Elaine Hyshka
@ehyshka.bsky.social
Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Health Systems Innovation at the University of Alberta's School of Public Health. Substance use and public health.
Edmonton/Treaty 6. ichwp.ca + whyscs.ca.
Edmonton/Treaty 6. ichwp.ca + whyscs.ca.
Congratulations to Dr. @hollymathias.bsky.social on the successful defence of your thesis today @ualbertasph.bsky.social! It has been a privilege to supervise you. Looking forward to your next chapter as an Assistant Professor!
December 2, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Congratulations to Dr. @hollymathias.bsky.social on the successful defence of your thesis today @ualbertasph.bsky.social! It has been a privilege to supervise you. Looking forward to your next chapter as an Assistant Professor!
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Drug User Liberation Front's founders are arguing their members’ constitutional rights were violated by part of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
What’s at Stake During DULF’s Constitutional Challenge | The Tyee
The case’s outcome could affect the founders’ criminal charges, and Canadian drug laws. A Tyee explainer.
thetyee.ca
December 2, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Drug User Liberation Front's founders are arguing their members’ constitutional rights were violated by part of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Never since 1905, when Alberta became a province, was a petition with nearly half a million signatures tabled in the Legislature.
Never was a Premier presented with such clear choice between right and wrong.
Premier, do the right thing. Avoid a divisive referendum. #ableg
Never was a Premier presented with such clear choice between right and wrong.
Premier, do the right thing. Avoid a divisive referendum. #ableg
December 2, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Never since 1905, when Alberta became a province, was a petition with nearly half a million signatures tabled in the Legislature.
Never was a Premier presented with such clear choice between right and wrong.
Premier, do the right thing. Avoid a divisive referendum. #ableg
Never was a Premier presented with such clear choice between right and wrong.
Premier, do the right thing. Avoid a divisive referendum. #ableg
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Pete Hegseth allegedly ordered the killing of survivors in the water after he had ordered an attack on their boat.
If the US is officially at war with Venezuela (it's not) that is a war crime.
If the US is not officially at war, that is murder
Those are the options.
(Cartoon Jonathan Brown)
If the US is officially at war with Venezuela (it's not) that is a war crime.
If the US is not officially at war, that is murder
Those are the options.
(Cartoon Jonathan Brown)
December 2, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Pete Hegseth allegedly ordered the killing of survivors in the water after he had ordered an attack on their boat.
If the US is officially at war with Venezuela (it's not) that is a war crime.
If the US is not officially at war, that is murder
Those are the options.
(Cartoon Jonathan Brown)
If the US is officially at war with Venezuela (it's not) that is a war crime.
If the US is not officially at war, that is murder
Those are the options.
(Cartoon Jonathan Brown)
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
"there is nothing compassionate about the assumption of incapacity." www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Globe editorial: Dignity for the mentally ill cannot be deemed a nuisance
British Columbia, at last, is abandoning the draconian practice of deeming consent to treatment by some mentally ill patients
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:33 PM
"there is nothing compassionate about the assumption of incapacity." www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Big day for our ICHWP research team. Doctoral trainee, @hollymathias.bsky.social is defending her dissertation, "Unpaid family caregiving for people who use drugs in rural Canada," this afternoon. Can read the first paper from this work here: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Big day for our ICHWP research team. Doctoral trainee, @hollymathias.bsky.social is defending her dissertation, "Unpaid family caregiving for people who use drugs in rural Canada," this afternoon. Can read the first paper from this work here: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Not just a tragedy for America, but, given the central place the US occupies in the research ecosystem, a tragedy for the world.
“Thousands of very competitive projects in areas like cancer, diabetes, aging, neurological disorders and public health improvements most like went unfunded in 2025.
Similarly, at the National Science Foundation, the roughly 3,000 fewer new grants encompassed reductions to every area of science”
Similarly, at the National Science Foundation, the roughly 3,000 fewer new grants encompassed reductions to every area of science”
The U.S. Is Funding Fewer Grants in Every Area of Science and Medicine
A quiet policy change means the government is making fewer bets on long-term science.
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Not just a tragedy for America, but, given the central place the US occupies in the research ecosystem, a tragedy for the world.
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Hyperscale data-centre expansion is outpacing the capacity of the local systems that support it.
The public health costs are falling to small municipalities with limited leverage and no oversight mechanisms.
This week we map out an emerging pattern:
The public health costs are falling to small municipalities with limited leverage and no oversight mechanisms.
This week we map out an emerging pattern:
Alberta’s data-centre push leaves health questions unanswered
Canada's national curated aggregator for health news, policy updates and analysis.
canadahealthwatch.ca
December 2, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Hyperscale data-centre expansion is outpacing the capacity of the local systems that support it.
The public health costs are falling to small municipalities with limited leverage and no oversight mechanisms.
This week we map out an emerging pattern:
The public health costs are falling to small municipalities with limited leverage and no oversight mechanisms.
This week we map out an emerging pattern:
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Exclusive: Alberta oil regulator stopped enforcing gas flaring limits after government pressure, documents show reut.rs/4rCQsMz
Exclusive: Alberta oil regulator stopped enforcing gas flaring limits after government pressure, documents show
The regulator in charge of environmental enforcement in Canada's main oil-producing province bent to pressure from the provincial government and oil companies to eliminate a limit on natural gas flaring as Canadian oil production increased, according to documents seen by Reuters.
reut.rs
December 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Exclusive: Alberta oil regulator stopped enforcing gas flaring limits after government pressure, documents show reut.rs/4rCQsMz
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
NEW TWIST: data centers in farm country may accelerate nitrate contamination from agricultural sources with big implications for public health.
Studies are needed to confirm or refute this finding. Lack of transparency, monitoring, regulations makes it tough.
www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
Studies are needed to confirm or refute this finding. Lack of transparency, monitoring, regulations makes it tough.
www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
'The Precedent Is Flint': How Oregon's Data Center Boom Is Supercharging a Water Crisis
Amazon data centers constructed in eastern Oregon's farmland have worsened a water pollution problem that’s been linked to cancer and miscarriages.
www.rollingstone.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:39 AM
NEW TWIST: data centers in farm country may accelerate nitrate contamination from agricultural sources with big implications for public health.
Studies are needed to confirm or refute this finding. Lack of transparency, monitoring, regulations makes it tough.
www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
Studies are needed to confirm or refute this finding. Lack of transparency, monitoring, regulations makes it tough.
www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
Overdose deaths in the US are down 41% from epidemic peak in 2023. Modelling suggests declines in death are due to 1) decreasing size of the susceptible population; 2) stabilization of the mortality rate.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Structural Drivers of the Drop in Opioid Overdose Deaths in the US
This decision analytical model uses the SOURCE model to elucidate factors underlying the recent decline in US overdose deaths.
jamanetwork.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Overdose deaths in the US are down 41% from epidemic peak in 2023. Modelling suggests declines in death are due to 1) decreasing size of the susceptible population; 2) stabilization of the mortality rate.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
"We condemn the Government of Alberta's actions in making this legislation a reality. We call on every person across this land to stand up and make your voices heard here," says Chief Troy Knowlton, Piikani Nation, Treaty No. 7 Territory.
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
First Nations Call for Solidarity on Water Protection in Alberta
/CNW/ - The Chiefs Steering Committee on Technical Services (CSC) rejects the Government of Alberta's Bill 7 - Water Amendment Act. This legislation is not...
www.newswire.ca
December 2, 2025 at 3:25 AM
"We condemn the Government of Alberta's actions in making this legislation a reality. We call on every person across this land to stand up and make your voices heard here," says Chief Troy Knowlton, Piikani Nation, Treaty No. 7 Territory.
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Tour de force of investigative journalism here. Globe obtained evidence and made connections that Judge Wyant did not. Also, Globe confirmed former Edmonton Police Chief Dale McFee was guest of Sam Mraiche at Oilers game. EPS failed to be forthright with me when I raised this in a previous story. 1
On Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Sam Mraiche
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... w/ @tomcardoso.bsky.social @markmackinnon.bsky.social @hoserlibrarian.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... w/ @tomcardoso.bsky.social @markmackinnon.bsky.social @hoserlibrarian.bsky.social
Who is Sam Mraiche? Inside Alberta’s health care controversy
A Globe investigation into the provincial health agency’s dealings with a company whose contracts have come under scrutiny
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Tour de force of investigative journalism here. Globe obtained evidence and made connections that Judge Wyant did not. Also, Globe confirmed former Edmonton Police Chief Dale McFee was guest of Sam Mraiche at Oilers game. EPS failed to be forthright with me when I raised this in a previous story. 1
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
NEW: This week on 'Whatever This Is' we explain why Danielle Smith’s pipeline hype hides something worse. Bill 11. A plan that lets doctors work public and private at the same time. Rich Albertans get a private pipeline of care. The rest of us wait longer and pay more.
NoTwoTier.ca #ableg #abpoli
NoTwoTier.ca #ableg #abpoli
November 29, 2025 at 4:37 PM
NEW: This week on 'Whatever This Is' we explain why Danielle Smith’s pipeline hype hides something worse. Bill 11. A plan that lets doctors work public and private at the same time. Rich Albertans get a private pipeline of care. The rest of us wait longer and pay more.
NoTwoTier.ca #ableg #abpoli
NoTwoTier.ca #ableg #abpoli
"When a hospital staffer comes across someone about to use, they now face a difficult choice of turning a blind eye, having the person kicked off hospital grounds or directing them to a clinic they may not want to visit." #ableg
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
Keith Gerein: UCP ideological myopia costs Edmonton another safe consumption site, at the worst possible time
Alberta's UCP government has an ongoing campaign against supervised drug consumption sites and the latest victim is at Edmonton's Royal Alex.
edmontonjournal.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:44 PM
"When a hospital staffer comes across someone about to use, they now face a difficult choice of turning a blind eye, having the person kicked off hospital grounds or directing them to a clinic they may not want to visit." #ableg
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Danielle Smith gets booed at UCP convention after mentioning working with Canada
November 28, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Danielle Smith gets booed at UCP convention after mentioning working with Canada
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
I worked these issues with Todd.
He knows what he’s talking about.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
He knows what he’s talking about.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
November 28, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I worked these issues with Todd.
He knows what he’s talking about.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
He knows what he’s talking about.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Authoritarians typically neither like science nor scientists
We are seeing this everywhere
So, fighting for science is also fighting for democracy
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
We are seeing this everywhere
So, fighting for science is also fighting for democracy
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
From doing science to saving science
Science and scientists are under assault. From denial of vaccines to climate change,
political leaders are increasingly sacrificing democracy as well as science on the
altar of populism and authoritar...
www.thelancet.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Authoritarians typically neither like science nor scientists
We are seeing this everywhere
So, fighting for science is also fighting for democracy
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
We are seeing this everywhere
So, fighting for science is also fighting for democracy
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Always ask yourself if the scenario you’re imagining makes any sense.
Why would a small drug smuggling boat have lots of extra people on board? Bear in mind that each smuggling trip is risky as hell. Is that what you would do if you had to plan that trip?
Why would a small drug smuggling boat have lots of extra people on board? Bear in mind that each smuggling trip is risky as hell. Is that what you would do if you had to plan that trip?
“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly gave a verbal order to leave no survivors behind…”
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
November 28, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Always ask yourself if the scenario you’re imagining makes any sense.
Why would a small drug smuggling boat have lots of extra people on board? Bear in mind that each smuggling trip is risky as hell. Is that what you would do if you had to plan that trip?
Why would a small drug smuggling boat have lots of extra people on board? Bear in mind that each smuggling trip is risky as hell. Is that what you would do if you had to plan that trip?
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, the advocate’s office recorded 60 youth deaths and nine serious injuries among young people who had received child intervention services within the two years preceding their death.
apple.news/AyqEPphBWQAu...
apple.news/AyqEPphBWQAu...
'Gap in assessments': Alberta's child and youth advocate calls for better intervention — Edmonton Journal
Annual report highlights service gaps, substance-use risks, and missed assessments in the deaths and serious injuries among children connected to Alberta's intervention system
apple.news
November 28, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, the advocate’s office recorded 60 youth deaths and nine serious injuries among young people who had received child intervention services within the two years preceding their death.
apple.news/AyqEPphBWQAu...
apple.news/AyqEPphBWQAu...
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Court hears DULF founders felt "thrown under the bus by multiple institutions."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
B.C. man who bought drugs for compassion club surprised by Health Canada's lack of 'urgency' on crisis | CBC News
A co-founder of Vancouver's Drug User Liberation Front said he was surprised by Health Canada's lack of "urgency" about the deadly toxic drug crisis, and the absence of a pharmaceutical-grade supplier...
www.cbc.ca
November 27, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Court hears DULF founders felt "thrown under the bus by multiple institutions."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Shelter runs out of naloxone as B.C. community sees 80 toxic drug poisonings in 24 hours: CMHA https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/naloxone-runs-out-bc-shelter-9.6992470
𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca/newsletter
𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca/newsletter
November 27, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Shelter runs out of naloxone as B.C. community sees 80 toxic drug poisonings in 24 hours: CMHA https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/naloxone-runs-out-bc-shelter-9.6992470
𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca/newsletter
𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca/newsletter