Canadian Territories Research Articles

A national tree-ring data repository for Canadian forests (CFS-TRenD): structure, synthesis, and applications

Understanding the magnitude and cause of variation in tree growth and forest productivity is central to sustainable forest management. Measurements of annual growth rings allow assessments of individual-tree, tree population, and forest ecosystem vulnerabilities to drought stress or other changing forest disturbance regimes (insects, diseases, fire), which can be used to identify areas at greatest risk of forest losses. Given a heightened demand for tree-ring data, we consolidated and synthesized tree-ring studies and datasets gathered over the past 30 years in Canada by scientists with the Canadian Forest Service and research partners. We incorporated these datasets into a data repository that currently contains tree-ring measurements from 40 206 tree samples from 4594 sites and 62 tree species from all Canadian provinces and territories. Through our synthesis, we demonstrate the value of such large ensembles of tree-ring data for identifying patterns in tree growth over large spatial scales by mapping pan-Canadian drought sensitivity. Overall, we found high coherence in the samples analyzed; low coherence was generally limited to data-poor regions and species. Drought sensitivity was widespread across species and regions: 34% of sampled trees displayed a significant positive relationship between annual growth increment and summer soil moisture index. Dependence upon water availability in species Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP, Pinus banksiana Lamb., Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon, and Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco was more strongly expressed in the warmest regions of the species’ range; for species Picea glauca (Moench) Voss and Populus tremuloides Michx., drought sensitivity was stronger in the driest regions. This unprecedented consolidation and synthesis of tree-ring data will enable new research initiatives (e.g., meta-analyses) aimed at improved understanding of the drivers, patterns, and implications of changes in tree growth, as well as facilitating new research collaborations in earth and environmental sciences. Among other things, there is a need for expanding the spatial distribution of sites across Canada’s northern regions, increasing the number of samples collected from older stands and angiosperm species, and integrating datasets from studies that evaluate the effects of silvicultural experiments, including provenance and progeny trials, on tree growth.

#Caremongering: A community-led social movement to address health and social needs during COVID-19.

To combat social distancing and stay-at-home restrictions due to COVID-19, Canadian communities began a Facebook social media movement, #Caremongering, to support vulnerable individuals in their communities. Little research has examined the spread and use of #Caremongering to address community health and social needs. We examined the rate at which #Caremongering grew across Canada, the main ways the groups were used, and differences in use by membership size and activity. We searched Facebook Groups using the term "Caremongering" combined with the names of the largest population centres in every province and territory in Canada. We extracted available Facebook analytics on all the groups found, restricted to public groups that operated in English. We further conducted a content analysis of themes from postings in 30 groups using purposive sampling. Posted content was qualitatively analyzed to determine consistent themes across the groups and between those with smaller and larger member numbers. The search of Facebook groups across 185 cities yielded 130 unique groups, including groups from all 13 provinces and territories in Canada. Total membership across all groups as of May 4, 2020 was 194,879. The vast majority were formed within days of the global pandemic announcement, two months prior. There were four major themes identified: personal protective equipment, offer, need, and information. Few differences were found between how large and small groups were being used. The #Caremongering Facebook groups spread across the entire nation in a matter of days, engaging hundreds of thousands of Canadians. Social media appears to be a useful tool for spreading community-led solutions to address health and social needs.

Variability in instructions for performance of nasopharyngeal swabs across Canada in the era of COVID-19 \u2013 what type of swab is actually being performed?

BackgroundThe primary method of surveillance for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 is with nasopharyngeal swabs. Given the significant demand for nasopharyngeal swabs, a large number of previously untrained and unfamiliar staff are now performing this test. It was noted that there was significant heterogeneity in instructions for performing nasopharyngeal swabs in Canada, in contrast to the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The objective of this study was to review the instructions provided across Canada and contrast them to those of the CDC and PAHO.MethodsA standard series of steps for nasopharyngeal swab performance was outlined based on the CDC, PAHO, and New England Journal of Medicine instructions. A comprehensive search was performed in August 2020 to identify nasopharyngeal swab guidelines provided by public health in the provinces and territories of Canada. Regional health authority guidance was also collected. Instructions provided were contrasted against the standardized steps.ResultsInstructions were identified for all provinces and territories, and for 81 regional health authorities. From the provincial and territorial guidelines, 10/13 (77%) cleared the nasal passages before swab insertion, 11/13 (85%) tilted the patient’s head back slightly, 12/13 (92%) inserted the swab parallel to the palate, but only 3/13 (23%) inserted the swab to at least a depth of two-thirds the distance between the patient’s nose and ear. A clear majority (81%) of regional health authority guidelines followed their respective provincial guidelines.For depth of insertion, Quebec provided a pictogram but no distance or technique for estimation. Six provinces and territories - Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island and Alberta - recommended 4 cm or one-half the distance from nostrils to ear. British Columbia and Manitoba recommended a 7 cm depth of insertion. Nova Scotia recommended one-half to two-thirds the distance from nose to ear. Lastly, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and the Yukon recommended an insertion from nose to the external ear canal.ConclusionThere is significant heterogeneity in guidance for nasopharyngeal swab performance across Canada. The instructions provided by the majority of provinces and territories in Canada would not be effective in reaching the nasopharynx.Graphical abstract

A Forensic Evaluation: the use of Mercury and Stable Isotope analysis of Museum Bone Samples to Monitor if Environmental Changes are affecting the Eating Patterns of Red and Arctic Foxes

Global climate changes can potentially impact the ecosystems of the red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and Arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) on a regional scale. This research takes a forensic approach at investigating certain health and dietary indicators in museum preserved bone of red foxes of Bethel Alaska and Arctic foxes from the Yukon Territory in Canada. This study attempts to 1) measure the mercury (THg) concentration levels, 2) estimate a diet using carbon stable isotopes (δ13C) and 3) establish a trophic level using nitrogen stable isotopes (δ15N), from bones of these sentinel species. This study examines two Arctic foxes and three red foxes of unknown age and origin. The Yukon Territory Arctic foxes bone THg concentrations were 0.017 and 0.025 mg/kg. The red foxes bone THg concentrations were 0.010, 0.036 and 0.073 mg/kg. The δ13C levels were -21.13 and -21.36‰ for Arctic foxes and -20.05, -20.08, and -23.12‰ for red foxes. Their δ15N levels were 5.59 and 7.22‰ for the Arctic foxes and 6.10, 6.57 and 6.66‰ for red foxes. These Arctic and red Yukon Territory foxes indicate a trophic level similar to Arctic terrestrial omnivores. This type of forensic study is useful to establish past ecosystems of the Arctic. In understanding past ecosystems we can then monitor the effects of climate change and its impact on human health and the health of terrestrial animals.

Cannabis use prior to legalisation among alcohol consumers in the Canadian Yukon and Northwest territories

ABSTRACT Although rates of substance use are higher in the Canadian territories than the provinces, there is little research on cannabis use. This exploratory study describes cannabis use and related risk behaviours among alcohol consumers in Whitehorse (Yukon) and Yellowknife (Northwest Territories), with comparisons to data from the provinces. Prior to non-medical cannabis legalisation, respondents (n = 387) aged ≥19 were recruited from a study on alcohol labelling to complete an online cannabis survey. Logistic regression was used to compare territorial and provincial data, and correlates of cannabis use in the territories. Forty-seven percent of respondents were past 12-month cannabis consumers, and 15.5% were daily/almost daily consumers, significantly higher than in the provinces (p < 0.001 for both). Dried herb (85.7%) and edibles (58.2%) were most commonly used among consumers. Use of dried herb, edibles, solid concentrates and tinctures was significantly higher than in the provinces (all p ≤ 0.01). Twenty-four percent of respondents had ridden with a driver who had used cannabis, while 31.9% of cannabis consumers had driven within 2h of cannabis use, significantly higher than the provinces (both p < 0.001). Further research should examine the impact of legalisation on cannabis use in the territories, including rural communities.

“The land is a healer”: Perspectives on land-based healing from Indigenous practitioners in northern Canada

This research paper articulates a largely undefined cultural concept within mental health promotion and intervention, described as ‘land-based’ healing, which has been understood and taught for millennia by Indigenous knowledge holders. This knowledge is currently being revitalized by northern practitioners where ‘land’ is understood as a relational component of healing and wellbeing. Land-based activities such as harvesting, education, ceremony, recreation, and cultural-based counselling are all components of this integrative practice. Land-based practices are centered in Indigenous pedagogy and recognize that cultural identity is interwoven with and connected to ‘land.’ Directly cultivating this fundamental relationship, as assessed through a culturally relevant lens, increases positive mental health and wellness outcomes in Indigenous populations. In this study, qualitative narrative methods were used to document the experiences of eleven land-based program practitioners from the three northern territories in Canada. As experts in this field, practitioners’ narratives emphasized the need for a greater understanding and recognition of the value of land-based practices and programs within mainstream health. The development of working definitions, terminology, and framing of land-based practice as a common field are delineated from relevant literature and practitioner narratives in order to enable cross-cultural communication and understanding in psychology. Land-based healing is presented as a critical and culturally appropriate solution for mental health intervention and community resilience in northern Canada.

Legal regulation of the protection of paleontological objects: the Canadian experience

The protection of paleontological material occupies one of the central places in the field of preservation of objects of historical and cultural heritage. Each country has its own legal traditions and system for the protection of fossil sites on its territory. In this article, attention is paid to the legislative regulation of the search, collection and collecting of paleontological objects in Canada. The experience of this country is of particular interest for Russian practice. Unlike other countries, Russia and Canada are united by the similarity of climate, geography and natural conditions, the presence of permafrost and deposits with fossils. Therefore, the Canadian experience in the protection of paleontological objects deserves separate consideration. В Based on the analysis of the legislative acts of the provinces and territories of Canada, the article examines the features of legal regulation in this area and the organization of the state system for the protection of fossil remains. The novelty of the work lies in the fact that the focus of the study is on the formation and distribution of ownership rights to fossil objects and fossils. This allowed us to come to the following conclusions: all fossil objects, as a cultural and historical value, are owned by provinces and territories, which prevents their transformation into a commodity unit; the organization of the protection of paleontological objects has a horizontal structure, where the priority is not federal authorities, but provincial and territorial.

Internet non-use among Canadian Indigenous older adults: Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS)

BackgroundOlder adults benefit considerably from Internet use, as it can improve their overall health and quality of life, for example through accessing healthcare services and reducing social isolation. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and characteristics of Indigenous older adults in Canada who do not use the Internet.MethodsThe Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) 2017 was used and analysis was restricted to those above 65 years of age. The main outcome variable was non-use of the internet in a typical month. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to assess the relationship between each of the sociodemographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle and health factors and internet non-use.ResultsThe prevalence of Indigenous older adults who reported never using the Internet in a typical month was 33.6% with the highest prevalence reported by residents of the Canadian territories while the lowest prevalence was reported in British Columbia. After adjustment, results indicated that older age (OR = 4.02, 95% CI 3.54–4.57 comparing 80+ to 65–69 years of age), being a male (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.41–1.63), married (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.25–1.44), and living in rural areas (OR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.79–2.13) increased the odds of not using the Internet. First Nation individuals and those who have a strong sense of belonging to the Indigenous identity were more likely to not use the Internet compared to their counterparts. In addition, those who were less educated (OR = 8.74, 95% CI 7.03–1 0.87 comparing less than secondary education to Bachelor’s Degree and above), unemployed (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.26–1.57), smoked cigarettes, used marijuana and those with lower self-perceived mental health and unmet health needs were at increased odds of Internet non-use compared to their counterparts.ConclusionsFindings from this study show that a large proportion of the Indigenous older adults in Canada do not use the internet. It is necessary to address Indigenous communities’ lack of internet access and to create interventions that are consistent with Indigenous values, traditions, and goals.

Cultural and linguistic diversities are underappreciated pillars of biodiversity

Alongside climate change, the current rapid loss of biodiversity is one of the biggest threats that humanity faces to its own survival (1). With up to a million species at risk of disappearing within decades, human activities are reshaping life on Earth with no precedent in recent history. Biodiversity encompasses all life forms and their variation across the landscape. As one of the most important measures of environmental quality, high biodiversity is often linked with better provision of ecosystem services (2) and also helps assist and promote ecological conservation. Natural parks, national reserves, protected areas, and other measures for preserving the natural world are concerned first and foremost with the protection of biodiversity. But there is a critical and overlooked aspect of this important concept: its link with human cultural and linguistic diversity. Indigenous and traditional cultures and languages are the backbone of biodiversity conservation across the globe. Nonetheless, the rich knowledge found in these languages and cultures is not used in standard monitoring or conservation projects, and they face constant perils from parts of society with economic and political power. ( Top Left ) Evenki reindeer herders, Russia. ( Top Right ) Skolt Saami old growth forests Finland. ( Bottom ) Guarani community and local ecosystem vegetation, Brazil. Recent studies reveal how cultural and language diversities are intrinsically linked to the protection of biological diversity (3⇓⇓–6). Some of the largest countries on Earth, including Canada, Brazil, and Australia, are home to hundreds of languages and cultures, many of which are endangered. But the Indigenous-controlled lands represent only 6% and 13% of the territory in Canada and Brazil, respectively, and 52% in Australia. Still, these indigenous-controlled lands typically contain much higher biological diversity than that found in non–Indigenous-controlled areas, both protected and nonprotected, in the same countries (7). Languages and cultures … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: andre.frainer{at}nina.no. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1

Linking Peregrine Falcons' (Falco peregrinus) Wintering Areas in Peru with Their North American Natal and Breeding Grounds

Identifying migratory raptors' wintering areas and migration routes is an essential part of predicting their responses to habitat and climate change throughout their annual cycles, and therefore important for their conservation. Among the world's most widespread migratory species, the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) has been the subject of intensive study on its breeding grounds and at some migratory stopover sites, but the links between its breeding, stopover, and wintering areas remain poorly known. In particular, few empirical data are available on migratory F. p. tundrius and F. p. anatum (hereafter, Nearctic peregrines) wintering in South America during the austral spring and summer. Here, we present evidence connecting Nearctic peregrines wintering in Peru with their natal and breeding territories in North America using mark-recapture data collected between 1963 and 2019. We documented eight encounters of banded wintering Nearctic peregrines, whose natal origins or breeding regions included the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon Territory in Canada, and Alaska, Minnesota, and Nebraska in the USA. Our findings indicate that both tundrius and anatum peregrines winter in Peru and originate from a widespread geographic breeding range, corroborating other research suggesting that Nearctic peregrine migration is highly dispersive. Peregrines exhibit sex-related differential migration patterns in which males tend to migrate farther than females, and our data from the capture of 208 Nearctic peregrines suggest that the majority of wintering birds in Peru are males (n =150; 72%). We also report new records of Nearctic peregrine arrivals in Peru that represent advances of approximately 2–3 wk compared to the earliest previously published reports. The variability of peregrines' migratory movements may be related to the behavioral plasticity that facilitated their successful recovery following their catastrophic declines in much of North America. As peregrines remain vulnerable to human impacts including habitat and climate change, continuing to fill gaps in our knowledge of Nearctic peregrines' migratory connectivity will enable continuing conservation measures for these spectacular birds.

Fluid Decolonial Futures: Water as a Life, Ocean Citizenship and Seascape Relationality

ABSTRACT Interrogating the settler-colonial governmentality of natural resource extraction lies at the heart of this article while centering relationships to water and emergent forms of ocean citizenship. This article articulates a seascape epistemology that conceives of water as a life force, not a resource, and offers a non-extractive way to conceptualize ocean citizenship. From an environmental justice orientation, this article responds to the following question: how can we move from an extractive treatment of the ocean to a relational approach? Fusing environmental political thought and decolonial futures, this article examines how seascape epistemologies turn away from landlocked property-centric territorial geographies and engage with more embodied, fluid, storied, and vibrant ways of being, knowing, and sensing the world. Informed by interpretive methods, political ethnography, and community-engagement, this article demonstrates how seascape epistemologies across archipelagos in Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) and Coast Salish (Canadian) territories challenge the foundational underpinnings of extractivist settler-colonial governmentality.

Global education policy mobilities and subnational policy practice

ABSTRACT Drawing on data from three levels of education policy-making in Canada, in this paper we identify variegated interactions of global circulations of sustainability discourses in education in relation to priorities and responses at subnational levels of government, including provinces and territorial ministries of education, local school divisions, and schools. Understanding ‘scale’ as mutable and practiced vs. fixed, we discuss instances of policy recoding or mutation when global UN priorities have been shifted to reflect language or priorities suited to education ministries and school divisions; as well as examples of policy immobility, where subnational education bodies did not engage with UN sustainability approaches. Cases of policy amplification are also highlighted, in which school division policy priorities appeared to increase the influence of provincial policy. In some cases, intentional efforts of ‘rescaling’ seemed to influence policy responses, such as through processes of school division amalgamation, or the growing attempts to relocalise policy in Canada’s north. We draw on data from across six Canadian provinces and territories and 10 school divisions to better understand the mobilities of sustainability in education policy in relation to subnational policy practice, including via topological influences such as policy actors and certification programmes.

Association between neighbourhood socioeconomic status and developmental vulnerability of kindergarten children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A population level study.

There is limited knowledge about the relationship between neighbourhood socioeconomic status (SES) and development of kindergarten children with ASD. The primary objective of this study was to determine the association between neighbourhood SES and developmental vulnerability of kindergarten children with ASD while controlling for family SES across 10 provinces and territories in Canada. This study used data from a population level database of child development in kindergarten, collected with the Early Development Instrument (EDI). The EDI covers five broad domains of developmental health: physical health and well-being, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive development, and communication skills and general knowledge. Neighbourhood SES was assessed with an SES index created using 10 variables from the 2011 Canadian Census and 2010 Taxfiler data. Family SES was assessed using 4 variables from the 2016 Canadian Census. Descriptive statistics and regression-based models were used in this study. Multilevel binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between neighbourhood SES and child developmental vulnerability (yes/no), at the individual level, while controlling for family SES, demographic characteristics, and neighbourhood clustering. The association between neighbourhood SES and child developmental vulnerability at the individual level, while controlling for family SES and demographic characteristics was examined with binary single level logistic regression analyses. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to examine the association between neighbourhood SES and developmental vulnerability at the neighbourhood level (% of kindergarten children with ASD demonstrating developmental vulnerability in a neighbourhood). In Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador, higher neighbourhood SES was associated with lower likelihood of developmental vulnerability. In Nova Scotia, higher neighbourhood SES was associated with higher likelihood of vulnerability in the social competence and communication skills and general knowledge domains. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing neighbourhood deprivation to support the development of children with ASD. Additionally, the inconsistency highlights the importance of examining the mechanisms through which neighbourhood SES impacts development of these children on a provincial basis.

Assessing Morphological Change in Canadian Boreal Forests

Boreal forest cover change occurs in Canada primarily due to fire, a process that is predicted to experience a regime modification due to a changing climate. While fire frequency and area burned are relatively easily measured and tracked, we seek to understand whether the morphological structure of fires has also been changing through time or whether differences are detectable among Canadian Provinces and Territories due to jurisdictional or geographic differences. We use jurisdictions as proxies for differing forest management policies and geographic position. This study compares morphological segmentation patterns of annual boreal forest cover change from 2001 to 2014 across the entire Canadian boreal biome. We implement a bootstrapping of join-count results that were computed for each morphological element type and use the means and variability within ANOVA and Levene’s tests for assessing statistically significant differences among our groups (years and jurisdictions). Overall, the morphology of forest disturbance patterns within the Canadian boreal biome was not found to be trending in any specific way, though there were isolated differences detected. We highlight those specific combinations that are particularly interesting within the context of the research questions posed. Our approach is conservative, as to not produce an alarmist response; since we focus on means, and disturbances are likely to emphasize extremes, thus only substantial regime modifications will produce statistically significant results. Interestingly, even with projected increases to fire intensity and area burned, the morphological structure of fire remains relatively stable.

109 Near-fatal suicide attempts among Canadian Youth: A CPSP Study

Abstract Background Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Canadian adolescents. Youth who make near fatal suicide attempts, such as those requiring intensive care unit (ICU) level care, are the closest proxy to those that die by suicide; however, there is limited data on this group. Objectives To evaluate the minimum incidence rate and patterns of presentation of youth (under 18 years of age) admitted to the ICU for medically serious self-inflicted injury. Design/Methods From January 2017 to December 2018, over 2,700 paediatricians/subspecialist members of the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program were electronically surveyed on a monthly basis regarding cases of medically serious self-harm. Participants completed a detailed questionnaire about the reported case and descriptive statistics were used for analyses. Results Ninety-four cases (71 female; mean age 15.2 years) of confirmed (n=87) and suspected/probable (n=7) medically serious self-harm were reported. The majority (87%) of cases were reported from 4 out of 13 provinces and territories in Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec). There were 11 deaths by suicide (M&amp;gt;F; p&amp;lt;.05). Medication ingestion was the most common method of self-harm among females (76% F vs. 52% M; p=.03) compared with hanging among males (14% F vs. 39% M; p=.009). More females than males had a prior suicide attempt (62% F vs. 32% M; p=.07) and a history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) (65% F vs. 14% M; p&amp;lt;.05), although only history of NSSI reached significance. More females than males had a past psychiatric diagnosis (77% F vs. 55% M; p=.05), and past use of mental health services (69% F vs. 30% M; p&amp;lt;.001), although only service use reached significance. Half of the youth left evidence of intent (54%) and 33% of parents of included youth were aware that their child was considering suicide. Family conflict was the most common precipitating factor for suicide attempt in both females and males (46%). Conclusion These Canadian findings are consistent with international epidemiologic data that observe a gender paradox of higher rates of suicide attempts in females and greater mental health care engagement but increased suicide mortality in males with decreased involvement with mental health care. This study suggests that family conflict is a potential target for suicide prevention interventions among youth. Future research focusing on gender-specificity in risk factor identification and effectiveness of primary prevention interventions among youth is warranted.

Seasonal detections of bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) vocalizations in Baffin Bay and Davis Strait in relation to sea ice concentration

There is limited information about the biology and seasonal distribution of bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) in Greenland. The species is highly ice-associated and depends on sea ice for hauling out and giving birth, making it vulnerable to climate change. We investigated the seasonality and distribution of bearded seal vocalizations at seven different locations across southern Baffin Bay and Davis Strait, West Greenland. Aural M2 and HARUphone recorders were deployed on the sea bottom during 2006–2007 and 2011–2013. Recordings were analyzed for presence/absence of bearded seal calls relative to location (including distance to shore and depth), mean sea ice concentration and diel patterns. Calling occurred between November and late June with most intense calling during the mating season at all sites. There was a clear effect of depth and distance to shore on the number of detections, and the Greenland shelf (< 300 m) appeared to be the preferred habitat for bearded seals during the mating season. These results suggest that bearded seals may retreat with the receding sea ice to Canada during summer or possibly spend the summer along the West Greenland coast. It is also possible that, due to seasonal changes in bearded seal vocal behavior, animals may have been present in our study area in summer, but silent. The number of detections was affected by the timing of sea ice formation but not sea ice concentration. Diel patterns were consistent with patterns found in other parts of the Arctic, with a peak during early morning (0400 local) and a minimum during late afternoon (1600 local). While vocalization studies have been conducted on bearded seals in Norwegian, Canadian, northwest Greenland, and Alaskan territories, this study fills the gap between these areas.

Entrepreneurs in Arctic Canada: Role of Social Networks and Impact on Capital Formation

Social networks, social capital, and community context/entrepreneurial ecosystem are important concepts in understanding entrepreneurship as a social process. This article expands our understanding of how entrepreneurs utilize such resources in a remote community to achieve success. Case studies of entrepreneurs in Iqaluit, Nunavut (territory in Canada) provide data on their social networks: characteristics; structures used in opportunity recognition and exploitation; and impact on the creation of social capital – especially with regard to obtaining employees and generating business. A contextual perspective – describing the context or ecosystem of Iqaluit – is used as a foundation to comprehend the role and importance of an entrepreneur’s social network. Following Anderson (2000: 91) “The objective is to reach an understanding of the entrepreneurial process within the context of the periphery,” our analysis of the data supports the view that entrepreneurship is socially embedded, contextually impacted, and network dependent. Much of the data indicate the magnified role of social networks in this entrepreneurial ecosystem – particularly with respect to discovering opportunities and locating resources needed to support day-to-day operations. The study provides a picture of the challenges and dynamics of entrepreneurship in a context that includes insider and outsider entrepreneurs at work in a unique environment.

The influence of income on medical school admissions in Canada: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThe socioeconomic status of applicants to Canadian medical schools has been understudied in the past two decades. Institutional efforts have been made to address the lack of socioeconomic diversity across Canada during this time. We investigated the income characteristics of medical school applicants, as well as the relationship between applicant income and offer of admission, to characterize the current state of socioeconomic diversity in medical admissions.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study on 26,120 applicants at one Ontario medical school from 2013 to 2018. Characteristics of applicants who were offered admission were compared to the general population and applicants not offered admission. Regression analyses were used to investigate the association between median total neighborhood income and successful admission.ResultsThe median total neighborhood income for medical school applicants was $98,816, which was approximately $28,480 higher than the Canadian general population. Those not admitted to the medical school had a median total neighborhood income of $98,304 compared to $105,984 for those offered admission (p < 0.001). This trend was seen in every province and territory in Canada. Median total neighborhood income was a predictor of an offer of admission; applicants in the >75th percentile income group had 54% increased odds of being offered admission when compared to applicants in the <25th percentile in our unadjusted model. Income was not significant in our adjusted models but showed that the income medians drastically shifted between pre-interview and post-interview periods, from $98,816 to $104,960 (p < 0.001).ConclusionMedical school applicants are from higher economic strata compared to the general population. Despite already representing a high economic stratum, a higher median total neighborhood income relative to other applicants was associated with an offer of admission.

북극의 기후변화와 이누이트의 먹거리 미보장 실태 -캐나다 케임브리지 베이를 사례로-

The aim of this research is to analyze the level of food insecurity of Inuit in the area of Nunavut territory in Canada. As a result, we were able to find out the following facts. First, nearly half of them felt hungry due to lack of food as of 2018. Second, the food situation was getting worse year by year. In the four years from 2014 to 2018, the growth rate of food insecurity households reached 22.0%. Third, proportion of children under 18 who lived in food insecure households reached 78.7%. Starving children had low self-esteem, suffered from depression and had a very high suicide rate. Fourth, most of Inuit’s food tables were filled with store-bought foods, rather than country foods. Fifth, the food sovereignty of Inuit community was seriously threatened with local capacity of self-sufficiency being low, market-dependent being high, and political exclusion from the policy decision being severe. Two things needed to be kept in mind in order to solve this Inuit’s food insecurity efficiently. First, in addition to environmental factors such as climate change, food issues are interconnected and affected by socioeconomic, cultural and policy factors. Second, policy intervention in the food issues should be centered on the Inuit party in accordance with human rights and food sovereignty perspectives.

Dataset on cost-analysis of medication deprescribing scenarios for older adult coverage under public drug benefit programs in Canada.

The dataset covers the equations and procedure used for the estimation of an older adult's total annual medication costs, across Canadian provinces and territories; detailed to report pharmacy margin, government share, and patient share. We presented a case of an older adult using 10 different medications commonly used, according to Canadian Institute for Health Information. Eight different deprescribing scenarios were created, based on recommendations from Beers Criteria and the Canadian Deprescribing Network, for the purpose of comparing the cost difference before and after each intervention on pharmacies, patients, and governments. Scenarios included: (1) Stopping an over the counter medication; (2) Discontinuation of a medication; (3) Slow taper of a potentially inappropriate medication; (4) Rapid taper of a potentially inappropriate medication; (5) Switching to safer medication; (6) Dose reduction; (7) Switching to a lower cost medication; (8) Changing from combination to a single medication. The data presented are related to the article entitled “Financial advantage or barrier when deprescribing for seniors: A case based analysis” [1]