The Current for May 20, 2021
Today on The Current:
A new report shows a surge in opioid-related deaths in Ontario last year, a trend that's also been seen across the country against the backdrop of the pandemic. We discuss what's driving the death toll, and what needs to be done, with Garth Mullins, host of the podcast Crackdown; Zoe Dodd, a harm reduction worker and a co-organizer with the Toronto Overdose Prevention Society; and Thomas Kerr, a professor in the department of medicine at the University of British Columbia and senior scientist at the BC Centre on Substance Use.
Plus, countries in Africa are facing a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines as their main supplier, India, focuses on its own needs. There are calls for African scientists to develop and produce their own vaccines, and fears that without shots in arms, mutations and fresh outbreaks could create a crisis that goes global. We talk to Dr. Githinji Gitahi, global CEO of Amref Health Africa and a board member of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention; and Dr. Christian Happi, director of the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases.
Then, as Quebec releases its planned path out of the pandemic, Manitoba is struggling to keep cases down in the third wave. Globe and Mail health columnist André Picard joins us to discuss the situation across the country and what the months ahead might look like.
And the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs square off Thursday in their first NHL playoff series since 1979. Hockey columnist and historian for NHL.com Dave Stubbs joins us to discuss a rivalry reignited, excitement ahead of the game, and what's changed over the years.