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Canada has now banned the importation of commercial dogs — dogs intended for resale, adoption, fostering, breeding, exhibition, and research — from more than 100 countries.
The countries are flagged by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as being high risk for dog rabies.
The CFIA said dog rabies kills 59,000 people every year in countries affected by the ban, including Afghanistan, Ukraine and mainland China.
Marketplace has previously investigated dogs being imported to Canada and even found one puppy from Ukraine had either never been vaccinated against rabies, or was given the rabies shot at such a young age it would not have been effective, despite paperwork saying otherwise.
But rescue organizations are hoping the government will have a change of heart. Fida Kablawi of London, Ont., has spent two years bringing dogs from Egypt to Canada. “Most of the ones that we pick have had a really rough time — they’ve been neglected or they’ve been tied to a roof and chained and starved,” she said. “The ones with the tough stories, the ones that we feel need the most love, the ones who have had it the worst, we try to bring over to give them a better life.” Read more
New research from the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) shows racism and discrimination are abundant in the real estate industry.
Two in 10 consumers say they’ve been treated unfairly because of their identity, with those who are Black, Indigenous or of colour and LGBTQ2S+ individuals more likely to report such treatment.
It gets worse for realtors. One in four Black, Indigenous and realtors of colour say a client has refused to work with them because of their identity.
But there’s no efficient ways for consumers to report incidents, which is prompting OREA to push for a process where complaints about racism and discrimination in the sector can easily be registered, investigated and result in stronger penalties. Read more
Marketplace has previously tested racial bias during home appraisals. You can watch that story any time on CBC Gem.
It’s well on its way to being the costliest storm to ever hit Atlantic Canada, but most of the damage caused by post-tropical storm Fiona won’t be covered by insurance.
That’s because flood damage from storm surges is not covered by most insurance policies. Storm surges, which occur when a storm causes natural water levels to rise abnormally, were a huge part of Fiona’s wrath.
Most home insurance policies typically cover damage from such things as strong winds, downed trees and water damage caused from leaky roofs.
Most of the people who need storm surge flooding coverage — like those who live in flood zones — aren’t eligible, or the coverage is too expensive.
There are some federal government programs that will help fill in some gaps, but exactly how much is unclear.
“These kinds of events sadly are going to be more frequent and more destructive,” Dominic LeBlanc, the federal minister of intergovernmental affairs, infrastructure and communities, told reporters on Tuesday. “Obviously the government of Canada will be there to share the financial aspect of that compensation.” Read more
Marketplace had previously reported that up to 10 per cent of Canadian homes could be uninsurable due to flood risk. To find out if you’re one of them, call your home insurance company. You can watch the full investigation on CBC Gem.
Tens of thousands of residents in Canadian long-term care homes are being prescribed antipsychotics without a psychosis diagnosis, according to data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
The medication is being used “off label,” meaning it’s used for issues not specifically recommended by Health Canada.
The antipsychotics are being used to sedate residents and to combat behaviours such as wandering, shouting, hoarding or insomnia.
“Antipsychotics have been referred to as chemical restraints,” said Tamara Daly, director of York University’s Centre for Aging Research and Education.
“When we see an excessive amount of prescribing for antipsychotics, where there’s no clinical reason or disease state to be prescribing it, that would be a flag,” she said. “It’s often an indicator that people in the home are being managed chemically.”
The dangers of antipsychotic use are well documented. Studies have shown they can increase the risk of falls and fractures in older adults. They have also been shown to increase the risk of strokes, cardiovascular events and even death.
Marketplace has investigated long-term care homes extensively. You can watch our stories — including the investigation covering whether nursing homes are above the law — any time on CBC Gem.
BY CBC
PORT ALBERNI, B.C. – RCMP say the body of a second person has been found inside their vehicle after a road washed away amid pouring rain on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Police say two vehicles went into the Sarita River when Bamfield Road washed out on Saturday as an atmospheric river hammered southern B.C.
The body of the other driver was found Sunday.
More coming.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
The B.C. Greens say Sonia Furstenau will be staying on as party leader, despite losing her seat in the legislature in Saturday’s provincial election.
The party says in a statement that its two newly elected MLAs, Jeremy Valeriote and Rob Botterell, support Furstenau’s leadership as they “navigate the prospect of having the balance of power in the legislature.”
Neither the NDP led by Premier David Eby nor the B.C. Conservatives led by John Rustad secured a majority in the election, with two recounts set to take place from Oct. 26 to 28.
Eby says in a news conference that while the election outcome is uncertain, it’s “very likely” that the NDP would need the support of others to pass legislation.
He says he reached out to Furstenau on election night to congratulate her on the Greens’ showing.
But he says the Green party has told the NDP they are “not ready yet” for a conversation about a minority government deal.
The Conservatives went from taking less than two per cent of the vote in 2020 to being elected or leading in 45 ridings, two short of a majority and only one behind the NDP.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio is making a difference, 4,175 kilometres away from home.
The 32-year-old Canadian international midfielder, whose parents hail from Colombia, has been working with the Canadian Colombian Children’s Organization, a charity whose goal is to help disadvantaged youth in the South American country.
Osorio has worked behind the scenes, with no fanfare.
Until now, with his benevolence resulting in becoming Toronto FC’s nominee for the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award, which honours an MLS player “who showed outstanding dedication to charitable efforts and serving the community” during the 2024 season.”
Other nominees include Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and CF Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.
The winner will be announced in late November.
The Canadian Colombian Children’s Organization (CCCO) is run entirely by volunteers like Monica Figueredo and Claudia Soler. Founded in 1991, it received charitable status in 2005.
The charity currently has four projects on the go: two in Medellin and one each in Armenia and Barranquilla.
They include a school, a home for young girls whose parents are addicted to drugs, after-school and weekend programs for children in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, and nutrition and education help for underprivileged youth.
The organization heard about Osorio and was put in contact with him via an intermediary, which led to a lunch meeting. Osorio did his due diligence and soon got back to the charity with his decision.
“It was something that I wanted to be a part of right away,” said Osorio, whose lone regret is that he didn’t get involved sooner.
“I’m fortunate now that to help more now that I could have back then,” he added. “The timing actually worked out for everybody. For the last three years I have donated to their cause and we’ve built a couple of (football) fields in different cities over there in the schools.”
His father visited one of the sites in Armenia close to his hometown.
“He said it was amazing, the kids, how grateful they are to be able to play on any pitch, really,” said Osorio. “But to be playing on a new pitch, they’re just so grateful and so humble.
“It really makes it worth it being part of this organization.”
The collaboration has also made Osorio take stock.
“We’re very fortunate here in Canada, I think, for the most part. Kids get to go to school and have a roof over their head and things like that. In Colombia, it’s not really the same case. My father and his family grew up in tough conditions, so giving back is like giving back to my father.”
Osorio’s help has been a godsend to the charity.
“We were so surprised with how willing he was,” said Soler.
The TFC skipper has helped pay for a football field in Armenia as well as an ambitious sports complex under construction in Barranquilla.
“It’s been great for them,” Figueredo said of the pitch in Armenia. “Because when they go to school, now they have a proper place to train.”
Osorio has also sent videos encouraging the kids to stay active — as well as shipping soccer balls and signed jerseys their way.
“They know more about Jonathan than the other players in Colombia,” Figueredo said. “That’s the funny part. Even though he’s far away, they’ve connected with him.”
“They feel that they have a future, that they can do more,” she added. “Seeing that was really, really great.”
The kids also followed Osorio through the 2022 World Cup and this summer’s Copa America.
Back home, Osorio has also attended the charity’s annual golf tournament, helping raise funds.
A Toronto native, he has long donated four tickets for every TFC home game to the Hospital for Sick Children.
Vancouver’s Berhalter was nominated for his involvement in the Whitecaps’ partnership with B.C. Children’s Hospital while Montreal’s Sirois was chosen for his work with the Montreal Impact Foundation.
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Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform, formerly known as Twitter
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.
A look at Susan Holt, Liberal premier-designate of New Brunswick
Sentencing hearing continues for University of Waterloo gender studies class stabber
Here is the latest on the New Brunswick election
New Brunswick Liberals win majority, Susan Holt first woman to lead province
Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio making a difference off the pitch as well as on it
Inequality has broad impacts on the health of Montreal children, report finds
Two dead, one missing in B.C. after mudslide, road washout triggered by heavy rain
Premier-designate of New Brunswick, Susan Holt, is first woman to lead the province
