Government Pledges Support for Ontario First Nation in Crisis
Health Canada says nearly 20 additional people, including a crisis co-ordinator and a psychologist -- have been deployed to a remote northern Ontario First Nation to help deal with a suicide crisis.
But the agency stresses that more resources will be needed to meet the community's mental health needs in the long term.
The chief and council of the Attawapiskat reserve declared a state of emergency Saturday night in the wake of 11 youth suicide attempts so far in April, and 28 in March. And on Monday, police helped thwart a suicide pact between 13 young people.
New Democrat Charlie Angus told last night's emergency Commons debate that Canada is failing its indigenous youth, and he hopes this "might be the beginning of a change in our country.''
Health Minister Jane Philpott says the government must -- and will -- respond, promising to ensure mental health resources be applied to those who need them.
The crisis is not an isolated incident among Canada's First Nations. Early last month, Manitoba's Cross Lake First Nation declared a state of emergency, saying there had been six suicides and 140 suicide attempts in two weeks.
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Pallister Enemy Number One for Manitoba Political Leaders at Debate
Manitoba Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister was the main target as the province's political leaders squared off last night in a televised debate.
Pallister is the frontrunner in opinion polls for next Tuesday's provincial election and faced accusations he would cut government services, increase poverty and privatize parts of the health-care system.
NDP Leader Greg Selinger asked Pallister to rule out any privatization of health care, and Pallister replied by saying the NDP government has created two-tier care through long wait times.
Talking to reporters afterward, Pallister said some health-care services are already private and he won't rule out more until he hears from front-line workers.
Pallister got in some jabs of his own against Selinger, saying the premier has not listened to the public or to five cabinet ministers who resigned after challenging his leadership.
Pallister accused Selinger of planning another sales tax increase, and Selinger denied it.
Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari was often left out of the fray.
Bokhari said afterward that she would have liked to get more words in.
Green Party Leader James Beddome targeted Pallister over plans for cutting government spending, saying Pallister has not shown where he would cut.
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Canadian Economy Assessment Incoming
The Bank of Canada will deliver its latest assessment this morning on the Canadian economy.
The central bank's take on how much of a lift it expects the economy to get from billions in federal-government spending commitments will coincide with its announcement on its key interest rate.
It's the first monetary policy report from the bank since the Liberal government tabled its first budget -- a deficit document -- last month.
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Winnipeg Radio Host Suspended, Apologizes for "Insensitive" Videos
About 50 people protested outside a Winnipeg radio station, calling for a morning radio host to be fired over what they say were racist, misogynistic and sexist videos posted on Monday to the station's website.
92 CITI-FM issued an apology on air yesterday and said morning radio host Dave Wheeler had been suspended over the parody videos that offended many.
The program director says the videos never should have been broadcast and an investigation has been launched, while Wheeler tweeted an apology and said the videos "were insensitive and went too far.''
