5 things you need to know this morning: Sept. 13, 2024

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. Chemical compound banned as food additive by Health Canada

Health Canada has now officially banned the use of brominated vegetable oil – BVO – as a food additive. It comes amid growing concerns about the potential dangers associated with the compound, which is used in certain drinks.

Health Canada bans common food additive found in some popular drinks. Here's why https://t.co/M5zsTzoznK

— CTV News Northern Ontario (@CTVNewsNorthern) September 13, 2024

2. Defence department's $34M sleeping bags fail to keep soldiers warm: report

There are "several critical issues" with army sleeping bags that cost the federal government $34.8 million, according to reports. Soldiers using the "General Purpose Sleeping Bag System" last fall reported "a lack of warmth" when temperatures dropped to -20C.

Defence department spent more than $34 million on new sleeping bags now deemed unsuitable - CBC News https://t.co/aGApOUMUqd

— Cliff Pavlovic (@cliffpavlovic) September 13, 2024

3. Air Canada could cancel flights imminently

Disruptions to Air Canada flights are expected as soon as this weekend as pilots look likely to strike in a bid to increase their wages. Analysts said a significant number of trips could be affected.

Air Canada could start cancelling flights imminently ahead of strike deadline https://t.co/rrHM5zGpSQ pic.twitter.com/e5Jw00CKIZ

— Global National (@GlobalNational) September 13, 2024

4. Person dies after contracting deadly mosquito-borne virus in Canada

A person has died from an extremely rare mosquito-borne virus in Ottawa. The unlucky individual was infected with eastern equine encephalitis, which has a fatality rate of about 30 per cent.

Ottawa resident died of rare mosquito-born virus https://t.co/EZuLW8DFv7 pic.twitter.com/3s0UO9RchH

— Ottawa Citizen (@OttawaCitizen) September 12, 2024

5. Former BC Greens leader endorses Rustad, says he's 'to be trusted more on the climate file'

The former leader of the BC Green Party has officially endorsed John Rustad for premier. Andrew Weaver, a climate scientist who was the lead author for the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that won a Nobel prize, said Rustad "is to be trusted more on the climate file than [David] Eby."

I just got contacted by numerous #bcpoli media outlets saying that @Dave_Eby is now copying @theJagmeetSingh. What a disappointment.

Eby is clearly more concerned about politics than about people — British Columbians deserve a Premier who will be straight up with them.

Its…

— Andrew Weaver (@AJWVictoriaBC) September 12, 2024