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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wants to amend the Alberta Bill of Rights, including allowing Albertans to own a firearm and choose whether to receive medical treatments, including vaccinations.

In a video of just over 3 minutes posted on social media, the leader of the United Conservative Party said that the Alberta Bill of Rights reflects the province’s shared values.

The Bill of Rights has served its purpose well over the years, but as our society evolves, so too must our laws to ensure that our rights and freedoms remain adequately protected in an ever-changing world.

A quote from Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta

Danielle Smith wants to enshrine in law the right of Albertans to decide whether or not to receive medical treatment.

Three points Danielle Smith wants to enshrine in Alberta’s Bill of Rights

Every person in our province who has the mental capacity to do so will have the right to decide whether or not to be vaccinated, she said, adding that the same would be possible for any medical procedure.

She spoke about how recent years have been a challenge for the right to bodily autonomy, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I firmly believe that no Albertan should ever be pressured to accept medical treatment without their full consent.

The right to own a weapon

The Premier also wants to include in the province’s Bill of Rights the right to legally acquire, keep and use firearms safely.

Many Albertans believe firearms are essential to their livelihood and way of life.

A quote from Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta

I personally believe that law-abiding gun owners have been unfairly targeted by our federal government for decades and I hope these amendments will better protect the rights of our farmers, ranchers, hunters and sports enthusiasts in the future, she continued.

Not to be deprived of one’s property

Danielle Smith ultimately wants to amend the Alberta Bill of Rights to strengthen property rights, another cornerstone of life in a free and democratic society, and to ensure that no Albertan can be deprived of their property without due process and fair compensation.

It is a reaffirmation of your right to own and enjoy the property you have worked so hard for.

What is the Alberta Bill of Rights?

This legislative document is equivalent to a “quasi-constitutional” law, explains Louis-Philippe Lampron, a professor specializing in human rights and freedoms at the Faculty of Law at Laval University. Each Canadian province has a law of this type.

He points out, however, that the particularity of the Alberta Declaration of Rights is that, unlike the majority of similar laws in other provinces, it protects several fundamental rights, including fundamental freedoms.

While most of the laws found in Canada are limited to prohibiting discrimination, he specifies.

In Alberta, the Bill of Rights is a law that takes precedence over other Alberta laws. However, this does not prevent the government from amending it: They can be amended as simple laws in the current state of the law.

It’s a smokescreen because the current state of Canadian law already protects the right to refuse medical treatment and to refuse a vaccine to a certain extent.

A quote from Louis-Philippe Lampron, professor, Faculty of Law, Laval University

Louis-Philippe Lampron points out that, in the event of a pandemic, the state could justify restrictions on these fundamental rights. It is a form of codification of what is already recognized in Canadian law, he concludes.

The British Columbia New Democratic Party (NDP) has shared on social media an old video in which provincial Conservative Party leader John Rustad suggests his controversial positions on COVID-19 vaccines.

The video (New window)posted on X by the NDP, was originally posted by BC Public Service Employees for Freedom (BCPS), a group of public sector employees concerned about COVID-19 guidelines and vaccination requirements, to which John Rustad was speaking.

In the excerpt, dated this summer, the Conservative leader notably states that he regrets having received three doses of what he calls the so-called COVID-19 vaccine.

John Rustad also said he believes vaccine requirements have served to control the population.

I realized, while talking to Dr. Bonnie Henry, [la médecin hygiéniste en chef]that the vaccination plan was not to guarantee herd immunity or prevent the spread of the virus, but rather to control opinion and the population, he said.

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In July 2024, British Columbia announced that remaining pandemic restrictions, including the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care workers in the province’s care settings, were now being lifted.

Photo : Associated Press / Christophe Gateau

Following the NDP’s release of the clip, the Conservative leader dodged questions about it during his media appearance on Monday.

Still, he said the inability of unvaccinated doctors and nurses to get their jobs back in B.C. was a terrible problem.

NDP Leader David Eby believes voters should fear this type of position from the Conservative leader, known for his shock statements.

In 2022, John Rustad was notably expelled from the BC Liberal Party caucus after questioning the science associated with climate change.

According to NDP leader and outgoing Premier David Eby, the chief medical officer of health was trying to preserve the health of the population during the pandemic, rather than trying to control it.

As the weather begins to cool in the National Capital Region and the school year is well underway, public health officials are expecting an increase in cases of respiratory illnesses during this time.

COVID-19, influenza, whooping cough and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are among the infections being watched particularly closely this fall. Ottawa Public Health also suspects a higher-than-expected number of cases of legionellosis, a rare form of pneumonia.

While recommendations from public health authorities have changed over the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the main message from Ottawa Public Health (OPH) remains the same: stay home if you are sick.

Before symptoms appear

It is important for everyone to make sure their family’s vaccinations are up to date, SPO says.

Flu shots and an updated COVID-19 vaccine are expected to roll out in Ontario in October, while a new provincial RSV vaccination program for infants and children is also expected to roll out this fall.

Public health officials also reminded everyone to make sure they have received their adult dose of the whooping cough vaccine, due to a recent increase in cases.

While we wait for the new COVID-19 vaccine, wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance and washing our hands is recommended. These measures are effective not only for COVID-19, but also for other respiratory viruses, according to OPH.

With symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test

COVID-19 can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose and more. OPH has a full list of symptoms (New window).

The Ontario Ministry of Education advises students, staff and visitors to check for symptoms each day before coming to school. The Ministry’s self-assessment tool is available online (New window).

Adults and children should self-isolate if they have symptoms of COVID-19. They should stay at home until their symptoms improve and they have been fever-free for 24 hours.

If symptoms include vomiting or diarrhea, patients should stay home for at least 48 hours after these symptoms disappear.

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COVID-19 can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose and more. (File photo)

Photo: Radio-Canada / David Horemans

If a person tests positive for COVID-19 but does not have symptoms, they do not need to self-isolate unless symptoms eventually develop.

However, SPO says people with symptoms or a positive test must mask for 10 days from the date symptoms began or the date of the positive test, whichever is earlier.

SPO also recommends maintaining physical distance from others, taking unmasked breaks away from co-workers and avoiding spending time with people at highest risk of serious infection during this 10-day period.

Less case monitoring this fall

Current wastewater testing in Ottawa shows that the amount of COVID-19 in the region is high and increasing. Last year, cases spiked in the fall and winter when people began spending more time indoors.

Funding for COVID-19 wastewater testing by the University of Ottawa ends at the end of the month, after the province cut funding this summer to avoid duplication with testing by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Federal testing has not been confirmed for the region, however.

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University of Ottawa professor Robert Delatolla (right) and student Chandler Wong examine wastewater analysis data. (File photo)

Photo : Radio-Canada / Justin Tang

Robert Delatollla, a wastewater professor and researcher who was counting on the funding to operate his lab, says he is in talks with SPO and CHEO about continued funding.

SPO has other ways to monitor COVID-19 cases and other viral infections, such as hospitalizations, outbreaks and the percentage of positive tests. However, Delatolla said a lack of wastewater testing could be detrimental to hospitals looking to prepare for outbreaks.

Wastewater is considered the most important indicator among other indicators, he explained, noting that Ottawa hospitals use the data to plan staffing in the event of outbreaks.

With information fromIsabel Harderof CBC News

Some 15,000 Ottawa students could be suspended in early 2025 if they don’t get their vaccines up to date, the city’s public health agency warns.

After putting the suspensions on hold for the past two years, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) said in a report filed earlier this week with the Ottawa Board of Health that they would resume.

Students born in 2007 and 2017 whose vaccination record is incomplete and who are not exempt have until the new year to update it, failing which they will be suspended for up to 20 days.

According to Ottawa Public Health (OPH) medical officer of health Dr. Vera Etches, the city has some catching up to do after pausing the program during the pandemic.

Ottawa Public Health staff were handling contact tracing. [COVID-19] and outbreak management, and we have not been sending out regular letters to remind parents and guardians that their child’s vaccination record is missing, she explained.

Dr. Etches noted that it is the responsibility of parents, not health care providers, to ensure their children’s vaccinations are up to date.

Warning letters in December

According to OPH, nearly 95 per cent of students in Ottawa’s public and private schools had up-to-date records before the COVID-19 pandemic. As the school year begins, only 60 per cent of them are properly vaccinated.

Since we have been monitoring vaccinations, we have never had so many cases [incomplets]Dr. Etches emphasized.

Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, children attending school in Ontario must be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, rubella and meningococcal infections and, for children born in 2010 or later, against chickenpox.

We need this information to know, in the event of a measles or other outbreak, who can be protected and who should leave the school environment so as not to get sick and spread the outbreak, Etches said.

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Dr. Vera Etches, chief medical officer of Ottawa Public Health, says this is a province-wide problem. (File photo)

Photo : Radio-Canada / Jean Delisle

Students who have not received their required vaccinations will be mailed a letter in December informing them that they are at risk of suspension. At the beginning of the year, they will be informed of the date the suspension will begin.

If the student’s file is not updated within 20 days, he or she will be able to return to school, but will then have to start the procedure again.

We absolutely do not want children to be out of school. They need to be in school, and that is our goal, assured Dr. Etches.

A province-wide problem

According to the chief medical officer of public health, the problem of incomplete vaccination records is a province-wide problem.

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit physician Dr. Linna Li said the same thing is happening in her area.

Many health units are experiencing a backlog, she said. So the number of children needing an assessment of their immunization record has increased compared to our usual baseline.

According to Dr. Li, 1,300 students in her jurisdiction received suspension warnings earlier this summer due to incomplete records. Today, only 60 students remain on that list.

Parents can update their children’s immunization records using the Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) tool or the CANImmunize app, Ottawa Public Health says.

With information from Emma Wellerof CBC News

The rise of the private sector in the health sector is a concern for the Collège des médecins du Québec.

In a brief that will be presented on Wednesday during consultations on Bill 67 on the Professional Code, the College recommends that the government take a step back.

The College urges it to quickly address the weak link in the professional system by introducing into the Professional Code means enabling professional orders to ensure the monitoring and control of professional activities offered by companies, whatever the legal form they take, as well as the directors and managers who control them, otherwise the protection of the public risks being compromised.

A quote from Extract from the memorandum of the College of Physicians

Private clinics, private surgery centers or telemedicine, the offer has grown considerably in recent years, not to mention the health plan of Minister Dubé who wants to make more room for the private sector.

According to the College, the powers at its disposal are insufficient to ensure the protection of patients.

At most, the current provisions allow the orders to manage by regulation the composition of the shareholding of the owners of these companies, but they do not grant real powers to force the companies to respect the standards relating to the profession, it is written.

During its presentation to Minister Sonia LeBel, the College intends to point out that it has had to initiate legal proceedings in recent months to gain access to patient files contained in electronic medical records (EMRs), the property of medical clinics owned by business people.

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The president of the Collège des médecins du Québec, Dr. Mauril Gaudreault, is pleased that the skills of several health professionals other than doctors are being recognized.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Félix Duchesne

As part of a professional inspection, he also had to retain the services of a law firm to access patients’ clinical records held by a company offering telemedicine services.

As the president of the College, Dr. Mauril Gaudreault, reminds us, to ensure quality medicine, professional inspection visits must be carried out. […]but in premises administered by non-doctors, it is not possible.

The College team carries out hundreds of inspections each year, examining in particular record keeping, the quality of diagnoses and follow-ups, office maintenance and the sterilization of instruments.

In April, the Auditor General of Quebec finally convinced Minister Dubé to no longer have to resort to the courts to track money paid to the private sector.

“I have very serious concerns about my possible access to the facilities of private establishments, to their financial statements or to any document that I deem necessary to verify,” said Guylaine Leclerc.

Limits raised by the Charbonneau Commission

In its brief, the College recalls the limits of the Professional Code, which only allows compliance with professional standards to be imposed on its members.

As the Charbonneau Commission explicitly pointed out in its report (in 2015), the Quebec professional system does not provide for monitoring or control measures for professional services companies, it is written. This problem has only gotten worse, the College believes.

The Collège des médecins du Québec is the professional order that oversees the practice of the 26,000 physicians practicing in Quebec, all specialties combined. It provides monitoring activities, handles public complaints and supports physicians in maintaining their skills.

A letter signed by some twenty cancer specialist doctors from the Sherbrooke University Hospital alerts the population to the shortage of nursing staff in hematology-oncology.

According to doctors, this is an unprecedented situation at the chemotherapy center, which has been going on since August.

The consequences would be very real. This shortage results in the impossibility of administering approximately 50% of the chemotherapy treatments prescribed by hematologists-oncologists, which corresponds to hundreds of patients, we read in the letter.

The signatories note that although the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS seems to be studying all measures to limit the impact on users, concerns remain among doctors. We are worried about our patients, because the situation could last several weeks and significantly impact the quality of care, we can read.

Advances in medicine that cause overload

In an interview with Téléjournal Estrie, the head of the hematology-oncology department and signatory of the letter, Dr. Michel Pavic, explained that progress in cancer treatment has led to an increase in the number of patients.

For the past 10 years, every 18 months, the number of patients has increased by 10%, so that in 10 years, we have doubled the number of patients in treatment, we have gone from 50 to 90, even 100 treatments per day. The staff has not followed, the premises have not followed, he specifies.

We pulled the rope a lot, then the elastic snapped and we’ll have to find ways to get enough nurses to come.

A quote from Dr Michel Pavic, head of the hematology-oncology department

This context would cause exhaustion of workers and successive waves of sick leave and resignations.

If we want the immense progress in cancer treatment to translate into more cures and more lives saved, it is important to be able to treat patients properly. This will inevitably involve increasing healthcare personnel resources and creating infrastructures adapted to today’s reality, the letter reads.

Situation under control, according to the CIUSSS de l’Estrie CHUS

Asked to respond at the end of the day on Tuesday, the CIUSSS de l’Estrie CHUS was unable to grant us an interview. However, by email, the organization indicated that while the situation is not desirable, it is under control, particularly due to the temporary measures that have been put in place to ensure the safety of our users’ care.

A service corridor has been established with the Charles-Lemoyne Hospital that will allow chemotherapy treatment to be offered to certain patients. The beneficiaries will be selected based on certain criteria, including their proximity to the Estrie region.

We are working to restore the situation as soon as possible. All users affected by these measures will be contacted by telephone at the appropriate time.

A quote from CIUSSS de l’Estrie CHUS

Flying teams will also be deployed in the coming weeks to assist the teams.

A call to promote the profession

Michel Pavic, for his part, hopes that the nursing profession will be valued more. We need to motivate the youngest to pursue these careers, and then we need to value the nursing profession so that our hospitals don’t give up, he exclaims.

My heartfelt cry is that we really need nurses very quickly.

A quote from Dr Michel Pavic, head of the hematology-oncology department

According to Dr. Pavic, several hospitals in Quebec are facing similar issues.