Worldwide News

Article title: Black women face domestic violence rate, but stigma keeps many silent, support groups say  

By: Yasmine Ghania  

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/black-survivors-domestic-violence-stigma-1.7452404 

• A Vancouver resident, Lesley-Ann Paris escaped an abusive relationship only to experience violence again in her next one. Research shows that black women experience some of the highest rates of intimate violence partner and face barriers when reporting abuse. Advocates, Andrine Johnson and Nataizya Mikwavi call for justice reform, while noting that black individuals are unfairly represented in the justice system, which makes individuals facing any kind of violence scared to report it. The stereotype “strong Black woman” can also discourage individuals from seeking help. 

Organizations in Vancouver have released awareness campaigns and as for Paris,  

she is now in a healthy relationship and the CEO of a meditation business. She continues to share her story and her healing journey while encouraging others to do the same. She also emphasizes that vulnerability is a strength, and she works towards removing the stigma that surrounds Black survivors of abuse.       

Article title: Justice Minister Arif Virani won’t seek re-election 

By: Michael Woods  

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justice-minister-virani-not-running-1.7455220 

• Justice Minister Arif Virani announced he will not be running in the next federal election; he is the fifth federal minister to step down since Trudeau shuffled his cabinet this past December. Virani has been an MP since 2015 and claims his decision is due to personal and family impact of politics but will remain in office until the official election. Other ministers that are also stepping down with Virani include Anita Anand, Gudie Hutchings, Harjit Sajjan and Soraya Martinez Ferrada.  

Article title: Ontario parties are promising family doctors for all. Compare the plans 

By: Mike Crawley 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-election-family-doctors-1.7454298
 

• Around 2.5 million Ontarians do not have access to a family doctor, without a family doctor many individuals must rely on walk-in clinics and emergency rooms. It is suggested that in the upcoming years, another 3 million individuals will lose their family doctors due to retirement. The political parties in Ontario have made different promise on a solution to the family doctor shortage. Bonnie Crombie, the leader of the Liberal Party, vows to recruit at least 3,100 new family doctors by 2029 investing $3.1 billion. The PC Party under Doug Ford has plans to bring in 305 new health care teams to serve 2 million more Ontarians. Additionally, the NDP, led by Marit Stiles, is looking at a $4.05 billion investment over four years, also planning to recruit 3,500 new doctors. The Green Party has promised that primary health care access is a priority but did not yet release any firm details.  

The provinces political parties can make these promises due to the federal government’s $11.4 billion health funding. The aim is to grow team-based care to take some pressure off family doctors, currently less than 30% of Ontarians have access to this type of care. This issue is urgent, and a recent image showed 1,000 people lining up in Walkerton hope for 1 spot out of 500 spots with a new doctor.