The Hook: Political news, freshly caught
BCNU raid wins support of thousands of licensed practical nurses
The British Columbia Nurses' Union has succeeded in its bid to represent some 7,200 licensed practical nurses who have been represented by other unions. Read more…
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Do you think Naheed Nenshi will win the Alberta NDP leadership race? Read the results of that poll here.
Foundation grateful for BC contribution to health research
The British Columbia government has given $48 million to the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, but it's unclear how long the grant will be expected to last. Read more…
- Health and
- BC Politics
RCMP in 'holding pattern' on data allegations, waiting on BC health ministry
The RCMP is waiting for more information from the British Columbia government before it can decide whether an investigation is needed into allegations that came out of the health ministry in September. Read more…
Housing the homeless is cheaper, more humane than status quo: study
A new study suggests it's far cheaper to give a homeless person a place to live than to provide a patchwork of emergency services. Read more…
Researcher seeking damages after 'vague' suspension from health ministry
One of the people the British Columbia ministry of health recently suspended without pay is suing for wrongful dismissal and defamation. Read more…
Health minister MacDiarmid confirms fifth firing morning after
This morning Margaret MacDiarmid, British Columbia's health minister, said she could confirm there's been another firing in her ministry but she remains limited in what she could say about the ongoing investigation. Read more…
Health ministry fires fifth person in data, contract investigation
Another longtime government employee has been fired as part of a health ministry investigation related to contracts and data management. Read more…
Lack of drug data is blocking important research
Researchers with the Therapeutics Initiative need to have their access to data restored as soon as possible, says Jim Wright, the managing director of the University of B.C. pharmaceutical research group. Read more…
Fired health ministry employee 'mystified' by dismissal
Ron Mattson, one of the four people fired by the health ministry last week, today released a statement saying he's "mystified" by his dismissal. Read more…
BC nurses concerned about choice of flu shots or masks
The B.C. Nurses' Union will meet on Monday with the Health Employers' Association of B.C. and a chief medical officer to discuss a new requirement that all health care workers get a flu shot or wear a mask when dealing with patients. Read more…
Health minister showing criminal negligence on asbestos: activist
Canada’s Minister of Health is guilty of criminal negligence on the asbestos file, says veteran anti-asbestos campaigner Kathleen Ruff. Read more…
New Quebec party promises to ban asbestos exports
The long-simmering debate about asbestos exports from Quebec to Third World countries took a new turn last week during the provincial election campaign. Read more…
Canadians' health divided by income: CMA
The health gap is widening between rich and poor Canadians, the Canadian Medical Association says. The CMA is meeting in Yellowknife to consider how to reduce that gap. Read more…
Patients inject support into BC doctor's battle against extra billing
VANCOUVER -- A B.C. doctor has fired the latest salvo in a battle over what the provincial government calls extra billing, but what he calls unacceptable delays for health care. Read more…
- Health and
- BC Politics
Epidemiologists denounce asbestos trade
Ban all asbestos mining, export and use.
That's the demand made in a statement issued today and endorsed by over 150 organizations around the world. Organized by the Joint Policy Committee of the Societies of Epidemiology, with an initial draft dated June 4, the statement has garnered endorsements from scientific organizations and individual researchers in 20 countries around the world by July 24. Read more…
BC AIDS doctors join international chorus targeting the 'war on drugs'
VANCOUVER -- Two prominent Canadian doctors have joined an international campaign calling on world leaders to stop the spread of AIDS by ending the so called war on drugs. Read more…
Audit all private clinics in BC urges public health care advocate
A provincial government audit that found illegal billing practices at two B.C. private clinics is reason to examine the books at every private clinic in the province, says a public health advocacy group. Read more…
Provincial tracking system puts vulnerable children at risk, says watchdog
The province's new computerized system for keeping track of children and their families could put vulnerable minors under the government's care in harm's way, says the province's children and youth watchdog. Read more…
BC health clinic slapped for private billing vows to continue legal challenge
VANCOUVER - Several B.C. health clinics are continuing a legal fight to guarantee access to private care, in the face of a ruling this week that ordered two facilities to stop illegally billing patients. Read more…
- Health and
- BC Politics
Feds will appeal assisted-suicide ruling, justice minister says
VANCOUVER - The federal government will appeal a British Columbia Supreme Court ruling that struck down Canada's ban on assisted suicide, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said Friday. Read more…
