Spring of Fear
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Pandemic Data Sharing: How the Canadian Constitution Turned Into a Suicide Pact
Pandemic Data Sharing: How the Canadian Constitution Turned Into a Suicide Pact Amir Attaran & Adam R. Houston “The choice is not between order and liberty. It is between liberty with order and anarchy without either. There is danger that, if the court does not temper its doctrinaire logic with a little practical wisdom, it will convert the constitutional Bill of Rights into a suicide pact.” Justice Robert Jackson in Terminiello v. City of Chicago, 337 U.S. 1 (1949) * * * For decades, public health professionals, scholars, and on multiple occasions the Auditor General of Canada, have raised warnings about Canada’s dysfunctional system of public health data sharing. These warnings have been reiterated in the wake of repeated outbreaks – most prominently SARS in 2003, but also foodborne listeriosis in 2008, and H1N1 influenza in 2009. Every single time, the warnings have been clear that unless Canada better prepares itself for a pandemic, many thousands could die, as when the “Spanish Flu” killed an estimated 55,000 Canadians between 1918 and 1920. Almost exactly a century later, COVID-19 arrived. While SARS killed 44 people in Canada, currently (mid-May 2020) COVID-19 kills several fold that every day. Nor is satisfactory progress being made, for unlike some countries, including very seriously affected ones that promptly reversed the epidemic’s growth, in Canada there is still no reversal after approximately two months of lockdown. Why? There are countless reasons, but legally, the most fundamental problem is that epidemic responses are handicapped by a mythological, schismatic, self-destructive view of federalism, which endures despite being flagrantly wrong. -
Sars and Public Health in Ontario
THE SARS COMMISSION INTERIM REPORT SARS AND PUBLIC HEALTH IN ONTARIO The Honourable Mr. Justice Archie Campbell Commissioner April 15, 2004 INTERIM REPORT ♦ SARS AND PUBLIC HEALTH IN ONTARIO Table of Contents Table of Contents Dedication Letter of Transmittal EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................................1 1. A Broken System .....................................................................................................................24 2. Reason for Interim Report .....................................................................................................25 3. Hindsight...................................................................................................................................26 4. What Went Right?....................................................................................................................28 5. A Constellation of Problems..................................................................................................30 Problem 1: The Decline of Public Health ...............................................................................32 Problem 2: Lack of Preparedness: The Pandemic Flu Example..........................................37 Problem 3: Lack of Transparency.............................................................................................47 Problem 4: Lack of Provincial Public Health Leadership .....................................................51 Problem 5: Lack of Perceived -
Monday, May 25
MONDAY, MAY 25 14:20 – 15:50 CONCURRENT SESSIONS PHPC Ebola in Canada: What have we learned from this outbreak that we didn’t know before? PLAZA C, SECOND FLOOR MSPC The Ebola virus disease outbreak(s) in West Africa have raised several issues for public health and health care, especially with respect to infection prevention and control in health and other settings. The issues have ranged from world travel policy to personal protective equipment protocols. As with many similar public health events in the past (e.g., SARS, H1N1 influenza), the scientific foundations, valid and relevant surveillance data, estimates of risk and burden, effectiveness of interventions, principles and ethics, priorities and goals should provide the basis for evidence-informed, wise and fair decisions. These decisions may result in reaffirmation or change of policies, programs and practice and often have many consequences, including levels of preparedness and response, resource allocation, protocol changes, and specific education and advice for health practitioners and others working and living in the settings of everyday life. These, in turn, can be expected to affect attitudes and behaviour in society. What have we learned (or should we learn) from this outbreak that we didn’t know (or should have known) before? To address these issues from a knowledge translation perspective, panel members will provide the stimuli for interactive responses from the audience and other members of the panel for what promises to be an engaging and educational event. Learning Objectives: Describe the scientific, practical, political and ethical considerations for policy and program decisions for a low-probability, high- consequence public health event in Canada. -
Mon 18 Apr 2005 / Lun 18 Avr 2005
No. 130A No 130A ISSN 1180-2987 Legislative Assembly Assemblée législative of Ontario de l’Ontario First Session, 38th Parliament Première session, 38e législature Official Report Journal of Debates des débats (Hansard) (Hansard) Monday 18 April 2005 Lundi 18 avril 2005 Speaker Président Honourable Alvin Curling L’honorable Alvin Curling Clerk Greffier Claude L. DesRosiers Claude L. DesRosiers Hansard on the Internet Le Journal des débats sur Internet Hansard and other documents of the Legislative Assembly L’adresse pour faire paraître sur votre ordinateur personnel can be on your personal computer within hours after each le Journal et d’autres documents de l’Assemblée législative sitting. The address is: en quelques heures seulement après la séance est : http://www.ontla.on.ca/ Index inquiries Renseignements sur l’index Reference to a cumulative index of previous issues may be Adressez vos questions portant sur des numéros précédents obtained by calling the Hansard Reporting Service indexing du Journal des débats au personnel de l’index, qui vous staff at 416-325-7410 or 325-3708. fourniront des références aux pages dans l’index cumulatif, en composant le 416-325-7410 ou le 325-3708. Copies of Hansard Exemplaires du Journal Information regarding purchase of copies of Hansard may Pour des exemplaires, veuillez prendre contact avec be obtained from Publications Ontario, Management Board Publications Ontario, Secrétariat du Conseil de gestion, Secretariat, 50 Grosvenor Street, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 50 rue Grosvenor, Toronto (Ontario) M7A 1N8. Par 1N8. Phone 416-326-5310, 326-5311 or toll-free téléphone : 416-326-5310, 326-5311, ou sans frais : 1-800-668-9938. -
1 APPENDIX B CBSC Decision 11/12-1881 & -1942 CFRB-AM Re Comments Made on the City with Mayor Rob Ford the Complaints the CB
APPENDIX B CBSC Decision 11/12-1881 & -1942 CFRB-AM re comments made on The City with Mayor Rob Ford The Complaints The CBSC received a total of 64 complaints about this broadcast. Of those, 36 were provided with the opportunity to request a ruling (the remaining 28 either did not provide enough information to order copies of the broadcast or the complainants clearly had not actually heard the broadcast themselves). Of the 36 complainants who were given the opportunity to request a ruling, only 2 did so. Their complaints are reproduced here: File 11/12-1881 The CBSC received the following complaint on May 7, 2012: I am writing to complain about blatantly offensive language and comments used during Sunday, May 6th’s broadcast of The City with Mayor Rob Ford on CFRB 1010 of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, airing between 1PM and 3PM Eastern Standard Time. During this broadcast, Mayor Ford and his guests made several remarks that were quite offensive: - When referring to Daniel Dale, a Toronto Star reporter that Ford had recently had a run-in with, they said, “I’ve been told the Star purposely assigned their most effeminate reporter". - When referring to former mayoral front-runner George Smitherman, Menzies (the guest on the show), made a disgusting comment about his sexual orientation and linked this to HIV/AIDS: “Could you imagine if I was at that all-candidates meeting and I went to George Smitherman and I said, ‘You know what, George, being a practicing homosexual and the fact that you’ve been involved with all kinds of illicit drug use, how do we know you won’t engage in high-risk sex and drug use that will bring about HIV-leading-to-AIDS and you’ll die in office?’ I would be run out of town on a rail!” This type of behaviour is contrary to section VI, subsections 2, 3 and 4 of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Equitable Portrayal Code, of which CFRB 1010 is bound to uphold as a member of the CBSC. -
2021-03-15 No Clear Significant Benefit to Lockdowns
Two minutes with the Justice Centre In other words, locking people down made no difference. No clear, significant Meanwhile in Ontario, one of the province’s former chief medical officers sent an open letter to Premier Doug Ford in benefit to lockdowns January, saying: “Lockdown was never part of our planned pandemic response, nor is it supported by strong science.” March 15, 2021 Dr. Richard Schabas had been Ontario CMO for ten years, and was personally involved with the 2003 SARS crisis, as chief of staff at York Central Hospital. Schabas wrote in support of North York MPP Roman Baber, who had been expelled from the Ontario Conservative caucus after writing to Ford that: “The lockdown isn’t working. It’s causing an avalanche of suicides, overdoses, bankruptcies, divorces and takes an immense toll on children.” Schabas noted Baber had been correct in his criticisms and in his call for an end to the Ontario lockdowns. Lockdowns are said to be necessary to slow the spread of Covid, so that health systems are not overwhelmed. “Lockdowns more lethal than Covid” -Dr. Modry Not everybody agrees the health system is in danger, however. In Alberta a highly qualified cardiovascular surgeon, Sometimes it seems a rational discussion of lockdowns is Dr. Dennis Modry, questioned Premier Kenney’s rationale for beyond Canadians. However, more and more the credible continued lockdowns in a December open letter. “We are voices are confirming what has been suspected from the start: nowhere close to overwhelming our healthcare system. As of Lockdowns don’t work and are actually harmful. -
Registered Nurses Journal Mar/Apr
Filling prestigious nursing research chairs • The China Project • Telehealth RN takes your calls Registered NurseMarch/April 2007 JOURNAL PATIENTS BENEFIT FROM TEAMWORK ONON FHTsFHTs 2786_HUB_AD 6/13/06 3:27 PM Page 1 Now I know why thousands of nurses have chosen HUB! I used to think insurance was insurance and The HUB representative also asked whether never gave much thought to where I bought I had upgraded or added on to my home. it – I assumed it was the same everywhere Now, my home has been undergoing and all that mattered was finding the best extensive renovations for some time, but it price. Was I ever wrong! I heard about HUB had never occurred to me that those Personal Insurance from a colleague at work. upgrades could affect my insurance policy, She mentioned that HUB offers RNAO or more specifically, any claim I may have members great rates on home and auto while these changes are taking place. HUB insurance, but it was her comment on the brought me up to speed on what to include outstanding service that made me decide on my homeowners policy immediately and to find out for myself. made further recommendations for when the renovations are completed. When I contacted HUB, I spoke to an insurance advisor immediately – no pushing I was impressed. I now realize insurance a million buttons or leaving a voicemail is not the same everywhere. There are message. The advisor assessed my insurance differences in product features, pricing, needs and gave me a no-obligation quotation and most importantly, in the people and on the spot. -
April 9, 2021 Via Email
In Ontario, the staff at both the central and regional public health laboratories have been called upon repeatedly in crises over the past decade to perform massive test volumes rapidly for Public Health Units and health care providers. SARS, West Nile, and tuberculosis in Toronto’s hostel system are but a few examples. The ability to rise to these challenges reflects the tremendous effort and dedication of the professional and technical staff within the public health laboratory, not withstanding the chronic and increasingly urgent need to stabilize and strengthen these facilities. Dr. Sheela Basrur, Chief Medical Officer of Health, 20051 April 9, 2021 Via email: [email protected] Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy President Treasury Board Secretariat Whitney Block, Room 4320, 4th Floor 99 Wellesley St. W Toronto, ON M7A 1W3 Dear Hon. Bethlenfalvy, Re: Exemption under the Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, 2019 for the bargaining unit at Public Health Ontario We write today to respectfully request an exemption for Public Health Ontario (PHO) and OPSEU in accordance with s. 27 of the Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, 2019 (the “Act” or “Bill 124”). 1 Basrur SV. Building the foundation of a strong public health system for Ontarians: 2005 annual report of the Chief Medical Officer of Health to the Ontario Legislative Assembly. Toronto, Ont.: Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care; 2005. Without an exemption, PHO, as an agency under the Crown, is subject to the compensation limits dictated by the Act. An exemption would allow the parties to bargain above 1% total compensation in each year—something that is absolutely vital to maintaining the PHO workforce relative to other major employers of laboratory professionals in the province. -
The New Regent Park What Will Happen When Regent Park Gets Revitalized?
Catch da Flava January 2005 www.catchdaflava.com Volume 10 Issue 1 Youth and Student Newspaper Produced by the Regent Park Focus From Rags to Riches: The New Regent Park What will happen when Regent Park gets revitalized? The Regent Park revitalization is an incredibly complex issue. We’ve been to the meetings, we’ve read the plans, and the following article reflects da Catch da Flava’s understanding of what is going to happen. n 1949, Canada's largest community housing project was undertaken in Toronto. Developers Ienvisioned Regent Park as an open grassy set- ting with wide parks bounded by buildings that would provide a pretty and affordable place for low-income families to live. Unfortunately, reality didn't quite mea- sure up to the dream. Even though Regent Park did indeed become a cosier community, there were several unforeseen consequences. In addition to giving families an idyllic place to spend their time, the buildings and parks isolated community mem- bers from the surrounding neighbourhoods and prevented the growth and development of busi- nesses, shops and other services commonly found in a healthy vibrant community. Furthermore, lack of stable and ongoing government investment transformed the once-thought innovative housing complex into a host of neglected and poorly main- tained buildings that have deteriorated beyond worthwhile repair. These are just a few of the rea- sons why in June 2003, the Toronto City Council voted 35 against 1 for the redevelopment of the The TCHC is planning to start rebuilding Regent Park later this year. Many residents Regent Park area. -
SENATE MEETING AGENDA Tuesday, November 3
SENATE MEETING AGENDA Tuesday, November 3, 2009 ___________________________________________________________________________ 4:30 p.m. Light dinner will be served in The Commons, Jorgenson Hall, Room POD-250. 5:00 p.m. Meeting starts (POD-250). ___________________________________________________________________________ . Transfer from Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology - MTCU Presentation to Provincial Credit Transfer Steering Committee, August, 2009 (See Supplementary Report #1) 1. Call to Order/Establishment of Quorum 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Announcements Pages 1-3 4. Minutes of Previous Meeting Motion: That Senate approve the minutes of the October 6, 2009 meeting 5. Matters Arising from the Minutes Page 4 5.1 Letter to faculty – Provincial Day of Action for a Poverty-free Ontario 6. Correspondence 7. Reports: 7.1 Report of the President Pages 5-8 7.1.1 President’s update Pages 9-15 7.1.2 Achievement Report 7.2 Report of the Secretary 7.3 Report from Vice Provost, University Planning - Highlights of Surveys: (See Supplementary Report #2) - National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) 2008 - Comprehensive Student Survey 2008 - Canadian Graduate and Professional Student Survey (CGPSS) 2007 Pages 16-18 7.4 Update from the Commission on the Academic Structure of Ryerson University …/ii 7.5 Committee Reports Pages 19-20 7.5.1 Report #F2009-1of the Awards and Ceremonials Committee Page 21 7.5.2 Report of the Academic Governance and Policy Committee – List of members of Nominating Committee Pages 22-30 7.5.3 Report #F2009-1 of the Academic Standards Committee: Motion #1: That Senate approve the proposed revisions to admission requirements for the Direct Entry program in Early Childhood Education. -
2C. SARS I: the Outbreak Begins (March 13, 2003 - March 25, 2003)
Learningfrom SARS Renewal of Public Health in Canada . Learningfrom SARS Renewal of Public Health in Canada A report of the National Advisory Committee on SARS and Public Health October 2003 . i . The members* of the National Advisory Committee on SARS and Public Health were: • Dr. David Naylor, Dean of Medicine at the University of Toronto (Chair) • Dr. Sheela Basrur, Medical Officer of Health, City of Toronto • Dr. Michel G. Bergeron, Chairman of the Division of Microbiology and of the Infectious Diseases Research Centre of Laval University, Quebec City • Dr. Robert C. Brunham, Medical Director of the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver • Dr. David Butler-Jones, Medical Health Officer for Sun Country, and Consulting Medical Health Officer for Saskatoon Health Regions, Regina • Gerald Dafoe, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Public Health Association, Ottawa • Dr. Mary Ferguson-Paré, Vice-President, Professional Affairs and Chief Nurse Executive at University Health Network, Toronto • Frank Lussing, Past President and CEO of York Central Hospital, Richmond Hill • Dr. Allison McGeer, Director of Infection Control, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto • Kaaren R. Neufeld, Executive Director and Chief Nursing Officer at St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg • Dr. Frank Plummer, Scientific Director of the Health Canada National Microbiology Laboratory, Winnipeg (ex officio) * The Committee was materially assisted through corresponding members of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. This publication can also be made available in/on computer diskette/large print/audio-cassette/Braille upon request. For further information or to obtain additional copies, please contact: Publications Health Canada Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9 SARS Tel.: (613) 954-5995 Fax: (613) 941-5366 ©Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2003 Cat. -
Dr Schabas Former on CMO Open Letter to Premier Ford Jan 18 2021
Dr. Richard Schabas, MD, MHSc, FRCPC January 18, 2021 Premier Doug Ford 111 Wellesley Street West Toronto, ON M7A 1A8 Dear Premier Ford: I served as Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health from 1987 to 1997. I helped train many current medical officers, including Dr. Williams and was Chief of Staff at York Central Hospital during the 2003 SARS crisis. On January 15, 2021, MPP Roman Baber sent you a public letter calling on your Government to change course on Covid. MPP Baber made five key points and I believe he was correct on all five items. First, reasonable estimates of the infection fatality rate (IFR) from Covid have been declining as we learn more. Outside of Long Term Care, the risk of dying if you are infected with Covid is probably less than 0.2% overall and deaths are concentrated in the frail elderly. Younger people and healthy people have a much lower risk. Models that predicted hunreds of thousands of deaths from Covid in Canada were badly wrong because they used incorrect, exaggerated inputs. Second, lockdown was never part of our planned pandemic reponse nor is it supported by strong science. Lockdown has been used by almost every developed country and, in the great majority of cases, the lack of response speaks for itself. Two recent studies on the effectiveness of lockdown show that it has, at most, a small Covid mortality benefit compared to more moderate measures. Both studies warn about the excessive cost of lockdown. Third, there are significant costs to lockdowns – lost education, unemployment, social isolation, deteriorating mental health and compromised access to health care.