Fentanyl-related opioid deaths rise in New Brunswick in 2023

Published

4 months ago

July 8, 2024

FREDERICTON – New Brunswick’s Health Department says fentanyl is increasingly responsible for opioid-related deaths in the province.

A report by the department says there were 72 opioid deaths in 2023, with 71 of them accidental or whose cause the province is still investigating.

Of the 71 accidental or “pending intent” deaths, 54 per cent were related to fentanyl or fentanyl analogs, which is the largest percentage to date.

The department says the province recorded 77 opioid deaths in 2022, 68 of which were accidental or whose cause is under investigation.

Of those 68 deaths, 40 per cent were related to fentanyl or fentanyl analogs.

The department says that in 2023 ambulance workers administered naloxone — which reverses the effects of opioids — to 689 people suspected of overdosing on opioids.

It says the rate of people who “responded” to naloxone, indicating they were indeed suffering an opioid-related overdose, is the highest to date.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2024.

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End of Manitoba legislature session includes replacement-worker ban, machete rules

Published

6 hours ago

November 7, 2024

Anne Joseph

WINNIPEG – Manitoba politicians are expected to pass several bills into law before the likely end of legislature session this evening.

The NDP government, with a solid majority of seats, is getting its omnibus budget bill through.

It enacts tax changes outlined in the spring budget, but also includes unrelated items, such as a ban on replacement workers during labour disputes.

The bill would also make it easier for workers to unionize, and would boost rebates for political campaign expenses.

Another bill expected to pass this evening would place new restrictions on the sale of machetes, in an attempt to crack down on crime.

Among the bills that are not expected to pass this session is one making it harder for landlords to raise rents above the inflation rate.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024

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Father charged with second-degree murder in infant’s death: police

Published

6 hours ago

November 7, 2024

Anne Joseph

A Richmond Hill, Ont., man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his seven-week-old infant earlier this year.

York Regional Police say they were contacted by the York Children’s Aid Society about a child who had been taken to a hospital in Toronto on Jan. 15.

They say the baby had “significant injuries” that could not be explained by the parents.

The infant died three days later.

Police say the baby’s father, 30, was charged with second-degree murder on Oct. 23.

Anyone with more information on the case is urged to contact investigators.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.

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Ontario fast-tracking several bills with little or no debate

Published

7 hours ago

November 7, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – Ontario is pushing through several bills with little or no debate, which the government house leader says is due to a short legislative sitting.

The government has significantly reduced debate and committee time on the proposed law that would force municipalities to seek permission to install bike lanes when they would remove a car lane.

It also passed the fall economic statement that contains legislation to send out $200 cheques to taxpayers with reduced debating time.

The province tabled a bill Wednesday afternoon that would extend the per-vote subsidy program, which funnels money to political parties, until 2027.

That bill passed third reading Thursday morning with no debate and is awaiting royal assent.

Government House Leader Steve Clark did not answer a question about whether the province is speeding up passage of the bills in order to have an election in the spring, which Premier Doug Ford has not ruled out.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.

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