 Good morning, and happy Friday (finally). It's Hanna Lee.
First up, we'll look at Canada's doctor shortage — and why thousands of foreign-trained physicians living here can't help. Then, a woman in Nova Scotia shares her story of intimate partner violence, and the guns and drugs coming into Canada from the U.S.
But first, breaking news out of Israel about the ceasefire deal. | | | After daylong delay, Israel's cabinet meeting to approve ceasefire deal that will return hostages
| | |  | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured here in December 2024, says a deal has been reached to move forward on the cabinet meeting needed for Israel to finalize the Gaza ceasefire agreement. (Debbie Hill/The Associated Press)
| A deal to return Hamas-held hostages in the Gaza Strip has been reached, said Benjamin Netanyahu late Thursday. The Israeli prime minister said he's convening his security cabinet today, before a full cabinet meeting later to approve the agreement.
It comes just one day after his office said there were last-minute snags in talks to free the hostages in return for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners. Israel has blamed Hamas for the holdup — and its planes have continued to pound Gaza with strikes, which killed at least 86 in the day since the truce was unveiled, according to Palestinian authorities.
Hamas is still expected to release the first hostages on Sunday, as planned, Netanyahu's office said. Izzat al-Rashq, a senior Hamas official, has said the group is "committed to the ceasefire agreement." | | | | | | | | | | | Canada has a doctor shortage, while thousands of foreign-trained physicians living here still face barriers
| | |  | A health-care worker tends to a patient in the ICU at Scarborough Health Network's Centenary Hospital, in northeast Toronto, in 2021. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
| As we saw in Walkerton, Ont., a few days ago, Canada has a doctor shortage. It's severe: More than 6.5 million Canadians don't have access to a family doctor.
Conveniently, we also have thousands of internationally trained physicians, or ITPs, here and ready to work. Yet many of them are unable to do so. What's going on?
Some of the issues:
- All 13 provinces and territories have separate licensing requirements. They can also vary, depending on where an ITP is trained.
- ITPs could be required to take up to four initial exams that can run thousands of dollars each — all while trying to build a life here.
- The residency process only happens once a year, and most spots are reserved for Canadian graduates.
Some jurisdictions are working to get people licensed faster, or have created associate programs, which allow foreign-trained doctors to perform more tasks while working with a doctor. But those come with their own issues, too.
"We don't want any shortcuts, we don't want any gifts, we want to work hard," said Ismelda Ramirez, who trained as a family doctor in the Dominican Republic. "I just think it should be more transparent [with] what is it that we need to do." | | | | | | | | | | | She was searching online for a recipe. She found a video of herself engaged in a sexual act
| | |  | Natalie Brown asked a Nova Scotia court to lift a publication ban protecting her name so that she could raise awareness of domestic abuse. The Halifax woman says painting helps her relax during what has been a very difficult time. (Cris Monetta/CBC)
| Warning: This story contains details of intimate partner violence and may affect those who have experienced it or know someone who has.
Natalie Brown wanted to find a recipe one day. But when she sat down to search for the Food Network, another website starting with "F" popped up — FetLife, a Canadian fetish social network. On it, she found a video of herself she didn't know existed, engaged in a sexual act.
What happened: Brown's now-former partner had taken the video while she was, at his request, blindfolded. He then shared it on the site. Conor Dolan was charged with voyeurism and distributing intimate images without consent. He eventually pleaded guilty to the latter charge — the former was dropped in exchange — and received four months' house arrest.
Why she's speaking out: Emboldened by the conviction and motivated by a recent string of killings in Nova Scotia, Brown asked the court to lift a publication ban protecting her identity. She wants to raise awareness about intimate partner violence, and to share the difficulties she faced in trying to get the content removed.
"Every time I was scared, I thought, 'You're not just doing this for you,'" she said. "You're doing this for every woman who has to sit in that shame." | | | | | | | | | | | Trump rails against drugs, migrants flowing into U.S. What about what's pouring into Canada?
| | |  | Toronto police reveal firearms seized in two investigations into gun crimes. (Toronto Police Service)
| Earlier this week, we discussed Stephen Harper's interview with American podcaster Gabe Groisman. In it, the former prime minister suggested that, unlike what a certain incoming president may be saying, the U.S. is actually exporting guns, drugs and crime into Canada. How true was that claim? My colleague Mark Gollom looked into it.
Guns: In terms of illegal weapons, America is by far the greatest international source of guns used in crimes entering Canada, said Stephen Schneider, a criminology professor at Saint Mary's University. That's in part because of how easy it is to buy a gun in the U.S., and because illegal ones can sell for much higher in Canada than at home.
Drugs: That's a little less clear. While Canada is a source of both marijuana and synthetic drugs to the U.S., Schneider said, it's in much lower quantities than those coming in from Mexico to the U.S. Further, Mexico is a major supplier of cocaine to Canada, which is transported through the U.S. first, making the U.S. a "major transit country" for the drug entering this country. | | | | | | | | | In case you missed it
|
- Mark Carney has launched his campaign to become Liberal leader. "This is no time for politics as usual," he said. Meanwhile, here's an analysis on the splinter within Team Canada.
- The B.C. ski resort where Justin Trudeau spent the holidays with family is addressing what it calls misinformation about the trip. Trudeau was "very low-key, respectful, and waited in line like everyone else," a rep said.
- The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation is voicing "grave concern" over a $70-billion data centre proposed by celebrity investor Kevin O'Leary that would be on its traditional territory.
- David Lynch has died at 78. The iconic American filmmaker, writer and artist was best known for titles like Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks.
| | | | | | | And, good news for pineapple pizza haters...
| | | U.K. restaurant selling $177 pineapple pizza says that's the price for 'terrible judgment'
| | |  | Hawaiian pizza, a dish believed to be from Canada, is stirring up controversy across the pond, where a British restaurant has priced it at $177 Cdn. (El Nariz/Shutterstock)
| To pineapple or not to pineapple? A pizzeria in England is putting its opinion forward in the debate that's taken office group chats and dating profiles by storm.
Lupa Pizza in Norwich added the controversial — and likely Canadian — dish to its menu, priced at a casual £100, or $177 Cdn. It comes with the caption: "Order the champagne, too! Go on, you Monster!"
Was it a protest? A dare? A money-making scheme? Co-owner Francis Woolff said, "To be honest with you, it's just a joke." | | | | | | | | | | | Today in History: Jan. 17
| | | 1876: The Supreme Court of Canada sits for the first time.
1945: The United Nations Security Council holds its first meeting in London.
2010: Canadian James Cameron wins best director at the Golden Globes for the science-fiction blockbuster Avatar.
| | | (With files from The Canadian Press)
Thanks for reading! Have a good weekend.
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