Latest news with #RobCunningham
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Trade bill could trigger 'race to the bottom' in health standards, health groups warn
OTTAWA — Anti-smoking groups are warning the Carney government that its legislation to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers could undermine health standards unless it's amended to add new safeguards. The legislation, which the governing Liberals intend to push quickly through the House of Commons next week, looks to do two things — break down interprovincial barriers to trade and labour mobility and speed up approvals for major industrial projects, such as mines, ports and pipelines. The bill would allow provincial standards to displace federal ones to make it easier to sell Canadian-made goods within the country. But Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst at the Canadian Cancer Society, said the current wording could lead to unintended consequences since provincial rules are sometimes weaker. He warns that, for example, it could prompt the return of products banned by federal regulation, such as those containing asbestos. "There's a federal measure banning asbestos in products, but provinces allow up to a certain per cent of asbestos in products," he said. "So that would mean that despite asbestos being banned in products for some years now, you could have asbestos return to products. That's not good." He also suggested the legislation could give tobacco companies space to bring back menthol or flavoured cigarettes, something that "shouldn't be happening." Cunningham said the bill should be changed to exempt federal health and environment standards and noted multilateral trade agreements typically contain such clauses. 'We are worried the tobacco (and) vape industry could take advantage of a less strict provincial standard to erode a stronger federal regulation that is protecting the health of Canadians across the country,' said Manuel Arango, vice-president of policy and advocacy at the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Ottawa could still create an exception for health through regulations after the bill is passed. It has not yet indicated it will do so. Cynthia Callard, head of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada, said she worries about the bill being rushed through Parliament since the devil "will likely be in the details in the regulations." "If these are not well constructed, there is a decided risk of health protection becoming collateral damage of a push for greater economic activity," she said. "Provincial and federal governments share jurisdiction for (health and environmental) issues, which is why it is important that there is a legal shield against a race to the bottom when it comes to protective regulations. I do not see this in the bill." The Bloc Québécois, NDP and Green Party are accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney's government of trying to ram the bill through Parliament too quickly without sufficient study. Carney promised to eliminate federal policies that act as a barrier to interprovincial trade by Canada Day. The Liberal government has not yet responded to requests for comment. On Friday, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc laid out the economic case for the trade aspects of the bill during debate in the House of Commons. He said the bill will remove "useless costs" and "regulatory confusion" that "hobble Canadians' ability to trade, connect and work wherever opportunity calls across our country." 'If a good is produced in compliance with provincial standards, it can move throughout the entire country without again having to go up against federal standards,' he said. He pointed to various levels of energy efficiency requirements that can stop products from being sold across provincial lines. He said an Ontario-made product that meets the province's "stringent energy efficiency requirements" could still be blocked from being sold in Quebec or Manitoba if it also does not meet federal standards. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025. Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press Sign in to access your portfolio
Global News
a day ago
- Health
- Global News
Cancer group warns Carney bill could weaken health standards. Why?
The Canadian Cancer Society is warning the Carney government that its legislation to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers could undermine health standards unless it's amended to add new safeguards. The legislation, which the government will try to push quickly through the House of Commons next week, looks to do two things — break down interprovincial barriers to trade and labour mobility and speed up approvals for major projects. The bill would allow provincial standards to displace federal ones to make it easier to sell Canadian-made goods within the country. 5:04 Breaking down provincial trade barriers with the 'One Canadian Economy' bill Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst at the Canadian Cancer Society, says that could lead to unintended consequences because provincial rules are sometimes weaker, and warns of a possible resurgence of products banned by federal regulation, such as those containing asbestos. Story continues below advertisement He says the bill should be changed to exempt health and environment standards to avoid weakening them across the country. The Bloc Québécois, NDP and Green Party are accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney's government of trying to ram the bill through Parliament too quickly without sufficient study.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Cancer society warns internal trade bill could weaken health standards
OTTAWA – The Canadian Cancer Society is warning the Carney government that its legislation to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers could undermine health standards unless it's amended to add new safeguards. The legislation, which the government will try to push quickly through the House of Commons next week, looks to do two things — break down interprovincial barriers to trade and labour mobility and speed up approvals for major projects. The bill would allow provincial standards to displace federal ones to make it easier to sell Canadian-made goods within the country. Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst at the Canadian Cancer Society, says that could lead to unintended consequences because provincial rules are sometimes weaker, and warns of a possible resurgence of products banned by federal regulation, such as those containing asbestos. He says the bill should be changed to exempt health and environment standards to avoid weakening them across the country. The Bloc Québécois, NDP and Green Party are accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney's government of trying to ram the bill through Parliament too quickly without sufficient study. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Investors Mobilize to ‘Free Linqto' Amid Concerns of Mismanagement
Investment Platform's Users' Accounts Have Been Frozen Since February LAS VEGAS, May 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Concerned customers of the investment platform Linqto have joined together to demand answers from the tech company's new management, which has suspended operations and frozen users' accounts since February of this year. 'The recent actions taken by Linqto's new management raise serious questions,' said Rob Cunningham, founder of newly formed consumer advocacy group Free Linqto and longtime Linqto customer. 'Users' accounts have been frozen since February 27, the company's operating reserves have been drained, and the platform has effectively ceased normal operations,' Cunningham continued. 'At best, this is the result of a series of misguided and bad decisions; at worst, it represents an intentional effort to drive the platform into insolvency.' Renowned blockchain and AI visionary Steven Nerayoff, Esq. LL.M has joined the effort, lending both strategic guidance and legal firepower to the growing movement. 'When platforms mishandle investor trust, it's not just bad business — it undermines the future of decentralized finance,' Nerayoff said. Linqto is an investment platform that provides retail investors access to the private equity market. More than 11,000 Linqto customers collectively hold approximately 3% equity in Ripple Labs — a global blockchain leader founded by early architects of the XRP Ledger and active in advancing blockchain innovation since 2012.'Linqto is an amazing company that has democratized the private equity market,' noted Cunningham. 'We created Free Linqto to ensure the platform's long-term health and continued success. We would welcome the opportunity to work with new management to protect Linqto and its more than 14,000 customers, however we are examining all our options. We welcome other customers of the company to join us. For more information and to register, go to CONTACT: Contact: Rob Cunningham freelinqto@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBC
26-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Cancer society wants cash from N.L. tobacco settlement targeted at prevention programs
The Newfoundland and Labrador government has decided how a half-billion-dollar legal settlement with major tobacco companies will hit the books. But there are few details at this point on how the province will actually spend that money when it flows into the provincial treasury. Now the Canadian Cancer Society is weighing in to call for targeted investments it believes could have big impacts. "Tobacco remains a leading preventable cause of disease and death in the province," Rob Cunningham, the society's senior policy analyst, told CBC News. "It is essential that a significant proportion of the tobacco settlement funds be allocated to strengthen the province's tobacco control strategy." Cunningham noted the province is going to be receiving cash over 20 or 30 years. "We can reduce cancer and other diseases, and that's exactly what the priority should be," he said. "The greater the action by the government, the greater the public health benefit will be, and that will be accompanied also by a reduction in health care costs." Last month, CBC News asked then-justice minister Bernard Davis whether there is a specific plan for the tobacco settlement money, or whether it would go into general government revenues. "We haven't talked about where that revenue will go," Davis said on April 11, two days after the provincial budget was tabled. "That's going to be a decision of the cabinet and the government as a whole to see where that investment goes. But obviously the class-action suit was based on the tobacco industry's impact on health care and individuals in that area." In an interview Friday, Health Minister Krista Lynn Howell indicated those decisions still haven't yet been made. WATCH | N.L. should spend money from a lawsuit settlement on anti-smoking measures, says cancer society: N.L. won $500M from a lawsuit over tobacco companies. The Canadian Cancer Society has ideas for that cash 39 minutes ago Duration 1:46 Over the next few decades, Newfoundland and Labrador will see half a billion dollars from a legal settlement with tobacco companies. The Canadian Cancer Society has a list of suggestions for how the government should spend some of that money. The CBC's Rob Antle reports. "We'll be advocating that some of that money is certainly invested into our department, into our programs and into the many things that happen here in the department to continue to support health care in Newfoundland and Labrador," Howell said. "It'll be a big discussion throughout the whole government." The Canadian Cancer Society is calling for a comprehensive strategy that would include programs to help people stop smoking, prevention efforts targeted at youth, communications campaigns and policy development. Cunningham said one of the immediate policy options would be increasing the minimum age for tobacco and cigarettes from 19 to 21. Prince Edward Island, he noted, has already done that. Cunningham also highlighted the issue of youth vaping. Vaping was specifically mentioned by Newfoundland and Labrador's health department when it launched public consultations a year ago on possible changes to laws governing tobacco and related products. Howell expressed concern about vaping, saying she's received "very alarming" reports of use by children as young as Grade 4. "We know that there are significant challenges now and questions and concerns about vaping and how the younger generations are exposed to that," Howell said. "So I think educational programming is a very big piece of this puzzle." She said her department will soon release a report with feedback from last year's public consultations. But actions may be a long time coming. Some would require legislative changes, and the House of Assembly is now closed. There will almost certainly be an election before it sits again. The Newfoundland and Labrador government expects to receive more than $500-million from the tobacco litigation settlement over the next 20 to 30 years. It booked the entire amount in this year's pre-election budget. There were a series of fiery clashes in the legislature between the governing Liberals and Opposition Progressive Conservatives in the wake of CBC News reporting on the issue earlier this month. Resolution of the tobacco litigation has been a long time coming. The origins of the legal action date all the way back to the 1990s. In March, Ontario Superior Court Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz approved a $32.5-billion compensation plan to be paid by three tobacco companies. A portion of the cash will go to some smokers who were diagnosed with cancer. Provincial and territorial governments will split about three-quarters of the overall amount — just over $24.7 billion. A chunk of the compensation will be paid up front. The remainder will flow over the next couple of decades, with the tobacco companies forking over the majority of their net after-tax income until the $32.5-billion is paid in full.
