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Background: Autosomal dominant (AD) spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) encompass a large group of rare disorders, which occurs in individuals of different ethnic backgrounds. To date, demographics, and clinical descriptions of AD SCA in Canada are lacking. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with a genetically confirmed diagnosis of AD SCAs was performed at five tertiary centers across Canada in the provinces of Quebec, Alberta, and Ontario. Demographic, genetic, and clinical information were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 203 patients with AD SCA were identified. Weighted estimated prevalence of AD SCA in three large Canadian provinces was calculated (2.25 cases per 100.000) which is in keeping with the figures documented worldwide. We found that the distribution of the most common SCA differed when comparing provinces. The most prevalent SCA diagnosis in Ontario was SCA3 (49%), while the most prevalent SCA diagnosis in Alberta and Quebec was SCA2 in 26% and 47%, respectively. SCA6 was the third most prevalent SCA subtype in Quebec (14%), which was not seen as commonly in other provinces. SCA1 was uncommonly seen in both Alberta and Quebec, despite being common in Ontario. Conclusions: In this largest Canadian study, we describe the prevalence, distribution, and clinical characteristics of AD SCA. We found that the distribution of the most common SCA differed in the three provinces studied. This finding reflects the heterogenous nature of the Canadian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Foreign Policy Journal (CFPJ) is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recent work on health system strengthening suggests that a combination of leadership and policy capacity is essential to achieve transformation and improvement. Policy capacity and leadership are mutually constitutive but difficult to assemble in a coherent and consistent way. Our paper relies on the nested model of policy capacity to empirically explore how health reformers in seven Canadian provinces address the question of policy capacity. More specifically, we look at emerging representations of policy capacity within the context of health reforms between 1990 and 2020. Based on the exploration of the scientific and grey literature (legislation, annual reports of Ministries, agencies and organizations, meeting minutes, press, etc.) and interviews with key informants (n=54), we identify how policy capacity is considered and framed within health reforms A series of core dilemmas emerge from attempts by each province to develop policy capacity for and through health reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Water Resources Journal / Revue Canadienne des Ressources Hydriques is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article tests for the presence of a regularity in the relationship between income inequality and voter turnout in two countries with common Westminster parliamentary systems. We begin by using data from a panel of Canadian provinces to assess two contrasting monotonic hypotheses: conflict theory that predicts a positive monotonic relationship (inequality promoting conflict and greater electoral participation) against relative power theory that predicts a negative monotonic relationship (inequality leading to political alienation and electoral disengagement). Nesting these hypotheses within a rational choice model of voter turnout, we find that neither hypothesis explains the data convincingly while a search across fractional polynomials finds that the relationship is better described as non-monotonic with an inverted U shape. The generality of this finding is assessed by rerunning the analysis on a panel of 14 Indian states. The commonality of results across countries with similar political structures but widely different demographics and stages of development is striking and consistent with the hypothesis that conflict theory operates at low levels of income inequality before growing inequality leads to voter alienation and lower voter turnout. In the Canadian case the tipping point arises at an income Gini of 0.32 while the Indian case peaks at consumption Gini of 0.34. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the confusion surrounding the name Lycopsis virginica and its relationship to the genus Myosotis. The author proposes rejecting the name Lycopsis virginica due to the ambiguity and potential destabilization of nomenclature. The article provides a detailed analysis of the historical accounts and specimens related to the name, suggesting that the specific identity of the plants in question is uncertain. The author acknowledges the contributions of various individuals and institutions in reviewing and editing the manuscript. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the politics of religious schools in Canada and contrasts it with the situation in the United States. It highlights the historical development of provincial policies regarding public support for religious schools in Canada, emphasizing the country's pluralism of approaches to the issue. The article also mentions specific examples, such as Ontario's accommodation of religious schools and Quebec's adoption of a distinct form of secularism. The author suggests that the Canadian experience provides valuable insights into the interplay between religion, school, and state in a democratic order. [Extracted from the article]

Background: With large volumes of longitudinal data in electronic medical records from diverse patients, primary care is primed for disruption by artificial intelligence (AI) technology. With AI applications in primary care still at an early stage in Canada and most countries, there is a unique opportunity to engage key stakeholders in exploring how AI would be used and what implementation would look like. Objective: To identify the barriers that patients, providers, and health leaders perceive in relation to implementing AI in primary care and strategies to overcome them. Design: 12 virtual deliberative dialogues. Dialogue data were thematically analyzed using a combination of rapid ethnographic assessment and interpretive description techniques. Setting: Virtual sessions. Participants: Participants from eight provinces in Canada, including 22 primary care service users, 21 interprofessional providers, and 5 health system leaders Results: The barriers that emerged from the deliberative dialogue sessions were grouped into four themes: (1) system and data readiness, (2) the potential for bias and inequity, (3) the regulation of AI and big data, and (4) the importance of people as technology enablers. Strategies to overcome the barriers in each of these themes were highlighted, where participatory co-design and iterative implementation were voiced most strongly by participants. Limitations: Only five health system leaders were included in the study and no self-identifying Indigenous people. This is a limitation as both groups may have provided unique perspectives to the study objective. Conclusions: These findings provide insight into the barriers and facilitators associated with implementing AI in primary care settings from different perspectives. This will be vital as decisions regarding the future of AI in this space is shaped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chickpea fields in Saskatchewan, one of the three Canadian prairie provinces, have suffered from major health issues since 2019, but no definitive cause has been determined. Field surveys were conducted in Saskatchewan in 2020 and 2021 in order to develop a better understanding of root rot pathogens associated with chickpea. Root samples were analyzed for the presence of 11 potential chickpea root rot pathogens using end-point PCR. Fusarium redolens, F. solani and F. avenaceum were the most prevalent pathogen species detected in both survey years. The cause of Fusarium wilt in chickpea, F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris, was not detected in either year, nor were Phytophthora spp. and Verticillium albo-atrum. Berkeleyomyces sp. was detected in one field ineach year, andVerticilliumdahliae was detected in several fields sampled in 2021. These two pathogens have not been reported previously on chickpea in Saskatchewan. The prevalence of Fusarium species obtained from 2021 root isolations was similar to that determined by molecular tests, with frequent isolation of F. redolens, F. oxysporum, F. avenaceum and F. solani. A series of indoor pathogenicity testing compared root disease severity caused by a selection of 16 isolates of six Fusarium species and single isolates of V. dahliae, Berkeleyomyces sp. and Macrophomina phaseolina. Results showed that select isolates of F. avenaceum were the most aggressive of the Fusarium isolates on chickpea. Despite relatively low inoculum density, a highly aggressive isolate of F. avenaceum caused severe stunting and more root rot symptoms than single isolates of V. dahliae, Berkeleyomyces sp. and M. phaseolina under the test conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In 2018, the sale of non-medical cannabis was authorized in the province of Quebec in Canada, within a public monopoly under the Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQDC). The objective of this study was to offer a description of the cannabis-using population regarding the sources of cannabis supply and to explore whether at-risk individuals are purchasing cannabis at SQDC. Method: We used data from a cross-sectional, representative population survey (age >18 years, n = 1799), the Enquête Québécoise sur le Cannabis, which was completed between February and June 2019. Analyses involved adjusted binary logistic regressions, incorporating population weights, to assess 7 potential indicators of harm. Results: The vulnerability profiles of SQDC consumers (47.8%) and those acquiring their cannabis elsewhere (52.2%) were similar in terms of frequency of cannabis use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.12-1.67), motivation to use (aOR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.16-2.46), concomitant consumption of other substances (aOR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.14-4.75), cannabis-impaired driving behaviours (aOR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.26-3.36), psychological distress (aOR = 0.99; 95% CI = 0.26-3.79), and problematic cannabis use (aOR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.13-1.64). However, SQDC consumers were more likely to be aware of the cannabinoid content of the product purchased compared to those who acquired their cannabis from other sources (aOR = 4.12; 95% CI = 1.10-15.40). Conclusions: No association was detected between the source of cannabis supply and potential vulnerability indicators of cannabis-related harms, but SQDC consumers were more aware of the cannabinoid content of the products purchased. These results suggest that the regulated government supply in Quebec is reaching a substantial portion of those with potential high vulnerability to harm. Whether this knowledge translates into a reduction in the negative consequences related to consumption is still to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid precipitation falling near 0 °C, mainly snow, can adhere to surface features and produce major impacts. This study is concerned with characterizing this precipitation over the Canadian Prairie provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan in the current (2000–2013) and pseudo-global warming future climate, with an average 5.9 °C temperature increase, through the use of high resolution (4 km) model simulations. On average, simulations in the current climate suggest that this precipitation occurs within 11 events per year, lasting 33.6 h in total and producing 27.5 mm melted equivalent, but there are wide spatial variations that are partly due to enhancements arising from its relatively low terrain. Within the warmer climate, average values generally increase, and spatial patterns shift somewhat. This precipitation consists of four categories covering its occurrence just below and just above a wet-bulb temperature of 0 °C, and with or without liquid precipitation. It generally peaks in March or April, as well as in October, and these peaks move towards mid-winter by approximately one month within the warmer climate. Storms producing this precipitation generally produce winds with a northerly component during or shortly after the precipitation; these winds contribute to further damage. Overall, this study has determined the features of and expected changes to adhering precipitation across this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides insights into the little‐explored gendered perspective of the parenting practices of Somali immigrant mothers in a Canadian province (Alberta). We use a critical ethnographic methodology and a transnational feminist framework. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with ten Somali mothers aged 18 to 50. Mothers were interviewed about their parenting practices in a post‐migration context, including challenges. Our results show immigrant mothers combine their cultural values with new values from Canada that they find effective. We find gendered differences in how parenting experiences are perceived. Our results suggest the need for anti‐racist and culturally safe health, education, and child policies and practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quantum computer exhibits quantum advantage when it can perform a calculation that a classical computer is unable to complete. It follows that a company with a quantum computer would be a monopolist in the market for such a calculation if its only competitor was a company with a classical computer. Conversely, economic outcomes are unclear if quantum computers do not exhibit a quantum advantage, but classical and quantum computers have different cost structures. We model a Cournot duopoly where a quantum computing company competes against a classical computing company. The model features an asymmetric variable cost structure between the two companies and the potential for an asymmetric fixed cost structure, where each firm can invest in scaling its hardware to expand its respective market. We find that even if (1) the companies can complete identical calculations, and thus there is no quantum advantage, and (2) it is more expensive to scale the quantum computer, the quantum computing company may be more profitable and also invest more in market creation due to efficiency gains from using quantum algorithms. Finally, we provide examples of settings where the classical computer can also perform a calculation, but not in a cost-effective enough manner to be commercially viable. In such a setting, the quantum computing company becomes a monopolist despite exhibiting no quantum advantage. Taken together, quantum computers may not need to display a quantum advantage to be able to generate a quantum economic advantage for the companies that deploy them. This paper was accepted by D. J. Wu, information systems. Funding: R. G. Melko is supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canada Research Chair program, and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. Research at the Perimeter Institute is supported in part by the Government of Canada through the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and by the Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. A. Goldfarb is supported by the Sloan Foundation and the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4578. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whereas some federations reacted to the expanding international trade agenda by 'federalizing' trade policy-making and allowing sub-federal governments a substantial involvement, others did not. Comparing Canada and the United States, this paper investigates the conditions and potentials of federalization on the case of public procurement liberalization. The first section argues that the institutionalization of intergovernmental relations depends on the incontestability of sub-federal claims to authority and the absence of cheaper alternatives. In the US, the availability of federal pre-emption and the possibility to exclude sub-federal competencies from international agreements acted as a brake on state involvement. In Canada, 'watertight' provincial competencies and a non-representative second chamber enabled a gradual federalization. The second section argues that federalization holds the potential to increase constituent units' openness to procurement liberalization. While their deficient involvement has constrained US states' openness, federalization was instrumental in Canadian provinces' recently growing openness for international suppliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With limited residency positions, the majority of international medical graduates living in Canada and other developed countries cannot work as physicians. The educational experience and career development of unmatched international medical graduates (those who are not matched to a residency position) residing in Canada have never been studied. Through an innovative collaboration of provincial international medical graduate organizations, we launched an online survey targeting the career development of unmatched international medical graduates, with 356 survey responses entering data analysis. Respondents reported that at the early career planning stage, close to a third had not had adequate knowledge of their career prospects in Canada. Although official resources are available, most respondents found that the information did not match well with reality. After arriving in Canada, educational resources for unmatched international medical graduates are scarce. The majority of them work in healthcare-related fields but reported significant difficulties finding these positions, and there were limited career training opportunities. Among respondents who were no longer pursuing residency positions and had moved on to alternate career paths, we found, unexpectedly, that 69% of them reported previous residency application experience did not contribute to their current occupation, and most were not satisfied with their current career status and continuing education opportunities. In conclusion, the unmatched international medical graduates could serve as a vital reservoir of skilled medical professionals to serve the community, especially during public health crises. Continuing education and career support of unmatched international medical graduates are crucial for their career development and should be an area of priority for policymakers. Career support, especially for alternative career paths, can be built on the current services that exist in most provinces in Canada. In addition, novel online and social media tools can be utilized to increase the outreach of these programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Directly-funded home care (DF) provides government funds to people who need assistance with the activities of daily living, allowing them to arrange their own services. As programs expand globally, many allow DF clients to hire home care agencies to organize their services rather than finding their own workers. In Canada, half of the DF home care programs allow users to purchase agency services. The goal of this research is to describe the role of agency providers in DF home care in Canada and consider potential equity implications for service access from the perspectives of clients and families. Methods: Framed with intersectionality, the study included online focus groups with families and clients (n = 56) in the two Canadian provinces of Alberta and Manitoba between June 2021-April 2022. All transcripts underwent qualitative thematic analysis using open and axial coding techniques. Each transcript was analyzed by two of three possible independent coders using Dedoose qualitative analysis software. Results: The article presents five thematic findings. First, the focus groups document high rates of satisfaction with the care regardless of whether the client uses agency providers. Second, agency providers mediate some of the administrative barriers and emotional strain of using DF home care, and this is especially important for family caregivers who are working or have additional care responsibilities. Third, there are out-of-pocket expenses reported by most participants, with agency clients describing administrative fees despite lower pay for the frontline care workers. Fourth, agencies are not generally effective for linguistic and/or cultural matching between workers and families. Finally, we find that DF care programs cannot compensate for a limited informal support network. Conclusions: Clients and families often intentionally choose DF home care after negative experiences with other public service options, yet the results suggest that in some Canadian contexts, DF home care is a privilege only afforded to some. Given the growing inequalities that exist in Canadian society, all public home care options must be open to all who need it, irrespective of ability to pay, degree of social support, or competence in the English language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Documentation during resident transitions from long-term care (LTC) to the emergency department (ED) can be inconsistent, leading to inappropriate care. Inconsistent documentation can lead to undertreatment, inefficiencies and adverse patient outcomes. Many individuals residing in LTC have some form of cognitive impairment and may not be able to advocate for themselves, making accurate and consistent documentation vital to ensuring they receive safe care. We examined documentation consistency related to reason for transfer across care settings during these transitions. Methods: We included residents of LTC aged 65 or over who experienced an emergency transition from LTC to the ED via emergency medical services. We used a standardized and pilot-tested tracking tool to collect resident chart/patient record data. We collected data from 38 participating LTC facilities to two participating EDs in Western Canadian provinces. Using qualitative directed content analysis, we categorized documentation from LTC to the ED by sufficiency and clinical consistency. Results: We included 591 eligible transitions in this analysis. Documentation was coded as consistent, inconsistent, or ambiguous. We identified the most common reasons for transition for consistent cases (falls), ambiguous cases (sudden change in condition) and inconsistent cases (falls). Among inconsistent cases, three subcategories were identified: insufficient reporting, potential progression of a condition during transition and unclear reasons for inconsistency. Conclusions: Shared continuing education on documentation across care settings should result in documentation supports geriatric emergency care; on-the-job training needs to support reporting of specific signs and symptoms that warrant an emergent response, and discourage the use of vague descriptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Canadian Prairie Provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) are home to species from 29 of the 45 spider families currently found in Canada. Here we provide a beginner-friendly dichotomous key to the spider families of the Canadian Prairies. The key includes numerous photos, line drawings, and simplified definitions of anatomical characters necessary for family-level identification. For each family we include an illustrated summary of important character states, a whole-body photo of an exemplar of the family, and number of species of the family currently reported from the Prairie Provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some slug species are considered a nuisance in agriculture and horticulture worldwide, causing economic losses to growers. Phasmarhabditis is a genus of bacteria-feeding nematodes that can parasitize slugs and snails and thus potentially serve as a biological control agent. Canada had no record of Phasmarhabditis until a survey conducted in 2019 reported a Canadian strain of Phasmarhabditis californica from a single Arion rufus slug. To build on this discovery, we surveyed three major agricultural sites, ten greenhouses, and nurseries in Alberta from June to September 2021 to collect pest slug species and investigate their associated nematodes, specifically P. californica. Slugs were collected from the field and returned to the laboratory to check for emerging nematodes on White traps. We collected 1331 slugs belonging to nine species, with Deroceras reticulatum being the most common. Only 45 (3.38%) slug samples were positive for nematodes, and the majority were identified to species level: Alloionema appendiculatum, Caenorhabditis briggsae, Caenorhabditis elegans, Panagrolaimus subelongatus, and Mesorhabditis spiculigera. We did not isolate P. californica from any of the slugs collected from these survey sites, which included the original site where P. californica was discovered. However, four D. reticulatum slugs retrieved from a residential garden sample were infected with P. californica. These findings suggest the possibility of a fragmented distribution of P. californica across Alberta. Future research should focus on extensively surveying agriculture and horticulture sites and residential gardens in different provinces across Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the nutritional composition of wild-harvested insects in Nova Scotia, Canada, and their potential as a sustainable source of nutrition. The study finds that wild-harvested insects have comparable protein levels but lower fat content compared to industrially-reared insects. They also have similar mineral levels, with some wild insects having higher concentrations of certain minerals. The article addresses concerns about food safety, including the presence of anti-nutrients, heavy metals, microplastics, and pesticide residues in insects. It acknowledges the social perception of consuming insects as a barrier to their widespread adoption and suggests that species selection and processing methods can influence acceptance. The article concludes that while wild-harvested insects show promise as a future food source, further research is needed to improve safety, sustainability, and public perception. The accompanying list of references provides additional resources for further research on insects and related topics. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Telehealth has the potential to support the care of older adults and their desire to age at home by providing a videoconferencing connection to specialist geriatric care. However, more information is needed to determine how telehealth services affect the care of older adults, and how telehealth services for older adults compare to traditional in-person methods of care provision. The aim of this study was to compare telegeriatric and in-person geriatric consultation methods with respect to outcomes and costs.Methods: This was a retrospective chart analysis of consultation letters from patients' first follow-up appointment with a geriatric specialist during the 2017/2018 fiscal year (N = 95) in a health jurisdiction of a Western Canadian province.Results: Patients seen through telehealth and in person were similar in mean age (M = 79.1 and 78.1 years, respectively) and were predominately female. Telegeriatric consultations resulted in more requests for further testing and screening (p = 0.003), new diagnoses (p = 0.002), medication changes (p = 0.009) and requests for follow-up (p = 0.03) compared to in-person consultations. An average one-day clinic with one geriatric specialist providing consultations through telehealth cost Can$1684-$1859 less than an equivalent in-person clinic.Discussion: Although additional research is needed to explain the differences in outcomes further between telehealth and in-person consultations found in this work, telehealth consultations cost substantially less than in-person consultations and are a promising way to improve access to geriatric care for older adults in underserved areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is evidence of the benefits of integrated knowledge translation (IKT), yet there is limited research outlining the purpose of a knowledge broker (KB) within this approach. The Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU) acts as a KB to support patient-oriented research across the Maritime provinces in Canada. The "Bridge Process" was developed by the Nova Scotia (NS) site as a strategy that involves work leading up to and following the Bridge Event. The process supports research addressing priority health topics discussed at the event by stakeholder groups. The objectives of this paper were to (1) describe the outputs/outcomes of this IKT approach; and (2) examine the role of the KB. Methods: Quantitative data were collected from registration and evaluation surveys. Outputs are described with descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were collected through evaluation surveys and internal documents. Data related to KB tasks were categorized into three domains: (1) Knowledge Manager, (2) Linkage and Exchange Agent, and (3) Capacity Developer. Results: The Bridge Process was implemented four times. A total of 314 participants including government, health, patient/citizen, community, and research personnel attended the events. We identified 24 priority topics, with 7 led by teams receiving support to complete related projects. Participants reported improved understanding of the research gaps and policy needs and engaged with individuals they would not have otherwise. Although patients/citizens attended each Bridge Event, only 61% of participants who completed an evaluation survey indicated that they were 'actively engaged in group discussion.' The KB's role was identified in all three domains including Knowledge Manager (eg, defining questions), Linkage and Exchange Agent (eg, engaging stakeholders), and Capacity Builder (eg, research interpretation). Conclusion: The MSSU facilitated an IKT approach by acting as a KB throughout the Bridge Process. This deliberative and sequential process served as an effective strategy to increase collaborative health research in the province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination in pregnancy is important for preventing illness for mothers and babies; however, vaccine uptake in pregnant individuals is lower than non-pregnant females of fertile age. Given the devastating effects of COVID-19 and the increased morbidity and mortality risk for pregnant individuals, it is important to understand the determinants of vaccine hesitancy in pregnancy. The focus of our study was to explore COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant and breastfeeding individuals and its association with their reasons (psychological factors) for vaccination using the 5C scale and other factors. An online survey investigating prior vaccinations, level of trust in healthcare providers, demographic information, and the 5C scale was used for, pregnant and breastfeeding individuals in a Canadian province. Prior vaccinations, higher levels of trust in medical professionals, education, confidence, and collective responsibility predicted increased vaccine uptake pregnant and breastfeeding individuals. There are specific psychological and socio-demographic determinants that affect COVID-19 vaccine uptake in pregnant populations. Implications of these findings include targeting these determinants when informing and developing intervention and educational programs for both pregnant and breastfeeding individuals, as well as healthcare professionals who are making vaccine recommendations to patients. Study limitations include a small sample and lack of ethnic and socioeconomic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty species of Curculionoidea (28 Curculionidae and one each of Brentidae and Nemonychidae) are reported as new records from the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, most of them from the island of Newfoundland. As well, 13 species of Curculionidae and one of Brentidae previously recorded from Newfoundland are newly reported from Labrador, and one Curculionidae previously recorded from Labrador is newly reported from Newfoundland. The Palearctic species, Orthochaetes setiger ([Beck]), is herein reported as a new Canadian and North American record, with specimens documented from Newfoundland and British Columbia. Additions to the primary key for North American weevils are provided to help identify this genus among the North American fauna. Of the species of Curculionoidea previously recorded from the province in published literature, there is uncertain evidence for the occurrence of 14 species in the province as a whole or in the Labrador portion. Seven species are hereby removed from the faunal list for the province. One of those, Trachodes hispidus (Linnaeus), is also removed from the Canadian faunal list. The 134 species of Curculionoidea recorded from NL are listed and a brief synopsis of the fauna provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Canadian province of Nova Scotia recently became the first jurisdiction in North America to pass deemed consent organ donation legislation. The announcement of this legislation generated substantial online discussion, which we analyzed to provide insights on public perception. Methods: We performed directed content analysis on 2663 user-generated comments appearing on two widely-shared Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) articles published online in April 2019. We determined levels of support and opposition in comments and described the specific rhetoric used for doing so. We also performed one-way ANOVA and Pearson chi-square tests to determine how the comments were being received and engaged by other users. Results: A range of commentary was present in both support and opposition to the changes in legislation. There were more negative than positive comments, and negative commentary generated more replies. Positive comments were received more positively by other users while negative comments were received more negatively. The total sum of negative comments was greatly influenced by a small number of very active participants. Negative commentary focused more on broad concepts and principles related to government, power, and individual rights rather than specific issues in the Nova Scotian context. Substantial issues of trust in the government and healthcare system were evident. Conclusions: There were strong positive and negative sentiments expressed in the comments, but the total sum of negativity in the comments was significantly influenced by a small number of commentators. Analysis on the presumed consent concerns can be helpful to inform public outreach efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lack of patient access to family physicians in Canada is a concern. The role of recent physician graduates in this problem of supply of primary care services has not been established. We sought to establish whether career stage or graduation cohort were related to family physician practice volume and continuity of care over time. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of family physician practice from 1997/98 to 2017/18. We collected administrative health and physician claims data in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia. We included all physicians who registered with their respective provincial regulatory colleges as having a medical specialty of family practice or who had billed the provincial health insurance system for patient care as family physicians, or both. We used regression models to isolate the effects of 3-year categories of years in practice (at all career stages), time period and cohort on patient contacts and physician-level continuity of care. Results: Between 1997/98 and 2017/18, the median number of patient contacts per provider per year fell by between 515 and 1736 contacts in the 4 provinces examined. Median contacts peaked at 27–29 years in practice in all provinces, and median physician-level continuity of care increased until 30 or more years in practice. We found no association between graduation cohort and patient contacts or physician-level continuity of care. Interpretation: Recent cohorts of family physicians practise similarly to their predecessors in terms of practice volumes and continuity of care. Because family physicians of all career stages showed declining patient contacts, we suggest that system-wide solutions to recent challenges in the accessibility of primary care in Canada are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the general population, sensory impairments increase markedly with age in adults over 60 years of age. We estimated the prevalence of hearing loss only (HL), vision loss only (VL), and a combined impairment (i.e., dual sensory loss or DSL) in Canadians receiving home care (HC) or long-term care (LTC). Methods: Annual cross-sectional analyses were conducted using data collected with one of two interRAI assessments, one used for the HC setting (n = 2,667,199), and one for LTC (n = 1,538,691). Items in the assessments were used to measure three mutually exclusive outcomes: prevalence of VL only, HL only, or DSL. Trends over time for each outcome were examined using the Cochran-Armitage trend test. A negative binomial model was used to quantify the trends over time for each outcome while adjusting for age, sex and province. Results: In HC, there was a significant trend in the rate for all three outcomes (p < 0.001), with a small increase (roughly 1%) each year. In HC, HL was the most prevalent sensory loss, with a rate of roughly 25% to 29%, while in LTC, DSL was the most prevalent impairment, at roughly 25% across multiple years of data. In both settings, roughly 60% of the sample was female. Males in both HC and LTC had a higher prevalence of HL compared to females, but the differences were very small (no more than 2% in any given year). The prevalence of HL differed by province after adjusting for year, age and sex. Compared to Ontario, Yukon Territory had a 26% higher rate of HL in HC (relative rate [RR] = 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.11, 1.43), but LTC residents in Newfoundland and Labrador had a significantly lower rate of HL (RR: 0.57; CI: 0.43, 0.76).When combined, approximately 60% of LTC residents, or HC clients, had at least one sensory impairment. Conclusions: Sensory impairments are highly prevalent in both HC and LTC, with small sex-related differences and some variation across Canadian provinces. The interRAI assessments provide clinicians with valuable information to inform care planning and can also be used to estimate the prevalence of these impairments in specific population sub-groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged health services and governments in Canada and around the world. Our research aims to evaluate the effect of domestic and international air travel patterns on the COVID-19 pandemic in Canadian provinces and territories. Methods Air travel data were obtained through licensed access to the 'BlueDot Intelligence Platform', BlueDot Inc. Daily provincial and territorial COVID-19 cases for Canada and global figures, including mortality, cases recovered and population data were downloaded from public datasets. The effects of domestic and international air travel and passenger volume on the number of local and non-local infected people in each Canadian province and territory were evaluated with a semi-Markov model. Provinces and territories are grouped into large (>100 000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and >1 000 000 inhabitants) and small jurisdictions (≤100 000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and ≤1 000 000 inhabitants). Results Our results show a clear decline in passenger volumes from March 2020 due to public health policies, interventions and other measures taken to limit or control the spread of COVID-19. As the measures were eased, some provinces and territories saw small increases in passenger volumes, although travel remained below pre-pandemic levels. During the early phase of disease introduction, the burden of illness is determined by the connectivity of jurisdictions. In provinces with a larger population and greater connectivity, the burden of illness is driven by case importation, although local transmission rapidly replaces imported cases as the most important driver of increasing new infections. In smaller jurisdictions, a steep increase in cases is seen after importation, leading to outbreaks within the community. Conclusions Historical travel volumes, combined with data on an emerging infection, are useful to understand the behaviour of an infectious agent in regions of Canada with different connectivity and population size. Historical travel information is important for public health planning and pandemic resource allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the very beginning, the Cowboys Fringants, among the greatest exponents of Quebec folk- rock of the last twenty years, have composed songs that reflect their social and geographical environment. Particularly prolific in their musical production, the band appears to be very tied to its community of origin, as evidenced by the numerous topics dealt with relating to Quebec, its territories, and its language. The abundant corpus of songs composed over the years therefore allows for exploration of the contribution of the band to both social representations of the Franco-Quebec community and co-construction of the sense of belonging to the latter. After a presentation of the historical and sociolinguistic context of the sole province in Canada with a majority francophone population, followed by brief methodological notes relating to the treatment of the corpus - which includes all the albums published until 2021 - the study will focus on the places and the protagonists described by the group. The sociocultural snapshot created therein will therefore allow investigation and reflection on the collective identity thus (self) represented, to understand how this narrative allows the band to actively participate in the co-construction of the social representations of Quebecers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmacy practice continues to advance, allowing professionals to contribute further to patient care and the healthcare system. Pharmacists are authorized to perform point-of-care testing (POCT) in seven out of ten Canadian provinces. In considering the potential for enhanced clinical decision-making with the opportunity to gain patient data at the site of care, the New Brunswick College of Pharmacists (NBCP) proceeded to draft regulatory amendments and a policy to enable POCT scope in New Brunswick. Policy writing is a core function of Provincial Regulatory Authorities in Canada as the process determines principles that direct pharmacy practice. Each province has a differing scope of practice and method for developing documents. This paper highlights the approach, analysis, and findings of the NBCP pursuant to drafting a POCT policy. The policy development process included a literature search and environmental scan of the ten Canadian provincial regulatory authorities along with other countries. The findings highlighted in this paper describe the use of POCT, quality assurance, regulatory framework, educational opportunities, and the role of pharmacy technicians in relation to POCT in a pharmacy setting. The approach NBCP took to engage professionals and decisions on the direction of the policy are described. As point-of-care services continue to expand in pharmacies, the insights by the NBCP can be utilized by other regulatory bodies or pharmacy professionals who are implementing or enhancing POCT policies or procedures within their organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With continued losses of grassland, the need for grassland restoration increases, and other contemporary threats, such as climate change, may require new techniques for restorations to be successful and resilient. The conservation community has promoted the use of locally sourced seed for grassland restorations, but it is unclear how widespread the practice has become. Furthermore, rethinking how seed is sourced for grassland restorations is one potential strategy to facilitate climate change adaptation. We surveyed practitioners (anyone conducting grassland restorations) across the United States and Canada in 2017 regarding organizational, state/local government, or individual policies for using locally sourced seed in grassland restorations, how local was defined, and whether climate change was considered in these policies and decisions. We received 494 responses from 40 U.S. states and 5 Canadian provinces. Policies and individual decisions supporting locally sourced seed were common, with only 3.6% of practitioners reporting no consideration of local seed sources in restorations. However, the definition of local varied widely, with relatively large geographic areas, such as ecoregions, considered as a local source. Some practitioners considered climate change, but it was not the greatest concern when making seed sourcing decisions. When they did consider climate change, practitioners' most reported strategy was expanding seed zones used for their seed mix. Although there was a heavy upper Midwest bias in the survey responses, the number and geographic scope of responses provides a snapshot of seed sourcing strategies used by practitioners. Our results suggest that practitioners are concerned about maintaining adaptation given the focus on local seed sources, and outreach could be useful to help practitioners incorporate climate adaptation strategies into seed sourcing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Veterinary Journal / Revue Vétérinaire Canadienne is the property of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Inequalities that emerged during COVID-19 pandemic highlight the need to examine parent constraints in their decision-making around work and early childhood education and care (ECEC). This paper draws on conjoint survey data from a representative sample of 976 parents from the four largest Canadian provinces to examine the trade-offs parents made regarding their child’s care during the pandemic. Demographic differences in parental income, employment status, and having a child with special needs shaped childcare preferences in different ways. Our analysis finds that the most important factor in parent decision-making was type of ECEC (with a strong preference for licensed arrangements), followed by choices related to health and safety during the pandemic. The conclusion considers policy implications, including the need for more targeted and inclusive approaches that address the varying needs and circumstances of parents to enhance the overall quality and accessibility of care services post-pandemic and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injectable extended-release buprenorphine (BUP-ER) (Sublocade®) is a newer form of opioid agonist therapy (OAT) administered monthly. It was listed on formularies across Canada in February 2020, expanding the options for OAT across the country. This study describes rates of injectable BUP-ER uptake in five provinces to compare access to this novel medication across Canada. We conducted a retrospective time-series analysis among individuals who received injectable BUP-ER in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario from February 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022. The primary outcome was the population-adjusted rate of injectable BUP-ER in each province, with secondary analyses exploring rates by urban/rural location, and the number of prescribers of injectable BUP-ER per 100,000 population. In total, 6528 individuals were treated with injectable BUP-ER, with the majority in British Columbia (29.0 %) and Ontario (47.0 %). By March 2022, the rate of BUP-ER use was highest in British Columbia (16.6 per 100,000), and lowest in Ontario (9.1 per 100,000). The rate of BUP-ER use was higher in rural areas (15.5 per 100,000) compared to urban centres (10.6 per 100,000), and British Columbia had the highest rate of prescribers per 100,000 population (5.9) compared to Ontario (2.2), Alberta (2.3), Saskatchewan (3.4) and Manitoba (3.5) by the end of Q1–2022. Uptake of BUP-ER varied geographically since being approved by Health Canada. More rapid uptake in rural areas is reassuring and suggests that this form of OAT may be supporting treatment access to those with barriers to more traditional treatment formulations. • Extended-release buprenorphine (BUP-ER) is a novel form of treatment for opioid use disorder available in Canada since 2020. • Use of BUP-ER rose quickly across Canada since approval, but varied by province. • BUP-ER use is highest in rural regions, reflecting improved accessibility to treatment in some parts of Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the long-term trends in brachytherapy utilization for Prostate Cancer management in a Canadian Province and to identify health region-based variance. Administrative data from the provincial radiation therapy database was used for this study. No individual patient data was accessed. From Jan 2012 to Dec 2022, a total of 30,166 courses of radiation therapy were delivered to patients with Prostate Cancer at the 6 Cancer Centers in the Province (this includes palliative and other indications). During this period a total of 4577 prostate brachytherapy procedures were done at the 4 Cancer Centers that provide this service in our province. Utilization Rates (UR) were calculated for each of the years in the study, and at each Centre. Incidence Rate Ratios (IRR) were used to compare differences and statistical significance using Poisson Regression model. The utilization of Radiation Therapy for GU malignancies in the province increased from 2433 courses in 2012 to 3241 courses in 2022. The number of Prostate Brachytherapy procedures, however, decreased from 550 in 2012 to 330 in 2022. The UR for Prostate Brachytherapy declined from 22.6% in 2012 to 10.2% in 2022, resulting in an IRR of 0.45 for 2022 compared to 2012. The UR for Brachytherapy used as a Boost declined from 5.1% in 2012 to 3.8% in 2022, resulting in an IRR of 0.74 (ns). The greatest decline was seen in the Coastal Health Region with UR decreasing from 30% in 2012 to 7% in 2012. The IRR for Coastal compared to Interior Health Regions was 0.82 in 2012 and declined to 0.34 by 2022. This population-based analysis reveals a concerning decline in brachytherapy utilization, and significant geographic disparities in the delivery of brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer in our Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The propensity for individuals to experience problem gambling (PG) varies depending on their motivation to gamble. The present meta-analysis assessed the effect sizes associated with various gambling motives identified in representative population samples. Studies were sourced through PsycINFO, PudMed, and databases maintained by the Alberta Gambling Research Institute and the Greo Evidence Insights. Quantitative studies and technical studies were included if they reported on gambling motivation as a correlate of PG; were published in English, French, or Spanish; used valid and reliable measures PG as an outcome variable; and targeted the general adult population. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate pooled odds ratios. A total of 26 studies were included from 17 jurisdictions, with most studies conducted in Canadian provinces (k = 17) or specific states of the United States (k = 7). Number of participants varied, depending on the gambling motivation analyzed, and ranged from 2,835 to 51,685. Fourteen unique motives were identified with odds ratios ranging from 0.53 (95% CI, 0.45, 0.63) for gambling for charity to 6.20 (95% CI, 3.83, 10.05) for the motive “to be alone”, with high study heterogeneity being observed for many gambling motives, given variability in important study characteristics. The results generally indicate that coping motives were associated with large effect sizes, enhancement motives with medium effect sizes, and all other motives with small or nil effects. Coping motives are on par with other strong risk factors such as participation in online gambling or electronic gaming machines, and are therefore important elements to consider when screening for PG or designing public health messages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canada has one of the highest age-adjusted incidence and prevalence rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Large patient volumes and limited resources have created challenges concerning the quality of IBD care, but little is known about patients’ experiences. This paper aimed to better understand patient-perceived barriers to IBD care.An exploratory qualitative approach was used for this study. Fourteen focus groups (with 63 total participants) were co-facilitated by a researcher and patient research partner across eight Canadian provinces in 2018. Patients diagnosed with IBD (>18 years of age) and their caregivers were purposefully recruited through Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, gastroenterology clinics and communities, and national social media campaigns. Focus group sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis.Most participants self-identified as being white and women. The analysis generated four key themes regarding patient-perceived barriers and gaps in access to IBD care: (1) gatekeepers and their lack of IBD knowledge, (2) expenses and time, (3) lack of holistic care, and (4) care that is not patient-centered. An additional four themes were generated on the topic of patient-perceived areas of health system improvement for IBD care: (1) direct access to care, (2) good care providers, (3) electronic records and passports, and (4) multidisciplinary care or an ‘IBD dream team’.This research contributes to the limited global knowledge on patients’ experiences accessing IBD care. It is valuable for the development of care plans and policies to target gaps in care. Patients have identified system-level barriers and ideas for improvement, which should be taken into consideration when implementing system redesign and policy change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Detailed municipal and island-wide flood maps were developed for PEI using the HEC-RAS 2D model. • The IDF curves were used to present rainfall intensity under 10, 25, 50, and 100 years. • Food inundation is expected to increase from 19% to 22% in the future. It has been increasingly understood that pluvial flooding poses a substantial risk to numerous communities across the globe. This is especially relevant for the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island (PEI), which is susceptible to a compound flood consisting of both inland and coastal flooding. Despite various studies, a comprehensive pluvial flood model still lacks that addresses the complex interplay of compound floods. Therefore, this research aims to bridge the gap in flood mitigation by developing a pluvial flood model for PEI's coastal communities. The Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves under current and future climatic conditions were used to portray rainfall intensity over the study area corresponding to 10-year, 25-year, 50-year, and 100-year return periods. In addition, a hydraulic model (HEC-RAS 2D) was used to drive pluvial flood maps based on two configurations, including detailed flood maps for major municipalities and an island-wide level. The validated results showed consistency in model simulation when compared to observations. The high-resolution flood maps produced by this study can support the development of flood mitigation and adaptation strategies in PEI and other parts of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Post-marketing surveillance of sotrovimab in Canada is limited. • Sotrovimab was not associated with improved outcomes. • Study results were consistent across different analytic methodologies. • Study findings need to be confirmed in other Canadian provinces. Post-marketing surveillance of sotrovimab's effect during implementation in the Canadian population is limited. The study used a propensity score–matched retrospective cohort design. Follow-up began between the periods of December 15, 2021 and April 30 2022. The study assessed any severe outcome defined as all-cause hospital admission or mortality within 30 days of a confirmed COVID-19–positive test. Covariate-adjusted odds ratios between sotrovimab treatment and the severe outcome was conducted using logistic regression. There were 22,289 individuals meeting the treatment criteria for sotrovimab. There were 1603 treated and 6299 untreated individuals included in the analysis. The outcome occurrence in the study was 5.49% (treated) and 4.21% (untreated), with a median time from diagnosis to treatment of 1.00 days (interquartile range 2.00 days). In the propensity-matched cohort, sotrovimab was not associated with lower odds of a severe outcome (odds ratio 1.20, 95% confidence interval 0.91-1.58), adjusting for confounding variables. After adjusting for confounding variables, sotrovimab treatment was not associated with lower odds of a severe outcome within 30-days of COVID-19–positive date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of schools in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 is controversial, with some claiming they are an important driver of the pandemic and others arguing that transmission in schools is negligible. School cluster reports that have been collected in various jurisdictions are a source of data about transmission in schools. These reports consist of the name of a school, a date, and the number of students known to be infected. We provide a simple model for the frequency and size of clusters in this data, based on random arrivals of index cases at schools who then infect their classmates with a highly variable rate, fitting the overdispersion evident in the data. We fit our model to reports from four Canadian provinces, providing estimates of mean and dispersion for cluster size, as well as the distribution of the instantaneous transmission parameter ß, whilst factoring in imperfect ascertainment. According to our model with parameters estimated from the data, in all four provinces (i) more than 65% of non-index cases occur in the 20% largest clusters, and (ii) reducing instantaneous transmission rate and the number of contacts a student has at any given time are effective in reducing the total number of cases, whereas strict bubbling (keeping contacts consistent over time) does not contribute much to reduce cluster sizes. We predict strict bubbling to be more valuable in scenarios with substantially higher transmission rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than half of financial resources allocated for municipal solid waste management are typically spent on waste collection and transportation. An optimized landfill siting and waste collection system can save fuel costs, reduce collection truck emissions, and provide higher accessibility with lower traffic impacts. In this study, a data-driven analytical framework is developed to optimize population coverage by landfills using network analysis and satellite imagery. Two scenarios, SC1 and SC2, with different truck travel times were used to simulate generation-site–disposal-site distances in three Canadian provinces. Under status quo conditions, Landfill Regionalization Index (LFRI) ranging from 0 to 2 population centers per landfill in all three jurisdictions. LFRI consistently improved after optimization, with average LFRI ranging from 1.3 to 2.0 population centers per landfill. Lower average truck travel times and better coverage of the population centers are generally observed in the optimized systems. The proposed analytical method is found effective in improving landfill regionalization. Under SC1 and SC2, LFRI percentages of improvement ranging from 58.3% to 64.5% and 22.7% to 59.4%, respectively. Separation distance between the generation and disposal sites and truck capacity appear not a decisive factor in the optimization process. The proposed optimization framework is generally applicable to regions with different geographical and demographical attributes, and is particularly applicable in rural regions with sparsely located population centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many family medicine residency graduates indicate a desire to provide obstetric care, but a low proportion of family physicians (FPs) provide obstetric care within their practice. This suggests personal preference alone may not account for the low proportion of FPs who ultimately provide full obstetric care. If decisionmakers plan to augment the number of FPs providing obstetric care, barriers to the provision of such care must first be identified. Within this paper, we explore the perspectives of both family practice residents and early-career FPs on the factors that shaped their decision to provide obstetric care.Methods: In this qualitative study, we analyzed a subset of interview data from three Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia (n = 18 family practice residents; n = 39 early-career FPs). We used thematic analysis to analyze data relevant to obstetric care practice, applying the socio-ecological model and comparing themes across participant types, gender, and province.Results: Participants described influences affecting their decision about providing obstetric care. Key influencing factors aligned with the levels of the socio-ecological model of public policy (i.e., liability), community (i.e., community needs), organizational (e.g., obstetric care trade-offs, working in teams, sufficient exposure in training), interpersonal practice preferences (i.e., impact on family life, negative interactions with other healthcare professionals), and individual factors (i.e., defining comprehensive care as "everything but obstetrics"). Many participants were interested in providing obstetric care within their practice but did not provide such care. Participants' decision-making around providing or not providing obstetric care included considerations of personal preferences and outside influences.Conclusions: Individual-level factors alone do not account for the decrease in the type and amount of obstetric care offered by FPs. Instead, FPs' choice to provide or not provide obstetric care is influenced by factors at higher levels of the socio-ecological model. Policymakers who want to encourage obstetric practice by FPs should implement interventions at the public policy, community, organizational, interpersonal, and individual levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Management international / International Management / Gestiòn Internacional is the property of Management International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Youth initiation may drive differences in smoking prevalence across Canadian provinces. Provincial differences in initiation relate to tobacco control strategies and public health funding, but have also been attributed to population characteristics. We test this hypothesis by examining the extent to which seven characteristics—immigration, language, family structure, education, income, home ownership and at-school status—explain differences in initiation across provinces. Methods: We used data from 16 897 youth aged 12 to 17 years in the Canadian Community Health Survey collected from 2015 to 2018. To examine the proportion of provincial differences explained by population characteristics, we compared average marginal effects (AMEs) from partially and fully adjusted models regressing “having ever initiated” on province and other characteristics. We also tested interactions to examine differences in the association between population characteristics and initiation across provinces. Results: Initiation varied from 4% in British Columbia to 10% in Quebec. Being born in Canada, speaking French, not living in a two-parent household, being in the lowest household income quintile, having parents without postsecondary education, living in rented accommodation and not being in school were each associated with initiation. Taking these results into consideration, the AME of residing in another province compared with Quebec was attenuated by between 3% and 9%. Family structure and household income were more strongly associated with initiation in the Atlantic region and Manitoba, but not in Quebec. Conclusion: Differences in initiation between Quebec and other provinces are unlikely to be substantially explained by their demographic or socioeconomic composition. Reprioritizing tobacco control and public health funding are likely key in attaining the “tobacco endgame” across provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tier 1 school mental health programs for middle school youth often focus on healthy relationships promotion. However, the vast majority of these programs take a gender‐ and race‐neutral approach (i.e., content that does not focus on the way that gender, race, and ethnicity intersect to shape relationships and mental health). Embedding these intersections into Tier 1 programs is critical to equitably advancing mental health for middle school youth. This article specifically explores associations between participation in a Tier 1 gender‐transformative healthy relationships program and friendship quality for Ethnocultural boys. Data were drawn from 278 White and Ethnocultural boys who participated in the program in 2016–2017 or 2017–2018 in a Western Canadian province. Data were analyzed using three‐level multilevel models. In these data, we found that Ethnocultural boys who participated in WiseGuyz reported improved friendship quality with their closest same‐sex friend following the end of the program. We also found that Ethnocultural boys who reported a positive change in male role norms related to emotional restriction reported significant improvements to friendship quality from pre‐ to post‐test. Findings suggest the importance of embedding equity into Tier 1 school mental health programming through a specific focus on intersections between gender, race, and ethnicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]