CTVN - Thursday, May 23, 2024 - 12:00 a.m. (ET) - Segment #30

>>> A group of U.S. senators is urging prime minister justin trudeau to live up to canada's commitments of spending 2% of its gdp on defence. The letter was signed by 23 bipartisan lawmakers. It comes about two months before nato's next annual summit in washington, which will mark the alliance's 75th anniversary. The senators, including republicans mitt romney and ted cruz, say if canada falls short of its commitments, it will be hurting nato. >>> A major medical breakthrough to tell you about out of ontario. For the first time ever, researchers are using artificial intelligence to help identify rare genetic disorders in children. For more on this, let's bring in ctv's renee rodgers. Tell us a little bit more about how this is working. >> Reporter: hi, roger. It's believed to be a world first. Researchers at children's hospital of eastern ontario, often referred to as cheo, are essentially harnessing the power of ai to help identify children who may have an undiagnosed genetic disease. And there are approximately 6,000 of these rare genetic diseases, and some people go years without being diagnosed. There are some who are never diagnosed. But now researchers at cheo have developed an algorithm called "think rare". What it does is it essentially scours electronic medical references at the hospital based on a set of criteria, and from there it will flag any child who could potentially have an undiagnosed genetic disease. That child is then referred for re genetic testing. One of these children is a 10-year-old boy. He was flagged and subsequently diagnosed with a rare disorder called chung jansen syndrome in february. That's after he spent his entire life in and out of hospital. He had approximately 100 out-patient appointments, 30 visits to the emergency room for various medical issues. Never got a diagnosis until now. One senior scientist on this team says this new advancement has been a long-time coming. >> It's something we've heard from the rare disease community for the past 20 years. Really about their long diagnostic odyssey and how is it that they can come to an accurate diagnosis much faster. Often it can take seven to ten years, sometimes longer. And is there a way we can do this in a much more efficient fashion. >> Reporter: so as you heard there, roger, this really has the potential to be a game-changer for anyone in the rare disease community. >> Roger: does this mean faster treatment? >> Reporter: that's exactly what it means, roger. It's essentially wanting to flip everything on its head, essentially. So a lot of times the diagnosis comes a lot later on in the medical journey. This, though, would diagnose patients faster and then get them on the path they need towards a treatment. And something that's really interesting is this could soon be in use in other pediatric hospitals right across canada and potentially even across the world. And that is because this research team has no plans to monetize this. In fact, they want to give it away for free to other hospitals to help diagnose people who have a rare disease earlier and get them on that path to treatment, roger. >> Roger: a true canadian response. Thanks for that. >> Reporter: you're welcome. >> Roger: renee rodgers there.

>>> Six ontario school boards are cracking down on vaping with a new pilot program. They're rolling it out across the province later this fall. >> Reporter: vaping among youth has increased rapidly across the nation, hitting school boards here at home. >> I was an elementary school principal for 20 years. I had experienced vaping as young as grade five. >> Reporter: to help with children facing addiction, the school board will be joining other boards piloting new programming. Known as quash, the pilot will give students access to an app. >> The app basically guides them through wanting to quit. >> Reporter: school boards began training staff on how to roll out quash last week. A component itself of the province's mandate to banning vaping in schools announced last month. That came alongside restrictions on when students can utilize their cellphones, leaving questions on how students can be expected to access the app. >> There's a ban in the classroom but only during instructional time. During the rest of the time you're there in school or when the student is at home or wherever they are, they will still be able to assess the app. >> Reporter: based on the most recent canadian tobacco and nicotine survey of canadian teens who vaped in the last month, 68% have never smoked. Quash's ceo says it works in two ways. One by the aforementioned app itself and through educational supports. >> It's a series of webinars, and they can also become an adult facilitator and take a program on our website that allows them to facilitate the quash program. >> Reporter: the simcoe county district school board declined to comment. The app will be rolled out in june, which will then be extended into the fall. Ctv news, barrie. >> Roger: a live look at the house of commons this hour. Waiting for question period to begin in just a few minutes. We'll pop back in when it does. (Your Morning theme)Tomorrow on Your Morning, Shingles and whatyou need to know. The cause, symptoms,and what you can do to preventthe painful condition. Start your morning in the know,Friday, only on ctv. -Ahh... this thing isn't getting any better... -And it won't get better on its own. -On top of that, it looks gross! -It's a nail fungus infection. -Really gross! -and it can spread to other people. It's contagious. -i think I need to see a doctor. -It's a good thing you came to see me. -It's an infection; you need a prescription. Ok. Nail fungus should be taken seriously. At the first signs, show it to your doctor or foot care practitioner and ask about prescription treatments that can be applied to the nail. (Keys jingling, click of light switch) Your boss' name is Heather And she made you have an awful day Let me sing all your problems away Get started for free on eharmony. Must be 18 or older to join. Get who gets you. eharmony. Arghhh!!! [woman sneezing] Don't let airborne allergens scare you. Aerius provides fast relief of your 15 worst allergy symptoms. So you can love the air again. Aerius. (Blowing) (Blowing) (Bright upbeat music) (Crunching) Hm-hmm. (Laughing) (Growling) (Cutlery clinking) McCain. Make it a fry day. Ego, the number one rated brand in cordless outdoor power brings you the select cut mower. Customize the cut with three interchangeable blades. It cuts for over an hour on a single charge. Find an ego retailer near you. Money is a thing. You're told to make money, invest money, save money. While others are encouraging you to spend your money. You might even be planning your money ...based on someone else's plan. Maybe it's time to do things...differently. And get obsessed over something other than money. Like building a path based on what's important to you. ( ) we understand money's a thing, but it's not everything. Edward Jones. We do money differently. (Dramatic music) I am Paul Atreides! Duke of Arrakis! Let me fight beside you. I'll show you the way.

>> Roger: hurricane forecasters in canada and the U.S. are both calling for a very busy atlantic hurricane season. >> Not only are we getting rid of that el nino that we had last year, but the water temperatures are at record values in the tropical atlantic right now. And that's why we're expecting very active hurricanes this year. >> Roger: they are predicting between 17 and 25 named stores, 8 to 13 will achieve hurricane status and 4 to 7 of them could potentially become major hurricanes. This is the busiest forecast in 25 years. >>> In central ontario, they're cleaning up and working on restoring power north of toronto after some big storms ripped through the region. We have some dramatic video showing what appears to be a possibly tornado or funnel cloud. >> It's right there. >> Roger: this viewer footage taken at about 9:30 last night. Residents describing the scene as surreal. A tornado warning had been issued by environment canada. No confirmation, though, that this was a tornado. The storm knocked out power to more than 8,000 customers. >>> In texas, a tornado ripped through the city of temple north of austin, causing widespread damage. A local emergency has been declared, people are being told to stay off the roads. Tens of thousands are without power. The winds were so powerful, vehicles were thrown around like toy cars. So far, no reports of any serious injuries.

>>> And a warning about our next story, the video may be difficult to watch. At least nine people, including a child, have died after a stage collapsed in mexico. [ Sirens ] >> Roger: it happened during an election rally for a presidential candidate. He was giving a speech when a strong gust of wind toppled the stage. More than 60 people were injured. Eye witnesses say a lighting structure was blown over by the wind. For now, he is suspending his campaign. >>> Police in kentucky releasing more details today about the arrest of top golfer scottie scheffler. Now, he was charged last week outside the pga championship tournament after an altercation with a police officer. Louisville's police chief says the officer, detective brian gillis, has been disciplined for failing to activate his bodycam. >> Detective gillis did have an encounter, as we know, with mr. Scottie scheffler. Detective gillis should have turned on his body-warn camera but did not. His failure to do so is a violation of the lmpd's policy on uniforms and equipment, subject category body-worn cameras. And he was suspended. >> Roger: scheffler is facing numerous charges on this. Let's go to question period now. >> Voice of Interpreter: can the government inform the bloc that the spending would have been adopted with the ndp regardless of how the bloc voted? [ Some Applause ] >> The Speaker: the honourable minister. >> Mr. Speaker, I find this question somewhat hypocritical because the conservative party is talking about homelessness, but in their program and plans this word doesn't even exist. I find it hypocritical of a party that voted in this house against all the measures that could have given homes to canadians. And I think that, mr. Speaker, the conservative party immediates to look at what the real intentions of the conservative party are with respect to the fight against homelessness. [ Some Applause ] >> The prime minister said all this money would fund programs. Generous programs. To eliminate homelessness. Since then, homelessness has risen by 38%, and 25% of canadians skip meals because they don't have enough money. It's not because with the support of the bloc the government is spending the money of canadians. Why is the bloc/liberal coalition forcing canadians to feed this obese government rather than allowing them to feed canadian families? [ Some Applause ] >> The Speaker: the honourable minister of economic development. >> Mr. Speaker, it's so hypocritical. This party voted against the school food program. So when we're talking about feeding canadians, let's start with children. And they're voting against it. When they say people are asking for money, we're giving them help. There's the child benefit. They're voting against it. Mr. Speaker, make up your mind. Do you want to help canadians or cut their services? [ Some Applause ] [ end of interpretation ] >> The Speaker: the honourable leader of the opposition. >> After nine years, this liberal/ndp prime minister is not worth the homelessness and hunger. He doubled the debt, increased taxes, and caused inflation. But said it was all to fund generous programs that would end homelessness. Well, homelessness is now up 38%. And a quarter of canadians are skipping meals because they can't afford them. That's because his greedy government is consuming everything canadians earn. Why is the ndp and liberals forcing canadians to feed this morbidly obese government instead of feeding their families? [ Some Applause ] >> The Speaker: the honourable president of the treasury board. >> Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from the conservatives. Every single time they vote against supports. $10 a day childcare, early

learning and childcare education. They're not supporting our measures to put food in school lunch boxes for 400,000 children, mr. Speaker. It's unbelievable that they on one hand say they support canadians and on the other hand vote against those supports every single time. [ Some Applause ] >> The Speaker: the honourable leader of the opposition. >> I'm grateful that the member points out that we have voted against every single policy that has caused homelessness to rise by 38%. We have voted against every single inflationary policy that has forced one-quarter of canadians to skip meals because they can't afford a meal on their table. Mr. Speaker, the government has doubled the debt, increased inflation, and blocked home building. Why is it that they force canadians to feed this morbidly obese government rather than feeding their family? [ Some Applause ] >> The Speaker: the honourable president of the treasury board. >> Mr. Speaker, our government is actually focussed on keeping inflation low -- (inaudible). At the same time, mr. Speaker, we have budget 2024. We have support for renters. We have support for affordable housing. We have a national food program on the table, mr. Speaker. And we will continue to support canadians with dental, with early childcare education. All the while the conservatives vote against, mr. Speaker. There's no plan on that side of the house. We will support -- [ Some Applause ] >> The Speaker: the honourable leader of the opposition. >> She repeats the same costly promises the prime minister has been breaking for nine years. Mr. Speaker, in a six-week period, 50 homeless encampments have opened in toronto. Let that sink in. There are a total of 256 tent cities in toronto alone. It wasn't like this before the prime minister, and it won't be like this after he's gone. Will he admit that everything is broken after nine years of his government? [ Some Applause ] >> The Speaker: the honourable minister of health. >> Of course, mr. Speaker, when that member was the minister responsible for housing, there was more than 2 million canadians living in poverty. And the number of times he talked about vulnerable people or taking action to help homeless, zero. He wants to take away dental care, to take away pharmacare. And shame on him for it. We will stand up for vulnerable people in a way he never has. [ Some Applause ] >> Voice of Interpreter: the honourable member. The honourable member. >> The hoag commission has complained that the liberals are still being secretive with respect to foreign interference. We're not even talking about documents that will be published, we're just talking about the documents needed for the judge's investigation. This calls into question the entire effectiveness of this commission. The administer of public security has promised that the judge will have access to all the documents. Does he agree that all of his hiding is enough? Enough is enough? >> The Speaker: the honourable minister of public security. >> Mr. Speaker, I appreciate greatly the question from my bloc colleague. And I also appreciate working with him and my other colleagues last summer when we established the hoag commission. He knows full well that we are committed to sharing with the commission in exceptional time, which is not often. We accepted to share information. We're always available to work with the commission to ensure that they have access to all the appropriate documents. >> The Speaker: the honourable member. >> They just can't help it. Let me remind you, the reason we created the whole commission is because the liberals have been covering up foreign interference since day one. The commission was created to put an end to all that. And let's get to the bottom of this through a neutral

non-partisan judge. The public doesn't need to read all the confidential information, but the judge does. That's precisely her mandate. If the commission doesn't have access to all of the information, quebecers will lose confidence in this inquiry. Will the liberals finally be responsible and transparent with the judge? >> The Speaker: the honourable minister of public safety. >> Mr. Speaker, the answer is yes. We will continue to remain transparent and cooperative with the commission. I agree with my colleague justice hoag is in a good position to give canadians the trust they need in our institutions, and canadians need to understand that at all times the government will ensure that the commission will have access to all the necessary documents to do this important work. And I greatly appreciate the work I was able to do with my friend. >> The Speaker: the honourable member. >> Mr. Speaker, its waters are warming too fast and has less and less oxygen. This is the state of the st. Lawrence river. Scientists are raising the alarm. But the minister of the environment is ignoring this serious problem. What will it take for this minister of the environment to give the st. Lawrence river rights to protect quebec's biodiversity? >> I would like to thank my colleague for his question. I would like to remind him that when we came to power in 2015, canada wasn't even protecting 1% of our territory waters. And now we're up to 15% and 20% next year. At least 30% by 2030. So this is our objective. That all countries agreed on at cop 15 in montreal. And we have established record amounts with partnerships ACROSSoJ3!'wYY8 territory. Thank you. [ end of interpretation ] >> The Speaker: the honourable member from victoria. >> Families saw their homes burn to the ground in northern british columbia this week, and summer hasn't even started. Yet the conservatives don't seem to think that climate change is real, and this environment minister offers up nothing but empty words and delays. The liberals refuse to invest the billions dollars needed for a B.C. watershed security fund that would prevent wildfires and save lives. They knew this wildfire season was going to be devastating for communities, yet they're leaving british columbians to fend for themselves. Will the government fix their mistake and immediately establish a B.C. watershed security fund? >> The Speaker: the honourable minister for natural resources and energy. >> Thank you, mr. Speaker. And certainly the issues that we've seen around forest fires last year and unfortunately this year, particularly in british columbia and in the fort nelson area have been devastating. And certainly our hearts go out to all those folks who are affected. It is a reason why we have trained forest fires, and it is the reason why we have a comprehensive climate plan to ensure that we are addressing the existential threat of climate change. The conservative party of canada has a climate plan. It is to let the planet burn. It is irresponsible, it is shameful. >> Roger: you've been watching question period out of parliament, and they've been discussing everything from inflation to dealing with the wildfires that we've been facing over the last few years and also cleaning up our water. And let's move on to our next story.

>>> The federal government is introducing legislation that would extend canadian citizenship by descent beyond the first generation. >> The proposed legislation will extend citizenship in a way that is inclusive and upholds the value of our citizenship. >> Roger: it would automatically confer citizenship to persons born abroad to a canadian parent who was also born abroad prior to the legislation coming into effect. It would also restore citizenship to so-called lost canadians, individuals who lost or never got citizenship as a result of previous legislation. Joining me now is an immigration and refugee lawyer. Okay, I've read this and I think I understand it. But can you explain who this effects? >> First of all, I think this is very welcome news because seeing the bill being tabled affects a good number of people who are, in fact, canadians. Canadian parents who themselves were born abroad and now have children born abroad but they're canadian in every sense of the word. The bill is really in response to an ontario superior court decision made back in december 2023, and the court made a very important finding. The court found that the current citizenship laws before this bill was tabled were, in fact, discriminatory because they violate section 15 equality rights under the canadian charter of rights and freedoms. In effect, this bill serves to remove the discriminatory laws that have been in place. These laws had been put in place by the conservative government in 2009. They were quite restrictive, and they were in response to evacuations of canadian citizens with respect to the situation of lebanon at the time. And I think really the pendulum has swung too far, and that's what the court found. So the bill really at this point, I think, speaks to the reality of canadians currently. People do work abroad, they have jobs abroad. Canadians live abroad. Have not necessarily chosen to abandon their citizenship, in fact quite the opposite. They live abroad because of their job. >> Roger: when do you stop becoming canadian, then? Is it after that generation that they've just reincorporated? >> What happens is moving forward, the bill proposes a new test for canadians who have been born abroad who have children. And that's a substantial connection test. So this is really in keeping with what we've already seen in other countries who have laws in place already. And it's also similar to canadians who have been naturalized and apply for citizenship. So basically you have to show that you have spent at least three years in canada before the child was born. So that's a test that, I think, is a very common sense test and something quite specific that people can understand and know if they meet the test. Because we know to date too many people have been affected by the discriminatory law. In fact, people have come back to canada not really understanding that their children were not citizens or could not obtain citizenship. So we've seen situations where children are here as visitors even though their parents are citizens and they have had to pay for health care, they've had to pay for private schooling. So this law will restore the situation to really what it should have been all these years. >> Roger: what do people who have affected by this have to do, and how many are there? Do we have a number? >> I think it's not clear what the number would be, but I think what's important is people now will know the test, assuming this bill passes, of what they have to establish in the future. People will be applying for citizenship, and we know, in fact, that this is a really good move moving forward. Especially since the court has found that women who were pregnant were disproportionately affected by the law. Because when they became pregnant, they had to make a very difficult choice between their careers, financial stability, and health care. And on the other hand, ensuring that their child receive citizenship. So this is a law that will substantially effect women, and it's a very good move in my view. >> Roger: thank you for breaking that down for us. >> Thank you so much. >> Roger: maureen is a canadian refugee and immigration lawyer.

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