LIVE AT 2:30 MT 2-hour wildfire evacuation notice issued for some Fort McMurray neighbourhoods
A wildfire evacuation alert for some Fort McMurray residents has been updated to a two-hour evacuation notice.
Following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet shuffle and the addition of a new cabinet role to address mental health, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is calling on the new health ministers to address the ‘health workforce crisis’ caused by pandemic burnout and stress.
In a statement Tuesday, the organization outlined how many health-care workers have left their jobs or are stretched thin due to the continuous pressure of dealing with COVID-19.
“The pandemic has merely highlighted and exacerbated what we already knew: our health care system needs focus and attention,” the CMA stated.
“There are no quick fixes, and this crisis has escalated beyond what any province or territory can manage on their own. The CMA looks to the federal government for urgent leadership and investment in the integrated, pan-Canadian health workforce planning necessary to ensure a strong and sustainable health workforce."
The new cabinet was unveiled Tuesday morning in what turned out to be a dramatic shakeup, with only seven ministers unchanged in their role.
After 19 months serving during the COVID-19 pandemic, Patty Hajdu is no longer the minister of health, and has been shifted to minister of Indigenous services. Assuming her role is former Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos, with Carolyn Bennett taking over as associate minister of health.
Bennett, who was a family physician, has another role as well, having been tapped to take on the brand new position of minister of mental health and addictions.
The CMA said in their statement that they applauded the inclusion of a minister of mental health, and hoped that Bennett would assist in addressing the issues facing health-care workers.
“Health care workers are burned out, exhausted and demoralized, all of which is exacerbated by the increasing shortage of health human resources,” the statement said. “It’s critical to invest in health worker well-being. Many health workers have dealt with extreme working conditions throughout the pandemic and the toll it has taken will be long-lasting.”
The statement called for the federal government to assist in ensuring that there is the infrastructure necessary to allow Canadians timely access to health-care providers while also ensuring that health-care workers themselves are being supported.
“The number of Canadians without access to a family physician or care team is at a record high, causing trickle-down effects throughout the health system and hinders patients’ ability to receive timely care,” the statement added.
The CMA also urged the government to live up to election promises regarding improving health care, and to create a “nation-wide anti-racism plan” to help address structural inequities.
“We count on the government to translate welcome election commitments into reality as soon as possible to see a $6 billion investment to help address backlogs, $9 billion to improve long-term care, and $3 billion to increase access to vital primary care providers,” the statement said.
One of Duclos’ first responsibilities as he steps into the new role will be negotiating with provinces and territories who have demanded the federal government take on a greater share of the cost for delivering health care.
The Liberals’ platform also promised a new federal transfer of $4.5 billion over five years to provinces and territories to develop free and accessible mental health services.
With files from the Canadian Press
A wildfire evacuation alert for some Fort McMurray residents has been updated to a two-hour evacuation notice.
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Saskatchewan RCMP have revealed that a historic sexual assault investigation has led to the discovery of alleged crimes against children dating back to 2005.
An American accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, 'So I raped you,' has been detained in France after a three-year search.
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Ontario Provincial Police are responding to a fatal collision involving two vehicles on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end on Tuesday morning.
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.
A team is ready to help an entangled North Atlantic right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
A $200 reward is being offered by a North Vancouver family for the safe return of their beloved chicken, Snowflake.
Two daughters and a mother were reunited online 40 years later thanks to a DNA kit and a Zoom connection despite living on three separate continents and speaking different languages.
Mother's Day can be a difficult occasion for those who have lost or are estranged from their mom.
YES Theatre Young Company opened its acclaimed kids’ show, One Small Step, at Sudbury Theatre Centre on Saturday.
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.