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Patrick Fafard

@pfafard.bsky.social
1.3K followers 332 following 726 posts

Professor Emeritus/ Visiting Professor Graduate School of Public & International Affairs, University of Ottawa. Research Director, Global Strategy Lab, York University/UOttawa .

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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
The option of a Crown corporation was available (and presumably considered) when the Agency was created. What changed? Some possibilities: A) Agency head came close to resigning B) more power is needed to break the bureaucratic and/or political logjam of military procurement C) all of the above
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Lauren Dobson-Hughes @ldobsonhughes.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Vietnam became an upper middle income country this year. Its story is remarkable, from 1960s conflict, to 1980s communist isolation, to 2000s economic powerhouse Its trade shifts alone are worth studying yawboadu.substack.com/p/the-2026-w...
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Adam R Houston @healthlawadamh.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
The Government of Canada's response to the report on Antimicrobial Resistance #AMR by the Standing Committee on Science & Research #SRSR is out. www.ourcommons.ca/content/Comm... "The Government agrees in principle" to all recommendations. Here's their response to Rec.13 (Special Access Program):
Screenshot of the response to Recommendation 13, "That the government of canada review the Health Canada Special Access Program to simplify and moderate the administrative process" (Sorry, this govt document won't allow the text to be easily copy/pasted here!)
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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
surreal to be working in global health as the US administration pursues bilateral deals, kills milktoast UN pandemic resolutions, and and meanwhile our health minister wants to AI to help spread misinformation about basic public health science. 🤯
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Adam R Houston @healthlawadamh.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Also curious about how to interpret this #GlobalHealth funding recommendation from Canada's parliamentary standing committee on finance #FINA (found under Equity and Social Policy rather than Foreign Policy) w/ the approach of the last budget, which singled out Global Health for cuts.🤔 #Budget2026
Screenshot reading "Recommendation 36 Reaffirm its 10-Year Commitment to global health and rights by maintaining annual investments. Budget 2026 should also ensure that annual funding is allocated to sexual and reproductive health and rights programming to support access to essential services for women, girls, and LGBTIQ+ communities globally. "
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Mark Dolore @queertestimony.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Today is Canada's Day of Truth and Reconciliation. It is not a day to celebrate. It is a day to listen. A day to recognize the costs of colonialism and capitalism.
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Policy & Politics @policy-politics.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Check out our latest blog post highlighting the important work of Katrina Staronova & Michal Sedlačo. Find out how expert bureaucrats preserve expertise, autonomy, and policy influence when political leaders seek greater control over the bureaucracy 👇 policyandpoliticsblog.com/2026/09/30/h...
policyandpoliticsblog.com
How expert bureaucrats survive under illiberal governments
This article examines how expert bureaucrats in Slovakia responded to growing political pressure following the election of a populist radical right government in 2023.
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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Congratulations to my #GSPIA colleague Costanza Musu on the publication of her trenchant analysis of the links between trafficking of looted antiquities, global crime, and international security.
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Nomi Claire Lazar @nomiclairelazar.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Meanwhile...
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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
"a detailed ... ultimately flawed, critique of decision-making during the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. It makes sweeping, contentious claims ...demonstrates very little of the epistemic humility that is required to manage deep affective polarization." read.dukeupress.edu/jhppl/articl...
read.dukeupress.edu
In COVID's Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us | Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law | Duke University Press
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Elaine Hyshka @ehyshka.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
www.cbc.ca/radio/thecur...
cbc.ca
Alcohol is Canada’s biggest drug problem. So why aren’t people getting help? | CBC Radio
Research shows alcohol causes more harm overall than any other drug in Canada. Some doctors and other advocates say people struggling with alcohol aren’t getting treatment options that are backed by s...
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Elaine Hyshka @ehyshka.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Definitely part of it. We've also compartmentalized most substance use disorder prevention and treatment outside of the conventional healthcare system, and rely too heavily on unregulated private treatment models and informal peer support.
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CIPS / CÉPI @cepi-cips.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Vous êtes-vous inscrit à la prochaine conférence du Groupe des 78 ? Conférences plénières 1 : 🔴 Réinventer l’architecture de la paix : comment en sommes-nous arrivés là et ce qu’il faut faire >>> www.cepi-cips.ca/event/reinve...
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CIPS / CÉPI @cepi-cips.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Have you registered for the upcoming Group of 78 conference? Keynote 1 & 2: 🔴 Reinventing the Architecture of Peace: How We Got Here and What Must be Done 🔴 Reinventing the Architecture for Peace: The Five Global Hinge Points of the Mid-21st Century >>> www.cips-cepi.ca/event/reinve...
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Timothy Caulfield @caulfieldtim.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"Vaccines work" isn't a political statement. "Immigrants do not increase crime" isn't a political statement. "Climate change is real" isn't a political statement. "Genocide is bad" isn't a political statement. Stop neutralizing the power of facts by framing them as "politics." Reality matters.
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Daniel Munro @dkmunro.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
“Boyagoda commended the audience for coming to an event that wouldn’t juice their résumés or help them score a job” On the contrary, if I hear in an interview that you went to a phil talk just because you were curious, you’re now in the interesting group. www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
theglobeandmail.com
Popular Night Owls philosophy series builds new nest with first event at U of T
In a STEM-focused postsecondary landscape, evening with celebrity philosopher promotes talking about ideas purely for their own sake
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Adam R Houston @healthlawadamh.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Canada's Ebola travel restrictions are up for renewal again Sep 28. Will they be modified to reflect evidence-based measures against actual risk (incl in countries w/no current cases)? Or will Canada continue the unscientific approach it complained about when applied to Canada by others during SARS?
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André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Will Alberta’s dual-practice doctors cut wait times? by @christinebirak.bsky.social www.cbc.ca/player/play/... via @cbcnews.ca
cbc.ca
Will Alberta’s dual-practice doctors cut wait times?
Alberta has introduced a dual-practice health-care model that allows surgeons to work in public hospitals while performing paid surgeries on the side. The promise is that it will open up capacity, but...
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Nomi Claire Lazar @nomiclairelazar.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Miss academic freedom (US) and / or job security, decent wages and pensions (UK)? @gspia-esapi.bsky.social in 🇨🇦’s beautiful capital is mega-hiring! We have two posts in security (one open rank) and one in democracy and technology (open rank). Open as to field. French an asset. DM if interested.
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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
As we sort out what it means to be an “Associate Member” of the EU, ⬇️ … a cautionary tale on whether this should include participating in Erasmus, the EU youth mobilitiy & training program.
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Alex Usher @alexusherhesa.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
In which I explain why Canada joining Erasmus properly will a) require a lot of work b) not bring in any money and in the context of institutions being down $10B a year thanks to the feds, there might not be a lot of institutional enthusiasm for it.
higheredstrategy.com
Erasmus for Canada? Not so Fast. | HESA
Everyone seems very excited about the prospect of Canada becoming an associate member of the European Union (even though “associate member” is not an actual thing in any EU statute, but whatever), and...
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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Canadian federalism is Ottawa unilaterally doing stuff in areas that the provinces are responsible for and trusting that the voters won’ t notice that
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Thomas Juneau @thomasjuneau.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
We are hiring - *three* positions! The Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa is inviting applications for 2 tenure-track positions in Security and Defence Studies: * One at the rank of Assistant Professor... uottawa.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/uOttaw...
uottawa.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com
2 Tenured-track faculty positions - Security and Defence Studies
Posting Reason: New Position Job Family: Academic Leadership and Faculty Union affiliation: APUO Faculty/Department: Graduate School of Public and International Affairs_FT Campus: Social Sciences Buil...
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Global Strategy Lab @gstrategylab.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
We’re looking for public health experts, epidemiologists, infectious disease specialists, & social scientists in AMR research to participate in a virtual expert dialogue on scientific priorities for IPEA’s work program across One Health sectors, as part of a larger research study ➡️ bit.ly/3Tfcus9
bit.ly
AMR Virtual Expert Dialogue - Global Strategy Lab
Register Now! Help Shape the Future of Global AMR Evidence and Policy Click here to register The Global Strategy Lab, in partnership with the International Network for AMR Social Science (INAMRSS) and...
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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Saskatchewan: selling the big Crown Corporations and epecially SaskTel
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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
These kind of statements are meant to appeal to a small but vocal part of the Conservative Party base that fears that multilateral organizations like the EU, the WHO, etc. represent a threat to Canada because they are a step towards some sort of ‘world government’. h
pressprogress.ca
Far-Right Conspiracy Groups Boost Conservative MP’s Petition to Remove Canada From the United Nations
Petition to remove Canada from the UN receives 46,000 signatures after getting promoted by far-right influencers and conspiracy groups
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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Canada is negotiating to become as “Associate Member” of the EU. What this mean has yet to be defined. So why have critics like opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, ⬇️, erroneously jumped to the conclusion that it means open borders, EU regulations, and a loss of Canadian sovereignty? (1/2)
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Timothy Caulfield @caulfieldtim.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
His anti-science agenda is clear. His lies are killing people. His legacy is darkness. 👇 RFK Jr promises anti-vaxxers a ‘friend at the White House’ amid deadly measles outbreak www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
RFK Jr promises anti-vaxxers a ‘friend at the White House’ amid deadly measles outbreak
The US health secretary added that he would’ve made sweeping changes ‘on day one’ but he had to follow the law
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Aurelien Mondon @aurelmondon.com · 17/09/2026
It was confirmed yesterday that the centre left coalition won the election in Sweden As predicted, with the far right performing poorly, coverage has almost entirely vanished from international media
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André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Pennsylvania’s Measles Outbreak Is Enormous. The two latest deaths (bringing the state’s total to four since mid-August) suggest that the true number of infections is much larger than reported, by @tombartlett.bsky.social www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/... via @theatlantic.com
theatlantic.com
Pennsylvania’s Measles Outbreak Is Enormous
The two latest deaths suggest that the true number of infections is much larger than reported.
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Nomi Claire Lazar @nomiclairelazar.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
🤫 Don't tell CBSA.
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Luc Turgeon @lturgeon.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
People in Ottawa keep electing mayors that make the same promise every election and they keep getting the same results: crumbling infrastructures, declining services, increasing fees that hit low-income residents the most. There is a cost to tax phobia.
cbc.ca
Mark Sutcliffe promises 2.5% tax hike ceiling for 2 years, mayoral rivals hold off on firm numbers | CBC News
As Ottawa's incumbent mayor promises to set an upper limit on property tax hikes for 2027 and 2028, challenger Neil Saravanamuttoo says voters shouldn't believe him.
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Phil @philmarfisi.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Superb work from @dougsaunders.bsky.social on deconstructing what an "associate membership" will (and won't) look like. TL;DR: we will not get the type of integration that some are hoping (or fearing!) for, but there are some perks - like Aussie style 4 year work permits - that'd be worth pursuing.
theglobeandmail.com
If Canada joins the European Union show, it will only be from the upper balcony
It might be disappointing to some Canadians – or maybe a relief – but ‘associate membership’ to the EU doesn’t look like it would change much of anything
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Lauren Dobson-Hughes @ldobsonhughes.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Look, we can all speculate on how the Canada-EU discussions might go. But one thing is certain - they should sell tickets so we can watch what happens when French farmers meet Quebec dairy farmers The Common Agricultural Policy meets Supply Management, en francais
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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I first taught a course on policy making in the EU (then the EC) in the 1990s. Then, the idea that Canada would become an "Associate Member" was unimaginable. The decline of the rules based international order continues apace. What other unimaginable bits of global archtecture are coming our way?
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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Les inscriptions sont ouvertes pour la conférence Promotion de la santé, équité et droits : La Charte d’Ottawa à 40 ans, qui aura lieu les 20 et 21 octobre à l’Université d’Ottawa. Pour consulter le programme et vous inscrire : www.ottawahealthlaw.ca/conferences/...
ottawahealthlaw.ca
Health Promotion, Equity and Rights: The Ottawa Charter at 40
Conference October 20 & 21, University of Ottawa
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Evelyne de Leeuw @evdle.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Registration is open for the University of Ottawa Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics annual conference: "Health Promotion, Equity and Rights: The Ottawa Charter at 40", happening October 20 and 21. www.ottawahealthlaw.ca/conferences/...
ottawahealthlaw.ca
Health Promotion, Equity and Rights: The Ottawa Charter at 40
Conference October 20 & 21, University of Ottawa
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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I have more questions than answers (e.g. role of acquis communautaire, four freedoms etc.). But: past time to start pan-Canadian conversation b/c this is a key problem: "This is tectonic change by working groups and bureaucracy. It's terribly unsexy but terribly consequential nonetheless"
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Patrick Leblond (he/il) @prleblond.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
A reporter called me asking what “associate member” means and my answer was 🤷🏼‍♂️. I told him it could mean anything but nothing like joining the EU’s customs union or adopting the “acquis”, which is what it usually means. We’ll just have to wait until the end of October for some details.
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Global Strategy Lab @gstrategylab.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
In a new UNUCPR policy memo, GSL Director @mathieujpp.bsky.social argues that amid disinformation, institutional defunding & eroding trust in science, science-policy interface models are under threat. ➡️ #IPEA is a chance to prove multisectoral collaboration works 🔗 bit.ly/46YvJte
bit.ly
The Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against Antimicrobial Resistance: Building a Science-Policy Interface Fit for the Twenty-First Century
A global panel on antimicrobial resistance presents an opportunity to build a science-policy interface fit to address global challenges.
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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
“ Effective regulation of unhealthy commodities relies on assembling a range of evidence types aligned with policy needs, timing and context, alongside active knowledge translation.” bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/4/3/...
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com
Which types of research and knowledge translation are most likely to lead to public health-informed policy responses to unhealthy commodities? A UK-based cross-sectional survey and focus group-based s...
Introduction Products of unhealthy commodity industries (UCIs) are major drivers of non-communicable diseases. The role of evidence in supporting regulation of these products remains underexplored. Th...
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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Now in print, my review of: In COVID's Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us An ambitious but ultimately selective, flawed critique of COVID-19 decision-making with sweeping/contentious claims about public health measures, the motivations of public health advisors, & the roles of experts/media.
track.smtpsendmail.com
In COVID's Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us | Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law | Duke University Press
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Kathryn Oliver @oliver-kathryn.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Anyone thinking of writing a paper on the barriers and facilitators of evidence use in policymaking, please, please don't. Or at least read this first: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
What factors influence evidence use in policy? An updated systematic map - Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications - What factors influence evidence use in policy? An updated systematic map
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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
When I was much younger we crossed the border to get to SK and BC.
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Kat Smith @profkatsmith.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Great to see another paper from Taya Collyer’s brilliant PhD research, examining how disciplinary training shapes population health research: doi.org/10.1016/j.so... It examines the different 'epistemic cultures' within population health research and the disciplinary tensions these can create 1/3
doi.org
Redirecting
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Joe Bak-Coleman @jbakcoleman.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I stand firmly by my assertion that metascientists should have seen this capture of science coming, but there is no reasonable way they can reasonably delude themselves into thinking the new nsf announcements are anything other than epistemic capture. www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
Science’s reform movement should have seen Trump’s call for ‘gold standard science’ coming, critics say
Efforts to improve the rigor of research may have unwittingly handed the administration a way to attack science
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Global Strategy Lab @gstrategylab.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
You're invited: a fireside chat on the future of global health with @wellcometrust.bsky.social CEO @jarottingen.bsky.social & IDRC President Julie Delahanty. 📅Sept 24, 2026 | 2–4 PM ET 📍York University 🔗 bit.ly/4xnp5aT #GlobalHealth
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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
In general, political parties in Europe are better organized, better funded, and more influential in shaping policy. In Canada, parties are less organized, allocate limited funds to elections, & are not a source of policy ideas beyond what comes up in resolutions at party conferences.
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Patrick Fafard @pfafard.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
“Separatist activists are much more focused on wild conspiracy theories about the Chinese Communist menace, World Health Organization vaccine mandates, and the racist great replacement theory.”
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