CP Scoop - December 6th, 2023

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FEDERAL NEWS

Statement by the Prime Minister on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women:

“On this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, we remember the 14 young women who were senselessly murdered and the 13 others who were injured at the École Polytechnique de Montréal. Today, we pay tribute to their lives that were tragically cut short simply because they were women, and we reaffirm our commitment to eliminate gender-based violence.

“As we remember the victims of this hateful, cowardly act, we are also reminded that, for many women, girls, and gender-diverse people in Canada and around the world, the violent misogyny that led to this tragedy still exists. The risk of violence is even higher for Indigenous women and girls, racialized women, women living in rural and remote areas, people in 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and women with disabilities. That is why we have and continue to strengthen our laws and ensure supports for victims and survivors of gender-based violence.

“Through the Gender-Based Violence Strategy, we are delivering crucial community-based and trauma-informed support for victims, survivors, and their families. Last year, we launched the It’s Not Just campaign to help young people recognize, build awareness of, and end gender-based violence.

“We are also working with provinces and territories across Canada to implement the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence – which sets a framework to have a Canada free of gender-based violence, with supports for victims, survivors, and their families. We have already announced bilateral agreements with Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, the Yukon, Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick – ensuring supports are readily available and accessible across the country. There is also more work to do to put an end to the ongoing tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. We will continue to work in partnership with Indigenous families, Survivors, leaders, and partners, as well as with provinces and territories, to implement the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan and the Federal Pathway to make our communities safer.

“We are also taking transformative action to strengthen gun control measures and address the alarming role of firearms in domestic and gender-based violence. We banned over 1,500 models of assault-style firearms and their variants, including the weapon used at the École Polytechnique. We implemented a national handgun freeze, restricting the sale, purchase, and transfer of handguns, and through Bill C-21, we can implement some of the strongest measures in Canadian history to tackle gun violence and keep our communities safe.

“As we mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, I encourage Canadians to honour the victims and survivors of the École Polytechnique massacre. You can wear a white ribbon, attend a vigil in your community, or observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. Together, we can and must put an end to gender-based violence and build a safer, more inclusive future, where everyone can reach their full potential.”

 

PROVINCIAL NEWS

Ontario Investing in Programs to Prevent and Address Gender-based Violence - New funding will help more women and survivors access critical support services

The Ontario government is investing an additional $18.7 million this year to help prevent and address violence against women and girls. This funding builds on the province’s existing investments of $1.4 billion over the next four (4) years to end gender-based violence and support victims.

 

OTHER NEWS

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGL) and Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Public Health Strongly Advise Getting Influenza Vaccination

As influenza has been detected in the region, KFL&A Public Health and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit strongly advise getting vaccinated against the flu, with a particular emphasis on individuals under the age of five (5).

The flu is more than just cold-like symptoms. It can cause absences at school, work, and other gatherings. Children five (5) years of age and under are under-recognized as a group with greater risk of severe outcomes, and it is important for parents to get their kids vaccinated now to enjoy a safe holiday season.

“We know that flu is starting to circulate in the LGL region,” says Dr. Linna Li, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Heath Unit. “The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged six (6) months and older, and is particularly important for children under the age of five (5).”

Vaccines take approximately two weeks to be effective, making now the best time to get vaccinated. With the flu season underway, the risk of infection is expected to peak towards the end of December and the beginning of January.

In addition to influenza, high-risk individuals are strongly encouraged to receive a COVID-19 XBB vaccine if it has been at least three (3) months, or 84 days, since their last COVID-19 vaccination. Anyone six (6) months and older who is not high-risk is encouraged to get a COVID-19 XBB vaccine if it has been at least six (6) months, or 168 days, since their last COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccine Clinic Opportunities:

Individuals can receive both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at participating healthcare providers and participating pharmacies. A list of pharmacies offering these vaccines is available online at ontario.ca/vaccine-locations. For more information, visit www.healthunit.org or kflaph.ca/vaccine.

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit - Local Boards of Health Give Support to Investigate a Merger With Their Neighbouring Public Health Agencies

Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Board of Health, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District (LGLD) Board of Health, and the Hastings Prince Edward (HPE) Board of Health endorsed investigating the feasibility of a potential merger between these local public health agencies (LPHAs).

This consideration has been brought forward in response to the Ontario Ministry of Health’s announcement in August 2023 to strengthen the public health sector. This announcement also included one-time funding, resources, and supports to LPHAs that decide to voluntarily merge.

The province has indicated that any cost efficiencies realized by a merger would be retained by LPHAs to further support the local delivery of programs and services.

The province has set objectives for public health mergers.

• A minimum population base of 500,000.
• Improve organizational performance.
• Sustain leadership structures.
• Sustain competencies and capacities for specialized positions.
• Support alignment and coordination with partners.
• Support alignment and partnerships within communities and priority populations.

“Our agencies have the same goal to support progress on improving population health outcomes while reducing health inequities in the communities we serve,” said Wess Garrod, Chair of KFL&A Board of Health. “If a voluntary merger offers a chance to strengthen our public health capacity to meet unexpected surges in demand and fully deliver core public health services, then it is an opportunity worth exploring.”

“We continue to work positively with our neighbouring health units,” said Peter McKenna, Chair for the LGLD Board of Health. “We look forward to continuing conversations about how a voluntary merger could enrich local public health service delivery in our region.”

“Over the past several weeks, we have had productive conversations with neighboring public health units, exploring potential partnerships that could build on our existing strengths and meet the province’s objectives to strengthen public health,” said Jan O’Neill, Board Chair at HPEPH. “We are open to possibilities to improve capacity and coordination, and the community should be reassured that when exploring any such decision, we will prioritize our ability to maintain front-line service to meet local needs.”

The feasibility of a potential merger will be considered, and each Board will independently decide whether they wish to move forward. If the Boards approve moving forward with a voluntary merger, they must submit a proposal to the Ministry of Health by March 2024. This proposal is then subject to approval by the Ministry of Health. 

Please Note: This email is not regularly monitored. Email: acharania@carletonplace.ca. Federal, Provincial, and Other news items are provided impartially, as a convenience and as a means of sharing information from higher levels of government and partner organizations.