Canada removes ban on blood donations from gay men
Prospective donors will not be asked about their sexual orientation during the screening process but instead about whether they engage in any higher-risk sexual behavior.
Canada
Quebec became the first jurisdiction in the world to explicitly ban oil and gas development in its territory
For two decades, citizens have mobilized against different oil and gas projects in Quebec, including shale gas in the St. Lawrence Valley and oil projects in Gaspésie.
Toronto releases first-ever Reconciliation Action Plan to repair relationship with Indigenous Peoples
The plan’s 28 goals are spread through five themes, including restoring truth, sharing power, financial reparations, and actions for the Indigenous Affairs Office.
British Columbia ties highest in Canada minimum wage increases to inflation
British Columbia’s minimum wage is the highest among the provinces in Canada, and it is about to go even higher.
Ashley Callingbull becomes first Indigenous woman in iconic Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition
The Enoch Cree woman said that being featured as a proud, independent Indigenous woman in such a well-known magazine is a way to highlight a population that often is ignored or silenced.
Nigerian mom designs solar-powered cribs that put an end to baby jaundice disease
The Crib A’Glow can now be found in 500 hospitals across Nigeria and neighboring Ghana. It has already been used on 300,000 babies.
British Columbia doctors can now prescribe a year-long pass to Canada’s national parks
Parks Canada says it’s backing a nature prescription program so doctors and nurses can prescribe a Parks Canada Discovery Pass to patients suffering mental and physical health problems.
Toronto’s first-ever mental health crisis response teams to launch in March
The teams will dispatch nurses and mental health support workers instead of police officers to respond to 911 calls about people in crisis.
Canada pledges billions of dollars to compensate Indigenous children
$15.75 billion USD will be allotted to Indigenous children who were unfairly placed in the welfare system, faced delays in accessing services, or did not receive them at all.
Psychedelics approved for medical use in Canada
Health Canada’s change to federal regulations makes restricted drugs psilocybin and MDMA more realistic alternatives to patients suffering life-threatening mental illnesses.