High alert in Canada for coronavirus coming from China

   Canada column for Sunday, Jan 25/20

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Health authorities are on high alert but say the risk of Canadians contracting the coronavirus illness from China remains low.

   There have been no confirmed Canadian cases but public health agencies say they would not be surprised if it makes it here.

   “The system is on alert, all the things are in place and we’re monitoring,” said Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health.

   Airports in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal with direct flights from China are screening passengers.

   The death toll rose to 41 Saturday with 1,300 people infected in China where the virus was traced to a seafood market in Wuhan.

   The virus is in the same family as the common cold but also caused the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak 17 years ago.

   That led to 774 deaths worldwide, including 44 in Canada, but “we are much better prepared now,” Williams said.

Canada giving emergency aid of $25,000 for Canadian victims of Iranian jet shot down

   Canada column for Sunday, Jan 19/20

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The Canadian government is providing emergency compensation of $25,000 to each family of Canada’s victims of the Ukrainian passenger jet shot down over Iran.

   Regardless of whether Iran will offer compensation, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the humanitarian offer for the 57 Canadian citizens and 29 permanent residents killed in the crash.

   Trudeau said the families have told him they are facing big costs for travel and funerals.

   “Obviously this is immediate assistance for a range of needs that they might have,” Trudeau said.

   The money will be distributed “in the coming days” and they would not be required to pay back the government.

   “It is not the compensation that we expect will come, and should come, from Iran in due course,” Trudeau said.

   Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne made a request for compensation in a meeting Friday with his Iranian counterpart, Javad Zarif, in Oman.

Canada "wants justice, answers" as 63 Canadians among victims in Iranian jet crash

   Canada column for Sunday, Jan 12/20

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Dozens of Canada’s gifted researchers, university students, medical and engineering professionals and families were among 63 of the 176 victims of the Iranian jet crash near Tehran.

   Anger is growing across Canada as memorials are held to honor those killed in what is now confirmed to have been an act of war – the use of a missile to bring down the plane – a claim originally denied in Iran.

   On the plane were 138 passengers planning to connect to a flight to Canada.

   “We want justice,” mourners yelled as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid flowers at a makeshift memorial in Ottawa.

   “This is a national tragedy and all Canadians are mourning together,” he said.

   Canada, which severed its diplomatic ties with Iran in 2012 and expelled Iranian diplomats, has sent its officials and members of the Transportation Safety Board to Tehran seeking answers.

   It is not known, however, if they will be allowed near the crash site or to inspect the debris.

   “Our focus remains closure, accountability, transparency and justice for the families and loved ones of the victims,” Trudeau said.

Snowbirds upset over Ontario government ending out-of-country health insurance

   Canada column for Sunday, Jan 5/20

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canadian “snowbirds” are in a flap over the decision by the Ontario government to end out-of-country health insurance coverage.

   The Canadian Snowbird Association has filed a legal challenge against the changes that came into effect on Jan. 1.

   The group said the government’s cost-saving move violates terms of the Canada Health Act that “protect the right to out-of-country emergency medical care.”

   Used to “free” health and hospital care at home, the now-ended program covered out-of-country inpatient services up to $400 a day for higher level of care and $50 daily for emergency outpatient and doctor services.

   Health Minister Christine Elliott said the program was costly and did not provide value to taxpayers.

   “With this limited coverage and low reimbursement rate, eligible Ontarians who do not purchase private travel health insurance can be left with catastrophically large bills to pay,” her office said.

   The province spent $2.8 million to administer $9 million in claim payments through the program every year.