News/Canada/Ottawa

A group of Black psychologists is fearful of a rollback to equity, diversity and inclusion as well as truth and reconciliation initiatives within the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) following proposed changes to the organization's strategic plan, while the association's leadership insists those goals remain foundational.The CPA is Canada's largest association for psychology, with over 7,000 voluntary members and 35 specialized sections, including for Black, Asian, and Indigenous psychology.The organization recently sent a draft proposal for its new strategic plan to members for discussion. In its new plan, the board proposed removing two specific goals relating to equity, diversity and inclusion as well as truth and reconciliation initiatives and making them "foundational elements...

Renowned Ottawa heart surgeon Marc Ruel was planning a move to the United States last year, with the University of California, San Francisco "thrilled to announce" that he would be leading a heart division in their surgery department.But Donald Trump's threats toward Canada were such that Ruel has now decided to remain in Canada. "Canada is under duress right now," he told CBC. "I felt my role and duty at this point was to directly serve my country from within."Ruel is not the only medical professional now reluctant to work in the United States.That means Canada's health-care system could stand to benefit from the political upheaval unleashed by the U.S. president, as American physicians look to move north and Canadians forgo opportunities south of the border.'I don't want to do politics'F...

Ontario's system to support people with developmental disabilities is "on the verge of collapse" because of low funding, according to several agencies that have formed a coalition to call on the provincial government to act. According to the coalition, 52,000 Ontarians are on waitlists for developmental supports and services, including about 5,000 in eastern Ontario and Ottawa.Melanie Groulx is among those waitlisted. She's an Ottawa resident who has autism and high support needs, and she's been on the emergency waitlist for supportive housing for four years.Her mother, Carrie Groulx, said one question haunts her: "What's going to happen to my child after I'm gone?"Groulx blamed underfunding for her daughter's long wait and the lack of programs, and the coalition agrees."We are starting to...

Nine cases of measles have been confirmed in Hastings County, and the local health unit is warning of community exposure.The South East Health Unit advised of a measles exposure that occurred at the Central Hastings Family Health Team in Madoc, Ont., between 11:11 a.m. and 1:11 p.m. last Thursday. The health unit is working with the medical centre to identify possible contacts.Measles is a highly contagious virus and spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks, the health unit said in a Wednesday afternoon news release.Measles symptoms begin anywhere from one to three weeks after exposure and include fever, runny nose, cough, drowsiness and red eyes, the health unit said.Small white spots may appear on the inside of the mouth and throat, and a ...