Landmark Smoking Class Action Lawsuit Pending Approval

THE MEDICAL RECORD: ONTARIO PROPOSES EMPOWERING NURSE PRACTITIONERS TO LEAD MEDICAL CARE IN LTC FACILITIES Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal Medicine and Critical Care Physician at Humber River Hospital. Ontario's new long-term care bill proposal would allow nurse practitioners to oversee residents' medical care, replacing physician medical directors. The bill also mandates dementia care programs and addresses abuse. Funding for adult day programs, and two innovative pilot projects focusing on emotional care and home-based services is also included. CANADA’S TOBACCO GIANTS PIVOT TO WELLNESS PRODUCTS AMID LANDMARK $32.5B SETTLEMENT Libby is joined by Cynthia Callard, executive director of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada and Rob Cunningham, Senior Policy Analyst at the Canadian Cancer Society. Canada’s top tobacco companies may face a landmark class-action settlement to cover healthcare costs, damages to smokers, and fund research. Smoking rates have dropped from 27% to 12% in the past 25 years, with teen smoking falling to just 2%. Some provinces are considering age-based sales bans. FORD'S LEGISLATION TO DISMANTLE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS DELAYED UNTIL NEXT YEAR Libby is joined by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown. Ontario has proposed legislation to allow the removal of homeless encampments and expand police powers on public drug use, following requests from 12 city mayors. However, the bill won't be debated or passed until early next year.