Latest news with #StJosephsHospital
National Post
a day ago
- Health
- National Post
Ontario hospital says it will ‘immediately cease' use of dogs in heart research
By Investigative Journalism Bureau Article content After decades of secretly inducing heart attacks in dogs as part of cardiac research, St. Joseph's Hospital ended the practice on Monday in the aftermath of an Investigative Journalism Bureau (IJB) investigation. Article content In a public statement, the Lawson Research Institute at St. Joseph's announced it will 'immediately cease research studies involving dogs' following consultation with the province. Article content Article content 'We acknowledge that this will have a significant impact on the ground-breaking research that has resulted in major strides in cardiac care and treatment, and on the dedicated teams involved in this work,' the statement reads, adding 'the government of Ontario is an important partner in every aspect of our work.' Article content The story details clandestine experiments that force the animals into heart attacks lasting as long as three hours, according to internal study protocol documents reviewed by journalists and experts. Article content Article content 'I was deeply disturbed by last week's reports of inhumane medical research taking place on dogs at St. Joseph's Health Care London and immediately reached out to raise my concerns,' reads a post on X Monday afternoon from Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Article content 'I'm pleased that St. Joseph's has agreed to immediately stop this research. Our government will always act to ensure that any medical research is carried out in an ethical and humane manner.' Article content Article content In an interview, Ford called the research 'inhumane.' Article content Article content 'That's stepping over the line,' said Ford, who has a family dog at home and another six among his immediate family. Article content 'It can't happen here in Ontario and it won't happen. If I find any other universities or hospitals or research facilities doing that, I'm going to put an end to it immediately…We have to outlaw that in Ontario.' Article content Based on interviews with two whistleblowers as well as internal documents, images and video, the story details the surreptitious movement of dogs from a U.S. breeder into the hospital's receiving doors in covered cages and up to what some staff call the 'secret sixth floor.' Article content After the procedures, the dogs' hearts are analyzed using the same MRI and PET scanning machines used on human patients one floor below. Article content The puppies are eventually euthanized and their hearts removed for further study. After the dogs are killed, the whistleblowers say the carcasses are placed in garbage bags and placed inside barrels for removal.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
London, Ont. hospital announces it will cease testing on dogs
A newly published report alleges dogs are being tested on and killed for human heart research at St. Joseph's Hospital. CTV London's Reta Ismail reports. The Lawson Research Institute at St. Joseph's Health Care has announced that after consultations with the Ontario government, they will immediately cease research studies involving dogs. This comes after community backlash following a report published last week by the Investigative Journalism Bureau in partnership with National Post. The report details claims by anonymous whistleblowers that the animals were being subjected to painful and prolonged procedures as part of research into human heart attack recovery. In a statement to CTV News, St. Joseph's Health Care wrote, in part, 'The Government of Ontario is an important partner in every aspect of our work. Following consultations with the province, St. Joseph's will immediately cease research studies involving dogs.' 'We acknowledge that this will have a significant impact on the ground-breaking research that has resulted in major strides in cardiac care and treatment, and on the dedicated teams involved in this work,' the statement concluded. A spokesperson for the hospital says more details will be forthcoming. Ontario Premier Doug Ford took to social media Monday to express his thoughts on the hospital's announcement, saying, 'I was deeply disturbed by last week's reports of inhumane medical research taking place on dogs at St. Joseph's Health Care London and immediately reached out to raise my concerns. I'm pleased that St. Joseph's has agreed to immediately stop this research. Our government will always act to ensure that any medical research is carried out in an ethical and humane manner.'
CTV News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
UpHere 5 to shatter Canadian Record
VIDEO: Uphere 5 announces the location that will shatter the record for the largest mural in Canada at St. Joseph's Hospital in Sudbury.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Panoramic announces major redevelopment of former hospital in Sudbury
To attract builders to create new rental units to meet housing demands, Greater Sudbury is giving new developer tax breaks. Panoramic Properties announced plans Tuesday for a major redevelopment of the former St. Joseph's Hospital on Paris Street in Sudbury. The plan includes three new buildings on the site, including a 20-storey condominium, 16-storey urban loft (rental) building and a 12-storey retirement residence, providing a total of 222 condominium units, 199 apartments, and 109 retirement guest suites. 'This vibrant new community will include both residential and restaurant uses, anchored by a shared parking structure below Paris Street,' the company said in a news release. 'This project will contribute to the transformation of both Sudbury's downtown and Ramsey Lake's waterfront, acting as a catalyst for growth in the City of Greater Sudbury.' A restaurant is proposed on the 20th floor of the condominium building, which will be open to the public 'and feature panoramic views of Ramsey Lake including amenities allowing for outdoor dining and private events on a covered rooftop terrace,' Panoramic said. 'A cafe is also proposed on the ground floor of the retirement residence. These spaces are intended to integrate the site with, and build upon, Bell Park – the gem of the City of Greater Sudbury.' Panoramic president Angelo Butera said in the news release that the company was 'excited' to unveil the plan to the public. Panoramic2 Panoramic's plan includes three new buildings on the site, including a 20-storey condominium, 16-storey urban loft (rental) building and a 12-storey retirement residence, providing a total of 222 condominium units, 199 apartments, and 109 retirement guest suites. (Supplied) 'It is our hope that Sudburians are excited by the new chapter in growth and development that this project represents,' Butera said. 'It is Panoramic's mission to create safe, comfortable and well-maintained living environments that residents and communities will be proud to call home. Our desire is to work in parallel with the City of Greater Sudbury to realize the true untapped potential of this site, its significance to the city and northern Ontario more broadly.' Calls for the site to be developed have grown since the hospital closed in 2010, around the time that three city hospitals merged into a single site at Health Sciences North. Panoramic originally planned a condominium development in 2013, but a lengthy planning approvals process led to delays. Eventually, market conditions changed and the condo plan was shelved. An 80,000-square-foot mural was completed at the site by street artist RISK in summer 2019. The mural has since deteriorated, with the bright colours gradually blending in. The fact it is located in a prominent spot on the shores of Ramsey Lake has made it an especially visible source of frustration for many residents. Hospital mural Greater Sudbury is considering implementing a derelict building bylaw that aims to prevent another fiasco like the former hospital on Paris Street. (File) In Tuesday's announcement, Butera praised Mayor Paul Lefebvre and city council for their role in moving things forward. 'Given the leadership Mayor Lefebvre and council has shown since the fall of 2022, we believe it is time to bring this vision forward,' Butera said. 'We look forward to working with Mayor Lefebvre, council, and city staff upon submission of required official plan and zoning applications in 2023.' Lefebvre said in a statement to CTV News that he is happy with the announcement. 'I am pleased that Panoramic Properties Inc. is moving forward with plans to redevelop this prime location at the heart of our city,' said Lefebvre. 'Thoughtful and sustainable residential development that accommodates the evolving needs and life stages of our community is key to growing our population and local economy. This particular site is one that is meaningful to many of our residents, and I look forward to seeing further details of this innovative proposal as it moves through the development application process.' 'We've seen it where people are trying to get an apartment and they can't,' said city councillor Bill Leduc, in an interview with CTV News. 'If we want to grow this population, this is what we need.' No cost estimate and timelines were included in the original announcement Tuesday. But Panoramic said it expected the project to have a significant impact. 'The redevelopment is intended to bring renewed vibrancy and build upon the sense of place along the Paris Street corridor as new residents will be able to take advantage of the central location, proximity to amenities and services, and active transportation investments,' the company said. 'In addition to being ideally located directly adjacent to Bell Park, the development will leverage the property's proximity to downtown Sudbury to enhance connectivity between the park and the commercial and cultural centre of Sudbury, enhancing the economy while also contributing to the current need for Housing in both the city and the province.' – With files from CTV News Northern Ontario video journalist Amanda Hicks
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Don't blame us for hospital eyesore, Sudbury festival says in a statement
There are new calls for something to be done about the former Sudbury hospital building that was turned into a massive mural. The people behind Sudbury's Up Here festival are reminding residents that the mural painted on the former hospital in 2019 was supposed to be a swan song for the building, not a long-term fixture. In a statement Tuesday, festival officials said when they completed the massive mural on the former St. Joseph's Hospial, the idea was the building was being demolished within a year. 'We wanted to bid a vibrant and colourful farewell to this historic landmark by turning it into a bold piece of contemporary art — an endeavour that would leave a lasting — albeit a tiny bit, very slightly, barely even noticeably controversial — impression on the Canadian artistic landscape,' the statement said. 'Today … we find ourselves as disheartened as everyone by the lack of progress on the part of the property owners. We yearn for the old hospital to undergo a metamorphosis, to be revitalized and reintegrated into the fabric of our community. We agree with Mayor (Paul) Lefebvre's urgent desire to repurpose the building.' The 80,000-square-foot mural was completed by street artist RISK in summer 2019. While divisive even at time it was completed, the mural has since deteriorated, with the bright colours gradually blending in. The fact it is located in a prominent spot on the shores of Ramsey Lake has made it an especially visible source of frustration for many residents. Now owned by Panoramic Properties, the original plan was to convert the building into high-end condos. The company received approvals for its plans after a lengthy planning process, but by that time market conditions changed and the condo plan was shelved. Messages to Panoramic seeking comment for this story have not yet been returned. Last week, Lefebvre told a seniors group in a meeting that dealing with the former hospital is a priority. He said after he was elected, he met with Panoramic president Angelo Butera to find out what their plans are. 'First of all, it has to come down,' Lefebvre said. Hospital mural Greater Sudbury is considering implementing a derelict building bylaw that aims to prevent another fiasco like the former hospital on Paris Street. (File) 'So I am optimistic, however, that something will happen. That being said, I am also a realist ... If it doesn't happen soon, the city needs to move and do something.' The mayor promised there would be action on the hospital during his term. 'And you can quote me on that,' Lefebvre said. For its part, Up Here said the site should become 'a dynamic hub of creativity and cultural expression.' 'Regrettably, the delay in the building's evolution has left many of us frustrated and disenchanted,' the statement said. 'We implore Panoramic Properties to honour their obligation and swiftly undertake the necessary steps to fulfil the collective vision we hold for this cherished property.' Up Here declined a request from CTV News for an interview on their statement. With files from Ian Campbell
