Family vows to keep pushing for answers after Montreal police rule 18-year-old son's death a suicide
Emmanuel Diafouka's family is calling for Montreal police to reopen their investigation. The 18-year-old was found dead in a park in Montreal's West Island in January, but his loved ones don't believe he took his own life. If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help: Suicide Action Montreal: 1-866-277-3553; Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (phone) | 45645 (text between 4 p.m. and midnight ET).
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CBC
23 minutes ago
- CBC
With heat waves more frequent, P.E.I. public health officials are preparing an alert system
With Prince Edward Island slowly but surely getting hotter, the province's Chief Public Health Office is developing a plan to keep people safe during the heat waves that have become increasingly more common. P.E.I. saw three heat waves in 2024, with the first warning issued on the last day of spring. Environment Canada issues heat warnings when the temperature is forecast to exceed 28 C for two or more days with overnight temperatures not dropping below 18 C. Despite the increased frequency of these events, this province is one of the last in the country to develop what's known as a heat alert and response system, or HARS. That's about to change. The Chief Public Health Office recently secured funding from Health Canada to hire a co-ordinator to develop such a program in P.E.I. "When we look at extreme heat events, particularly in other provinces, then we know that there's an increase in daily mortality rates when temperatures rise above certain levels," said Dr. Heather Morrison, the province's chief public health officer. "We want to prevent these kinds of tragedies from happening here." Hundreds have died in Canada In 2021, a heat dome killed at least 619 people in British Columbia over a five-day span. High temperatures in Quebec in 2010 claimed the lives of 280. A heat dome occurs when a high-pressure system traps heat near the earth's surface, and it gets held in place by a blocked jet stream. Heat waves are projected to become more intense, frequent and longer in duration across the country, and they're becoming a bigger public health concern for P.E.I. officials too. "I remember saying to other people in other parts of the country, 'Oh, we don't need air conditioning,'" Morrison said. "That has changed, and we really do want to make sure that we look after Islanders as we recognize the impacts of these extreme heat events that are occurring and will continue to occur with more frequency." How HARS could work Heat alert and response systems have been implemented at community and provincial levels across the country. They typically outline when to activate and deactivate HARS according to Environment Canada's heat warning criteria, and outline a communication plan for the public on what they can do to prevent heat-related illnesses. That's followed by an evaluation of the program, which will look at how many people experienced heat illnesses, in order to focus on prevention during future events. Peter Berry, a senior policy analyst who advises Health Canada's director on climate issues, said the systems could involve helping people identify their nearest cooling centre and mandating extended hours for things like pools and splash pads. "These interventions really work in terms of cooling yourself down and protecting yourself and the people that you love that perhaps need more assistance than you do," Berry said. "You really need to be broad in terms of engaging partners when you develop the HARS to understand… some of the barriers that people with disabilities might face in terms of getting to cooling centres, and you need to hear from people with diverse voices and lived experiences that can also provide that type of information." Tips for summer campers, pet owners and construction crews trying to beat the heat on P.E.I. 11 months ago Duration 3:21 Amid P.E.I.'s most recent heat wave, everyone is doing their best to stay cool. Two summer camps for kids both have measures in place to keep participants from overheating. CBC P.E.I. also spoke with the Department of Transportation about how crews are doing while working outside, and with a dog trainer about how animals cope with the hot weather. The funding for P.E.I.'s co-ordinator will extend over two years, and the CPHO will aim to have a heat alert and response system up and running within that time, Morrison said. The ultimate goal is to spread awareness about extreme heat events, educate Islanders about how to stay cool, and keep them out of emergency departments and hospitals. "If we can put some of these mitigation measures in place when P.E.I.'s HARS system is activated, that will hopefully reduce the number of people who get really sick or end up in hospital or have severe outcomes," Morrison said.
CBC
23 minutes ago
- CBC
'We are very nimble': Calgary mayor keeps door open to G7 white hatting
With a little more than a week to go before world leaders arrive in Kananaskis, Alta., for the G7 summit, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said she is ready to continue the city's white hat ceremony tradition if logistics allow. "We are happy to white hat any of the dignitaries that are coming to town," Gondek said in an interview Friday. "We have been patient as the government has been figuring out their plans, and as dignitaries are determining how they will be traveling in and through our city." On Wednesday, a Tourism Calgary spokesperson said that "given the complexity around security and the event, at this time, there are no plans for our team to conduct a white hat ceremony for G7." Alberta's ministry of tourism and sport also said it's not planning a ceremony for the G7. Federal organizers with the G7 haven't responded to requests for comment. The Smithbilt cowboy hat has long been presented to visitors as a symbol of the city's hospitality. In 2002, then-Calgary mayor Dave Bronconnier greeted G8 leaders on the Calgary airport tarmac, including former U.S. president George W. Bush and former French president Jacques Chirac. Gondek emphasized the significance of the gesture. "We are known for our hospitality and our volunteerism and our ability to make people feel so welcome when they visit our city," Gondek said. "It's a really good symbol of who we are." Unclear which leaders will travel through Calgary While there's currently no ceremony planned, Gondek confirmed she is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney and said she's awaiting further guidance from officials. "We are very nimble and responsive to whatever the situation may be. And if there's an opportunity to do something bigger and more formal, obviously we will be engaging with any partners that we can," she said. Asked if she would be open to white hatting all G7 leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump amid ongoing trade tensions, Gondek said any such plans would depend on travel logistics and who actually passes through Calgary. "I can't deal in hypotheticals, but as opportunities come up, we'll definitely evaluate them," she said. The G7 summit in Kananaskis is set to run from June 15 to 17 and has been referred to by officials as one of the most complex domestic security operations a country can undertake, with thousands of personnel deployed across the region. Gondek said the city has been working closely with the Calgary Police Service to ensure any traffic detours that need to be put into place are being done as quickly as possible. She also noted the airport tunnel's closure from June 15 to 18. "We are advising all employees, all travelers, anyone going to businesses in that vicinity that you won't have access to the tunnel," she said. "There's [also] a lot of motorcade drills that are happening in the city right now. So it's best to give yourself a little bit of extra time." Officials from the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and Canada, as well as the European Union, are scheduled to attend this year's summit.
CBC
25 minutes ago
- CBC
Montreal police searching for missing man, 72, with cognitive impairment
Montreal police are asking the public for help locating a 72-year-old man with cognitive impairment who has difficulty navigating. Richard Bastien is described as white, five feet 11 inches tall and 170 pounds. He has brown eyes and grey hair. He speaks both English and French. Bastien was last seen Friday afternoon at around 2 p.m. at his residence in the Sud-Ouest. He mainly uses a wheelchair or walks to get around, police say. Bastien doesn't have access to his medication, and investigators are concerned for his health and safety. He was last seen wearing black pants and a blue, plaid shirt.
