Heart & Stroke™ launches national awareness campaign to close the deadly gap in women's heart and brain health

TORONTO, April 25, 2018 /CNW/ - Heart disease and stroke claim the life of a woman in Canada every 17 minutes. Sex and gender blinders have caused too many women's lives to be cut short, and today, Heart & Stroke is standing up for women's heart and brain health equity with the launch of #TimeToSeeRed. This powerful awareness campaign is aimed at galvanizing Canadians to push for and make changes, and at a faster pace than we have seen in the past.

"Unfortunately, it's hard to fix problems you can't see," said Yves Savoie, CEO, Heart & Stroke. "So, we're using #TimeToSeeRed to draw attention to the problem, so we can work together – public, health professionals, health systems and governments – to close the gap in women's health."

Despite recent progress, women's heart and brain health is still vastly misunderstood. These diseases remain the leading cause of premature death for women in Canada – yet women don't even know it, wrongly presuming other diseases are more dangerous.

Alarmingly, not only are women under-aware of risks of heart disease and stroke, but the healthcare system lacks the proper diagnostic tools and therapies to properly diagnose and treat them. Two-thirds of heart disease and stroke clinical research still focuses on men, making it difficult to draw conclusions about the effects or risks of the diagnostic tools and therapies on women.

"Historically heart disease and stroke were viewed as men's diseases," said Dr. Paula Harvey, Director, Cardiovascular Research Program, Women's College Hospital. "Research was based on the incorrect assumption that what worked for a man would work for a woman, but it's not one-size-fits-all. We are now learning how women's physiology and hormonal changes put them at risk for heart disease and stroke in ways that are different than men. This knowledge needs to make its way into better diagnostics, treatments and support."

#TimeToSeeRed Debuts at SeeRed Talks

Heart & Stroke hosted SeeRed Talks in Toronto and Montreal on April 25^th as the official kick-off to the campaign to ignite passion and inspire change. The SeeRed Talks were the first in a series of in-depth panel discussions with healthcare experts and women survivors expected to take place in regions across Canada to bring this issue to life and discuss solutions. The events were streamed live and are available on the Heart & Stroke Facebook Page allowing the organization to engage Canadians from coast to coast.

Audiences at the SeeRed Talks got a first look at the new campaign video —  an alarming depiction of the health inequities faced by women, which is meant to capture attention and drive people to learn more at heartandstroke.ca/women. The video will be shown in Cineplex theatres across the country and on digital channels, accompanied by a social media campaign and print ads.

"For nearly a decade, I had the signs of heart disease, but I let it slide," said Natalie Deane, heart disease survivor. "I was told by doctors that it was anxiety or stress because a holter monitor didn't detect a problem. It took years for me to be properly diagnosed, which could easily have been too late. I am honoured to share my story with Canadians to raise awareness for this important issue. I encourage all women to be proactive about getting the care they need."

Visit heartandstroke.ca/women to find information and stories that deepen understanding of the complex issues and provide different ways that people in Canada can get involved in solving it.

For more information about health inequities facing women, read Heart & Stroke's recent Heart Report here.

Heart & Stroke is proud to partner with Shoppers Drug Mart, based on their commitment to women's health called SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU.  We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of our Founding Partner, SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU. Together, we're committed to saving women's lives by advancing women's heart and brain health in Canada.

About Heart & Stroke
Life. We don't want you to miss it. That's why Heart & Stroke leads the fight against heart disease and stroke. We must generate the next medical breakthroughs, so Canadians don't miss out on precious moments. Together, we are working to prevent disease, save lives and promote recovery through research, health promotion and public policy.

About SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU.
SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU.  is the identity for our long-standing commitment for women's health. To help women live their best lives, the SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU. program is designed to help women stay focused on making their own health a priority by connecting them to the expertise of our partners at leading women's health organizations and to others in support of women's health initiatives across Canada.  Learn more at shoppersloveyou.ca.

SARNIA, ON-BASED PHARMACY CHAIN ADDRESSES OPIOID CRISIS AND PEDIATRIC POISONINGS ASSOCIATED WITH MEDICATION

SARNIA, ON, April 25, 2018 /CNW/ - Hogan Pharmacies throughout southern Ontario are taking a leadership role in addressing two major health issues – the opioid epidemic and unintentional pediatric medicine poisonings.

Today, Hogan Pharmacy became the first pharmacy chain in Canada to offer SAFE RX® Locking Prescription Vials (LPVs™). "LPVs™ provide a more secure medication storage option for anyone filling a prescription. Secure storage helps prevent accidental access to medications and intentional pilfering, which is a leading source for teen prescription drug abuse and opioid addiction," said Darryl Moore, Co-Owner of Sarnia-based Hogan Pharmacy Group.

According to a recent Government of Canada report, there were 2,946 apparent opioid-related deaths in Canada in 2016. In only nine months, from January to September 2017, there were at least 2,923 apparent opioid-related deaths and "it is expected that this count will rise as additional data become available," added Moore.

"Health ministers and key stakeholders have publicly committed to working within their respective areas of responsibility in a coordinated and comprehensive response to address problematic opioid use. The first pillar of the response is prevention, which includes improving prescribing practices and better informing Canadians about the risks of opioids," said Dean Miller, President/CEO, Whole Health Pharmacy Partners of Markham, ON.

"The SAFE RX® LPV™ is an affordable and sensible solution to keep medicine out of the wrong hands. The four-number lock is child-safe, pilfer-resistant and tamper-evident, providing Canadians with peace of mind that they have done everything they can to protect their medicine from both accidental ingestion and intentional pilfering," said Andy Cipra, Chief Commercial Officer, SAFE RX®.

Hogan Pharmacies across Ontario will have SAFE RX® LPVs™ available for dispensing and will be able to encode patients' desired four-digit codes into the lock right at the pharmacy.

SAFE RX® LPVs™ won the prestigious Product Showcase Award in the pharmacy supplies and equipment category at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' 2017 Total Store Expo, the largest pharmacy industry trade show in North America.

ABOUT HOGAN PHARMACY
Providing pharmacy services to Lambton County since 1951, Hogan Pharmacy first located in St. Joseph's Hospital. In 1982, Hogan's relocated to 457 London Road in Sarnia, adjacent to Bluewater Health Hospital. Co-owned by Darryl Moore and Jeff Churchman, the Hogan Pharmacy Group has grown to eight independently-owned pharmacies, all dedicated to the profession with a focus on complete patient wellness.

ABOUT SAFE RX® (www.safe-rx.com)
Safe Rx® LPVs^TM keep medicine from falling into the wrong hands. Developed by experts and endorsed by industry leaders, Safe Rx® LPVs^TM protect individuals, families and communities from improper access to medication. The tamper-evident and pilfer resistant locking medicine vials are designed for use in dispensing and are engineered for extremely low incremental fill time and easy workflow adaption. SAFE RX LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Secure Medication Systems LLC. For more information please visit www.safe-rx.com.

/NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. WIRE SERVICES/

WINNIPEG, April 24, 2017 /CNW/ - DELTA 9 CANNABIS INC. (TSXV: NINE) ("Delta 9" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Health Canada has approved the Company's application for an amendment to its cannabis production and sale license which will allow it to produce bottled cannabis oils under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (the "ACMPR"). The license amendment was issued on April 20, 2018 and is valid until August 30, 2019.

"This is another important step for Delta 9 in preparing for legalization in Canada, but also in working with our partners in Germany, where we have signed an export agreement," said Delta 9 CEO John Arbuthnot.

Delta 9 announced the signing of a non-binding letter of intent on March 27, 2018 with Global Group Kalapa S.L. and Canpharma GMBH for the exportation of medical cannabis and cannabis oils to Germany. As part of that agreement, Delta 9 agreed to produce cannabis oil, and agreed to become GMP (Good Manufacturing Process) certified.

Also this week Delta 9 engaged QNR Associates of Edmonton, Alberta to help plan the upgrade of the Company's Winnipeg facility to the standards required of GMP certification. Currently the facility is certified under the GPP (Good Production Practices) protocol, which is required under the ACMPR program in Canada.

The Company also recently announced that it is building a second cannabis production facility in Calgary, Alberta in partnership with Westleaf Cannabis Inc., known as the "Delta West" facility. This facility will include a GMP certified lab for the production of cannabis oil and all legally allowed cannabis extracts and derivatives.

This month Delta 9 also submitted its application for cannabis retail outlets in Saskatchewan under the Provincial Government's RFP process, which closed on April 10, 2018.

"Our management believes there is a strong and generally underserved market in the Prairie Provinces, and we have focused our goals on becoming a market leader in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta," said Arbuthnot. "Our expansion in all of these provinces is actually proceeding faster than expected, and obtaining our license for cannabis oils was one more crucial step on our path."

About Delta 9 Cannabis Inc.
Delta 9's wholly-owned subsidiary, Delta 9 Bio-Tech Inc., is a licensed producer of medical marijuana pursuant to the ACMPR and operates an 80,000 square foot production facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Delta 9's shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NINE".

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the Company's future business plans and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements relating to: (i) Delta 9's expansion plans; (ii) Delta 9's production of cannabis and cannabis oils; and (iii) demand for and sale of Delta 9's products. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including that Delta 9's currently contemplated expansion and development plans may cease or otherwise change, Delta 9's production of cannabis may be lower than expected, Delta 9 may not obtain the required approvals from Health Canada, demand for Delta 9's products may be lower than anticipated, Delta 9's cost to produce its grow pods may be higher than expected and all other risk factors set forth in the filing statement of Delta 9 dated October 25, 2017 which has been filed on SEDAR. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Twitter: The number of Canadians with disability insurance through workplace benefits is on the decline, leaving them more at risk @RBCInsurance

Summary: The number of Canadians with disability coverage through workplace benefits has fallen significantly since 2015 – 48% vs 57%. Of those Canadians without disability coverage through their workplace, 84% have not bought coverage themselves. Yet, if faced with the possibility of becoming disabled and unable to work for three months, 68% admit they would face serious financial trouble. However, when it comes to accessing disability coverage, where and how Canadians find work are strong barriers, along with affordability.

TORONTO, April 24, 2018 /CNW/ - The number of Canadians with disability coverage through workplace benefits has declined significantly since 2015, according to a recent RBC Insurance survey. Fewer than half (48 per cent) of employed Canadians say they have disability coverage through their workplace benefits, compared to 57 per cent in 2015¹. Of those without disability coverage through their workplace, 84 per cent have not bought coverage themselves, leaving them at financial risk if unable to work due to a disability.

"With the majority of employed Canadians indicating that they do not have disability insurance through their workplace benefits package, workers need to review what coverage they do have and take immediate steps to ensure that they are well protected in case something were to happen," explains Maria Winslow, Senior Director, Life & Health, RBC Insurance. "Without the proper financial protection in place, Canadians are putting themselves and their families at risk if they are faced with a disability and have to take time off work."

Being off work takes a financial toll that many people are not prepared to handle. A majority (68 per cent) of working Canadians acknowledge the possibility of serious financial implications for them and their family if they were to become disabled and unable to work for three months. In fact, when faced with a disability, 45 per cent of working Canadians would have liked to take time off due to disability but could not because of finances, and 51 per cent said they were forced to go back to work earlier than they wanted because of their financial situation.

"When confronted with a disability, the last thing that should be on your mind is worrying about finances. Purchasing individual disability coverage provides you with the security of knowing you will have money coming in to replace your lost income," says Winslow.

Barriers to Accessing Disability Coverage
Increasingly, where and how Canadians find work are strong barriers to accessing disability insurance coverage. Those without coverage say:

• Their workplace doesn't offer group benefits or disability insurance (35 per cent)
• They work part-time or on contract and aren't eligible for benefits (25 per cent)
• They're self-employed or freelance (22 per cent)

Cost is another key barrier – one in four (26 per cent) working Canadians without disability coverage feel they cannot afford it.

"There's a misconception that disability insurance is expensive, yet it's much less than you might think - generally costing between one and three per cent of your income," adds Winslow.

Here are a few things Canadians should consider:

• The best time to buy disability insurance is before an injury or illness occurs.
• Don't choose a policy on price alone. Be aware that the prices are aligned with the features and benefits of the policy. Make sure you know the policy's definition of disability, as the definition may vary among carriers.
• Review the coverage available through your employer and consider whether you need additional coverage to fill in the gaps.
• Disability insurance is essentially an income replacement policy; it is designed to cover a portion of your income should you become unable to work.

About the RBC Insurance Survey
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between January 2nd and January 4th, 2018 on behalf of RBC Insurance. For this survey, a sample of 1,505 employed Canadians aged 18+ was interviewed. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the results are considered accurate to within ±3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all working Canadian adults been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

About RBC Insurance
RBC Insurance^® offers a wide range of life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth and reinsurance advice and solutions, as well as creditor and business insurance services to individual, business and group clients. RBC Insurance is the brand name for the insurance operating entities of Royal Bank of Canada, one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies. RBC Insurance is among the largest Canadian bank-owned insurance organizations, with approximately 2,500 employees who serve more than four million clients globally. For more information, please visit rbcinsurance.com.

___________________________
¹ 2015 RBC Insurance survey

Ontario runners Woodfine and Gollish, big winners in Montréal

MONTRÉAL, April 22, 2018 /CNW/ - Taking advantage of ideal conditions at the start, Ontario runners Tristan Woodfine, in men's, and Sasha Gollish, in women's, won unequivocal victories on Sunday at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montréal, for the 16^th edition of the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal. Woodfine, 24, of Cobden, Ont., crossed the finish line located at the edge of the Olympic Rowing Basin in 1:05:43. Gollish, 36, of Toronto, won the women's event in 1:16:14.

At press time, the Scotiabank Charity Challenge had raised $1.3 million for 71 charities in the Montréal area and the number is expected to continue to grow as fundraising remains open for 30 days after the event.

"The Scotiabank Charity Challenge participants showed great commitment again this year," said Tom Apostolis, District Vice President Montréal Centre at Scotiabank. "Not only did they train hard to cross the finish line, but they also went the extra mile with their fundraising efforts. We are thrilled that the 2018 Scotiabank Charity Challenge has raised $1.3 million, a record for the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal. We're proud that the Scotiabank Charity Challenge continues to be an important part of the weekend events, year after year. We know that the funds raised will have a huge impact in the communities where we live, work, run and do business."

Taking place over two days, the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal featured a 1k Kids Run, 5k, 10k and 21k distances. Nearly 7,000 racers crossed the start lines of the various distances and the event was sold out for yet another year!

Introduced last year, the Kids run and the 10k distance grew in popularity. With an increased capacity to meet the demand, these distances welcomed a new wave of fundraisers happy to find a middle step between the 5k and the 21k to motivate them.

"We are proud that this has been a record-breaking weekend in terms of funds raised for the Scotiabank Charity Challenge," said Francois Lecot, Race Director, Canada Running Series. "The sun was shining on the 7,000 runners who took part in the 21k, 10k, 5k & Kids Run, making it a fun and meaningful weekend for the whole family. We are also proud of the turnout and performances of our athletes, particularly our Quebec elite runners, including Francois Jarry and Olympian Anne-Marie Comeau who both placed second overall."

The Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a turnkey fundraising program that provides a simple way for runners in these races to support local causes that make a significant impact on Canadian communities. Participating charities keep 100 per cent of the proceeds raised, as Scotiabank pays for all transaction and credit card fees. Scotiabank offers the Scotiabank Charity Challenge at six sponsored marathon events across Canada including Montréal, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto.

Scotiabank believes in helping young people reach their infinite potential, and many organizations who take part in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge have a direct impact on our local youth. Young people are our future leaders and it's crucial to provide them with the skills and resources they need to succeed.

Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal Results :

Half marathon, Men

1. Tristan Woodfine – Cobden, Canada – 1:05:43
2. François Jarry – Lachine, Canada – 1:07:08
3. Kip Kangogo – Lethbridge, Canada – 1:08:15

Half marathon, Women

1. Sasha Gollish – Toronto, Canada – 1:16:14
2. Anne-Marie Comeau – Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Canada – 1:16:25
3. Laura Desjardins – Toronto – 1:17:59

10k, Men

1. David Le Porho – Montréal, Canada – 32:37
2. Marc-Antoine Senneville – Repentigny, Canada – 32:40
3. Mathieu Desbiens – Cookshire-Eaton, Canada – 33:42

10k, Women

1. Celine Best – Ottawa, Canada – 38:34
2. Annie Laperle – Candiac, Canada – 40:07
3. Marie-Christine Carette – Sherbrooke – 40:12

5k, Men

1. Gregoire M. Bouchard – L'Assomption, Canada – 15:56
2. Alvaro Cueto – Saint-Hubert, Canada – 16:00
3. Karl Belley – Longueuil, Canada – 16:00

5k, Women

1. Emy Legault – L'Île-Perrot, Canada – 18:00
2. Ali Barwick – Montréal, Canada – 18:07
3. Delphine Hansen – Montréal, Canada – 18:40

The Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal race weekend is a world-class sporting event that brings together recreational and elite runners from across Canada and beyond for a race in Parc-Jean Drapeau, one of Montréal's most beautiful locations.

For a complete list of 2018 charities participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, please visit the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal's website.

For more highlights and complete race results, please visit the results page.

Twitter and Instagram Hashtag: #SCOTIA21KMTL, #InfinitePotential and #runScotia

About Scotiabank

At Scotiabank, we aim to support organizations that are committed to helping young people reach their infinite potential. Young people are our future leaders and Scotiabank's goal is to help ensure that they have the necessary skills and resources they need to support their success. Together with our employees, the Bank supports causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2017, Scotiabank contributed more than $80 million to help our communities around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 24 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 89,000 employees and assets of over $923 billion (as at January 31, 2018), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @Scotiabank.

About Canada Running Series
Canada Running Series is the nation's premier running circuit with 8 events: 4 in Toronto, 2 in Vancouver, 1 in Edmonton and 1 in Montréal. It annually attracts some 60,000 participants and raises more than $6 million for some 320 mostly-local charities.

The Series includes the IAAF Gold Label Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championships. Since 1999, CRS has gained international recognition for innovation and organization.

We are passionately committed to staging great experiences for runners of all levels from Canadian Olympians and International stars, to healthy lifestyle people and charity runners; and to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process. Our mission is "building community through the sport of running." Join us at www.RunCRS.ca