Latest news with #Carra
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Calgary reintroduces fluoride to water supply after 14 year gap amid rising tooth decay
Live Events Benefits of fluoride (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Calgary has resumed adding fluoride to its municipal water supply , nearly 14 years after the city council voted to stop the move follows a 2021 plebiscite in which over 61 percent of Calgarians voted in favor of reintroducing fluoride, a measure endorsed by major health organizations, including Alberta Health Services and Health Canada , as a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay The city had fluoridated its water for two decades, from 1991 to 2011, before the council voted 10–3 to discontinue the practice, citing cost and debate over health benefits. But recent data swayed both public opinion and some city 9 Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra, who had previously voted to remove fluoride, said the decision was based on mounting evidence showing deteriorating dental health, especially in children. 'We took it out as a cost-saving measure, and I think in retrospect it was a mistake,' Carra said. 'We had 10 years of data that showed that taking fluoride out of the water did have a negative impact on the dental health of our city.'A University of Calgary study in 2021 showed higher rates of cavities among Grade 2 students in Calgary compared to Edmonton, where fluoridation has remained consistent since say fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid and decay. 'It becomes part of the dental structure,' said Dr. James Dickinson, professor of family medicine and community health sciences at the University of Calgary. 'The fluoride actually gets into it and makes it a stronger compound.'The city has invested $28.1 million to install new fluoridation equipment at the Glenmore and Bearspaw water treatment plants, with an expected annual operating cost of $1 million, covered through local water target level of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per litre of water is based on Health Canada's recommended standard. Officials say the amount is well below harmful levels and does not alter the taste, color, or smell of the change will also affect surrounding communities served by Calgary's water system, including Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore, Tsuut'ina Nation, and parts of Foothills and Rocky View Guichon, president of Calgarians for Kids' Health and a professor at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine, called the move 'a victory for public health and democracy.''Voters value their health and expect elected officials to support it,' she said. 'Over time, we will see the benefits in a reduction of cavities.'The reintroduction of fluoride in Calgary aligns with cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Red Deer, and Lethbridge, which continue to fluoridate their water in line with public health guidance.
Montreal Gazette
04-06-2025
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
As Calgary brings back fluoride, councillor urges Montreal to reconsider West Island decision
By As Calgary prepares to reintroduce fluoride to its drinking water later this month, one of their city councillors is calling upon Montreal to reconsider removing it from West Island faucets — and trust the science. Calgary took away fluoride from its water in 2011 as a cost-cutting measure. Dental health declined over the next decade, according to city councillor Gian-Carlo Carra, who has been involved in the fluoride debate throughout. In 2021, Calgarians voted in a municipal election to reinstate water fluoridation. 'We've had fluoride out of the water for over 10 years. That was 10 years we could track a against other cities. We could track a worsening in the condition of our kids' teeth and in our population's teeth,' Carra said in an interview Monday. As Carra reflects on Calgary's decision-making on fluoride, he's appealing to Montreal to learn from Calgary's missteps and to 'trust the data.' 'The data shows that it helps,' he added. A 2021 study on second-grade children in Calgary found that the proportion of children with dental caries rose from 56.6 per cent in 2011 to 64.8 per cent in 2018, seven years after the city stopped fluoridating its water. In November, Montreal's agglomeration council voted to end fluoridation of West Island drinking water, also to save costs. Although 87 per cent of the agglomeration council is made up of Montreal councillors who largely voted against fluoride, the 13-per-cent minority representing the suburbs — particularly West Island officials — fought to maintain it. Fluoridation at the Dorval and Pointe-Claire plants was set to finish by early 2025. Benjamin Blanc, a spokesperson for the city of Pointe-Claire, confirmed the practice actually stopped at the end of fall 2024. The Gazette contacted the cities of Montreal and Dorval for clarification but did not receive a response in time for publication. For Kirkland Mayor Michel Gibson, Calgary's decision to bring back fluoride demonstrates it's not too late for Montreal to reconsider its own fluoride policy for the West Island. 'I'm not finished fighting this battle,' he said in an interview Tuesday, adding that he plans to raise the issue during Montreal's municipal election this fall and is prepared to challenge it in court if necessary. While Calgary residents were able to vote directly on the fluoride issue through a municipal election ballot, Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas said that's not an option for West Island residents, who cannot vote in the Montreal municipal election. He explained that under the current structure of the agglomeration council, decisions affecting the West Island are ultimately made by Montreal city councillors, who significantly outnumber suburban representatives. 'The point here is that we can't decide water for our own citizens with our own plant,' Thomas said in an interview. 'Our citizens, who paid for that plant, should have the option of deciding how it's used for them.' Beaconsfield Mayor Georges Bourelle said in an interview Monday that during the fall agglomeration council debates on fluoride, he pointed to Calgary as a cautionary tale. He is not hopeful Montreal will reinstate fluoride because of the way the agglomeration council is organized, which he described as 'undemocratic.' 'Politically, the worst thing that the provincial government did was to set up the agglomeration the way it is,' he said. Montreal's decision prioritized cost savings over public health, said Baie-D'Urfe Mayor Heidi Ektvedt. 'I personally don't even believe that this is about fluoride. I personally think that there was money to be saved by pulling it, and why spend it in the West Island for a population who doesn't even vote for (Montreal),' she said in an interview Monday. She added that several citizens have reached out to her about Calgary refluoridating its water. 'I'm happy for Calgary that they're putting it back into their water,' she said. 'But you know, Montreal is going to tell you, let's look at Sweden. They'll talk about the States — everybody's pulling out of fluoride in the States,' referring to possible examples cited by the city to justify not fluoridating. 'I like to look at Calgary and see that it was done in a democratic way.'
Calgary Herald
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Gian-Carlo Carra not running for re-election after four terms on Calgary city council
Another of Calgary's veteran city councillors said he won't be seeking another term in office this fall. Article content Article content In his Ward 9 newsletter on Friday, Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra confirmed he won't run for re-election in this year's municipal vote, while also endorsing mayoral candidate Brian Thiessen and his Calgary Party. Article content 'It is with wistfulness, but also clear conviction and fierce pride, that I announce my decision not to seek a fifth term as Ward 9's city councillor this October,' he wrote. Article content Article content Carra was first elected in Ward 9, which includes several inner-city neighbourhoods that straddle both sides of Deerfoot Trail, in 2010. He is currently serving his fourth term, representing a diverse range of communities that include Inglewood, Bridgeland and Ogden on the west side of the freeway, and Radisson Heights, Dover and Forest Heights on the east side. Article content Article content He also touted his efforts to tackle historic injustices in the city, in areas such as systemic racism and gender equality. Article content Carra said championing the $180-million revitalization of International Avenue will be remembered as his favourite achievement as a councillor, while the failed bid for Calgary to host the 2026 Winter Olympics was his biggest disappointment. Article content Article content 'I entered council representing east Calgary communities that I think have done an oversized job in building the city we live in today but were significantly underinvested in. I think I've significantly reversed that trend,' he said. Article content But he lamented the current state of politics and took aim at all three levels of government for descending into 'anger, fear and division.' Article content 'I was elected in a beautiful moment in time alongside Naheed Nenshi,' Carra said. 'It was an age of politics in full sentences. Article content 'I think unfortunately, more and more politicians are stepping up to play a game of politics rather than govern.' Article content Article content Carra joins a growing list of councillors who have confirmed they won't run this October, including fellow veteran Peter Demong, and first-term colleagues Evan Spencer, Jasmine Mian and Courtney Walcott. Article content He said he agreed with Mian who announced, during a council meeting, her decision to step down due to growing political gamesmanship, particularly when it came to the province's interference in the Green Line project.
Calgary Herald
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
After four terms on council, Gian-Carlo Carra calling it a day
Article content Another of Calgary's veteran city councillors said he won't be seeking another term in office this fall. Article content Article content In his Ward 9 newsletter on Friday, Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra confirmed he won't run for re-election in this year's municipal vote, while also endorsing mayoral candidate Brian Thiessen and his Calgary Party. Article content 'It is with wistfulness, but also clear conviction and fierce pride, that I announce my decision not to seek a fifth term as Ward 9's city councillor this October,' he wrote. Article content Article content Carra was first elected in Ward 9, which includes several inner-city neighbourhoods that straddle both sides of Deerfoot Trail, in 2010. He is currently serving his fourth term, representing a diverse range of communities that include Inglewood, Bridgeland and Ogden on the west side of the freeway, and Radisson Heights, Dover and Forest Heights on the east side. Article content Article content He also touted his efforts to tackle historic injustices in the city, in areas such as systemic racism and gender equality. Article content Carra said championing the $180-million revitalization of International Avenue will be remembered as his favourite achievement as a councillor, while the failed bid for Calgary to host the 2026 Winter Olympics was his biggest disappointment. Article content Article content 'I entered council representing east Calgary communities that I think have done an oversized job in building the city we live in today but were significantly underinvested in. I think I've significantly reversed that trend,' he said. Article content But he lamented the current state of politics and took aim at all three levels of government for descending into 'anger, fear and division.' Article content 'I was elected in a beautiful moment in time alongside Naheed Nenshi,' Carra said. 'It was an age of politics in full sentences. Article content 'I think unfortunately, more and more politicians are stepping up to play a game of politics rather than govern.' Article content Article content Carra joins a growing list of councillors who have confirmed they won't run this October, including fellow veteran Peter Demong, and first-term colleagues Evan Spencer, Jasmine Mian and Courtney Walcott. Article content He said he agreed with Mian who announced, during a council meeting, her decision to step down due to growing political gamesmanship, particularly when it came to the province's interference in the Green Line project.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Far-right member, Democratic socialist come together to pass bills in Michigan House
Lawmakers in the Michigan House passed a pair of bills Tuesday prohibiting themselves from entering into nondisclosure agreements, a practice that has come under scrutiny following lawmakers agreeing to keep secret details of large economic development projects that could receive state funding. House Bill 4052 introduced by Republican state Rep. Steve Carra of Three Rivers would prohibit members of the Michigan Legislature and their legislative staff from entering into a nondisclosure agreement "regarding any work done in that member's legislative capacity." It passed 80-28 in the Michigan House with bipartisan support. House Bill 4053 introduced by Democratic state Rep. Dylan Wegela of Garden City defines a nondisclosure agreement as one prohibiting the public release or discussion of the contract's terms. Wegela's bill passed 91-17. "This legislation is simple," said Carra in a speech on the House floor Wednesday. Lawmakers have a duty, he said, to be transparent when weighing how to spend taxpayers' money. Carra — part of the far-right House Freedom Caucus — and Wegela — a Democratic socialist — have both blasted corporate subsidies championed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to lure companies to Michigan. State lawmakers and economic development officials have approved state funding to prepare large manufacturing sites and awarded grants to companies that create jobs in the state. In recent years, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has shepherded deals with Ford and other companies to locate electric vehicle battery plant projects in Michigan. Carra and Wegela call the funding a corporate handout, and they teamed up on the nondisclosure legislation as a way to change the process the state uses to land deals with companies eyeing Michigan to locate or expand. "The current practice is that in order to learn about the full scope of a project legislators need to sign NDAs and then doing so traps legislators in a code of silence around said projects," Wegela said in a floor speech Wednesday. Michigan Policy: A guide to Michigan's new paid sick leave law Michigan Economic Development Corporation spokesperson Otie McKinley said the agency finds that those looking to invest in Michigan often require nondisclosure agreements to share financial and proprietary information. For years, lawmakers have called for greater transparency in the process used by Whitmer's administration for negotiating massive taxpayer-funded economic development deals, saying that by the time the projects come to them for a vote, they're little more than a rubber stamp. The bipartisan coalition that once supported Whitmer's economic development approach has fractured but competing plans for overhauling the current system failed to cross the finish line in the last legislative session. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan bills would ban nondisclosure agreements in Lansing
