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.
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Why Danielle Smith's government is not withstanding so many court challenges:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by me
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by me
ANALYSIS | UCP government keeps blocking or nixing Alberta court challenges. Why? | CBC News
From transgender policies to referendums to "conservative" party names, the Alberta UCP has stepped in where others have feared to tread.
www.cbc.ca
December 6, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Why Danielle Smith's government is not withstanding so many court challenges:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by me
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by me
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
This is among the most democratically dangerous things Danielle Smith has said.
She wants to remove all checks and balances on her power and projects herself as the embodiment of "the people."
We have left the realm of liberal democracy in this province.
She wants to remove all checks and balances on her power and projects herself as the embodiment of "the people."
We have left the realm of liberal democracy in this province.
December 7, 2025 at 12:05 AM
This is among the most democratically dangerous things Danielle Smith has said.
She wants to remove all checks and balances on her power and projects herself as the embodiment of "the people."
We have left the realm of liberal democracy in this province.
She wants to remove all checks and balances on her power and projects herself as the embodiment of "the people."
We have left the realm of liberal democracy in this province.
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Trans rights activists have joined forces with labour unions in Saskatchewan to fight anti-trans legislation
It's a model that should be employed nationwide to combat laws against vulnerable groups, writes @desaima.bsky.social
in our latest for @breachmedia.ca
breachmedia.ca/trans-albert...
It's a model that should be employed nationwide to combat laws against vulnerable groups, writes @desaima.bsky.social
in our latest for @breachmedia.ca
breachmedia.ca/trans-albert...
A Prairie alliance of trans advocates and unions should be a national model ⋆ The Breach
Right-wing premiers are using the notwithstanding clause to target trans kids, workers, Muslims, and drug users. Saskatchewan shows how a united front could stop them
breachmedia.ca
December 5, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Trans rights activists have joined forces with labour unions in Saskatchewan to fight anti-trans legislation
It's a model that should be employed nationwide to combat laws against vulnerable groups, writes @desaima.bsky.social
in our latest for @breachmedia.ca
breachmedia.ca/trans-albert...
It's a model that should be employed nationwide to combat laws against vulnerable groups, writes @desaima.bsky.social
in our latest for @breachmedia.ca
breachmedia.ca/trans-albert...
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
This Alberta pediatrician captures something clinicians everywhere feel but rarely articulate this clearly:
Systems fail in patterned ways.
Families absorb the cost.
Governments sell “choice” while walking away from their duties.
Worth your time:
Systems fail in patterned ways.
Families absorb the cost.
Governments sell “choice” while walking away from their duties.
Worth your time:
New CHW Perspective:
an Alberta pediatrician describes how structural gaps in care are shaping families' lives, and argues that the province’s new “dual-practice” model risks making things worse.
Full analysis:
canadahealthwatch.ca/2025/12/05/a...
an Alberta pediatrician describes how structural gaps in care are shaping families' lives, and argues that the province’s new “dual-practice” model risks making things worse.
Full analysis:
canadahealthwatch.ca/2025/12/05/a...
Alberta isn’t fixing healthcare. It’s abandoning it.
“Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets.”
canadahealthwatch.ca
December 5, 2025 at 8:40 PM
This Alberta pediatrician captures something clinicians everywhere feel but rarely articulate this clearly:
Systems fail in patterned ways.
Families absorb the cost.
Governments sell “choice” while walking away from their duties.
Worth your time:
Systems fail in patterned ways.
Families absorb the cost.
Governments sell “choice” while walking away from their duties.
Worth your time:
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
New CHW Perspective:
an Alberta pediatrician describes how structural gaps in care are shaping families' lives, and argues that the province’s new “dual-practice” model risks making things worse.
Full analysis:
canadahealthwatch.ca/2025/12/05/a...
an Alberta pediatrician describes how structural gaps in care are shaping families' lives, and argues that the province’s new “dual-practice” model risks making things worse.
Full analysis:
canadahealthwatch.ca/2025/12/05/a...
Alberta isn’t fixing healthcare. It’s abandoning it.
“Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets.”
canadahealthwatch.ca
December 5, 2025 at 7:11 PM
New CHW Perspective:
an Alberta pediatrician describes how structural gaps in care are shaping families' lives, and argues that the province’s new “dual-practice” model risks making things worse.
Full analysis:
canadahealthwatch.ca/2025/12/05/a...
an Alberta pediatrician describes how structural gaps in care are shaping families' lives, and argues that the province’s new “dual-practice” model risks making things worse.
Full analysis:
canadahealthwatch.ca/2025/12/05/a...
Re-upping this as daily temps are set to plunge in Edmonton. Zero frostbite amputations is an achievable goal we all can work towards. City Council and the Government of Alberta can lead here by overhauling their winter emergency response efforts #yegcc #ableg
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
Opinion: Edmonton doesn't have to be the frostbite capital of the world
Severe frostbite injuries are entirely preventable - together, let’s work towards a city where no one gets left out in the cold.
edmontonjournal.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Re-upping this as daily temps are set to plunge in Edmonton. Zero frostbite amputations is an achievable goal we all can work towards. City Council and the Government of Alberta can lead here by overhauling their winter emergency response efforts #yegcc #ableg
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
"The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by every country except the U.S., affirms every child’s right to the highest attainable standard of health. That includes protection from preventable diseases like measles, whooping cough, and diphtheria."
As ACIP does its best to destroy confidence in vaccines, we really need to use human rights laws to protect kids and ensure they have easy access to vaccines
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/c...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/c...
Kids have a right to vaccinations. Let's bring in the lawyers
Children suffering from diseases that should have been consigned to history is a moral failure. Access to vaccines is a human right.
www.statnews.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:16 PM
"The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by every country except the U.S., affirms every child’s right to the highest attainable standard of health. That includes protection from preventable diseases like measles, whooping cough, and diphtheria."
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
SCOOP: Elections Alberta investigated Sam Mraiche over allegations he made illegal political donations in 2023
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... w @tomcardoso.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... w @tomcardoso.bsky.social
Sam Mraiche was investigated by Elections Alberta over alleged illegal political donations
Regulator says Mraiche was being investigated this year in connection to an alleged straw donor scheme
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:32 PM
SCOOP: Elections Alberta investigated Sam Mraiche over allegations he made illegal political donations in 2023
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... w @tomcardoso.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... w @tomcardoso.bsky.social
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Here is a paper that gets at parental disappointment with outcomes of forced drug treatment on their children.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#bcpoli
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#bcpoli
“Grasping at straws,” experiences of Canadian parents using involuntary stabilization for a youth's substance use
In Canada, involuntary stabilization programs are used to apprehend and confine youth who use drugs for the purpose of stabilization, assessment, and …
www.sciencedirect.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Here is a paper that gets at parental disappointment with outcomes of forced drug treatment on their children.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#bcpoli
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#bcpoli
No other police service in the world has deployed facial recognition on body-worn cameras. Edmontonians are, in effect, test subjects for a technology Axon may wish to market elsewhere.
#yegcc #ableg
apple.news/AHQC-dJZZRc6...
#yegcc #ableg
apple.news/AHQC-dJZZRc6...
Opinion: Edmontonians shouldn't be test subjects for face-tracking bodycams — Edmonton Journal
The Edmonton Police Service’s (EPS) plan to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) facial recognition on officers’ body-worn cameras should alarm Edmontonians. EPS calls this a world-first pilot with Axo...
apple.news
December 5, 2025 at 1:51 AM
No other police service in the world has deployed facial recognition on body-worn cameras. Edmontonians are, in effect, test subjects for a technology Axon may wish to market elsewhere.
#yegcc #ableg
apple.news/AHQC-dJZZRc6...
#yegcc #ableg
apple.news/AHQC-dJZZRc6...
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
@melibee44.bsky.social FYI - This is what I was referring to. Sam Mraiche bought a building in Edmonton AFTER it was toured by two UCP chiefs of staff and an ADM of Health to see if it would work as a detox centre. ROSC, the private detox services provider, is now the tenant in Mraiche's building. 1
CorruptCare is the biggest and costliest scandal in the history of our province. There must be a public inquiry immediately into the UCP government’s health-care procurement practices.
December 5, 2025 at 1:05 AM
@melibee44.bsky.social FYI - This is what I was referring to. Sam Mraiche bought a building in Edmonton AFTER it was toured by two UCP chiefs of staff and an ADM of Health to see if it would work as a detox centre. ROSC, the private detox services provider, is now the tenant in Mraiche's building. 1
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Premier Eby will have announcement tmrw about "strengthening access to involuntary care for young people."
CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...
CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...
Involuntary Care Already Exists in BC, But Is It Working? - CMHA British Columbia
VANCOUVER, BC – (September 18, 2024): On September 15, 2024, Premier Eby announced that his government is expanding involuntary care for people with brain injury, mental illness, and severe addiction....
bc.cmha.ca
December 4, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Premier Eby will have announcement tmrw about "strengthening access to involuntary care for young people."
CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...
CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...
At the recommendation of the premier, CPE was moved from the Ministry of Treasury Board and Finance to Executive Council in April, making Danielle Smith the minister responsible for overseeing the department. CPE has approximately 288 full-time staff and a budget of $38 million.
Alberta government awarded PR firm sole-source $200K contract to run education campaign to sway public opinion during teachers' battle
www.townandcountrytoday.com/beyond-local...
www.townandcountrytoday.com/beyond-local...
Alberta government hires PR firm during teacher strike! 🤯
Read the full story and comment on TownAndCountryToday.com
www.townandcountrytoday.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:22 PM
At the recommendation of the premier, CPE was moved from the Ministry of Treasury Board and Finance to Executive Council in April, making Danielle Smith the minister responsible for overseeing the department. CPE has approximately 288 full-time staff and a budget of $38 million.
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
"The Psilocybin Advisory Board will hold its first public meeting on Friday, a major step towards full implementation of the state’s medical psilocybin program."
www.kunm.org/public-healt...
www.kunm.org/public-healt...
Legal psychedelic treatment board to hold first public meeting
The Psilocybin Advisory Board will hold its first public meeting on Friday, a major step towards full implementation of the state’s medical psilocybin program. New Mexico is just the third state to le...
www.kunm.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:08 PM
"The Psilocybin Advisory Board will hold its first public meeting on Friday, a major step towards full implementation of the state’s medical psilocybin program."
www.kunm.org/public-healt...
www.kunm.org/public-healt...
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Oh hey! A podcast on Sam Mraiche and his ties to the Alberta government! Including audio from when I asked Justice Minister Mickey Amery about his relationship to the businessman.
www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/the... w @tomcardoso.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/the... w @tomcardoso.bsky.social
The businessman at the heart of Alberta’s health care controversy
An investigation into the businessman whose dealings with the government have come under scrutiny
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Oh hey! A podcast on Sam Mraiche and his ties to the Alberta government! Including audio from when I asked Justice Minister Mickey Amery about his relationship to the businessman.
www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/the... w @tomcardoso.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/the... w @tomcardoso.bsky.social
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Feels like a good time to re-up this: lisayoung.substack.com/p/help-wanted
Help Wanted
With the daily bombshells landing, it’s going to be tricky to find someone willing to take the job of AHS CEO.
lisayoung.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Feels like a good time to re-up this: lisayoung.substack.com/p/help-wanted
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
I concluded this weeks ago. They didn't hide it.
The UCP didn't have to use the notwithstanding clause. They wanted to, in order to avoid an arbitration process they knew they'd lose.
edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
The UCP didn't have to use the notwithstanding clause. They wanted to, in order to avoid an arbitration process they knew they'd lose.
edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
Alberta used notwithstanding clause to avoid costly arbitration with teachers, infrastructure minister says
Alberta infrastructure minister says the province invoked the notwithstanding clause to force teachers back was due to cost.
edmontonjournal.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:53 AM
I concluded this weeks ago. They didn't hide it.
The UCP didn't have to use the notwithstanding clause. They wanted to, in order to avoid an arbitration process they knew they'd lose.
edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
The UCP didn't have to use the notwithstanding clause. They wanted to, in order to avoid an arbitration process they knew they'd lose.
edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
BREAKING: Alberta Health Services CEO who took over after a controversial firing in January is now himself out.
AHS confirms Andre Tremblay on leave. Minister Matt Jones has appointed a new CEO and chair.
Tremblay was named CEO after Athana Mentzelopoulos was fired earlier this year.
AHS confirms Andre Tremblay on leave. Minister Matt Jones has appointed a new CEO and chair.
Tremblay was named CEO after Athana Mentzelopoulos was fired earlier this year.
December 3, 2025 at 10:12 PM
BREAKING: Alberta Health Services CEO who took over after a controversial firing in January is now himself out.
AHS confirms Andre Tremblay on leave. Minister Matt Jones has appointed a new CEO and chair.
Tremblay was named CEO after Athana Mentzelopoulos was fired earlier this year.
AHS confirms Andre Tremblay on leave. Minister Matt Jones has appointed a new CEO and chair.
Tremblay was named CEO after Athana Mentzelopoulos was fired earlier this year.
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
‘Unprecedented’: #Canada’s new border bills pave the way for American law enforcement overreach
Human rights advocates warn that new legislation could erode protections and expose Canadians to U.S. investigations and surveillance.
New from @opheliedm.bsky.social:
ricochet.media/internationa...
Human rights advocates warn that new legislation could erode protections and expose Canadians to U.S. investigations and surveillance.
New from @opheliedm.bsky.social:
ricochet.media/internationa...
‘Unprecedented’: Canada’s new border bills pave the way for American law enforcement overreach
Human rights advocates warn that new legislation could erode constitutional protections and expose Canadian marginalized communities and dissidents to U.S. investigations, surveillance and political r...
ricochet.media
December 3, 2025 at 4:58 PM
‘Unprecedented’: #Canada’s new border bills pave the way for American law enforcement overreach
Human rights advocates warn that new legislation could erode protections and expose Canadians to U.S. investigations and surveillance.
New from @opheliedm.bsky.social:
ricochet.media/internationa...
Human rights advocates warn that new legislation could erode protections and expose Canadians to U.S. investigations and surveillance.
New from @opheliedm.bsky.social:
ricochet.media/internationa...
👀 These allegations are damning, and suggest corrupt government dealings in mental health and addiction. It is long past time for a public inquiry to sort this all out. #ableg
December 3, 2025 at 11:05 PM
👀 These allegations are damning, and suggest corrupt government dealings in mental health and addiction. It is long past time for a public inquiry to sort this all out. #ableg
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Oct 2022: Marshall Smith becomes premier’s CoS.
Dec 2022: ROSC Solutions Group (RSG) co-founded by associate of M. Smith.
Dec 2022: RSG lands ~$25 million in procurement contracts not disclosed until Aug 2024.
2023: RSG gets 10s millions more.
2025: RSG owns 5 companies running on AB public $.
Dec 2022: ROSC Solutions Group (RSG) co-founded by associate of M. Smith.
Dec 2022: RSG lands ~$25 million in procurement contracts not disclosed until Aug 2024.
2023: RSG gets 10s millions more.
2025: RSG owns 5 companies running on AB public $.
A few companies have made a great deal of money under the Alberta Recovery Model and there's little to show that they have actually delivered on the outcomes Albertans expect. Are people's health outcomes better off with a two-tier, American-style healthcare? The answer is almost always NO.
December 3, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Oct 2022: Marshall Smith becomes premier’s CoS.
Dec 2022: ROSC Solutions Group (RSG) co-founded by associate of M. Smith.
Dec 2022: RSG lands ~$25 million in procurement contracts not disclosed until Aug 2024.
2023: RSG gets 10s millions more.
2025: RSG owns 5 companies running on AB public $.
Dec 2022: ROSC Solutions Group (RSG) co-founded by associate of M. Smith.
Dec 2022: RSG lands ~$25 million in procurement contracts not disclosed until Aug 2024.
2023: RSG gets 10s millions more.
2025: RSG owns 5 companies running on AB public $.
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Hepatitis B infection in infancy (almost half of all HepB is caught in childhood) is associated with a 90% chance of becoming a chronic infection (ie the body can never clear the virus), and is highly likely to progress to liver failure and liver cancer.
Vaccinating at birth has reduced this by 99%
Vaccinating at birth has reduced this by 99%
💬Viewpoint: Eliminating universal hepatitis B birth dose vaccination risks an estimated 8% increase in annual perinatal #HepatitisB infections in the US, increasing preventable chronic disease burden. ja.ma/3Me0zHh
December 3, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Hepatitis B infection in infancy (almost half of all HepB is caught in childhood) is associated with a 90% chance of becoming a chronic infection (ie the body can never clear the virus), and is highly likely to progress to liver failure and liver cancer.
Vaccinating at birth has reduced this by 99%
Vaccinating at birth has reduced this by 99%
"It's just not right, you know? I've been diabetic since 2002 and had heart disease since 2002. What is going on with the government?" #ableg
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
80-year-old diabetic Calgarian shocked to receive $100 bill for COVID-19 vaccine | CBC News
A Calgary senior with diabetes and heart disease is fighting back after being billed for her COVID-19 vaccine despite being eligible for a free shot. Sharon Mason, 80, received her COVID vaccine in ea...
www.cbc.ca
December 3, 2025 at 6:18 PM
"It's just not right, you know? I've been diabetic since 2002 and had heart disease since 2002. What is going on with the government?" #ableg
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Elaine Hyshka
Canada’s women’s health strategy ended in 1999. It shows. canadahealthwatch.ca/2025/12/03/c...
Canada’s women’s health strategy ended in 1999. It shows.
Misdiagnoses. Blind spots. Worse outcomes for things we know how to treat.
canadahealthwatch.ca
December 3, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Canada’s women’s health strategy ended in 1999. It shows. canadahealthwatch.ca/2025/12/03/c...