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Introduction: Homophobia is well-documented as key to social regulation of masculine behavior and practices in Western settings. Yet, empirical data from a number of Western settings has shown a decline in overt homophobic attitudes in the past decade, leading some to suggest that the nature of masculinities is also changing. However, theorizing on the changing nature of masculinities among adolescents has received limited quantitative attention. Research is needed to better understand shifts in adolescent masculinities in contemporary Western settings. Methods: In this paper, we investigate the application of one newer approach to explore masculinities in context – hybrid masculinities – in a sample of cisgender, heterosexual, mid-adolescent boys in one province in Western Canada (N  = 873, mean age (SD)  =  14.39 (0.37)). Data were collected from nine cohorts of grade 9 youth over a 10-year period (2013–2022) as part of the baseline survey of an ongoing evaluation of a gender-transformative healthy relationships program. Results and discussion: We hypothesized that if the ideas of hybrid masculinities held in our sample, we would find that overt homophobic attitudes and adherence to related patriarchal norms (e.g., avoidance of femininity) would decline over this period, but that the use of homophobic name-calling would remain differentiated in terms of to whom it was directed (e.g., a friend, someone they thought was gay). We did find a significant decline in homophobic attitudes and norms related to emotional restriction and avoidance of femininity over the 10-year period, but also found that homophobic name-calling remained differentiated, with significantly higher name-calling toward a friend than toward someone the youth thought was gay. Thus, our hypotheses were supported. We discuss the implications of our findings for future theory and research on understanding adolescent masculinities in context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Niraparib was recently funded in Canada for the maintenance treatment of ovarian cancer following platinum-based chemotherapy. However, the drug's safety profile in the real world remains uncertain. We conducted a cohort study to describe the patient population using niraparib and the proportion that experienced adverse events between June 2019 and December 2022 in four Canadian provinces (Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia [BC], and Quebec). We used administrative data and electronic medical records from Ontario Health, Alberta Health Services, and BC Cancer, and registry data from Exactis Innovation. We summarized baseline characteristics using descriptive statistics and reported safety outcomes using cumulative incidence. We identified 514 patients receiving niraparib. Mean age was 67 years and most were initiated on a daily dose of 100 or 200 mg/day. Grade 3/4 anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia occurred in 11–16% of the cohort. In Ontario, the three-month cumulative incidence of grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia was 11.6% (95% CI, 8.3–15.4%), neutropenia was 7.1% (95% CI, 4.6–10.4%), and anemia was 11.3% (95% CI, 8.0–15.2%). Cumulative incidences in the remaining provinces were similar. Initial daily dose and proportions of hematological adverse events were low in the real world and may be related to cautious prescribing and close monitoring by clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infertility is a common diagnosis: in its original, heteronormative definition, it is known to impact about 1 in 6 couples worldwide. Governments across Canada and beyond have been increasingly providing support for those undergoing fertility treatment, and BC is the most recent province to announce funding, beginning in 2025. As the amount of proposed funding is not sufficient to cover treatment for all who seek it, we look to examples from other provinces and countries to guide us in forming criteria that balance fair access with likelihood of successful treatment. A majority of Canadian provinces currently provide publicly funded fertility care, albeit with highly variable models. Quebec previously introduced a model with generous coverage, including up to three cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF), along with medications, associated procedures, and embryo transfers for each live birth. Due to high costs, this funding was removed and reintroduced in 2021 with a more restrictive model, as well as age cutoffs for IVF and embryo transfers. In Ontario, the current funding model was introduced in 2015 and covers intrauterine insemination cycles and one cycle of IVF in patients younger than 43 years of age. Other provinces have offered a fertility treatment tax credit. While the BC announcement stated that one cycle of IVF with medications will be covered, the details on how this finite resource will be distributed are still unclear. We hope BC will consider the lessons learned from other provinces and countries and implement a program that is fair and accessible to those who need it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper investigates the landscape of wildfire-related studies with a focus on infrastructure and evacuations across Canadian provinces, revealing a predominant focus on Alberta, particularly after the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire. The aftermath of this event has heightened attention to the unique challenges faced during evacuations, emphasizing the urgent need for heightened awareness and preparedness, especially in the vulnerable northern communities of Alberta. Studies beyond Alberta contribute to understanding Canadian wildfire dynamics. However, a noticeable research gap in British Columbia raises concerns about research prioritization and resource allocation despite heightened wildfire activity. The fact that some provinces are contributing less than 4.2%, such as Quebec, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and the Prairies, might be attributed to regional variations influenced by historical wildfire frequency and population density. Thematic analysis categorizing studies into "community support/resilience", "evacuation efficiency", and "infrastructure protection/raising awareness" provides nuanced insights. The dominance of the "community support/resilience" category, comprising over 40% of studies, signifies a societal shift towards proactive community engagement. Balanced representation in the "evacuation efficiency" and "infrastructure protection/raising awareness" categories, each contributing over 29%, reflects a collective effort to glean lessons from past evacuations and enhance community preparedness. Temporal trends and thematic analyses spotlight a commitment to continuous improvement, adaptability to emerging challenges, and a growing recognition of the multifaceted aspects of wildfire management. The evolving emphasis on community involvement, responsiveness to changing evacuation dynamics, and heightened awareness of infrastructure protection underscores the proactive stance of the research community, providing insights for shaping future research priorities, policy frameworks, and community resilience strategies in the face of evolving wildfire threats in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The use of osimertinib in the first-line (1L) setting is an effective treatment option for sensitizing EGFR-mutations (EGFRm+) and has significantly altered the standard of care practice for EGFRm+ disease in Canada. Unfortunately, acquired resistance to osimertinib is almost universal, and outcomes are disparate. Post-progression treatment patterns and the outcome of real-world Canadian EGFRm+ patients receiving 1L osimertinib were the focus of this retrospective review. Methods: The Glans-Look Lung Cancer Research database was used to identify and collect demographic, clinical, treatment, and outcome data on EGFRm+ patients who received 1L osimertinib in the Canadian province of Alberta between 2018 and 2022. Results: A total of 150 patients receiving 1L osimertinib were identified. In total, 86 developed progressive disease, with 56 (65%) continuing systemic therapy, 73% continuing osimertinib, and 27% switching to second-line (2L) systemic therapy. Patients were similar both in clinical characteristics at 1L osimertinib initiation and patterns of treatment failure at progression; those continuing 1L osimertinib post-progression had a longer time to progression (13.5 vs. 8.8 months, p = 0.05) and subsequent post-osimertinib initiation survival (34.7 vs. 22.8 months, p = 0.11). Conclusions: The continuation of osimertinib post-progression is an effective disease management strategy for select real-world EGFRm+ patients, providing continued clinical benefit, potentially due to different underlying disease pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Special Section explores the interplay between Indigenous peoples, industry, and the state in five proposed and active mining projects in Canada and Sweden. The overall aim is to identify factors shaping the quality of Indigenous community-industry-state interactions in mining and mine development. An ambition underlying the research is to develop knowledge to help manage mining related land-use conflicts in Sweden by drawing on Canadian comparisons and experience. This paper synthesizes the comparative research that has been conducted across jurisdictions in three Canadian provinces and Sweden. It focuses on the interplay between the properties of the governance system, the quality of interaction and governance outcomes. We combine institutional and interactive governance theory and use the concept of governability to assess how and why specific outcomes, such as mutually beneficial interaction, collaboration, or opposition, occurred. The analysis suggests there are measures that can be taken by the Swedish Government to improve the governability of mining related issues, by developing alternative, and more effective, avenues to recognize, and protect, Sámi rights and culture, to broaden the scope and increase the legitimacy and transparency of the EIAs, to raise the quality of interaction and consultation, and to develop tools to actively stimulate and support collaboration and partnerships on equal terms. Generally, we argue that Indigenous community responses to mining must be understood within a larger framework of Indigenous self-determination, in particular the communities' own assessments of their opportunities to achieve their long-term objectives using alternative governing modes and types of interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the diagnostic capacity for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in multidisciplinary clinics across several provincial and one territorial jurisdictions of Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Northwest Territories. The data were collected directly from clinics capable of providing diagnoses of FASD and examined annual capacity for the assessment and diagnosis of FASD per year from 2015 to 2019. In total, 58 FASD diagnostic clinics were identified and 33 clinics participated in this survey. The study identified inadequate FASD diagnostic capacity in all participating jurisdictions. Based on the findings and the current population sizes, it is estimated that 98% of individuals with FASD are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in Canada. Wait times for FASD diagnosis ranged from 1 month to 4.5 years across participating jurisdictions. The annual FASD diagnostic capacity in the select provinces and territories require at least a 67-fold increase per year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slave Province in Canada is an Archean granite–supracrustal terrane at the northwestern corner of the Canadian Shield. It is bordered by the Thelon–Taltson orogen (2.0 to 1.9 Ga) to the southeast and the Wopmay orogen (1.9 to 1.8 Ga) to the west. Acasta gneisses, exposed in the westernmost Slave Province, and the Wopmay rocks, located close to the gneisses, were systematically collected for K–Ar and laser step-heating 40Ar/39Ar single-crystal analyses of the biotite and amphibole. The K–Ar biotite ages of the four Wopmay samples range from 1816 ± 18 Ma to 1854 ± 26 Ma. The 40Ar/39Ar biotite analyses of the three Wopmay samples yield plateau ages of 1826 ± 21 Ma, 1886 ± 13 Ma, and 1870 ± 18 Ma. These ages fall within the reported U–Pb zircon age range of the Wopmay orogen. The K–Ar biotite ages of the fifteen Acasta gneisses range from 1779 ± 25 Ma to 1877 ± 26 Ma, except for one younger sample (1711 ± 25 Ma). The 40Ar/39Ar analyses of the biotite crystals from three samples give the plateau ages of 1877 ± 8 Ma, 1935 ± 14 Ma, and 1951 ± 11 Ma. The K–Ar amphibole ages from twelve samples range from 1949 ± 19 Ma to 1685 ± 25 Ma. Two samples of them give ages older than the zircon U-Pb age of Hepburn plutons. The 40Ar/39Ar analyses of the amphibole crystals show varied age relations. The two samples give plateau ages of 1814 ± 22 Ma and 1964 ± 12 Ma. Some samples exhibit apparent old ages of ~2000 Ma in the middle temperature fractions. These old fractions result from the amphibole crystals, originally formed in the Archean, being affected by the thermal events during the Wopmay orogeny but not fully resetting. These observations suggest that the K–Ar system ages of the biotite and amphibole in the Archean Acasta gneiss were rejuvenated during the Paleoproterozoic ages. The Discussion explores the possibility that the heat source rejuvenating the K–Ar system ages may have arisen due to asthenospheric extrusion into the wedge mantle, a process likely triggered by subduction rollback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical activity (PA) can improve the physical and psychosocial health of individuals with cancer, yet PA levels remain low. Technology may address PA maintenance barriers in oncology, though the intervention effectiveness to date remains mixed. Qualitative research can reveal the nuances of using technology-based PA maintenance tools. The present study aimed to understand the perspectives of individuals with cancer on using an app to support PA maintenance. Methods: Individuals were interviewed after using a self-monitoring app for 24 weeks, asking about their app use, ease of use, and perceived value for supporting PA. Analyses were guided by an interpretive description. Results: Eighteen individuals were interviewed. The participants were 37–75 years old; lived in seven Canadian provinces/territories; identified as White, South Asian, or Indigenous; and had eight different cancers. Four themes were developed: some did not need the app to stay physically active, some valued the app for helping them maintain their PA, the user experience ranged from intuitive to confusing, and the time burden of app use ranged from acceptable to overwhelming. Conclusions: The participants provided insights on using a self-monitoring app to improve PA maintenance in oncology. Work is needed to capture additional perspectives and apply findings to the development of technology-based PA maintenance tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests contain substantial carbon stores, including above and belowground biomass and living and non-living biomass. Different management regimes produce different outcomes related to stored and sequestered carbon in forests. The geographic focus of this study is the Wabanaki-Acadian Forest of the Maritime Provinces of Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island). This study reviews the literature to evaluate the carbon impacts of (1) intensive forest management for fiber products, (2) unharvested (or conservation) forest, and (3) climate-focused, ecological forestry. Each of these forest management strategies and concomitant silviculture regimes sequester and store carbon at varying rates and across different carbon pools in the forest. The literature suggests that unharvested (conservation) forests store and sequester the most carbon, and traditional, intensive fiber management stores and sequesters the least. Ecological forestry may provide the best balance between carbon sequestration and storage and climate adaptability, while also allowing for the provision of some timber/fiber products. This study also discusses the co-benefits offered by forests under each of the three management regimes. New research, in general and in the region, needs to examine further belowground carbon dynamics in soil as most efforts to document carbon focus on aboveground carbon pools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of (re)legalisation of medicinal and recreational cannabis, accidental and intentional exposure to edibles, cannabis-infused food products, has increased substantially. However, there is particular concern regarding younger age groups. Most concerning is the increase in hospitalisations. According to a study by Myran et al. (1), provinces in Canada, where the sale of edibles is permitted, saw an increase in paediatric poisonings due to unintentional consumption of edibles. Similar trends have been observed in "legalised states" in the US, such as Colorado (2). The impact of using cannabis at an early age, but particularly the impact of accidental exposure to high THC quantities, may have negative mental or physical health outcomes. Whilst regulatory restrictions vary significantly from one legalised region to another, it is difficult to identify a best practice. The aim of this study is to identify and discuss new and existing risk mitigation strategies to give guidance to policymakers. Furthermore, practical aspects, such as compliance (e.g. audits by authorities), are discussed. It is noted that edibles have been around much longer than recent political attempts to regulate them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify individual and site-related factors associated with frequent emergency department (ED) buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP) initiation. BUP initiation, an effective opioid use disorder (OUD) intervention, varies widely across Canadian EDs. Methods: We surveyed emergency physicians in 6 Canadian provinces from 2018 to 2019 using bilingual paper and web-based questionnaires. Survey domains included BUP-related practice, demographics, attitudes toward BUP, and site characteristics. We defined frequent BUP initiation (the primary outcome) as at least once per month, high OUD prevalence as at least one OUD patient per shift, and high OUD resources as at least 3 out of the following 5 resources: BUP initiation pathways, BUP in ED, peer navigators, accessible addiction specialists, and accessible follow-up clinics. We excluded responses from sites with <50% participation (to minimize non-responder bias) and those missing the primary outcome. We used univariate analysis to identify associations between frequent BUP initiation and factors of interest, stratifying by OUD prevalence. Results: We excluded 3 responses for missing BUP initiation frequency and 9 for low response rate at one ED. Of the remaining 649 respondents from 34 EDs, 374 (58%) practiced in metropolitan areas, 384 (59%) reported high OUD prevalence, 312 (48%) had high OUD resources, and 161 (25%) initiated BUP frequently. Age, gender, board certification and years in practice were not associated with frequent BUP initiation. Site-specific factors were associated with frequent BUP initiation (high OUD resources [OR 6.91], high OUD prevalence [OR 4.45], and metropolitan location [OR 2.39],) as were individual attitudinal factors (willingness, confidence, and responsibility to initiate BUP.) Similar associations persisted in the high OUD prevalence subgroup. Conclusions: Individual attitudinal and site-specific factors were associated with frequent BUP initiation. Training to increase physician confidence and increasing OUD resources could increase BUP initiation and benefit ED patients with OUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Wildfires impact large populations worldwide with increasing frequency and severity. In Canada, the fire season has affected more areas this year with potential implications for individuals' well-being and quality of life (QoL). Objective: This study aimed to explore data related to the well-being and QoL of individuals living in areas impacted by wildfires in two Canadian provinces. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from the residents in the two provinces who subscribed to the Text4Hope mental health support service. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Results: Out of 1802 Text4Hope subscribers, 298 responded to the baseline surveys, yielding a response rate of (16.5%). The mean score of QoL was (40.8/100 ± 20.7). Most respondents were from Alberta (84.2%), 40 years old or below (28.3%), females (85.2%), Caucasian (83.5%), in a relationship (56.4%), employed (63.6%), received diagnoses of depression (56.6%), and anxiety (52.9%).The overall prevalence of low QoL was (67.3%; 95% CI: 61.2–73.1%) that was mostly reported among subscribers who were from Nova Scotia (70.5%), 40 years old or younger (71.2%), other gender (83.3%), Black/Hispanic and other ethnicity (85.7% each), having high-school or less education (70.3%), not in a relationship (74.1%), and unemployed (73.6%). In terms of clinical factors, low QoL was most prevalent among those who received the diagnoses of depression (74%) and anxiety (74.3%), and those who have been receiving antidepressants (71.8%) or benzodiazepines (93.3%). Regarding wildfire-related factors, the highest prevalence of low QoL was reported among those living in a region that has recently been impacted by the wildfires (74.7%) and those who have been less frequently watching television images about the devastation caused by the recent wildfires (72.6%). The multivariate logistic regression analysis model predicting the low QoL including the various variables was statistically significant; Χ2 (df = 19; n = 254) = 31.69, p = 0.03. It was found that living in a region impacted by wildfires (37.9%) was the only significant predictor of low QoL (adjusted OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.05–3.65). Conclusions: The impact of wildfire on the QoL and well-being among people living in impacted regions is significant. It is empirical for the health authorities to support those who are disadvantaged by wildfire via running of screening programs to early identify mental health symptoms and addressing the living conditions of the survivors, along with the provision of innovative means of mental health support. This necessitates enhanced planning of the governments and health authorities to overcome such adverse psychological consequences of these events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The incidence of childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising. We described variation in health services utilization and need for surgery among children with IBD between six and 60 months following IBD diagnosis across Canadian pediatric centers and evaluated the associations between care provided at diagnosis at each center and the variation in these outcomes. Patients and Methods: Using population-based deterministically-linked health administrative data from four Canadian provinces (Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario) we identified children diagnosed with IBD < 16 years of age using validated algorithms. Children were assigned to a pediatric center of care using a hierarchical approach based on where they received their initial care. Outcomes included IBD-related hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, and IBD-related abdominal surgery occurring between 6 and sixty months after diagnosis. Mixed-effects meta-analysis was used to pool results and examine the association between center-level care provision and outcomes. Results: We identified 3784 incident cases of pediatric IBD, of whom 2937 (77.6%) were treated at pediatric centers. Almost a third (31.4%) of children had ≥ 1 IBD-related hospitalization and there were 0.66 hospitalizations per person during follow-up. More than half (55.8%) of children had ≥ 1 ED visit and there were 1.64 ED visits per person. Between-center heterogeneity was high for both outcomes; centers where more children visited the ED at diagnosis had more IBD-related hospitalizations and more ED visits during follow-up. Between-center heterogeneity was high for intestinal resection in Crohn's disease but not colectomy in ulcerative colitis. Conclusion: There is variation in health services utilization among children with IBD and risk of undergoing intestinal resection in those with Crohn's disease, but not colectomy among children with ulcerative colitis, across Canadian pediatric tertiary-care centers. Improvements in clinical care pathways are needed to ensure all children have equitable and timely access to high quality care. Plain Language Summary: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic health condition of the gastrointestinal system, which is becoming more common in children. They require lifelong treatment and receiving high quality care is important for preventing complications. We determined if outcomes of children with IBD was different across Canada. We also tested if differences in care at diagnosis was related to outcomes. More than three-quarters of children with IBD were treated at pediatric hospitals. Children treated at some hospitals were more likely to be hospitalized and visit the emergency room when compared to children treated at other hospitals. Children with Crohn's disease (one type of IBD) were more likely to have surgery at some hospitals when compared to children treated at other hospitals. We should improve care to make sure children living with IBD have timely access to high quality specialist care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The spread of SARS-CoV-2 has been studied at unprecedented levels worldwide. In jurisdictions where molecular analysis was performed on large scales, the emergence and competition of numerous SARS-CoV-2lineages have been observed in near real-time. Lineage identification, traditionally performed from clinical samples, can also be determined by sampling wastewater from sewersheds serving populations of interest. Variants of concern (VOCs) and SARS-CoV-2 lineages associated with increased transmissibility and/or severity are of particular interest. Method: Here, we consider clinical and wastewater data sources to assess the emergence and spread of VOCs in Canada retrospectively. Results: We show that, overall, wastewater-based VOC identification provides similar insights to the surveillance based on clinical samples. Based on clinical data, we observed synchrony in VOC introduction as well as similar emergence speeds across most Canadian provinces despite the large geographical size of the country and differences in provincial public health measures. Conclusion: In particular, it took approximately four months for VOC Alpha and Delta to contribute to half of the incidence. In contrast, VOC Omicron achieved the same contribution in less than one month. This study provides significant benchmarks to enhance planning for future VOCs, and to some extent for future pandemics caused by other pathogens, by quantifying the rate of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs invasion in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canadian provinces are required to regulate their power sectors using carbon pricing systems that meet national minimum stringency standards, which are set by the federal government. A diverse set of systems has emerged as a result. However, there has been limited assessment of how different pricing mechanisms impact the evolution of Canada's electricity system. To address this gap, we use an electricity system planning model called COPPER and a scenario-based approach to assess if, and to what extent, different policy regimes impact power sector greenhouse gas emissions and costs. Our results show that carbon pricing systems currently in place lead to significant carbon reductions over the long term, provided that free emissions allocations are reduced. However, the cost-optimal pathway for the power sector differs across provinces depending on the carbon pricing mechanism. Some provinces achieve least-cost emissions reductions by switching from high-carbon technologies to renewables, while others are better served by replacing high-carbon technologies with low-carbon fossil fuel alternatives. Further, provinces that implement cap-and-trade systems may affect the transitions of interconnected jurisdictions. Power sector climate policy design should reflect the heterogeneity of available assets, resources, and neighbouring approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The package PbIso is a free and open R toolbox for commonly used calculations and plots of Pb–Pb isotope data and for generating Pb evolution models. In this paper, we review Pb isotope systematics and the calculations that are commonly used, such as model age, model source μ (238U/204Pb), time-integrated κ (232Th/238U), and initial Pb isotope ratios. These equations are implemented into R functions in the package PbIso. In addition, functions are provided for generating Pb evolution models, paleoisochrons, and isochrons. This allows users to apply calculations to their data in a straightforward way while providing transparency and flexibility of the calculations used. We have implemented some basic features of the PbIso package into an online shiny R application (see https://shereearmistead.github.io/software/pbiso), which makes it easy for users without any R experience to use these calculations with their own data and to generate plots. We have provided a case study from the Superior Province in Canada, showing how different Pb evolution models can be generated in PbIso and compared to Pb isotope data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are novel tobacco products that may appeal to youth. This study explored whether HTP retailer proximity and density to secondary schools were associated with youth use of HTPs in four Canadian provinces. Methods: An online search between November 2020 and March 2021 identified retailers selling IQOS devices and HEETS (tobacco sticks used in IQOS) within 500 m, 1000 m and 1500 m radius circular buffer zones around high schools (N = 120) participating in the COMPASS study in 2020-2021. Retailer proximity/density data were linked to crosssectional student-level data (N = 40 636 students), and multilevel regression models examined the association between HTP retailer proximity and density and current HTP use, controlling for relevant covariates. Results: While only 10.0% of schools had at least one retailer selling IQOS devices within 1000 m of the school, 65.0% of schools had at least one retailer selling HEETS. The school a student attended accounted for 23.7% of the variability in the likelihood of currently using an HTP. However, HTP retailer proximity to and density around schools were not significantly associated with the likelihood of students currently using HTPs. Conclusion: While the school a student attended accounted for a significant amount of variability in HTP use, these findings suggest that students may be obtaining HTPs through other, non-retail sources. Continued monitoring is warranted as HTP use among youth may change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Canadian boreal forest biome has been subjected to a long history of management for wood production. Here, we examined the cumulative impacts of logging on older forests in terms of area, distribution and patch configuration in the managed forest zones of the Eastern Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. We also examined the consequences of these cumulative impacts on a once widely distributed and now threatened species, the woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). The cumulative area of recently logged forest (since ~1976) was 14,024,619 ha, with 8,210,617 ha in Quebec and 5,814,002 ha in Ontario. The total area of older forests was 21,249,341 ha, with 11,840,474 ha in Quebec and 9,408,867 ha in Ontario. Patch statistics revealed that there were 1,085,822 older forests with core patches < 0.25 ha and an additional 603,052 < 1.0 ha. There were 52 > 10,00–50,000 ha and 8 < 50,000 ha. Older forest patches (critical caribou habitat) in the 21 local population ranges totalled 6,103,534 ha, distributed among ~387,102 patches with 362,933 < 10 ha and 14 > 50,000 ha. The median percentage of local population ranges that was disturbed was 53.5%, with Charlevoix having the maximum (90.3%) and Basse Côte-Nord the least (34.9%). Woodland caribou local population ranges with disturbed suitable habitats >35% are considered unable to support self-sustaining populations. We found that for the 21 caribou local population ranges examined, 3 were at very high risk (>75% area disturbed), 16 at high risk (>45 ≤ 75% area disturbed), and 2 at low risk (≤35% area disturbed). Major changes are needed in boreal forest management in Ontario and Quebec for it to be ecologically sustainable, including a greater emphasis on protection and restoration for older forests, and to lower the risks for caribou populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the book "Imagining the Heartland: White Supremacy and the American Midwest" by Britt E. Halvorson and Joshua O. Reno. The authors argue that the Midwest has been a site of racial violence and white supremacy throughout history, despite its association with kindness and Americanness. They highlight the role of negative tropes about Indigenous populations and the myth of the virtuous white farmer in shaping the idea of the Midwest. The article also includes a review of the book "Great Plains Forts" by Jay H. Buckley and Jeffery D. Nokes, which provides an overview of forts in the Great Plains region. The review notes that the book is recommended for general readers interested in historical sites. [Extracted from the article]

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) in shellfish products have led to severe risks to human health. To monitor the risk, the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program has been collecting longitudinal PST measurements in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria) samples in six coastal provinces of Canada. The spatial distributions of major temporal variation patterns were studied via Functional Principal Component Analysis. Seasonal increases in PST contamination were found to vary the most in terms of magnitude along the coastlines, which provides support for location-specific management of the time-sensitive PST contamination. In British Columbia, the first functional principal component (FPC1) indicated the variance among the magnitudes, while FPC2 indicated the seasonality of the PST levels. The temporal variations tended to be positively correlated with the abundance of dianoflagellates Alexandrium spp., and negatively with precipitation and inorganic nutrients. These findings indicate the underlying mechanism of PST variation in various geographical settings. In New Brunswick, Prince Edward, and Nova Scotia, the top FPCs indicated that the PST contamination differed mostly in the seasonal increase of the PST level during summer. • Multi-decade Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PST) in Canada were analyzed. • Shellfish harvesting sites differed the most in seasonal elevation of PST levels. • The spring-to-autumn period of increased PST was found in BC, QC, NB, and NS. • Rainfall, Alexandrium spp., nitrate/nitrite, and phosphate correlated with PST. • Higher seasonal increases tended to occur at locations of strong water mixing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deploying negative emission technologies has become crucial for limiting the global temperature rise to approximately 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels. DAC technologies are being explored as one of the prospective options. These technologies have been thoroughly investigated as a potential project to capture CO 2 emissions and provide purified air, natural gas, or fuel oil. An applied approach, on the other hand, was not taken into consideration while evaluating the influence that this technology has on emissions. For this reason, British Columbia provides a substantial chance to examine emissions that were produced after the DAC actions were put into place in 2015. In this study, the difference-in-differences methodology is employed for the very first time to compare the emissions that are produced by the transport sectors in British Columbia with those emitted by other provinces in Canada. The role that GDP and population play in the release of emissions is also taken into consideration in this paper. Based on the research results, it can be observed that the implementation of DAC initiatives has yielded notable effects. Evidence shows that the DAC effort has led to an average reduction of 0.08 in logarithmic CO 2 emissions in the transport sector. By accounting for GDP and population, the empirical results indicate that DAC technology reduced CO 2 emissions in British Columbia compared to provinces without DAC facilities. DAC initiatives are expected to become increasingly prevalent between the mid-2030s and 2040s. Overall policy implications suggest that there is a need for DAC technologies to collaborate with alternative mitigation technologies, or alternative technologies should collaborate with DAC technologies that are more efficient to achieve the targeted goals in a short time. • The study offers empirical evidence of DAC technology's impact, providing insights beyond theoretical conjectures. • Based on the research results, it can be seen that the implementation of DAC facilities has yielded notable effects. • DAC technology in British Columbia has led to a significant and negative impact on CO 2 emissions compared to other provinces without DAC facilities. • The study highlights the differential effectiveness of DAC across transport sectors, pointing toward a need for tailored implementation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of e-waste collection and management trends across six Canadian provinces, focusing on e-waste collection rates, provincial stewardship model attributes, program strategies and budget allocations from 2013 to 2020. Temporal and regression analyses were conducted using data from Electronic Product Recycling Association reports. A group characterization based on geographical proximity is proposed, aiming to explore the potential outcomes of fostering collaboration among neighboring provinces. The analysis emphasizes the significant impact of stewardship model attributes on e-waste collection rates, with Quebec emerging as a standout case, showcasing a remarkable 61.5% surge in collection rates. Findings from group analysis reveal a positive correlation between per capita e-waste collection rate and the growth of businesses and collection sites in Western Canada (Group A - British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba). This highlights the potential benefits of a coordinated waste management approach, emphasizing the importance of shared resources and collaborative policies. Saskatchewan and Manitoba allocated only 6.6% and 7.0% of their respective budgets to e-waste transfer and storage. British Columbia's observed steady decrease of e-waste collection rate. In Group A, stewards handled 2.18–13.95 tonnes of e-waste during the study period. The cost per tonne of e-waste tended to be lower when more e-waste is managed per steward, suggesting the potential benefits of an integrated e-waste collection and management system. [Display omitted] • Six Canadian e-waste stewardship models from 2013 to 2020 were examined. • E-waste collection rates were gradually declining in Canada jurisdictions. • Collection site density, expenditure, efficiency may have affected collection rates. • Eastern and western stewardships had different operational characteristics. • Region-specific collaborative approach may improve stewardship effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Canada, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to remain high despite the federal government's commitment to reduce GHG emissions. Environmental policy across Canadian provinces has largely lacked consistency with some provinces implementing targeted policy such as carbon taxes while others have strongly resisted the federal government's attempts to encourage such policy. This study examines the impact of environmental policy on GHG gas emissions across Canadian provinces with policy uniquely measured by public and business sector spending on environmental protection as well as notable province-specific policies. An extended STIRPAT model is specified with the inclusion of proxies for environmental policy using panel data from Canada's ten provinces from 1995 to 2019. The cointegration and the error correction modelling approaches are employed to estimate the non-stationary panel data. A pooled mean group estimation is applied to provide short run and long run coefficients. The findings indicate that although per capita GDP is the main driver of GHG emissions in Canada, environmental policy has a significant mitigating effect, as shown by the negative association between emissions and private and public sector spending on environmental protection in the long run. Furthermore, provinces with targeted policies, such as Ontario's coal phase-out and British Columbia's carbon tax, experienced significant emissions reductions. The theoretical implication is the successful addition of policy variables to the STIRPAT model, providing the model a new application for future research. [Display omitted] • Assess the impact of environmental protection policies on per capita greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. • Utilize public and private expenditures on environmental protection, along with provincial policies. • Extend the STIRPAT model to incorporate environmental protection policies in an empirical model. • Demonstrate a significant negative relationship between environmental protection policies and GHG emissions. • Offer insights with implications for global environmental sustainability efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through survey and focus groups in two provinces in Canada misunderstanding and confusion surrounding Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation (LDIR) is explored specifically surrounding medical procedures, risk, and benefits. Generally people associated the word radiation with harm, but when asked participants were not concerned about LDIR. Approximately equal numbers (40%) thought LDIR was 'difficult' as those that thought it was 'easy' but research results reveal confusion about the definition of and sources of LDIR. Most people believed the benefits of LDIR outweighed the risks. Further, many had inaccurate views of 'high' dose radiation. Scientists and the Canadian regulator were determined to be the most trusted sources of information while elected officials and industry representatives the least trusted. Participants wanted more information on whether LDIR was a problem in Canada, what the risks were associated with it, as well as the applicable protections, rules and regulations. Focus group participants expressed a preference for face-to-face exchange of information, but mass media remains an important source of information as the first-place people check for answers. Future research surrounding behavioural science and LDIR communications, and deep LDIR science communication will be important in addressing this issue. • People do not have high levels of knowledge of low dose ionizing radiation (LDIR). • Most people respond well to the term LDIR and believe benefits outweigh negatives. • Scientists are most trusted communicators followed by the regulator. • Some participants wanted more information surrounding radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study empirically investigates whether targeted government spending and environmental policies promote green growth, as measured by greenhouse gas productivity. Government spending for pollution abatement (GEPA) represents non-market environmental policies encompassing both enforcement regulations and stakeholder incentives, while policy dummy represents province specific targeted environmental policies. Using panel data from 1995 to 2020 across ten provinces of Canada, an empirical model based on STIRPAT has been developed and estimated, addressing various econometric issues to ensure the robustness and consistency of the results. The findings confirm that both GEPA and targeted environmental policies are crucial determinants in achieving green growth. Additionally, variables such as business sector expenditures for R&D, the share of renewable energy, per capita GDP, and population also contribute to green growth. These results highlight the importance of the stick-and-carrot approach as a key strategy and policy tool for sustainable development. The implications of these findings extend beyond Canada and hold valuable lessons for emerging and developing countries that predominantly rely on command-and-control regulations without adequate support. To effectively address the challenge of achieving green growth, a coordinated approach that combines targeted government spending and environmental policies, supported by innovation and renewable energy exploration, is essential. Overall, this study's findings have significant implications for environmental sustainability on a global scale. [Display omitted] • Examines the effect of targeted government spending and environmental policies on green growth in Canada. • Uses greenhouse gas productivity as an index of green growth. • Estimates the empirical model developed addressing advanced econometric issues related to panel data for 1995–2020. • Controls renewable energy, innovation, per capita income, population. • Have significant implications for environmental sustainability on a global scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]