Calgary officers punched, Tasered man at hotel before he died: police watchdog

VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Whitecaps have won their third straight Canadian Championship title, defeating Toronto FC 0-0 (4-2 on penalties) in the final at BC Place on Wednesday.

Defender Bjorn Utvik scored the decisive penalty for Vancouver, firing a shot into the left side of the net in the fifth round of kicks.

Goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer stopped seven on-target shots for the ‘Caps and Sean Johnson made two saves for TFC.

Toronto was the dominant side for much of the game, but Boehmer made a series of critical saves, including a penalty-kick stop on Toronto star Federico Bernardeschi in the 38th minute.

Vancouver earned its way into the final after edging Canadian Premier League side Pacific FC 2-0 in the tournament’s two-legged semifinal.

Vancouver, which hoisted the Voyagers Cup for the fourth time in its history, is now assured a place in next year’s CONCACAF Champions League tournament.

Bernardeschi proved tough for the ‘Caps to handle from the opening minute.

Thirty seconds into the match, the Italian launched a left-footed rocket that Boehmer tipped out of harm’s way.

Toronto controlled much of the play across the first half while Vancouver struggled to connect on passes early.

Boehmer kept the game scoreless in the 21st minute after Bernardeschi dished off to Richie Laryea. The Canadian defender fired a quick shot on net, only to see Boehmer knock it down.

Vancouver settled into the game and, in the 34th minute, got a prime opportunity when Brian White and Fafa Picault broke away from the Toronto defence. The duo raced into the penalty area, where White was taken down without a call.

Minutes later, TFC was awarded a penalty kick after Whitecaps defender Mathias Laborda hauled Laryea down near the goal line.

Loud boos emanated from the announced crowd of 12,516 as Bernardeschi lined up his shot. He took a few steps, then blasted a left-footed kick on net as Boehmer dove and punched the ball away to ecstatic cheers.

The score remained level at 0-0 as both sides headed to their locker rooms after the first 45 minutes. The first half saw Toronto control 71 per cent of the possession and outchance Vancouver 3-1 in shots on target, though the ‘Caps held a 6-5 edge in total shots.

The visitors came into the second half with renewed vigour.

TFC appeared poised to open the scoring in the 53rd minute when an unmanned Laryea collected the ball inside the penalty area. Boehmer came well off his line to challenge and when Laryea sent a rolling ball toward the net, the ‘keeper got a hand in its path for another save.

With neither side able to find the back of the net in regulation, the game went to penalties — and Vancouver pulled it out for a three-peat.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 25, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

TORONTO – The Canadian Institute for Health Information says more than 7,000 people with diabetes undergo a leg, foot or toe amputation every year — and the majority of those procedures could have been prevented.

The report issued today says people with diabetes living in the lowest-income neighbourhoods are three times more likely to have an amputation than those living in the highest-income communities.

It also says people with diabetes living in remote communities are at higher risk of leg amputations than those living in urban centres.

Erin Pichora, CIHI’s program lead for population health, says lack of access to a primary-care provider to help people manage diabetes is one likely factor behind the inequalities.

She says disparities are also likely in access to specialists who can treat diabetic wounds on people’s feet — including podiatrists and chiropodists — before they worsen.

Diabetes Canada says the report shows the importance of ensuring people with diabetes have equitable access to the care and resources they need.

“People living with diabetes who undergo amputations face significant emotional and financial distress,” Laura O’Driscoll, senior manager of policy at Diabetes Canada, said in an emailed statement to The Canadian Press.

“We need to ensure that everyone with diabetes has affordable, timely access to the medications, devices, education, and care needed to manage their condition and prevent complications like amputation.”

The CIHI researchers reviewed hospital records from across Canada for fiscal years 2020-2021 and 2022-2023 and found about 7,720 “lower limb” amputations associated with diabetes per year among people 18 and older.

Each year there were about 3,080 hospitalizations for “above-ankle” leg amputations and 4,640 hospitalizations for “ankle-and-below” amputations, including feet and toes.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.

Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.

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GRAND FORKS, B.C. – Wildfire officials say an evacuation order for the B.C. southern Interior town of Grand Forks, has been downgraded to an alert, even as an out-of-control wildfire in Washington state surges north and threatens to cross the border.

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary says residents must be ready to leave at a moment’s notice since the Goosmus wildfire remains a risk to life and safety.

Emergency Info BC says the updated alert, posted late Wednesday, is in place for west of Highway 41 and south of Highway 3, as well as properties west of Highway 3 from Sleepy Hollow Rd to Phoenix Rd.

It is advising everyone under alert to review their emergency plans and stock a grab-and-go bag.

The district says that when necessary, residents should leave via Highway 3, go to the Jack Goddard Memorial Arena in Grand Forks, and wait in their vehicles until the reception centre opens.

The district says if you cannot evacuate at that time, you should call 911.

The BC Wildfire Service dashboard says the fire was discovered Wednesday and is about two square kilometres in size.

Mark Stephens, director of the district’s emergency operations centre, called it “a very fast-moving and developing situation.”

“We ask everyone to stay vigilant and to keep checking the (regional district’s) website for information,” he said in an online statement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 25, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.