Health Canada issues warning over unauthorized ‘non-invasive' blood glucose monitors being sold online
Health Canada has issued an advisory warning Canadians about the risks of using unauthorized blood glucose monitors.
The health agency specifically warns against monitors sold under a 'non-invasive' promise, stating that they have yet to approve devices that claim to measure blood glucose levels without puncturing the skin, the statement reads.
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Global News
4 hours ago
- Global News
B.C. woman saves child's life, questions why international doctors face barriers in Canada
A day at the park quickly escalated into an emotional roller coaster for a mother, her child and two new Canadians. After a game of pickleball with friends at DeHart Park in Kelowna, B.C., Wei Wang and Rui Deng heard a call for help. 'We heard a mother crying or shouting, 'Help, help, help,'' Wang said. The couple saw a child choking. That's when Deng sprang into action. 'My wife, was a professional doctor before, just rushed to the lady,' Wang said. Deng performed the Heimlich maneuver and saved the child's life. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Since moving to Canada last year, Deng has been working towards her goal of becoming a licensed doctor in her new home. In China, she was a general practitioner. Story continues below advertisement 'I was a doctor in China for 13 years and I want to be a doctor in Canada,' Deng said. However, there are several barriers for international doctors to become licensed in Canada, including a language proficiency test. She has already started the process to practice in a country facing a doctor shortage. Ty Speer, the CEO St John Ambulance for B.C. and Yukon, says that instances like this reinforce the need for everyone to become First Aid Certified. 'The main thing about first aid is you want to be prepared. You never know when something's going to happen,' he said. 'It could be something very serious, it could be something minor.' Speer says that the training and certification gives people the confidence to be helpers in their neighbourhood. Because, not everyone is lucky enough to have a doctor walk by when a medical emergency is happening. 'Any serious blockage to an airway is very, is a very, very serious matter in a couple of minutes,' he said. 'It's something that needs to be resolved straight away. This is not a situation where you have time to, for example, call the emergency service, wait for an ambulance.' In this case, firefighters did arrive after Deng jumped into action.
Global News
7 hours ago
- Global News
Calgary reintroduces fluoride into drinking water but faces court injunction
Fluoride has been reintroduced into the drinking water in Alberta's largest city nearly four years after Calgarians voted in support in a plebiscite on the matter in the last municipal election. Calgary city council voted in favour of adding fluoride to the city's water supply in November 2021, after a plebiscite during that year's municipal election resulted in 62 per cent of Calgarians voting in support. The move required a series of upgrades at both of Calgary's water treatment plants at a cost of $28.1 million. The reintroduction of fluoride will also require $1 million in annual operating spending, which the city said is funded through water rates. Although there is fluoride naturally in the Bow and Elbow rivers in low concentrations — between 0.1 and 0.4 milligrams per litre — the city said it is adding a consistent concentration to reach 0.7 mg/L, which is recommended by Health Canada to enhance oral health. Story continues below advertisement 'Fluoridation is backed by the Public Health Agency of Canada, Alberta Health Services and numerous health organizations worldwide,' the city said in a statement. 'It is a proven, safe and cost-effective way to reduce cavities and improve dental health, especially for those without regular access to dental care.' City officials added that the reintroduction of fluoride has no impact on the taste or smell of drinking water. Juliet Guichon, a professor in the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine, told Global News that studies show dental decay rose significantly in children in Calgary — after fluoride was removed — compared to Edmonton where the water remained fluoridated. 'This demonstrated, irrefutably, that water fluoridation makes a difference,' Guichon said. 'Even in an era with fluoridated products, going to the dentist and getting fluoride applied, dental sealants and so on.' Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy However, a group called Safe Water Calgary is trying to put a stop to fluoridation and has filed an injunction at the Court of King's Bench that will be heard on July 9. The group says it has 'new science' to support its anti-fluoride stance, adding that the risk of damage is not worth the dental benefit. 'There are so many other ways we can get fluoride into kids,' said Robert C. Dickson with Safe Water Calgary. 'There's a national dental care program for the poor now, … there's fluoride in toothpaste if you want it, there's fluoride in rinses and gels and foams at the dentist's office if you want it. We spent $28 million to replace the infrastructure. That could have funded programs for decades.' Story continues below advertisement Adding fluoride to Calgary's water supply has long been a contentious issue in the city. Calgarians voted against introducing fluoride into the drinking water in four separate plebiscites on the issue in 1957, 1961, 1966 and 1971. It wasn't until a 1989 plebiscite when Calgarians voted in favour of introducing fluoridation, which began in 1991. It was supported again in a 1998 plebiscite by more than half of voters, which resulted in a reduction of the level of fluoride from 1.0 mg/L to 0.7 mg/L after a review by the City of Calgary and AHS. Calgary's drinking water remained fluoridated for 20 years until city council voted to discontinue the practice in 2011. Ward 9 councillor Gian-Carlo Carra was part of that council when the decision was made and said the move was largely driven by costs. Story continues below advertisement 'I can acknowledge it probably wasn't the right thing to do at the time, and I'm deeply proud of Calgarians for voting to put it back in,' he said. Reintroducing fluoride into Calgary's drinking water has faced several delays due to supply chain issues and inflationary pressures. Calgary joins Edmonton, Red Deer and Lethbridge as Alberta cities that add fluoride to drinking water, which is also done in other cities like Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa. The move will impact communities like Chestermere, Airdrie, Strathmore and portions of Foothills County, Rocky View County and Tsuut'ina Nation, which have their drinking water supplied by the City of Calgary.
Edmonton Journal
9 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Fluoride back in Calgary's water system four years after city-wide plebiscite
The city will top up naturally occurring levels of fluoride to match the 0.7 milligrams per litre consistent with Health Canada guidelines Calgary's drinking water is once again being fluoridated as of June 30, 2025, almost four years after a public vote backed the additive's return to the city's water supply. Gavin Young/Postmedia file Fluoride has been reintroduced back into Calgary's water supply as of Monday, four years after the 2021 plebiscite that led city council to make the change. Juliet Guichon, president of Calgarians for Kids' Health who has been advocating for the fluoridation of city water for years, says that even with the council's previous decision to remove it in 2011, fluoride was never truly absent from the city's systems. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'Fluoride is in Calgary's water. It comes naturally from the rocks in the mountains at varying levels, depending on the season,' Guichon said. 'What is happening today is merely the topping up or adjustment of the naturally occurring levels.' The city will measure existing levels and introduce fluoride artificially to match the 0.7 milligrams per litre consistent with Health Canada's Guide for Community Fluoridation. That has taken time, effort, and significant investment. The original estimates to equip water treatment plans to accommodate the substance have tripled, and caused multiple delays in the expected timeline. Guichon says that for the everyday taxpayer, fluoridated water still more than pays for itself in the dental costs it prevents. 'Fluoridation is less than $1.50 per capita per year, and a cavity I think is about $325 to fill,' she said. 'Then you go to the dentist and they say sorry, now your nerve is activated, so we have to take the nerve out. So that's a root canal. And then you need a crown, and then over time, the crown breaks down and then you need a new crown. And then sometimes the tooth goes and then you need a bridge or a dental implant. And it just goes on and on and on.' Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again Calgary periodontist Dr. Bruce Yaholnitsky, past president of the Alberta Dental Association, says the cost of unfluoridated water goes beyond a price tag. 'There's missed days of school. There is parents having to miss work because their child has to go for a dental emergency.' He described the decision to reintroduce fluoride as 'fantastic for the population of Calgary, for the dental community of Calgary.' The fluoride top-up comes too late for children who grew up in the city from 2011 until now to receive the full benefits, the periodontist said. 'If it's ingested and a tooth bud is developing, it strengthens the enamel. Once the tooth is developed, you're not gonna get that benefit anymore,' Yaholnitsky said. He added that there are still benefits for fluoride's presence around the mouth, even after that initial stage has passed. Lindsay McLaren, a professor and researcher at the University of Calgary, conducted a comparison study between children in Edmonton — a city with fluoride in its water system — and children in Calgary. It found tangible increases in the rate of tooth decay for Calgarian kids. Guichon says the research played a significant role in urging council towards the city-wide plebiscite. 'Calgary parents reported doing more of everything than adults and parents, more brushing and flossing with fluoridated toothpaste, more mouth rinse. More visits to the dentist. And yet, they had worse outcomes,' Guichon said. Cult of Hockey Cult of Hockey Columnists Edmonton Oilers Local News
