First NewsWatch – CP

Source: The Canadian Press – Broadcast wire
Apr 20, 2017 

(Ontario-Opioid-Deaths)

Researchers in Ontario say more than two people die each day of opioid overdoses in the province.

A report published today by the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network says the province’s rate of opioid-related deaths has almost quadrupled over the last 25 years — from 144 in 1991, to 734 deaths in 2015.

Lead author Tara (TAR’-ah) Gomes at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital says annual opioid-related deaths in Ontario now exceed the number of people killed in motor vehicle accidents.(1)

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(Postmedia)

Unionized employees at two B-C newspapers have voted 82 per cent in favour of an agreement their union reached Sunday to save some jobs targeted for layoff.

Postmedia announced last month plans to lay off 54 employees at the Vancouver Sun and the Province.

Unifor Local 2000 says Wednesday’s favourable vote by members means the deal will save 21 of the 54 jobs slated for layoff, and 20 more employees will be able to leave voluntarily through a staff reduction plan.(1)

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(Rights-Commission-Children)

The Canadian Human Rights Commission is urging Ottawa to pay more attention to the rights of children.

In its annual report to Parliament, the commission says children are being left behind when it comes to basic rights of dignity, safety, education and family.

The report looked at issues such as child welfare services on First Nations reserves, and the rights of transgender children and children with disabilities.

Chief commissioner Marie-Claude Landry said fair treatment and equal opportunities for all children to thrive is key.

She says how children are treated today will help determine how they will treat others tomorrow.(1)

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(Alta-Schools-Immunization)

Alberta’s health minister doesn’t agree with the Edmonton Catholic School board’s motion to make vaccinations mandatory in Alberta schools.

Sarah Hoffman says there has to be some exceptions, noting some children can’t have vaccinations for a variety of medical reasons.

But she says immunizations are crucial in dealing with such things as the recent mumps outbreak in Alberta.

Students in Ontario and New Brunswick are required to be immunized for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella — though there are some exemptions.(1)

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(US-Pence-Indonesia)

U-S Vice President Mike Pence praised Indonesia’s democracy and moderate form of Islam after meeting Thursday with the president of the world’s most populous Muslim nation.

The comments had significance for Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who yesterday suffered a setback when a political ally was defeated by Islamic conservatives in the election for Jakarta governor. (1)

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(US-TV-Fox-O’Reilly)

In the wake of his firing, former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly maintains that sexual-harassment claims against him were not true and calls his dismissal “tremendously disheartening.”

The network’s most popular personality was fired Wednesday in the wake of a New York Times report that said five women had been paid 13-million dollars in settlements after alleging sexual harassment and mistreatment.

In a statement later, O’Reilly thanked his viewers and says he is proud of his 20 years at Fox.(1)

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(NewsWatch by Karen Rebot)

(The Canadian Press)

INDEX: NATIONAL