Latest news with #CanadianMedicalAssociation
Edmonton Journal
11 hours ago
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
Alberta judge grants temporary injunction blocking a transgender health-care bill
Article content 'This isn't just a win for trans youth, it is a win for Canada's health-care system,' Wells wrote on social media. 'No politician should be dictating or restricting your access to evidence-based medical care.' Egale and the Skipping Stone Foundation aren't the only groups challenging the bill. Last month, the Canadian Medical Association and three Alberta-based doctors launched a legal case challenging the constitutionality of the bill, arguing it violates their Charter right to freedom of conscience. Alberta's other two pieces of transgender legislation _ banning transgender women from competing in womens sports and preventing youth under 16 from changing their name or pronouns in the school system without parental consent — have yet to be challenged in court. The education bill also requires parents to opt in for their children to receive lessons in school on sexuality, sexual orientation and gender identity. — with files from Aaron Sousa
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
National data shows overdose deaths dropped in 2024 but still higher than pre-pandemic
TORONTO - National health data shows overdose deaths in Canada dropped in 2024 but the toll still remained much higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. A joint statement from the country's chief medical officers of health, chief coroners and chief medical examiners says 7,146 people died of opioid-related overdoses last year. That's down from 8,623 deaths in 2023 but much higher than the 3,742 deaths reported in 2019. The statement notes that the national numbers 'mask important regional differences,' with Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories reporting a rise in opioid-related deaths in 2024. The number of people who died decreased in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick and Yukon and stayed about the same in Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. There was no data available for Nunavut. Many Indigenous communities saw an increase in opioid-related deaths, especially among women, between 2023 and 2024 'due to colonialization and continued marginalization,' the statement said. 'The overdose crisis, driven by a toxic illegal drug supply, is one of the most serious public health crises our country has ever faced,' it said. Some provinces and territories that had fewer deaths in 2024 attributed the drop, at least partly, to 'a shift to lower toxicity of the drug supply, based on drug-checking data indicating a decrease in fentanyl concentrations,' the statement said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2025. Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
National data shows overdose deaths dropped in 2024 but still higher than pre-pandemic
TORONTO – National health data shows overdose deaths in Canada dropped in 2024 but the toll still remained much higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. A joint statement from the country's chief medical officers of health, chief coroners and chief medical examiners says 7,146 people died of opioid-related overdoses last year. That's down from 8,623 deaths in 2023 but much higher than the 3,742 deaths reported in 2019. The statement notes that the national numbers 'mask important regional differences,' with Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories reporting a rise in opioid-related deaths in 2024. The number of people who died decreased in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick and Yukon and stayed about the same in Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. There was no data available for Nunavut. Many Indigenous communities saw an increase in opioid-related deaths, especially among women, between 2023 and 2024 'due to colonialization and continued marginalization,' the statement said. 'The overdose crisis, driven by a toxic illegal drug supply, is one of the most serious public health crises our country has ever faced,' it said. Some provinces and territories that had fewer deaths in 2024 attributed the drop, at least partly, to 'a shift to lower toxicity of the drug supply, based on drug-checking data indicating a decrease in fentanyl concentrations,' the statement said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2025. Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Doctors notes and increased medical costs
Opinion You may recall some point in your past — for some, a more recent past than others — of having to produce a document to prove to a schoolteacher that you were, in fact, not feeling well and did, in fact, have to be excused for the day. Signed, Mom. That seemed normal enough at the time. The question is, why is it so commonplace for employees to still have to do it, well into adulthood? It's a question health-care practitioners in Canada have been asking more often. Doctors Manitoba on Tuesday called for the provincial government to eliminate employer requirements for sick notes to excuse a worker's short-term absence from the job. This call comes after a similar one by the Canadian Medical Association, which made the entreaty to governments in October last year. Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun Manitoba Health Minister and Deputy Premier Uzoma Asagwara The reasoning for the two groups' request is the same: getting rid of the need for workers to obtain a doctor's note acknowledging an illness and the need to be away from work is a drain on health-care resources. It takes up a physician's already precious time with paperwork which has nothing to do with caring for a patient, and everything to do with ticking off a box on somebody else's list. Doctors Manitoba estimates getting rid of these requirements will free up time for hundreds of thousands of other patient visits and save tax- payers about $8 million per year. Those are all great reasons to consider doing away with the requirement, but there are other, more simple ones. The doctors clearly don't want to deal with writing sick notes. It's also questionable how useful getting such a note is for an employer: even if an employee sees a physician, gets a note, and provides it, they have already missed at least some work by that point, and arrangements will already have been made to compensate for the absence. As for the workers, it seems infantilizing to make working adults have to prove the severity of their own illness. Yes, it's possible someone isn't as sick as they claim and simply wants to take the day. But the worker — under the terms of workplace legislation, specific workplace standards or the terms of a bargaining agreement — is already generally afforded a set number of sick days per year. It should not be the employer's right to force a worker to justify the use of them. Weekday Evenings Today's must-read stories and a roundup of the day's headlines, delivered every evening. We have also learned a few things in recent years, and decades, which should change how we approach illness in the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call in terms of how we treat illness in public. Specifically we learned it's better to be safe than sorry — if you wake up with a scratchy throat and a cough, just stay home and make sure you're well before returning to work. No more powering through because you're 'not that bad.' And beyond dealing with the infectious, is dealing with the invisible. A worker struggling with their mental health should be able to take some time off to look after themselves without having to produce a note proving they are in the throes of depression or some other ailment. At the same time, managers still have to be able to manage their businesses and set policies for sick leave. The Manitoba NDP had put forward a private member's bill to eliminate sick note requirements for short-term illnesses in 2016, only for it to be struck down by the then-ruling PC government. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara has said the province is still interested in such legislation. Let's hope we can all do away with an irritation, but still find a solution that works for employers and employees.
Cision Canada
7 days ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
STATEMENT - CMA reflects on National Indigenous Peoples Day Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 21, 2025 /CNW/ - On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) reflects on the rich history, strength and resilience of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. This year marks the 10 th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's report, which exposed the devastating legacy of Canada's residential schools, and the sixth anniversary of the report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. We acknowledge and honour the stories that survivors have shared to help guide us toward a better future. With great humility, we continue our own reconciliation journey led by an Indigenous Guiding Circle composed of health leaders, Elders and Knowledge Keepers. This journey includes working in partnership to combat anti-Indigenous racism in health care and to support the medical profession in making the system safer for First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients and providers. In updating our Code of Ethics and Professionalism, our goal is to better reflect physicians' shared values in supporting patients and providers from Indigenous communities. Alongside Indigenous partners, we're leveraging our voice to also call on the federal government to reintroduce important First Nations clean water legislation and support First Nations, Inuit and Métis-led health care. Our commitment extends to amplifying Indigenous voices and highlighting critical issues through the Indigenous Health Journalism Fellowship. On National Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize the importance of acknowledging the truth, rebuilding trust and taking the steps necessary to fulfill our promise of transforming the health system to provide culturally safe, trauma-informed care for Indigenous Peoples. Dr. Margot Burnell President, CMA SOURCE Canadian Medical Association
