Toronto hospital abruptly shutters mental health program for Chinese-Canadians
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CTV News
a few seconds ago
- CTV News
Albertans will have free access to COVID-19 vaccines—in B.C. if not at home
Regardless of what happens in Alberta, residents of our province will still be able to get a COVID-19 vaccination for free. Regardless of what happens in Alberta, residents of our province will still be able to get a COVID-19 vaccination for free. They just might have to hop in their vehicle to get the shot. British Columbia will continue to have a publicly funded COVID-19 vaccination program. Citing a reciprocal agreement between provinces and territories in place since 2013, B.C.'s Ministry of Health says Canadian travellers should be able to receive publicly funded immunization anywhere. And the ministry says that of course includes COVID-19 shots and of course includes Albertans. You will need identification as a resident of Canada and a personal health number or equivalent. However, the ministry says there are some caveats that can result in lengthy waits: residents of B.C. will be given priority for vaccination appointments; and locations where residents of other provinces can be vaccinated in B.C. are limited. The ministry suggests calling the Get Vaccinated call centre at 1-833-838-2323 for information on public health unit locations as well as appointment availability.
CBC
a minute ago
- CBC
Opioid deaths in Canada fell 17% in 2024, but thousands are still dying
Reported opioids deaths decreased nationally in Canada by 17 per cent last year, federal figures show, but the decreases aren't happening uniformly across the country, according to a new report. The Public Health Agency of Canada released the most recent data on opioid toxicity deaths showing in 2024, 20 people on average lost their lives per day. I n 2023, the average was 22 deaths per day. The grim toll last year was 7,146 lives lost. On Thursday, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) said despite the apparent decrease, the overall number of people dying from opioids in the toxic drug supply remains very high. It's not known why death rates are declining in many places, though the CCSA did note there was a decrease in potent carfentanil among samples checked, and a shift from consuming by injection to inhalation. Samantha King, a research and policy analyst with CCSA in Ottawa, said while the decreases are encouraging, deaths still remain much higher than when British Columbia declared opioid-related overdose deaths a public health emergency in 2016. "It's not time to drop the ball in terms of allocating resources into either harm reduction or treatment," King said in an interview. WATCH | Action needed despite declining opioid death rates, say advocates: Opioid death rate declining nationwide; advocates stress continued action is needed 2 hours ago The opioid death rate in 2024 has decreased by 17 per cent since 2023, according to a Public Health Agency of Canada report. However, numbers remain high. DJ Larkin, executive director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, says the preservation of supervised consumption sites and addressing underlying social factors are key to sustaining the decline. Mapping the changes B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Yukon reflected the overall decrease in unconfirmed opioid deaths. But in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories, opioid-related deaths increased from 2023 to 2024. The situation is largely unchanged in Nova Scotia and P.E.I., King said. At the mercy of drug supply Toronto's Street Health has run a small supervised consumption site since 2018. "We're still seeing thousands of people die of preventable deaths across this country. And that's not something that I feel comfortable pretending is normal," said Kelly White, the non-profit's manager of harm reduction programs. White said their clients are at the mercy of the street drug supply people, which has varied over time with corresponding spikes and reductions in overdose deaths. Fentanyl and similar opioids, like the more potent carfentanil, may be less common now, White said. But, they're seeing more animal tranquilizers, known as tranq, in the supply. Animal tranquilizers like xylazine and medetomidine may not cause the same respiratory depression as fentanyl, but people's heart ranges can plunge extremely low, and they may develop seeping wounds, White said. "We really are constantly playing catch up." WATCH | Lisa's story of opioid loss: A Toxic Year – Lisa's story: One of so many lost as opioids claim Indigenous lives at alarming rate 1 year ago Dr. Monty Ghosh, an addictions specialist, said he worries Canada may have reached a plateau on opioid overdose deaths. "The people who are most likely to die are already dead, which is a very horrible and morbid thought," said Ghosh, an assistant professor at both the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. A multi-pronged approach is needed, he said. "One day people are ready for treatment and treatment supports and they need to access treatment right away," Ghosh said. "The next day they're still using, they've relapsed, in which case harm reduction supports are required for them to make sure that they don't overdose and die." The drug supply shifts so often given border controls, new drug cartels entering the market and drug wars, Ghosh said. Dan Werb, executive director of the Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, attributed the reduction in opioid overdose deaths to drug trafficking organizations changing their recipes. "While I'm really elated to see these reductions in drug overdose fatality, it's quite disappointing to me that 10 to 15 years into this generation-defining health crisis, we're relying on drug trafficking organizations to decide whether people live or die," Werb said.
CTV News
13 minutes ago
- CTV News
Animal advocacy group continues call for rehoming of dogs used for research at London hospital
An animal rights group is urging St. Joseph's hospital to rehome dogs, after it was revealed the dogs were experimented on for cardiovascular research. An animal rights group is urging St. Joseph's hospital to rehome dogs, after it was revealed the dogs were experimented on for cardiovascular research. After public backlash against the research studies, which were described as painful and prolonged by whistleblowers, the hospital said they would 'immediately cease research studies involving dogs,' in a statement to CTV News. Yet, Animal Justice, a Canadian advocacy group that met with hospital representative in March to discuss rehoming the dogs, says the hospital has yet to commit to a rehoming plan. 'Shutting down these cruel experiments was only the first step for these dogs who have already endured so much,' said Camille Labchuk, lawyer and executive director at Animal Justice. The organization is asking the hospital to release the dogs to The Beagle Alliance, an organization that rescues former research animals and helps rehome them. 'The only right thing for St. Joseph's Hospital to do is to swiftly offer a clear and immediate path to rehome these animals, showing they are truly taking responsibility,' said Labchuk. Both Animal Justice and the Beagle Alliance are asking the hospital for a timeline on the release of the dogs. According to Lori Cohen, founder and executive director of the beagle alliance, the organization is already preparing for the dogs. 'Our fosters in Ontario are excitedly awaiting the arrival of the dogs into our care. They are already purchasing toys and beds, and everything to make the transition a loving experience,' said Cohen.
