CBC Newfoundland Morning

Medical assistance in dying, or MAiD, became legal in Canada in June 2016, but the federal government is looking at ways to improve what the law allows. Right now, Health Canada is doing a survey of Canadians about advance requests for MAiD. As it stands right now, the law does not allow medical assistance in dying to be provided based on an advance request. The person asking for MAID must be able to consent, and they can't ask in advance before they are eligible or want to receive it. We asked Health Canada for an interview about its consultation with Canadians, but the department declined. Helen Long is CEO of Dying with Dignity Canada, which works to improve end-of-life care.

A non-profit group in this province is taking action to try to reduce vaping among youth. Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest rate of youth vaping in Canada. That puts young people at risk, so the Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance for the Control of Tobacco is introducing nicotine exposé kits for middle school and high school students. Melissa Moore is program and education coordinator.

It's still unclear what help will be available in the months to come under Jordan's Principle, and that's causing concern. Jordan's Principle is the result of a ruling by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. It's meant to ensure that First Nations children in Canada can get the services and support they need, when they need them. There's been a delay or shortfall this year in getting that federal funding to students in this province. As a result, the provincial government stepped in to help, with 6-point-4 million dollars to continue supports for students. The provincial education department confirms that the additional assistance will be available until the end of this school year. Jennifer Broadbent is a parent in Corner Brook who still has concerns that her son, Obie, won't get the help he needs. She spoke with the CBC's Alex Kennedy.

Most of us hadn't heard of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde until last Monday. She's the Episcopal bishop in Washington, D.C. who made a plea to President Donald Trump. But Anglican church members in Western Newfoundland knew her name. They'd met her in person last fall, at church meetings in Corner Brook. Rev. Mickton Phiri is priest-in-charge at St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church. He and other Anglicans in the Diocese of Western Newfoundland Labrador Straits met Bishop Budde in person.

*NOTE:The following interviews contain descriptions that some listeners may find disturbing.* Just before Christmas, 11-year-old Kamara White was on her lunch break in a classroom at Sprucewood Academy in Grand Falls-Windsor. Some of the grade six students in the room decided to play a physical game while the teacher was not present. As things got rougher, Kamara fell and ended up having the tops of two of her fingers severed. The CBC's Leigh Anne Power spoke with Kamara, as well as Kamara's mom, Annette.

We've been asking listeners for happy stories about the good that's in the world - and we were delighted to tell you about one of them this morning. A mother in Gander Bay sparked the idea of a junior firefighter program. it's been running successfully for the past three years, thanks to the Gander Bay Fire Department. Jodi Budden of Victoria Cove has two teenaged children, including her 15-year-old son, Tyrone. Lindsay Earle is deputy chief of the Gander Bay Fire Department.

An artist from Corner Brook is turning shotgun shells into art. Tara Young has used hundreds of shotgun shells found on beaches in the Gros Morne area. She's created a unique interpretation of sea life that also makes a point. We reached Young in Nova Scotia where she's studying art at NSCAD University.

Gilbert the dog was found safe and sound on Thursday, after being lost outdoors in Labrador for two very cold nights. Gilbert had a lot of people looking for him. Cara Suley of Forteau is his owner.

If you love outdoor winter activities, this winter has been a disappointment so far. Many areas of our Newfoundland Morning region haven't had as much snow as in a typical winter. Snowmobilers are frustrated in some regions, especially in the central part of the island. There's some snow on the west coast, though. Matthew Swain is general manager of the Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation.

The story of a Bonavista man who died en route to hospital has prompted concerned citizens in the town to take action. In early 2023, Charlie Marsh had an asthma attack. The local Bonavista emergency room was closed, and he was sent to Clarenville by ambulance. Marsh didn't survive. His daughter, Shelley Marsh Gosselin, is now working with the Bonavista concerned citizens committee. She told the CBC's Leigh Anne Power that she doesn't want anyone else to experience what happened to her father. The CBC's Bernice Hillier spoke with Reg Durdle, a member of the Bonavista concerned citizens committee.