No doubt CDC’s announcement will resonate around the world

To mask or not to mask, that is the question. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States just issued a directive that fully vaccinated people do not need to wear a mask or practise social distancing. The directive had immediate repercussions in the United States with politicians in the nation’s capital […]
Don’t let the pandemic’s mental health lessons get left behind

This year we marked the 70th anniversary of Mental Health Week in Canada. Given the visibility mental health has gained during the pandemic, we should take stock of how far we’ve come in changing the way we talk about and address mental health, and the work that lies ahead. Talking about mental health goes beyond […]
Patient groups play an important role in vaccine rollout

Along with many Canadians, I’ve been closely watching the provincial approaches to COVID-19 vaccine rollouts. This is both out of self-interest, as someone who wants to be vaccinated, as well as from a longstanding interest in all matters of public health policy. What makes my situation unique is that I also suffer from a rare […]
The public sector can’t go back to the old normal

The COVID-19 pandemic has pulled back the curtain on the lagging technological investment by governments all over the world. Even before the pandemic, the world was changing at a speed never before seen in history. The wholesale transformation of nearly every aspect of our lives to digital was well underway, and public-sector agencies were already […]
Inclusive pandemic recovery can’t happen without targeted support for youth

When it comes to our collective pandemic recovery, investing in young Canadians is essential. However, success will depend on our ability to not simply create opportunities, but to create meaningful ones that allow youth to not only recover but to use their unique qualities and perspectives to shape and define what that recovery will look […]
In 2021, motherhood is breaking us

Being a mother in Canada this year is bringing many of us to the point of breaking. New data from the Canadian Women’s Foundation reveals a difficult picture of mothering through the upheaval of the pandemic. Almost half of mothers in Canada say they are “reaching their breaking point.” Forty-three per cent are “anxious” and 38 […]
Budget investments not enough to replace need for new round of COVID student benefits, says Green leader Paul

Though the budget was generally well received by post-secondary student advocates, the lack of a returning Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) is a gap that needs to be filled to avoid students ending up in the same rough spot as last year, says Green Party Leader Annamie Paul. The benefit was introduced last spring, providing […]
U.S.-backed vaccine waiver should force Canada to support initiative, say politicos

The U.S. decision to support a waiver that could potentially lead to increased global COVID-19 vaccine production could force Canada’s hand as it has long delayed making a decision on the proposal put forward at the World Trade Organization, say analysts, including a former Liberal trade minister and WTO ambassador. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai […]
Senate, House report at least 30 COVID-19 cases in Parliamentary Precinct since pandemic’s early days

There have been at least 30 confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Hill, including three among Senate staff, 16 employed by House administration, and 12 in security since a few months after the onset of the pandemic, according to each body. Since the Senate started to formally monitor cases in July 2020, there have been three […]
‘You are walking on eggshells’: infectious disease docs say ‘trust in vaccines is fragile,’ NACI guidance unhelpful

Last week’s messaging from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) about the AstraZeneca vaccine has eroded trust in public health communications, say infectious disease experts. NACI officials said last week that getting the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines made sense for some Canadians, but that the higher risk that those two could cause […]