#Canadian Fertility Counselling

[allthecanadianpolitics]

A Canadian class-action lawsuit accusing a popular fertility tracking app of sending users' intimate health information — including details about their periods, sex lives and pregnancies — to companies like Facebook without their knowledge has been allowed to go ahead.

The claim, certified in B.C. Supreme Court on Thursday, said Flo Health collected their highly sensitive personal information, promised to keep that information private and then knowingly shared the data with third parties. 

"There's been a significant disclosure of the private information of Canadian women, and we're excited to be proceeding to the next step with the case," said Richard Parsons, who is co-counsel on the case.

The ruling is a pivotal step forward for the case. It will test lagging Canadian privacy laws in a time when millions of people regularly pour their personal information into their phones. If the claim succeeds, more than one million people who used Flo in Canada over a three-year period will be eligible to claim damages. [...]

In 2019, The Wall Street Journal published an article saying Flo gave users' sensitive personal information to Facebook and other companies without their knowledge. Testing commissioned by the newspaper showed Flo told Facebook when an app user was on their period or trying to get pregnant. [...]

Continue Reading.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada, @vague-humanoid

[isupportonlinedoctor]

A Complete Guide on How to Take an Appointment Online in Saskatchewan

If you are feeling unwell and suspect a problem that might need medical attention, you should probably seek professional help. But it’s difficult to get out of your bed, dress up and see your nearest healthcare provider… right? Well, this is where virtual clinics in Saskatchewan come plug in all the convenience and comfort you need to resolve your problems. With online healthcare support, you can access best healthcare professionals from across the globe with just a touch on touch on your screen. Curious? Here’s a beginner’s guide on how to access online doctors form the comfort of your couch.

Step 1: Turn on Your Screen of Course!!

It is pretty understandable that you will need some device be it a smartphone, tablet, laptop or a PC to access various channels and portals providing online health services. You’ll also need an internet connection to book your appointment online (pretty obvious).

Step 2: Look for a Suitable Virtual Clinic.

The next step in line is to find a suitable virtual healthcare provider. Now, there are a lot of service providers on the internet but you will need to look for a suitable virtual service with a broad spectrum addressing maximum problems in its coverage program. Here are a few that can considered for such purpose:

Tia Health:

Tia Health is an excellent option if you are looking to hire an online doctor for your medical concerns. This specific platform provides options of virtual consultations through phone calls, private messages and online chats. You can discuss your condition, receive opinions and prescriptions (yes, you heard kt right) and even get a referral if necessary. (1)

GOeVisit: 

It’s another platform with impressive prospects in the medical field. GOeVisit is an app that allows people to have clinical interviews with Canadian practitioners. The app is easy to download and has simple steps to follow. You are asked to describe your symptoms in a SmartExam clinical interview. After reviewing the symptoms, a licensed physician comes up with a diagnosis and a complete treatment plan. The patient is also provided detailed summary of the meeting, prescription (if any) and referral letters if required. (1)

Maven: 

It provides online health services that can be accessed via both browser and smartphone app, 24/7. It specifically directs telehealth services towards women and their families including services such as fertility counseling, prenatal and postnatal care, mental health counseling and primary pediatric care. The upfront pricing for these virtual visits starts from as low as $20 but various memberships are available with additional incentives. This service not only incorporates licensed physicians but also allows its audience to interact with nutritionists and holistic medicine experts. Another interesting feature of the app is its peer community where different patients can interact with each other too. However, this feature is only available for permanent members of the platform. (1)

Health Tap:

Next in line is Health Tap, an online healthcare service that covers primary care, pediatric counselling, maternal health services etc. The distinctive feature of this particular platform is provision of mental health support and psychiatric counselling. With a membership fee of only $15 per month, it is highly cost-effective. Licensed practitioners can be accessed through this platform and expert opinions can be received. The healthcare providers can also transmit your prescriptions to a pharmacy of your liking. Unfortunately, people with free accounts can only get their hands on limited AI based health support. (1)

Step 3: Confirm an Appointment

Booking your slot through Sign-in Accounts

Most virtual clinics demand creating an account for accessing healthcare services. Creating an account is not much of a puzzle. Using simple steps and putting in the required credentials, people can easily create their account and look for physicians of their liking from amongst a list of physicians with different experiences and degrees (displayed in their portfolio). (2)

Can I use Toll Free Numbers to Confirm my Appointment?

Yes. Most online portals provide the facility of contacting them through tool free numbers that can be used to confirm an online visit. Apart from booking an appointment, customer support also addresses all your concerns and provides adequate suggestions to improve the overall experience.

Step 4: Receive Expert Opinion on The Go.

Once you have confirmed your appointment, you are good to go.

References:

1- Best online doctors. [Internet]. Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/best-online-doctors-4802175

2- Online doctors Ontario [Internet]. Available at:https://www.blogto.com/city/2020/04/online-doctor-ontario-virtual/

[canadafertility]

Egg Donation Canada: Eligibility Criteria for Participants

Egg donation constitutes a significant opportunity for individuals and couples aspiring to parentage, representing a confluence of altruism and advanced reproductive technologies. This article delineates the eligibility criteria for individuals considering participation in egg donation within the Canadian context.

Conceptualizing Egg Donation

Egg donation entails a female donating oocytes to assist another individual or couple in reproduction. In Canada, this procedure is stringently regulated to ensure ethical compliance and the welfare of all involved parties. This process serves as a beacon of hope for many, yet it operates within the confines of stringent medical and legal frameworks.

Criteria for Egg Donors

In Canada, egg donors suitable for egg donation are typically young females, falling within the age bracket of 18 to 35 years. This age range is selected to ensure the donor possesses sufficient maturity to comprehend the implications of her decision and to guarantee the optimal quality of the eggs. The selection process for donors is comprehensive, encompassing physical health assessments, genetic screenings, and psychological evaluations to affirm the donor’s appropriateness.

Legal and Ethical Framework

The Canadian legal and ethical landscape governing egg donation is rigorously structured. The Assisted Human Reproduction Act is pivotal in regulating this practice, ensuring safety and ethical integrity. Notably, the transactional exchange of eggs for monetary compensation is prohibited in Canada; however, donors are entitled to reimbursements for incurred expenses. These regulations aim to prevent exploitation and uphold the altruistic nature of egg donation.

Demographics of Egg Recipients

Egg recipients typically include individuals or couples incapable of conceiving with their own oocytes. This includes a spectrum of situations, such as age-related infertility, infertility due to medical treatments like chemotherapy, genetic disorders, or idiopathic infertility. Additionally, male same-sex couples and single males frequently rely on egg donation for family formation.

Psychological Assessment

A critical component of the egg donation process is the psychological assessment, mandated for both donors and recipients. For donors, this evaluation is essential to ascertain their emotional preparedness for the ramifications of egg donation. For recipients, counseling aids in understanding the complexities associated with utilizing a donor egg, encompassing genetic considerations and potential future disclosures to offspring.

The Matching Procedure

A pivotal aspect of egg donation is the matching procedure, wherein fertility clinics in Canada facilitate the pairing of donors and recipients. This process typically takes into account physical attributes, personality traits, and the preferences of both parties, conducted with a high degree of confidentiality and sensitivity.

Medical Protocols

The medical dimension of egg donation involves administering hormonal treatments to the donor to stimulate ovulation, followed by a minimally invasive surgical procedure for oocyte retrieval. For recipients, the protocol includes preparing the endometrium for embryo transfer.

Egg donation Canada is a path replete with hope and selflessness, providing a viable route to parenthood for numerous individuals confronted with otherwise insurmountable reproductive challenges. Participants in this journey, both donors and recipients, undergo a thorough process involving medical, legal, and psychological assessments to ensure optimal outcomes. This process, underpinned by compassion, scientific advancement, and ethical considerations, not only facilitates the creation of new life but frequently transforms the lives of all parties involved. As advancements in reproductive technologies and ethical practices continue to evolve, egg donation in Canada symbolizes a profound manifestation of the extraordinary potential inherent in shared human experiences.

[immigrationconsultantsdelhi]

Embarking on Your Journey to Canadian Education

Have you ever dreamt of pursuing higher education in the enchanting realm of Canada? Well, look no further! This all-inclusive guide is here to lead you through the ropes of acquiring a Canada Study Visa, all while shining a light on the indispensable role of immigration consultants based in Delhi. Whether you're chasing after a top-tier education or a promising future, this guide is your compass to ensure a smooth and successful voyage.

Why Canada?

Canada is a beacon for quality education, a kaleidoscope of cultures, and a welcoming haven, making it a magnet for students across the globe. With esteemed universities, avant-garde research facilities, and a sturdy economy, Canada provides a fertile ground for personal and academic blossoming.

Comprehending the Canada Study Visa

Before you set sail on your educational escapade, acquiring a Canada Study Visa is your North Star. This visa opens doors for studying and residing in Canada throughout your program. The process involves several waypoints:

1. Enrollment Envelope: Secure an official acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. This is your debut toward eligibility.

2. Financial Footing: Display your capacity to manage tuition fees, living costs, and return travel expenses. This criterion assures that you can sustain yourself during your academic sojourn.

3. Health Harmony: Undergo a health check to meet Canada's health benchmarks.

4. Character Certificate: Furnish a character certificate to affirm your virtuous conduct.

5. Canada Study Visa Application: Fill out the application, including forms, your acceptance letter, proof of funds, and other corroborating documents.

6. Biometric Brushstroke: Depending on your nationality, you might need to provide biometric details as part of the application brushstroke.

7. Interview Interlude (if required): Attend an interview at the Canadian embassy or consulate nearby, if beckoned.

Role of Immigration Consultants in Delhi

Navigating the labyrinthine Canada Study Visa application process can be intricate. This is where the experts, the immigration consultants, step onto the stage. In Delhi, a hub of educational aspirations, these consultants provide sage counsel to streamline your visa application. Here's how they guide you:

1. Wisdom Wellspring: Immigration consultants possess profound insight into Canadian immigration laws and methods. Their experience aids you in dodging common traps and ensuring a blunder-free application.

2. Bespoke Advice: Every student's story is distinct. Immigration consultants tailor their guidance to your particular circumstances, helping you make sagacious decisions.

3. Document Dexterity: Visa applications demand meticulous documentation. Consultants assist you in amassing and arranging essential documents, minimizing the odds of omitting or misplacing critical papers.

4. Application Appraisal: Before submission, consultants meticulously scrutinize your application to spot any inconsistencies or inaccuracies.

5. Interview Illumination: If an interview beckons, consultants furnish you with invaluable insights into possible questions and ways to present yourself with aplomb.

6. Updates and Exchanges: Consultants keep you abreast of your application's progress and engage with the authorities on your behalf.

Choosing the Ideal Immigration Consultant

Not all immigration consultants share the same canvas. To ensure a seamless visa application process, keep the following in mind while selecting a Delhi-based immigration consultant:

1. Credibility Check: Seek out consultants registered with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) or a recognized professional association. This assures their authenticity.

2. Track Record Tale: Investigate the consultant's history of success and peruse client anecdotes. A proven record speaks to their efficacy.

3. Transparency Trail: Transparent consultants lay out their fees and services upfront, circumventing any concealed costs.

4. Tailored Touch: A consultant willing to fathom your aspirations and calibrate their services accordingly demonstrates dedication to your triumph.

5. Communication Charisma: Effective communication is paramount. A consultant adept at elucidating complex processes in lucid terms is a treasured asset.

Benefits of Canadian Studies

Beyond its picturesque panoramas and genial populace, studying in Canada bequeaths a plethora of advantages:

1. Academic Aplomb: Canadian universities perennially rank among the world's finest, providing top-tier education in diverse fields.

2. Employment Expedition: Study permits often come with work permissions, enabling you to accrue hands-on experience while studying.

3. Post-Graduation Odyssey Permit (PGWP): Upon commencement, you're eligible for a PGWP, granting you up to three years of employment prospects in Canada.

4. Pathway to Perpetual Residency: Studying in Canada can act as a stepping stone towards becoming a permanent resident, making it a tempting choice for those aspiring towards long-term settlement.

Conclusion

Embarking on an odyssey to study in Canada is a thrilling endeavor, but it necessitates meticulous plotting and execution. The process of acquiring a Canada Study Visa can be labyrinthine, especially for global scholars. Here's where the know-how of immigration consultants in Delhi comes into play. With their guidance, you can navigate the complexities of the application process and heighten your chances of success.

Recall, studying in Canada not only furnishes top-notch education but also opens portals to a myriad of prospects for personal and professional advancement. By adhering to the steps elucidated in this guide and enlisting the services of reputable immigration consultants, you're laying the groundwork for a gratifying and prosperous educational voyage in the Great White North.

[yourtoradorasextendedwarranty]

Since Apparently

So I have a notification by someone and I’m not going to read it because they are a dishonest shill as far as I'm concerned and referred to me as “Propaganda” because I happen to be a left libertarian (little L), and want to call out others on my “side” as it were, to try to make people more aware, I’m just going to share the stories I was referring to in my post to make a point. 

Boy assaults multiple girls while in girls bathrooms (assumed trans because they wore a skirt) -https://wtop.com/loudoun-county/2021/10/loudoun-co-judge-rules-teen-sexually-assaulted-girl-in-school-bathroom/

Women getting pregnant in prisons due to sharing prisons with biological men. -https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/women-prisoners-new-jersey-pregnant-from-trans-inmate-1938062-2022-04-15

Detransitioning numbers rising *reported from several sources* -https://www.foxnews.com/health/detransitioning-becomes-growing-choice-young-people-gender-affirming-surgery -https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-transyouth-outcomes/ -https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/01/detransition-transgender-nonbinary-gender-affirming-care/672745/ -https://nypost.com/2022/06/18/detransitioned-teens-explain-why-they-regret-changing-genders/ -https://segm.org/first_large_study_of_detransitioners

I’d post links about LGBT “Q-mmunity” views on cis people but you can do that on your own just looking up the tag “Cis” on this hell site. 

Lesbians feeling pressured to have sex with biological men -https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-57853385

The list of things that puberty blockers do is numberous. More so when you factor in long term effects. Also note, that “scientific” health journals are using terms like “assigned sex at birth” which is THE MOST unscientific term I’ve ever heard in my life. Sex is not “Assigned at birth” It is observed. And any clinicians that say otherwise have lost the fucking plot. And frankly deserve to have their creds removed. 

But here are some things that happen along with a number of other effects. 

And a plastic Surgeon talking sense about worries in regards to surgeries and hormone blockers.  -https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/2023/03/19/puberty-blockers-concerns-plastic-surgeon/69990751007/

The NHS now going ON RECORD and saying that long term use of Hormone blockers are NOT reversible, which if anyone read a book they’d understand. Mostly because the “Oh yes they are reversible” argument intentionally removes what happens when your bodies natural puberty starts to slow and stop. Of which you never get a come back from. Once you miss puberty, you miss it. All the development associated with it? Gone. Immune health. Brain development, bone development, height, sex characteristics, fertility, etc. All of that? It doesn’t just restart. It starts from where it thinks it needs to. If you are on blockers for 5 years, you MISS 5 YEARS of body development in ALL IT’S FORMS.

Preferred pronoun laws etc and liberal use of words like “Harassment” -https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2021/november/could-californians-go-to-jail-for-misgendering-state-supreme-court-weighs-preferred-pronouns-law -https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2023/march/uk-preacher-reported-as-terrorist-after-disturbing-misgendering-arrest-wins-big-after-legal-nightmare -https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2021/03/18/canadian-man-jailed-after-misgendering-his-daughter/ -https://www.christianpost.com/news/uk-mom-formally-charged-after-arrest-for-misgendering-trans-activist-online.html

But no all of this shit is just propaganda. None of it is ACTUALLY REAL. And don’t make me go on Twitter, or strait hate groups on Twitter, HERE, and Reddit to prove my point about indoctrination of youths. But here is one anyways. And this is not the only story like it -https://www.foxnews.com/media/florida-father-daughter-suicide-school-counseling-gender-identity -https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10445195/Catholic-father-files-lawsuit-daughter-attempts-suicide-gender-identity.html Oh and this story? THIS STORY is why the Parental Rights in Education law was passed in Florida. 

But sure. Call me a “Good example of propaganda”. Jackass. 

[conscious-love]

cfc.families ~ Instagram

Canadian Fertility Consulting

[boujitrish]

Top Lawyers In Canada In 2019

Dennis Edney and Nate Whitling

Defence counsel, Edmonton, Alta. In a rare move, Edney and Whitling are being termed as Best 25 honourees as a group.  Both have spent over a decade recommending for Omar Khadr, almost universally on a pro bono basis.  From Guantanamo Bay to the Supreme Court of Canada (three times), the improbable duo have fought for Khadr to get him released from prison (success in May), have him treated as a child soldier, and continue to battle for his legal rights at home and abroad.  It's been what the Globe and Mail called waging a war of legal attrition from the government, which has consistently done everything to paint Khadr as a dangerous terrorist who should be held behind bars.  Edney, a former football player who only started practising law in 40, has been the public and media face of the continuing legal battles, even taking Khadr to his home after he had been recently released on bail.   Whitling, a Harvard law grad and former SCC clerk, is a far quieter and reserved drive behind the scenes. What Republicans needed to say: Dennis has gone above and beyond the call of duty in his defence of Omar Khadr.  The nobility of the profession is dependent on lawyers like Dennis as we're occasionally called upon to defend unpopular entities or people -- but people who are no less deserving of natural justice and procedural fairness.   Whitling is a smart and highly effective advocate who stays out of the limelight.  He is a fantastic lawyer.  Exceptionally smart and excellent to use.

Sara Cohen

Creator, Fertility Law Canada in D2Law LLP, Toronto, Ont.  Cohen has devoted her career to two actions which have shifted the practice of fertility legislation for the better in Canada and beyond.  She has spent hundreds of hours teaching and mentoring on the subject of fertility as a adjunct professor, at home and overseas.  Her collegiality at a highly aggressive region of the law, really underlines Cohen's dedication to improving the practice of fertility legislation. More importantly she pushes for change she wishes to see in this burgeoning area of law.  Current lobbying attempts are sure to repay; among them to acquire coverage for in vitro fertilization services through Ontario's health plan as well as modifications to the family law legislation which would clarify that a sperm donor is not a parent just by virtue of being a donor.  Lastly, she is the first adjunct professor in the country to give a course exclusively devoted to reproductive law in Canada, helping clear the route for prospective field practitioners. What voters had to say: Sara has been instrumental in enhancing the legislation in assisted reproductive technology.  Genuinely cares about her field of expertise.  This isn't just a task for Sara, it's her passion.

Sheila Block

Partner, Torys LLP, Toronto, Ont. One of the sharpest litigators in the nation, Block has served as lead counsel on a newly discounted $5-billion class action lawsuit against CIBC and a $100-million lawsuit brought by approximately 8,000 residents of Barbados against Manulife.   She was also staunch counsel for former Manitoba associate chief justice Lori Douglas from the inquiry of the judge's character in a scandal involving her husband, one of his former customers, and salacious photographs of herself submitted on the internet.  Block additionally received an honorary LLD from the Law Society of Upper Canada this year.  An advocate dedicated to teaching law in Canada and across the world, she has coached advocates for the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal in Rwanda and the Special Court in Sierra Leone. What voters had to say: Elle demontre son interet a la fois pour l'schooling du publique et des affaires.  (She has shown her fascination for the education of the public and business.)

Rocco Galati

Rocco Galati Law Firm PC, Toronto, Ont.  Rocco Galati is famous because of its one-man resistance to the current authorities, so much spending $42,000 of his money on court problems.  He successfully launched a situation that blocked Stephen Harper's appointment of Justice Marc Nadon into the Supreme Court of Canada.  His resistance to the appointment of Federal Court of Appeal Justice Robert Mainville into the Quebec Court of Appeal Wasn't as Profitable.  While he doesn't win, Galati is dogged in his own efforts to defend the Constitution against a government he sees pushing the boundaries using a lack of respect for the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  He's now also been elected as bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada and it'll be interesting to see what he brings into the law of this profession.What voters needed to say: A true Canadian constitutional and individual rights enthusiast.

Lorne Waldman

Waldman & Associates, Toronto, Ont. Waldman is a great guardian of refugees, immigrants, and human rights.  He's won a variety of significant victories, including health care for refugees in Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care v. Canada and a female 's right to wear the niqab while making her citizenship oath in Ishaq v. Canada with his associate Naseem Mithoowani.  In addition, he contended at the Supreme Court of Canada at J.P. v. Canada and G.J. v. Canada, that Canada's anti-human smuggling provisions must consist of asylum seekers participating in mutual assistance.  Along with Peter Edelmann, he acted on behalf of the CBA in the Harkat case prior to the SCC at 2014.  On the international stage, he represents Mohamed Fahmy (alongside Amal Clooney), the Canadian journalist working for Al Jazeera.  He has also been a vocal opponent of Bill C-51 and changes to Canada's citizenship law. What voters had to say: Lorne reminded us all, especially now, to preserve democracy and to preserve the rule of law.

[global-covid19-impact]

Gender and Humanitarian Dimensions of COVID-19

While the coronavirus is dramatically affecting people’s lives everywhere, it is expected to most significantly impact the two billion people living in conflict-affected regions, as well as those in densely-populated refugee settlements. 

Moreover, women, children, and other vulnerable groups in all settings are disproportionately affected. Jocelyn Kelly, founding director of the Gender, Rights, and Resilience program at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Dorri McWhorter, chief executive officer of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, and Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States Roya Rahmani join the Council’s Katelyn Jones to examine why using a gender-responsive approach is critical for addressing the pandemic and alleviating the unique burdens women and other vulnerable groups bear both locally and globally.

The virus does not discriminate. In order to respond effectively to the crisis, we need a whole-society approach to understand its differential impact on women and men. Supporting gender analysis and sex-disaggregated data is an integral part of a strong COVID-19 response.

Nine ways in which the consequences of and responses to pandemics like COVID-19 can lead to or increase VAW/C:

  Economic insecurity and poverty-related stress: Poverty-related stress and economic insecurity correlate with poor coping strategies (e.g., substance abuse) can lead to increases in intimate partner violence and child maltreatment. When unemployment rates skyrocket and economies slow to a halt, VAW/C is likely to increase as a result of related stress.

Quarantines and social isolation: Close quarters, especially those tied to stressful conditions, are linked to stress, fear, poor mental health, and disorders, which can in turn increase the likelihood of VAW/C. Evidence focused on other crisis settings, including refugee camps and humanitarian assistance zones, confirms that when family members are in close proximity under conditions of duress for extended periods of time, rates of VAW/C are high. Quarantine also increases face-to-face exposure to perpetrators and can reinforce abuse tactics of social isolation.

Disaster- and conflict-related unrest and instability: Pandemics can break down social infrastructure, compounding existing weaknesses in conflict and disaster settings. This may lead to increased family separation, intra-familial violence, and exposure of women and children to unsafe conditions, including exposure to sexual violence and harassment as they seek to obtain basic goods, including food, firewood, and water.

Exposure to exploitative relationships due to changing demographics: Higher mortality rates drive extended family networks to care for orphans who have lost their parents to disease, creating new strains on households and risking a decreased quality of care, and even violence, directed at children. Changing family structures, combined with school closures and financial duress, can result in higher rates of exploitative, transactional sex among adolescent girls and higher fertility rates, with longer-term consequences for increased VAW/C.   

Reduced health service availability and access to first responders: Health providers and emergency first responders are often the first point of contact for survivors, as well as sources of short-term physical protection for women and children. With all hands on deck needed to respond to pandemics, first responder resources and referral pathways that survivors rely on may not be available unless, following France’s example, intentional efforts are made to provide accessible points of assistance. In addition, women may avoid seeking health services for physical abuse and injuries, for fear of possible infection.

Virus-specific sources of violence: The COVID-19 pandemic has already documented ways perpetrators are using virus-specific misinformation and scare-tactics, as well as controlling behaviors to withhold safety items. In other pandemics, including the HIV/AIDS, violence has been linked to disclosure of serostatus, or may increase risk of lifelong exposure to violence due to coinciding disabilities (e.g. microcephaly within the Zika outbreak).

Inability of women to temporarily escape abusive partners: Women already face complex decisions and a wide range of barriers preventing their ability to safely escape abusive partners. In times of pandemic, when mobility is constrained, social distancing measures are imposed, economic vulnerability increases, and legal (social services) are scaled back, challenges in temporarily escaping abusive partners are exacerbated.

Exposure to violence and coercion in response efforts: There have been documented cases of aid workers responsible for assisting vulnerable populations in times of crisis committing acts of violence against women and children. Unequal power dynamics open up possibilities for those meant to help—including, as seen in the Ebola response, health workers, taxi drivers, and even burial teams—to pressure populations into exploitative relationships in exchange for transport, food, cash, and vaccines.

Violence against health care workers: Women make up nearly 70 percent of the global health workforce and are regularly subjected to abuse and harassment from colleagues and patients. Risks may be heightened in pandemic settings, harming women themselves and the crippling the effectiveness of broader health systems. 

  Proposed actions to be followed by governments, civil society, and international and community-based organizations:

Bolster     violence-related first-response systems: First-responders     should anticipate a surge of VAW/C at the outset of pandemic outbreaks     and prepare     accordingly, including through increasing staff and support resources.     Wherever possible, virtual     (and free-of-charge) options for mental health support, legal     counsel, and other services should be instituted.  

Ensure VAW/C     is integrated into health     systems response: Health care providers should be trained in     identifying women     and children at risk of violence present in all testing and     screening locations, such that recommendations for “self-quarantine” or     “shelter at home” are accompanied by an assessment of the safety of doing     so. In parallel, health systems must institute protections for female     health workers to mitigate risks of sexual harassment and violence.

Expand     and reinforce social safety nets: Proposals     for rapid     expansion of gender-sensitive social safety nets, including paid sick     leave, unemployment insurance, direct cash or food voucher payments,     and/or tax relief are all immediate options—with emphasis on pro-poor     or universal schemes of sufficient monetary value.

Expand     shelter and temporary housing for survivors: There is need     to ensure pandemic-safe     surge housing available for women and children at high risk of     violence in their homes. For example, the Canadian government announced     a $82-billion     COVID-19 aid package on March 18, which included earmarked     increases in $50     million funding for gender-based violence shelters and sexual     assault centers.

Encourage     informal (and virtual) social support networks: Within the     contexts of pandemics, there are a number of options to scale-up and     leverage existing online and     virtual platforms for online support networks. In settings without     options for online platforms, options for text-based (i.e., WhatsApp)     networks can be encouraged, building on existing women’s groups and     collectives.

Clear     communication and support during quarantine mandates: While     quarantines and self-isolation are often a necessary public health     response to pandemics, they also come with significant costs to     populations’ physical and mental     health. Officials should quarantine individuals for no longer than     required, providing a clear rationale for quarantine and information about     protocols, and ensuring there are sufficient supplies of goods and     essential services to populations under isolation.

Integrate     VAW/C programming into longer-term pandemic preparedness: VAW/C     should be integrated into disaster risk reduction and preparedness, as well     as pandemic preparedness. Preparedness efforts should incorporate a gender     and age lens throughout, ensuring women and children are included in     preparedness processes and decision-making. Both One Health and Global Health Security Agenda are     prime entry points to integrate VAW/C programming.

Implement     and invest in flexible funding mechanisms: In times of     uncertainty and crises, multilateral and bilateral donors, as well as     philanthropic donors, should allow for flexible funding. This includes     provisions to allow funding to be allocated away from contractual     requirements and to operating (overhead) expenses with decreased reporting     requirements, as spearheaded by the Ford     Foundation in the context of COVID-19. Increased flexibility can allow     grantees to prioritize increased and gender-responsive investment to curb     the full array of risks brought on by pandemics, including heightened     VAW/C.

Better data and evidence can bolster the efficacy of these responses. Because the evidence on VAW/C in pandemic contexts is limited. More research is needed that will allow us to better understand the magnitude of the problem, clarify the pathways driving changes in violence and linkages with other social and economic factors, and directly inform specific intervention and response options. 

The new CGD working paper serves as a starting point to inform COVID-19 response efforts, preparedness efforts for future pandemics, and efforts to combat VAW/C and support survivors more broadly. 

If the international community does not act to mitigate risk in the current pandemic and use it as a learning opportunity, women and children will pay the price, both now and in the future.

  Authored by Jai Krishna Ponnappan

Source: The Chicago Council on Global Affairs

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs examines global issues, advances policy solutions, and fosters dialogue on what's happening in the world.

Source: UN Women

Source: Center for Global Development

[doktor-greenthumb]

Top Lawyers In Canada In 2020

Wayne Myles

Counsel, Cox & Palmer, St. John's, N.L. Myles' recent claim to fame is that the $3-billion international merger of Barbados-based Columbus International Inc. with England-based Cable & Wireless Communications PLC..  His M&A experience, combined with his dedicated client connections, have not only led to the greatest deal in the telecommunications firm 's history, but demonstrated that major foreign deals are being deftly managed by an Atlantic Canadian law firm.  He also 's also acted as lead counsel and tactical advisor on several acquisitions, licensing, and funding of many subsea and terrestrial telecommunications companies in the global fish processing and marketing sector.  Myles also advised on aviation matters, on many national and international business insolvency and restructuring jobs and on power and transportation matters. What voters had to state:[An] excellent lawyer with international vision.  Huge asset to any trade.

Sara Cohen

Creator, Fertility Law Canada in D2Law LLP, Toronto, Ont.  Cohen has devoted her career to 2 actions that have changed the practice of fertility legislation to the greater in Canada and beyond.  She has spent countless hours training and teaching on the field of fertility as an adjunct professor, at home and overseas.  Her collegiality at a notoriously competitive area of the law, really underlines Cohen's devotion to enhancing the practice of fertility legislation.  More importantly she pushes change she wishes to view in this burgeoning area of law.  Current lobbying attempts are sure to pay off; among them to acquire coverage for in vitro fertilization services through Ontario's health plan in addition to changes to the family law legislation which would clarify that a sperm donor is not a parent only by virtue of being a donor.  Lastly, she's the very first adjunct professor in the country to offer a course solely dedicated to reproductive regulation in Canada, helping clear the route for future area practitioners. What voters had to say: Sara has been instrumental in improving the law in assisted reproductive technology.  Genuinely cares about her field of expertise.  This isn't simply a job for Sara, it's her passion.

Lorne Waldman

Waldman & Associates, Toronto, Ont. Waldman is a great guardian of refugees, immigrants, and human rights.  He has won a variety of important victories, including health care for refugees in Canadian nurses for Refugee Care v. Canada and a female 's right to wear the niqab whilst making her citizenship oath in Ishaq v. Canada together with his associate Naseem Mithoowani.  He also contended at the Supreme Court of Canada at J.P. v. Canada and G.J. v. Canada, that Canada's anti-human smuggling provisions should include asylum seekers engaging in mutual assistance.  Along with Peter Edelmann, he acted on behalf of the CBA in the Harkat case before the SCC at 2014.  On the international stage, he represents Mohamed Fahmy (alongside Amal Clooney), the Canadian journalist working for Al Jazeera.  He has also been a vocal opponent of Bill C-51 and modifications to Canada's citizenship legislation. What Republicans needed to say: Lorne reminded us all, especially now, to preserve democracy and to preserve the rule of law.

Justice Beverley McLachlin

Chief justice, Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa, Ont.  A common member of the Top 25 list and the top vote-getter in years ago, McLachlin continues to make waves, handing down two quite important decisions on aboriginal law.  The 2014 Tsilhqot'at Nation v. British Columbia decision directed by McLachlin is the first of its type in the history of British Columbia.  Last year that the Supreme Court of Canada granted announcement of aboriginal title to over 1,700 square kilometres of land.  She is also responsible for upholding the decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal in Keewatin v. Ontario (Natural Resources) published in July 2014, she has overhauled what the Lamer court started and has left her mark in this region for decades to come.  The chief justice continues to be a powerful proponent of justice for all Canadians.  As her incredible number of votes once again this year reveal, McLachlin is greatly admired not just for her rulings but her public aid in favour of free speech, diversity, and inclusive direction.  What voters had to say: A brilliant judge that, time and time again, marries the legislation with common sense.  Justifiably most respected legal mind in the country; remarkable integrity; reliable public servant; obviously guided by law enforcement and a strong moral compass.

[kceleste]

Top Lawyers In Canada In 2020

Murray Klippenstein

Creator, Klippensteins Barristers & Solicitors, Toronto, Ont. Back for the second year on the Top 25, Klippenstein's continuing representation of 13 members of this indigenous Mayan Q'eqchi' population from El Estor, Guatemala, continues to make waves.  Three related suits are ahead of the Ontario courts against Canadian mining firm Hudbay Minerals within the brutal killing of Adolfo Ich and the gang rape of 11 girls from Lote Ocho.  In a precedent-setting ruling in July of 2013, an Ontario court determined that lawsuits can proceed to trial in Canada over the objections of Hudbay Minerals.  At home he's also taking on the big guys in a situation against Encana Corp. which 's challenging the regulation and practice of hydraulic fracking in Canada. What Republicans needed to say: Kudos for standing up for, upholding Canadian values, wherever we operate.

Justice David Stratas

Judge, Federal Court of Appeal, Ottawa, Ont.  Stratas penned possibly the most talked-about decision in the region of employment law this year.  It will affect federally regulated companies and workers for a long time to come.  His February Federal Court of Appeal decision in Wilson v. Atomic Energy of Canada flies in the face of 40 decades of legislation permitting federally regulated employers to dismiss workers without cause.  Prior to the conclusion, the consensus was that employees who are regulated by the Canada Labour Code may be terminated for just cause.  Many federally controlled organizations including banks, telecommunications firms, and transport businesses view the decision a victory, because of its long-term consequences.  The court has to be a tie-breaker on this problem, composed Stratas.  Because of its effect, Joseph Wilson registered for leave to appeal with the Supreme Court of Canada in late March.  A choice on leave is pending. What voters had to say: He's the best administrative law jurist of the era.  The single one moving deep into philosophy, making sense of it all.  Thoughtful, scholarly, practical, and so hard working.  With respect to the last, it seems the cases with a true effect from the Federal Court of Appeal are written by him.  Plain talking decisions really hammer the important points home.

Lorne Waldman

Waldman & Associates, Toronto, Ont. Waldman is a great guardian of refugees, immigrants, and human rights.  He's won a variety of important victories, including healthcare for refugees in Canadian nurses for Refugee Care v. Canada and a female 's right to wear the niqab whilst producing her citizenship oath in Ishaq v. Canada together with his associate Naseem Mithoowani.  In addition, he argued at the Supreme Court of Canada at J.P. v. Canada and G.J. v. Canada, that Canada's anti-human smuggling provisions must include asylum seekers engaging in mutual assistance.  Along with Peter Edelmann, he acted on behalf of the CBA from the Harkat case prior to the SCC at 2014.  On the global stage, he symbolizes Mohamed Fahmy (along with Amal Clooney), the Canadian journalist working for Al Jazeera.  He has also been a vocal opponent of Bill C-51 and changes to Canada's citizenship law. What Republicans needed to say: Lorne reminded us all, especially today, to preserve democracy and to maintain the rule of law.

Allison Dellandrea

Crown counsel, Ministry of the Attorney General,Toronto, Ont.   Dellandrea was a key participant in advancing the understanding of crimes against children by law enforcement officials, fellow lawyers, and the judiciary.  She was involved in a child sexual abuse case in March where Ontario's former deputy education minister Ben Levin pleaded guilty to child pornography related charges.  The fees included making written child porn, counseling a person to commit a sexual assault, and possession of child pornography.  Dellandrea's function for a Crown includes function as education lead for Ontario's provincial strategy on Internet crimes against children.  She's an instrumental leader in this region within the justice section. What voters had to say: Allison is a tireless source and is the penultimate legal head for a prosecutorial position on all things associated with child exploitation and sexual assault offences.  For such a difficult subject that inherently involves very taxing emotional and legal problems, Allison always has the time to provide sound advice to additional Crowns prosecuting these very difficult and sensitive offences.  Her efforts have made a tangible difference in making our society safer.

Sara Cohen

Creator, Fertility Law Canada in D2Law LLP, Toronto, Ont.  Cohen has devoted her career to 2 actions that have shifted the practice of fertility legislation for the greater in Canada and outside.  She has spent countless hours teaching and mentoring on the subject of fertility as an adjunct professor, at home and overseas.  Her collegiality at a notoriously competitive area of the law, truly underlines Cohen's dedication to improving the practice of fertility legislation.  More importantly she pushes for change she wishes to see in this burgeoning area of the law.  Current lobbying attempts are sure to repay; among them to obtain coverage for in vitro fertilization services through Ontario's health program as well as modifications to the family law legislation that would clarify that a sperm donor is not a parent just by virtue of being a donor.  Lastly, she is the very first adjunct professor in the nation to give a course solely dedicated to reproductive law in Canada, helping clear the route for future area practitioners. What Republicans needed to say: Sara was instrumental in enhancing the law in assisted reproductive technologies.  Genuinely cares about her field of expertise.  This isn't just a job for Sara, it is her passion.

Fred Headon

Assistant general counsel, labor and employment law, Air Canada, Montreal, Que.  As chairman of the Canadian Bar Association's Futures Initiative, Headon has given over 25 presentations to lawyers, law students, professors, librarians, law firm personnel, and labs from Toronto to Buenos Aires, Victoria to Halifax, in person and online.  The Futures report was released in August 2014 and its recommendations put Headon squarely in the middle of several vital discussions on subjects crucial to the profession.  He continues to direct the Futures steering committee because it now turns its recommendations into actions.  Headon is an integral part of the debate about the future of the profession and he had been the very first in-house counsel to eventually become the president of the CBA. What voters had to say: Brings energy and decency and the smarts to what he does.

[joshuajacksonlyblog]

Judge Chooses Representative Counsel for QuadrigaCX Creditors

Justice Wood has appointed legal counsel to represent some 115,000 creditors in incipient legal proceedings against seemingly insolvent cryptocurrency exchange QuadrigaCX, documents published today, February 19, 2019, from the Halifax, Nova Scotia court reveal.

After postponing his decision, in a hearing on February 14, 2019, to choose one of four legal teams vying to represent affected users, Wood has given the bid to Miller Thompson and Cox & Palmer, a joint-counsel of two firms that collectively have logged “extensive insolvency experience.” Included with this experience, the firms have a useful understanding of the Canadian Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), a law that applies to insolvency cases of $5 million CAD or more. Wood was also impressed with the complementary expertise the two firms represent and the synergy they employed to exploit their expertise efficiently on behalf of their clients.

“Miller Thompson has additional depth in certain areas, including larger CCAA proceedings and cryptocurrency ...The relationship between the two firms has been thought out carefully with a view to minimizing costs. Cox & Palmer will deal with their areas of expertise, including local litigation practice and court appearances. Miller Thompson will provide expertise in dealing with large creditor groups and cryptocurrency technology,” the judge wrote in the court statement.

“They propose a limited initial mandate and a cap on counsel fees in recognition of the reality that it is the users who will ultimately be paying,” he continued.

Dividing labors and setting a cap of $250,000 for legal fees to cut costs for an already cash-strapped creditor base is prudent, Justice Wood points out, as is the co-op’s plan to set up an online communication medium for creditors.

In the initial hearing to designate counsel, the judge made note of the role online “chatrooms” for the dissemination of information regarding the situation (he’s referring most ostensibly to Reddit, which has become a fertile ground for discussion and speculation since the fiasco started unravelling).

Miller Thompson/Cox & Palmer have proposed a “reasonable” alternative, the judge claimed, while agreeing that “some presence in social media and online discussion groups is necessary in order to reach the user group members.” This counsel-sponsored medium would hopefully add clarity and legitimacy to Reddit’s unverified accounts.

The judge’s decision comes as the Canadian Bitcoin community is vexed with questions over where their money went after QuadrigaCX CEO Gerald Cotten allegedly died in India last December with the only knowledge of the exchange’s cold wallet keys.

Many theories have cycled through social media, including conspiracies that Cotten faked his death, scuttlebutt of the type that has made the judge wary of Reddit’s use as an avenue for information.

Still, even disregarding these theories, more questions loom over the debacle than answers, including Jennifer Robertson’s (Cotten’s widow) involvement in the company and activity after the CEO’s death and the exchange’s sources of liquidity, which apparently favored sending cash in the mail or redeeming it to customers in person rather than through bank deposits.

As creditor suits mounted following QuadrigaCX’s inability to honor withdrawals, QuadrigaCX filed for creditor protection, which was approved by the court on February 5, 2019. Per CCAA procedures, the court moved to consolidate creditor legal representation, something Justice Wood explicated in today’s court document.

“There are two primary rationales given for the appointment of representatives and representative counsel in CCAA proceedings. The first is to provide effective communication with stakeholders and ensure that their interests are brought to the attention of the Court and other CCAA participants. The second is to bring increased efficiency and cost effectiveness to the proceeding as a whole. This latter objective can be attained by streamlining notification to stakeholders through their representatives and eliminating the need for multiple counsel to be retained by individual stakeholders to represent their interests.”

This article originally appeared on Bitcoin Magazine.

from Cryptocracken Tumblr http://bit.ly/2tsETeK via IFTTT

[lotsofdogs]

If A Woman With Obesity Is Denied Fertility Treatment, Does She Have Grounds To Sue?

It is a fairly common practice for fertility clinics to deny treatments to women with obesity. The rationale presented usually references the increased risks posed to both mom and fetus consequent to mom's obesity. And indeed, there are increased risks in pregnancy in women with obesity including of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, prolonged first stage of labour, increased instrumental deliveries, shoulder dystocia, macrosomia (big babies), congenital anomalies, and C-Sections. But here's the thing, there are plenty of pre-existing conditions that women seeking fertility treatments have that confer comparably increased risks, and yet those women are not denied access to treatment, instead they are counselled about those risks, informed consent is obtained, and treatment is provided. Couple the above with the fact that there simply are no gold standard non-surgical means by which women with obesity can ensure they'll lose weight, and that denying fertility treatment to women has been shown to negatively affect self-esteem, social isolation, anxiety, and depression, and I can't help but wonder whether there are grounds for a lawsuit? Grounds that have been made that much stronger by the recent publication of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society's recommendations on obesity and reproduction which spell out all of the above (minus the legal question), and which are well worth a read by women with obesity seeking fertility treatments.

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[savetopnow]

2018-04-05 00 NEWS now

NEWS

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[thatfeministkilljoy]

CN: cissexism

Health PEI announced Tuesday that some new services, including surgical abortions, will be available at Prince County Hospital by the end of the month.

On Tuesday evening, Abortion Access Now PEI, a group that fought for abortion access, and threatened legal action against the province last year, held a meeting to learn more about the plans for the new Women's Wellness Centre.

"That's absolutely wonderful news for us. I think it's been a long time coming," said Ann Wheatley, co-chair of Abortion Access Now PEI.

At the meeting, Kathy Jones, director of public health, women's wellness and children's developmental services with Health PEI, spoke about the plans for the Women's Wellness Centre, and what people can expect in the coming year.

As well as surgical abortions, Health PEI will introduce counseling for pregnancy options as well as birth control counseling by month end.More services will be added over the next year, including prenatal care, menopause care, and coordination of fertility services.Sandy Kowalik, secretary of Abortion Access Now PEI, said she is very happy to hear about the wide variety of services that will be offered."It's just a very thorough thing that they're doing to look at all of women's wellness," said Kowalik.  The services will eventually be offered at the new Women's Health Centre. Until that centre is built, they will be offered in a temporary location in Prince County Hospital.

Continue Reading

I think we could all use some good news! People living in Prince Edward Island will no longer have to leave the island to access abortion services!! The decision to finally provide access in the province was made last year, after much protest, and even a threat of legal action. By the end of this month, access should be avaible on island! 

PEI was the last Canadian province to gain access, and this now means that all 13 provinces and territories have at least one facility providing abortion services. While there certainly is a lot of room to improve how accessible those services actually are to everyone, this is a big step foward.

@allthecanadianpolitics

[nomoreapologys]

Top Lawyers In Canada

Justice David Stratas

Judge, Federal Court of Appeal, Ottawa, Ont.  Stratas penned possibly the most talked-about decision in the area of employment legislation this year.  It'll affect federally regulated companies and employees for years to come.  His February Federal Court of Appeal decision in Wilson v. Atomic Energy of Canada flies in the face of 40 decades of law allowing federally regulated employers to dismiss workers without cause.  Prior to the conclusion, the consensus was the workers who are regulated by the Canada Labour Code could be terminated for just cause. Many federally controlled organizations including banks, telecommunications firms, and transportation businesses see the choice that a success, because of its long-term consequences.  The court needs to be a tie-breaker on this issue, wrote Stratas.  Because of its effect, Joseph Wilson registered for leave to appeal with the Supreme Court of Canada in late March.  A decision on leave is impending. What voters had to say: He's the best administrative law jurist of the age.   The single one moving deep into philosophy, making sense of everything. Thoughtful, scholarly, practical, and so hard working.  Connected to the past, it appears the cases with a real effect from the Federal Court of Appeal are composed by him.  Plain speaking decisions actually hammer the essential points home.

Pascale Fournier

Professor & study chair, legal pluralism and comparative legislation, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, Ottawa, Ont. Fournier has attained international fame for her groundbreaking work on gender, faith, and the law, together with fieldwork interviews with women from several states to emphasize the complex interplay between spiritual and secular law.  She's received numerous national and global awards and nominations in 2014.  Fournier became a fellow of the prestigious International Women's Forum for her job as a leader in the legal profession; receiving the Canada-Arab Chamber of Commerce Award for academic excellence and contribution to humanity.  Fournier represented the University of Ottawa as an effective leader in the Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference and was appointed by the National Assembly of Quebec into the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission. What Republicans needed to say: Outstanding thoughts, according [to] Harvard's Prof. Kennedy.

Allison Dellandrea

Crown counsel, Ministry of the Attorney General,Toronto, Ont.   Dellandrea was a key player in advancing the understanding of crimes against children by law enforcement officers, fellow lawyers, and the judiciary.  She was included in a child sexual abuse case in March where Ontario's former deputy education minister Ben Levin pleaded guilty to child porn related charges.  The fees included making composed child porn, counseling a individual to commit a sexual assault, and possession of child pornography.  Dellandrea's function as a Crown includes being the education lead for Ontario's provincial strategy on Internet crimes against children.  She is an instrumental leader in this region within the justice section. What Republicans needed to say: Allison is a tireless source and is the penultimate legal mind to get a prosecutorial position on all things associated with child abuse and sexual assault offences.  For this difficult subject that inherently involves quite reckless emotional and legal problems, Allison always has the time to offer sound advice to other Crowns prosecuting these very tough and sensitive offences.  Her efforts have made a tangible difference in making our society safer.

Rocco Galati

Rocco Galati Law Firm PC, Toronto, Ont.  Rocco Galati is famed because of its one-man opposition to the current authorities, so much spending $42,000 of his own money on court problems.  He successfully launched a situation that blocked Stephen Harper's appointment of Justice Marc Nadon to the Supreme Court of Canada.  His resistance to the appointment of Federal Court of Appeal Justice Robert Mainville into the Quebec Court of Appeal was not as Profitable.  While he doesn't win, Galati is dogged in his own efforts to defend the Constitution against a government he sees as pushing the boundaries using a lack of respect to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  He also 's now also been elected as bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada and it will be interesting to see exactly what he brings to the regulation of this profession.What voters had to say: A true Canadian constitutional and human rights enthusiast.

Fred Headon

Assistant general counsel, labor and employment law, Air Canada, Montreal, Que.  As chairman of the Canadian Bar Association's Futures Initiative, Headon has contributed over 25 presentations to lawyers, law students, professors, librarians, law firm personnel, and regulators in Toronto to Buenos Aires, Victoria to Halifax, in person and online.   The Futures report was released in August 2014 and its recommendations place Headon squarely in the middle of many vital discussions on subjects essential to the profession.  He continues to direct the Futures steering committee as it now turns its guidelines into actions. Headon is an integral component of the discussion about the future of this profession and he was the very first in-house counselor to become the president of this CBA. What Republicans needed to say: Brings energy and decency and the smarts to everything he does.

Sara Cohen

Creator, Fertility Law Canada at D2Law LLP, Toronto, Ont.  Cohen has devoted her career to 2 actions that have changed the practice of fertility legislation for the better in Canada and beyond.  She has spent countless hours training and teaching on the field of fertility as an adjunct professor, at home and overseas.  Her collegiality in a highly aggressive region of the law, truly underlines Cohen's devotion to enhancing the practice of fertility legislation.  More importantly she pushes for change she wishes to view in this burgeoning area of law.  Current lobbying attempts are sure to pay off; one of them to obtain coverage for in vitro fertilization services through Ontario's health plan as well as modifications to the family law legislation which would clarify a sperm donor isn't a parent only by virtue of being a donor.   Lastly, she is the very first adjunct professor in the nation to give a course exclusively devoted to reproductive regulation in Canada, helping clear the path for future field practitioners. What Republicans needed to say: Sara has been instrumental in improving the law in assisted reproductive technologies.  Genuinely cares about her area of expertise.  This isn't simply a job for Sara, it is her passion.

[vsplusonline]

Patients ‘losing precious time’ as fertility treatments paused due to coronavirus

New Post has been published on https://apzweb.com/patients-losing-precious-time-as-fertility-treatments-paused-due-to-coronavirus/

Patients ‘losing precious time’ as fertility treatments paused due to coronavirus

Elena Mularcyzk’s daughter often asks her when she’ll have a baby brother or sister.

“Our daughter is constantly drawing pictures of babies in mommy’s tummy. She’s so excited about having a sibling,” the Oshawa, Ont., mother said.

But Mularcyzk isn’t pregnant. She and her husband were ready to try one last round of in vitro fertilization (IVF) this spring — but then the novel coronavirus pandemic hit Canada.

READ MORE: Canadians applying for emergency benefit concerned for what comes next

“Any fertility process is just about waiting and waiting … now we need to wait some more,” Mularcyzk told Global News.

Her daughter Isabella, now four, was conceived after three rounds of IVF. Mularcyzk underwent a fourth unsuccessful round of IVF in an attempt to conceive a second child in 2019.

Story continues below advertisement

Then, earlier this year, she was finally told there was another viable embryo ready for transfer — but the procedure was placed on hold as fertility clinics were forced to close due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

3:54 Coronavirus outbreak: The life-and-death decisions doctors face

Coronavirus outbreak: The life-and-death decisions doctors face

“We’ve been working at [giving Isabella a sibling] for a couple of years,” Mularcyzk said of her long struggle with fertility.

“We’ll do a fifth round … and if we get lucky, that’s great, but if it doesn’t happen, at least we have our daughter.”

Mularcyzk is just one of thousands of people across Canada whose family planning has been put on hold due to the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

READ MORE: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan to set up new charity called Archewell

On April 1, the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) recommended suspension of “all diagnostic and elective procedures and surgeries,” and “postponing any new cycle starts” other than for fertility preservation purposes related to cancer treatment.

Elective procedures include egg retrievals, IVF cycles, embryo transfers, ultrasounds and all the things preparing for a transfer, said Dr. Michael Virro, fertility doctor at the Markham Fertility Centre and staff physician at Markham-Stouffville Hospital in Toronto.

4:25 How those with autism are handling the COVID-19 outbreak

How those with autism are handling the COVID-19 outbreak

“Anybody in the middle of a cycle … we [were allowed to] finish those up,” Virro said of the closures. “Anybody that was ready to get started, though — and there were quite a few of them — they did get cancelled.”

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The unfortunate circumstances have left thousands of Canadian families in a lurch, and there’s no end in sight.

[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]

‘Losing precious time’

Fertility treatments are already emotionally-laden and stressful for couples, and the coronavirus crisis is only compounding those feelings.

“So many people seeking IVF are in their last few years of fertility. They’re losing precious time right now as they ride out the pandemic,” said Christine Korol, registered psychologist at the Vancouver Anxiety Centre.

“Procedures being delayed for 12 to 18 months might mean that some people just don’t get to have families.”

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If you’re someone in this position, it’s totally normal to feel fear, sadness and grief.

READ MORE: Bedridden for days, young Canadians with COVID-19 say illness is ‘no joke’

“Fertility issues can cause an array of strong emotions towards oneself and one’s partner,” said registered psychotherapist Renee Raymond, of CaRib Counselling & Psychotherapy in Toronto.

“A woman may become anxious, depressed and feel highly stressed. It can also affect one’s feelings of self-worth and their self-concept related to being a woman.”

Pausing treatment can bring back those feelings of vulnerability people might feel about their inability to become parents, said Raymond.

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2:03 Changing advice on non-medical masks and COVID-19 protection from B.C. health officials

Changing advice on non-medical masks and COVID-19 protection from B.C. health officials

“The loss of control and hope that may result from an interruption like COVID-19 can leave people reeling, unsure of what the future holds for them.”

It’s important that couples observe how they feel right now, seeking support from friends, family, doctors or therapists when needed, said Raymond.

This will help them stay “as grounded and healthy as possible” during these uncertain times.

READ MORE: Got coronavirus symptoms? Avoid your pets just like you’d avoid people, vets say

While several of Virro’s patients were upset by the news, he was uplifted by the overall response.

“I think everybody gets it,” he said. “I’m getting the sense from our patients [that they know] we have to stay inside.”

“They’re saying: ‘We get it. We want to have our IVF done, but we also want to be safe and to get this virus under control.’”

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Older patients

Delaying fertility treatment can be especially difficult for older patients, given that age is known to impact success.

Fertility decreases after age 35, according to Health Canada.

“Age really is our greatest nemesis as a fertility profession,” Virro said. “It just gets harder to make good embryos [and] there are more miscarriages.”

1:35 Health authorities switch gears on masks in public

Health authorities switch gears on masks in public

He worries about his older patients during this time, especially those in their 40s.

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“Those are the ones that even three, four, five months [without treatment] will actually alter their chances quite significantly,” he said. “They’re the ones who are really struggling [with the hold].”

Mularcyzk is concerned about how long she may be asked to wait.

“Time is always a huge concern,” Mularcyzk said.

“The idea that I’m getting older … what does that mean for my chances?”

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Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:

Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.

Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.

To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.

For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.

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— With files from the Canadian Press & Global News’ Caryn Lieberman

Meghan.Collie@globalnews.ca

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© 2020 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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