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B.C. First Nations declare state of emergency over opioid crisis and mental health

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PORT ALBERNI, B.C. – A tribal council representing 14 First Nations along the west coast of Vancouver Island is declaring a state of emergency over the opioid crisis, which is killing their members and leaving others with mental health struggles.

Judith Sayers, president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, says not enough is being done and the nations need help from governments and health authorities to devise their own solutions for fight what she calls a “war on trauma” in dealing with the colonial past.

Figures from the First Nations Health Authority show Indigenous people died from drug poisonings at more than six times the rate of other B.C. residents last year.

Sayers says First Nations need funding to support overwhelmed workers in their communities and to build detox and rehabilitation centres.

Chief Councillor Ken Watts of the Tseshaht First Nation says not enough is being done, and British Columbians should ask candidates running in this October’s provincial election, what they plan to do to help.

Sayers says a meeting was held with government and health officials to discuss the concerns and another meeting is being planned with the federal government.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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American Idol Contestant Isla-Maria Releases “Small Talk”

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ISLA- MARIA
               Releases
  “SMALL TALK”
                Hear the Voice
                                                             
Toronto , On –  “Small Talk” by Canadian pop star, Isla-Maria drops October 25th “Small Talk” follows the singer’s recent R&B/Soul single ‘Silver Shoes” and the self-penned single ‘Attention Seeking’ that soared to the #1 position on the aBreak58 Playlist. The hit single garnered Isla-Maria audience and industry praise at home and internationally.  The music industry has taken notice of the young pop singer for her authenticity and the heartfelt connect too her music.  And Isla-Maria’s star continues to rise.  The pop teen has just moved on to the third round of Auditions for Season 23’s American Idol.
Isla-Maria was born in the small town of Bracebridge, Ontario.  From the age of three her talent was obvious and her intent unwavering.  She was encourged by everyone who heard her sing.  The singer/songwriter took that encouragement and never looked back.  The artist has appeared in musical theatre, competitive dance and concerts around the country.  Isla-Maria embarked on the Boys of Summer Tour, taking the stage in major cities across the USA. She has also performed at Canadian Music Week in Toronto and Shake the Lake Music Festival in Bala, Ontario. The award-winning pop singer is determined to show her personal style with the same passion and confidence shown in her performances and in the studio.  Her song writing ability contributes to her identity as the kind of independent artist she strives to be.  Isla-Maria fearlessly pushes boundaries performing songs of love, heartbreak and the roller coaster of emotions that define teenage existence.  The multi- talented artist captures the fearless honesty of youth with the soul of an artist far beyond her age.
 Isla- Maria…. Hear the Voice.
“Small talk” by Isla- Maria drops, October 25th on all major music platforms.  Hear the voice that made it to Season 23 American Idol Auditions.
Available now:
Silver Shoes Music Video – https://youtu.be/G4RV8b5Cfh4?si=FR0zesqR_PpqIoQh
Follow Isla-Maria:
https://islamariaofficial.com/home
https://www.instagram.com/islamaria.music/
https://www.youtube.com/@islamaria.official

Sasha Stoltz Publicity:

Sasha Stoltz | Sasha@sashastoltzpublicity.com | 416.579.4804

https://www.sashastoltzpublicity.com

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Minister says not enough beds for involuntary addictions care across the country

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OTTAWA – The minister of mental health and addictions says there are not enough beds in jurisdictions across the country to support involuntary treatment for addictions and mental health.

Ya’ara Saks says health care is under provincial jurisdiction, and that it’s up to the provinces “to outline the policies that they see fit.”

But before they have discussions about compulsory care, she says they need to ensure adequate treatment services are in place.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Thursday he’s in favour of mandatory, involuntary drug and psychiatric treatment for kids and prisoners who are found to be incapable of making decisions for themselves.

Compulsory care for mental health and addictions is being contemplated or expanded in several provinces as communities struggle to cope with a countrywide overdose crisis.

Poilievre says he’s still researching how mandatory treatment would work in the case of adults.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Former public safety minister didn’t know about delayed spy warrant, he tells inquiry

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OTTAWA – Former public safety minister Bill Blair told a federal inquiry Friday he had no knowledge about delays in approving a spy service warrant in 2021 that may have included references to people in his own government.

A commission of inquiry into foreign interference has heard that it took 54 days for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warrant application to be approved by Blair.

The average turnaround time for such applications is four to 10 days.

Michelle Tessier, CSIS deputy director of operations during the period, told the inquiry in previous testimony there was frustration with the delay, though there was no concern about interference of any sort or pushback from the minister’s office.

In his testimony, Blair — who is now minister of national defence — said the existence of the warrant wasn’t brought to his attention until he saw an entry in his calendar that he would need to be briefed on a confidential matter by CSIS.

“It was indicated on my calendar it was for the purposes of a warrant, but no information was provided in a non-secure setting about what that warrant was about,” Blair told the commission in his testimony Friday.

He didn’t know about the content of the warrant until he got that briefing, 54 days after the CSIS director and deputy public safety minister asked for his authorization. He signed it the same day.

A past report in the Globe and Mail and a lawyer at the inquiry have suggested the subject of the warrant was Michael Chan, an influential Liberal and former Ontario minister. But federal officials have refused to confirm who CSIS hoped to surveil through the warrant, citing national security concerns.

This week, Blair’s former chief of staff Zita Astravas faced questions about whether she tried to delay the warrant in order to protect connections in the Liberal government and party.

Blair’s chief of staff was briefed about the situation 13 days after the initial request for the minister’s approval was made, but Blair said no information about that briefing was passed on to him.

Blair said he never felt conflicted about approving the warrant, he simply didn’t know it existed.

“I can’t approve something I didn’t know anything about,” the minister told the inquiry.

“No one suggested to me that there were any difficulties bringing those matters forward to me in a proper way.”

Blair said he still doesn’t know why it took 54 days for the warrant to come to his attention.

Once he got the information, he said he didn’t share any information with the prime minister, the prime minister’s office, or anyone outside of the secure briefing.

The commission of inquiry’s latest hearings are looking at the ability of federal agencies to identify and counter foreign interference. A final report is due by the end of the year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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