Patrick Fafard
@pfafard.bsky.social
Professor Emeritus/ Visiting Professor
Graduate School of Public & International Affairs and
Chair in Science Diplomacy, University of Ottawa.
Research Director, Global Strategy Lab, York/UOttawa
.
Graduate School of Public & International Affairs and
Chair in Science Diplomacy, University of Ottawa.
Research Director, Global Strategy Lab, York/UOttawa
.
Pinned
Patrick Fafard
@pfafard.bsky.social
· Mar 11
Thinking critically about science diplomacy
What does it mean to give scientists a 'seat at the table'?
open.substack.com
Does science diplomacy include giving scientists 'a seat at the table'? If so, to do what and with what implications?
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Important point: this ISN'T about willpower. It is about our food environment. 👇
The ultra-processed foods problem is driven by commercial interests, not individual weakness. Here’s how to fix it theconversation.com/the-ultra-pr... by @philbakernz.bsky.social et al.
The ultra-processed foods problem is driven by commercial interests, not individual weakness. Here’s how to fix it theconversation.com/the-ultra-pr... by @philbakernz.bsky.social et al.
The ultra-processed foods problem is driven by commercial interests, not individual weakness. Here’s how to fix it
Without policy action and a coordinated global response, ultra-processed foods will continue to rise in human diets, harming health, economies. It’s time to act.
theconversation.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Important point: this ISN'T about willpower. It is about our food environment. 👇
The ultra-processed foods problem is driven by commercial interests, not individual weakness. Here’s how to fix it theconversation.com/the-ultra-pr... by @philbakernz.bsky.social et al.
The ultra-processed foods problem is driven by commercial interests, not individual weakness. Here’s how to fix it theconversation.com/the-ultra-pr... by @philbakernz.bsky.social et al.
Global governance (and by extension, political science) for public health - another AMR example.
How should the new Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against Antimicrobial Resistance (IPEA) be structured? Some analysis from my colleagues at the Global Strategy Lab.
How should the new Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against Antimicrobial Resistance (IPEA) be structured? Some analysis from my colleagues at the Global Strategy Lab.
#IPEA launches this December to strengthen scientific evidence & policy coherence across #OneHealth Sectors.
This policy brief with @escmid.bsky.social maps how IPEA can organize its scientific work to ensure relevant, policy-responsive evidence.
🔎Read here: amrpolicy.org/resources/de...
This policy brief with @escmid.bsky.social maps how IPEA can organize its scientific work to ensure relevant, policy-responsive evidence.
🔎Read here: amrpolicy.org/resources/de...
November 27, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Global governance (and by extension, political science) for public health - another AMR example.
How should the new Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against Antimicrobial Resistance (IPEA) be structured? Some analysis from my colleagues at the Global Strategy Lab.
How should the new Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against Antimicrobial Resistance (IPEA) be structured? Some analysis from my colleagues at the Global Strategy Lab.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
So what does two-tier care actually “solve”?
Not the bottleneck. Not wait times overall.
It mostly changes who waits and who can buy their way to the front – while public queues risk getting slower, not faster.
Not the bottleneck. Not wait times overall.
It mostly changes who waits and who can buy their way to the front – while public queues risk getting slower, not faster.
November 23, 2025 at 5:25 PM
So what does two-tier care actually “solve”?
Not the bottleneck. Not wait times overall.
It mostly changes who waits and who can buy their way to the front – while public queues risk getting slower, not faster.
Not the bottleneck. Not wait times overall.
It mostly changes who waits and who can buy their way to the front – while public queues risk getting slower, not faster.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Back in school, I wrote an essay about how two-tier healthcare would improve access for everyone.
It makes intuitive sense: create a second line and the original one gets shorter, right?
A better look at the evidence and arguments like Picard's changed my mind. 🧵
It makes intuitive sense: create a second line and the original one gets shorter, right?
A better look at the evidence and arguments like Picard's changed my mind. 🧵
Picard’s point on AB’s new “dual practice” plan: evidence shows letting surgeons bill public & private won’t fix wait times, it likely lengthens them, drains staff from public hospitals, adds red tape, and undermines access.
A solution in search of a problem. www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/70a7e73...
A solution in search of a problem. www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/70a7e73...
Allowing doctors to practise in both public and private systems solves what exactly?
What Alberta is proposing may sound good superficially, but it makes no sense in the Canadian context
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Back in school, I wrote an essay about how two-tier healthcare would improve access for everyone.
It makes intuitive sense: create a second line and the original one gets shorter, right?
A better look at the evidence and arguments like Picard's changed my mind. 🧵
It makes intuitive sense: create a second line and the original one gets shorter, right?
A better look at the evidence and arguments like Picard's changed my mind. 🧵
“Canada underinvests in R&D about the public sector – we spend more researching crop rotation”
Michael Wernick
Michael Wernick
The Deadweight of Dogma on Public Service Reform – C.D. Howe Institute
From: Michael WernickTo: Public service observers Date: November 19, 2025Re: The Deadweight of Dogma on Public Service Reform Too much discussion of the state, or government, or the public sector, tre...
cdhowe.org
November 23, 2025 at 2:47 PM
“Canada underinvests in R&D about the public sector – we spend more researching crop rotation”
Michael Wernick
Michael Wernick
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
An excellent, depressing, angering guide to the administration’s bureaucratic tricks for wrecking our public health and health care programs
Red tape and budget constraints: How the White House is undercutting public health
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment and dementia care.
abcnews.go.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:56 PM
An excellent, depressing, angering guide to the administration’s bureaucratic tricks for wrecking our public health and health care programs
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Allowing doctors to practise in both public and private systems solves what exactly? What Alberta is proposing may sound good superficially but makes no sense in the Canadian context, by @picardonhealth.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Allowing doctors to practise in both public and private systems solves what exactly? What Alberta is proposing may sound good superficially but makes no sense in the Canadian context, by @picardonhealth.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
"The loud but empty moralizing of the past will not only fail to allow Canada to promote its interests in the Gulf, it will also be counterproductive... there is simply no space for Canada to pressure them with any success on human rights."
My new op-ed in The Globe and Mail today: Canada badly needs to diversify its trade and security partnerships - and this should include deeper ties with the UAE and other Gulf states.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Canada will need to consider growing its relations with non-democratic Gulf States
We do not have the luxury of ignoring hard foreign policy decisions
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:52 PM
"The loud but empty moralizing of the past will not only fail to allow Canada to promote its interests in the Gulf, it will also be counterproductive... there is simply no space for Canada to pressure them with any success on human rights."
Good on the crisis of public trust in public health, not so good on the diagnosis as to why and what can be done about it.
The Crisis of Public Trust and Legitimacy in Public Health: Being Successful in a World in Turmoil
Bruce Jennings, Lawrence O Gostin; The Crisis of Public Trust and Legitimacy in Public Health: Being Successful in a World in Turmoil, Journal of Public He
doi.org
November 17, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Good on the crisis of public trust in public health, not so good on the diagnosis as to why and what can be done about it.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Instead of emulating Pearson by revitalizing FMCs to deliberate collaboratively - and to some extent publicly - nation-building projects, Ottawa seems to prefer bilateral conversations after which new projects are announced.
This is reminiscent of what…
www.ctvnews.ca/politics/art...
This is reminiscent of what…
www.ctvnews.ca/politics/art...
Next round of major projects getting government fast-track coming Thursday: Carney
The second round of major so-called nation-building projects will be announced this Thursday in Prince Rupert, B.C., Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Monday.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 12, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Instead of emulating Pearson by revitalizing FMCs to deliberate collaboratively - and to some extent publicly - nation-building projects, Ottawa seems to prefer bilateral conversations after which new projects are announced.
This is reminiscent of what…
www.ctvnews.ca/politics/art...
This is reminiscent of what…
www.ctvnews.ca/politics/art...
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Call for papers on how philosophy might contribute to public policy
#academicsky #philsci
link.springer.com/collections/...
#academicsky #philsci
link.springer.com/collections/...
Philosophy of Science in Public Policy
This collection examines how expertise in the philosophy of science can and should help public policy. Recent research shows that controversies over best ...
link.springer.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Call for papers on how philosophy might contribute to public policy
#academicsky #philsci
link.springer.com/collections/...
#academicsky #philsci
link.springer.com/collections/...
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Red Poppies
Molly Lamb Bobak
1977
Molly Lamb Bobak
1977
November 11, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Red Poppies
Molly Lamb Bobak
1977
Molly Lamb Bobak
1977
How war drives the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
on.ft.com/493t0RL War is pushing us to a drug resistance tipping point by @gardp.bsky.social
War is pushing us to a drug resistance tipping point
Failure to prevent the rise and spread of infections in conflict zones imperils health security everywhere
on.ft.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:48 PM
How war drives the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
This could be framed as either “an overwhelming two-thirds of New York Jews voted against Mamdani” or as “a record 1 in 3 New York Jews supported an avowed anti-Zionist.” Both framings are technically true, but bear very different implications.
This is a stunning political realignment--Mamdani lost Jews, Catholics, and Protestants but won by sweeping "Other" and "None."
As a Jewish voter in the 33% I hope my neighbors (literally) in the 63%, who were flooded with dishonest mailers, social media, and texts, will now keep an open mind.
As a Jewish voter in the 33% I hope my neighbors (literally) in the 63%, who were flooded with dishonest mailers, social media, and texts, will now keep an open mind.
November 5, 2025 at 7:55 PM
This could be framed as either “an overwhelming two-thirds of New York Jews voted against Mamdani” or as “a record 1 in 3 New York Jews supported an avowed anti-Zionist.” Both framings are technically true, but bear very different implications.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Happy #OneHealthDay to those celebrating with their loved ones.
a boy is feeding a white chicken on the ground .
ALT: a boy is feeding a white chicken on the ground .
media.tenor.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Happy #OneHealthDay to those celebrating with their loved ones.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Some charts for those who don't know the extent of the US public (and private) investment in research (particularly in biomedical research) compared to other countries and institutions. The destruction of the US' scientific institutions has global implications.
November 2, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Some charts for those who don't know the extent of the US public (and private) investment in research (particularly in biomedical research) compared to other countries and institutions. The destruction of the US' scientific institutions has global implications.
Public health research that can inform political science analysis of PH problems: precautionary principle edition. This article does not assume that the precautionary principle is already part of established PH policy but rather makes the case as to why it should be.
Our new paper:
Science for Pandemic Preparedness: A precautionary framework
dx.doi.org/10.1111/jep....
Science for Pandemic Preparedness: A precautionary framework
dx.doi.org/10.1111/jep....
Science for Pandemic Preparedness: A Precautionary Framework
In the early weeks of the pandemic year 2020, health agencies were slow to warn of the potential for a global health emergency while scientists waited for ‘sufficient’ evidence of human-to-human tran...
dx.doi.org
November 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Public health research that can inform political science analysis of PH problems: precautionary principle edition. This article does not assume that the precautionary principle is already part of established PH policy but rather makes the case as to why it should be.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Overconfidence in "econometrics" at the expense of sound analysis of the politics of policy-making. A long-standing issue that should, by now, be well-known.
The key to understanding Carney‘s politics is, as an economist, he sees the world in terms of models. That’s what he meant when he promised to “govern in econometrics.” But that only works when a) your model somewhat reflects reality, and b) one remembers that models are simplifications of reality.
Will Carney’s budget finally reveal where the prime minister is taking Canada?
The Liberals won the election on Carney’s promise to “win” the trade war with Trump. So now what?
www.thestar.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Overconfidence in "econometrics" at the expense of sound analysis of the politics of policy-making. A long-standing issue that should, by now, be well-known.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
📣 New Call for Papers on the Relationship Between Public Health and Politics
📅 Deadline: February 1, 2026
🔗 Info: buff.ly/huyzHG8
#CallForPapers #PublicHealth
📅 Deadline: February 1, 2026
🔗 Info: buff.ly/huyzHG8
#CallForPapers #PublicHealth
October 30, 2025 at 7:15 PM
📣 New Call for Papers on the Relationship Between Public Health and Politics
📅 Deadline: February 1, 2026
🔗 Info: buff.ly/huyzHG8
#CallForPapers #PublicHealth
📅 Deadline: February 1, 2026
🔗 Info: buff.ly/huyzHG8
#CallForPapers #PublicHealth
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Terrible move on SO MANY levels.
> Iatrogenic injury
> Costs & strain on system
> Anxiety
< Equitable access
NO EVIDENCE OF BENEFIT!
AB gov plans to allow residents to privately pay for any diagnostic or screening service cbc.ca/news/canada/... by @albertadoctors.bsky.social
@cmadocs.bsky.social
> Iatrogenic injury
> Costs & strain on system
> Anxiety
< Equitable access
NO EVIDENCE OF BENEFIT!
AB gov plans to allow residents to privately pay for any diagnostic or screening service cbc.ca/news/canada/... by @albertadoctors.bsky.social
@cmadocs.bsky.social
Alberta government plans to allow residents to privately pay for any diagnostic or screening service | CBC News
Alberta is planning legislative changes that would let people pay out of pocket for diagnostic and preventive tests, such as MRIs, CT scans and full-body scans — without a doctor’s order.
cbc.ca
October 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Terrible move on SO MANY levels.
> Iatrogenic injury
> Costs & strain on system
> Anxiety
< Equitable access
NO EVIDENCE OF BENEFIT!
AB gov plans to allow residents to privately pay for any diagnostic or screening service cbc.ca/news/canada/... by @albertadoctors.bsky.social
@cmadocs.bsky.social
> Iatrogenic injury
> Costs & strain on system
> Anxiety
< Equitable access
NO EVIDENCE OF BENEFIT!
AB gov plans to allow residents to privately pay for any diagnostic or screening service cbc.ca/news/canada/... by @albertadoctors.bsky.social
@cmadocs.bsky.social
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Diphtheria, a Once Vanquished Killer of Children, Is Resurgent.
A Somali hospital ward packed with gasping children shows how war, climate and mistrust of vaccines is fueling the disease’s return, by @stephanienolen.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h... via @nytimes.com #GlobalHealth
A Somali hospital ward packed with gasping children shows how war, climate and mistrust of vaccines is fueling the disease’s return, by @stephanienolen.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h... via @nytimes.com #GlobalHealth
Diphtheria, a Once Vanquished Killer of Children, Is Resurgent
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Diphtheria, a Once Vanquished Killer of Children, Is Resurgent.
A Somali hospital ward packed with gasping children shows how war, climate and mistrust of vaccines is fueling the disease’s return, by @stephanienolen.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h... via @nytimes.com #GlobalHealth
A Somali hospital ward packed with gasping children shows how war, climate and mistrust of vaccines is fueling the disease’s return, by @stephanienolen.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h... via @nytimes.com #GlobalHealth
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
An article opening "The last outbreak of #cholera in Britain was in 1866; in the United States there has not been an outbreak since 1911", shouldn't then ignore the thriving parallel market for cholera vaccines for travellers from rich countries. Market only failing those needing it most.
Our view:
Our view:
October 25, 2025 at 4:40 PM
An article opening "The last outbreak of #cholera in Britain was in 1866; in the United States there has not been an outbreak since 1911", shouldn't then ignore the thriving parallel market for cholera vaccines for travellers from rich countries. Market only failing those needing it most.
Our view:
Our view:
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
strong contender for Greatest Headline, Edmonton division www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
October 22, 2025 at 7:26 PM
strong contender for Greatest Headline, Edmonton division www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
A really important piece. The problem, as always here, is generating the politics that supports a move to the right policy. www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/h... via @statnews.com
The U.S. experiment with profit-driven health care has failed
“The market competition, managed care, and ‘corporate efficiency’ that economists prescribed as the cure for health care inflation instead accelerated it.”
www.statnews.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:35 AM
A really important piece. The problem, as always here, is generating the politics that supports a move to the right policy. www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/h... via @statnews.com