--Fourth NewsWatch--

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(HEALTH-Climate-Hospital-Emergency) (Audio: 041)

More needs to be done to protect the country's hospitals against the growing number of natural disasters -- like the wildfires that have already struck large parts of Western Canada this year.

David Matear, a former health system official in northern Alberta during the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, says he vividly remembers the fire being almost literally on the doorstep of the local hospital -- and the final patient being hurried out of the building and into a waiting bus.

Matear says provinces also need to be much better prepared because emergency events are becoming more and more common. (4)

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(Wildfire-BC)

The community of Fort Nelson, B-C, and its surrounding areas, may soon be able to welcome home wildfire evacuees -- but not just yet.

The regional municipality's mayor, Rob Fraser, is asking people to be patient and stay away for the time being.

He says people trying to return early could create highway lineups that hinder health-care workers who need to get through first.

Fraser has said the final major hurdle is restoring emergency-room operations at the hospital in Fort Nelson. (4)

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(Border-Intelligence) (Audio: 040)

An internal evaluation says better training and information-processing tools are needed to help the intelligence program at Canada's border agency fight everything from firearms smuggling to human trafficking.

The Canada Border Services Agency report also found the sensitive nature of the activities and a lack of data made it difficult to fully assess the program's effectiveness.

The program is responsible for the national collection and analysis of intelligence on issues including drug trafficking, gun smuggling, immigration fraud, human trafficking and war crimes. (4)

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(Lynx-Air)

Lynx Air is trying to recoup some of its losses by selling off everything from life jackets to oxygen masks.

The defunct discount carrier says it has worked out deals with a pair of aviation companies located abroad that will sell parts and equipment ranging from seats to tires and transponders.

Lynx sought creditor protection in late February while owing more than 186-million-dollars.

Budget airlines are facing ongoing financial pressures amid industry consolidation and fallout from the travel sector implosion during the COVID-19 pandemic. (4)

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(BC-Chicken-Prices)

Poultry pricing in British Columbia is poised to jump -- by as much as 10 per cent.

That's according to Restaurants Canada, which says the B-C Farm Industry Review Board has approved a new chicken pricing formula.

The B-C Chicken Marketing Board previously proposed a formula, saying farmers were struggling with rising costs.

Restaurants Canada says further price increases are unsustainable for its members, noting B-C residents already pay higher retail prices for chicken than other provinces. (4)

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(Russia-Weather-School)

Local officials say strong winds have blown the roof off of a school in Russia's southern Krasnodar region.

At least 12 children are reported to have suffered injuries -- described as "shrapnel wounds of varying severity."

While the regional prosecutor's office said in a statement that "a strong gust of wind" was the culprit, Russian state media had earlier warned that hurricane-force winds could threaten the region. (4)

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(NewsWatch by Rob Westgate)

The Canadian Press