nationalobserver--2020-04-19--Feds urge caution in re-opening economy in Canada

Canadian officials acknowledged some regions of the country could be closer to re-opening parts of the economy than others , but continued to stress a careful approach as the border closure with the hard-hit United States was extended for another 30 days during the COVID-19 crisis .
`` Let us be very clear , while we want to be optimistic , we need to be absolutely cautious , '' Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos said Saturday .
Sobering reminders of the need for patience were heard throughout the day as case numbers continued to climb in Canadian nursing homes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburban Montreal long-term care home where 31 people died from COVID-19 in less than one month , 61 of 99 residents have now tested positive for the virus , according to a regional health authority spokesman .
Canadian Armed Forces members with medical expertise headed to long-term care homes in Quebec after Premier Francois Legault asked the federal government for assistance .
Meanwhile , alarms were raised about an outbreak at a federal women 's prison northeast of the Montreal where 60 per cent of inmates have been infected , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Joliette Institution , up from 10 on April 7 , and other women 's institutions in Ontario and British Columbia also reported cases .
Earlier in the day , Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed the extension for the closure restricting non-essential travel across the border , which began on March 21 and was set to expire on Tuesday .
`` This is an important decision and one that will keep people on both sides of the border safe , '' Trudeau said .
U.S. president Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could open soon , but Trudeau and other Canadian political leaders did not strike the same tone in comments .
The U.S. has the most COVID-19 cases in the world , with more than 700,000 positive tests .
Canada has more than 33,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and is closing in on 1,500 deaths .
Despite continuing grim news , glimmers of hope emerged this week as provinces and cities reported slower growth of the virus , and officials began discussing moves towards a `` new normal . ''
In B.C.
, officials suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming weeks in light of numbers showing a flattening of the coronavirus curve .
• 10 lessons from COVID-19 that could help us save the planet Prince Edward Island , where 23 of the province 's 26 confirmed COVID-19 cases are recovered , is also looking at easing restrictions on activities while maintaining self-isolation rules for those entering the province .
Toronto Mayor John Tory met with city officials Saturday to discuss when regular life can restart in the country 's biggest city , though he warned that the time has not come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his province 's approach will be based on health advice and will only move forward with re-opening with medical officials ' green light .
He added that there are various scenarios playing out across the province .
`` What 's happening in a big urban centre like Toronto may not be happening in rural areas , '' Ford said .
He said that loosening restrictions over time will have to be done in a careful and methodical way , and said it would be `` twice as hard '' as the current lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need for caution and reminded Canadians to continue with physical distancing measures .
`` If we open too quickly , too soon or in the wrong way , we could find ourselves back in this situation a couple of months from now and everything we will have sacrificed during these months will have been for naught , '' Trudeau said .
He said discussions with the premiers have found consensus on the need to co-ordinate how the country moves forward , but acknowledged that different provinces and municipalities are at different stages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to relax measures sooner .
`` The situation is very different right across the country from one region to the next and the measures that they will be able to move forward with at various moments will vary as well , '' Trudeau said .
`` That 's going to be an important part of the recovery here . ''
Trudeau 's messages of collaboration among provinces contrasted with the situation in the U.S. As protests formed against mandatory closures this week , Trump , on Twitter , urged supporters to `` liberate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trudeau 's government has so far held off on defining guidelines for provinces looking to lift restrictions , as Trump did for U.S. governors earlier this week .
At a Saturday news conference with cabinet ministers , Duclos said easing of measures will depend on factors like where the disease curve is heading , the number of deaths , equipment supply and space in intensive care units .
Meanwhile , Trudeau continued to stress he does not think it is a good idea for the House of Commons to resume business as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , along with their staff , clerks , interpreters , security and cleaners .
An agreement needs to be reached before then on scaled-back sittings if the plan is to change .
Federal political parties were continuing negotiations Saturday about when and how Parliament should reconvene in the middle of the pandemic .
Certain regions eye re-opening of economy as cautious approach urged Trudeau 's Liberals are proposing one in-person sitting each week , with a small number of MPs and extended time for longer questions and more thorough answers than would normally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More sittings would be added as soon as the technical and logistical requirements for virtual meetings can be worked out .
All opposition parties appear satisfied with that proposal , except for the Conservatives .
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is demanding up to four in-person sittings each week , with fewer than 50 MPs in the chamber , to hold the government to account for its response to the health crisis and the resulting economic disaster .
Trudeau also announced Saturday the government is providing $ 306 million to help Indigenous companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was set to deploy celebrities in new ads meant to amplify the plea of public health experts for Canadians to stay home .
The ads , one in French , one in English , were to begin broadcasting nationally during the `` One World : Together at Home '' concert .

Canadian officials acknowledged some regions of the country could be closer to re-opening parts of the economy than others, but continued to stress a careful approach as the border closure with the hard-hit United States was extended for another 30 days during the COVID-19 crisis. "Let us be very clear, while we want to be optimistic, we need to be absolutely cautious," Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos said Saturday.
Sobering reminders of the need for patience were heard throughout the day as case numbers continued to climb in Canadian nursing homes and prisons.
At Residence Herron, the suburban Montreal long-term care home where 31 people died from COVID-19 in less than one month, 61 of 99 residents have now tested positive for the virus, according to a regional health authority spokesman.
Canadian Armed Forces members with medical expertise headed to long-term care homes in Quebec after Premier Francois Legault asked the federal government for assistance.
Meanwhile, alarms were raised about an outbreak at a federal women's prison northeast of the Montreal where 60 per cent of inmates have been infected, according to the Elizabeth Fry Society. The organization reported 50 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Joliette Institution, up from 10 on April 7, and other women's institutions in Ontario and British Columbia also reported cases.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed the extension for the closure restricting non-essential travel across the border, which began on March 21 and was set to expire on Tuesday.
"This is an important decision and one that will keep people on both sides of the border safe," Trudeau said. U.S. president Donald Trump said earlier this week that the border could open soon, but Trudeau and other Canadian political leaders did not strike the same tone in comments. The U.S. has the most COVID-19 cases in the world, with more than 700,000 positive tests. Canada has more than 33,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and is closing in on 1,500 deaths.
Despite continuing grim news, glimmers of hope emerged this week as provinces and cities reported slower growth of the virus, and officials began discussing moves towards a "new normal." In B.C., officials suggested some restrictions could be eased in the coming weeks in light of numbers showing a flattening of the coronavirus curve.
Prince Edward Island, where 23 of the province's 26 confirmed COVID-19 cases are recovered, is also looking at easing restrictions on activities while maintaining self-isolation rules for those entering the province. Toronto Mayor John Tory met with city officials Saturday to discuss when regular life can restart in the country's biggest city, though he warned that the time has not come yet. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his province's approach will be based on health advice and will only move forward with re-opening with medical officials' green light. He added that there are various scenarios playing out across the province.
"What's happening in a big urban centre like Toronto may not be happening in rural areas," Ford said. Certain regions eye re-opening of economy as cautious approach urged He said that loosening restrictions over time will have to be done in a careful and methodical way, and said it would be "twice as hard" as the current lockdown.
On Saturday, Trudeau repeated the need for caution and reminded Canadians to continue with physical distancing measures.
"If we open too quickly, too soon or in the wrong way, we could find ourselves back in this situation a couple of months from now and everything we will have sacrificed during these months will have been for naught," Trudeau said.
He said discussions with the premiers have found consensus on the need to co-ordinate how the country moves forward, but acknowledged that different provinces and municipalities are at different stages of the pandemic battle and may be able to relax measures sooner.
"The situation is very different right across the country from one region to the next and the measures that they will be able to move forward with at various moments will vary as well," Trudeau said. "That's going to be an important part of the recovery here."
Trudeau's messages of collaboration among provinces contrasted with the situation in the U.S. As protests formed against mandatory closures this week, Trump, on Twitter, urged supporters to "liberate" three states led by Democratic governors.
Trudeau's government has so far held off on defining guidelines for provinces looking to lift restrictions, as Trump did for U.S. governors earlier this week.
At a Saturday news conference with cabinet ministers, Duclos said easing of measures will depend on factors like where the disease curve is heading, the number of deaths, equipment supply and space in intensive care units.
Meanwhile, Trudeau continued to stress he does not think it is a good idea for the House of Commons to resume business as usual Monday — with all 338 MPs, along with their staff, clerks, interpreters, security and cleaners. An agreement needs to be reached before then on scaled-back sittings if the plan is to change. Federal political parties were continuing negotiations Saturday about when and how Parliament should reconvene in the middle of the pandemic. Trudeau's Liberals are proposing one in-person sitting each week, with a small number of MPs and extended time for longer questions and more thorough answers than would normally be allowed during the daily question period. More sittings would be added as soon as the technical and logistical requirements for virtual meetings can be worked out. All opposition parties appear satisfied with that proposal, except for the Conservatives.
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is demanding up to four in-person sittings each week, with fewer than 50 MPs in the chamber, to hold the government to account for its response to the health crisis and the resulting economic disaster. Trudeau also announced Saturday the government is providing $306 million to help Indigenous companies. Later Saturday, the federal government was set to deploy celebrities in new ads meant to amplify the plea of public health experts for Canadians to stay home.


nationalobserver--2020-04-19--Will House of Commons re-open?

Will House of Commons re-open?

Members of Parliament across Canada are waiting to learn whether they will have to make their way to Ottawa tomorrow as negotiations continue between the Liberals and Opposition parties about whether the House of Commons will re-open on Monday and under what terms .
Unless an agreement is reached before Monday , the House of Commons will resume business as usual with all 338 MPs along with their staff , clerks , interpreters , security and cleaners , returning to work in Ottawa .
After ongoing disagreement on the number of in-person sittings that should be held , the Liberals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afternoon , proposing the House of Commons hold one in-person sitting per week with a reduced number of MPs .
This sitting would include a lengthy time for MPs to question the prime minister and cabinet ministers .
The Liberals are also proposing one additional session be held each week with another lengthy question period , but this one would be held virtually .
The amount of time offered to Opposition and non-government MPs for questions would be equivalent to a regular week of question periods in the House of Commons , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be identified , as they were not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations .
• 10 lessons from COVID-19 that could help us save the planet According to a separate source , the NDP are pushing for a second virtual sitting .
Andrew Scheer and his Conservatives , meanwhile , are pushing for three in-person sittings per week to hold government accountable for its pandemic response — down from four sittings they were demanding earlier in the week .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday he is hopeful a deal can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties are in agreement that limited weekly sittings would ensure accountability while also allowing Parliament to continue to pass necessary legislation .
`` Right now , on the books , the rule is Parliament needs to re-open fully on Monday .
That 's obviously not a good idea , which is why we 've proposed measures going forward that we 're discussing with the other parties , and we certainly hope that we 're able to come to an agreement so that we do n't all have to convene in the House of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Saturday .
The lone holdouts on this deal — the Conservatives — are pushing for something that would not be safe , Trudeau said .
`` There is one party that still wants more than I think is wise at this particular time in terms of a public safety approach and in terms of ensuring that we are getting that balance right in moving forward with protecting our institutions , but we are hopeful that we are going to get to a good place soon . ''
Trudeau hopeful for deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Throwing a wrench into the equation is the Green party , which issued a statement Saturday saying its three MPs reject any proposal that would see MPs hold regular sittings of Parliament while the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada .
The Green party 's leader in the House of Commons , Elizabeth May , says she does not believe it 's reasonable for Parliament to convene in person unless there is legislation that needs to be passed .
`` The government has been very open to ideas and criticisms and has shown itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The system is working and , as we do this work , we demonstrate the value of dispensing with partisanship and collaborating towards a common goal , '' May said .
She is accusing Scheer of putting his desire for media coverage of question period ahead of public health .
Except for two single-day sittings to pass emergency aid bills , Parliament has been adjourned since mid-March .
On Friday , Senate Speaker George Furey announced that the upper house , which was to resume Tuesday , will not return until June 2 @ @ @ @

Members of Parliament across Canada are waiting to learn whether they will have to make their way to Ottawa tomorrow as negotiations continue between the Liberals and Opposition parties about whether the House of Commons will re-open on Monday and under what terms. Unless an agreement is reached before Monday, the House of Commons will resume business as usual with all 338 MPs along with their staff, clerks, interpreters, security and cleaners, returning to work in Ottawa. After ongoing disagreement on the number of in-person sittings that should be held, the Liberals came forward with a new proposal Saturday afternoon, proposing the House of Commons hold one in-person sitting per week with a reduced number of MPs. This sitting would include a lengthy time for MPs to question the prime minister and cabinet ministers. The Liberals are also proposing one additional session be held each week with another lengthy question period, but this one would be held virtually. The amount of time offered to Opposition and non-government MPs for questions would be equivalent to a regular week of question periods in the House of Commons, according to a source who asked not to be identified, as they were not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations.
According to a separate source, the NDP are pushing for a second virtual sitting. Andrew Scheer and his Conservatives, meanwhile, are pushing for three in-person sittings per week to hold government accountable for its pandemic response — down from four sittings they were demanding earlier in the week. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday he is hopeful a deal can be struck, as several of the Opposition parties are in agreement that limited weekly sittings would ensure accountability while also allowing Parliament to continue to pass necessary legislation.
"Right now, on the books, the rule is Parliament needs to re-open fully on Monday. That's obviously not a good idea, which is why we've proposed measures going forward that we're discussing with the other parties, and we certainly hope that we're able to come to an agreement so that we don't all have to convene in the House of Commons on Monday morning," Trudeau said Saturday. Trudeau hopeful for deal with Opposition parties on House of Commons re-opening The lone holdouts on this deal — the Conservatives — are pushing for something that would not be safe, Trudeau said. "There is one party that still wants more than I think is wise at this particular time in terms of a public safety approach and in terms of ensuring that we are getting that balance right in moving forward with protecting our institutions, but we are hopeful that we are going to get to a good place soon." Throwing a wrench into the equation is the Green party, which issued a statement Saturday saying its three MPs reject any proposal that would see MPs hold regular sittings of Parliament while the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada. The Green party's leader in the House of Commons, Elizabeth May, says she does not believe it's reasonable for Parliament to convene in person unless there is legislation that needs to be passed.
"The government has been very open to ideas and criticisms and has shown itself willing to act on our proposals. The system is working and, as we do this work, we demonstrate the value of dispensing with partisanship and collaborating towards a common goal," May said. She is accusing Scheer of putting his desire for media coverage of question period ahead of public health. Except for two single-day sittings to pass emergency aid bills, Parliament has been adjourned since mid-March.


nationalobserver--2020-04-19--Montreal nursing home death toll high as military prepares to step in

More grim numbers have emerged at a long-term care facility in suburban Montreal as the Canadian Armed Forces prepared to fan out to nursing homes across a city that has become Canada 's COVID-19 epicentre .
So far , 61 of 99 residents at the Residence Herron have tested positive for COVID-19 , with some results still pending , according to the regional health authority .
Some of the residents have been hospitalized `` because of their condition , '' said Guillaume Berube , a spokesman for the CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'Ile-de-Montreal .
The new numbers do not include the 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which came under provincial trusteeship after reports of appalling conditions at the home .
`` Because of the 31 deaths , there 's an investigation , and I can confirm that five of them died because of the virus , '' Berube said in a phone interview Saturday .
• 10 lessons from COVID-19 that could help us save the planet As he spoke , 125 military personnel with medical expertise geared up to deploy to nursing homes in the Montreal area after Premier Francois Legault took the unusual step of asking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armed Forces .
`` For the moment , five long-term care centres in the Greater Montreal area are at the heart of the reconnaissance efforts and the needs analysis will be performed in liaison with the civilian teams on site , '' the Forces said in a release Saturday .
The regional health authority for Montreal 's West Island , which is now overseeing the Residence Herron , confirmed it will receive support from a team of military nurses and orderlies over the next few days .
`` A meeting will also take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its jurisdiction will receive this support as a priority , '' Berube said .
The so-called intervention teams bound for the five long-term care homes in Montreal will be composed of one nurse and 12 technicians , each supported by support staff , the Forces said .
The regional health authority is also partnering with the Canadian Red Cross to organize training for volunteers at nursing homes ravaged by the pandemic .
Grim numbers emerge at Montreal nursing home as military prepares to step in The Red Cross will train 40 people each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's long-term care facilities as the virus rages through Quebec , which counts the most confirmed cases of any province at more than 17,500 , the health agency said .
The province reports that 805 Quebecers have now died due to the virus , more than half of them in Montreal , where there are more than 8,000 confirmed cases .
Among the dead was the first orderly in Montreal to succumb to the disease , according to the Canadian Union of Public Employees .
The union said the employee , who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was still on the job one week ago , worked at the Grace Dart nursing home under the same regional health authority that is now responsible for the Residence Herron .
`` Know that we are crying with you today , but that tomorrow we will resume the fight on all fronts to ensure that these essential employees can do their jobs safely , '' said CUPE Quebec president Benoit Bouchard in a release .
The Grace Dart residence has at least 62 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , according to government data .

More grim numbers have emerged at a long-term care facility in suburban Montreal as the Canadian Armed Forces prepared to fan out to nursing homes across a city that has become Canada's COVID-19 epicentre. So far, 61 of 99 residents at the Residence Herron have tested positive for COVID-19, with some results still pending, according to the regional health authority. Some of the residents have been hospitalized "because of their condition," said Guillaume Berube, a spokesman for the CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'Ile-de-Montreal. The new numbers do not include the 31 deaths reported earlier at the facility, which came under provincial trusteeship after reports of appalling conditions at the home. "Because of the 31 deaths, there's an investigation, and I can confirm that five of them died because of the virus," Berube said in a phone interview Saturday.
As he spoke, 125 military personnel with medical expertise geared up to deploy to nursing homes in the Montreal area after Premier Francois Legault took the unusual step of asking the federal government for assistance from the Canadian Armed Forces. "For the moment, five long-term care centres in the Greater Montreal area are at the heart of the reconnaissance efforts and the needs analysis will be performed in liaison with the civilian teams on site," the Forces said in a release Saturday. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The regional health authority for Montreal's West Island, which is now overseeing the Residence Herron, confirmed it will receive support from a team of military nurses and orderlies over the next few days.
"A meeting will also take place today to determine which establishments in its jurisdiction will receive this support as a priority," Berube said. Grim numbers emerge at Montreal nursing home as military prepares to step in The so-called intervention teams bound for the five long-term care homes in Montreal will be composed of one nurse and 12 technicians, each supported by support staff, the Forces said. The regional health authority is also partnering with the Canadian Red Cross to organize training for volunteers at nursing homes ravaged by the pandemic. The Red Cross will train 40 people each day to help residents of the area's long-term care facilities as the virus rages through Quebec, which counts the most confirmed cases of any province at more than 17,500, the health agency said. The province reports that 805 Quebecers have now died due to the virus, more than half of them in Montreal, where there are more than 8,000 confirmed cases.
Among the dead was the first orderly in Montreal to succumb to the disease, according to the Canadian Union of Public Employees. The union said the employee, who had more than 25 years of experience and was still on the job one week ago, worked at the Grace Dart nursing home under the same regional health authority that is now responsible for the Residence Herron. "Know that we are crying with you today, but that tomorrow we will resume the fight on all fronts to ensure that these essential employees can do their jobs safely," said CUPE Quebec president Benoit Bouchard in a release.


nationalobserver--2020-04-19--Doctors say people dying because they're avoiding ERs due to COVID-19 fear

Health-care providers are warning of an unseen toll COVID-19 could take if people die because they are too afraid to go to an emergency room for serious health issues unrelated to the pandemic .
`` There 's going to be secondary harm .
Make no mistake , '' said Dr. Alan Drummond with the Canadian Federation of Emergency Physicians .
`` To what extent has this been happening ?
We do n't know .
It will probably only be quantified after the fact .
Then we will start to get a sense of the hidden costs of this pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ health-care delivery to prepare for an expected surge of people ill with COVID-19 .
Doctors are connecting with patients virtually , elective surgeries are being cancelled or delayed , and hospitals are reallocating staff .
That has created more capacity to care for infected patients , but Drummond emphasizes it has also ensured that everyday health-care emergencies can still be treated .
• 10 lessons from COVID-19 that could help us save the planet A pandemic does n't stop heart attacks , strokes , serious falls and seizures , said Drummond , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people who would normally visit a doctor to check what could be serious symptoms are choosing not to seek help , he said .
Drummond said doctors are noticing that emergency rooms across the country are quieter and , when people do come in , too often the situation is already dire .
`` I lost the battle to save a patient last night because they waited too long to come to the hospital , '' Dr. Jeff Shaw , a cardiologist in Calgary , posted on Twitter earlier this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fear of hospitals now and concern about being turned away .
If you are sick and need help , hospitals are safe and are ready to look after you . ''
Drummond said physicians have told him about patients who finally do come to hospital and say they are worried about catching COVID-19 .
They also voice two other concerns .
`` They are scared to death and they are panic-stricken about ... coming to the emergency department and placing an unnecessary burden on the emergency health system or ... are worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff despite the screening efforts . ''
Hidden death toll : Doctors say people dying as they avoid ERs due to COVID fears Health officials in British Columbia reminded people in a daily briefing this week that it 's safe to go to a hospital , get diagnostic tests and call 911 for urgent medical care .
They noted there were about 3,600 emergency room visits on Tuesday , down from more than 6,500 on March 9 .
`` It is safe to go to the hospital , and there will be people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ B.C .
Health Minister Adrian Dix .
Dr. Brent Roussin , Manitoba 's chief public health officer , echoed the concern in one of his briefings .
He said colleagues are telling him that patients are feeling apprehensive about getting the help they need and show up at a hospital when the situation is already critical .
`` I really want to make it clear to Manitobans that our hospitals , our health-care systems , are safe to utilize , '' Roussin said .
Quebec 's health department has also said there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic .
Hospitals are safe and people should call their physician or 911 if they are concerned something is wrong , Drummond said .
He understands that can be scary when the world around us has changed so drastically because of the pandemic .
But the longer someone waits for treatment , the more serious the outcome can be .
Too often , he said , the delay can be deadly .
`` We do n't want people dying out of a false sense of contribution to the greater societal good . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ first published April 18 , 2020

Health-care providers are warning of an unseen toll COVID-19 could take if people die because they are too afraid to go to an emergency room for serious health issues unrelated to the pandemic. "There's going to be secondary harm. Make no mistake," said Dr. Alan Drummond with the Canadian Federation of Emergency Physicians. "To what extent has this been happening? We don't know. It will probably only be quantified after the fact. Then we will start to get a sense of the hidden costs of this pandemic." There have been major changes in health-care delivery to prepare for an expected surge of people ill with COVID-19. Doctors are connecting with patients virtually, elective surgeries are being cancelled or delayed, and hospitals are reallocating staff. That has created more capacity to care for infected patients, but Drummond emphasizes it has also ensured that everyday health-care emergencies can still be treated.
A pandemic doesn't stop heart attacks, strokes, serious falls and seizures, said Drummond, who works in Perth, Ont. Yet many people who would normally visit a doctor to check what could be serious symptoms are choosing not to seek help, he said. Drummond said doctors are noticing that emergency rooms across the country are quieter and, when people do come in, too often the situation is already dire. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "I lost the battle to save a patient last night because they waited too long to come to the hospital," Dr. Jeff Shaw, a cardiologist in Calgary, posted on Twitter earlier this week.
"I know there is a lot of fear of hospitals now and concern about being turned away. If you are sick and need help, hospitals are safe and are ready to look after you." Hidden death toll: Doctors say people dying as they avoid ERs due to COVID fears Drummond said physicians have told him about patients who finally do come to hospital and say they are worried about catching COVID-19. They also voice two other concerns. "They are scared to death and they are panic-stricken about ... coming to the emergency department and placing an unnecessary burden on the emergency health system or ... are worried they may be inadvertently transmitting COVID to staff despite the screening efforts." Health officials in British Columbia reminded people in a daily briefing this week that it's safe to go to a hospital, get diagnostic tests and call 911 for urgent medical care. They noted there were about 3,600 emergency room visits on Tuesday, down from more than 6,500 on March 9. "It is safe to go to the hospital, and there will be people there to help you," urged B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix.
Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba's chief public health officer, echoed the concern in one of his briefings. He said colleagues are telling him that patients are feeling apprehensive about getting the help they need and show up at a hospital when the situation is already critical. "I really want to make it clear to Manitobans that our hospitals, our health-care systems, are safe to utilize," Roussin said. Quebec's health department has also said there is a significant decline in its emergency department traffic.


nationalobserver--2020-04-19--United States-Canada border to remain closed for another 30 days

Canada has extended its border closure with the United States for 30 days .
The closure restricts non-essential travel across the border .
The border was originally closed on March 21 because of the COVID-19 pandemic , with the arrangement set to expire on Tuesday .
U.S. president Donald Trump said earlier this week that the border could open soon , but Trudeau and other Canadian political leaders did not strike the same tone in comments .
• 10 lessons from COVID-19 that could help us save the planet The U.S. has the most COVID-19 cases in the world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada has more than 32,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases .
Meanwhile , Trudeau continued to stress he does not think it is a good idea for the House of Commons to resume business as usual Monday — with all 338 MPs , along with their staff , clerks , interpreters , security and cleaners .
An agreement needs to be reached before then on scaled-back sittings if the plan is to change .
Federal political parties are to continue negotiating Saturday about when and how Parliament should reconvene in the middle of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person sitting each week , with a small number of MPs and extended time for longer questions and more thorough answers than would normally be allowed during the daily question period .
More sittings would be added as soon as the technical and logistical requirements for virtual meetings can be worked out .
All opposition parties appear satisfied with that proposal , except for the Conservatives .
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is demanding up to four in-person sittings each week , with fewer than 50 MPs in the chamber , to hold the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health crisis and the resulting economic disaster .
Canada-United States border to be closed for another 30 days Except for two single-day sittings to pass emergency aid bills , Parliament has been adjourned since mid-March .
On Friday , Senate Speaker George Furey announced that the upper house , which was to resume Tuesday , will not return until June 2 at the earliest .
Trudeau also announced Saturday the government is providing $ 306 million to help Indigenous companies .
Later Saturday , the federal government is deploying celebrities in new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health experts for Canadians to stay home to curb the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus .
The ads , one in French , one in English , are to begin broadcasting nationally tonight during the `` One World : Together at Home '' concert .
The trio exhorts Canadians to stay home and save lives .
Hadfield says Canadians have always overcome challenges by looking out for each other and doing their part .
Wickenheiser , noting that even people without symptoms can spread the disease , reminds Canadians that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and death .

Canada has extended its border closure with the United States for 30 days. The closure restricts non-essential travel across the border. The border was originally closed on March 21 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the arrangement set to expire on Tuesday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed the extension on Saturday. U.S. president Donald Trump said earlier this week that the border could open soon, but Trudeau and other Canadian political leaders did not strike the same tone in comments.
The U.S. has the most COVID-19 cases in the world, with more than 700,000 positive tests. Canada has more than 32,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, Trudeau continued to stress he does not think it is a good idea for the House of Commons to resume business as usual Monday — with all 338 MPs, along with their staff, clerks, interpreters, security and cleaners. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions An agreement needs to be reached before then on scaled-back sittings if the plan is to change. Federal political parties are to continue negotiating Saturday about when and how Parliament should reconvene in the middle of the pandemic.
Trudeau's Liberals are proposing one in-person sitting each week, with a small number of MPs and extended time for longer questions and more thorough answers than would normally be allowed during the daily question period. More sittings would be added as soon as the technical and logistical requirements for virtual meetings can be worked out. Canada-United States border to be closed for another 30 days All opposition parties appear satisfied with that proposal, except for the Conservatives. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is demanding up to four in-person sittings each week, with fewer than 50 MPs in the chamber, to hold the government to account for its response to the health crisis and the resulting economic disaster. Except for two single-day sittings to pass emergency aid bills, Parliament has been adjourned since mid-March. On Friday, Senate Speaker George Furey announced that the upper house, which was to resume Tuesday, will not return until June 2 at the earliest.
Trudeau also announced Saturday the government is providing $306 million to help Indigenous companies. Later Saturday, the federal government is deploying celebrities in new ads meant to amplify the plea of public health experts for Canadians to stay home to curb the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus. The ads, one in French, one in English, are to begin broadcasting nationally tonight during the "One World: Together at Home" concert.


nationalobserver--2020-04-20--RCMP officer among 17 confirmed dead in Nova Scotia killing spree

RCMP say 17 people are dead , including one of their officers , after a man who at one point wore a police uniform and drove a mock-up cruiser went on a rampage across northern Nova Scotia in one of the deadliest killing sprees in Canadian history .
Police said Sunday night the suspected shooter , 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman , was killed after being intercepted by officers in Enfield , N.S .
Const .
Heidi Stevenson , a 23-year member of the force and mother of two , was identified as the officer killed .
A male officer suffered non-life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy with grief and sadness today as we have lost one of our own , '' said Brian Sauve , president of the union representing RCMP officers .
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki confirmed to The Canadian Press late Sunday that the death toll had risen to 16 , plus the shooter , which surpasses the 14 victims killed in the 1989 Polytechnique massacre in Montreal .
• 10 lessons from COVID-19 that could help us save the planet RCMP Chief Supt .
Chris Leather earlier told an evening news conference that `` in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed . ''
Leather said it was hard to specify the exact number of victims , `` because as we 're standing here , the investigation continues into areas that we have not yet explored across the province . ''
He said the killings appear to be , `` at least in part , very random in nature . ''
The first reports of an active shooter came from Portapique , a community that shaken residents described as a quiet place to live that attracts cottagers from Halifax in summer months .
Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Nova Scotia , said the day 's events have left many families in mourning .
`` The impact of this incident will extend from one end of the province to the other , '' she said .
The incident began with a firearms complaint late Saturday night from Portapique , about 40 kilometres west of Truro , where frightened residents witnessed police filling the streets and were advised to lock their homes and stay in their basements .
Leather confirmed that officers responded to a multiple 911 calls Saturday night .
Upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' inside and outside a Portapique residence , he said , but they could not locate the suspect .
He added there were `` multiple sites in the area including structures that were on fire . ''
By late Sunday morning , the suspect was stopped about 90 kilometres away in Enfield , a scene that was surrounded by a half dozen police vehicles .
Yellow police tape surrounded the gas pumps , and a large silver-coloured SUV was being investigated by police .
A body was seen lying at the gas station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was Wortman .
Premier Stephen McNeil offered condolences to `` families of the victims '' and called the incident `` one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province 's history . ''
`` I never imagined when I went to bed last night that I would wake up to the horrific news that an active shooter was on the loose in Nova Scotia , '' McNeil said in Halifax .
`` Words can not console the families affected by what has transpired over the last 24 hours . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the active shooter investigation included warnings that Wortman was considered dangerous and may have been dressed as an RCMP officer in a lookalike RCMP vehicle .
Leather said this detail would be an important part of the investigation .
`` The fact that this individual had a uniform and a police car at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act , '' he said .
A Gabriel Wortman is listed as a denturist in Dartmouth , according to the Denturist Society of Nova Scotia website .
A suspect photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a man being interviewed about dentures by CTV Atlantic in 2014 .
Some Portapique residents who spoke with the The Canadian Press said they knew him in passing as a part-time resident who divided time between the Halifax area and his properties in the community .
David George Crockett , who lives a three-minute drive from Portapique Beach Road , the area where the first 911 calls originated , said Wortman once fixed his teeth at his home in Portapique .
`` I 'm very surprised , '' Crockett said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sun was setting .
`` I never thought he would do something like that . ''
`` From what I knew of him , he was quiet , gentle and very easy to talk to ... .
He was very nice .
He kidded around a little bit .
He seemed normal , not like someone who would do something like this . ''
Crockett said the horrific news that more than 10 people had been killed left him feeling overwhelmed , given the stress he and his family was already feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's very depressing to see someone do something like this . ''
A little farther down the rural road , another neighbour said he and Wortman were friends until the two had a falling out over a piece of nearby property .
The neighbour , who declined to give his name , said Wortman had burned an old shed that contained some property that belonged to the neighbour .
The man said he was too overcome with emotion to say more about his relationship with Wortman or what might have motivated his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 65 , woke up at 1:30 a.m. and saw lights so bright , he thought it was a fire .
He then realized that the bright lights were from `` probably upwards of 14 police cars in the community . ''
Christine Mills , another resident , said it had been a frightening night for the community , which was suddenly filled with armed officers patrolling the streets .
In the morning , helicopters flew overhead searching for the suspect .
She said she was fearful the shooter might have gone through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
`` It 's nerve-wracking because you do n't know if somebody has lost their mind and is going to beat in your front door , '' she said .
Tom Taggart , a councillor who represents the Portapique area in the Municipality of Colchester , said the quiet community is in shock .
`` This is just an absolutely wonderful , peaceful quiet community , and the idea that this could happen in our community is unbelievable , '' Taggart said by phone from his home in Bass River , about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said police officers walked through the community with their guns drawn through the night , and helicopters had been flying over homes on Sunday morning .
Taggart said he did n't know Wortman well , but spoke to him a few times when he telephoned about municipal issues , and described knowing Wortman 's `` lovely big home '' on Portapique Beach Road .
Police publicly identified Wortman about nine hours after an initial tweet around midnight asking people to avoid the Portapique area and stay indoors as officers responded to a firearms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public information officer with the Nova Scotia force , said the police received a call about `` a person with firearms '' at around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and the investigation `` evolved into an active shooting investigation . ''
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented on the situation during his morning press conference focusing on the COVID-19 crisis .
`` My heart goes out to everyone affected in what is a terrible situation , '' he said .
`` I want to thank the police for their hard work and people for co-operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Holly McKenzie-Sutter , Michael Tutton and Jim Bronskill .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19 , 2020 .

RCMP say 17 people are dead, including one of their officers, after a man who at one point wore a police uniform and drove a mock-up cruiser went on a rampage across northern Nova Scotia in one of the deadliest killing sprees in Canadian history. Police said Sunday night the suspected shooter, 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman, was killed after being intercepted by officers in Enfield, N.S. Const. Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year member of the force and mother of two, was identified as the officer killed. A male officer suffered non-life threatening injuries. "Our hearts are heavy with grief and sadness today as we have lost one of our own," said Brian Sauve, president of the union representing RCMP officers. RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki confirmed to The Canadian Press late Sunday that the death toll had risen to 16, plus the shooter, which surpasses the 14 victims killed in the 1989 Polytechnique massacre in Montreal.
RCMP Chief Supt. Chris Leather earlier told an evening news conference that "in excess of 10 people" had been killed." Leather said it was hard to specify the exact number of victims, "because as we're standing here, the investigation continues into areas that we have not yet explored across the province." He said the killings appear to be, "at least in part, very random in nature." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The first reports of an active shooter came from Portapique, a community that shaken residents described as a quiet place to live that attracts cottagers from Halifax in summer months.
Lee Bergerman, commanding officer for the RCMP in Nova Scotia, said the day's events have left many families in mourning. "The impact of this incident will extend from one end of the province to the other," she said. RCMP officer among 17 confirmed dead in Nova Scotia killing spree The incident began with a firearms complaint late Saturday night from Portapique, about 40 kilometres west of Truro, where frightened residents witnessed police filling the streets and were advised to lock their homes and stay in their basements. Leather confirmed that officers responded to a multiple 911 calls Saturday night. Upon arrival, they found "several casualties" inside and outside a Portapique residence, he said, but they could not locate the suspect. He added there were "multiple sites in the area including structures that were on fire." By late Sunday morning, the suspect was stopped about 90 kilometres away in Enfield, a scene that was surrounded by a half dozen police vehicles. Yellow police tape surrounded the gas pumps, and a large silver-coloured SUV was being investigated by police. A body was seen lying at the gas station. Police would not comment on whether it was Wortman.
Premier Stephen McNeil offered condolences to "families of the victims" and called the incident "one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province's history." "I never imagined when I went to bed last night that I would wake up to the horrific news that an active shooter was on the loose in Nova Scotia," McNeil said in Halifax. "Words cannot console the families affected by what has transpired over the last 24 hours."


nationalobserver--2020-04-20--Feds protect Cdn companies from foreign takeovers due to COVID-19

The federal government has moved to protect Canadian businesses battered by the COVID-19 pandemic or producing medical supplies from being gobbled up by outside interests by tightening the rules around foreign investments and takeovers .
The new measures announced over the weekend follow the lead of other countries in Europe and elsewhere by adding additional scrutiny to a range of proposed investments and transactions until the economy recovers from the pandemic .
`` We recognize that countries around the world are looking at their own regimes and recognizing there are vulnerable businesses that are going to be important to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchases in a vulnerable time , '' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday .
`` So we will be strengthening our oversight and paying close attention to foreign investment in this country to ensure that there are n't people taking advantage of this crisis . ''
Foreign investments in Canadian businesses that deal with public health or the provision of what the government loosely defines as `` critical goods and services '' are among those that will get an extra close review , according to Innovation , Science and Economic Development Canada .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ help us save the planet The federal government will also be examining all investments by companies or entities with direct or suspected links to foreign governments while some other investments will be required to apply for approval from the federal industry minister .
The added scrutiny comes as countries around the world are ramping up their at-home abilities to produce critical medical supplies and personal protective equipment for health-care workers and others working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` As we strengthen our own domestic industry and production , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to take that production that is being made for Canadians in this moment of crisis and send it overseas , '' Trudeau said .
`` We also recognize that there are perhaps some startups with brilliant ideas that are facing a cash-crunch right now that we would very much want to remain Canadian for the coming years who could be exposed to predatory foreign investors . ''
The government 's decision to add an additional layer of scrutiny is `` prudent '' given the circumstances in which Canadian businesses are currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brian Kingston , vice-president of policy at the Business Council of Canada .
`` Given what 's going on right now and the fact that corporate valuations are down , there is a risk that there might be opportunistic efforts by state-owned companies , other governments around the world to acquire companies in this environment , '' he said .
Feds increase scrutiny of foreign takeovers to protect firms hit by pandemic At the same time , Kingston hoped the measures announced by the federal government and other countries are only temporary given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment for its economic prosperity .
`` My hope is that this is temporary in nature , '' he said .
`` Of course countries will take a more strategic look at their medical supply chains just to make sure that they have built-in resiliency .
But I 'm hoping that this is n't a permanent shift to a greater level of protectionism . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19 , 2020 .

The federal government has moved to protect Canadian businesses battered by the COVID-19 pandemic or producing medical supplies from being gobbled up by outside interests by tightening the rules around foreign investments and takeovers. The new measures announced over the weekend follow the lead of other countries in Europe and elsewhere by adding additional scrutiny to a range of proposed investments and transactions until the economy recovers from the pandemic. "We recognize that countries around the world are looking at their own regimes and recognizing there are vulnerable businesses that are going to be important to our recovery who are perhaps exposed to foreign purchases in a vulnerable time," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday. "So we will be strengthening our oversight and paying close attention to foreign investment in this country to ensure that there aren't people taking advantage of this crisis." Foreign investments in Canadian businesses that deal with public health or the provision of what the government loosely defines as "critical goods and services" are among those that will get an extra close review, according to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
The federal government will also be examining all investments by companies or entities with direct or suspected links to foreign governments while some other investments will be required to apply for approval from the federal industry minister. The added scrutiny comes as countries around the world are ramping up their at-home abilities to produce critical medical supplies and personal protective equipment for health-care workers and others working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "As we strengthen our own domestic industry and production, we wouldn't want a foreign investor to be able to take that production that is being made for Canadians in this moment of crisis and send it overseas," Trudeau said.
"We also recognize that there are perhaps some startups with brilliant ideas that are facing a cash-crunch right now that we would very much want to remain Canadian for the coming years who could be exposed to predatory foreign investors." Feds increase scrutiny of foreign takeovers to protect firms hit by pandemic The government's decision to add an additional layer of scrutiny is "prudent" given the circumstances in which Canadian businesses are currently finding themselves thanks to COVID-19, said Brian Kingston, vice-president of policy at the Business Council of Canada. "Given what's going on right now and the fact that corporate valuations are down, there is a risk that there might be opportunistic efforts by state-owned companies, other governments around the world to acquire companies in this environment," he said. At the same time, Kingston hoped the measures announced by the federal government and other countries are only temporary given Canada's reliance on trade and foreign investment for its economic prosperity. "My hope is that this is temporary in nature," he said. "Of course countries will take a more strategic look at their medical supply chains just to make sure that they have built-in resiliency. But I'm hoping that this isn't a permanent shift to a greater level of protectionism."


nationalobserver--2020-04-20--Civil Liberties group seeks amnesty for COVID tickets

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association says it 's going to fight for citizens nabbed for municipal recreational infractions during the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` We will be calling for an amnesty on all these tickets and that all the fines be forgiven afterwards , because of the unconstitutional mess that many municipal governments have put us into , '' said executive director Michael Bryant .
The association has received at least 100 public complaints over the past 10 days from those who have been ticketed by bylaw or police officers for defying emergency management offences such as jogging on golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the restrictions designed to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus are an abuse of power because the recreation activities involved are usually harmless and should be met with warnings rather than costly fines .
The former Ontario attorney general said political pressure on police and bylaw officers to ticket people is unconstitutional .
• 10 lessons from COVID-19 that could help us save the planet `` We do n't live in a police state .
Politicians should never be giving direction to police or bylaw officers , '' he said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more charges laid during COVID than took place during the October crisis in 1970 when there was an actual threat to public order .
COVID is not a threat to public order , it 's a threat to public health . ''
Bryant said the association is looking for the right case to mount a challenge , but expects a Canadian lawyer will take up the cause .
Dylan Finlay may just do that .
The Toronto criminal defence lawyer said he 's considering whether to launch his own constitutional challenge after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a city park .
Or he may assist those who have approached him for help .
He argues that the laws contravene Section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms by infringing on life , liberty and personal security .
Finlay said they go overboard by prohibiting the use of soccer fields or baseball diamonds even for an immediate family that is n't coming into close contact with anyone else .
It also does n't take into account families that are cooped up in condos or apartments with no access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government would treat people like adults , '' he said , adding that education has worked to encourage people to physically distance to stop the spread of the virus .
He said society ca n't and should n't police its way out of a pandemic .
`` The world 's a different place and it 's not because of strict laws with heavy-handed sort of police enforcement .
It 's because people are voluntarily deciding to agree with the government . ''
General deterrence exists in the law , but issuing a fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person receiving $ 2,000 a month in emergency federal government assistance is raccoon and overly punitive , Finlay said .
Finlay acknowledges that COVID-19 is a health emergency and supports physical distancing .
`` I 'm sympathetic with what the government 's trying to do , I just think that these restrictions as far as they go to parks , they go too far . ''
Bryant said Winnipeg and British Columbia are models for taking the right approach to preventing the spread of the virus .
Instead of handing out fines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And compliance is strong .

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association says it's going to fight for citizens nabbed for municipal recreational infractions during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We will be calling for an amnesty on all these tickets and that all the fines be forgiven afterwards, because of the unconstitutional mess that many municipal governments have put us into," said executive director Michael Bryant. The association has received at least 100 public complaints over the past 10 days from those who have been ticketed by bylaw or police officers for defying emergency management offences such as jogging on golf courses or exercising in parks. Bryant said the restrictions designed to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus are an abuse of power because the recreation activities involved are usually harmless and should be met with warnings rather than costly fines. The former Ontario attorney general said political pressure on police and bylaw officers to ticket people is unconstitutional.
"We don't live in a police state. Politicians should never be giving direction to police or bylaw officers," he said in an interview. "We've had more charges laid during COVID than took place during the October crisis in 1970 when there was an actual threat to public order. COVID is not a threat to public order, it's a threat to public health." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Bryant said the association is looking for the right case to mount a challenge, but expects a Canadian lawyer will take up the cause.
Dylan Finlay may just do that. Civil Liberties group seeks amnesty for recreational tickets issued during COVID The Toronto criminal defence lawyer said he's considering whether to launch his own constitutional challenge after he was fined $880 for doing chin-ups in a city park. Or he may assist those who have approached him for help. He argues that the laws contravene Section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms by infringing on life, liberty and personal security. Finlay said they go overboard by prohibiting the use of soccer fields or baseball diamonds even for an immediate family that isn't coming into close contact with anyone else. It also doesn't take into account families that are cooped up in condos or apartments with no access to a yard. "I wish the government would treat people like adults," he said, adding that education has worked to encourage people to physically distance to stop the spread of the virus.
He said society can't and shouldn't police its way out of a pandemic. "The world's a different place and it's not because of strict laws with heavy-handed sort of police enforcement. It's because people are voluntarily deciding to agree with the government." General deterrence exists in the law, but issuing a fine of more than $800 to a person receiving $2,000 a month in emergency federal government assistance is raccoon and overly punitive, Finlay said.


nationalobserver--2020-04-20--Sex workers at risk and left out of COVID-19 help

Sex workers saw their incomes disappear overnight when the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread in Canada .
Now many are in desperate situations : in need of food , rent , basic necessities .
Some are now homeless and without any income .
Some facing especially stark realities are continuing to work — even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Susan Davis , a sex worker and advocate with the B.C .
Coalition of Experiential Communities , says she 's aware of many who are still working , including a friend with three children who does sex work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` She has no choice but to go back to work to feed her kids , and put herself and all of her entire family at risk because of this unreasonable assumption that people who are on welfare or disability know how to live on that so they can make it by , while newly unemployed people are acknowledged by government as needing $ 2,000 a month , '' Davis said .
Many sex workers in Canada either do not qualify for the federal government 's Canadian Emergency Response Benefit or they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lessons from COVID-19 that could help us save the planet Many people believe sex work is decriminalized in Canada and only criminal for those who purchase it , but this is a misunderstanding of the law , says Jenn Clamen , national co-ordinator of the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform .
There are provisions in the Criminal Code that make workers immune from prosecution , but not from arrest .
`` That means sex work is still criminalized for everybody , '' she said .
This is one of the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CERB .
While they are eligible for this benefit , as is anyone who has made at least $ 5,000 in the last year and has lost their income to COVID-19 , many sex workers will simply not apply for it .
`` The CERB only allows for people who are documented in some way to apply for it , because it means you have to file your taxes next year , it means you have to be in the tax system , it means you have to be accounted for in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rothschild , violence prevention co-ordinator for the Pace Society in downtown Vancouver , echoed these concerns .
Sex workers say they 're at risk , have been left out of Canada 's COVID-19 response `` For a lot of people who do n't feel safe filing their taxes as workers , it 's really brought up a lot of stigma in just applying for or trying to apply for government benefits because a lot of people just do n't qualify . ''
Workers who are paid through bank e-transfers could be risking their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them in legal trouble — another reason sex workers would avoid signing up for government benefits that require banking information .
There are also some people who are on government benefits , such as social assistance or disability support , who resort to sex work to supplement the subsistence amounts they receive from these programs .
They could be cut off or have money clawed back if they admitted to their additional income in a government application , Rothschild said .
`` If they are folks who are on ministry benefits and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of what they 're making , then they are not eligible for CERB , but nobody who 's on disability or welfare right now is being given enough money to actually take care or their health , '' she said .
For those who are still working , due to a lack of other options , they are now also being surveilled and policed more heavily than before , says Jelena Vermilion , executive director of SWAP ( Sex Workers Action Program ) Hamilton .
`` Because they 're forced to ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street , what 's going to happen is they 're going to be policed even more and liable to the new fines and potential jail time with the social distancing guidelines , '' Vermilion said .
`` There 's this compounded harm that we 're seeing . ''
Those who have been forced to keep working may also be facing increased personal risk and danger , with increased reports of `` bad dates '' in some cities , including Victoria , B.C .
`` What happens when work tends to dry up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would n't normally take or people that have bad intentions are more likely to target people , '' said Rachel Peters of Peers Victoria .
The Canadian Press interviewed a dozen sex workers and people who work with service groups and non-profits that support sex workers for this story , and every one of them said a universal benefit would be a better way to help them , as well as undocumented and migrant workers who also do not qualify for the CERB .
The Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ottawa to create ways that sex workers and migrant workers can receive financial aid to help them survive the pandemic , including pushing for a universal basic income .
`` We recognize they 're not going to offer the world , but we 're saying if you 're recognizing that certain communities are marginalized in this process , here 's a way to do it and one of those ways is to give money directly to groups who are directly in touch with this community , '' Clamen said .
The federal government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency can harm the economic security , health and safety of women , including those involved in sex work .
Money has been given to shelters , sexual assault centres and other organizations that serve women , said Alex Howell , a spokesman for Women and Gender Equality Minister Maryam Monsef .
`` The government of Canada has introduced measures that will help to address the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable people , including those involved in sex work .
Women and Gender Equality Canada received up to $ 40 million to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving women who are the hardest hit by COVID-19 . ''
But the people on the ground say that money is not making it into the hands of sex workers .
A number of service organizations have begun trying to fundraise themselves in the absence of federal aid .
Maggie 's Toronto Sex Workers Action Project together with Butterfly , a sex-work advocacy organization for migrants , have raised over $ 80,000 for an emergency relief fund and are distributing the funds in $ 100 disbursements .
Valerie Scott , a sex worker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group Sex Professionals of Canada , says she is disappointed that Ottawa has not come forward with more direct help for the marginalized women in her field .
Scott says sex workers are `` reeling '' now from the loss of income and are feeling invisible to governments .
`` This is not a time for governments to play politics , '' she said .
`` When I get calls from women who are crying because they 're terrified of going to a shelter , you just do n't know what to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadian Press was first published April 19 , 2020 .

Sex workers saw their incomes disappear overnight when the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread in Canada. Now many are in desperate situations: in need of food, rent, basic necessities. Some are now homeless and without any income. Some facing especially stark realities are continuing to work — even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Susan Davis, a sex worker and advocate with the B.C. Coalition of Experiential Communities, says she's aware of many who are still working, including a friend with three children who does sex work to top up her disability support payments. "She has no choice but to go back to work to feed her kids, and put herself and all of her entire family at risk because of this unreasonable assumption that people who are on welfare or disability know how to live on that so they can make it by, while newly unemployed people are acknowledged by government as needing $2,000 a month," Davis said. Many sex workers in Canada either do not qualify for the federal government's Canadian Emergency Response Benefit or they are afraid to apply.
Many people believe sex work is decriminalized in Canada and only criminal for those who purchase it, but this is a misunderstanding of the law, says Jenn Clamen, national co-ordinator of the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform. There are provisions in the Criminal Code that make workers immune from prosecution, but not from arrest. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "That means sex work is still criminalized for everybody," she said.
This is one of the biggest barriers for these workers in accessing the CERB. While they are eligible for this benefit, as is anyone who has made at least $5,000 in the last year and has lost their income to COVID-19, many sex workers will simply not apply for it. Sex workers say they're at risk, have been left out of Canada's COVID-19 response "The CERB only allows for people who are documented in some way to apply for it, because it means you have to file your taxes next year, it means you have to be in the tax system, it means you have to be accounted for in that way," Clamen said. Kit Rothschild, violence prevention co-ordinator for the Pace Society in downtown Vancouver, echoed these concerns. "For a lot of people who don't feel safe filing their taxes as workers, it's really brought up a lot of stigma in just applying for or trying to apply for government benefits because a lot of people just don't qualify." Workers who are paid through bank e-transfers could be risking their clients' confidentiality and could be placing them in legal trouble — another reason sex workers would avoid signing up for government benefits that require banking information.
There are also some people who are on government benefits, such as social assistance or disability support, who resort to sex work to supplement the subsistence amounts they receive from these programs. They could be cut off or have money clawed back if they admitted to their additional income in a government application, Rothschild said. "If they are folks who are on ministry benefits and also working and they maybe don't claim all of what they're making, then they are not eligible for CERB, but nobody who's on disability or welfare right now is being given enough money to actually take care or their health," she said. For those who are still working, due to a lack of other options, they are now also being surveilled and policed more heavily than before, says Jelena Vermilion, executive director of SWAP (Sex Workers Action Program) Hamilton.


nationalobserver--2020-04-20--House of Commons to re-open today amid COVID-19

The House of Commons is poised to re-open today despite the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to an impasse between the four main political parties .
The Liberals announced Sunday that they had an agreement with the NDP and Bloc Quebecois to have 32 MPs meet in the House in person each Wednesday starting this week , with up to two virtual sessions also added for MPs to ask questions of the government .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters it would be `` irresponsible '' to resume parliamentary sittings at a time when health experts are urging Canadians to limit their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible to prevent the pandemic from spreading .
The House of Commons has already moved some business online with two parliamentary committees conducting hearings by video conference .
The British Parliament is also poised to adopt a hybrid approach in wich some MPs will grill ministers in person while others participate online .
But Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer rejected the proposal , suggesting there remained many unanswered questions about holding a virtual sitting of the House of Commons and insisting on three in-person sittings per week .
• 10 lessons from COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Negotiations were still underway Sunday evening , but all four parties needed to agree to prevent the House from officially resuming on Monday .
The question then will be how many MPs show up and what they will discuss .
The government had suggested that if an agreement was n't reached , the House of Commons would resume business as usual with all 338 MPs and their staff , along with Parliament Hill clerks , interpreters , security and cleaners , returning to work in Ottawa .
Scheer , however , noted only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House for a sitting .
He has accused the Liberals of misleading Canadians to put pressure on Opposition parties to accept fewer in-person sessions to hold the government to account for its pandemic response .
Except for two single-day sittings to pass emergency aid bills , Parliament has been adjourned since mid-March .
Those two sessions were held with a limited number of Parliament Hill staff , which Scheer said could be easily replicated to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
The NDP was preparing to have three MPs , including Leader Jagmeet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the House of Commons on Monday if a deal could not be reached .
The political wrangling in Ottawa came as provincial health authorities reported at least 117 more deaths from COVID-19 , bringing the national total to 1,587 .
Lack of deal sets stage for House of Commons to re-open today amid COVID-19 Yet while Ontario and Quebec also reported hundreds more positive tests , bringing the national total to more than 35,000 , New Brunswick as well as Newfoundland and Labrador reported no new cases .
This report by The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 .

The House of Commons is poised to re-open today despite the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to an impasse between the four main political parties.
The Liberals announced Sunday that they had an agreement with the NDP and Bloc Quebecois to have 32 MPs meet in the House in person each Wednesday starting this week, with up to two virtual sessions also added for MPs to ask questions of the government.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters it would be "irresponsible" to resume parliamentary sittings at a time when health experts are urging Canadians to limit their movement and work from home as much as possible to prevent the pandemic from spreading.
The House of Commons has already moved some business online with two parliamentary committees conducting hearings by video conference. The British Parliament is also poised to adopt a hybrid approach in wich some MPs will grill ministers in person while others participate online.
But Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer rejected the proposal, suggesting there remained many unanswered questions about holding a virtual sitting of the House of Commons and insisting on three in-person sittings per week.


nationalobserver--2020-04-20--More wildlife sightings during COVID-19 isolation

When Josianne Plante looked out her window on a recent morning , she was surprised to see a pair of large , bare-headed wild turkeys going for a stroll through her east-end Montreal neighbourhood .
`` They were just walking down the street and sidewalk like nothing was happening , '' the Pointe-aux-Trembles resident said in a recent interview .
`` I 've never seen anything like that before here . ''
With countries around the world on lockdown due to COVID-19 , many people have been reporting seeing more wildlife , and Canada is no exception .
David Rodrigue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zoo in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue , Que.
, says there has been an uptick in sightings of common urban species such as skunks , raccoons , white-tailed deer , rabbits and foxes in the greater Montreal area since the pandemic began .
• 10 lessons from COVID-19 that could help us save the planet He said that fewer vehicles and quieter streets and parks likely mean normally shy animals are roaming more freely .
`` That lessens the pressure of disturbance on those animals , who seem to be wandering more , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part , the animals being noticed are those which were already present in the city , although the turkeys are an exception .
`` They 're a very wary species and they 're hard to approach , '' he said .
`` That some of them came into an urban setting speaks volumes about the effect of fewer people walking around . ''
He said he 's heard reports of birds flocking in large numbers in normally busy areas , including Montreal 's Old Port .
Perhaps surprisingly , coyotes , which have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have n't been sighted in higher numbers .
The most frequently spotted ?
Rats .
Increased sightings of wildlife have been occurring all across Canada , according to James Page of the Canadian Wildlife Federation .
Page said there were 15,000 new sightings reported in the first days of April at inaturalist.ca , an online database that allows citizens to input their plant and animal observations , compared to 9,500 for the same period last year .
But Page , a species at risk and biodiversity specialist , says it 's too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' of cities or of nature bouncing back .
He said that while animals are probably more visible , part of the increase is likely because people are staying home due to the pandemic , and therefore are more likely to spot wildlife .
Marie-Eve Muller , a spokeswoman for the Quebec-based Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals , said it 's too soon to know if a reduction in boat traffic could have a positive impact on marine mammals .
She said shipping traffic in the St-Lawrence River has n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in pleasure boats and whale-watching could be beneficial to whales , which are known to be disturbed by engine noise and vibrations .
Both Page and Rodrigue said it remains to be seen whether there will be a lasting effect on animal populations .
In the short term , they say less disturbance during breeding season could allow some species to raise larger litters , while a reduction in vehicle traffic could reduce fatal collisions .

When Josianne Plante looked out her window on a recent morning, she was surprised to see a pair of large, bare-headed wild turkeys going for a stroll through her east-end Montreal neighbourhood. "They were just walking down the street and sidewalk like nothing was happening," the Pointe-aux-Trembles resident said in a recent interview. "I've never seen anything like that before here." With countries around the world on lockdown due to COVID-19, many people have been reporting seeing more wildlife, and Canada is no exception. David Rodrigue, the executive director of the Ecomuseum Zoo in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Que., says there has been an uptick in sightings of common urban species such as skunks, raccoons, white-tailed deer, rabbits and foxes in the greater Montreal area since the pandemic began.
He said that fewer vehicles and quieter streets and parks likely mean normally shy animals are roaming more freely. "That lessens the pressure of disturbance on those animals, who seem to be wandering more," he said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Rodrigue said that for the most part, the animals being noticed are those which were already present in the city, although the turkeys are an exception.
"They're a very wary species and they're hard to approach," he said. Canadians reporting more wildlife sightings during COVID-19 isolation "That some of them came into an urban setting speaks volumes about the effect of fewer people walking around." He said he's heard reports of birds flocking in large numbers in normally busy areas, including Montreal's Old Port. Perhaps surprisingly, coyotes, which have grabbed headlines in Montreal in recent years, haven't been sighted in higher numbers. The most frequently spotted? Rats. Increased sightings of wildlife have been occurring all across Canada, according to James Page of the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
Page said there were 15,000 new sightings reported in the first days of April at inaturalist.ca, an online database that allows citizens to input their plant and animal observations, compared to 9,500 for the same period last year. But Page, a species at risk and biodiversity specialist, says it's too early to talk about a "re-wilding" of cities or of nature bouncing back. He said that while animals are probably more visible, part of the increase is likely because people are staying home due to the pandemic, and therefore are more likely to spot wildlife.


nationalobserver--2020-04-20--Laboratory workers are essential workers — and not just during a pandemic

Most of us will have had experience with getting blood drawn or tissue sampled for diagnosis .
We ’ re told that these samples are then sent to the “ lab for testing ” and eventually , we receive results .
For most people , including some doctors , the “ lab ” is a black box .
“ We ’ re there before you ’ re born , up to your last breath .
Techs are involved in anything from prenatal screening , diabetes , to cancer .
We don ’ t just collect your blood , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose membership included 13,706 technologists , cytologists and lab assistants across Canada .
Physicians have a lot to learn , and many won ’ t need to know the details of lab management as generalists .
“ We have lectures on what happens behind the scenes , but it ’ s touched on briefly .
I ’ m sure there is work generating results that we don ’ t get exposed to at all , ” said Michael Minkley , a medical student at UBC .
Lab staff at LIfelabs in Toronto .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ marks the start of National Medical Laboratory Week , and is an opportunity to recognize the talented workforce across Canadian laboratories .
• 10 lessons from COVID-19 that could help us save the planet Why is laboratory funding important , and who are the people behind the results ?
Laboratory professionals — technologists , cytologists , pathologist assistants ( PAs ) — work behind the scenes to help guide patient care .
They sort , prepare and sometimes analyze samples from virtually every part of the body .
They participate in research activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some work as educators providing teaching to resident physicians like myself .
As a pathology resident , I would not be able to do my job without the hard work of many other laboratory staff .
Pathologists rely on a number of professionals in the process of writing diagnostic reports , which then get sent to GPs and specialty physicians .
The information from these reports informs diagnosis , prognosis and patient care .
An aging population , advances in medicine and larger caseloads have put immense pressure on labs , without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hire a new surgeon , administrators don ’ t always think to hire more laboratory staff to handle the increased workload associated with more surgeries .
At many Canadian hospitals , PAs have stepped up to do some of the work previously done by pathologists , to allow pathologists to deal with complex cases .
“ When I was a resident , one pathologist helped prepare and dissect specimens before pathology review each day ; now we are only consulted for challenging cases , ” said Dr. Nancy Chan , PA program director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of only two accredited Canadian PA programs .
“ PAs can ’ t easily be replaced if someone calls in sick .
Standards show patients with malignancies should have pathology reports ready within 14 days postoperatively , “ Dr. Chan said .
It ’ s not uncommon for labs to receive calls from clinicians asking for immediate results .
Understandably , doctors are patient advocates , and patients want to get started on time-sensitive treatments .
`` It ’ s time that governments start to see inadequate funding for labs and for training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care . ''
Danielle Lee ( left ) , pathologist assistant and Assistant Clinical Professor , PA Program , University of Alberta with Dr. Pauline Alakija ( right ) , surgical and forensic pathologist , Edmonton , AB .
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Pauline Alakija Some of these calls are related to a lack of understanding of what actually happens in the lab .
Specimens often undergo a series of tests required for accurate diagnosis — a process that involves many people and can take multiple days .
Other times , delays happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often related to understaffing .
Lab professionals work hard to communicate critical results .
“ When we get a COVID-19 positive result , we know it ’ s our responsibility to communicate this .
The faster we do this , the better we can prevent the spread of the virus , ” said Safire Dhanji , medical lab technologist at LifeLabs , Toronto .
While COVID-19 helped bring light to shortages of laboratory staff in Canada , we must n't forget the important work the lab will continue to do once the dust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers comparable to nurses in the world of diagnostic medicine .
Without them , our health-care system could not run .
“ As Canadians live longer , testing increases .
It costs $ 100,000 to train a single technologist .
The deficit between retirees and graduates is 400 to 500 per year .
Major cuts often hit the lab first — we lose staff , faculty , and teaching programs close .
In the last 15 years , we ’ ve only seen three new programs and only small enrolment increases .
Nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nobody even thanks you , ” Nielsen said .
Two lab technologists at work .
Photograph courtesy of Christine Nielsen , CEO of CSMLS .
“ I hope that after COVID19 , the awareness brought forward about the lab will make our important role better understood ” says Monica Rubi , a medical technologist working in Toronto .
It ’ s time that governments start to see inadequate funding for labs and for training laboratory personnel as inadequate funding for patient care .
“ Technologists and PAs are highly trained and underrated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve always had fantastic staff prepare specimens — they are much better than me .
The relationship is essential , ” said Dr. Pauline Alakija , surgical and forensic pathologist in Alberta .

Most of us will have had experience with getting blood drawn or tissue sampled for diagnosis. We’re told that these samples are then sent to the “lab for testing” and eventually, we receive results. For most people, including some doctors, the “lab” is a black box. “We’re there before you’re born, up to your last breath. Techs are involved in anything from prenatal screening, diabetes, to cancer. We don’t just collect your blood,” said Christine Nielsen, CEO of CSMLS, whose membership included 13,706 technologists, cytologists and lab assistants across Canada. Physicians have a lot to learn, and many won’t need to know the details of lab management as generalists. “We have lectures on what happens behind the scenes, but it’s touched on briefly. I’m sure there is work generating results that we don’t get exposed to at all,” said Michael Minkley, a medical student at UBC. Lab staff at LIfelabs in Toronto. Photograph by Monica Rubi. April 26th marks the start of National Medical Laboratory Week, and is an opportunity to recognize the talented workforce across Canadian laboratories.
Why is laboratory funding important, and who are the people behind the results? Laboratory professionals — technologists, cytologists, pathologist assistants (PAs) — work behind the scenes to help guide patient care. They sort, prepare and sometimes analyze samples from virtually every part of the body. They participate in research activities, and work as assistants during autopsies. Some work as educators providing teaching to resident physicians like myself. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions As a pathology resident, I would not be able to do my job without the hard work of many other laboratory staff. Pathologists rely on a number of professionals in the process of writing diagnostic reports, which then get sent to GPs and specialty physicians. The information from these reports informs diagnosis, prognosis and patient care.
An aging population, advances in medicine and larger caseloads have put immense pressure on labs, without proportionate increases in funding. When hospitals hire a new surgeon, administrators don’t always think to hire more laboratory staff to handle the increased workload associated with more surgeries. At many Canadian hospitals, PAs have stepped up to do some of the work previously done by pathologists, to allow pathologists to deal with complex cases. "It’s time that governments start to see inadequate funding for labs and for training laboratory personnel as inadequate funding for patient care." “When I was a resident, one pathologist helped prepare and dissect specimens before pathology review each day; now we are only consulted for challenging cases,” said Dr. Nancy Chan, PA program director, Western University, which has one of only two accredited Canadian PA programs. “PAs can’t easily be replaced if someone calls in sick. Standards show patients with malignancies should have pathology reports ready within 14 days postoperatively,“ Dr. Chan said. It’s not uncommon for labs to receive calls from clinicians asking for immediate results. Understandably, doctors are patient advocates, and patients want to get started on time-sensitive treatments. Danielle Lee (left), pathologist assistant and Assistant Clinical Professor, PA Program, University of Alberta with Dr. Pauline Alakija (right), surgical and forensic pathologist, Edmonton, AB. Photograph courtesy of Dr. Pauline Alakija Some of these calls are related to a lack of understanding of what actually happens in the lab. Specimens often undergo a series of tests required for accurate diagnosis — a process that involves many people and can take multiple days. Other times, delays happen due to case backlogs, which are often related to understaffing.
Lab professionals work hard to communicate critical results. “When we get a COVID-19 positive result, we know it’s our responsibility to communicate this. The faster we do this, the better we can prevent the spread of the virus,” said Safire Dhanji, medical lab technologist at LifeLabs, Toronto. While COVID-19 helped bring light to shortages of laboratory staff in Canada, we mustn't forget the important work the lab will continue to do once the dust settles. PAs and technologists are front-line workers comparable to nurses in the world of diagnostic medicine. Without them, our health-care system could not run. “As Canadians live longer, testing increases. It costs $100,000 to train a single technologist. The deficit between retirees and graduates is 400 to 500 per year. Major cuts often hit the lab first — we lose staff, faculty, and teaching programs close. In the last 15 years, we’ve only seen three new programs and only small enrolment increases. Nobody pays you for teaching, and sometimes nobody even thanks you,” Nielsen said.


nationalobserver--2020-04-20--Essential or exception: Whose rights matter in a pandemic?

Most of the commentary in this vein has focused on rule of law , along with civil and political rights , such as privacy or the impacts of social distancing on freedom of association .
It ’ s a question that ’ s been debated since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic , especially when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau eyed broader emergency powers for the federal government and left the door open to using cellphone data to track compliance with physical-distancing rules .
It ’ s difficult to imagine how new fossil fuel infrastructure , like all of these pipelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services , which are allowed to operate during the pandemic .
In New Zealand , for example , exploratory drilling wasn ’ t considered essential .
Exploring for oil , like building pipelines , isn ’ t necessary to maintain existing energy or electricity services .
As of late March , construction was underway on contentious projects like the Coastal GasLink fracked natural gas pipeline in B.C .
and the expanded Trans Mountain tar sands pipeline from Alberta to B.C .
Hundreds of workers are currently living in camps supporting new energy projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that ’ s after companies have taken measures to send a chunk of workers home .
On March 31 Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced that construction on the Keystone XL pipeline will be charging ahead , with a billion-plus dollars in funding from the Alberta government .
Industrial work camps , particularly those housing workers building pipeline projects , are one troubling exception to bans on large gatherings of people .
But we also need to talk about what ’ s unfolding in the background of the pandemic and whose rights are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect , exceptions to the rules that are meant to keep people safe are informative .
Allowing construction to continue at this sensitive time casts doubt on politicians ' promises of better support to Indigenous communities , which face social and health inequities that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19 — yet they have a history of being grossly underserved by colonial governments .
Last week , the Assembly of First Nations raised concerns about communities being under resourced .
With this in mind , it ’ s perfectly reasonable that Indigenous leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop to Coastal GasLink construction , citing the risk that work camps might bring the virus into the local community .
It ’ s a risk that the former chief medical officer for B.C.
’ s northern health authority underscored in a recent open letter , where he called work camps “ land-locked cruise ships ” and “ COVID-19 incubators placing the workers , the host communities , and the home communities of the workers at unacceptable risk.
” The recent confirmation of a COVID-19 case at Kitimat ’ s LNG Canada plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ suwet ’ en hereditary chiefs against the Coastal GasLink pipeline that raises additional safety concerns about work camps are two more reasons to halt construction now , and to ensure emergency compensation and livelihood support for affected workers .
An equitable pandemic response requires an end to “ corporate exceptionalism , ” as the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs recently termed it .
After all , the Wet ’ suwet ’ en Nation postponed an all-clans meeting to decide on the land title proposal which hereditary chiefs and federal officials agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests against Coastal GasLink .
Surely , if the Wet ’ suwet ’ en Nation can put matters of Indigenous sovereignty on pause for the sake of public health , Canadian governments and companies can show the same responsibility and respect .
While the rest of Canada is being urged to do everything they can to “ flatten the curve ” and protect one another , oil and gas pipeline companies operating in Indigenous communities should be no exception .
Rural Indigenous communities should be afforded every bit of the caution extended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The precautionary principle holds that it is better to be safe than sorry .
It is a recognized legal principle usually applied in the environmental protection context .
Our social responsibility to protect the public from harm when a plausible risk exists should extend to the human rights and public health considerations here .
Big companies and wealthy executives have a history of taking advantage of crises , from lobbying for government bailouts to rushing projects through at a time when the public ’ s ability to engage in the decision-making process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , executives need to play by the same rules as the rest of us .
Corporations have no inherent right to a free pass on public health guidelines in order to make a profit or to meet tight construction timelines .
However , governments are required to protect the public and respect Indigenous rights .

How far is too far? It’s a question that’s been debated since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau eyed broader emergency powers for the federal government and left the door open to using cellphone data to track compliance with physical-distancing rules. Most of the commentary in this vein has focused on rule of law, along with civil and political rights, such as privacy or the impacts of social distancing on freedom of association. That’s part of the picture. But we also need to talk about what’s unfolding in the background of the pandemic and whose rights are the object of concern. In this respect, exceptions to the rules that are meant to keep people safe are informative.
While the rest of Canada is being urged to do everything they can to “flatten the curve” and protect one another, oil and gas pipeline companies operating in Indigenous communities should be no exception. Rural Indigenous communities should be afforded every bit of the caution extended to white, urban, and middle-class centres. The precautionary principle holds that it is better to be safe than sorry. It is a recognized legal principle usually applied in the environmental protection context. Our social responsibility to protect the public from harm when a plausible risk exists should extend to the human rights and public health considerations here. Big companies and wealthy executives have a history of taking advantage of crises, from lobbying for government bailouts to rushing projects through at a time when the public’s ability to engage in the decision-making process is severely limited.