Join Us in November—Parkinson's Conferences start this weekend in Ontario

TORONTO, Nov. 7, 2019 /CNW/ - Parkinson Canada, the definitive voice for the Parkinson community in Canada, is pleased to offer the following educational events, in Toronto, Hamilton and London, Ontario this month. These informative sessions are created for people with Parkinson's, their caregivers and families; the healthcare community; students in healthcare studies and the media. 

RSVP preferred—seating is limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

• Saturday, November 9, 2019—Gaining Ground in Parkinson's Research

Features keynote speaker, Dr. Nicolas Dupré, a neurologist at the CHU de Québec-Laval University, an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine of the School of Medicine (Laval University), and the Director of the Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disease Clinic of the CHU de Québec Université Laval. This full-day event includes an introduction to Canadian Open Parkinson Network (C-OPN) that will accelerate discoveries and the path to a cure. You will also hear from a Parkinson's patient advocate, Benjamin Stecher and more information on Clinical Trials with Dawn Richards of Clinical Trials Ontario. Registration preferred with some tickets available at the door. Free parking. Register Here (special rates below) 

$10.00 Student Admission
$15.00 Individual Admission
$20.00 Couple Admission (includes two tickets)

10:00 am-3:00 pm
Toronto Botanical Gardens—Floral Hall
777 Lawrence Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario
M3C 1P2

For more information:
Alison Li, Community Development Coordinator
T: 1 (800) 565-3000 ext. 3373 E: alison.li@parkinson.ca

• Saturday, November 9: Dance and Parkinson's: A Dance of Art and Science; with David Leventhal 

Parkinson Canada and Hamilton City Ballet Dance for Parkinson's, both members of the Dance for Parkinson's Network, present Dance and Parkinson's: A Dance of Art and Science in Hamilton, Ontario. This free half-day event (9:00 AM—12:30 PM) features keynote speaker David Leventhal, founding teacher and Program Director for Dance for PD®, a complimentary continental breakfast and a dance class with live musicians. Registration is closed—some tickets available at the door—contact paul.scibetta@parkinson.ca  or call 1-800-656-3000 x 3337

Venue: Michelangelo's Banquet Centre, 1555 Upper Ottawa St, Hamilton, ON  L8W 3E2

• Saturday, November 16 Advancing Parkinson Research, Advocacy & Awareness Conference—London, ON 

Featuring keynote speaker Dr. A. Jon Stoessl, UBC, Neurologist Researcher, this full-day event (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) will also include an introduction to the new Canadian Open Parkinson Network (C-OPN), presentations by Parkinson Canada funded researchers; sessions on advocacy and education; includes lunch and snacks. This is Dr. Stoessl's only speaking appearance in eastern Canada this year—do not miss out on hearing from this internationally sought expert on Parkinson's disease. Tickets must be reserved in advance.  Student $10, Individual $15, Couples $20.

Register Here 

The audience will receive complimentary copies of the Canadian Guideline for Parkinson Disease, 2^nd Edition, which provides practical guidance for physicians, allied health professionals, people with Parkinson's and families on Parkinson's disease management.

Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton, 300 King Street, London, ON  N6B 1S2
Do not miss this opportunity to hear Dr. Stoessl in person!

Questions? 1-800-565-3000 ext. 3337
Contact Email: Paul.Scibetta@parkinson.ca

SOURCE Parkinson Canada

For further information:

For media inquiries, interviews and passes, contact: Anne Marie Gabriel, CAE, Manager, Communications, 416 227 3396, 1 800 565 3396

Proposed Changes to OHIP include Fundamentally Flawed Policies

TORONTO, Nov. 7, 2019 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors have always supported a fair and transparent process regarding billing information. It is important for taxpayers to know where their hard-earned dollars are going. 

Some changes proposed by the government of Ontario to the OHIP billing process include initiatives that will make the system more open and transparent. Others are fundamentally flawed and give the province sweeping powers that go far beyond what is needed to address any concerns the provincial government has.

These legislative changes ignore the fact that the vast majority of billing issues can be prevented by modernizing and providing education on the OHIP Schedule of Benefits (the Schedule), a confusing system with more than 7,000 billing codes that are written as guidelines–not a detailed document designed to be interpreted literally. Many of these codes are vague and open to interpretation. In a system this large and complex, especially one in which there is a shortage of doctors and where physicians deliver care to more than 340,000 patients every day, mistakes can be made.

For more than 10 years, the OMA has been advocating that the province update the Schedule to make it simpler and clearer. This is a foundational first step and only requires the will of the ministry to move forward.

"We understand that updating the Schedule will require a lot of time and effort. However, we see it as the only effective solution to this problem. A legislative approach such as the one the province is proposing has been tried in the past and was a dismal failure that was shown to have a negative impact on patients as well as physicians. We have repeatedly offered to sit down with the government to do the hard work needed to update the Schedule and to better educate physicians in using it to prevent mistakes," OMA President Dr. Sohail Gandhi said. 

The OMA supports increased transparency and making physician billing information public as long as proper context is provided. The OMA supports the province's decision to modernize OHIP cards and eliminate the old red and white OHIP cards to help root out fraud in the system. 

As well, the OMA also believes that no doctor should be billing inappropriately. In our experience, this happens rarely and when it does, it must be addressed. The OMA understands from the Ministry of Health it has concerns about deliberate over-billing by as few as 100 of the 31,577 practicing physicians in Ontario.

However, the legislation proposed by the provincial government adversely affects every physician in Ontario. It raises issues of fundamental fairness, puts the onus of proof on physicians, and increases red tape and administrative burdens on physicians. It also contains provisions that allow the government to introduce regulations to unilaterally amend and impose new terms on any existing agreement with physicians.

"The proposed legislation treats every doctor in Ontario as being guilty until proven innocent. Even people who receive a parking ticket have the right of appeal and more access to fair and due process than this legislation gives to physicians," Dr. Gandhi said.

The OMA believes the province already has all the powers it needs to identify issues around inappropriate billing. 

As leaders in the medical community, the OMA is actively involved in the health system transformation now underway. We will continue to advocate to correct the fundamental flaws in this legislation and ensure that Ontario has an open and transparent OHIP billing process that is fair to everyone in the system. 

About the OMA

The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000 plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.  

SOURCE Ontario Medical Association

Janssen Announces Health Canada Approval of IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) in Combination with Obinutuzumab for Treatment-Naïve Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Patients experienced a 77 per cent reduction in risk of disease progression or death compared to chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab

IMBRUVICA^® Product Monograph now includes additional monotherapy long-term follow-up data

TORONTO, Nov. 8, 2019 /CNW/ - The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announces the Health Canada approval of IMBRUVICA^® (ibrutinib) in combination with obinutuzumab for treatment-naïve patients with active chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), one of the most common types of leukemia in adults.^1,2 This is the ninth indication for IMBRUVICA^® in Canada since its first approval in November 2014, and the first approval for a non-chemotherapy combination regimen for treatment-naïve patients with CLL.

"In just five years, IMBRUVICA^® has become an important option for CLL treatment," says Dr. Loree Larratt, Professor in the Division of Hematology in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. "Whether as monotherapy, or now in combination with obinutuzumab, IMBRUVICA^® is proven to be an effective alternative to chemoimmunotherapy."

Concurrently, the IMBRUVICA^® Product Monograph has been updated to include additional long-term efficacy data for IMBRUVICA^® use as a monotherapy in CLL, with five years of follow-up from the Phase 3 RESONATE (PCYC-1112) clinical trial and four years of follow-up from the Phase 3 RESONATE-2 (PCYC-1115) trial. This data demonstrates that more than seven in 10 treatment-naïve patients were still progression free after four years on IMBRUVICA^®.³

"More effective treatments are needed for Canadians living with CLL," said Antonella Rizza, CEO of Lymphoma Canada.  "This combination therapy represents an important new advancement for CLL patients.  It is exciting to see that research is continuing to drive progress, providing patients with improved treatment options to consider, in consultation with their health care professionals, in the management of their disease."

About IMBRUVICA^® in Combination with Obinutuzumab 
The latest approval is based on data from the Phase 3 iLLUMINATE study (PCYC-1130), a head-to-head clinical trial comparing IMBRUVICA^® plus obinutuzumab to chlorambucil (a chemotherapy agent) plus obinutuzumab. At a median follow-up of 31 months, IMBRUVICA^® plus obinutuzumab showed a significant improvement in Independent Review Committee (IRC)-evaluated progression free survival compared with chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab (median not evaluable [NE] vs. 19 months; hazard ratio [HR] 0.23; 95 per cent confidence interval [CI]: 0.15-0.37; P<0.0001), with a 77 per cent reduction in risk of progression or death.⁴ Patients with high-risk disease (17p deletion/TP53 mutation, 11q deletion, or unmutated IGHV) treated with IMBRUVICA^®  plus obinutuzumab experienced an 85 per cent reduction in risk of progression or death (HR 0.15; 95 per cent CI: 0.09-0.27).⁵ The IRC-evaluated overall response rate was 89 per cent in the IMBRUVICA^®  plus obinutuzumab arm versus 73 per cent in the chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab arm.⁶ The data were presented in an oral session at the 2018 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and simultaneously published in The Lancet Oncology.

The most common adverse reactions (occurring in 20 per cent or more of patients) of all grades in patients treated with IMBRUVICA^®  plus obinutuzumab in the iLLUMINATE study were neutropenia (48 per cent), thrombocytopenia (36 per cent), rash (36 per cent), diarrhea (34 per cent), musculoskeletal pain (33 per cent), bruising (32 per cent), cough (27 per cent), infusion related reactions (25 per cent), hemorrhage (25 per cent), and arthralgia (22 per cent).⁷

About IMBRUVICA^® Monotherapy Long-Term Follow-Up
With a median follow-up of 48 months (up to 55 months of follow-up) in RESONATE-2 (PCYC-1115-CA) and its extension study among treatment-naïve CLL patients, the median investigator-assessed PFS was not reached in the IMBRUVICA^® arm and was 15 months [95 per cent CI (10.22, 19.35)] in the chlorambucil arm; (HR = 0.14 [95 per cent CI (0.090, 0.21)]).⁸ The 4-year PFS estimates were 73.9 per cent and 15.5 per cent, respectively.⁹ The Kaplan-Meier landmark estimate for overall survival (OS) at 48 months was 85.5% in the IMBRUVICA^® arm and 75.6 per cent in the chlorambucil arm, irrespective of 54.9 per cent of patients who crossed over from the chlorambucil arm to receive ibrutinib treatment.¹⁰

In the RESONATE (PCYC-1112) trial among relapsed/refractory CLL patients, at a median follow-up of 55.9 months (up to 63 months of follow-up), the median investigator-assessed PFS was 44.1 months [95 per cent CI (38.54, 56.87)] in the IMBRUVICA^® arm and 8.1 months [95 per cent CI (7.79, 8.25)] in the ofatumumab arm (HR=0.14; 95 per cent CI: 0.11, 0.19).¹¹ The Kaplan-Meier landmark estimate for OS at 60-months was 62.2 per cent in the IMBRUVICA^® arm and 54.8 per cent in the ofatumumab arm, irrespective of 67.9 per cent of patients who crossed over from the ofatumumab arm to receive ibrutinib treatment.¹² The ORR (per investigator) was 87 per cent in the IMBRUVICA^® arm versus 22.4 per cent in the ofatumumab arm.¹³

About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
CLL is a cancer that begins in blood stem cells, starting in abnormal lymphoid stem cells. It usually develops slowly over the course of months or years. In 95 per cent of cases, the abnormal lymphoid stem cells develop into cancerous, or malignant, B lymphocytes. CLL is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults.¹⁴ Over 2,200 people in Canada are diagnosed with CLL each year.¹⁵

About IMBRUVICA^®
IMBRUVICA^® contains the medicinal ingredient ibrutinib which is a targeted inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) and it is the only once-daily BTK inhibitor in Canada. Ibrutinib blocks BTK activity, inhibiting cancer cell survival and spread.¹⁶ 

IMBRUVICA^® was first approved in Canada in 2014. It is indicated for the treatment of patients with previously untreated active chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), including those with 17p deletion; or patients with CLL who have received at least one prior therapy, including those with 17p deletion. It is indicated in combination with bendamustine and rituximab for the treatment of patients with CLL who have received at least one prior therapy. It is also now indicated in combination with obinutuzumab for treatment-naïve patients with CLL. For patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM), IMBRUVICA^® is indicated as a single agent or in combination with rituximab. Other indications are for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL); patients with marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) who require systemic therapy and have received at least one prior anti-CD20-based therapy; and for patients with steroid dependent or refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD).

IMBRUVICA^® is co-developed by Cilag GmbH International (a member of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies) and Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie company. Janssen Inc. commercializes IMBRUVICA^® in Canada.

About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson 
At Janssen, we're creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We're the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Neuroscience, Oncology, and Pulmonary Hypertension.

Learn more at www.janssen.com/canada. Follow us at @JanssenCanada. Janssen Inc. is one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

*Dr. Larratt was not compensated for any media work. She has been compensated as a consultant.

*Antonella Rizza, Lymphoma Canada, was not compensated for any media work. Lymphoma Canada has received funds for patient engagement. 

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding IMBRUVICA^®. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Inc., any of the other Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in the company's most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

SOURCE Janssen Inc.

Scotiabank and Canlan Create Exciting New Relationship

Burnaby 8 Rinks renamed Scotia Barn

BURNABY, BC, Nov. 8, 2019 /CNW/ - As part of a new relationship between Scotiabank and Canlan Ice Sports, Canlan Ice Sports - Burnaby 8 Rinks has been renamed Scotia Barn – a name synonymous with old time hockey, but operated with a modern-day approach. 

As the Official Bank of the NHL® and NHL Alumni Association, Scotiabank is a committed supporter of hockey at all levels across the country, particularly kids' community hockey. Since 2008, Scotiabank has supported one million kids and counting through the Scotiabank Community Hockey Sponsorship Program. 

Similarly, grassroots hockey is at the heart of Canlan Ice Sports that services over 80 minor hockey associations across North America and delivers instructional programs, youth and adult leagues, camps and tournaments to more than 200,000 hockey enthusiasts annually. 

"Hockey matters to Scotiabank because it matters to Canadians," says Lesly Tayles, Regional Senior Vice President, BC and Yukon Region, Scotiabank. "On or off the ice, we know that being part of a team is a living example of how we're better together. Scotia Barn is an exciting opportunity for Scotiabank to demonstrate our commitment to the Lower Mainland community and share our love of the game of hockey with fans of all ages, for every future."

"A positive culture, loyal community, and deep love of hockey are just a few distinguishing characteristics that we at Canlan Ice Sports share with Scotiabank," says Joey St. Aubin, President & CEO, Canlan Ice Sports Corp. "We are very pleased to announce our naming rights arrangement with Scotiabank to create Scotia Barn. This represents two cornerstone companies in the hockey community coming together to support the health and longevity of grassroots hockey in the lower mainland." 

Work will begin in late 2019 on new signage at Scotia Barn, with details of a community celebration happening in early 2020.

In addition to the naming rights of the facility, Rink 2 will also be named Scotiabank Rink and Scotiabank will have exclusive title sponsorship of both Public Skating and Winterfest programs, as well as Scotiabank community programming and events throughout the hockey season, such as Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest on March 29, 2020.

Through Scotia Barn, Canlan and Scotiabank will help expand community hockey programs for young people in Burnaby and the surrounding neighbourhoods. 

About Scotiabank Hockey

Scotiabank is the Official Bank of the NHL®, NHL Alumni Association, Toronto Maple Leafs (who play at Scotiabank Arena), Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames (who play at Scotiabank Saddledome), and Edmonton Oilers. The Bank also supports the Montreal Canadiens. Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorship Program has supported over one million kids and counting through its involvement with minor hockey teams in communities across Canada. To find out more about Scotiabank's hockey programs, please visit www.scotiabankhockeyclub.com.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in the Americas. We are dedicated to helping our more than 25 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 100,000 employees and assets of over $1 trillion (as at July 31, 2019), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

About Canlan

Canlan Ice Sports Corp. is the North American leader in the development, operations and ownership of multi-purpose recreation and entertainment facilities. We are the largest private sector owner and operator of recreational ice sports facilities in North America and currently own and/or manage 20 facilities in Canada and the United States with 53 ice surfaces, as well as five indoor soccer fields and 15 sport, volleyball and basketball courts. Canlan trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: ICE). To learn more about Canlan please visit http://www.icesports.com.

SOURCE Scotiabank

SpeakEasy Awarded Cultivation, Processing and Cannabis Sales Licence by Health Canada

B.C. producer of high quality, small-batch cannabis expands to recreational and medicinal market

VANCOUVER, Nov. 12, 2019 /CNW/ - SpeakEasy Cannabis Club Ltd. (CSE: EASY) (Frankfurt: 39H) ("SpeakEasy" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received Health Canada's coveted licence for cultivation, processing and medical sales. The Company, situated on 290 acres of fertile land in the Okanagan's renowned Golden Mile, has demonstrated adherence to the industry's rigorous compliance standards, and can now grow and provide its high quality, small-batch cannabis to the burgeoning recreational and medical markets.

With the receipt of the licences, the Company has immediately begun cultivation of cannabis in its 10,000-square-foot, purpose-built, state of the art facility. The Company has aquired an extensive library of unique genetics that will be used as starting material for the cultivation of cannabis at the facility.

SpeakEasy's outdoor cultivation site has also been completed and stands ready to receive these genetics for the 2020 growing season. SpeakEasy plans to submit its evidence package for the outdoor field and amend its licence to allow outdoor cultivation on its 60 acre field. "Receiving our licence at long last, is a dream come true for all of us in the SpeakEasy family. The support we have received from shareholders, employees, family and friends has been overwhelming and I appreciate you all more than I can say," says Marc Geen, founder of SpeakEasy. "When it comes to producing phenomenal craft cannabis, farms will always be superior to factories and culture will always speak louder than corporations. Real people recognize authenticity and SpeakEasy intends to lead by example, sharing the story of our people through the excellence of our product." With the anticipation of receiving its outdoor licence, SpeakEasy is positioned to become one of the largest cannabis producers in Canada with extremely low cost per gram outdoor grown flower and extremely high quality small batch indoor flower. 

SpeakEasy recently completed the transformation of a 60 acre orchard into a custom built outdoor cannabis cultivation environment. The fertile agricultural land is expected to enable the farm to produce up to approximately 70,000kg of cannabis flower and the Company plans to double the output to up to approximately 150,000kg, pending approval of its outdoor cultivation licence.

Construction commenced in the fall of 2017 on the 80,000-square-foot SpeakEasy campus in anticipation of demand for SpeakEasy's craft cannabis flower and value added products. Buildings two and three were completed to lock-up in the second quarter of 2019 and building four, another 26,600-square-foot facility commenced in the spring of 2019 and is also at the lock-up stage of its development. The anticipated use of building four is the processing of sun grown outdoor flower and biomass for extraction. SpeakEasy has accumulated an impressive library of unique genetics from sources outside existing licence holders, empowering the Company to develop new strains, unique to SpeakEasy, for both indoor and outdoor cultivation.

SpeakEasy founders and team members are long standing advocates for the value of community and harnessing the power of combined expertise through successful farming cooperatives. SpeakEasy now plans to apply the same values for cannabis farming. SpeakEasy's innovative business model is designed to support industry-leading talent through shared knowledge, resources and passion, with a commitment to maintaining exceptional quality standards and developing unique cannabis strains. The Company empowers experienced growers and geneticists to operate independently with the freedom to develop each cultivar to perfection. 

Other Corporate Updates

The Company has changed its auditors to Davidson and Company.

In connection with the receipt of the licences, and pursuant to a performance agreement entered into on March 28, 2018, the Company will be issuing 10,000,000 common shares to Marc Geen of Rock Creek, British Columbia. As a result of the issuance, Mr. Geen will own 14,494,239 of common shares, representing approximately 14.96% of the outstanding common shares of the Company.  The Company has also reserved for issuance up to an additional 2,000,000 common shares, which may be issued pursuant to a finder's agreement dated July 4, 2017 and amended on November 28, 2017. 

The Company's Board of Directors has also approved the grant of options to 10 employees for up to 440,000 common shares of the Company with an exercise price of $0.70/share. The options will expire 5 years from the date of grant.

About SpeakEasy Cannabis Club Ltd.:

SpeakEasy Cannabis Club Ltd. is a licenced cultivator and processing Company. SpeakEasy leverages three generations of farming experience in B.C. to produce high-quality, small-batch cannabis products. The Company currently owns 290 acres of land in Rock Creek, British Columbia. SpeakEasy cultivates small batch, high quality cannabis in its 10,000 square foot indoor facility and has recently transformed a 60 acre orchard into an outdoor cultivation area with the intention, upon receipt of the amendment to our current licence to include the outdoor cultivation area, to produce up to approximately 70,000kg of outdoor, sun grown flower and biomass per year.

For more information about SpeakEasy, visit speakeasygrowers.com.

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause SpeakEasy's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.

Forward-looking statements in this document include statements concerning SpeakEasy's intent to submit an evidence package and amend its licences to allow outdoor cultivation, its intent to produce and sell high quality craft cannabis, its expected production output, its anticipated use of its facilities, and all other statements that are not statements of historical fact.  

Although SpeakEasy believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by their nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. By their nature, these statements involve a variety of assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements.

Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis; the Company's ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; the cannabis industry in Canada and generally; the demand for cannabis and cannabis related products, the ability of SpeakEasy to implement its business strategies; competition; the ability of SpeakEasy to obtain and retain all applicable licences under the Cannabis Act and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

SOURCE Speakeasy Cannabis Club Ltd.

Lace up your skates and grab your camera! Scotiabank wants to put you on the big screen

Scotiabank presents Hockey 24: A film by Canada

TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2019 /CNW/ - On November 17, Scotiabank is inviting Canadians everywhere to submit their footage to be part of Hockey 24, a unique documentary that will capture a day in community hockey in Canada. 

This documentary is an amazing opportunity for Canadians to share their personal experiences with community hockey and be a part of the legacy of hockey in our country. Using only footage and photos taken on Sunday, November 17, globally-renowned, awarded and recognized documentary filmmakers will compile the contributions submitted from Canadians across the country to create a unique snapshot of life on a single day in Canada. 

Whether it's on or off the ice, Canadians are encouraged to record their personal experiences with community hockey to be part of the story. Share your videos and photos showing your favourite pre-game routine; coaching or volunteering at the rink; hitting the road or watching the game with your friends. We want to see it all! Those who submit their footage will also be entered for a chance to win up to $24,000 for your local community hockey team or league, and a trip to the 2020 Honda NHL® All-Star Game.*

As the Official Bank of the NHL® and NHL Alumni Association, Scotiabank is a committed supporter of hockey at all levels across the country, particularly kids' community hockey. Since 2008, Scotiabank has supported one million kids and counting through the Scotiabank Community Hockey Sponsorship Program. 

"Scotiabank is very excited to be a part of this incredible film," says Clinton Braganza, Chief Marketing Officer at Scotiabank. "Hockey matters to Scotiabank because it matters to Canadians. As fans, coaches and players ourselves, community hockey is an important part of who we are. We can't wait to see how Hockey 24 weaves the country's individual hockey experiences together into one story." 

Canadians can spot themselves on the silver screen, TV and online beginning in the spring of 2020, following a world premiere screening taking place during Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in Toronto. 

Scotiabank Teammates Lanny McDonald, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Darcy Tucker, and Coach Jeremy of "How to Hockey", will be participating in the making of Hockey 24, in various locations across the country. 

For more information, including filming tips, submission guidelines, contest details and to upload your footage, visit hockey24.film.

About Scotiabank Hockey

Scotiabank is the Official Bank of the NHL®, NHL Alumni Association, Toronto Maple Leafs (who play at Scotiabank Arena), Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames (who play at Scotiabank Saddledome), and Edmonton Oilers. The Bank also supports the Montreal Canadiens. Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorship Program has supported over one million kids and counting through its involvement with minor hockey teams in communities across Canada. To find out more about Scotiabank's hockey programs, please visit www.scotiabankhockeyclub.com.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in the Americas. We are dedicated to helping our more than 25 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 100,000 employees and assets of over $1 trillion (as at July 31, 2019), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

SOURCE Scotiabank

MILA UNVEILS SMART AIR PURIFIER THAT MAKES MAINTAINING YOUR HOME’S AIR QUALITY AS INTUITIVE AS SETTING YOUR THERMOSTAT 

Mila solves a fundamental problem with all air purifiers -
nobody knows if they’re actually working. 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA –– November 12, 2019 –– Mila, a San Francisco based startup, today announces the launch of its smart air purifier on Tuesday, November 12.  

At a time when air pollution has emerged as the world’s single largest environmental health risk, Mila solves the fundamental problem found in air purifiers - nobody knows if they’re actually working.

“With Mila, we wanted to empower every family to know and do more about the air they’re breathing,” said Grant Prigge, co-founder and CEO of Mila. “We live in a world where more than 9 in 10 children around the world are exposed to air that puts their health at risk — yet we know less about what’s in our air than in our morning bagels.  We set out to change this.”

Mila has reimagined the air purifier as an essential, affordable device for today’s home, and makes maintaining clean and healthy air as simple and informative as setting your thermostat. Mila starts at $199 and is available for international shipping through its Kickstarter campaign. 

Mila introduces a series of industry firsts including:

• The first air purifier to show you a “time to clean” to achieve your target air quality.
• The first purifier to detect room presence. Mila knows to quiet down when you enter the room and kick into high gear to deep clean when you’re gone.
• The first purifier that learns the size of each room, ensuring you get the same level of performance whether Mila is placed in a 400sq ft living room or 150 sq ft bedroom. 
• The first purifier with personalized filters (e.g., addressing allergies, pet odors, home renovation, urban smog). 
• The first purifier with an aerospace-grade control system built around the underlying physics of air filtration. 
• The first purifier to include a life-saving carbon monoxide sensor. Accidental CO poisoning sends over 20,000 individuals to the ER each year in the US alone.
• The first purifier to warn you if you’re at risk of mold growth. 
• Mila tracks you outdoor air quality, and monitors how protected your home is. 
• Mila comes with a full color display and a smartphone app that enables real-time monitoring and control.

Despite its small size (12" x 12" x 14"), Mila boasts a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of 411 m3/hr, twice the performance of leading purifiers at half the price. Its patent-pending dual-flow filter includes 45 sqft of HEPA, the gold standard for ultrafine particle filtration, and the option to add up to one pound of granular activated carbon for gas-phase filtration of household odors and harmful VOCs.  

Originally beta-tested in China and backed by Electrolux, Europe’s leading home appliance company, Mila has spent the last couple of years perfecting its latest debut.  To learn more and back Mila on Kickstarter, please visit: http://prelaunch.milacares.com/press.

About Mila
As three dads living in Shanghai, we came face to face with the effects of poor air quality. We wanted (and needed) clean air for our kids but saw major flaws in the air purifiers that dominated the market. So we set out to build the first air purifier worth owning. We named it after one of our own daughters to remind us not only of our commitment to our own families, but to families around the world.

Her name is Mila and she’s the smartest, most thoughtful air purifier ever made. Get to know her at: www.milacares.com.

From trying Keto to vitamin IV drips, the “blood-type diet” or eating bee pollen, a quarter of Canadians have followed a fad diet that did more harm than good, according to new research commissioned by Advanced Orthomolecular Research and conducted by OnePoll.

And data secured in that same study suggested that Canadians were likely to use the same platform to discover nutrition advice as they were their new skincare routine. From gummy vitamins to CBD to celery juice, 41% of Canadians learn about their next nutrition trend from social media and only 26% responded that they utilize their healthcare provider to discover new trends . But results revealed that the trendiest diet advice on your feed doesn’t always have the desired results – when asked, only 10% of respondents said a trend “often” helps them achieve their goals!  This is of particular interest as the average responded that they spent $106 in the past year on nutrition products that didn’t work or produce the desired result – which adds up to over $6k in the course of a lifetime!

The survey, which polled 2,000 respondents, looked at both the nutrition trends Canadians are trying and also at how they’re finding these fads, with some of the most notable findings below:

• Respondents were much more likely to find out about new nutrition trends from the internet (52%) or social media (41%) than from a doctor or health care professional (26%). 
• The internet might not be the best way to find out about health and nutrition trends – in addition to the 27% who’ve had a diet go wrong, others have taken a vitamin or supplement that caused more harm than good (16% and 17%, respectively). 
• Top nutrition trends that respondents have tried before include gummy vitamins, “clean” eating, and intermittent fasting. That’s in addition to CBD products and personalized vitamins. Top results:

1.       Gummy vitamins: 50%

2.       “Clean” eating: 45%

3.       Intermittent fasting: 42%

4.       CBD products: 37%

5.       Personalized vitamins: 37%

6.       Weight-loss supplements: 37%

7.       Weight-loss tea: 34%

8.       Drinking celery juice: 34%

9.       Ketogenic diet: 29%

10.   Bee pollen in smoothies: 27%

Would you be interested in featuring data from this survey? I’d be happy to connect you with Advanced Orthomolecular Research Founder and CEO, Dr. Traj Nibber, who can speak to nutrition trends and provide insight into what consumer should be doing to ensure they avoid potentially dangerous or ineffective nutrition trends or fad diets. In the meantime, please let me know of any questions and I’m happy to provide any additional information. 

Thanks,

Loren

Sudbury Permanently Loses Jobs Under Anti-Union, Private Home Care

SUDBURY, ON, Nov. 12, 2019 /CNW/ - Failing to break the resolve of a group of low-paid workers during a five-month lockout, for-profit health-care provider CarePartners has decided to permanently eliminate dozens of jobs in Sudbury.

CarePartners, a private corporation that profits from public tax dollars, locked out 29 Sudbury employees on May 31 after they refused to accept the company's concession demands at the bargaining table.

"For more than five months, this for-profit operator tried to break the resolve of these workers – all but one of whom are women – who were seeking modest improvements to their low wages and difficult working conditions," said Marty Warren, Ontario Director of the United Steelworkers (USW), which represents the locked-out employees.

"They tried to put the squeeze on a group of low-paid women, but failed. These workers stood strong and refused to be bullied. So the company decided to shut down this operation and permanently take these jobs out of the community," Warren said.

The affected employees co-ordinated and scheduled the delivery of home-care services to patients in communities throughout northeastern Ontario. During the lockout, other home-care workers who provide front-line care to patients also raised concerns over the impact of private, for-profit delivery of services that is funded by public tax dollars.

"The employees demonstrated why issues such as low wages, sick leave and staff turnover were significant problems that affect workers as well as the services delivered to patients," said Warren.

"Rather than addressing these issues with its employees, CarePartners decided to take these jobs out of the community, presumably to a low-wage, non-union environment where it can impose its will on workers," he said.

As a result of the decision by CarePartners, the USW has negotiated a severance package for the members who were locked out for the last five months.

In addition to the 29 unionized employees whose jobs are disappearing, the company's decision also will eliminate a number of non-union jobs in the community.

"This appalling turn of events exposes the dark side of privatization in our health-care system. It's a system in which our government, that claims to be 'for the people,' allows private corporations to put profits before patients and workers," Warren said. He noted that, throughout the lockout, Doug Ford's Conservative government ignored repeated calls to help achieve a negotiated settlement.

"This government clearly supports privatized health care and sanctions for-profit operators making money on the backs of low-paid workers and at the expense of patient care," he said.

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

Joe Mimran, Michele Romanow and Vincenzo Guzzo to Judge Angels Den 2019, Which Will Award $500,000 for Health Innovation

Presented by St. Michael's Hospital Foundation, the fifth annual Angels Den will showcase the projects of eight finalists as they compete for funding to bring their ideas to life. 

The most exciting health-care research competition in Canada, Angels Den will be available for viewing via Facebook Live Stream, where viewers can vote for the 2019 People's Choice Award.

TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2019 /CNW/ - On Wednesday, November 13 at 5:30 p.m., St. Michael's Hospital Foundation will host the annual Angels Den health-care research competition at Koerner Hall in Toronto. Now in its fifth year, Angels Den 2019 will see eight teams of world-leading scientists from St. Michael's Hospital pitch their game-changing research ideas to a panel of three celebrity judges for the chance to win $500,000 in project funding.

Beginning in a small classroom at St. Michael's Hospital, Angels Den has grown to become the hottest health-care research competition in Canada. The event allows St. Michael's Hospital, a global leader in medical research, to shine a spotlight on pivotal health innovations while raising critical research funds. 

"St. Michael's Hospital is home to more than 250 scientists and close to 1,000 research technicians and students who work daily to find new and innovative solutions for some of the world's toughest health challenges," says Dr. Ori Rotstein, Vice President, Research and Innovation, Unity Health Toronto. 

This year's competition began with over 40 applications from St. Michael's Hospital's top researchers. After rigorous scientific review, the field was narrowed down to eight finalists (individuals or teams) who will battle to win access to funding, including two top prizes of $150,000: the Keenan Biomedical Innovation Award and the Odette Social Innovation Award. 

The Keenan Biomedical Innovation Award will be presented to the top concept for a new scientific tool, drug or machine that will improve patients' lives. The Odette Social Innovation Award will be given to the finalist whose research best demonstrates how health-care organization and delivery can be influenced through new technologies and tools that ensure all patients have access to high-quality health care. 

Determining the winners will be up to 60 jurors and three celebrity judges: 

• Joe Mimran, retail fashion and business pioneer and founder of brands like Joe Fresh; 
• Michele Romanow, tech titan and Dragons' Den star; and 
• Vincenzo Guzzo, President & CEO, Cinemas Guzzo and Dragons' Den star

This year's host will be Maureen Holloway of Darren and Mo on Toronto's 98.1 CHFI.

Audience members and viewers of the Facebook live stream will also have the opportunity to award funding to one team by voting for the People's Choice Award, sponsored by Canada Life. To view online and cast a vote, interested parties can visit the Angels Den Facebook Event.

Joe Mimran & several previous winners will be available on Tuesday, November 12 in advance of Angels Den, to speak about the competition and the medical advances previous winners have been able to make.

Full event logistics and details on past Angels Den winners are available below. Media are invited to attend the event to capture photo or video content and are asked confirm their attendance by November 12, 2019. 

EVENT DETAILS:

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS OF ANGELS DEN FUNDING:

• In 2015, Drs. Jennifer Beck and Doug Campbell won funding for NeoVest, a vest to help sick babies breathe without debilitating tubes and wires, now in clinical trials. 
• Also in 2015, Dr. Teodor Grantcharov unveiled a black box for operating rooms – inspired by the airline industry – to identify errors in surgical settings. It is now changing surgical safety in hospitals around the world. 
• In 2016, Drs. Karen Cross and General Leung won with a device that enables people to detect life-threatening diabetes-related foot ulcers, called MIMOSA. Millions of patients may soon have access. 
• 2017 winners Drs. Michelle Sholzberg and Andrea Lausman received funding for a toolkit to help pregnant women at risk of anemia get the iron they need. Iron Mom is a set of digital tools for women and their doctors to keep expectant mothers, and their unborn babies, healthy. 
• In 2018, Dr. Muhammad Mamdani won funding for fAIth, which uses artificial intelligence tools to improve health-care efficiency. In addition, Drs. George Yousef and Michael Ordon received funding for the Prostate Predictor, a blood test to predict the aggressiveness of prostate cancer thereby avoiding painful biopsies. 

St. Michael's Hospital Foundation 
St. Michael's Hospital is a global powerhouse in research and patient care. Its world-leading physicians, surgeons, scientists and staff take on the toughest health challenges. They dig deep to find solutions to intractable medical problems. They advocate on behalf of those whose health is complicated by life circumstances. They stop at nothing. 

Through its philanthropic activities, St. Michael's Hospital Foundation assists St. Michael's in attracting the resources required to fulfill and enhance its mission. Led by a volunteer Board of Directors, the Foundation raises funds for patient care, equipment, building projects, research and teaching programs. Funds are raised through annual and mid-level giving, special events, major gifts and planned giving.

More information can be found at www.stmichaelsfoundation.com and www.angelsden.ca.  

SOURCE St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation

For further information:

For interviews or additional details, please contact: Erin Del Giudice, Mosaic North America, erin.delgiudice@mosaic.com, (416) 347-9698