May 2005 in Canada - May 3, 2005

May 3, 2005

• At Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport an unidentified white powder spills out of a bag at customs. Four people are rushed to the hospital where they are decontaminated. The powder came from a British Airways flight from London. (Globe&Mail)
• Water from the town of Maxville, Ontario may be contaminated by ethanol from the Via Rail spill yesterday. Residents are waiting for the results of an analysis before drinking their water. (CBC)
• A study in New Brunswick reveals that the province does not offer enough support programs for suicide prevention. In response to the study, the Provincial Health Minister says that the government will work to improve existing services and offer additional ones. New clinics and technology will be made available, such as videoconferencing between doctors and patients. (CBC) (CP)
• An Ontario court ruling orders a 14-year-old British Columbian girl to return to British Columbia. The girl, a Jehovah's Witness, has cancer, but refuses blood transfusions on religious grounds. Last month, the B.C. court ruled that the girl was a minor and could not refuse such treatment if the doctors thought it was critical to her health. The Ontario ruling upholds this. (Globe and Mail) (CBC)
• Prime Minister Paul Martin announces that he and the other federal party leaders shall attend V-E Day celebrations in the Netherlands. The decision comes after criticism over the recall of Liberal Minister Albina Guarnieri, leaving Canada without representation by an elected politician. Paul Martin says that he will attend the celebrations now that the Opposition party leaders shall also be going. (CBC)
• The government denies the request for a public inquiry into the Air India incident. In an e-mail sent to the families of the victims, B.C.'s Ministry of Attorney General says, "that there are no grounds on which the Crown could launch an appeal." (CBC)
• A study by Statistics Canada, entitled The National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, indicates that low-self-esteem (for girls) and troubles at home (for boys) may cause adolescents to engage in sexual intercourse at an earlier age. Drinking and smoking are also listed as contributing factors. (CTV) (Globe and Mail)
• British Columbia general election: The leaders of the British Columbia Liberal, New Democratic and Green parties participate in the televised leaders' debate in Vancouver leading up to the next provincial general election on May 17. (CBC) (Globe&Mail)