New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh listens to a question during an availability on Parliament Hill, Thursday, January 19, 2023 in Ottawa. Singh says he will call on the House of a Commons to hold an emergency debate on the privatization of health care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

NDP to call for emergency debate in House of Commons over private health care

Singh concerned for-profit facilities will poach doctors and nurses away from hospitals

New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh listens to a question during an availability on Parliament Hill, Thursday, January 19, 2023 in Ottawa. Singh says he will call on the House of a Commons to hold an emergency debate on the privatization of health care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), talks to the media at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. Monday could mark a major milestone in the history of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the World Health Organization stands poised to decide whether or not to declare an end to the global public health emergency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Keystone via AP-Salvatore Di Nolfi

WHO decides the COVID-19 global emergency isn’t over

‘No doubt that we’re in a far better situation now’

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), talks to the media at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. Monday could mark a major milestone in the history of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the World Health Organization stands poised to decide whether or not to declare an end to the global public health emergency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Keystone via AP-Salvatore Di Nolfi
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix pauses while responding to questions during a news conference with his provincial counterparts after the first of two days of meetings, in Vancouver on Nov. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. health minister Dix ‘delighted’ premiers finally set to meet PM on funding

Provinces want feds to increase share of health-care spending to 35 per cent from 22

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix pauses while responding to questions during a news conference with his provincial counterparts after the first of two days of meetings, in Vancouver on Nov. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Mia Brown and her son Anthony, 12, pose in this undated handout photo. The mother of a 12-year-old Indigenous boy who was handcuffed by police at B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver says it should have been a safe place for her son, who has autism, but he was pinned to the floor and treated like an adult. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Mia Brown

B.C. boy handcuffed, mother says children’s hospital should have been safe space

12-year-old Indigenous boy taken to hospital after incident at a skytrain station

Mia Brown and her son Anthony, 12, pose in this undated handout photo. The mother of a 12-year-old Indigenous boy who was handcuffed by police at B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver says it should have been a safe place for her son, who has autism, but he was pinned to the floor and treated like an adult. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Mia Brown
A nurse in Victoria is in trouble for drinking on the job. (File photo)
A nurse in Victoria is in trouble for drinking on the job. (File photo)
The emergency room at Port Hardy Hospital will remain closed overnight for the foreseeable future, the province announced Friday. (Island Health Photo)

B.C. confirms ongoing overnight closures for emergency rooms in Port Hardy, Alert Bay

Province announces additional investments without giving a firm time line when ERs will reopen

The emergency room at Port Hardy Hospital will remain closed overnight for the foreseeable future, the province announced Friday. (Island Health Photo)
Selina Robinson, the minister of post-secondary education and future skills, is scanned by a Comosun College student. (Ella Matte photo)

Ultrasound clinic opened at Greater Victoria college to help ease waitlists

Camosun students will work alongside pros to treat area residents

  • Jan 27, 2023
Selina Robinson, the minister of post-secondary education and future skills, is scanned by a Comosun College student. (Ella Matte photo)
The emergency room entrance at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (John McKinley file photo)

Canadians worried about the state of provincial health systems: poll

Leger: About 86 per cent of people surveyed across the country say they are worried

The emergency room entrance at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (John McKinley file photo)
Efforts by provinces and health authorities to recruit nurses from other parts of the country won’t solve nursing shortages unless they address the reasons people are leaving the profession, a nurses association said. A nurse greets a woman at a walk-in clinic in Montreal, on Tuesday, September 29, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Focus on retaining nurses before recruiting nurses from other provinces: association

With nursing shortage affecting communities across the country, international recruiting encouraged

Efforts by provinces and health authorities to recruit nurses from other parts of the country won’t solve nursing shortages unless they address the reasons people are leaving the profession, a nurses association said. A nurse greets a woman at a walk-in clinic in Montreal, on Tuesday, September 29, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, speaks to the media at the Hamilton Convention Centre, in Hamilton, Ont., ahead of the Liberal Cabinet retreat, on Monday, January 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

Trudeau, premiers to meet in February to move health care talks along

Meeting intended to solidify the steps needed to reach a deal

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, speaks to the media at the Hamilton Convention Centre, in Hamilton, Ont., ahead of the Liberal Cabinet retreat, on Monday, January 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) shows decreased functional connectivity in the human brain after exposure to traffic pollution. (Courtesy UBC Faculty of Medicine)

Traffic pollution can impair brain function, say UVic and UBC researchers

Groundbreaking study finds even brief exposures have adverse effects on human brain

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) shows decreased functional connectivity in the human brain after exposure to traffic pollution. (Courtesy UBC Faculty of Medicine)
An alcoholic beverage is seen in a drinking establishment in Halifax on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018. Canada’s new guidance on alcohol is sparking plenty of debate, and while some experts say it could lead to frank conversations with health providers to help drinkers make informed choices, others are questioning the advice to imbibe fewer than two drinks per week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Low-risk alcohol guidance sparks debate as drinkers start examining habits, evidence

New guidance is more like a dial rather than a light switch

An alcoholic beverage is seen in a drinking establishment in Halifax on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018. Canada’s new guidance on alcohol is sparking plenty of debate, and while some experts say it could lead to frank conversations with health providers to help drinkers make informed choices, others are questioning the advice to imbibe fewer than two drinks per week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends the Lunar New Year parade, in Vancouver, on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Trudeau and his ministers are gathering at a Hamilton hotel today to begin a three-day cabinet retreat. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

New health deal a focus as Trudeau and cabinet begin three-day retreat in Hamilton

Trudeau says more money will come when he sees accountability from provinces on how it will be spent

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends the Lunar New Year parade, in Vancouver, on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Trudeau and his ministers are gathering at a Hamilton hotel today to begin a three-day cabinet retreat. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Scott Viala portait. Lia Crowe photography

Secrets, lives and the 7 sins with Scott Viala

Steel mace trainer builds strength and skills

  • Jan 23, 2023
Scott Viala portait. Lia Crowe photography
Nanaimo Regional General Hospital as it looked 60 years ago. (Photo courtesy Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation)

Nanaimo hospital could use a check-up as it reaches 60th anniversary

NRGH has had significant expansion projects over the years and several more are in the works

Nanaimo Regional General Hospital as it looked 60 years ago. (Photo courtesy Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation)
A report issuing new alcohol consumption guidance for Canadians includes a recommendation for warning labels advising customers about health risks. (Stock photo)

Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP has already crafted motion calling for alcohol warning labels

Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction released new drinking guidelines this week

A report issuing new alcohol consumption guidance for Canadians includes a recommendation for warning labels advising customers about health risks. (Stock photo)
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, second from right, speaks during a press conference with, from left to right, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King in Moncton, N.B. on Monday, August 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Premiers are united in push for more health funding from Ottawa: Ford

Provinces want Ottawa to increase its share of health-care costs to 35 per cent

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, second from right, speaks during a press conference with, from left to right, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King in Moncton, N.B. on Monday, August 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
The Court of Appeal of Quebec is seen in Montreal, Wednesday, March 27, 2019. Quebec’s Court of Appeal agrees with a lower court that a Montreal hospital can permanently remove a breathing tube from a child who has been in a coma since June despite his parents objections. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Child’s breathing tube can be removed despite parents’ protest: Quebec appeal court

Child has been in a coma since June, court says hospital may proceed with procedure

The Court of Appeal of Quebec is seen in Montreal, Wednesday, March 27, 2019. Quebec’s Court of Appeal agrees with a lower court that a Montreal hospital can permanently remove a breathing tube from a child who has been in a coma since June despite his parents objections. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
People are being urged to butt out on Wednesday. (Unsplash photo)

Greater Victoria residents urged to butt out on ‘Weedless Wednesday’

Those who smoke or vape are encouraged to abstain from smoking for 24 hours

People are being urged to butt out on Wednesday. (Unsplash photo)
Representatives from Canada’s alcohol industry say mandatory warning labels are not needed on booze containers as suggested in guidance that greatly reduces the amount Canadians should be drinking due to health risks including seven types of cancer. Bottles of British Columbia wine on display at a liquor store in Cremona, Alta., on Feb. 7, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

New alcohol guidance focuses on continuum of risk, suggests warning labels

Report updates Canada’s guidelines set in 2011, when two drinks a day were considered low risk

Representatives from Canada’s alcohol industry say mandatory warning labels are not needed on booze containers as suggested in guidance that greatly reduces the amount Canadians should be drinking due to health risks including seven types of cancer. Bottles of British Columbia wine on display at a liquor store in Cremona, Alta., on Feb. 7, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh