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Maddi Dellplain

@maddidellplain.bsky.social
2K followers 992 following 49 posts

East Van reporter @ Vancity Lookout Former editor & health reporter @healthydebate.bsky.social //writing on civic issues, health, disability & drug policy// maddidellplain.journoportfolio.com

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Reposted by Maddi Dellplain
Michelle Gamage @michellegamage.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
About 50 people crammed into the court room to hear the decision, which took Murray 10 minutes to deliver. Applause broke out as she stood, with people openly crying from relief, from happiness, from feeling like someone in power understood the urgency of the crisis.
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tyson singh kelsall @tsk.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
we have lost so many people while police & politicians created a spectacle, raided DULF, stopped the expansion of an alt to the toxic supply, and put its co-founders through the needless consequences of this process that took years. DULF saves lives bsky.app/profile/godf...
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dustin @godfrey.work · 29/09/2026
BREAKING: Jeremy Kalicum and Eris Nyx's charges are being thrown out. she said they did a public service "at considerable personal cost."
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De Facto Journalism Co-op @defactomedia.ca · 28/09/2026
A Vancouver cop told DULF’s founders he would personally advocate for them. 2 years later, he approved the investigation that led to raids on their homes. www.defactomedia.ca/how-vancouve...
defactomedia.ca
How Vancouver police turned against DULF
Court records show the same inspector who encouraged the compassion club’s founders also approved the investigation that led to raids on their homes
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
An East Vancouver mushroom shop seems to be in dicey legal waters (yet again) following an attempted eviction by its landlord. www.vancitylookout.com/p/the-shroom...
vancitylookout.com
A mushroom shop's trip on Commercial Drive may be over
The Shroom House could be in hot water following a petition to court that alleges it continued operations despite being evicted by its corporate landlord.
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Some key insight into what the people of the Vancouver Landlord's subreddit want to see from the next provincial government:
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
TransLink may control the routes, but in most cases, the city is responsible for infrastructure at the stops. With South Van bus stops desperately in need, a group of volunteers took matters into their own hands. @movementyvr.bsky.social www.vancitylookout.com/p/volunteer-...
vancitylookout.com
Volunteer bus bench building highlights need for South Vancouver transit investment
With municipal elections on the horizon, the infrastructure that supports some of the city’s most in-need transit riders have become a key election issue.
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Reposted by Maddi Dellplain
Jen St. Denis @jenstden.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Kerry-Lynne Findlay has resigned as leader of the BC Conservatives #bcpoli
An X post from Kerry Lynne Findlay stating she is resigning from the Conservative Party of BC
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
With nearly 8,000 rooms approved by this council, I asked experts if the rapid response to Vancouver's “hotel supply crisis” is justified. www.vancitylookout.com/p/how-dire-i...
vancitylookout.com
How dire is Vancouver’s ‘hotel supply crisis?’
With nearly 8,000 rooms approved by this council, Vancity Lookout asked experts if the rapid response to the “hotel supply crisis” is justified.
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant has undergone many changes over the last century. Laura's Coffee Shop has borne witness to nearly all of them. www.vancitylookout.com/p/lauras-cof...
vancitylookout.com
A bygone era: Laura’s Coffee Shop embodies Mount Pleasant’s many changes
Laura’s Coffee Shop in Northwest Mount Pleasant has withstood nearly a century of big changes in the neighbourhood.
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
"I'm so glad I'm out of that." The property on Birch & Broadway that was once slated to become an Indigenous travel lodge moves ahead with more controversial changes, and is now in the hands of a court-appointed realtor www.vancitylookout.com/p/twists-and...
vancitylookout.com
Twists and turns in Birch Street Property saga continue
The controversial property that was once slated to become an Indigenous medical travel lodge has been listed for sale by a court-appointed realtor.
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
From AI data centres to delivery robots to "innovation hubs" - Vancouver city council is in the midst of a deepening divide on tech. Read about it in my latest with Vancity Lookout www.vancitylookout.com/p/tech-tensi...
vancitylookout.com
A Tale of Two Cities: The tech-tension in council’s vision for the future of Vancouver
Two motions introduced before council’s summer break underscore the deepening divide in the city’s tech approach — and bring key election issues to light.
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Reposted by Maddi Dellplain
Ramin Nasibov @nasibov.me · 12/08/2026
If you missed the solar eclipse, this is what it looked like:
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André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
‘This matters’: DULF and their recent trials explained. The Drug User Liberation Front has been making headlines for years. A look at the group’s history and legal battles, by @maddidellplain.bsky.social www.vancitylookout.com/p/this-matte...
vancitylookout.com
‘This matters’: DULF and their recent trials explained
The Drug User Liberation Front has been making headlines for years. With their most recent constitutional challenge wrapping up, Vancity Lookout took a step back to chart the group’s history and legal...
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Michelle Cyca @michellecyca.com · 12/08/2026
it's outrageous that every government ministry has a massive communications department and yet they refuse to provide information that the public has a right to know, even when asked directly.
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
"There just wasn't anybody else like Trey." Fourth annual Never Grow Up Graffiti Jam gives artists, friends and neighbours a chance to express themselves and honour the memory of a community pillar. www.vancitylookout.com/p/huge-graff...
vancitylookout.com
Huge graffiti event honours memory of DTES community pillar
Artists from around the world flocked to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside last week for the fourth annual Never Grow Up Graffiti Jam
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Vancouver city council voted to approve the redevelopment of Myron Manor for the construction of a tech hotel. Tenants say they plan to fight back. www.vancitylookout.com/p/council-vo...
vancitylookout.com
Council votes to rezone Myron Manor, but tenants say the fight isn’t over
The rezoning of an affordable apartment in Mount Pleasant for a tech hotel has been approved by city council. But tenants say they plan to challenge the city’s decision.
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Reposted by Maddi Dellplain
PressProgress @pressprogress.ca · 13/07/2026
@pressprogress.ca is proud to join 100+ journalists, news publishers, academics and civil society groups in endorsing calls for anti-SLAPP legislation in Alberta Frivolous, abusive and politically motivated SLAPP lawsuits are a threat to free and democratic speech READ MORE: antislappalberta.ca
"Whether it's a journalist investigating powerful people, a civil society group or simply an ordinary person with opinions about their government, democracies need legal mechanisms to protect free and democratic speech advocating for social change, from frivolous, abusive and politically motivated lawsuits"

ANTISLAPPALBERTA.CA
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
As demolition begins on the Imperial Theatre in Chinatown, I got to do a deep dive on the site's wild history. www.vancitylookout.com/p/the-end-of...
vancitylookout.com
The end of an era: Saying goodbye to Chinatown's Imperial Theatre
As demolition on the Imperial Theatre at 319 Main Street officially begins and a new project prepares to take its place, Vancity Lookout takes a look back on the rich neighbourhood history the theatre...
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Got to work on this super fun story for Vancity Lookout recently: Vancouver has an underground robot combat league - and it's starting to draw international attention www.vancitylookout.com/p/vancouvers...
vancitylookout.com
Vancouver’s underground robot combat league explodes onto the scene
A new underground robot battle league in East Vancouver is drawing international attention and bringing a new all-ages hobby to the city.
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
"When you don’t stop to address those traumas, they trickle into child welfare… the real concern has never been to help the parents." For my latest with Vancity Lookout, I spoke with two Indigenous moms about their experiences with family policing systems www.vancitylookout.com/p/nothing-ha...
vancitylookout.com
‘Nothing has changed’: At Grandview Park, Indigenous mothers speak out about families torn apart
Two Indigenous mothers spoke at an East Vancouver vigil event last Thursday about the impacts of family separation and family policing systems.
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Reposted by Maddi Dellplain
Chantzy @chantzy.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Learning that someone boarded a flight visibly ill during a suspected Andes hantavirus investigation is a reminder that airplanes are essentially Petri dishes of the sky. Wear a respirator on airplanes
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
🔎Looking for East/South Vancouver residents for a story! Have you/someone you know had to surrender a pet in order to find housing? Or have you experienced housing precarity due to a pet? I'd like to speak with you. Message me here or at maddi[at]vancitylookout[dot]com Cat photo as appreciation
White cat looking up from inside brown paper bag
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Emma Arkell @emmaarkell.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
IT'S ALIVE! I'm grateful to be a co-founder of De Facto @defacto-ca.bsky.social, a project born out of how difficult it is to make a living in journalism. Follow us for investigations into law enforcement, prisons, immigration and more. I've got one with @godfrey.bsky.social dropping on Monday!
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Reposted by Maddi Dellplain
Timothy Caulfield @caulfieldtim.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Ignore longevity industry wellness woo BS. Genes = 50% lifespan wapo.st/4c6Q7L3 Key: "Healthy habits can add years, but the upside is less pronounced than bad habits, which can shear decades off a lifespan." #Longevity = luck (genes) + basic healthy lifestyle + luck (socioeconomics)
wapo.st
We may have even less control over how long we live than previously thought
A study resets the longevity discussion, after previous research focused on those born between 1870 and 1900, and shows genetics and environment play roughly equal roles.
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
"First Nations have had other projects where they get into trouble with big developers, then we’re left holding the bag...That’s why we’re very careful in making sure that we pulled back." Financial struggles put proposed Indigenous medical hotel in jeopardy www.vancitylookout.com/p/financial-...
vancitylookout.com
Financial struggles put proposed Indigenous medical hotel in jeopardy
The Dunna’eh House of Healing, a medical travel hotel for rural Indigenous patients seeking care in Vancouver faces ongoing delays and significant financial setbacks.
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
For my latest with Vancity Lookout, I dig into the financial issues plaguing a new Indigenous medical hotel and what repeated setbacks could mean for the future of the project. www.vancitylookout.com/p/financial-...
vancitylookout.com
Financial struggles put proposed Indigenous medical hotel in jeopardy
The Dunna’eh House of Healing, a medical travel hotel for rural Indigenous patients seeking care in Vancouver faces ongoing delays and significant financial setbacks.
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Reposted by Maddi Dellplain
Paula Carlson 🇨🇦 @thepaulacarlson.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Great story by @maddidellplain.bsky.social in the Vancity Lookout: The Dunna’eh House of Healing, a medical travel hotel for rural #Indigenous patients seeking care in Vancouver faces ongoing delays and significant financial setbacks. www.vancitylookout.com/p/financial-...
vancitylookout.com
Financial struggles put proposed Indigenous medical hotel in jeopardy
The Dunna’eh House of Healing, a medical travel hotel for rural Indigenous patients seeking care in Vancouver faces ongoing delays and significant financial setbacks.
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Reposted by Maddi Dellplain
The Sick Times @thesicktimes.org · 25/03/2026
Six years after the start of the pandemic, there are few clear answers for would-be parents with #LongCOVID. But amid the layers of uncertainty, there is some guidance that can be gleaned from ME, and potentially valuable research on the way. bit.ly/4uMFdCR
A collage with two types of alternating images: First, in black and white, a fetal ultrasound with heartbeat. Second, with colorful overlays, photos of a woman in bed, a woman holding a baby directly after birth, and a woman getting an MRI. The text reads, “The Sick Times. ‘It felt like a life-or-death choice’: Pregnancy with Long COVID has many unknowns. By Maddi Dellplain.” Key points you should know: 

Little is known so far about how people with Long COVID experience pregnancy, but some insights can be gleaned from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) as well as several ongoing studies in this area.
 
Numerous studies point to ways in which SARS-CoV-2 infection can damage the reproductive system, including declines in ovarian health and increased risk for premature menopause. However, it is not clear how or if Long COVID itself impacts fertility.

Parents with ME seem to be at a higher risk for severe nausea and vomiting during the first trimester but otherwise often have fairly typical pregnancies and deliveries.Key points you should know: 

Anecdotally, some Long COVID parents actually experienced improvements in their condition during IVF and pregnancy. A study found 30% of ME patients seem to experience the same, though for many these improvements are temporary and the reasons are not well understood.
 
More research is still needed to help patients decide whether or not parenthood is right for them, but two key studies on pregnancy in Long COVID and ME respectively are likely to be released later this year.
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Pregnancy can be unpredictable in the best of circumstances. For those with Long COVID, the risks & uncertainties can feel insurmountable. In my first piece with @thesicktimes.org, I dig into everything we know (and don't know) about pregnancy and Long COVID. thesicktimes.org/2026/03/24/i...
thesicktimes.org
“It felt like a life-or-death choice”: Pregnancy with Long COVID has many unknowns - The Sick Times
Little is known so far about how people with Long COVID experience pregnancy, but some insights can be gleaned from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) as well as several ongoing studies in this area.
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Reposted by Maddi Dellplain
betsy ladyzhets 😷 @betsyladyzhets.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Today @thesicktimes.org: @maddidellplain.bsky.social dives into how people with Long COVID experience pregnancy. There's relatively limited research on this so far, but we can learn from ME and more studies are underway. thesicktimes.org/2026/03/24/i...
thesicktimes.org
“It felt like a life-or-death choice”: Pregnancy with Long COVID has many unknowns - The Sick Times
Little is known so far about how people with Long COVID experience pregnancy, but some insights can be gleaned from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) as well as several ongoing studies in this area.
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Reposted by Maddi Dellplain
Euan Thomson @drugdatadecoded.ca · 21/03/2026
And these aren’t “potential” conflicts of interest. The study authors: •donated > $7,000 to UCP •make money from private AB government contracts •all work for the AB govt, except one •have taken ‘speaking fees’ from govt-sponsored conferences •failed to report even one of these ☝️in the disclosures
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Euan Thomson @drugdatadecoded.ca · 15/03/2026
On Mar 11, AB government celebrated its ‘study’ it claimed found nobody was harmed by its closure of Red Deer’s supervised consumption site. On Mar 13, ON govt surprise-announced closure of all remaining sites. This is a manufactured disinformation crisis. 1/ drugdatadecoded.ca/centre-of-re...
drugdatadecoded.ca
Centre of Recovery Excellence manipulating health information of people who use drugs to undermine their safety
The Alberta government's Crown corporation has published its first study using personal health numbers of people accessing supervised consumption sites. While its findings fail to hold up, it offers ...
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Bill S228 once passed, will criminalize forced and coerced sterilization. I spoke with several experts about what the bill might mean for victims, physicians, reproductive justice and the various marginalized groups historically targeted by the practice. healthydebate.ca/2026/03/topi...
healthydebate.ca
Bill to criminalize forced sterilization sparks debate over reproductive justice and medical practice - Healthy Debate
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Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉 @alonghurst.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Join me and @friendsofmedicare.bsky.social tonight for this important webinar!
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Healthy Debate @healthydebate.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Bill to criminalize forced sterilization sparks debate over reproductive justice and medical practice By @maddidellplain.bsky.social healthydebate.ca/2026/03/topi...
healthydebate.ca
Bill to criminalize forced sterilization sparks debate over reproductive justice and medical practice - Healthy Debate
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Rachel Gilmore @rachelgilmore.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
“Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.” Well. For those of us wondering if he’d walk the walk of the Davos speech, this is a pretty big answer. Nope.
玉險
Office of the Prime Minister
Cabinet du
Premier Ministre
Statement by Prime Minister Carney and
Minister Anand on the situation in the Middle East
"The Canadian government is closely following Iran-related hostilities throughout the Middle East and urges all Canadians in Iran to shelter in place. Canadians in the wider region should follow local advice and take all necessary precautions.
Canada's position remains clear: the Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, has one of the world's worst human rights records, and must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons.
Canada and our international partners have consistently called upon the Iranian regime to end its nuclear program, including at the 2025 G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis and with the United Nations' reimposition of sanctions in September.
Despite diplomatic efforts, Iran has neither fully dismantled its nuclear program, halted all enrichment activities, nor ended its support for regional terrorist proxy groups. Canada stands with the Iranian people in their long and courageous struggle against Iran's oppressive regime. Canada has listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity, and has sanctioned 256 Iranian entities and 222 individuals in response to the regime's repression and its violence both against its own people, and persistently, beyond its borders. Canada reaffirms Israel's right to defend itself and to ensure the security of its people.
Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.
The Canadian government urges the protection of all civilians in this conflict. We will take all possible measures to protect our nationals and Canadian diplomatic missions throughout the region."
February 28, 2026
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Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉 @alonghurst.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
A few takeaways from the BC budget Real spending cuts in health care are here: Regional health authorities will only see a 0.7% increase in 2025-26 and a 2.5% increase in 2026-26—far below the 5-6% needed to maintain service levels, account for inflation, population growth and aging 1/ #bcpoli
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Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉 @alonghurst.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Primary care access is declining in BC. With a new provincial budget on the way, how has spending on a new physician payment model affected it? #bcpoli #cdnpoli www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
policyalternatives.ca
BC residents have shrinking access to family doctors, despite more doctors - CCPA
Primary care access is declining in BC. With a new provincial budget on the way, how has spending on doctors affected it?
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Healthy Debate @healthydebate.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Manitoba slashes private nursing agencies: The path forward or a policy stumble? By @maddidellplain.bsky.social healthydebate.ca/2026/02/topi...
healthydebate.ca
Manitoba slashes private nursing agencies: The path forward or a policy stumble? - Healthy Debate
Last month, Manitoba took the bold step in cutting nearly all its private nursing agency contracts. Was it the right move? Experts weigh in.
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Healthy Debate @healthydebate.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Our research ethics boards aren’t the problem – the system wasn’t built to protect participants healthydebate.ca/2026/01/topi...
healthydebate.ca
Our research ethics boards aren’t the problem – the system wasn’t built to protect participants - Healthy Debate
The bodies responsible for the ethical review of research operate with no national standards, no oversight and no accreditation at all.
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Healthy Debate @healthydebate.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Dreaming of a bold and courageous health-care system for all By @maddidellplain.bsky.social healthydebate.ca/2025/12/topi...
healthydebate.ca
Dreaming of a bold and courageous health-care system for all - Healthy Debate
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Healthy Debate @healthydebate.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
‘A lot of work to do, one conversation at a time’: New Year’s resolutions for 2026; By @maddidellplain.bsky.social "With changes reverberating throughout our health-care system, we wanted to know what health-care experts planned to focus on in the year ahead." healthydebate.ca/2025/12/topi...
healthydebate.ca
‘A lot of work to do, one conversation at a time’: New Year’s resolutions for 2026 - Healthy Debate
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Jackie Dives @jackiedives.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
The DULF constitutional challenge will continue tomorrow at 10am and a member of the compassion club will be testifying. You can drop in and support/witness at any time. It goes until 4pm with a break from 12:30-2pm. 800 Smithe, floor 5, room 54.
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Paula Carlson 🇨🇦 @thepaulacarlson.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
1/3. The December 2025 @megaphonemagazine.com has hit the streets! 🎄🎅 Don't miss this month's cover story looking back at a year of storytelling to find out who's been naughty + who's been nice in the #DTES! Cover photo of Nic + Julie in their holiday onesies by the amazing Tanya Goehring! Also...
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
“The fact is that this toxic drug crisis won’t be solved without an approach that focuses on safer supply and harm reduction.” For my latest with @filtermag.bsky.social, I spoke with BC Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender, about her position statement on the toxic drug supply crisis.
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Michelle Gamage @michellegamage.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Regulation saves lives. When drug regulations aren't strict people die. They don't have to die. Alcohol, opioids, stimulants: regulations save lives. In Canada we only strictly regulate alcohol and thankfully a tainted supply doesn't exist. We could regulate more. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Brain damage, blindness and death: the global trail of trauma left by methanol-laced alcohol
Methanol, a cheap relative of ethanol, is entering the supply chain, causing thousands of deaths around the world
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Rose Broderick @rosebroderick.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Scoop: The CDC is moving to end telework agreements for employees with disabilities — again www.statnews.com/2025/11/21/c...
statnews.com
CDC moves to end telework for employees, including those with medical needs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ended full-time telework agreements for reasonable accommodations, employees say.
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Maddi Dellplain @maddidellplain.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Apparently 1 in 6 people who get Botox experience adverse effects from the procedure?? Excellent (and troubling) new @healthydebate.bsky.social story by Miranda Schreiber
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Euan Thomson @drugdatadecoded.ca · 16/11/2025
NEW Two federal expert reviews provided unanimous support in 2023 for rapidly scaling up safe supply, including compassion clubs. Instead of informing the public, the government silenced the reports, and DULF got closed & arrested. Who killed the expert reviews? drugdatadecoded.ca/who-killed-t...
drugdatadecoded.ca
Who killed the Safer Supply Expert Reviews?
The Fifth Estate is reporting that two federally commissioned expert reviews provided unanimous support for rapidly scaling up safe supply, including compassion clubs, but the government silenced the ...
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