3 Canadian national team players among the Whitecaps stricken by illness
The Whitecaps said a 'significant number' of players and staff had a gastrointestinal illness. Three of them — Ali Ahmed, Sam Adekugbe and Jayden Nelson — were ill when they arrived at Canada's training camp in Halifax ahead of Saturday's Canadian Shield match against Ukraine, coach Jesse Marsch said Friday.
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Cision Canada
26 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
One Year Later: Ottawa's Nicotine Replacement Therapy Strategy Fuels Illicit Market, Underserves Smokers Français
MONTREAL, Aug. 19, 2025 /CNW/ - One year ago this week, the former federal government issued a Ministerial Order banning ZONNIC—the only nicotine pouch approved by Health Canada as a smoking cessation product—from convenience store shelves nationwide, restricting its sale to behind pharmacy counters. The policy, presented as a public health measure, has clearly backfired. Overnight, access of ZONNIC immediately dropped. While sales of ZONNIC dropped, the purchase of cigarettes jumped by 2.8% and over the last year, more than 500 million illegal and unregulated pouches have been sold on the black market. "The government targeted the only legal, regulated nicotine pouch product in the country, and opened the door to a thriving illicit market," said Eric Gagnon, Vice President of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Imperial Tobacco Canada (Imperial). "ZONNIC wasn't the problem. It was and is the solution for many Canadian smokers." The consequences have been swift and concerning: Illicit sales have exploded. Unregulated pouches, many with significantly higher nicotine levels than the legal limit, are now flooding the market and e-commerce platforms, easily accessible to youth and adults alike. Smokers are left behind. In rural and remote regions, where pharmacies are few and far between, adult smokers who once relied on ZONNIC to quit now face unnecessary barriers. Pharmacists overburdened. Pharmacists play an integral part in many smokers quitting journey, but instead of spending time on crucial patient care, health professionals are now faced with additional, significantly higher unnecessary administrative burdens. This policy has also dealt a blow to this country's small business economy, affecting many of Canada's 200,000 convenience retail jobs and threatening the small businesses that rely on regulated nicotine product sales to stay competitive. Health Canada approved ZONNIC as a natural health product and cessation tool. CAMH recognized its value as a fast-acting NRT. It was widely available where adult smokers were already shopping, and it was working. In stores where ZONNIC was sold, cigarette sales dropped by double digits. That progress has now been slowed down. Instead of protecting Canadians, the Order punished innovation, rewarded non-compliance, and made it more difficult and complicated for those trying to quit. ZONNIC remains the only nicotine pouch that meets national safety and quality standards — but access has been made more cumbersome for many Canadian smokers. Imperial is aligned with Health Canada's ambition of achieving less than 5% smoking incidence by 2035. Yet, to achieve that, innovative cessation tools like ZONNIC need to be widely and seamlessly accessible at the front counter of pharmacies AND in places where smokers buy their cigarettes. "We are ready to find joint solutions with the Minister of Health so that the burden on the already over-stretched pharmacists can be reduced and especially to help as many adult smokers as possible to quit for good", said Eric Gagnon. Canadians deserve better. They deserve public health policy rooted in evidence, one that helps them quit, not one that sets them back. About Imperial Tobacco Canada Imperial Tobacco Canada is the leading tobacco and nicotine company in Canada, part of the global BAT group. Our mission at BAT is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by promoting a Smokeless World. We envision a future where smokeless products replace cigarettes, encouraging smokers to make a Switch to Better. Imperial is committed to advancing THR through transparency, innovation, and collaboration. One such initiative is Omni™, a platform developed by our parent company BAT, to support education and stakeholder engagement around THR. Omni™ serves as a dynamic resource for those working toward a smoke-free future. SOURCE Imperial Tobacco Canada
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba's quiet elder care crisis
Opinion Manitoba's population is aging faster than our systems are adapting. According to the 2024 National Institute on Ageing Survey, nearly one in three older Manitobans did not receive the home or community-based care they needed in the past year. Loneliness is rising. Retirement confidence is falling. And still, we speak of independence as if it is a given. We say we want Manitobans to age at home. But what if home is a walk-up apartment with no elevator? Or a hotel room after yet another evacuation? Or a place where home-care visits are promised, but arrive weeks late? In this province, aging in place has become a policy aspiration we repeat, without the systems to back it up. Too often, elder care is framed around the idea of staying put. But aging in place is just one part of a much broader care puzzle. It includes long-term care, caregiver respite, mental health supports, culturally grounded services, and dignified end-of-life care. When we treat it like a catch-all solution, we stop asking deeper questions. What kind of place? And with what support? For many older Manitobans, aging in place is not a choice. It is simply what is left. Long-term care is too expensive. Assisted living is out of reach. Others are left behind due to language barriers, cultural gaps, or geography. The systems that are supposed to support aging in place rarely speak to each other. And too often, they do not speak to older adults themselves. The NIA survey found that nearly 40 per cent of older adults in Manitoba expressed low retirement confidence and concerns about material deprivation. Some are too proud to ask for help. Others do not know where to turn. Many are aging in isolation, while those who care for them—whether unpaid family members or overstretched professionals — are burning out. What we are witnessing is not just a service gap. It is a quiet crisis. Not one of spectacle, but one of neglect. Not intentional, but structural. Not loud, but deeply human. And still, this is not inevitable. Some solutions are already in motion like hospital-to-home transitions, community-run wellness checks, and home support programs. But they remain fragmented, often too small to meet the scale of need. Without stable funding and cross-system co-ordination, these promising ideas struggle to take root. Manitoba is not starting from scratch. What is missing is not innovation. It is follow-through. Promising elder care pilots exist across the province. But too often they remain underfunded, disconnected, and temporary. In a system this strained, good intentions are not enough. We owe it to older Manitobans to turn aging in place from a hopeful phrase into a lived reality. That means investing not only in beds or budgets, but in people, relationships, and care that is rooted in dignity. Aging in place should not mean aging in silence. It should mean aging with choice, connection, and community. Marwa Suraj is a naturalized Canadian, a proud Manitoban, and a physician by training. She is Black, Muslim, and a woman: identities that shape her passion for equity, innovation, and social accountability.
Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
Best care package gifts for students leaving home
The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms. Whether your student is moving into a dorm, their first apartment, or heading abroad, a thoughtful care package can ease the transition. The key? Blending comfort, convenience, and a little indulgence. Think snacks from home, cozy bedding, subscriptions that actually help, and small luxuries that make independence a little less intimidating. From Grace & Stella eye masks to a Factor meal subscription and beyond–whether you're packing your kid for move-in day or sending a surprise mid-semester boost, here's your A+ guide to care package essentials they'll actually use–and love. Bare Home Bed-in-A-Bag A soft place to land. This all-in-one bedding bundle includes a comforter, flat sheet, fitted sheet and pillowcases—all sized perfectly for a twin XL dorm bed. It comes in a variety of neutral tones to suit their vibe. $100.99 on Amazon (was $116.99) Story continues below advertisement Grace & Stella Award Winning Under Eye Mask Late-night study sessions and 8 a.m. lectures don't exactly scream 'rested.' These cult-favourite eye masks visibly reduce puffiness, hydrate, and feel like a mini spa break between classes. $27.95 on Amazon (was $40) Gourmet Foodie Gift Bundle Cure homesickness with comfort foods. This curated Canadian bundle includes premium snacks, teas, sauces, and sweet treats—perfect for late-night cravings or a little taste of luxury. $69.99 at Vitruvi Essentials Oil Kit Smells like grown-up energy. This beautifully boxed set includes four of Vitruvi's bestselling essential oils—each perfect for creating a chill study space, sleep sanctuary, or energizing morning boost. Whether they're new to oils or already obsessed, this kit is pure plant-based perfection. $61.99 at Vitruvi Story continues below advertisement You may also like: Portable Charger with Built-In Cables – $29.99 Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera – $89 Sony Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones – $398 Ready First Aid 107 Piece First Aid Kit From paper cuts to minor sprains, this compact kit covers it all. Packed with emergency essentials—bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, scissors—it's water-resistant, lightweight, and built for dorm drawers, backpacks, or glove compartments. $29.99 on Amazon STACKTV Subscription For breaks between classes—or just procrastinating midterms—STACKTV offers live and on-demand access to HGTV, Food Network, Global, and more. No cable box required. Pair it with a cozy blanket and snacks from home. $12.99/month on Amazon Prime Channels Story continues below advertisement Factor Meal Subscription Skip the instant noodles. Factor's ready-to-eat meals are dietitian-approved, microwave-ready, and actually taste like real food (because they are). With options like Protein+ and Keto, this is your best bet for ensuring they eat something green more than once a month. Starting at $13.49/meal at TokyoTreat Monthly Snack Box Want to make their dorm room the most popular on the floor? Send them a TokyoTreat box packed with rare Japanese snacks, limited-edition KitKats, ramen, and seasonal treats they won't find at the campus vending machine. It's a guaranteed conversation starter and snack-time saviour. $37.50/month at You may also like: Burt's Bees Essential Kit – $15.18 Story continues below advertisement Lavender Linen and Room Spray – $17.99 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite – $154.99
