deaths

[spaminator]

Close to 15,500 died waiting for health care in Canada in 2023-24
Author of the article:Jane Stevenson
Published Jan 15, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read

Close to 15,500 people died waiting for health care in Canada between April 1, 2023 until March 31, 2024, according to data compiled by SecondStreet.org via Freedom to Information Act requests across the country.


However, SecondStreet.org says the exact number of 15,474 is incomplete as Quebec, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador don’t track the problem and Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia only provided data on patients who died while waiting for surgeries – not diagnostic scans.

SecondStreet.org says if it extrapolates the unknown data, then an estimated 28,077 patients died last year on health care waiting lists covering everything from cancer treatment and heart operations to cataract surgery and MRI scans.

“Canadians pay really high taxes and yet our health care system is failing when compared to better-performing universal systems in Europe,” said Harrison Fleming, the legislative and policy director at SecondStreet.org.


“Thousands of Canadians across the country find themselves on waitlists – in some cases for several years – with too many tragically dying before ever getting treated, or even diagnosed.”



SecondStreet.org research also observed cases where patients died after waiting anywhere from less than a week for treatment to more than 14 years.

New data from Ontario Health suggests 378 patients died while waiting for cardiac surgery or a cardiac procedure.

“When a restaurant fails a health inspection, the government shares the news publicly and sometimes notices are posted in the establishment’s windows for everyone to see,” SecondStreet.org President Colin Craig said in a statement.


“But, when nearly 75,000 Canadians have died before getting the care they needed, governments don’t proactively disclose anything. Maybe it’s time for governments to hold themselves to the same standard they hold everyone else.”


Since April 2018, SecondStreet.org has identified 74,677 cases where Canadians died while waiting for care.

“This research was inspired by stories like Laura Hillier’s, the 18-year-old Ontario patient who died on a waiting list for cancer treatment,” added Craig in a statement.

“Governments need to do a better job tracking tragic stories like hers, notifying the public about waiting lists deaths and most importantly, initiating reform to save lives.”

Close to 15,500 died waiting for health care in Canada in 2023-24

Close to 15,500 people in Canada died waiting for health care between April 1, 2023-March 31, 2024, according to data by SecondStreet.org .

torontosun.com

 

[spaminator]

Order to cull 400 B.C. ostriches may breach cruelty law: Lawyer
'It is really unfortunate and heartbreaking," says Rebeka Breder, who specializes in animal cruelty cases

Author of the articleavid Carrigg
Published Jan 15, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read

A Vancouver lawyer says the looming destruction of 400 ostriches on a remote B.C. farm could be deemed unlawful animal cruelty.


On Tuesday, Rebeka Breder weighed in on the controversy around a Canadian Food Inspection Agency order that Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood destroy its entire flock after an outbreak of avian flu. Some of the birds are over 30 years old and have lived on the farm their entire lives.

“It is really unfortunate and heartbreaking,” said Breder, who specializes in animal cruelty cases. “I don’t know how they can kill this many large birds humanely or without cruelty.”

Ostriches can grow to as large as 140 kilograms.

Breder said cruelty to animals is against the Criminal Code of Canada and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act in B.C. Section 441 of the Criminal Code states an animal owner cannot wilfully “permit to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or a bird.”


Katie Pasitney, whose mother Karen Espersen owns Universal Ostrich Farm, said the family did not know how it would meet the deadline to kill all the birds by Feb. 1.

She said they could not shoot them because it would cause mass panic. They did not have an enclosed space to gas them and it would difficult to round them up and slit their throats.

According to the CFIA, the farm’s plan to kill the birds must be approved by the agency and “adhere to expected standards,” which must be humane and in compliance with the applicable provincial animal welfare regulations and standards.

The CFIA said this was the first time it has ordered the destruction of ostriches due to the avian flu. So far in B.C. more than eight million chickens have been ordered to be killed due to outbreaks. Avian flu can spread to humans and has led to serious illness for a teenager in B.C. and the death of a person in the U.S.


“The depopulation may be carried out either by the owner, the CFIA, or by a third party,” the CFIA said.

The agency was unable to comment directly on the Universal Ostrich Farms case, but said it provided mental health supports for farmers who had to kill their flocks.

There are also programs to compensate farmers for their losses.

On Jan. 8, Dr. Lyle Oberg, a board member of the Alberta Health Service Board, wrote a letter to the CFIA stating, “I would urge you to not automatically move to complete culling as you would with other smaller birds.”

On Jan. 9, Steve Morissette, the B.C. NDP MLA for Kootenay-Monashee, wrote a letter to the CFIA stating his opposition to the cull order.

Pasitney said that the farm was working with a lawyer to try to get an extension on the Feb. 1 deadline and, beyond that, to try to challenge the order.

They’re making the case that the flightless birds – which are part of an ongoing international research project on COVID-19 antibodies – can instead be used to study the mechanics of the avian flu that infected the youngest members of their herd.

With file from Canadian Press

dcarrigg@postmedia.com

First H5 Bird Flu Death Reported in United States

A person with severe avian influenza A(H5N1) illness ("H5N1 bird flu") has passed away.

cdc.gov

'I don't know how they can kill this many': Order to cull 400 B.C. ostriches may breach cruelty law: lawyer

Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood has been ordered to cull its entire flock due to avian flu outbreak

torontosun.com

 

[harrylee]

And now, something important.......Bob Uecker died at age 90

 

[spaminator]

Police dog Brock 'greatly missed' by his family, Durham cops
Author of the articleostmedia News
Published Jan 19, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 1 minute read

Police dog Brock.
Durham Regional Police announced "with great sadness" that K9 unit veteran Brock had died last week with family by his side. Photo by Durham Regional Police
Durham Regional Police are mourning the loss of one of their own.


The police force announced “with great sadness” that K9 unit veteran Brock, a 13-year-old shepherd with eight years of helping the public, had died last week with family by his side.



“PSD (police service dog) Brock was trained in general patrol and served the citizens of Durham Region for over eight years and was handled by Sgt. Jason Dickson,” Durham police said in a post on X.

“During his celebrated career, PSD Brock was responsible for locating hundreds of individuals, including wanted offenders and missing vulnerable people.”

Police also thanked Brock for his service and said he “will be greatly missed by Sgt. Jason Dickson, his family and the DRPS K9 Unit.”



Hundreds of social media users paid their respects to Brock on Instagram and Facebook.

“Rest easy, Brock … thank you for all your hard work,” one commenter posted with heart and prayer emojis on Instagram.

Another turned to Facebook to credit Brock for finding their son.

“RIP Officer Brock, thank you for your service,” the commenter posted, “as I believe it was your team that found our son. Condolences to your partner and family, as well as the DRPS.”

𝐃𝐑𝐏𝐒 𝐊𝟗 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓 on Instagram: "The Passing of Retired Police Service Dog Brock It is with great sadness that the DRPS' K9 Unit announces the passing of retired Police Service Dog (PSD) Brock. PSD Brock passed away at the age of 13 this past week with t

529 likes, 27 comments - drps_k9 on January 19, 2025: "The Passing of Retired Police Service Dog Brock It is with great sadness that the DRPS' K9 Unit announces the passing of retired Police Service Dog (PSD) Brock. PSD Brock passed away at the age of 13 this past week with this family by his...

instagram.com

Police dog Brock 'greatly missed' by his family, Durham cops

Durham Regional Police announced 'with great sadness' that K9 unit veteran Brock had died last week with family by his side.

torontosun.com

 

[spaminator]

Indiana man pardoned by Trump is fatally shot during traffic stop
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
Published Jan 27, 2025 • 1 minute read

RENSSELAER, Ind. — An Indiana man was fatally shot by a deputy during a traffic stop just days after he was pardoned by President Donald Trump for a misdemeanour related to the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot.


Matthew Huttle, 42, of Hobart was killed Sunday by a Jasper County sheriff’s deputy, authorities said.

State police are investigating. They said the deputy tried to arrest Huttle when “an altercation took place between the suspect and the officer, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect.

“The investigation also shows that during the traffic stop, the suspect was in possession of a firearm,” state police added.

No other details were released. Authorities didn’t say what might have prompted the traffic stop.

“Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased as any loss of life is traumatic to those that were close to Mr. Huttle,” Sheriff Patrick Williamson said.

Nick Barnes, an attorney who was representing Huttle in pending motor vehicle cases in Lake County, said he didn’t know the circumstances of the shooting.


“I plan to find out a lot more about it,” Barnes said.

In 2023, Huttle was sentenced to six months in custody after pleading guilty to entering a restricted building, the U.S. Capitol. He had traveled with his uncle to Washington to attend the Jan. 6, 2021, pro-Trump rally. Huttle was inside the Capitol for 16 minutes and recorded it on video.

“He is not a true believer in any political cause,” defence attorney Andrew Hemmer said in a court filing. “He instead went to the rally because he thought it would be a historic moment and he had nothing better to do after getting out of jail” for a driving offence.

Indiana man pardoned by Trump is fatally shot during traffic stop

An Indiana man was fatally shot by a deputy during a traffic stop just days after he was pardoned by President Donald Trump.

torontosun.com

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Obviously MURDERED by BIDEN!

Or maybe True Dope.

 

[spaminator]

Lawsuit blames deaths on 2023 train derailment in Ohio as JD Vance visits
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
Josh Funk And Julie Carr Smyth
Published Feb 03, 2025 • 4 minute read

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — A lawsuit alleging for the first time that people died because of the disastrous 2023 East Palestine train derailment has been filed ahead of Monday’s second anniversary of the toxic crash near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border amid a flurry of new litigation.


On Monday, Vice President JD Vance is visiting the small community near the crash site that he used to represent as a senator, along with President Donald Trump’s newly confirmed head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin. It’s not yet clear how much pressure the Trump administration will put on the railroads to continue improving safety and whether they will push for the bill Vance co-authored in response to the derailment.

The new lawsuit announced Monday morning contains the first seven wrongful death claims filed against Norfolk Southern railroad _ including the death of a 1-week-old baby. It also alleges the railroad and its contractors botched the cleanup while officials at the EPA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on it and failed to adequately warn residents about the health risks. Many of the other parties in the lawsuit cite lingering, unexplained health problems along with concerns something more serious could develop.


“Our clients want truth. They want transparency,” attorney Kristina Baehr said about the roughly 750 people she represents. “They want to know what they were exposed to, which has been hidden from them. They want to know what happened and why it happened. And they want accountability.”

The lawsuit provides some examples of the lingering effects on families, but it doesn’t include details about the deaths.

At least nine other lawsuits were filed over the past week by individuals and businesses that argue the railroad’s greed is to blame for the derailment and the $600 million class-action settlement doesn’t offer nearly enough compensation nor sanction the railroad enough to spur them to prevent future derailments. The dollar amount represents only a small fraction of the $12.1 billion in revenue the railroad generated in each of the past two years.


What happened two years ago?

Dozens of rail cars careened off the tracks on Feb. 3, 2023, after an overheating bearing failed. Several cars carrying hazardous materials ruptured and spilled their cargo that caught fire. But the disaster was made worse three days later when officials blew open five tank cars filled with vinyl chloride and burned that toxic plastic ingredient because they feared they would explode.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board determined the controversial vent and burn operation never needed to happen because there was evidence the railroad ignored that the tank cars were starting to cool off and wouldn’t have exploded. The state and local officials who decided to release and burn the vinyl chloride — generating a massive plume of thick, black smoke — have said they never heard anything suggesting the tank cars wouldn’t explode.


“The EPA had rules to follow and chose not to follow their own rules. The EPA was too busy trying to get the train back on track to protect the people,” Baehr said.

Officials haven’t responded Monday to questions about the new lawsuit and separate federal claims that were filed against the EPA and CDC. But in the past, the EPA has defended its role by saying they were only there to advise on the potential consequences of burning the vinyl chloride and measure the contamination.

Baehr said the EPA and CDC’s approach to the derailment followed a similar pattern she’s seen in other environmental disasters, including the Navy’s toxic spill of jet fuel that contaminated water in Hawaii. She said agencies tend to downplay potential health risks. Residents have expressed frustration with the data the EPA discloses and the refusal of the class-action attorneys to reveal what their own testing found.


How did the railroads respond?

A Norfolk Southern spokesperson declined to comment on the litigation. The railroad has agreed to a $600 million class-action settlement for people within 20 miles (32 kilometres) of the derailment and a separate settlement with the federal government in which Norfolk Southern pledged to pay for the cleanup, medical exams and drinking water monitoring. The railroad did not admit any wrongdoing in either settlement.

Norfolk Southern and other major railroads promised to improve safety after the crash by installing additional trackside detectors to spot mechanical problems before they cause a derailment. Federal officials say those steps haven’t improved safety meaningfully, and Vance’s bill that would have required additional changes never passed.


The rail unions on Monday again asked the railroads to join a federal program that would let workers anonymously report safety concerns and members of Congress made plans to renew their push for legislation.

What compensation has the town received?

Some nearby residents have started to receive personal injury payments as part of the class-action settlement, but nearly half of the settlement remains on hold while some appeal for higher compensation and more information about the contamination.

The main payments of up to $70,000 per household won’t go out until the appeal is settled.

Last week, Norfolk Southern agreed to a $22 million settlement for East Palestine that includes $13.5 million the railroad has already provided for upgrades to the water treatment plant and to replace police and fire equipment. The railroad is also paying $25 million to upgrade a park.

What about the other lawsuits?

The nine other new lawsuits included claims by a pipe manufacturer, dog kennels and a winery that the derailment harmed their businesses. One business alleged cleanup work created “smoke, debris and odors” and led to routine flooding. The dog breeder said toxic chemicals killed at least 116 puppies and three adult dogs.

Lawsuit blames deaths on 2023 train derailment in Ohio as JD Vance visits

On Monday, Vice President JD Vance is visiting the small community near the crash site that he used to represent as a senator.

torontosun.com