SOGC Congratulates New Cabinet, Urges Action on Women's Health Français
OTTAWA, ON, May 13, 2025 /CNW/ - The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) congratulates Prime Minister and Canada's newly sworn-in Cabinet. We look forward to working with the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister for Women and Gender Equality, to make women's health a cornerstone of Canada's future.
Women's health is not a side issue — it's central to economic growth, workforce participation and national resilience. If Canada wants to unlock the full potential of its population and lead in the new economy, it must invest in the health of half its population.
The SOGC is ready to help implement the government's 2025 platform commitments on women's health, including: continuing to make contraception free for all Canadian women through pharmacare; the rollout of a new national IVF program and improved postpartum and maternal care.
To help fulfil the government's pledge to improve women's health data, the SOGC calls for a National Dashboard on Women's Health. Canada lacks a national framework to track key indicators like pregnancy outcomes, stillbirths, maternal mortality and chronic conditions. A dashboard developed with provinces and territories would help highlight obscured disparities and identify areas in need of targeted investment, especially for groups most often underserved in the health system, including Black and Indigenous women and newcomers to Canada.
The SOGC also hopes to work with government to expand public coverage of menopause hormone therapy and reduce significant wait times for maternal care and gynaecologic and obstetric surgeries through scaled up tech-enabled care, AI solutions and pan-Canadian licensure for care providers.
"We want to help build a health system that works for all women, no matter their background, income or where they live. As a trusted voice in women's health, the SOGC is eager to work alongside the new government. We're ready to bring our clinical, research and educational expertise to the table to help shape policies that truly reflect the needs and lived experiences of women across Canada." – Dr. Lynn Murphy-Kaulbeck, President, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
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Ottawa Citizen
2 hours ago
- Ottawa Citizen
'A tax on sick people': Ottawa hospitals have record-breaking year for parking revenue
Article content On a recent visit to Ottawa, Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles met with MPPs and toured the new Civic hospital construction site, including the massive parking garage now under construction. But her first stop was more personal. She spent the morning with her elderly father who had been taken to the emergency department at the General campus of The Ottawa Hospital and was undergoing tests. But one person was noticeably absent during her hospital visit: her mom. 'They are fixed-income seniors. They can't afford it—and they've spent so many hundreds of dollars already on parking fees,' said Stiles. They are far from alone. Across the province, patients and advocates say the high cost of parking at a hospital amounts to a tax on sick people and their families at a time they can least afford it. And while provinces like Nova Scotia this year eliminated parking fees at all health-care sites across the province, Ottawa is currently building the city's largest paid parking garage as part of the Ottawa Hospital's new campus by Dow's Lake. Ottawa's Julie Booker, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer nearly 15 years ago, says hospital parking fees made up a significant portion of the thousands of dollars her family spent during her cancer treatments. 'When you are diagnosed with cancer, you are at the hospital all the time for appointments. The Canadian Cancer Society has found that the average Canadian spends $33,000 out of pocket for lifetime expenses. Saving parking fees would really help,' she said. Booker, who continues to work with and advocate for cancer patients, said everyone has concerns about the cost of parking. An older woman she spoke with was parking far away from the hospital and walking a long distance while undergoing radiation treatment at the General campus because she couldn't afford parking fees. 'Radiation is tiring for the best of people. She is exhausted because she has to walk so far. These people have enough to worry about.' Patients, families, caregivers and organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society all say hospital parking fees – which top out at $15.60 a day in Ottawa and at $20 or more in parts of the GTA – are an unfair and often unaffordable burden on people who are already undergoing physical, mental and financial stress. In most cases, all-day fees apply after just two hours. Advocates are encouraged to see hospital parking fees on the radar in Canada and say now is the time to do something about them in Ontario. Jeff Burch, an NDP MPP from Niagara Centre, has put forward a motion calling for the province to eliminate hospital parking fees, following in Nova Scotia's footsteps. 'Right now, people are paying hundreds of dollars a year just to get the care they need. Times are tough, and this is one simple way the government can help people and make healthcare more accessible,' Burch said. Such a motion is meant to put pressure on the government to take action. Stiles said she believes the government is starting to listen to concerns about the issue as more people speak up. Nova Scotia's parking fee elimination move involves the provincial government reimbursing hospitals for lost parking revenue. Ontario would have to do the same and 'properly fund hospitals' in order to take the burden of parking fees off patients and visitors, said Burch. But it will be a tough sell in Ontario, which has the lowest per-capita funding of hospitals in the country and where cash-strapped hospitals – many of whom are facing deficits – are increasingly reliant on hospital parking fees to keep afloat. In Ottawa, hospitals and their foundations took in more than $35 million in parking revenues in 2024, minus costs related to parking. The city's largest hospital, The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), took in the bulk of parking revenue at its multiple campuses — totalling $25.5 million in 2024 (with parking expenses of $7.6 million) compared with $20.8 million in 2023 (with parking expenses of $5.5 million). That is an 18 per cent increase in parking revenue over one year. Parking rates at TOH increased by 3.9 per cent last fall for patients and visitors and by three per cent for staff. The hospital's parking revenue is likely to increase further with the construction of a multi-story parking garage at the new Civic campus, which is scheduled to open in the next year – years before the hospital itself is set to open. The new garage, which is located across from Dow's Lake at Carling Avenue and Prince of Wales Drive, will have 2,900 parking spots. It is currently a concrete shell built on top of the LRT tracks. The parking garage has been controversial among some residents, particularly because of its presence on the edge of some of the most widely prized green space in the city and because of its size. Earlier drawings showed the finished parking garage mostly hidden by grass berms and trees with a park on top. It is unclear whether that has changed. It is one of two large hospital parking structures built in Ottawa in advance of the hospitals they will serve. At CHEO, construction on the new 1,050-space parking garage began long before ground was broken for the new Children's Treatment Centre. The Ottawa Hospital has said that the parking garage was built first to make sure construction workers on the new campus had a place to park and to ensure parking was available as soon as it was open. To some, the fact that the parking garages come first is a symbol of how inextricably tied parking is to healthcare in Ontario. Individual hospitals and their umbrella body – the Ontario Hospital Association – say they understand that some patients, families and health care workers have concerns about hospital parking fees. 'We know that many Ontarians are currently on limited budgets or fixed incomes and may also be facing health care challenges,' said Marina Bozic, a spokesperson for the Ontario Hospital Association. Hospitals are working to address some of those concerns, she said, including policies to help cases 'where parking costs may pose a significant concern.' But hospitals also rely on the revenue, they acknowledge. 'Unfortunately, Ontario hospitals are managing many financial pressures, and they are often faced with challenging budgetary decisions aimed at containing costs while meeting the increasing service needs of patients. The OHA (Ontario Hospital Association) and its members remain in close contact with the Government of Ontario on these matters as the financial and operational stability of hospitals and the provision of high-quality care for patients is our paramount priority,' Bozic said. Rebecca Ableson, spokesperson for The Ottawa Hospital, called parking a 'long-standing challenge' at TOH and across the province. Parking funds, she said, support key capital projects at the hospital, help pay for new medical equipment and help build new patient care environments that are not funded by the government. At Queensway Carleton Hospital, proceeds from parking help to pay for things such as medical equipment, which are not funded by the government, said spokesperson Natasha Curley. In 2024, Queensway Carleton's parking revenue was $4.88 million, up from $4.16 million the year before. And at Montfort Hospital, parking is managed by the Montfort Foundation. In 2024, parking revenues were just over $2 million and were almost entirely invested in education and research at the hospital's research institute Institut du Savoir Montfort, said spokesperson Martin Sauve. CHEO's parking revenue was $4.2 million dollars between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024. The revenues are invested in programs, services and medical equipment such as MRIs. 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Cision Canada
3 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Clarivate and CAPES Expand Landmark Partnership to Power Research and Innovation Across Brazil
New five-year agreement delivers critical academic and life sciences insights into more than 400 institutions, broadening access and driving national research excellence LONDON, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ -- Clarivate Plc (NYSE:CLVT), a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, today announced the renewal of its multi-year partnership with CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior), significantly expanding access to trusted Academia & Government and Life Sciences & Healthcare data across over 400 Brazilian institutions. As compared to the previous contract, the agreement increases institutional coverage by 57%, extending the reach of high-quality research tools to universities and research centers across Brazil — from major metropolitan areas to the country's most remote regions. As a key agency under Brazil's Ministry of Education, CAPES plays a vital role in advancing postgraduate education, supporting high-level training, and fostering international scientific collaboration. A long-standing partner to CAPES, Clarivate began its collaboration with the agency in 2001, when the Web of Science became one of the first databases integrated into the CAPES Portal. This new agreement builds on that legacy, delivering enhanced access to solutions including Web of Science, Journal Citation Reports, Cortellis Drug Discovery Intelligence and Derwent Innovation Index. By bringing together world-class data and insights from academic research and the life sciences and healthcare sectors, the agreement empowers researchers and practitioners at all levels — including scholars, policy advisors, biomedical scientists and healthcare professionals — to conduct innovative research, develop new treatments, improve patient care, and inform policy decisions. It provides broad access to critical information, advancing evidence-based discovery, education and decision-making across disciplines. Matti Shem Tov, Chief Executive Officer, Clarivate, said:"This expanded partnership with CAPES is a powerful example of how strategic collaboration can accelerate research and innovation on a national scale. Brazil has made remarkable progress in advancing scientific excellence and global collaboration. We're proud to support this momentum by providing trusted data, insights, and technology to researchers across the country — from early discovery through impact assessment. Our shared commitment to expanding access and fostering innovation will continue to shape the future of research in Brazil and beyond." Denise Pires de Carvalho, President, CAPES, said: "Brazil is experiencing a moment of growing scientific output beyond its major urban centers, with resources now being distributed in a more equitable and democratic way to boost productivity across all regions. This collaboration with Clarivate enables us to better understand the scientific production profile of Brazilian institutions and supports more informed investment decisions to reduce regional disparities, which remains a significant national challenge. Many researchers in the North, Northeast and Center-West have limited access to the resources needed to give visibility to their work and expanding that access can make a meaningful difference." The renewed partnership reflects a shared commitment to democratizing access to critical scientific information and enabling data-driven research excellence. Through Web of Science, Journal Citation Reports, and Derwent Innovation Index, academic institutions and government agencies gain deeper visibility into global research trends, publication impact, and innovation pathways — supporting policy development, institutional benchmarking, and scholarly advancement. Complementing these capabilities, expanded access to Cortellis Drug Discovery Intelligence equips Brazil's life sciences community — including postgraduate students, faculty, and biomedical researchers — with comprehensive insights across biology, pharmacology, and chemistry. From disease understanding and drug interactions to clinical studies and intellectual property, users can more efficiently navigate the full R&D lifecycle and accelerate decision-making in high-impact research areas. By significantly expanding access to trusted research and innovation tools, this agreement supports CAPES' mission to reduce regional disparities and foster inclusive academic excellence. Institutions from across Brazil — from leading urban universities to those in underserved and remote regions — can now leverage high-quality data to strengthen postgraduate programs, accelerate innovation, and elevate the global visibility of Brazilian research. Clarivate values its collaboration with CAPES on this initiative to help shape a more connected, informed and future-ready research ecosystem across Brazil, and stands as a resource for academic consortia worldwide seeking to expand access to trusted research, data and insights. To learn more about this partnership and the solutions now available to CAPES institutions, visit here. Notes to editors According to the most recent Institute for Scientific Information G20 research and innovation scorecard: Around 40% of Brazilian research output is internationally collaborative, with many strong bilateral partnerships with the United States. It also participates in larger collaborations involving the U.S., the U.K., Spain, Germany, and France. Compared with other internationally collaborative output, these partnerships are producing papers with above average impact. Its research output shows a strong focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and Life on Land (SDG 15), with impact for both around 0.7 to 0.8 times the world average. More broadly, Brazilian research output has a strong focus on the Life Sciences, while its output in Medicine has impact around 1.1 times the world average. Around 40% of output is published in open access (OA) journals, with their Humanities and Languages output 2.4 times more likely to be published in an OA journal than the G20 average. About Clarivate Clarivate is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more information, please visit About Fundação Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) is a consortium dedicated to expanding and strengthening postgraduate studies in Brazil. It ensures the quality of academic programs while fostering the development of highly qualified professionals in research, teaching, and other strategic scientific fields. Media contacts: Clarivate Catherine Daniel Director, External Communications – Life Sciences & Healthcare [email protected] CAPES João Mendes Communications [email protected] SOURCE Clarivate Plc
Vancouver Sun
17 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Son MAiD pioneer Kay Carter plans assisted death after terminal cancer diagnosis
Price Carter is planning to die this summer. The 68-year-old has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He knows it will take his life eventually; before it does, he intends to die on his own terms with his family at his side. 'I was told at the outset, 'This is palliative care, there is no cure for this.' So that made it easy,' he said in an interview from his home in Kelowna, B.C. Carter said he's always known that medical assistance in dying would be an option 'that I would exercise if I could, if needed to.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. He has that option, in large part, because of his mother. Kay Carter's name is on the landmark Supreme Court of Canada case that gave Canadians the right to choose a medically assisted death just over a decade ago. Price has finished a first assessment and said he expects the second assessment deeming him eligible for the procedure to be completed this week. He spoke openly and calmly about his final days and his decision to end his life. 'I'm at peace with this, I truly am, and I would have been years ago,' he said. It's been nearly a year since he first started experiencing symptoms and got a diagnosis. Until a couple of months ago, he said, he was swimming and rowing. He and his wife Danielle went golfing recently, playing best ball. 'She dragged me down that course,' he said with a laugh. But his energy is starting to fade. He knows how he wants the next step to unfold. It was more than 15 years ago that Price, along with his sisters Marie and Lee and his brother-in-law Hollis, surreptitiously made their way to Switzerland to be with their mother on her final day. The 89-year-old was living with spinal stenosis and chose to go to a non-profit facility that provided medically assisted death. She became the 10th Canadian to do so. At the time, assisted death was illegal in Canada. Kay Carter wrote a letter explaining her decision and her family helped draft a list of about 150 people to send it to after she died. She couldn't tell them her plans in advance because of the risk that Canadian authorities would try to stop her from going to Switzerland, or prosecute the family members who helped her. When she got to the Dignitas facility, she finalized the paperwork, settled in a bed and chased down the barbiturate that would stop her heart with Swiss chocolate. 'When she died, she just gently folded back,' Price said. After a few minutes, one of the attendants from the facility walked over to the door, 'and the curtains billow out, and she says, 'There, her spirit is free,'' he said. 'If I was writing the movie, I wouldn't change that.' He said the memory makes him cry today, though not from sadness. The cancer, and the treatment, have made him emotional — the experience itself was beautiful. 'I wish for my children that they can see my death like I did my mom's,' he said. He said wants his wife, Danielle, and his kids to be there. His children — Lane, Grayson and Jenna — live in Ontario. They're all busy, he said, so when the time is right he'll try to find a date that works for everyone. For now, he's doing a lot of reading. 'I'm just gonna keep hanging on, day by day, and enjoying my Danielle.' We're all going to die. It's part of the condition of living. The Carter family had a long road after Kay's death in January 2010. Her eldest daughter Lee was the driving force behind taking the case to the Supreme Court, which issued a unanimous decision in early 2015 that struck down sections of the Criminal Code that made it illegal to help someone end their life. In 2016, the federal government passed legislation that created the country's regime for medical assistance in dying and made it legal for people whose deaths were 'reasonably foreseeable' to apply for an assessment. After a 2019 ruling in the Quebec Superior Court found it was unconstitutional to restrict assisted dying to people whose deaths were reasonably foreseeable, the Liberal government updated the law in 2021. That update included a controversial clause that would allow people suffering solely from a mental disorder to be considered eligible for an assisted death. The proposed change caused widespread worry among provinces and some mental health professionals, and has now been delayed until March 2027. In the meantime, Health Canada has been studying what Canadians think of allowing people to ask for medical assistance in dying through an advance request. Advance requests would allow people with Alzheimer's, dementia, or other degenerative conditions to make the application and decide when they'd like to end their lives. Price Carter said that change 'is such a simple thing to do.' 'We're excluding a huge number of Canadians from a MAID option because they may have dementia and they won't be able to make that decision in three or four or two years. How frightening, how anxiety-inducing that would be,' he said. He admitted to feeling frustrated at the pace of change, though he said he knows his 'laissez-faire' attitude toward death is uncommon. Helen Long, the president of Dying With Dignity Canada, said numerous federal consultations have shown there's broad support for advance requests dating back to 2016. 'We're continuing to advocate and ask our new government … to make advance requests legal for Canadians,' she said. Quebec has passed legislation to allow people with serious and incurable illnesses to apply for a medically assisted death in the event that they become incapacitated through an advance request. Marjorie Michel, who was recently named health minister in Prime Minister Mark Carney's new government, said in an interview that it's a question of balance. 'It's so personal for people, and I think in some provinces they are not there yet,' she said. But when asked if the government plans to allow advance requests, she deferred to her colleague in the Justice Department. A spokesperson for Justice Minister Sean Fraser said Michel would be best positioned to respond. Health Canada is set to release a report with the key findings from its consultations on the matter this spring. Medical assistance in dying is becoming more common in Canada. In 2023, the latest year for which national statistics are available, 19,660 people applied for the procedure and just over 15,300 people were approved. More than 95 per cent of those were people whose deaths were considered reasonably foreseeable. Price Carter said he wants to talk about his condition because he wants Canadians to talk about death, as uncomfortable as it is. 'The more conversations we can spawn around kitchen tables, the better,' he said. 'We're all going to die. It's part of the condition of living. And yet we do ignore this, to our peril.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
