Latest news with #NorthwesternHealthUnit
CBC
7 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfire smoke prompts closures, warnings in northwestern Ontario
Social Sharing Wildfire smoke spreading throughout northwestern Ontario has prompted closures and event cancellations on Tuesday. Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued air quality warnings for the Ear Falls, Pickle Lake, Pikangikum, Red Lake and Sandy Lake areas. Meanwhile, special air quality statements have been issued for the following areas: Armstrong. Atikokan. Beardmore. Thunder Bay. Dryden. Ignace. Nipigon. Sioux Lookout. Wildfire smoke from Ontario and Manitoba wildfires may remain in the region for the next several days, Environment and Climate Change Canada said. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase," the Northwestern Health Unit said in a news release issued Monday. "Forest fire smoke is made up of a mixture of gases and fine particles that can be harmful to your health. You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance," it says. The health unit is recommending people limit their time outdoors, and keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. 'Part of a larger health issue' Air quality concerns led the Canada Games Complex in Thunder Bay to close its pool and track early Tuesday morning. However, the facility said they would be re-opened by 11:30 a.m. ET. "Due to the extreme air quality we are experiencing outdoors, the pool and track area is also experiencing some smell and mild haze indoors and has improved since the facility opened this morning," the complex said on Facebook. "Swirl Pool (tot pool) will remain closed for the day." The Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board's elementary track and field event, which was scheduled for Tuesday, has also been cancelled due to air quality, the board said in a Facebook post. The event has been rescheduled for Thursday, weather and air quality permitting, the post says. Lakehead Public Schools, meanwhile, said on social media Tuesday that the intermediate three-pitch tournament has been postponed, and indoor recess implemented, because of the smoke. Rebecca Saari is a Canada Research Chair in global change, atmosphere, and health, and an associate professor at the University of Waterloo with expertise in air pollution. She said those doing high-intensity workouts outdoors will be breathing in more polluted air, so they may want to consider exercising indoors in a well-sealed space, keeping doors and windows closed. Children, pregnant people, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions are most at risk of smoke-related harms, Saari said. "They can have acute symptoms that can lead to visits to their doctor or [the] emergency room or hospital," she said. Wildfires are the single-largest contributor to a pollutant called particulate matter, said Saari, which "in Canada is associated with over 17,000 early deaths every year and around $150 billion in economic damages." "It's a big part of a larger health issue," she said,
CBC
03-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
Amid rising demands, the Dryden Food Bank in northwestern Ontario seeks support to expand
Social Sharing More than 600 people accessed the Dryden Food Bank last month, which Al Huckabay says speaks to the growing need to expand the facility in order to keep up with demands. Fewer than 7,400 live in the northwestern Ontario city. However, its food bank serves a number of surrounding communities and First Nations. "The demand has been steadily on the increase, and especially now with the economic situation within the country," said Huckabay, manager of the Dryden Food Bank. "We're finding because of the cost of food, what we're able to purchase with our dollars is becoming less." The food bank has entered the second phase of Project Hope, a $1.5-million plan to relocate from 62 Queen St. to 158 Grand Trunk Ave. and renovate the building to create more space. Its immediate goals are to increase the food bank's capacity to accept and distribute food, improve operational efficiency, and enhance safe food handling practices, Huckabay said. Looking further ahead, the organization has three key aspirations: Improving strategies to address poverty in Dryden. Expanding its local community partnerships, including with the Kenora District Services Board, Northwestern Health Unit and Dryden Regional Health Centre. Working with the Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA) to create a satellite hub in Dryden for food distribution. "We see ourselves really partnering with community groups that are perhaps doing service in the community that we're not offering — but if it is connected with food, we want to be there and help them out in that way," said Huckabay. Part of its long-term vision is to become a community hub, similar to Roots Community Food Centre in Thunder Bay, which offers food as well as a number of workshops and programming activities, he explained. "That is really a true, great description of what we want to become in this area," Huckabay said. Promoting healthier lifestyles About one in four households in the Northwestern Health Unit's catchment area face food insecurity due to financial constraints, according to the 2024 Real Cost of Eating Well in Northwestern Ontario report. A family of four spends more than $1,500 a month on groceries, the report says, a seven per cent increase from 2023. Education on healthy eating is another big part of what the Dryden Food Bank hopes to do, through installing a community kitchen. "We want to be able to teach [clients] and show them, in working with other groups and agencies in town, how to take food and have healthier lifestyles," Huckabay said. The renovations are hoped to begin in August, but the food bank still has a lot of fundraising to do. While the bulk of the project is to be covered by government grants, it's still looking to raise at least $915,000. The organization is planning a fundraising event at the end of May to help build momentum, Huckabay said. Despite the rising cost of living, Huckabay said the community has continued to show its support. "[We are] very thankful for the way in which the community of Dryden and the businesses and retail stores have really come alongside us and helped us out, to make sure that we've got the food on our shelves to be able to give to people," he said. The Dryden Food Bank is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Hampers can be booked between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. by calling 807-223-3881, with pickup between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.
