Top Stories from The Canadian Press: Property Controls, Medications in ER, Human Smuggling, Speaker Vote, and Black-Owned Business Program

Property controls a major barrier for grocery competition in Canada: experts

Experts in the grocery sector are highlighting the impact of restrictive real estate controls on grocery competition in Canada. By limiting these restrictions in grocery leases, experts believe that it could lead to stronger competition in the sector, offering consumers more choices and potentially even lowering prices. The Competition Bureau is currently investigating the parent companies of grocery chains Loblaws and Sobeys over the use of these covenants, which include restrictions on other tenants and their activities.

Medications urged in ER for alcohol dependence

A group of Canadian and American emergency doctors and addiction specialists are recommending that emergency room physicians prescribe specific medications to help curb cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms for individuals with alcohol dependence. Guidelines from the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine suggest prescribing phenobarbital to reduce ICU admissions and gabapentin for patients experiencing sleep disturbances and anxiety related to alcohol withdrawal.

Human smugglers used B.C. freight trains to move people across the border, U.S. says

The U.S. Department of Justice has arrested two men on human smuggling charges in Seattle for allegedly using freight trains to transport individuals out of British Columbia and across the border. The men, along with three non-citizens who were allegedly smuggled out of Canada, were apprehended following an investigation that traced multiple human smuggling events dating back to September 2022.

Fergus survives latest resignation vote

House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus has successfully retained his position after a vote to remove him put forward by the Conservatives. The effort to oust Fergus failed, with the NDP joining forces with the Liberals to defend him against accusations of partisanship. This marks the third time in less than 8 months that the Conservatives have attempted to remove Fergus from his position.

Black-owned business program launched in B.C.

A new program aimed at certifying Black-owned businesses to enhance their chances of securing government and corporate procurement contracts is set to qualify its first participants. Initiated by the Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society in British Columbia, the program addresses the underrepresentation of Black-owned businesses in government procurement systems in Canada. Partnering with Public Services and Procurement Canada, this program is the first of its kind in the country.