CTV National News: U.S. public health cuts raise concerns for Canada
Jeremie Charron reports on rising infectious diseases across North America and whether Canada should increase its public health spending.
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CBC
18 minutes ago
- CBC
Nanaimo, B.C., proposes $412K iron fence to separate city hall from nearby overdose prevention site
Social Sharing The City of Nanaimo is considering building a 1.8-metre-high fence to protect its staff from what it says are "congregations" of people, violence and disorder associated with an overdose prevention site next to city hall. Staff proposing the $412,000 fence cite "intimidation and harassment" of employees, particularly those working early or late, as well as damage to staff vehicles, fires near doorways and building perimeters, human waste and a general deterioration of the site. The plans are outlined in a staff report that says a zoning variance will also be needed to build the "robust decorative, wrought iron" fence 60 centimetres taller than the permitted 1.2 metres. The report was written in advance of a council committee meeting on Wednesday to approve the project and funding. Mayor Leonard Krog said in an interview Monday that the municipality had a legal obligation to protect its staff and property, and the final costs may be less or more than the recommended budget. "We can't fence off everybody's private property," he said. "We can't control every street, but we do have a duty to our employees, which is legal and present and very clear. This report represents the views of our staff, their feelings, and more importantly and sadly, their fears and the experience that they have had in the last few years, as we've seen the situation in our streets become the challenge that it is." 'Highly vulnerable and marginalized population' City hall and its service and resource centre, or SARC, are near the overdose prevention site funded by Island Health and operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association. It was relocated to Albert Street, next to city hall, in December 2022. "Since this relocation, the city has experienced a significant increase in disorder around city hall and SARC," the report says. "Disorderly behaviour is common both during and outside the facility's hours of operation. When closed, individuals frequently congregate in the parking lots, gardens, and shaded areas around city hall and SARC, leading to considerable safety and operational challenges." The report says there are "congregations of 20 to 30+ individuals during early morning and evening hours." The document recommending the fence, which council has yet to approve, says the area is a "frequent location for congregations, loitering, violence, and property related concerns, including damage to and theft from staff vehicles, fires, litter, vandalism, and safety risks," especially for staff accessing the resource centre. It says the overdose prevention site serves a "highly vulnerable and marginalized population" with many living in extreme poverty, with limited access to health care and support services. It also notes that "installing fencing around a civic facility may be perceived by some members of the public as a symbol of exclusion, especially in the context of visible homelessness and public disorder in surrounding areas." Public safety group A public safety group said the plans should be a "wake-up call" for provincial and federal leaders to protect "everyday citizens from those causing mayhem, havoc and violence" on the streets of downtown. Kevan Shaw, vice-president of the Nanaimo Area Public Safety Association, said it was "horrible, disgusting and sad" that city employees felt scared to come to work, adding that many downtown residents and business owners felt the same. Krog said the situation around city hall was not as "awful" as the association suggested, but added that he is "very conscious" of the problems facing downtown. He said he agreed that higher levels of government should act "not only swiftly, but with far more substance than they have to date." Krog said he was "sympathetic" to the frustrations of the association, adding that the city has hired 12 new community safety officers and 15 new RCMP officers in the past five years, with more coming in this year's budget. He said that while the cost of the fencing may be "offensive" to some, it is unfair to accuse the municipality of leaving residents and business to fend for themselves. "When you're talking about the amount of area that has to be covered with fencing, I don't think you'll find the cost is extraordinary in comparison to fencing any other area with a fence that would actually be secure when you're allowing for the kind of gating that's necessary."
CTV News
31 minutes ago
- CTV News
Second Legionnaires' death reported in London, Ont., number of cases jump
The Middlesex-London Health Unit reports 66 cases of Legionnaires' disease all within a 6 km radius. July 2025.(Source: MLHU) Public health officials in London say a second person has died in relation to a Legionnaires' outbreak. The outbreak was first reported July 8 with 43 confirmed cases for 2025 and one death. According to the Middlesex London Health Unit, the source of the infection has not been identified. All of the cases are within a six kilometer radius of the southeast part of the city. MLHU said the provided map (shown above this article) shows where the greatest density of cases reside, but there are confirmed Legionnaires' cases outside of this area. Symptoms of Legionnaires' *Symptoms typically develop two to ten days after exposure
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Rouyn-Noranda Hospital evacuated due to fire
The Rouyn-Noranda Hospital had to be evacuated due to a fire that broke out on Monday evening on the second floor of the building. No one was injured. Firefighters were called to the fire at around 10:15 p.m. on Monday, said Stéphane Royer, director of the Rouyn-Noranda Fire Department. Due to the ventilation system, smoke spread throughout the hospital, resulting in the complete evacuation of the building. Fire department investigators determined that the fire was caused accidentally, Royer said. It reportedly started in a cart used to transport medication, which has a power source. In a social media post published around 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the CISSS de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue reported that the fire was under control. 'Users have been relocated, they are safe and receiving the care they need,' wrote the CISSS. 'The families of hospitalized patients will be contacted. In the meantime, please do not come to the hospital or try to reach the operator to speak to loved ones.' The CISSS advises that in the event of an emergency, people can go to the hospital's emergency room entrance or call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, citizens are asked to wait until the emergency room reopens. - This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 15, 2025.
