The Canada Post -- The Top News Stories

Toronto’s first 2012 baby dies

TORONTO — Tragedy struck a family that just a few days after celebrating the birth of the first child born in Toronto in 2012.

Ming Shui was born just 40 seconds into the new year. His parents were elated to welcome a son.

“I feel happy. I feel exciting for the baby,” said mother Li Zhang of her 6 pound 14 ounce baby boy.

But that excitement changed just days later. The baby was scheduled to return to the hospital for a checkup but the family missed that appointment. Another appointment was scheduled and missed again.

Just five days after he was born, Ming Shui was dead. The cause is not known.

Scarborough Hospital released a statement saying the case has been referred to the coroner’s office, as is the normal procedure, and the hospital will conduct a thorough internal review as well.

The family moved to Canada this past year and on the day his son was born, Yichuan Lei spoke of what little help they had. “In China I have relatives to help me but not here,” said Lei, “Only those nurse and a doctor.”

Toronto Public Health has a program that checks in with families after babies are born, including a home visit if parents agree.

Other immigrant centres offers prenatal and other health classes but the director of one centre says some immigrants simply don’t make use of the services.

2 more years for light bulb switch

TORONTO — Ontario residents will have an extra two years before they have to switch off all their incandescent light bulbs.

The province is moving to match an earlier decision by the federal government to ban all 100 and 75 watt incandescent bulbs by January 2014.

Forty and 60 watt bulbs will have to be phased out by the end of 2014, and replaced with more energy-efficient alternatives such as LEDs or compact fluorescents.

Ontario is also imposing a new regulation effective Jan 1 on public sector institutions such as schools and hospitals to start reporting their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Cap-and-trade system in Quebec

QUEBEC — The Quebec government is introducing a cap-and-trade system in an effort to reduce carbon emissions in the province.

Quebec will join the state of California and be the first Canadian province to start enforcing cap-and-trade regulations for carbon emissions.

Environment Minister Pierre Arcand said as of Jan 1, 2013, the ceiling for allowable emissions will gradually become stricter.

Industries that invest in cleaner technologies will be rewarded by being able to trade carbon credits with those who emit more than what is permitted.

Arcand said the cap-and-trade system is more flexible and fair than imposing a carbon tax on all carbon production. He said the new system will eventually apply to petroleum companies as well, which he said could cause a rise in gas prices.

Quebec is the first province in Canada to adopt such a system.

Paillé new Bloc leader

QUEBEC — The Bloc Québécois has chosen former MP Daniel Paillé as the new leader of the party as it seeks to rebuild after a disastrous showing in last May’s election.

Two current MPs, Maria Mourani and Jean-Francois Fortin, were also in the race to replace Gilles Duceppe, who was chosen leader of the party in 1997 and resigned last May. Both Paillé and Duceppe lost their seats in Parliament in the last election and the Bloc was left with a mere four seats.

The Bloc Québécois had held 47 of Quebec’s 75 seats in the previous Parliament before its near-total wipeout.

Party membership has slumped since the election.

More than a quarter of the party’s 53,000 members didn’t renew their card and won’t be able to vote for the next leader.