Indian-Origin Man Dies After 8-Hour Emergency Room Wait in Canada

A 44-year-old Indian-origin man, Prashant Sreekumar, tragically died after waiting over eight hours in a Canadian emergency room.

He was rushed to Grey Nuns Community Hospital in Edmonton on December 22, 2025, complaining of severe chest pain at work.

Family Speaks About Ordeal

Prashant’s wife, Niharika Sreekumar, recounted the harrowing experience in a viral video.

She said her husband waited in the emergency room from 12:20 pm to 8:50 pm, suffering sharp chest pain throughout.

Hospital staff, she claimed, did not treat his condition as urgent.

Severe Symptoms Ignored

Prashant reportedly told staff his pain was a “15 out of 10.”

Doctors performed an ECG, but told the family it showed no serious problem.

He was only given Tylenol and asked to wait. During this time, his blood pressure rose dangerously.

Collapse and Death

After eight hours, Prashant was finally called into the treatment area.

He collapsed after standing briefly and could not be revived despite resuscitation attempts. Officials cited cardiac arrest as the cause of death.

Hospital Response

The hospital, run by Covenant Health, said it cannot disclose patient care details due to privacy regulations.

The case is now under review by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Family Left Grieving

Prashant leaves behind his wife and three children, aged three, 10, and 14.

His family urges authorities to investigate the hospital procedures and improve emergency care protocols.

Toronto — Police are actively investigating a woman accused of repeatedly vandalizing TTC stations with anti-Indian messages over several months. The incidents have alarmed commuters and local communities.

Graffiti Reported Across Multiple Stations

Authorities say the suspect has defaced walls, pillars, and transit property at several subway stations. The messages reportedly carried discriminatory and offensive content. Commuters first noticed the graffiti in mid-2025, and reports have steadily increased since then.

Toronto Police released a photo of the woman and asked residents to come forward with any information. “We take bias-motivated vandalism very seriously,” a spokesperson said. They emphasized that public safety and respect for all communities remain a top priority.

Investigation Ongoing

Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from affected stations and gathering witness statements. Meanwhile, transit staff are working quickly to remove the graffiti. Officials said they have increased patrols in high-risk areas to prevent further incidents.

The police urged anyone with information about the suspect to contact them immediately. “Community cooperation is crucial,” they noted. They also reminded residents that reporting suspicious activity can help stop bias-motivated crimes before they escalate.

Community Reaction

Local organizations expressed concern over the repeated incidents, highlighting the impact on Toronto’s diverse communities. Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant and report any similar acts.

The TTC confirmed that cleaning crews are removing graffiti as soon as it is discovered. Additionally, authorities plan to increase awareness campaigns to discourage hate-motivated vandalism.

Toronto Police continue to treat the investigation as ongoing. They hope that, with public support, they can identify the suspect and prevent future incidents.

Person Fatally Shot Near University of Toronto Scarborough Campus

Scarborough, Ont. — A person has died following a shooting near the University of Toronto Scarborough campus.
Toronto police confirmed the incident happened Tuesday afternoon in the Highland Creek Valley area.

Emergency crews responded shortly after 3:30 p.m.
Police received reports of a person suffering from serious gunshot injuries on a wooded trail.

Paramedics arrived quickly but pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Police have not released the victim’s identity or age at this time.

Police Investigation Underway

Toronto Police Service confirmed the Homicide Squad is leading the investigation.
Officers secured the area and closed nearby trails while collecting evidence.

Investigators are working to determine what led to the shooting.
They have not confirmed any suspect details or possible motive.

Police say they are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby areas.
They are also speaking with witnesses who were in the area at the time.

Campus Issues Emergency Alert

The University of Toronto issued a critical alert shortly after the shooting.
Students and staff received instructions to shelter in place.

Those outdoors near the area were advised to leave immediately.
The alert aimed to ensure safety while police assessed the situation.

Several hours later, police lifted the shelter-in-place order.
University officials confirmed there was no ongoing threat to campus safety.

Police Say No Active Threat

Police stated they do not believe there is an active shooter.
They emphasized that public safety remains their top priority.

Officials confirmed the victim appears to be an adult.
They added that next of kin notification is still pending.

Authorities urged the public to avoid the Highland Creek Valley area.
The area remains part of an active crime scene.

Community Reaction and Next Steps

The incident has deeply affected students and staff at UTSC.
Many expressed concern about safety near campus trails.

University officials said they will continue supporting the campus community.
Additional security measures may be reviewed if needed.

Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Investigators say even small details could help the case.

Updates will be shared as the investigation continues.

Ontario Considers Longer Teacher Practicum and Shorter College Programs

Ontario — The provincial government is reviewing changes to how new teachers receive training.
Officials want to strengthen classroom experience while reducing time spent in formal coursework.

The proposal comes as Ontario faces ongoing teacher shortages.
Shortages affect French immersion, technology, and specialized subject areas.

Education leaders believe practical experience can better prepare new teachers.
They say classroom exposure improves confidence and long-term retention.

Why the Province Is Reviewing Teacher Education

Ontario currently requires teacher candidates to complete a two-year education program.
The program includes academic coursework and limited practicum placements.

Research suggests extended practicum periods improve teaching readiness.
New teachers with longer placements report stronger classroom skills.

Ontario’s practicum length remains shorter than several other provinces.
Some provinces require more than twenty weeks of supervised classroom teaching.

Officials believe increasing practicum time could improve outcomes.
They also hope it will reduce early career burnout.

What the Proposed Changes Could Include

Under the review, Ontario may shorten the academic portion of teacher training.
At the same time, candidates could spend more time teaching in schools.

Education officials say real classroom experience matters most.
They want graduates ready to manage classrooms from day one.

School boards support stronger practicum requirements.
They say new teachers often need more practical exposure.

Concerns From Educators and Institutions

Some educators worry shorter coursework could reduce theoretical learning.
They stress the importance of child development and inclusive education studies.

Teacher colleges may need curriculum adjustments.
Universities say they will need time to adapt programs.

Officials have not announced a timeline.
They continue consulting with unions and education partners.

Addressing Teacher Shortages

Ontario faces rising demand for qualified educators.
Population growth and retirements increase staffing pressure.

Officials hope training reforms will attract new candidates.
They also aim to keep teachers in classrooms longer.

The province says any changes will protect education quality.
Public feedback will shape final decisions.

Some Alcohol Prices in Ontario Could Rise in the New Year

Ontario — Some alcohol prices in Ontario may increase in 2026 as changes to the province’s alcohol system take effect.
Industry groups warn that pricing shifts could affect consumers across the province.

Ontario recently expanded alcohol sales to more locations.
Beer, wine, and ready-to-drink beverages are now available in convenience and grocery stores.

The move aims to modernize alcohol sales and improve access.
However, it has also changed how retailers purchase alcohol.

Temporary Wholesale Discount Set to End

To support businesses during the transition, the province increased the wholesale discount on alcohol.
Bars, restaurants, and convenience stores received a 15 percent discount from the LCBO.

This temporary discount expires on December 31, 2025.
After that, the discount will drop back to 10 percent.

Industry leaders say this change could raise operating costs.
Many businesses may pass those costs on to customers.

Restaurants and small retailers already face tight margins.
As a result, price increases may become unavoidable.

New Pricing Model Planned for 2026

Ontario also plans to introduce a new wholesale pricing structure.
The model would apply taxes and markups earlier in the supply chain.

Retail groups raised concerns about higher shelf prices.
They asked the government to slow the rollout.

The province delayed implementation until April 2026.
Officials say the pause allows more consultation with industry stakeholders.

Some experts hope revisions will reduce consumer impact.
Others remain cautious about long-term price effects.

Recycling System Changes May Add Pressure

Changes to Ontario’s alcohol container recycling system could also affect prices.
Grocery stores were expected to accept empty alcohol containers.

Instead, the province kept recycling responsibilities with The Beer Store.
Grocers may now face additional handling and logistics costs.

Retailers could pass those expenses to shoppers.
This may further increase prices for beer, wine, and coolers.

What Consumers Should Expect

Not all alcohol prices will rise.
Some products may remain stable or vary by retailer.

Still, industry groups warn of gradual increases in 2026.
Consumers may notice higher prices at bars, restaurants, and convenience stores.

Ontario residents are encouraged to stay informed.
Pricing changes will continue as the new system evolves.

Parole Board Denies Release to Convicted Terrorist Citing No De-radicalization

Canada — The Parole Board of Canada has denied parole to a man convicted of terrorism offences.
Said Namouh, now in his early fifties, will remain behind bars after the board raised serious safety concerns.

Namouh received a life sentence in 2010 for supporting an Al-Qaeda-linked extremist media network.
Authorities convicted him under Canada’s Anti-Terrorism Act for promoting violent ideology and planning attacks.

The board reviewed his parole request earlier this month.
After assessment, members ruled that releasing him would pose an unacceptable public risk.

Board Cites No Signs of De-radicalization

In its ruling, the board stated that “no signs of de-radicalization have been observed.”
Members said Namouh failed to show meaningful change in beliefs or behaviour.

Although Namouh claimed he no longer supports extremist violence, officials found no supporting evidence.
The board also noted limited participation in rehabilitation and risk-assessment programs.

Correctional staff reported rule violations during his incarceration.
These included unauthorized materials and non-compliance with institutional requirements.

As a result, the board concluded he remains a significant threat to public safety.

Background of the Conviction

Namouh arrived in Canada in the early 2000s and settled in Quebec.
Authorities later linked him to the Global Islamic Media Front, an extremist propaganda group.

Investigators said he helped distribute violent content and supported terrorist operations.
Police arrested him in 2007 following a national security investigation.

His 2010 conviction marked one of Canada’s early terrorism prosecutions.

Deportation Expected After Release

Namouh faces deportation upon eventual release because he is not a Canadian citizen.
The Canada Border Services Agency holds a removal order against him.

However, deportation may not occur immediately after release.
Legal reviews could delay removal if he claims risk in his home country.

Until then, authorities say public safety remains their priority.

Public Safety Remains Central Concern

The Parole Board emphasized protection of the public in its decision.
Officials said parole requires clear proof of rehabilitation.

In this case, the board found none.
Namouh may apply again in the future, but conditions remain strict.

The ruling highlights Canada’s firm stance on terrorism-related offences.
It also reinforces the importance of genuine de-radicalization before any release.