Daily News Curation - 2025-12-22

Curated 15 items from disability, accessibility, and social policy sources.

1. AHS pauses bell ringing ceremony for cancer patients at the Stollery

Alberta Health Services said in November it would halt the bell ringing ceremony for cancer patients who had completed treatment. However, it now says the ceremony is only paused. 📍 Source Score: 23.00

2. Canada Post, union finalize tentative deals on new contracts

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) said Monday that ratification votes on the deals for its urban and rural units will take place in the new year. 📍 Source Score: 21.50

3. Measles outbreak grows to 8 cases in Quebec

<p>On Sunday morning, Dr. Antonio D’Angelo, the head of the pediatric emergency department at CHU Sainte-Justine, told Radio-Canada there had been two confirmed cases of measles at his Montreal hospital over the past week.</p> 📍 Source Score: 21.80

4. Carney names Mark Wiseman as Canada’s new U.S. ambassador

Mark Wiseman will take over as Canada’s ambassador in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 15, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office said in a statement. 📍 Source Score: 17.00

5. As H3N2 spreads, can you still get your flu shot before holiday gatherings?

The rate of flu hospitalization in Canada has nearly doubled compared to the previous week of available data, with infections now up almost 30 per cent, Health Canada data shows. 📍 Source Score: 18.50

6. New study finds AI chatbots can influence some Canadians to change their vote

<img src=’https://i.cbc.ca/ais/de9cc019-fb64-4f20-a90c-84336aac6536,1766100116631/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C270%2C3830%2C2154%29%3BResize%3D%28620%29’ alt=’A laptop that says ‘ask AI’ on the screen.’ width=’620’ height=’349’ title=’A laptop screen shows an interaction with an AI chatbot during a visit to the office of advertising startup The Media Ant, in Bengaluru, India, August 19, 2025. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh REFILE - CORRECTING STARTUP TYPE FROM “AI” TO “ADVERTISING”.’/><p>Talking with an AI chatbot can successfully convince people to change their votes and could affect the outcome of future elections, according to a newly published study. However, Canada has few, if any, rules to govern how artificial intelligence is used in future elections.</p> 📍 Source Score: 15.00

7. Pillsbury Pizza Pops Pepperoni and Bacon products recalled across Canada

Health Canada says these products were sold across Canada and people should not consume, use, sell, serve, or distribute the products. 📍 Source Score: 14.00

8. Alberta’s Health-Care Privatization Push Is Heading to Disaster

The UCP government has chosen a discredited ideology over real solutions. 📍 Source Score: 16.50

9. In the trades, apprentices are increasing, but not enough are making it to certification

<p>More new apprentices are signing up than in the past 15 years, yet getting to certification remains a struggle. Financial concerns, difficulty finding employers and spotty guidance and mentorship for apprentices and journeypersons alike are among the barriers tripping up new tradespeople today.</p> 📍 Source Score: 14.20

10. Quebec ERs are overflowing before flu season hits its peak

<img src=’https://i.cbc.ca/ais/4da95acd-ed5a-493b-8d6d-4e10fd9da21b,1766427409956/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C312%2C6000%2C3375%29%3BResize%3D%28620%29’ alt=’Nurses in the emergency room of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital’ width=’620’ height=’349’ title=’Nurses in the emergency room of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital. Press meeting with the CIUSS spokesperson. See ‘Urgence’ sign.’/><p>Before the height of flu season, Quebec emergency rooms are overflowing in several regions, including the greater Montreal area, Centre-du-Québec and the Capitale-Nationale. </p> 📍 Source Score: 12.30

11. Stranded passengers ‘exhausted,’ ‘annoyed’ over four days of Wabush flight cancellations

<p>Icy weather conditions have forced the closure of the Wabush Airport’s runway for four days, leaving hundreds of passengers waiting for new flights. While PAL Airlines says they have offered accommodation, one stranded passenger says he has been offered no help.</p> 📍 Source Score: 4.20

12. Nova Scotia ready for private companies to start exploring for onshore natural gas

The Nova Scotia government is working with Dalhousie University to issue a call for companies interested in exploring for onshore natural gas in the province. 📍 Source Score: 4.50

13. Time running out for Quebec millionaire as winning Lotto 6/49 ticket still unclaimed

Loto-Québec says the $1-million prize for a Lotto 6/49 winning ticket is still unclaimed, and time is running out. 📍 Source Score: 4.50

14. Ottawa offers over $35.5B for First Nations child welfare reform

<p></p> 📍 Source Score: 4.50

15. The Struggle to Support Kids with Disabilities in BC’s Classrooms

Students are forced to miss school. EAs face stress and injuries. More training and outside help may be the answer. 📍 Source Score: 2.60