By Canadian Press

In the news today: continuing fallout from labour dispute at B.C. ports

Jul 20, 2023 | 2:18 AM

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed on what you need to know today…

B.C. ports in limbo as union removes strike notice…

The fallout from the labour dispute at British Columbia ports continues to unfold, as the union representing about 7,400 workers abruptly rescinded a strike notice hours after issuing it.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stepped up action in the federal response to B.C. ports potentially shutting down again in the dispute between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada and the BC Maritime Employers Association, convening an incident response group typically gathered at times of “national crisis” or events with major implications for Canada.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office says Trudeau spoke with B.C. Premier David Eby about the labour dispute and agreed on the need to “ensure the stability” of national supply chains.

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The strike originally started on July 1 and ran for 13 days, shutting down or severely disrupting operations at the more than 30 B.C. port terminals and other sites where ILWU members work — including Vancouver, the country’s largest port.

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Here’s what else we’re watching …

Wildfire-scarred Métis settlement wants new road

A Métis settlement in northern Alberta is asking for a second road out the community two months after a devastating wildfire.

There is only one way in and out of the East Prairie Métis Settlement, and chair Raymond Supernault says if a fire starts in the north end of the settlement, it would block the only road and trap the community.

The 40-kilometre range road on the north end of the community connects with Highway 2 about 360 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.

He says the settlement has been asking for a second road for more than 20 years, but the Alberta government hasn’t taken any action.

Managing asthma in bad air quality

The death of a nine-year-old boy in B-C whose asthma was exacerbated by wildfire smoke is a horrific example of how dangerous poor air quality can be for people suffering from underlying respiratory and cardiac conditions, experts say. 

Dr. Anne Hicks, clinical lead of the children’s environmental health clinic at the University of Alberta says there is a definite increase in asthma exacerbations when wildfire smoke pollutes the air.

She recommends people use Environment Canada’s online Air Quality Health Index to check the level of pollution in their communities, stay inside a cool space and use an air purifier if the air quality is bad, and wear a mask when you do have to go outside.

Inmates in N.S. jail say lockdowns violate rights

Inmates at a Halifax-area jail say their rights have been violated by months-long rolling lockdowns, as correctional officers refuse work because of dangerous conditions in the provincial detention centre.

A series of complaints recently brought before the Nova Scotia Supreme Court tell a similar story: inmates locked in their cells for extended periods, sometimes 23 hours a day, because of staff shortages at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility.

The details are included in complaints known as habeas corpus applications, in which a judge assesses the conditions of a person’s confinement to determine whether a detainee’s Charter rights have been violated.

At least eight complaints have been made since April.

Ontario municipalities face ambulance pressures

Several Ontario municipalities say their paramedic services are under immense pressure, with worrying stretches of times during which no ambulances are available to respond to calls – but the province doesn’t track the problem.

The government does have data on the hours paramedics spend waiting in emergency rooms to transfer patients to the care of a hospital, which are often a key factor in ambulance availability, but won’t disclose it. 

Some emergency officials and community leaders say more needs to be done to help paramedic services, but the lack of publicly available provincial information makes it hard to assess the scope of the problem. 

Toronto’s Laysla De Oliveira honours parents with new role

Toronto-born Laysla De Oliveira says her grit and determination comes from the sacrifices of her immigrant parents.

She channels those qualities in her new role as a U.S. Marine Raider in “Special Ops: Lioness” — a new spy thriller series on Paramount Plus. 

Inspired by a real-life U.S. military program, De Oliveira plays Cruz Manuelos, who is recruited to the Lioness team to infiltrate and take down a terrorist group by befriending the daughter of a man linked to the organization.

The series, which premieres on Sunday, is stacked with Hollywood A-listers, including Zoe Saldana, Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman. 

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 20, 2023.

The Canadian Press