and that's just insured losses.
Phillips's top weather story occurred June 13 when golf-ball-sized hail pounded Calgary. Driven by 70-kilometre winds, the icy missiles shattered windows, downed trees and battered 32,000 cars. The flood that followed swamped streets, led to blackouts in more than 10,000 homes and cost about $1.3 billion in insurance claims. B.C.'s smoky September took the next spot.


nationalobserver--2020-12-16--Quebec orders all non-essential businesses closed from Christmas until at least Jan. 11

Quebec is shutting down most businesses and all primary and secondary schools until at least Jan. 11 , as authorities try to get a handle on a second wave of COVID-19 that is forcing hospitals to scale back services .
Premier Francois Legault told reporters Tuesday he 's hopeful his plan will `` give us every chance to break that second wave so that we can then start to reopen . ''
Legault said all non-essential businesses across the province will be closed from Christmas until at least Jan. 11 , meaning Boxing Day is cancelled .
Only businesses such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores and car-repair shops will be allowed to remain open ; big box stores such as Walmart and Costco will be forbidden from selling goods that are deemed non-essential , Legault said .
Offices will be forced to shutter and employees will be required to work remotely beginning Thursday until at least Jan. 11 , with few exceptions .
The manufacturing industry , however , will remain open .
Elementary schools , which were supposed to close Thursday and reopen Jan. 4 , will instead be closed until at least Jan. 11 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 11 and for now , Legault said that plan has n't changed .
• How an Anishinaabe lawyer is helping Indigenous communities strengthen their legal traditions `` We think that these measures will give us every chance to protect our hospitals and health workers , '' Legault said .
On Tuesday , Quebec reported 1,741 COVID-19 infections and 39 more deaths linked to the novel coronavirus .
Health officials said hospitalizations rose by 69 , to 959 , and three more patients were in intensive care , for a total of 125 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much pressure with COVID-19 patients for him to let businesses stay open .
More than 7,400 health-care workers across the province are off sick or on leave , he said .
The health minister announced in early December that hospitals have been forced to cancel or suspend some non-emergency surgeries and appointments .
The premier also moved all the regions that were still under the `` orange '' alert level , to red , the maximum level .
Much of the province has been in the so-called `` red '' zone since October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooms , gyms and entertainment venues are closed .
Despite bringing mostly bad news to the province , the premier said he would relax certain restriction on gatherings and outdoor sports .
People who live alone will be allowed to join a single family bubble during the holidays , he said .
Also , outdoor activities such as skiing and hockey will be permitted for parties up to eight people .
Health Minister Christian Dube told reporters , `` we hope the combination of all those measures will make a big difference .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed from Dec. 25 until at least Jan. 11 , 2021 .
# COVID19 # polqc # SecondWave `` The vaccine is coming too , '' said Dr. Horacio Arruda , Quebec 's director of public health .
`` Even if we ca n't vaccinate all the population by January and February , because we will vaccinate the people at higher risk … the impact of the epidemic will be different . ''
Dube said Quebec vaccinated 900 people on the second day of its inoculation campaign .
On Monday , authorities said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 vaccine .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 15 , 2020 .

Quebec is shutting down most businesses and all primary and secondary schools until at least Jan. 11, as authorities try to get a handle on a second wave of COVID-19 that is forcing hospitals to scale back services. Premier Francois Legault told reporters Tuesday he's hopeful his plan will "give us every chance to break that second wave so that we can then start to reopen." Legault said all non-essential businesses across the province will be closed from Christmas until at least Jan. 11, meaning Boxing Day is cancelled. Only businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware stores and car-repair shops will be allowed to remain open; big box stores such as Walmart and Costco will be forbidden from selling goods that are deemed non-essential, Legault said. Offices will be forced to shutter and employees will be required to work remotely beginning Thursday until at least Jan. 11, with few exceptions. The manufacturing industry, however, will remain open. Elementary schools, which were supposed to close Thursday and reopen Jan. 4, will instead be closed until at least Jan. 11. High schools were already scheduled to reopen Jan. 11 and for now, Legault said that plan hasn't changed.
"We think that these measures will give us every chance to protect our hospitals and health workers," Legault said. On Tuesday, Quebec reported 1,741 COVID-19 infections and 39 more deaths linked to the novel coronavirus. Health officials said hospitalizations rose by 69, to 959, and three more patients were in intensive care, for a total of 125. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Legault said hospitals are under too much pressure with COVID-19 patients for him to let businesses stay open. More than 7,400 health-care workers across the province are off sick or on leave, he said. The health minister announced in early December that hospitals have been forced to cancel or suspend some non-emergency surgeries and appointments.
The premier also moved all the regions that were still under the "orange" alert level, to red, the maximum level. Much of the province has been in the so-called "red" zone since October, in which bars, restaurant dining rooms, gyms and entertainment venues are closed. #Quebec orders all non-essential businesses closed from Dec. 25 until at least Jan. 11, 2021. #COVID19 #polqc #SecondWave Despite bringing mostly bad news to the province, the premier said he would relax certain restriction on gatherings and outdoor sports. People who live alone will be allowed to join a single family bubble during the holidays, he said. Also, outdoor activities such as skiing and hockey will be permitted for parties up to eight people. Health Minister Christian Dube told reporters, "we hope the combination of all those measures will make a big difference." "The vaccine is coming too," said Dr. Horacio Arruda, Quebec's director of public health. "Even if we can't vaccinate all the population by January and February, because we will vaccinate the people at higher risk … the impact of the epidemic will be different." Dube said Quebec vaccinated 900 people on the second day of its inoculation campaign. On Monday, authorities said they vaccinated 298 people with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.


nationalobserver--2020-12-16--Constitutional challenges to MAID bill inevitable, senator explains

The government 's representative in the Senate concedes it 's possible that a bill to expand access to medically assisted dying may be struck down as unconstitutional by the courts .
But while parliamentarians must be guided by court rulings , Sen. Marc Gold argued Tuesday they also have a duty to try to balance competing rights and interests .
In Bill C-7 , he contended , the government has struck a `` reasonable and responsible balance '' between the autonomy of intolerably suffering Canadians who are not near death and the need to protect the most vulnerable individuals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gave a lengthy speech in the Senate devoted almost entirely to the constitutionality of the bill .
He noted that some senators believe the bill is unconstitutional because it is too permissive , others because it 's too restrictive .
`` I understand very well that there are very good arguments on both sides of many of these issues , '' he told the Senate .
• How an Anishinaabe lawyer is helping Indigenous communities strengthen their legal traditions • Quebec orders all non-essential businesses closed from Christmas until at least Jan. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutional validity of Bill C-7 are `` inescapable '' but it 's impossible to predict how the courts might rule on it .
`` For better and for worse , the courts will continue to be seized with this issue as individuals and groups seek to vindicate their constitutional rights , however they conceive them , '' he said .
`` But this can not be a reason for government and for Parliament to abdicate their responsibilities to legislate in good faith and in the best interests of Canadians . ''
Bill C-7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compliance with a September 2019 Quebec Superior Court ruling , which struck down the provision that allows MAID only for those whose natural death is reasonably foreseeable .
The bill would scrap the near-death requirement but would retain the concept to create two eligibility tracks for MAID : somewhat relaxed rules for people who are close to death and more stringent rules for those who are n't .
The bill specifically prohibits MAID for people suffering solely from mental illnesses , an exclusion some senators believe is a violation of equality rights .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules for people not near the end of life are also unconstitutional .
The government 's representative in the Senate concedes it 's possible that a bill to expand access to medically # AssistedDying may be struck down as unconstitutional by the courts .
# MAID # cdnpoli # cdnlegal On the other side of the equation , some senators echo the concerns of disability rights groups in contending that the bill is unconstitutional because it singles out people with disabilities as the only ones eligible for MAID when they are not approaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any student of the charter ( of rights and freedoms ) will know , arguments about rights — and especially equality rights — are inherently controversial and predicting how a court might rule is a very risky business , '' Gold said .
He laid out the government 's justification for excluding people suffering solely from mental illness , arguing that the trajectory of their conditions is uncertain and that a desire to die can be a symptom of the illness .
He argued that the exclusion can be justified as a reasonable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charter , because it is `` neither arbitrary , over-broad or grossly disproportionate . ''
Still , he acknowledged the possibility that it could be struck down as a violation of equality rights or the right to life , liberty and security of the person , notwithstanding the government 's view .
`` The government is aware that there are strong constitutional opinions to the contrary and that the arguments against this aspect of C-7 are worthy of serious consideration and debate , '' Gold said .
`` I certainly have wrestled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He promised that amendments to improve the bill would be seriously considered by the government .
Sen. Stan Kutcher , a psychiatrist who is a member of the Independent Senators Group , told the Senate that the exclusion of people suffering solely from mental illness is unacceptable and `` dehumanizing . ''
`` It perpetuates centuries-long stigmatization of those living with mental disorders as incompetent and incapable beings , '' he said .
The reasons the government gives for the exclusion apply to people with physical illnesses as well , Kutcher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a severe and chronic illness is , by itself , an elevated risk factor for suicide . ''
He promoted the idea of adding a sunset clause , giving time for adequate guidelines to be developed for allowing MAID to people suffering solely from mental illness .
But that was `` vehemently opposed '' by Conservative Sen. Denise Batters , whose husband , former MP Dave Batters , took his own life after battling depression and anxiety .
`` I have seen up close the failures of our mental health system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stigma and a lack of resources .
`` The answer to those barriers is to fix that system , not to confirm a mentally ill patient 's feelings of hopelessness and offer them the lethal means to suicide . ''
Batters also argued that the bill makes people with disabilities `` second-class citizens . ''
Gold acknowledged the concerns of some senators that people with disabilities ca n't make a real choice about ending their lives because they 're not given adequate access to palliative care or support services .
But while it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said that issue falls under provincial jurisdiction and ca n't be addressed through the Criminal Code .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 15 , 2020 .

The government's representative in the Senate concedes it's possible that a bill to expand access to medically assisted dying may be struck down as unconstitutional by the courts. But while parliamentarians must be guided by court rulings, Sen. Marc Gold argued Tuesday they also have a duty to try to balance competing rights and interests. In Bill C-7, he contended, the government has struck a "reasonable and responsible balance" between the autonomy of intolerably suffering Canadians who are not near death and the need to protect the most vulnerable individuals. Gold, a former constitutional law professor, gave a lengthy speech in the Senate devoted almost entirely to the constitutionality of the bill. He noted that some senators believe the bill is unconstitutional because it is too permissive, others because it's too restrictive. "I understand very well that there are very good arguments on both sides of many of these issues," he told the Senate.
Gold said court challenges to the constitutional validity of Bill C-7 are "inescapable" but it's impossible to predict how the courts might rule on it. "For better and for worse, the courts will continue to be seized with this issue as individuals and groups seek to vindicate their constitutional rights, however they conceive them," he said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "But this cannot be a reason for government and for Parliament to abdicate their responsibilities to legislate in good faith and in the best interests of Canadians."
Bill C-7 is intended to bring the law into compliance with a September 2019 Quebec Superior Court ruling, which struck down the provision that allows MAID only for those whose natural death is reasonably foreseeable. The government's representative in the Senate concedes it's possible that a bill to expand access to medically #AssistedDying may be struck down as unconstitutional by the courts. #MAID #cdnpoli #cdnlegal The bill would scrap the near-death requirement but would retain the concept to create two eligibility tracks for MAID: somewhat relaxed rules for people who are close to death and more stringent rules for those who aren't. The bill specifically prohibits MAID for people suffering solely from mental illnesses, an exclusion some senators believe is a violation of equality rights. Some also believe the more stringent eligibility rules for people not near the end of life are also unconstitutional. On the other side of the equation, some senators echo the concerns of disability rights groups in contending that the bill is unconstitutional because it singles out people with disabilities as the only ones eligible for MAID when they are not approaching the end of life. "As any student of the charter (of rights and freedoms) will know, arguments about rights — and especially equality rights — are inherently controversial and predicting how a court might rule is a very risky business," Gold said.
He laid out the government's justification for excluding people suffering solely from mental illness, arguing that the trajectory of their conditions is uncertain and that a desire to die can be a symptom of the illness. He argued that the exclusion can be justified as a reasonable limit on rights, as allowed under the charter, because it is "neither arbitrary, over-broad or grossly disproportionate." Still, he acknowledged the possibility that it could be struck down as a violation of equality rights or the right to life, liberty and security of the person, notwithstanding the government's view.


nationalobserver--2020-12-16--Qualtrough quells anxiety about CERB notices, saying no requirement to repay now

The letter that John Cosgrove received in late November from the Canada Revenue Agency was n't entirely clear , but he knew something was amiss .
Cosgrove , like nearly nine million Canadians , had applied for and received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit while it was available between mid-March and late September as the economy slowed and jobs were lost because of COVID-19 .
The CRA was n't sure if the self-employed artist met the earnings criteria needed to receive the $ 500-a-week CERB .
If not , the letter suggested he may have to repay $ 12,900 before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one who ca n't pay the money back immediately will be forced to do so .
The Dec. 31 repayment requests that some have received are suggestions designed to ensure accurate tax receipts are issued for this calendar year and do n't affect benefits and tax credits recipients may receive or claim next year .
`` Nobody is asking you to pay if you ca n't pay .
We 're putting you on notice that you may not be eligible , '' Qualtrough said , noting some may be eligible once they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I appreciate that every time anyone gets something from CRA , the anxiety gets up there .
But this sincerely was an attempt to get ahead of … a very complicated tax time next year for millions of Canadians . ''
`` Nobody is asking you to pay if you ca n't pay , '' # Qualtrough said about CERB repayment notices .
# cdnpoli # CERB # COVID19 The government provided CERB payments with little validation checks to speed up payments during lockdowns in the spring when three million jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always circle back to see which recipients were n't eligible for benefits and order them to pay money back .
The CRA said some 995,000 such payments have been made to date .
Qualtrough said the reasons were multiple , such as receiving student-targeted aid at the same time , or having gone back to work , or being kept on payrolls through the federal wage subsidy program .
`` We 've been working behind the scenes with Canadians and employers all along to remedy those more specific instances , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now is how the government interprets the earnings requirement .
CERB criteria required recipients to have earned at least $ 5,000 in the 12 months before applying .
The CRA said that figure was interpreted as gross income for traditional employees , but seen as net income for self-employed .
Emails viewed by The Canadian Press show that government officials writing MPs with constituent questions appeared confused about the difference , advising even in the summer that gross income was the measure to be used when determining if self-employed Canadians were eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the letter when I spoke to the CRA , no one mentioned net income , gross income , '' said Cosgrove , an artist in St. John 's , N.L .
Nancy Reid , a self-employed worker in Saint John , N.B.
, said she checked her 2019 tax return , and read and re-read the eligibility criteria before applying for CERB .
In a letter to her MP , Jenica Atwin of the Greens , Reid said she feels the government changed the rules of the game after the fact , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just feel I have been set up , suckered — played by my own government , '' she wrote .
It 's possible that some people will hit the earnings requirements when they file their tax returns next spring because the 12-month period could straddle 2019 and 2020 .
During the event with Cosgrove , Singh said the Liberals should waive any repayment requirements for self-employed workers who applied in good faith .
`` Instead of going after those folks , there should be an immediate end to pursuing people that are self-employed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` In fact , it 's more than just good faith .
They applied with the information they had , and they did the right thing . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 15 , 2020 .

The letter that John Cosgrove received in late November from the Canada Revenue Agency wasn't entirely clear, but he knew something was amiss. Cosgrove, like nearly nine million Canadians, had applied for and received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit while it was available between mid-March and late September as the economy slowed and jobs were lost because of COVID-19. The CRA wasn't sure if the self-employed artist met the earnings criteria needed to receive the $500-a-week CERB. If not, the letter suggested he may have to repay $12,900 before the end of 2020. "I cannot say I'm going to have a joyous Christmas," Cosgrove said Tuesday during a virtual news conference with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. "This is very difficult and I really believe that I'm not the only person in this situation."
He's not. The CRA has sent out more than 441,000 letters to CERB recipients in recent weeks asking them to verify they met eligibility rules for the payments. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions In an interview with The Canadian Press, Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough said the notices are an attempt to verify information and avoid making tax time next year overly complicated.
She said no one who can't pay the money back immediately will be forced to do so. The Dec. 31 repayment requests that some have received are suggestions designed to ensure accurate tax receipts are issued for this calendar year and don't affect benefits and tax credits recipients may receive or claim next year. "Nobody is asking you to pay if you can't pay," #Qualtrough said about CERB repayment notices. #cdnpoli #CERB #COVID19 "Nobody is asking you to pay if you can't pay. We're putting you on notice that you may not be eligible," Qualtrough said, noting some may be eligible once they file their 2020 tax returns next year. "I appreciate that every time anyone gets something from CRA, the anxiety gets up there. But this sincerely was an attempt to get ahead of … a very complicated tax time next year for millions of Canadians." The government provided CERB payments with little validation checks to speed up payments during lockdowns in the spring when three million jobs were lost. The plan was to always circle back to see which recipients weren't eligible for benefits and order them to pay money back.
The CRA said some 995,000 such payments have been made to date. Qualtrough said the reasons were multiple, such as receiving student-targeted aid at the same time, or having gone back to work, or being kept on payrolls through the federal wage subsidy program. "We've been working behind the scenes with Canadians and employers all along to remedy those more specific instances," she said.


nationalobserver--2020-12-16--Vulnerable womens' groups ask Liberals for lifeline after losing out on aid

Groups that offer services to vulnerable women across the country say they were shut out from federal pandemic aid and now face an uncertain future .
A report this morning from a coalition of women 's rights organizations suggests the pandemic has led to a steep cut in the services groups provide .
About half of the 117 groups involved in the report say they had to reduce service offerings or cancel programs outright when the pandemic hit .
And about two-fifths say they were n't able to access federal aid , either because eligibility criteria did n't account for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups themselves lacked the capacity to fill out applications .
As a result , groups now face the prospect of being unable to use existing funds to help cover increased costs from COVID-19 while potentially losing out on future funding because they are n't offering as many services as they used to .
• How an Anishinaabe lawyer is helping Indigenous communities strengthen their legal traditions It 's why the organizations involved are asking the Trudeau Liberals to create a specific funding stream now so they are n't forced to close in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women experiencing all these challenges across the country , but the organizations that are deeply focused on supporting them , they 're also at risk , '' said Anjum Sultana , national director of public policy for YWCA Canada .
`` The fear now is that whatever social safety net many of the women we 're serving had , that may also disappear . ''
When COVID-19 struck , many in-person services had to stop , meaning groups were n't able to offer their usual counselling , employment and skills-training services , often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these small and medium-sized non-profits and charities are women .
They , like many women , had to care for children at home and that in turn further strained resources .
`` It did n't take very long for us to start seeing these cracks almost immediately , '' said Jackie Neapole , executive director of the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women .
Groups that offer services to # vulnerable # women across the country say they were shut out from federal # pandemic aid and now face an uncertain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data and details to the anecdotal stories federal officials heard through the spring .
Eligibility criteria for programs like the wage subsidy required a decline in revenue that some groups could n't show because of the project-based nature of their financing .
Funding flows as projects or programs meet certain targets , with specific rules on how dollars can be spent .
Groups were unable to spend the money they had , nor were they able to quickly revise their programming , said Diana Sarosi , director of policy and campaigns at Oxfam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move ahead with their programming , or the costs that are involved in it are very different now , it makes it difficult for them to get the next tranche of money or it 's going to be cut down , '' she said .
`` That , again , causes a lot of financial insecurity for them moving forward . ''
The report recommends the government quickly set aside an easily accessible pool of funding for these groups to help cover overhead and essential operating costs .
It also calls on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since many were n't easily able to .
Neapole said she was concerned her organization could collapse without some change in government help , much like other organizations in the sector .
She said a point of optimism is the federal promise of a task force on women in the economy to help a group disproportionately affected by the pandemic .

Groups that offer services to vulnerable women across the country say they were shut out from federal pandemic aid and now face an uncertain future. A report this morning from a coalition of women's rights organizations suggests the pandemic has led to a steep cut in the services groups provide. About half of the 117 groups involved in the report say they had to reduce service offerings or cancel programs outright when the pandemic hit. And about two-fifths say they weren't able to access federal aid, either because eligibility criteria didn't account for their unique funding models or because the groups themselves lacked the capacity to fill out applications. As a result, groups now face the prospect of being unable to use existing funds to help cover increased costs from COVID-19 while potentially losing out on future funding because they aren't offering as many services as they used to.
It's why the organizations involved are asking the Trudeau Liberals to create a specific funding stream now so they aren't forced to close in the coming months. "Not only are women experiencing all these challenges across the country, but the organizations that are deeply focused on supporting them, they're also at risk," said Anjum Sultana, national director of public policy for YWCA Canada. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "The fear now is that whatever social safety net many of the women we're serving had, that may also disappear."
When COVID-19 struck, many in-person services had to stop, meaning groups weren't able to offer their usual counselling, employment and skills-training services, often on shoestring budgets. Groups that offer services to #vulnerable #women across the country say they were shut out from federal #pandemic aid and now face an uncertain future. #COVID19 Most employees at these small and medium-sized non-profits and charities are women. They, like many women, had to care for children at home and that in turn further strained resources. "It didn't take very long for us to start seeing these cracks almost immediately," said Jackie Neapole, executive director of the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women. The report attaches data and details to the anecdotal stories federal officials heard through the spring. Eligibility criteria for programs like the wage subsidy required a decline in revenue that some groups couldn't show because of the project-based nature of their financing.
Funding flows as projects or programs meet certain targets, with specific rules on how dollars can be spent. Groups were unable to spend the money they had, nor were they able to quickly revise their programming, said Diana Sarosi, director of policy and campaigns at Oxfam Canada. "If they can't move ahead with their programming, or the costs that are involved in it are very different now, it makes it difficult for them to get the next tranche of money or it's going to be cut down," she said.


nationalobserver--2020-12-17--More provinces administer COVID-19 vaccines as cases mount

Canada 's vaccine rollout reached four more provinces on Wednesday , with health-care workers being inoculated against COVID-19 as officials warned hospitals in some areas are nearing a breaking point .
Nurses were first in line for the Pfizer-BioNTech shot in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador , while Prince Edward Island administered the vaccine first to workers at a long-term care home and Manitoba bestowed the honour on an ICU doctor .
`` It 's an early Christmas present , '' said Ellen Foley-Vick , a public health nurse who was first to receive the vaccine in St. John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as she stood up and proclaimed that the shot did n't hurt a bit .
Haley Avery , who was among the first nurses to get the shot at Dalhousie University in Halifax , called the process `` very uneventful , '' though she stressed she was excited and grateful to be vaccinated .
• Quebec orders all non-essential businesses closed from Christmas until at least Jan. 11 • How an Anishinaabe lawyer is helping Indigenous communities strengthen their legal traditions • Canada kicks off massive COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Ont .
and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trying to set a good example , '' Avery said .
`` I think it 's fantastic that there are so many health-care workers who with very little thought , have stepped up to get the immunization because they know it is the right thing to do . ''
In Prince Edward Island , a resident care worker and a nurse at the Garden Home -- a long-term care facility -- got the first doses , along with a doctor who works at multiple nursing homes .
Dr. Brian Penner , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was first to receive the shot in Manitoba .
Front-line health-care workers and staff and residents of long-term care homes are up first for vaccinations across much of the country .
Saskatchewan , Alberta and British Columbia began giving shots Tuesday , after the first ones in Canada were given in Ontario and Quebec on Monday .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also said Canada is to get up to 168,000 doses of Moderna 's vaccine by the end of December , ahead of schedule .
Canada 's # vaccine rollout reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned hospitals in some areas are nearing a breaking point .
# Pfizer # BioNTech It has not yet been approved by Health Canada , but Trudeau has said deliveries could begin within 48 hours of getting the green light .
As it stands , officials are currently conducting a `` dry run , '' practising the rollout before the vaccines arrive .
Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin , charged with managing the logistics of delivering vaccines across the country , said this week 's rollout has been a success .
`` The first deliveries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
But Dr. Howard Njoo , Canada 's deputy chief public health officer , warned that the vaccination campaign does n't spell the immediate end of the pandemic .
`` We are not at the end of living with COVID-19 .
Rather , we are at the beginning of the end , '' he said .
`` As welcome as news of a first vaccine for Canadians may be , it is crucial for Canadians to continue following the guidance of their local public health authorities , and to keep up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News out of Ontario brought that reality into stark relief as the province urged hospitals in COVID-19 hot spots to prepare to use their `` surge capacity '' within 48 hours as diagnoses soar .
The province recorded 2,139 new cases of the virus on Wednesday , marking the second straight day of 2,000-plus cases in Ontario .
It also counted 43 new deaths .
The CEO of Ontario Health , which co-ordinates several agencies in the province 's health-care system , made the request in a memo to hospitals .
`` Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and non-COVID alike ) is being challenged , so we are asking hospitals to work together , even more , to ensure we can continue to have the bed capacity to care for patients , safely and effectively , '' Matt Anderson wrote in the letter issued Tuesday .
He asked hospitals in the province 's lockdown and red zones to ensure they have at least 10 to 15 per cent surge capacity for adult COVID-19 patients .
Manitoba , too , warned that the virus was straining its hospitals as it recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more deaths .
`` We 're not out of the woods .
We 're nowhere near out of the woods .
Our hospitals are filled with COVID-19 at the present time , '' said Dr. Jazz Atwal , the province 's acting deputy chief public health officer .
`` We 're going to see our hospitals continue to be busy , '' he said .
`` We have a number of communities with large outbreaks where they will generate hospitalizations . ''
On Wednesday , Saskatchewan recorded 169 new cases of COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its lowest daily counts in days , and 16 additional deaths .
It said 749 people were in hospital , and 139 of those were in intensive care .
Chief medical health officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Alberta Health Services was working with the Canadian Red Cross to set up an alternate care centre in Edmonton 's Butterdome arena with 100 beds should they be needed .
In British Columbia , Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said gaming investigators , conservation officers , and liquor and cannabis inspectors are being asked to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders related to COVID-19 .
The province is also asking WorkSafeBC to increase workplace inspections .
The government reported 640 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and 24 additional deaths .
B.C .
also said it administered 409 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Tuesday , the first day of its immunization program .
Nova Scotia counted four new cases of COVID-19 , while New Brunswick logged eight and Newfoundland and Labrador reported five .
As of Tuesday night , more than 475,000 Canadians had been diagnosed with the virus .
Upwards of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16 , 2020 .

Canada's vaccine rollout reached four more provinces on Wednesday, with health-care workers being inoculated against COVID-19 as officials warned hospitals in some areas are nearing a breaking point. Nurses were first in line for the Pfizer-BioNTech shot in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, while Prince Edward Island administered the vaccine first to workers at a long-term care home and Manitoba bestowed the honour on an ICU doctor. "It's an early Christmas present," said Ellen Foley-Vick, a public health nurse who was first to receive the vaccine in St. John's, N.L. Masked onlookers applauded as she stood up and proclaimed that the shot didn't hurt a bit. Haley Avery, who was among the first nurses to get the shot at Dalhousie University in Halifax, called the process "very uneventful," though she stressed she was excited and grateful to be vaccinated.
"There is certainly an element of trying to set a good example," Avery said. "I think it's fantastic that there are so many health-care workers who with very little thought, have stepped up to get the immunization because they know it is the right thing to do." In Prince Edward Island, a resident care worker and a nurse at the Garden Home -- a long-term care facility -- got the first doses, along with a doctor who works at multiple nursing homes. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Dr. Brian Penner, who works at Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre, was first to receive the shot in Manitoba.
Front-line health-care workers and staff and residents of long-term care homes are up first for vaccinations across much of the country. Canada's #vaccine rollout reached four more provinces.as #COVID19 as officials warned hospitals in some areas are nearing a breaking point. #Pfizer #BioNTech Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia began giving shots Tuesday, after the first ones in Canada were given in Ontario and Quebec on Monday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also said Canada is to get up to 168,000 doses of Moderna's vaccine by the end of December, ahead of schedule. It has not yet been approved by Health Canada, but Trudeau has said deliveries could begin within 48 hours of getting the green light. As it stands, officials are currently conducting a "dry run," practising the rollout before the vaccines arrive.
Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, charged with managing the logistics of delivering vaccines across the country, said this week's rollout has been a success. "The first deliveries went exactly according to plan," he said. But Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada's deputy chief public health officer, warned that the vaccination campaign doesn't spell the immediate end of the pandemic.


nationalobserver--2020-12-17--Provinces that don't agree to improve long-term care standards risk losing funding, PM hints

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is hinting that provinces that do n't want to work with Ottawa to improve standards in long-term care homes wo n't get federal funding .
In a year-end interview Wednesday with The Canadian Press , Trudeau said his government will `` happily partner '' with provinces and territories that want to boost standards in long-term care facilities .
And he said Ottawa will help them cover the costs of those improvements .
But he warned that provinces that do n't choose to take the federal government up on that offer will have some explaining to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provinces that do n't choose to give their seniors the highest level of standards will be asked questions on that by the folks who are sending their moms and dads into those senior centres , '' Trudeau said .
• How an Anishinaabe lawyer is helping Indigenous communities strengthen their legal traditions • Canada kicks off massive COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Ont .
and Quebec • Quebec orders all non-essential businesses closed from Christmas until at least Jan. 11 `` And it will become a difficult answer for them to give . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some long-term care homes , particularly in Ontario and Quebec .
Reports on conditions in the worst-hit homes have revealed appalling examples of neglect , abuse and unsanitary conditions .
Residents of long-term care facilities account for more than than 80 per cent of the COVID-19 deaths in Canada .
Delivery of health care is a provincial area of responsibility and some premiers , particularly Quebec 's Francois Legault , have strenuously objected to idea of the federal government setting national standards for long-term care facilities or setting any conditions on funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have unanimously demanded that Ottawa immediately increase its annual , unconditional health transfers to provinces and territories by at least $ 28 billion a year , money that is sent with no strings attached .
`` I don ’ t see what the federal government knows about nursing homes , ” Legault said last week after Trudeau failed to acquiesce to the premiers ' demand during a daylong , first ministers ' video conference .
Trudeau hints provinces that wo n't agree to improve standards in long-term care homes wo n't get federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If he wants to help with nursing homes and hospitals , he has to boost recurring funding.
” Legault 's views have been echoed by other premiers , including Ontario 's Doug Ford and Saskatchewan 's Scott Moe .
But premiers in the Atlantic provinces been more open to the idea of federal funding specifically tied to improving conditions in long-term care homes .
In the interview Wednesday , Trudeau appeared to signal that his government will negotiate separately with each province and territory that is willing to accept additional , targeted funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did to target funding for mental health and home care a few years ago .
`` The approach we have as a federal government is to first start looking at what the best practices are in certain jurisdictions that do have stronger standards than others , '' he said .
`` And work with the jurisdictions who want to , to increase their standards to the best possible level .
And the federal government to be there to help them with the extra costs involved in getting up to that level … So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the provinces as we have during this pandemic . ''
Trudeau acknowledged that long-term care is a provincial jurisdiction .
But he said : `` The dignity of elders , the safety of seniors , does n't really have much of a jurisdiction .
Not when you talk about their lives . ''
He noted that the federal government sent the military and Canadian Red Cross to help in overwhelmed long-term care facilities in Ontario and Quebec last spring , at the request of those provinces .
`` I guess , theoretically we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's your area , you deal with it . '
No .
The federal government is going to be there to look out for every single Canadian and that means , yes , working with the premiers . ''
Trudeau said standards in long-term care vary across the country and from facility to facility within provinces .
`` And I do n't think that 's right .
I think every senior in this country , regardless of where they live , should feel confident that if they go into the long-term care centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street or across the road or on the other side of town , they do n't have to worry that 'Oh , maybe that 's one of the bad ones ' or 'Maybe I 'm lucky enough to have gotten into one of the good ones , ' '' he said .
`` There needs to be a sense that in this country we ensure that every single senior gets to age in dignity and in safety and we 're not there . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first @ @ @ @ @ @

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is hinting that provinces that don't want to work with Ottawa to improve standards in long-term care homes won't get federal funding. In a year-end interview Wednesday with The Canadian Press, Trudeau said his government will "happily partner" with provinces and territories that want to boost standards in long-term care facilities. And he said Ottawa will help them cover the costs of those improvements. But he warned that provinces that don't choose to take the federal government up on that offer will have some explaining to do to their own populations. "The provinces that don't choose to give their seniors the highest level of standards will be asked questions on that by the folks who are sending their moms and dads into those senior centres," Trudeau said.
"And it will become a difficult answer for them to give." The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed deplorable conditions in some long-term care homes, particularly in Ontario and Quebec. Reports on conditions in the worst-hit homes have revealed appalling examples of neglect, abuse and unsanitary conditions. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Residents of long-term care facilities account for more than than 80 per cent of the COVID-19 deaths in Canada.
Delivery of health care is a provincial area of responsibility and some premiers, particularly Quebec's Francois Legault, have strenuously objected to idea of the federal government setting national standards for long-term care facilities or setting any conditions on funding provided for health care. Trudeau hints provinces that won't agree to improve standards in long-term care homes won't get federal funding. #COVID19 #cdnpoli The premiers have unanimously demanded that Ottawa immediately increase its annual, unconditional health transfers to provinces and territories by at least $28 billion a year, money that is sent with no strings attached. "I don’t see what the federal government knows about nursing homes,” Legault said last week after Trudeau failed to acquiesce to the premiers' demand during a daylong, first ministers' video conference. “If he wants to help with nursing homes and hospitals, he has to boost recurring funding.” Legault's views have been echoed by other premiers, including Ontario's Doug Ford and Saskatchewan's Scott Moe. But premiers in the Atlantic provinces been more open to the idea of federal funding specifically tied to improving conditions in long-term care homes.
In the interview Wednesday, Trudeau appeared to signal that his government will negotiate separately with each province and territory that is willing to accept additional, targeted funding for long-term care — much as it did to target funding for mental health and home care a few years ago. "The approach we have as a federal government is to first start looking at what the best practices are in certain jurisdictions that do have stronger standards than others," he said. "And work with the jurisdictions who want to, to increase their standards to the best possible level. And the federal government to be there to help them with the extra costs involved in getting up to that level … So we will happily partner and work with the provinces as we have during this pandemic."


nationalobserver--2020-12-17--People who face anti-Indigenous racism, violence need to know justice will be served

I am pleased but somehow still not fully satisfied with Monday ’ s verdict finding Brayden Bushby guilty of manslaughter in the death of 34-year-old Anishinaabe Kwe Barbara Kentner .
I am happy for her family and reluctantly pleased that the justice system got it right this time , though the sentencing still has to take place , and that will play a large part in whether justice was truly served .
There have been far too many unexplained deaths , cases of unreported violence and incidents of racism in Indigenous lives , and it is time we begin paying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that systemic racism exists and flourishes in this country .
The Crown proved beyond a reasonable doubt on Monday that Bushby intended harm when he heaved a jagged iron trailer hitch out the car window , boasting : “ I got one !
” Like many other Indigenous people who have faced and survived anti-Indigenous racism , I watched this case closely knowing that my trauma and some difficult memories may surface from my time in rough-and-tumble Thunder Bay .
• How an Anishinaabe lawyer is helping Indigenous communities strengthen their legal traditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign in Ont .
and Quebec • Quebec orders all non-essential businesses closed from Christmas until at least Jan. 11 When I was 15 , I was beaten up by a few older white boys while walking around one night in Thunder Bay with a friend .
While my friend was quicker and ran off , I stood to confront the boys in the car that skidded to a stop in a church parking lot .
I was asked what nationality I was , and before I could say anything , I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , knocking me to my knees .
I was then kicked in the ribs to a rousing cheer .
The car sped off , I shook it off and I made my way back to my friend ’ s home .
I was sore and a bit bewildered , but I didn ’ t go to the hospital or call the police .
I wasn ’ t that hurt and I didn ’ t know who the boys were .
It could ’ ve been worse , I thought .
The next incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stitches and a tearful ride home from my parents .
I was 18 then and jumped by three men in a small bathroom in a bar while I stood at a urinal .
One man held the door closed while the other two punched and kicked me until I lay dazed and bleeding on the slippery floor .
This time , there was no sound , only a slow-motion , muted flurry of fists and feet .
In 1967 , my mother ’ s father , Amos , an Ojibway man who guided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toys from wooden scraps , was walking home from a friend ’ s house after drinking beer and watching a Leafs game on TV .
Amos was found dead in the morning along the riverside , beaten badly .
According to Ontario Provincial Police reports at the time , he was intoxicated , fell into the river and drowned .
This was common to read in the local northern town newspaper .
I know .
I researched the newspaper ’ s microfiche , spoke to my grandfather ’ s friends and asked my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stories and knew people from the reserve who were caught in those same situations .
As a reporter , I wanted to tell my grandfather ’ s story and understand more about the investigation , but there wasn ’ t any data or reports on race-related crimes for the region .
I looked and , in fact , I even called the retired OPP sergeant who was on duty that night .
He couldn ’ t recall the situation , the name or the report .
Some family members told me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There have been far too many unexplained deaths , cases of unreported violence and incidents of racism in Indigenous lives , and it is time we ... acknowledge that systemic racism exists and flourishes in this country . ''
# TRC # histed # reconciliation Flash forward to the late 1990s , when I was working in Rapid City , S.D.
, for a national American Indian newspaper when the local police force started pulling bodies out of the Rapid Creek , all of them American Indian men , mostly homeless .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 unexplained deaths in Rapid City , most involving American Indian men .
Joint investigations by the Rapid City Police Department and the local county sheriff ’ s office found no signs of foul play and deemed the cases not worth pursuing .
It was during the hearings of the United States Commission on Civil Rights that same year in Rapid City and resulting reports that helped raise awareness of racism and perceptions of unfair treatment by the police department and the overall justice system .
It also sparked much discussion from citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opportunity to speak on the record .
There were familiar themes that reminded me a lot of Thunder Bay and my family history .
One woman reported that on many occasions , white teenagers would shoot their pellet guns at American Indian pedestrians while driving around town .
City leaders denounced what was happening while condoning such behaviour .
The seven First Nations youth who died between 2000 and 2011 while attending school in Thunder Bay were front of mind during this case .
So were the endless unsolved missing and murdered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which the RCMP and regional police forces classified many as unsolvable .
There has always been a deep disconnect between the justice system and Indigenous Peoples .
We know this too well .
We know , for instance , that the RCMP was created for a specific purpose : To assert sovereignty over Indigenous people and their lands .
The RCMP ’ s job was to clear the new lands of Indigenous people and move them onto specified plots of land whether they liked it or not .
Next came the Indian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RCMP to forcibly remove children from their families to be placed in Indian residential schools that were rife with torment and abuse .
So , yes , there has always been a historical belief that half-assed police work , racist attitudes and an overall inadequacy investigating the deaths of Indigenous people existed .
Police watchdogs , human rights groups and reports such as the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls have all reported on so many problematic issues with investigations that it recommended most cases be reopened .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director that examined allegations of racism in how the Thunder Bay police force investigates the deaths and disappearances of Indigenous people .
My grandfather ’ s death was an open-and-shut case , with no investigation .
The seven youth found in the rivers in Thunder Bay are closed cases , with recommendations to reopen .
There has been no movement in South Dakota on the unsolved cases there .
And the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women are still seeking answers .
The people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether it ’ s a kick in the ribs , a snide remark or a not guilty verdict — need to know that we aren ’ t living in a country where someone can get away with murder based on the victim ’ s race .
I am sorry , but I won ’ t let sleeping dogs lie .
I look forward to writing my grandfather ’ s story and know full well that justice may not be served for him or my family , but it may just help me and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content .
Jamie Monastyrski teaches Reporting in Indigenous Communities in the Humber College Media Arts Journalism Program .
He is a citizen of Couchiching First Nation , Treaty # 3 .

I am pleased but somehow still not fully satisfied with Monday’s verdict finding Brayden Bushby guilty of manslaughter in the death of 34-year-old Anishinaabe Kwe Barbara Kentner. I am happy for her family and reluctantly pleased that the justice system got it right this time, though the sentencing still has to take place, and that will play a large part in whether justice was truly served. There have been far too many unexplained deaths, cases of unreported violence and incidents of racism in Indigenous lives, and it is time we begin paying attention, seek deserved justice and acknowledge that systemic racism exists and flourishes in this country. The Crown proved beyond a reasonable doubt on Monday that Bushby intended harm when he heaved a jagged iron trailer hitch out the car window, boasting: “I got one!” Like many other Indigenous people who have faced and survived anti-Indigenous racism, I watched this case closely knowing that my trauma and some difficult memories may surface from my time in rough-and-tumble Thunder Bay.
When I was 15, I was beaten up by a few older white boys while walking around one night in Thunder Bay with a friend. While my friend was quicker and ran off, I stood to confront the boys in the car that skidded to a stop in a church parking lot. I was asked what nationality I was, and before I could say anything, I was punched in the head from the side, knocking me to my knees. I was then kicked in the ribs to a rousing cheer. The car sped off, I shook it off and I made my way back to my friend’s home. I was sore and a bit bewildered, but I didn’t go to the hospital or call the police. I wasn’t that hurt and I didn’t know who the boys were. It could’ve been worse, I thought. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The next incident was a little more serious and required stitches and a tearful ride home from my parents. I was 18 then and jumped by three men in a small bathroom in a bar while I stood at a urinal. One man held the door closed while the other two punched and kicked me until I lay dazed and bleeding on the slippery floor. This time, there was no sound, only a slow-motion, muted flurry of fists and feet.
In 1967, my mother’s father, Amos, an Ojibway man who guided the waters of Rainy Lake and whittled toys from wooden scraps, was walking home from a friend’s house after drinking beer and watching a Leafs game on TV. Amos was found dead in the morning along the riverside, beaten badly. According to Ontario Provincial Police reports at the time, he was intoxicated, fell into the river and drowned. "There have been far too many unexplained deaths, cases of unreported violence and incidents of racism in Indigenous lives, and it is time we ... acknowledge that systemic racism exists and flourishes in this country." #TRC #histed #reconciliation This was common to read in the local northern town newspaper. I know. I researched the newspaper’s microfiche, spoke to my grandfather’s friends and asked my family about those years. Everyone knew the stories and knew people from the reserve who were caught in those same situations. As a reporter, I wanted to tell my grandfather’s story and understand more about the investigation, but there wasn’t any data or reports on race-related crimes for the region. I looked and, in fact, I even called the retired OPP sergeant who was on duty that night. He couldn’t recall the situation, the name or the report. Some family members told me to “let sleeping dogs lie.” Flash forward to the late 1990s, when I was working in Rapid City, S.D., for a national American Indian newspaper when the local police force started pulling bodies out of the Rapid Creek, all of them American Indian men, mostly homeless. From 1998 to December 2000, there were 11 unexplained deaths in Rapid City, most involving American Indian men. Joint investigations by the Rapid City Police Department and the local county sheriff’s office found no signs of foul play and deemed the cases not worth pursuing.
It was during the hearings of the United States Commission on Civil Rights that same year in Rapid City and resulting reports that helped raise awareness of racism and perceptions of unfair treatment by the police department and the overall justice system. It also sparked much discussion from citizens from the surrounding reservations who finally had the opportunity to speak on the record. There were familiar themes that reminded me a lot of Thunder Bay and my family history. One woman reported that on many occasions, white teenagers would shoot their pellet guns at American Indian pedestrians while driving around town. City leaders denounced what was happening while condoning such behaviour. The seven First Nations youth who died between 2000 and 2011 while attending school in Thunder Bay were front of mind during this case. So were the endless unsolved missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) cases, of which the RCMP and regional police forces classified many as unsolvable.