Free shingle vaccines for Nova Scotians 65+
A crowd is gathered Tuesday morning ahead of the province's shingles vaccine announcement. (Source: Carl Pomeroy/CTV)
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CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
1 exam, 50% of final grade. Students say Quebec must follow rest of Canada and change 'unfair' system
Social Sharing As students across the province get ready to write their ministerial exams, the pressure is high – and so are the stakes. Luca Di Fiore, a Grade 11 student, says the final exam feels like a judgment. "It seems unfair almost after everything you do throughout the entire year," he said. "To hear that one test that you do at the end of the year, irrespective of everything you've accomplished throughout the entire year, could just change everything for you [is unfortunate]." Quebec is the only province in Canada where some final exams account for 50 per cent of high school students' final grades. Some teachers and students have been pushing for change and wish to be heard. The province has standardized Grade 10 and 11 exams in French, English, mathematics, history and science – all worth between 25 and 35 per cent of final grades. But some, including history of Quebec and Canada and basic French as a second language, count for 50 per cent. Other Canadian provinces also administer standardized exams, but none are weighted as heavily. Quebec wasn't always the only province placing such emphasis on these exams. Alberta brought its equivalent – Diploma Exams – down to 30 per cent 10 years ago. Di Fiore explained that if students are unable to retain everything they learned during the year, it can make all their hard work feel "pointless" when it all comes down to just three hours. His classmate, Mia Beauchamp, shared that a poor exam result has the power to bring down her mood and her confidence and makes her doubt whether she'll pass the year. "I think it's very stressful because we can't remember it all. Teachers aren't expected to remember it all, why are we?" she asked. She believes the exam's weight should be reduced. Di Fiore proposed replacing the ministerial exam with monthly standardized tests from the ministry. Although he acknowledged the value in maintaining test uniformity to ensure consistent teaching across the province, he emphasized the need to discuss lowering the exam's weight. WATCH | Students, teachers want standardized testing to weigh less: Do ministerial exams count for too much in Quebec high schools? 9 minutes ago Duration 2:59 'Not the way the real world works' Paul Berry, a Grade 10 and 11 mathematics and history teacher at Options High School, is also advocating for a reduction in the final exam's weight. While he sees their importance, he argued they shouldn't hold the level of prominence currently given to them. "[The government treats] these exams like they're sacred texts and like they're the be-all and end-all," he said, adding that the experience is very heavy for many students. "There's nothing really in life where you're going to be facing that type of situation … It's just not the way the real world works." Berry and his colleagues work with many students who struggle with mental health and learning disabilities. He expressed concern over whether these students can effectively demonstrate their knowledge under such pressure. "For the most vulnerable students, it's really them who get hit the hardest," he said. Berry also views the situation as a sign of distrust in teachers, who spend their entire year with their students. "It shows a real lack of appreciation for the work that we do and a lack of concern for the real-life consequences that some of these students will face if they're not able to meet what the government considers to be the standard," he said. Current model limits teachers, some teachers say Michael Wadden, a Grade 10 and 11 history teacher at a high school in Montreal's West Island, remarked that it often feels like teachers are "teaching to an exam." He wishes he had more freedom to engage students through alternative methods – like a mock parliament, debates, analysis and reflection – but says those activities risk cutting into exam preparation time. Wadden argued that the current model limits students' ability to reflect, express their opinions and take a stance – skills he says all teachers would love to encourage them to develop, especially in a course that teaches Canadian and Quebec history. Around this time of year, he starts to see more absenteeism as students realize much of the classroom time will be dedicated to reviewing material they feel they can study on their own. Wadden also pointed out that some of his students are grappling with trauma and issues at home. "To have everything so dependent on one day and three hours is just not fair to these kids," he said. Wadden's colleague, Esther Ste-Marie, a Grade 7 social studies teacher, noted that even though her students don't yet write ministerial exams, teachers are already working hard to prepare them for Grade 10. Still, this year, she's trying something new: prioritizing a project-based approach and critical thinking. "It's been working well, but I still have at the back of my head … my students. They still need to be able to do a formal test because in Grade 10, they'll have to do it like everybody else," she said. Ste-Marie pointed out that this reality ties teachers to the responsibility of preparing students for ministerial exams. "The ministry is asking us to create those students ready for the 21st century skills to make them lifelong learners, to make them critical thinkers, but yet they're limiting us," she said. "We want them to think outside the box, but we're not allowing them to think outside the box." How Alberta's exam reform benefited students Jason Schilling, the president of the Alberta Teachers' Association, explained that the province's decision to make final exams worth 30 per cent instead of 50 significantly relieved pressure on students. "It also allowed me as a teacher to assess my students in a variety of different ways that would show what the students know more than necessarily sitting down and doing their reading comprehension in a written test in such a high stakes kind of moment," he said. "When it's not weighted as much or if it's not weighted at all, it does allow you flexibility to be more creative." Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville stated last week that he is not considering any changes. "Fifty per cent to ensure equality, to ensure that we can compare results from one school to the next, from one region to the next," he told reporters. But Di Fiore, while understanding Drainville's perspective, disagrees. "If we're talking about equality, if everybody's at 30 [per cent], that's still equality, right?" asked Di Fiore. "And why are students getting pressure put on them if the thing that we're attempting to evaluate with these [exams] is the school systems?" Di Fiore believes those affected by the current system deserve a voice in the decision. "If you're a doctor, you talk to your patient about what they're feeling," he said. "I think everybody should be involved in that conversation so we can get all perspectives." WATCH | Learn more about Quebec's plan to ban cellphones in schools: Full cellphone ban part of new 'civility' rules in Quebec schools 1 month ago Duration 2:43 New regulations will prohibit students in public and private schools from using electronic devices on school property as of September 2025. Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville hopes the regulation will lead to better concentration and socialization between students. The rules also set requirements for how students address teachers and staff.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Hospital alleges its floors aren't flat, files $100M lawsuit against builder
Humber River Health is suing the consortium contracted to build and maintain its Toronto hospital for $100 million, alleging that negligent design and construction is creating health and safety problems for patients and staff. The lawsuit, filed in early April, alleges that a "sizable portion" of the hospital's floors are not level or flat and that some of the flooring itself is deteriorating. "Floor levelness is a critical operational and safety issue," reads Humber River Health's claim, filed in Ontario Superior Court. "Non-level floors make it difficult for staff to move equipment, supplies, food, and patients on wheeled transportation devices. Often, wheeled carts have to be placed behind rubber stoppers to prevent the carts from sliding out of position." The statement of claim goes on to say that the floor conditions "have led, and will continue to lead, to health and safety issues" for patients and staff. It also says that durability problems with the floors are having a major operational impact as "critical rooms" and areas of the hospital have been unavailable because of maintenance. Touted as North America's first fully digital hospital, construction on Humber River Hospital began in 2011 and it opened in October 2015. The facility was built through a public-private partnership with Plenary Health Care Partnerships. The Ontario government contracted Plenary to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the hospital for 30 years. WATCH | Why this hospital is suing the consortium that built it: Toronto hospital sues builder for $100M claiming uneven floors create safety issues 19 minutes ago Duration 2:15 In a statement, Humber River Health spokesperson Joe Gorman said the hospital is "implementing all necessary measures to ensure the best experience for our patients, staff and community" while it works to resolve these problems. Plenary Health Care Partnerships hasn't filed a statement of defence yet. Due to contractual obligations, the consortium told CBC Toronto it couldn't comment. Not the first lawsuit The floor lawsuit is the latest in a series of claims filed in the last couple of years concerning alleged issues with the design and construction of the northwest Toronto hospital. Since 2023, four other lawsuits totalling at least $10.4 million have been filed by Plenary Health Care Partnerships against the contractor and various subcontractors hired to design and build the hospital. The claims are looking for compensation for property damage from flooding caused by valve and breaker leaks and for design flaws with its domestic water system, which affected hot and cold water in patient rooms within the first year the hospital opened, according to the court filings. The leaks included one above the ceiling of the hospital's cancer care unit. The contractor and subcontractors have filed statements of defence in some of those lawsuits. They deny the allegations and any liability claimed by the consortium. Two of the lawsuits concerning leaks and issues with the water system have spawned third-party claims from the subcontractors being sued claiming another third-party subcontractor should be held liable in their place if the courts determine damages are warranted, which they deny. CBC Toronto contacted Ontario's Ministry of Health for comment on whether it is concerned about these alleged construction and design issues with a public hospital that is just 10 years old and on the impact the problems are having on hospital operations and patient care.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
Investigation underway after 1 man found dead in downtown Calgary
The CPS homicide unit is investigating after it's believed a man fell to his death from a high-rise balcony. Teri Fikowski reports. An investigation is underway after a man was found dead early Sunday morning in downtown Calgary. Calgary police responded to the 1100 block of 3 Street S.E. just after 5 a.m., after receiving reports that a man may have fallen from a high-rise balcony. Police discovered a man nearby in medical distress, who was then transported to hospital in life-threatening condition, where he died from his injuries. Police cordoned off the area on 12 Avenue S.E. between MacLeod Trail and 3 Street, and 3 Street north of 12 Avenue S.E., as they investigated for roughly ten hours. Fire crews also brought in an aeriel truck to help investigators collect evidence from a ledge. Carol Roberts and her husband own the car that was crushed. They were attending a conference in Calgary and were shocked to learn while heading down to load up their vehicle to drive back to Edmonton what had happened. 'It's a little surreal. I'm digesting it but we'll figure out a way home,' she said. Roberts said while they are hopeful insurance will cover the costs, she's more concerned about the man's loved ones. 'We were here for an amazing event and didn't expect it to end that way but I guess in reality this is the things that happen. i just hope and pray for the family.' CTV spoke to the man's aunt who said he was a 22-year-old man originally from the Siksika Nation and a talented hockey player. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday. Shocked People coming out of The Guardian condo building were shocked with the discovery of a decimated car with its roof caved in and glass shattered across the street. 'It's a scene from a movie,' said Keto Allen, who came out to walk his dog. 'From first glance it does look like someone fell or jumped but somebody landed on that vehicle from pretty high up, that's what it seems like.' Allen said there are around 40 floors in the building. 'It looks like a boulder fell out of the [expletive] sky,' said Brian Bura. 'It's crazy damage.' A group of women staying in an AirBnB in the building said they heard partying and woke up to sirens. 'It gives me goosebumps,' said Leanne Nicholson, 'I could hear a party and the music was really loud, like thump thump thump thump. I did hear, I thought I heard, yelling at one point but I was in a fog but I heard the sirens.' Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online or by downloading the P3 Tips app. Anyone was affected by witnessing these events is encouraged to contact the Victim Assistance Support Team (BAST) by calling 403-428-8398 or toll-free at 1-888-327-7828. VAST is a free service offered to victims of crime and tragedy. For more information, go here.
