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CBC
38 minutes ago
- CBC
Concerns around Dutch elm disease growing in Regina
Social Sharing The City of Regina has had seven confirmed cases of Dutch elm disease this week, which brings the total up to 17 this season, a notably high number according to experts. The disease is caused by a microfungi called ascomycota, which attaches to elm bark beetles. It infiltrates a tree's vascular system and cuts off circulation. This is why the main visible symptoms are localized wilted branches and dead extremities, which are likely caused by a poor flow of nutrients. Ray Morgan, the city's acting director of parks and open space services, spoke to the work that crews were putting in to prevent, discover and remove infected trees. "Our projection is that it's going to be a long season for Dutch elm disease," Morgan said. "We're about two weeks earlier than normal, which is concerning." Morgan said the city has strong monitoring programs and removes trees as Dutch elm disease is confirmed. "Besides that, diversification in our urban forest is a big factor." There are approximately 180,000 trees in Regina, 60,000 of which are American Elm. According to Morgan, the city's trees were almost entirely elms 80 years ago, but now it is host to more than 20 species. Once residents call in a suspected case, an initial inspection takes place, then samples are taken to a lab where testing takes just over a week. Then, if the disease is confirmed, city crews come and take down the trees and test their neighbours to prevent an outbreak. "It could be just the stress on the trees with a lack of moisture," Morgan said, noting that drought conditions can hinder a tree's resilience. "If people are ordering firewood or storing their own firewood, please get it confirmed from the City or a contractor, whoever is supplying it." The city urges residents to avoid storing or transporting elm wood, inspect trees on or near their property, and avoid pruning elm trees in spring or summer.
CTV News
39 minutes ago
- CTV News
Three B.C. kids once described as ‘feral' from neglect continue to struggle with trauma
Three young Indigenous children are now in foster care, but relatives say their concerns for the kids' safety were ignored for years. Warning: the content of this story may be disturbing to some readers They used to be scared, even of each other. Now three young B.C. children, who relatives said suffered years of neglect before finally being taken into care, have learned to play together. And they've grown in other ways as well. 'To see them wanting the hugs and snuggles, to see them wanting to touch your face and your hair, and laughing and giggling with them, is the best out of all of this,' said their guardian, who is also a relative. But she also said that because of what the children, who are Indigenous, went through, their healing journey may never be complete. 'I do believe these are life-long issues that they will have forever,' said the guardian, who can not be named to protect the identity of the children. 'The conditions were horror' CTV News first reported on the children last year. At the time, relatives described the siblings, who are now between five and six years old, as 'feral'. A probe by B.C.'s Office of the Ombudsperson found six documented reports of possible neglect made to authorities over almost four years, before the children were taken into government care. Relatives said this finally happened when the parents contacted the ministry themselves in December 2023 and said they couldn't look after the children. But by then, relatives said, the damage was already done. 'The conditions were horror. That's all I can describe it as. They were living in feces, eating feces, they were (suffering from) malnutrition,' another relative told CTV News. 'I used to work with special needs kids, and I've never seen children like this in my life,' she explained. 'I sometimes wish we would have just took them illegally,' the emotional relative said. 'Astronomical' amount of care, support required The children's guardian said they believed that the kids could have been 'next-to-normal' had there been some kind of early intervention. She said the children still rock back and forth to sooth themselves. They are not potty trained and one of them will eat feces or vomit if not constantly watched. The guardian also said the children smash walls and hurt themselves and others. 'Scratching, biting themselves, just flailing their arms and legs. Kicking things, slamming their head against the floor if they can,' she explained. She said if someone tries to intervene, the children may attack them. 'I've had caretakers horrifically bitten,' she said. The guardian said it takes a team of caregivers to support the children. 'It's astronomical what it's taking to take care of these kids,' she explained. Additionally, they have seen countless medical professionals including psychologists, pediatricians and occupational and behavioural therapists. 'We do have a trauma counsellor that not only has seen the children, but that I see on a weekly basis because of the things that we deal with,' she explained. Struggling to access services The guardian said the oldest child is repeating words and trying to speak. The other two remain almost entirely non-verbal. Despite this, she said it's been difficult to get them into speech therapy because of years-long wait lists. 'These kids just don't have that time,' she explained. The guardian also said they have been waiting about eight months since referral to get into a highly specialized program at B.C. Children's Hospital where they will be more thoroughly assessed. The children are not in school, and the guardian doesn't believe it's an option for them yet. 'I don't think the schools are equipped to handle (them). I think they would be turned around 20 minutes after they got there,' the guardian explained. She also said that its worrisome that getting ongoing therapy and supports for the children leaves her at the mercy of the very ministry that failed them. But she said her love for the children keeps her fighting to give them the best life possible. Ministry touts changes The Ministry of Children and Family Development would not comment on the specific case, citing confidentiality rules. However, the ministry said it has updated its policy so that when the ministry receives multiple calls of concerns, it prompts supervisor to get involved. The ministry also said it has increased its workforce by almost 20 per cent, meaning more child welfare workers to help children. The province said it is also taking steps to strengthen oversight and accountability including creating a new Indigenous child welfare director position. Additionally, the ministry said that it is using new digital reporting to ensure children in care and in out-of-care placements receive regular in-person visits to assess safety and well-being.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Pop-up pet clinic offers Parvo vaccines after virus hits housing complex
A mobile clinic attended two housing units on Wharncliffe Road after several dogs contracted the disease at the location. CTV London's Reta Ismail reports. A mobile veterinary clinic offered Parvo and rabies vaccines to dozens of dogs outside a London community housing building Wednesday, following several confirmed cases of the deadly canine virus last month. Veterinarians, in partnership with the charity Progressive Animal Welfare Services (PAWS), set up outside 349 Wharncliffe Rd., one of two London & Middlesex Community Housing (LMCH) buildings affected by the virus. 'Today is the big day, we're running the Parvo clinic,' said Dr. Trina Hancock, owner of Sana Adelaide Animal Hospital. 'We're on site here at the apartment complex.' Dr. Hancock volunteered her time, staff and medical supplies to the cause, citing limited access to veterinary care for low-income pet owners. 'We've had dogs that passed away from this virus,' she said. 'I guess the term 'outbreak' is used because the risk is there and it's so, so high.' Parvovirus is a highly contagious and potentially fatal illness that spreads quickly among unvaccinated dogs, particularly in shared living environments. Organizers say 35 dog owners paid $5 to have their pets tested. Those who tested negative were vaccinated for Parvo and rabies, while those who tested positive were offered treatment. 'As the virus spreads, it can get worse. I just want to protect my dogs,' said resident Carol Roots, whose dog Dane tested negative and received the vaccine. PAWS board chair Linda Armstrong said the organization had been pushing for the clinic for weeks and was proud of the community effort. 'We're feeling super about this clinic, about the way people rallied to bring it and about how the vets stepped forward to give their time voluntarily,' Armstrong said. LMCH chief operating officer Sara De Candido said the building has dozens of registered animals, and they have held similar clinics in the past at this location. They hope to continue their partnerships to have similar clinics at other sites. 'It's reasonable to assume there would be an unvaccinated population, which is why today is so important,' she said. The next clinic is scheduled for Aug. 6 to offer booster shots. All the dogs who were tested for parvo today had negative results.
