N.B. spa fights the province to host a topless event for women again
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National Post
3 hours ago
- National Post
Letters — On boycotting the U.S.: 'It's about us, not about them'
Article content Before inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7, Carney could have asked Trudeau to conduct a ceremonial cremation of the costumes he and his family wore in India in 2018. He could then have formally apologized to Canadians and Indians past, present and future for his silliness and invited Carney to set things straight with Modi. Article content Come September this year, Trudeau could also apologize for having taken off to Tofino in 2021 for the first Truth and Reconciliation Day. He could also introduce legislation to repeal the EV targets just before Carney announces Canada's new policies respecting automobile manufacturing. The list of blunders is long so Minister Trudeau would provide a constant reminder to Prime Minister Carney to avoid doing things that later he would have to undo as the next Minister of Contrition, Apology and Undoing. But there must be one important restriction on Minister Trudeau's activities: he should be forbidden from apologizing for deeds other than his own. Article content As a physician who worked throughout the pandemic, I am appalled when doctors and/or nurses voice anti-vaccine statements as fact. Nurse Amy Hamm writes, 'Henry clung to her illiberal and unnecessary vaccine mandate for health-care workers long after it was obvious that the vaccine was not stopping the spread of the virus.' Drs. Theresa Tam and Bonnie Henry tried their best when we did not yet have all the facts about COVID-19, and in return they received death threats. What is true is that COVID vaccines and their mandate for health-care workers saved lives and reduced suffering. Article content Dr. Robert D. Wagman, Toronto Article content Article content Amy Hamm takes issue with the appointments of Theresa Tam and Bonnie Henry to the Order of Canada because of the 'repeat controversies and scandals that plagued both public-health officers.' Indeed, there was controversy over their orders of vaccine mandates, limitations of gatherings and closure of schools and businesses, many of which had harmful consequences. They are far from perfect. Article content Article content But to claim these actions were politically motivated or a conflict of interest without supporting evidence is as irresponsible as the alleged motivations of Drs. Tam and Henry. Do Drs. Tam and Henry not deserve the Order for consistently being the face of keeping calm and carrying on during a chaotic and polarizing two and a half years as well as leading Canada's response that resulted in one third the death rate of the U.S.? Article content Dr. Brian Schwartz, Toronto Article content Amy Hamm must be praised for identifying valid reasons why Drs. Tam and Henry do not deserve the Order of Canada. However, a more damning rejection is found in the teachings of Dr. Donald Henderson (1928-2016), who eradicated smallpox and is considered by many to be among the world's most experienced and influential public health epidemiologists. Article content In 2006 he co-authored a seminal paper on how to control influenza-type pandemics. In it he demonstrated why such measures as indiscriminate quarantining, travel restrictions, the prohibition of social gatherings, school closures, maintaining social distance and the use of masks and personal protective equipment are of unproven value in limiting viral respiratory pandemics.
CBC
4 hours ago
- CBC
Half of requests for complex dental work are being rejected under national insurance plan
Social Sharing As federal dental care expands to cover most uninsured Canadians, providers say some procedures are being bogged down by paperwork and processing delays. Health Canada says 52 per cent of requests for pre-authorized dental work between November 2024 and June 2025 have been rejected. While the vast majority of claims don't need pre-authorization, it's required for more complex and often more expensive procedures, like crowns or partial dentures. Clinics must submit extra documentation like X-rays and dental charts to show the work is medically necessary before it can be covered and completed. "There's been a lot of confusion for dentists who send in what we would normally send in to a private plan, and it comes back rejected," said Dr. Bruce Ward, a Vancouver dentist and president of the Canadian Dental Association. "It's a much, much, much higher rejection rate than private plans." The multibillion-dollar Canadian Dental Care Plan helps cover the cost of dental work for Canadian residents with a family income below $90,000 who don't have access to private insurance. The program fully expanded to cover people aged 18 to 64 last month. Health Canada says 5.2 million people have been approved for coverage so far, but only about half — 2.2 million — have received care. And some new patients are getting an unexpected bill, while certain parts of the country are struggling to keep up with a huge influx of appointments, Ward said. Still, providers told CBC News the program is providing Canadians much-needed access to care — and that issues with the program are improving. Missing information Clinics submit the pre-authorizations through Sun Life, the insurance provider that the federal government contracted to run the program. Dental offices are sometimes waiting weeks or months for a response, only to be told Sun Life needs additional documentation — further slowing down the process, Ward said. "A lot of people have been waiting for crowns to be pre-authorized," Ward said. "There was an avalanche of approvals that got sent in." Health Canada said rejections and delays in pre-authorizations are caused by several factors, including an unexpected high volume of submissions that were missing information. Oral health-care providers also tell CBC News there were many technical issues with the submission software that have since been largely resolved. Health Canada has worked to streamline the process and educate providers about how to complete the applications, a spokesperson said. Eighty per cent of the pre-authorizations are now being processed within seven business days. And more than 90 per cent of the claims, like basic cleanings or fillings, don't require pre-authorization. But Donna Wells, manager of professional practice at the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, said the program needs to better cover preventive care. The plan currently allots one hour of scaling per year for adults. Teenagers get just 15 minutes of scaling. "These are patients who have not had oral health care, in some cases, for a number of years, because it's been such a financial barrier for them," Wells said. She said pre-authorization applications for additional scaling are being rejected en masse. Growing pains Health Canada says over a million Canadians signed on to the program when it expanded in June, and 94,980 of them received dental care. But that influx of patients has led to a backlog in some parts of the country, like Atlantic Canada. WATCH | From May 2024: Dental care program begins: First phase of Canada's national dental care plan begins 1 year ago Duration 2:02 "This program is wonderful, but it's putting a strain on providers," said Natalie Marsh, a dental assistant in North Sydney, N.S., and vice-president of the Canadian Dental Assistants Association. She said her clinic is already booking appointments for spring 2026. "You're seeing people who haven't seen a dentist in a long time. So they're coming in with a lot of work to be done," she said. Not a 'free' program Providers said patients continue to be under the impression their dental work will be free of charge. But the program reimburses clinics at a rate lower than provincial fee guides, which they often use to set their rates. That means dental offices can "balance bill," charging the difference between the price of the procedure and what Ottawa will pay them. "I just had somebody in my office a couple of weeks ago who was very upset, because they'd been told that they were covered 100 per cent," Ward said. Ward said patients, including seniors, should remember they need to reapply every year. Despite those challenges, Ward said overall he's found the dental care plan to be "very good" to work with. That sentiment is echoed by other oral health associations. "It's been a huge boon to a lot of people who frankly would never have been able to afford to have their mouths taken care of," Ward said.
CBC
4 hours ago
- CBC
Vaccination, immunity and records: Your questions on measles, answered
Social Sharing Canada continues to see an alarming rise in measles cases in 2025. Through the spring, the virus spread most intensely in Ontario. But after over 2,200 cases, hundreds hospitalized and one measles-related death, it seems to be dwindling in that province. Now, Alberta's seeing a spike, with almost 1,300 confirmed cases so far. With every province except Newfoundland and Labrador reporting cases of measles, here are some common questions from CBC readers, viewers and listeners — answered. I've had measles as a child. Am I safe from getting infected again? Most likely yes, says the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). It says those who have had a past measles infection should be immune against another one, as long as they have a normal immune response. I've lost my vaccination records. Should I get another dose? Generally, yes, says PHAC. PHAC recommends that children and adults who don't have records of their vaccination history be started on an immunization schedule appropriate to their age and risk factors. Even if you've already been vaccinated, it's generally considered safe for health-care providers to give another dose, PHAC says, because they haven't seen additional side effects from repeated immunization. But this is why a national vaccine registry would be hugely helpful, says Dawn Bowdish, a professor of immunology at McMaster University. "The number of people who are looking to figure out if they got one dose, if they got two doses, if they were vaccinated as children and perhaps they just moved provinces and they can't get their records is extremely high." Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine offer almost 100 per cent effectiveness against the virus in the long term. Can I check my immunity to measles? That depends. PHAC says routine testing for laboratory evidence of measles immunity is not recommended for the general population. Some populations, like health-care workers who work with vulnerable people, as well as some pregnant women, can get a blood test looking for antibodies against measles. Those who have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or those who are born before 1970, are presumed to be immune against the virus. Do we screen for measles vaccination status among people who enter Canada? No. Proof of vaccination is not mandatory to enter Canada. Canada does require permanent residents and certain temporary residents to have an immigration medical exam before arriving in Canada, said a spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The test also screens for certain communicable diseases. During that medical exam, some may be offered vaccinations — including the measles, mumps and rubella shots. Doctors who work with recent immigrants and asylum seekers tell CBC News their patients generally don't hesitate to get any childhood vaccinations they might have missed.
