Canada is surrounded on three sides by oceans.
To the north, the Arctic Ocean borders Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
Off the west coast of British Columbia is the Pacific Ocean.
The Atlantic Ocean, meanwhile, sits to the east of Canada’s Maritime provinces, which include Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

Dear Maggie and Alex,
I saw the news about the terrible storm and flood that hit Spiritwood last week. I was relieved when I received an email from you. It was good to learn that you are both okay but unfortunate to hear that your house was damaged. Still, you were lucky that there were only some broken windows and a little flooding in a few rooms. We realize that many people were less fortunate. The news programs showed pictures of all the horrible destruction that the wind and heavy rains caused—the tragic loss of lives and homes, and the flooding of farmland.
Our hearts go out to the flood victims and, as you had requested, Peter and I have put together some relief packages for those who lost their homes and belongings in the storm. With the help of our neighbors, we have collected some basic supplies, blankets, clothing, canned food, and bottled water. A friend of ours, travelling in the direction of Spiritwood in a few days, has offered to drop off the packages. We are now discussing how we could organize a larger food and clothing drive and get the entire town of Gladstone involved. I’ll be meeting with the mayor, Sarah Stanley, as soon as possible to discuss how to organize the relief effort.
Because of the doctor shortage in Gladstone, Peter and I have been working really long hours at the clinic lately. Otherwise, we could have provided our medical expertise to the flood victims. Still, our younger son James has volunteered with a group that will help clean up the flooded area. James is finishing his last semester of university next week, so he’ll be flying out right after his classes end on Friday.
Please keep us informed of the evolving situation in Spiritwood. If there is anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask. Since we all met in medical school, you have both been like family to Peter and I. We have a guest room that you are more than welcome to stay in for as long as you need to.
Our thoughts are with you both, as well as with all the people in the flood-devastated area.
Arlene

A. Situated in Lake Nicaragua, Ometepe is a mystical and fascinating island. Its name means “two mountains” in the local Nahuatl language, appropriate since the island is made up of two volcanoes that are connected by a narrow strip of land. This haven is admired by both residents and tourists alike due to its rich history, archaeological background, landscapes, and biodiversity. Life on the island revolves around the two volcanoes, about which many enduring myths and legends have been told and passed from generation to generation.
B. Featuring two volcanoes, Concepcion and Maderas, Ometepe is the world’s largest volcanic island located in fresh water. Concepcion, a perfectly symmetrical and cone-shaped volcano, dominates the northern half of the island. Larger than its counterpart, Concepcion is active and has erupted multiple times since the 1800s. Here one also finds the island’s two most populated villages, Moyogalpa and Altagracia. On the southern part of the island is Maderas, no longer active and a popular spot for ecotourists with its lush rainforests, cloud forests, and a lagoon lake located in its crater.
C. Archaeological evidence suggests that Ometepe was first discovered by indigenous tribes from Mexico who were traveling south in search of a paradise described by prophets. The Nahua were the first to inhabit the island around 2000-500 BC, followed by numerous other tribes. For centuries, Ometepe was a refuge for various societies until it was discovered by pirates in the sixteenth century. The invaders pillaged the local settlements, stealing livestock, harvests, and possessions, thus forcing the inhabitants to move to higher ground. In the late 1500s, Spanish conquistadors colonized Ometepe, converting its residents to Catholicism. Even so, the locals incorporated many of their traditional customs and beliefs into Christianity currently celebrate more religious and folk festivals than any other part of Nicaragua.
D. The island’s economy is fuelled primarily by agriculture, but tourism is also growing. The presence of volcanic ash makes the soil extremely fertile. Farmers can plant the fields continuously, without the need to leave them unseeded for a season. The main crop is plantains, although tobacco and coffee are also produced. Travel to the island has boomed in recent decades and the locals have become known for their warmth, hospitality, and love of the island. Due to rising interest in ecotourism, the majority of visitors go to appreciate the island’s natural beauty; hiking is especially popular. However, other attractions abound. Ometepe is famous for its thousands of rock carvings and stone statues left by ancient civilizations.
E. Not given in any of the above paragraphs.

Every major drug company conducts extensive research and development to create brand name prescription medicines. In return, a government grants the pharmaceutical company a patent on a new drug, that is, the exclusive right to make and sell it. A patent is temporary, though. After it expires, other companies can copy the brand name drug, producing an inexpensive generic version having similar ingredients and benefits.
James Connaught represents the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Alliance. “We actively lobby the government to endorse agreements that, once made law, would allow pharmaceutical companies to extend the duration of drug patent protections or even make them permanent,” says Connaught. “In developing their products, pharmaceutical companies invest billions of dollars in exhaustive research and testing. Even products verified as safe sometimes incur lawsuits. To absorb all these costs, drug companies must stay profitable—so the government must strengthen patent laws.”
Connaught considers generic drug makers akin to parasites. “They don’t do research and development; they don’t take the financial risks involved in launching new drugs; they don’t innovate. They just skim off profits from other companies, without contributing anything of their own.”
Heather Weiller of the Affordable Health Alliance (AHA), a consumer advocacy group, has a different perspective. “Big Pharma is a big rip-off. Medications are a necessity, not a luxury, so the government should ensure they’re affordable—that is, friendly to generics. Even with generics nibbling at their profit margins, Big Pharma profits are still astronomical. Private health insurance companies know that, and won’t reimburse consumers for brand names if there’s a cheaper generic available. In that respect, generics are essential. Governments shouldn’t collude with pharmaceutical companies to stall generics or keep them off the market. If anything, drug patent protections should be weakened.”
In fact, Weiller credits generic drug makers for saving the lives of millions around the globe. “If not for generic drugs, the governments of some developing countries couldn’t afford basic medications for their citizens at all. In effect, laws that hasten or at least preserve drug patent expiries assist the developing world.”