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AC use on the rise, more heat waves on the way
As heat waves become more common in certain parts of the country, Canadians are relying more and more on air conditioning and similar cooling equipment, says new Statistics Canada data.
The increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves is at least in part due to the changing climate, as experts have noted. This is also leading to heat waves in places that may not be as prepared, like was the case with the British Columbia heat dome in June 2021, which led to the deaths of 619 people.
The report from Statistics Canada shows that as of this year, 68 per cent of households use air conditioning and related methods like heat pumps to offset the summer heat.
That’s up from 64 per cent in 2021. The usage of air conditioning varies by region, according to the report, with 83 per cent of households in Ontario reporting having an air conditioner, while British Columbia was the least likely with 45 per cent.
Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for some parts of western Ontario.
The weather agency says smoke from wildfires in the area may inhibit daytime temperatures from reaching their forecasted maximums.
Read more about other trends the statistics Canada report revealed.
London hospital uncovers $60M in alleged financial fraud
Officials at London Health Sciences Centre say a forensic audit of the hospital network’s finances by an external third party has uncovered an estimated $60 million in fraud.
 In an update Wednesday, hospital supervisor David Musyj says through an investigation they identified fraudulent activity between 2013 and 2024, and alleges previous members of the executive team knew about the practices and failed to act.
The hospital network has now filed two lawsuits totaling $60 million, which implicated five former executive team members, a contractor, and several companies that were contracted to do work.
“The Fraudulent Scheme was a calculated, multi-year campaign of deceit and theft, deliberately engineered to misappropriate public funds for personal and unlawful gain,” the lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit alleges that those involved submitted fraudulent documents to LHSC as part of a bidding and payment process and failed to declare a material conflict of interest.
Read more about the investigation and the allegations that have been levied.
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How a new Barbie with Type 1 diabetes changes the conversation
Mattel has launched a new Barbie with Type 1 diabetes.
The doll wears a blue polka dot top and matching skirt. Both the colour blue and the circle print are deliberate nods to the blue circle, the most widely used symbol for diabetes awareness.
But more specifically, the doll has all the equipment people living with Type 1 diabetes use to manage the condition.
If you look closely, you can see Barbie wearing a continuous glucose monitor on her arm.
These are small devices that help people measure blood sugar. She is also sporting an insulin pump and has a purse handy in order to carry any essential supplies or snack that could be needed on the go.
In a written statement on Mattel’s website, Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls said the move “marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation.”
“Barbie helps shape children’s early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love,” Berger added.
CEO and president of Diabetes Canada Laura Syron welcomes the decision and says it will make an impact.
“Barbie makes it okay, helps make it okay to live with Type 1 diabetes,” Syron said.
“Barbie’s living her best life. She’s got her monitor on, she’s got a pump, she’s looking fashionable, so it helps normalize.”
Syron says part of their work through Diabetes Canada has focused on breaking stigma around wearing of insulin pumps and other devices.
“Ninety per cent of the people live with Type 1 diabetes said to us they have felt shamed and blamed for their disease,” Syron explained. “Barbie coming out and proudly living with Type 1 and managing it so well, it just makes people feel like they belong.”
This doll’s launch furthers Mattel’s campaign for inclusive representation, following previous releases like a blind Barbie and a Barbie with Down’s syndrome.
Diabetes Canada estimates more than 25,000 children in the country live with Type 1 diabetes.
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