Coming into the summer, researchers are seeing an explosion of ticks that could spell big trouble as Canadians plunge into the outdoors - a spike facilitated by climate change that's allowing them to infect more people with Lyme disease
Cases of Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne disease have increased rapidly over the past decade, from 144 in 2009 to 2,636 preliminary cases in 2019 - a statistic that can be used as a proxy for the growth of tick populations
“20 years ago, we really didn’t have a problem to the extent we do now – but it’s getting worse and worse,” says Dr. Lori Burrows, a professor of biochemistry and biomedical sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton.
Young ticks are about the size of a poppy seed, while adults are roughly as big as a sesame seed. They transfer to humans through contact with vegetation, meaning bites can happen in gardens, playgrounds, and residential areas
Canadians are noticing the rise: When Katie Stevenson moved from PEI to Digby, N.S., in 2019, she’d never even seen a tick. Since the spring, the ticks on their rural two-acre property have become so abundant, she’s had to restrict where her children play
One evening, Ms. Stevenson was brushing her daughter’s hair when she felt what she thought was a scab on the top of her head. After removing the tick, her daughter was treated with an antibiotic, but now has to be monitored for symptoms of Lyme disease
How can you protect yourself from ticks? And what should you do if you get bitten by a tick? There are a number of strategies to avoid the biting bugs, including staying on trails and performing full-body tick checks. Read for more tips:
Three former executives of cannabis company CannTrust Holdings have been charged with fraud related to the illegal growing of cannabis at a CannTrust facility in 2019
The charges follow a two-year investigation after The Globe first reported in July, 2019, that CannTrust had been cultivating cannabis in unlicensed areas of its facility, with the apparent knowledge of senior executives in the company
The Ontario Securities Act and RCMP allege that the three executives did not disclose to investors that approximately 50% of the total growing space at CannTrust's Pelham, Ont. facility wasn't licensed by Health Canada
“A lot of Nations were matriarchal societies. When the Indian Act was imposed upon First Nations peoples, many women lost the right to participate as leaders. Regaining our leadership is fundamental to our well-being.” —APTN chief executive Monika Ille
“The two significant drivers of the Indigenous economy are Indigenous entrepreneurs and community-owned businesses. There are also a few key things they tend to have in common: Indigenous values, a respect for the land, and a long-term vision.” —Clint Davis, CEO of Nunasi Corp
Whether it's among social circles or on social media, the Pfizer vaccine has emerged as the perceived gold standard in mRNA vaccines, despite the Moderna product proving equally safe and effective. @kellygrant1 reports:
The two vaccines are near mirrors of each other: both tout approximately 95% effectiveness at preventing COVID-19 illness after two doses, cause similar side effects and use the same technology
A bulletin created by a group of family physicians in early June explained that the two mRNA vaccines are "like two brands of bottled water" - the same product but packaged by different companies
As of July 6, fully-vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents will be spared from current post-travel quarantine restrictions on return to Canada as long as they test negative for COVID-19, the federal government announced Monday
These changes mean eligible travelers will be exempt from existing quarantine rules including a mandatory hotel stay for those arriving by air, but they must still self-isolate at home until results of an arrival test comes back negative
Under the new system, which takes effect at 11:59 pm ET July 5, fully-vaccinated Canadians must prepare for their return to Canada by uploading documents and information to the ArriveCAN software application or the government website
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq would give herself pep talks in the elevators at work. After the doors to the parliamentary elevators closed, away from her fellow MPs, she said she’d often repeat three words to herself: I belong here. I belong here.
There were times when others tried to tell her she didn’t belong. She would be stopped in the hallways by security. People asked if she was someone’s assistant. @MumilaaqQaqqaq acknowledges she’s never really felt comfortable in the House of Commons.
“It’s a very uneasy place,” she said. “It’s a place where they make laws that result in Indigenous death and result in turmoil for a lot of our communities. I feel that.”
Last Friday, former Green MP @JenicaAtwin crossed the floor to join the Liberals after a clash with her party over her position on the Israel-Palestine fighting.