Tug-of-war between scrapping pot’s black market, upping health outcomes yet to be resolved
October 2019 marks the one-year anniversary of Canada’s cannabis legalization framework, and many have taken the opportunity to opine on its progress. A common theme is that one year in, legalization is “a dud” because the black market remains strong. In this type of analysis, the persistence of the black market seems to be the […]
Feds have room to move on fully eradicating the cannabis black market
One of the central goals of the federal government in legalizing recreational cannabis was the elimination of the black market for cannabis. The ambition of this goal is now becoming clear. Statistics Canada recently reported that 42 per cent of Canadians purchase some of their cannabis from illegal sources. Given the supply and access issues […]
Cannabis
Will a minority government bring a renewed approach to cannabis amnesty?
One year after cannabis legalization in Canada, economic, health, and public safety concerns remain priorities, but social justice issues continue to be sidelined— just as they were in the final iteration of the Cannabis Act. As people worry about money lost in the industry, or when and where they will be able to purchase edibles, […]
Unpromising ‘none-of-the-above’ campaign mercifully drawing to a close
OTTAWA—Over five or six weeks of campaigning, most federal elections clarify themselves, providing a narrative, a key issue, or a consensus that shapes and defines the outcome on voting day. In 1980, Canadians turned against Joe Clark and his government’s decision to bring in a hefty gasoline levy. The 1984 election reflected a desire for […]
Investing in mental health is a sound strategy
With a federal election well underway, there’s lots of talk about hot-button issues. People will be voting for the middle class, for action on climate change, for improved childcare, for better infrastructure, for jobs, jobs, jobs. In truth, a hidden thread runs through all these priorities. It’s a topic at the top of the agenda […]
Stress: does what doesn’t kill you make you strong?
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger; so goes a popular song. When it comes to stress what makes you stronger will also kill you. Stress is necessary to keep life itself in play, but in excess it leads to morbidity and mortality. So, what is it? We often feel restless, anxious, tense. In other […]
Only one national strategy can address today’s mental health crisis: putting the patient first
OTTAWA—Mental health has been elevated to a national issue, but the reality on the ground for someone in need of immediate support is a daunting wait for life-saving therapy if you can even find somewhere to go. I have seen first-hand the devastating effects of this. A young family friend seeking help for a debilitating […]
Mental health policy could be political winner in this election, but it’s not being talked about
A new Ipsos/Global News poll, released Oct. 3, shows health care is the top election issue for Canadians, with 37 per cent of respondents listing it in their top three. Health care is followed by climate change, at 30 per cent, and affordability and the cost of living, at 26 per cent. When asked which […]
If we want immigrants, refugees, and racialized groups to thrive, we need our policies on social determinants of health and mental health services to evolve
Immigration is the main driver of population growth in Canada. Our prosperity is linked to attracting smart immigrants who will help our economy grow. But we may not be looking after this investment as well as we could. Studies have shown that when immigrants come to this country, they are two times less likely to […]
