MPs Push for Accountability

A group of four Conservative Members of Parliament is calling for an urgent investigation into Canada’s Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP), raising concerns over excessive administrative costs and inadequate support for Canadians who suffered serious vaccine-related injuries. The request, made in a letter addressed to the House of Commons Health Committee chair, highlights what the MPs describe as “blatant misuse of tax dollars.”

The MPs—Dan Mazier, Helena Konanz, Dr. Matt Strauss, and Burton Bailey—urge the committee to convene an emergency hearing. Their appeal comes after months of reports revealing widespread inefficiencies in VISP’s operations. Liberal MP Hedy Fry, chair of the committee, has not responded publicly to the request.

Program Origins and Growing Complaints

VISP was launched in 2020 during the pandemic to provide financial assistance to individuals seriously and permanently injured by vaccines. In 2021, the Public Health Agency of Canada outsourced its administration to a consulting firm, now known as Oxaro Inc. Since then, complaints from claimants have mounted, ranging from long delays to limited communication from case managers.

Initial forecasts estimated only 40 claims annually, but over 3,300 applications have been filed to date. More than half of those applicants are still awaiting decisions.

Spending Under Scrutiny

Recent updates show Oxaro has received $54.1 million in federal funding. Of that, $36.3 million has gone toward administration, while only $18.1 million has been paid to injured Canadians. Health Canada says it continues to assess VISP’s performance and effectiveness.

Oxaro defended its record in past statements, saying it had to scale up operations quickly in response to the unexpected volume of claims. However, internal documents and former employee testimonies raise concerns about inadequate planning and workplace culture.

Health Advocates Call for Overhaul

Darryl Bedford, president of the GBS-CIDP Foundation of Canada, says his organization has lost confidence in VISP. He’s calling for a full review and overhaul, citing slow processing times and a lack of clear communication with claimants.

Bedford said some patients developed serious neurological issues, like Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), after receiving COVID-19 vaccines—cases that require urgent financial and medical support.

Contracting Questions Emerge

Critics have also questioned the decision to award VISP’s administration to Oxaro, previously a consulting arm of Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton. Competing bidders, including well-established health benefits managers like Green Shield Canada, were passed over.

Oxaro’s prior experience included only a small-scale insurance claim project that ended due to the insurer’s insolvency. Despite this, a six-person federal panel unanimously awarded the contract to Oxaro.

Government Response and Next Steps

Health Canada confirmed that the five-year agreement with Oxaro is under review, and a compliance audit is underway. The agency says it is focused on identifying shortfalls and improving service delivery for those affected.

The future of VISP remains uncertain as pressure mounts for greater transparency, faster claim resolutions, and a more effective support system for vaccine-injured Canadians.

For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire. 

The post  Tory MPs Demand Probe Into Vaccine Injury Program Spending first appeared on Maple News Wire.

Researchers Monitor Measles in Alberta Wastewater

In response to Alberta’s escalating measles outbreaks, scientists have begun analyzing the province’s wastewater for traces of the virus—hoping to use it as an early warning system.

Detection Linked to COVID-Era Surveillance Network

Starting in April 2024, a team of researchers from the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary adapted existing COVID-19 wastewater testing infrastructure to include measles detection. Using samples from 12 municipal wastewater treatment sites, they identified signs of measles virus activity—confirming the virus has been circulating for several months.

Rising Infections Fuel Public Health Concern

As of mid-July, over 1,300 measles cases have been reported since the outbreak began in March. Scientists believe the real number may be higher, citing underreporting in affected areas. According to health experts, most of the infections are in unvaccinated individuals, with more than 100 people hospitalized so far.

Potential for Early Outbreak Detection

Dr. Xiaoli Pang, a key developer of Alberta’s COVID-19 wastewater monitoring system, also created the test now used for measles. She believes the incubation period of up to two weeks may allow health officials to detect virus trends before clinical cases surge—just as they did with SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic.

Limitations and Need for Continued Investment

Although promising, the researchers emphasize that wastewater surveillance should be used as a complementary tool, not a standalone solution. Current limitations include weekly—not daily—testing and a lack of real-time data. With waning funding post-pandemic, researchers stress the need for renewed investment to support broader and more frequent testing.

Government Reviewing Early Findings

Preliminary data has been shared with Alberta’s public health authorities. The provincial government acknowledged it is reviewing the information to determine its role in ongoing outbreak management.

Future of Wastewater Surveillance

Experts say wastewater monitoring could help identify emerging pathogens in the future, potentially detecting outbreaks before they spread widely. As concerns grow over infectious disease threats, researchers advocate for its integration into Canada’s long-term public health strategy.

“Wastewater is a powerful tool. We can’t afford to lose it,” said Dr. Pang.

For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire. 

The post  Wastewater Testing Could Help Track Alberta’s Measles Surge first appeared on Maple News Wire.

Obesity Levels Reach New High Across Canada

More than one-third of Canadian adults were classified as obese in 2023, with researchers citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a major accelerant of the ongoing trend. The findings, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, show 32.7% of Canadians—roughly 10.6 million people—now live with obesity, marking an eight-point increase since 2009.

Pandemic’s Impact on Eating Habits and Health

Lead author Laura Anderson, a professor at McMaster University, said the pandemic significantly disrupted daily life, particularly in terms of eating behaviours and access to healthy food. Lockdowns and limited mobility compounded the problem, with rates of obesity increasing twice as fast during the pandemic as they did in prior years.

Long-Term Health Implications

Obesity increases the risk of chronic illnesses including stroke, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Internal medicine specialist Dr. Sean Wharton, not affiliated with the study, suggested that isolation and depression likely contributed to the sharp rise. “Once the weight is gained, it’s difficult to lose,” he noted.

Younger Adults and Women Hit Hardest

The largest increase was seen in adults aged 18 to 39, with the number of severely obese women—defined by a BMI of 40 or more—rising significantly. Researchers suggest caregiving burdens and elevated stress may have disproportionately affected women during pandemic lockdowns.

Toronto resident Angela Martin, a nurse and mother, shared her own experience: “Looking back, I was so not fine,” she said. Between a breakup and demanding work, Martin says she gained significant weight in 2020.

Surge in Severe Obesity Raises Alarm

While general obesity rose steadily, severe obesity nearly doubled from 2.4% in 2009 to nearly 5% in 2023. Experts warn this could lead to increased cases of osteoarthritis, heart disease, and metabolic disorders. Alarmingly, five to ten percent of severely obese individuals were found to have three or more chronic health conditions.

Weight-Loss Drugs May Shift the Trend

The study analyzed data up to 2023, before widespread access to new weight-loss drugs like Wegovy. While these medications may influence future trends, their impact wasn’t captured in this dataset. Researchers plan to assess this in future studies once more data becomes available.

For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire.

The post Obesity in Canada Spikes Post-Pandemic, Study Finds first appeared on Maple News Wire.

Flu Season Proves Deadlier Than COVID in Nova Scotia

For the first time since the onset of the pandemic, Nova Scotia is witnessing more deaths from influenza than from COVID-19. According to the province’s Respiratory Watch Report, 124 people have died from the flu so far in the 2024–25 respiratory season, which began on August 25, 2024. In contrast, COVID-19 has accounted for 108 deaths in the same period.

Doctors Warn: Two Viruses Still Pose Serious Risk

Health experts say the development is no cause for relief. Dr. Lisa Barrett, an infectious disease specialist, emphasized that both viruses continue to strain the healthcare system. “Now we’ve got two viruses — not just one — that are still in the really important category for hospitalizations, bad lungs and deaths,” said Barrett. She described this flu season as one of the worst globally in the past decade.

COVID Becomes Endemic as Flu Resurges

Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, said the numbers reflect a natural transition. “Pandemics don’t last forever. This is what we’d expect as we return to more of a normal respiratory virus season,” he said. COVID-19, now classified as endemic, has opened space for other viruses like influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) to circulate more prominently.

Public Urged to Maintain Vigilance and Hygiene

Strang reminded the public that while fear of COVID-19 has decreased, respect for all respiratory viruses must remain high. “We need to take seriously all respiratory viruses,” he urged, recommending continued hand hygiene, appropriate mask use, staying home when sick, and most importantly, vaccination.

Vaccination Rates Falling Despite Proven Protection

Despite calls from health authorities, vaccine uptake remains lower than expected. Just 29% of Nova Scotians have received their flu shots this season, and only 18% have been vaccinated against COVID-19. “These vaccines are very effective against preventing severe illness and death,” said Strang. “That’s what we should be focusing on.”

New Steps Ahead: Expanded RSV Vaccine Access

In a proactive move, Nova Scotia will expand RSV vaccine eligibility this fall. The updated policy will include all residents aged 75 and above, regardless of their living arrangements. Health officials hope this expansion, coupled with renewed public health messaging, will curb the impact of seasonal respiratory viruses heading into the colder months.

For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire.

The post Flu Deaths in Nova Scotia Now Surpass COVID-19 Toll first appeared on Maple News Wire.

COVID-19 Vaccine Still Safe and Strongly Recommended During Pregnancy, Canadian Experts Say

As misinformation about vaccines continues to swirl, Canada’s top gynecologists are stepping up with a clear message: COVID-19 vaccination remains safe and strongly recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals.

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) reaffirmed its guidance this week, emphasizing the importance of the vaccine in preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and pregnancy-related complications linked to the virus.

Why Pregnant Women Need the COVID-19 Vaccine

Dr. Darine El-Chaar, maternal fetal medicine specialist at The Ottawa Hospital and spokesperson for the SOGC, stated that pregnant people face higher risks from COVID-19. Infection during pregnancy can lead to serious outcomes like:

• Increased need for hospitalization and ICU care
• Higher risk of preterm birth
• Complications that endanger both parent and baby

“The vaccine not only protects the mother,” Dr. El-Chaar noted, “but also provides passive immunity to the baby.”

No Evidence Behind U.S. Vaccine Shift

The SOGC’s statement comes in response to recent comments from U.S. presidential candidate and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who falsely claimed that the COVID-19 vaccine is no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women in the U.S.

“There’s no scientific basis for that decision,” said Dr. El-Chaar. “There have been no clinical trials or studies showing adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant populations or newborns that would warrant such a move.”

Fighting Misinformation With Science

In what it calls an “age of growing misinformation and disinformation,” the SOGC is urging Canadians to trust evidence-based science and clinical expertise, not social media rumors or unfounded claims.

Pregnant individuals who haven’t had a COVID-19 shot in over six months are especially encouraged to get vaccinated or receive a booster dose. “I always say, ‘One vaccine, two lives,’” said El-Chaar. “You’re protecting both the mom and the baby.”

Takeaway: Trust the Experts, Protect Two Lives

While vaccine misinformation continues to spread, Canadian health leaders are standing firm: COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and essential for pregnant women. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re unsure, but don’t delay—vaccination could be a lifesaving step for both you and your child.

The post According to Canadian doctors, pregnant women should definitely get the COVID-19 vaccine. first appeared on Maple News Wire.