Freedom of information

Exposed: the dark reality of profit-driven wildlife farms

Retrieved on:

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Elephant, Congress, Farm, Pressure, Freedom of information, Disease, Amphibian, Risk, Cannibalism, Freedom, Research, Reptile, Sale, Bird, Mammal, Mink, Zoonosis, World Animal Protection, Animal, Tourism, Breeding, Profit, Injury, Pet, Cat, Parakeet, Bile, Legislation

NEW YORK, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Published today, World Animal Protection's new report entitled Bred for Profit: The Truth about Global Wildlife Farming reveals for the first time the vast scale of this exploitative industry. Extensive research uncovered that billions of wild animals are bred each year and suffer on wildlife farms for uses such as "pets," entertainment, tourism, hunting, fashion, luxury goods, and traditional medicine. There is an astonishing lack of transparency and inadequate monitoring across this global multi-billion-dollar industry.

Key Points:

Extensive research uncovered that billions of wild animals are bred each year and suffer on wildlife farms for uses such as "pets," entertainment, tourism, hunting, fashion, luxury goods, and traditional medicine.
Animals held on wildlife farms suffer from malnourishment, disease, stress-induced behaviors, injuries, infected wounds—and even cannibalism.
Shockingly, some captive wildlife populations are now larger than those living free.
World Animal Protection is urging governments worldwide to take immediate action by implementing a comprehensive and timely phase out of commercial wildlife farms and associated trade.

MEDIA ADVISORY: New Report on Ottawa clinic exposes the “Wild West” created by Ontario’s rush to for-profit health care

Retrieved on:

Friday, March 8, 2024

Freedom of information, Freedom

OTTAWA, March 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new report to be released Friday contains shocking revelations about the ownership and management behind private health clinics in Ottawa. Based on a five-month investigation, Freedom of Information requests, corporate filings, interviews and court records, the report paints a picture of a dangerous and disturbing “Wild West” of private clinics with little or no oversight, and calls for immediate action.

Key Points:

OTTAWA, March 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new report to be released Friday contains shocking revelations about the ownership and management behind private health clinics in Ottawa.
Based on a five-month investigation, Freedom of Information requests, corporate filings, interviews and court records, the report paints a picture of a dangerous and disturbing “Wild West” of private clinics with little or no oversight, and calls for immediate action.

MEDIA RELEASE: The Ford government is starving local public hospitals to privatize them, charge health advocates

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Ophthalmology, Hospital, Ontario Health Coalition, Coalition, Freedom of information, Privatization, Government, Wiarton, Ford, Patient, Policy, Operating, Health insurance

The public has funded local hospitals for more than 70 years to build operating room capacity that is unused while the Ford government is shunting unprecedented public money to private for-profit clinics and hospitals to build new operating rooms, the Coalition reports.

Key Points:

The public has funded local hospitals for more than 70 years to build operating room capacity that is unused while the Ford government is shunting unprecedented public money to private for-profit clinics and hospitals to build new operating rooms, the Coalition reports.
For the last year, the Coalition researched the unused capacity in local public hospitals through Freedom of Information requests and interviews with surgical staff.
Funded private for-profit hospitals at double the rate per surgery than it funds public hospitals.
“A few for-profit corporations are being enriched by the Ford government’s privatization scheme while our public hospitals and patients pay the price.

Health Coalition Exposes Significantly Higher Costs & Irregularities in Kingston Hospital Cataract Surgery Privatization: New Report

Retrieved on:

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Coalition, Freedom of information, Privatization, KHC, Government, KHSC, FMA, Freedom, Public

The cost to the health care system was $2,036,779, a 56% increase over what it would have cost to perform the same services in the public hospital.

Key Points:

The cost to the health care system was $2,036,779, a 56% increase over what it would have cost to perform the same services in the public hospital.
“The private cataract surgery contract means $2 million is lost to the public health system.
Instead, these funds were used to build up a more expensive for-profit health care provider,” commented Ross Sutherland, KHC co-chair and author of the report.
“To begin to establish trust in the system, and stop the waste of public money, the private cataract surgery contract needs to be ended as soon as possible.”
The full report can be found at: https://www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca/index.php/release-report-health-co...
For more information: Ross Sutherland, Kingston Health Coalition co-chair (613) 532-7846 or Joan Jardin Kingston Health Coalition co-chair (613) 305-2716.

CTLT Alert: Monsey Law Firm of Wohl & Fruchter LLP Investigating Catalent, Inc. for Potential Securities Law Violations

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Wohl, Catalent, News, CTLT, Safety, Freedom, FDA, Syringe, Food, Acquisition, Freedom of information, Novo Nordisk

The plant is among those being acquired by Novo Nordisk in connection with the recently announced acquisition of Catalent by Novo Holdings.

Key Points:

The plant is among those being acquired by Novo Nordisk in connection with the recently announced acquisition of Catalent by Novo Holdings.
On February 5, 2024, Catalent announced that it had agreed to be sold to Novo Holdings for $63.50 per share in cash.
As part of the transaction, Novo Nordisk will acquire three Catalent manufacturing facilities, including a plant located in Bloomington, Indiana.
As a result of the Bloomberg article, Catalent’s stock price dropped 2.27% in trading on February 6, 2024.

says appointment of new commissioners a significant step

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

FOI, Commissioner, Privacy Commissioner, MP, Privacy, Democracy, Freedom, Freedom of information, Whaling

Published: 27 November 2023

Key Points:

Published: 27 November 2023
Australian Information Commissioner Angelene Falk today welcomed the appointments of a standalone Privacy Commissioner and a new Freedom of Information (FOI) Commissioner.
The Attorney-General the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP announced today the appointment of Ms Elizabeth Tydd as FOI Commissioner and Ms Carly Kind as Privacy Commissioner.
Incoming FOI Commissioner Tydd will commence in her role on 19 February 2024 and Privacy Commissioner Kind on 26 February 2024.
“The new commissioners will bring considerable expertise to promote and uphold privacy and information access rights.

Animal Alliance of Canada and the Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre call for independent investigation of abuse of power at the Ministry of Natural Resources

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Two wildlife advocacy organizations are calling on the Ontario government for a fully independent investigation.

Key Points:

Two wildlife advocacy organizations are calling on the Ontario government for a fully independent investigation.
What a waste of tax dollars for what are allegedly only minor regulatory infractions,” said Liz White, Director, Animal Alliance of Canada.
“Two decades later, this same Ministry continues to abuse its power to terrorize community volunteers and threaten innocent animals.
“The time for a fully independent investigation of MNRF’s ongoing abuse of power and intimidation of wildlife rehabilitation sanctuaries is long overdue,” said DuBreuil.

Ford Government Expanded For-Profit Hospital in Violation of the Law and While Lying to the Public: Health Coalition and Democracy Watch Call for Concrete Measures to Protect the Public Interest in Wake of Revelations about Former Health Minister Lobbying

Retrieved on:

Monday, November 20, 2023

The Ontario Health Coalition has looked into the funding increases given to that for-profit hospital during Christine Elliott’s tenure as Minister, and the restrictions on expanding for-profit hospitals.

Key Points:

The Ontario Health Coalition has looked into the funding increases given to that for-profit hospital during Christine Elliott’s tenure as Minister, and the restrictions on expanding for-profit hospitals.
CBC also revealed last week that the private hospital is being paid more than double per surgery than public hospitals.
This, despite the fact that the Private Hospitals Act in Ontario forbids expanding for-profit hospitals under Subsection 22 (1) and (6).
Natalie Mehra, executive director, Ontario Health Coalition (cell) 416-230-6402;
Duff Conacher, PhD (law) co-founder Democracy Watch (cell) 416-546-3443.

News/Media Alliance Commends Senator Tom Umberg, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks for Holding CA Senate Judiciary Committee Informational Hearing on Importance of Journalism

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Today the California Senate Judiciary Committee will hold an Informational Hearing on "The Importance of Journalism in the Digital Age." Senator Tom Umberg is holding the Hearing to give California legislators the opportunity to learn more about the state of journalism in the state, the challenges local newsrooms face and potential solutions, and how the California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA, AB 886) in particular can help support a vibrant free press.

Key Points:

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Today the California Senate Judiciary Committee will hold an Informational Hearing on "The Importance of Journalism in the Digital Age."
"We applaud Assemblymember Wicks and Senator Umberg for their commitment to sustaining journalism and their dedication to the California Journalism & Preservation Act (CJPA)," said News/Media Alliance President & CEO Danielle Coffey.
The CJPA and JCPA directly address these challenges and are a crucial part of the solution to preserving local journalism.
Headquartered just outside Washington, D.C., the association focuses on ensuring the future of journalism through communication, research, advocacy, and innovation.

JTI RESEARCH: £9.3 BILLION LOST TO ILLEGAL TOBACCO, BUT LOCAL COUNCILS REFUSE TO ACT

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Sale, Smoker, Isle, City, Hull, HMRC, JTI, Police Federation of Australia, Communication, Blight, Freedom of information, Crime, Pharmaceutical industry, Tobacco

Over this five-year period, Rochdale, Havering, and Kingston upon Thames were amongst the councils refusing to act.

Key Points:

Over this five-year period, Rochdale, Havering, and Kingston upon Thames were amongst the councils refusing to act.
Some councils, such as Hull, carried out over 249 investigations in the same time period, resulting in 53 criminal prosecutions.
HMRC estimate that since 2018, £9.3 billion in tax revenue1 has been lost due to illegal tobacco to cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco.
Freedom of Information requests sent to 96 councils across England and Wales, show significant variation between the approaches taken by local councils.