Aaron Derfel
@aaronderfel.bsky.social
I'm a health journalist at the Montreal Gazette. You can also find me on Mastodon at mas.to/@aderfel and Telegram at t.me/AaronDerfel.
My bio: https://www.concordia.ca/faculty/aaron-derfel.html
My bio: https://www.concordia.ca/faculty/aaron-derfel.html
1) The Douglas Mental Health University Institute, which was founded in 1881, hasn't undergone much renovation since Queen Victoria was alive. On Monday, the ceilings literally caved in. See my story below about Quebec's crumbling medical infrastructure.👇
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
Burst pipes cause widespread flooding in research labs at Douglas Institute
"The situation here is appalling, both for the patients but also for the research centre," said researcher Sylvain Williams. "It's really unfortunate because the Douglas is a leader in Canada and the ...
montrealgazette.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:16 PM
1) The Douglas Mental Health University Institute, which was founded in 1881, hasn't undergone much renovation since Queen Victoria was alive. On Monday, the ceilings literally caved in. See my story below about Quebec's crumbling medical infrastructure.👇
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
1) At a time when some U.S. news organizations have yielded to pressure by Donald Trump, it's heartening to see The New York Times publish this editorial today: How Trump has enriched himself by $1.4 billion in a staggering series of corrupt quid pro quos.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Opinion | How Trump Has Used the Presidency to Make at Least $1.4 Billion
The president took an oath to serve the American people. Instead, he’s focused his second term on enriching himself and his family.
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:41 AM
1) At a time when some U.S. news organizations have yielded to pressure by Donald Trump, it's heartening to see The New York Times publish this editorial today: How Trump has enriched himself by $1.4 billion in a staggering series of corrupt quid pro quos.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
To whom does your medical file or your children's belong?
To yourself? Or to Santé Québec or to Epic Systems in the United States? Please read my story below to gain more insight into the future of digital health care as it rolls out in Quebec this May.
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
To yourself? Or to Santé Québec or to Epic Systems in the United States? Please read my story below to gain more insight into the future of digital health care as it rolls out in Quebec this May.
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
U.S. firm involved in Quebec's digital health records faces major lawsuit in Texas
The lawsuit alleges Wisconsin-based Epic Systems restricts parental access to children's medical files and is maintaining a monopoly.
montrealgazette.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:07 PM
To whom does your medical file or your children's belong?
To yourself? Or to Santé Québec or to Epic Systems in the United States? Please read my story below to gain more insight into the future of digital health care as it rolls out in Quebec this May.
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
To yourself? Or to Santé Québec or to Epic Systems in the United States? Please read my story below to gain more insight into the future of digital health care as it rolls out in Quebec this May.
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
1) Great front page in The Gazette today: How the political winds shifted instantly with Premier Françcois Legault's resignation this week, and how this is already shaping next October's momentous provincial election.
January 17, 2026 at 5:14 PM
1) Great front page in The Gazette today: How the political winds shifted instantly with Premier Françcois Legault's resignation this week, and how this is already shaping next October's momentous provincial election.
1) Comment mener une vie inspirante et enrichissante. Lisez cette incroyable nécrologie du géographe Henri Dorion, décédé à l'âge de 90 ans.
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/9...?
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/9...?
Le géographe Henri Dorion est décédé
Les frontières septentrionales du Québec et la toponymie étaient au cœur de ses travaux.
www.ledevoir.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:37 PM
1) Comment mener une vie inspirante et enrichissante. Lisez cette incroyable nécrologie du géographe Henri Dorion, décédé à l'âge de 90 ans.
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/9...?
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/9...?
1) How François Legault's political Achilles' heel was likely his stark record in (mis?)managing health care in Quebec, setting the stage for his resignation on Wednesday.
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
Analysis: Health care was François Legault's Achilles' heel
"We've never had as many people in the emergency wards than now," said patent-rights advocate Paul Brunet, referring to the premier's record on health care.
montrealgazette.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:03 PM
1) How François Legault's political Achilles' heel was likely his stark record in (mis?)managing health care in Quebec, setting the stage for his resignation on Wednesday.
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
1) Innovative journalism: The Gazette's @hsnorth.bsky.social
has compared Uber and Lyft rates and found that — for now at least — Lyft is much cheaper in Montreal. Take note, young Montrealers!
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
has compared Uber and Lyft rates and found that — for now at least — Lyft is much cheaper in Montreal. Take note, young Montrealers!
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
Uber vs. Lyft: I tracked prices for a week and it changed how I book rides
The Gazette's Harry North compared ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft on 100 routes in Montreal to find out which was cheaper.
montrealgazette.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:44 PM
1) Innovative journalism: The Gazette's @hsnorth.bsky.social
has compared Uber and Lyft rates and found that — for now at least — Lyft is much cheaper in Montreal. Take note, young Montrealers!
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
has compared Uber and Lyft rates and found that — for now at least — Lyft is much cheaper in Montreal. Take note, young Montrealers!
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
1) A must-read exposé by Radio-Canada today that lifts the veil behind the nightclubbing mystique of Boulevard Saint-Laurent: sexual assaults, syringes and evidence of the date-rape drug GHB. Excellent reporting by @mariannedepelteau.bsky.social
ici.radio-canada.ca/recit-numeri...
ici.radio-canada.ca/recit-numeri...
Sous les néons du boulevard Saint-Laurent
Sortir à Montréal en 2026, ça ressemble à quoi? De l’insécurité à l'anglicisation, en passant par les nouveaux anges gardiens de la nuit, Radio-Canada s’est invitée dans les coulisses nocturnes de la ...
ici.radio-canada.ca
January 10, 2026 at 8:17 PM
1) A must-read exposé by Radio-Canada today that lifts the veil behind the nightclubbing mystique of Boulevard Saint-Laurent: sexual assaults, syringes and evidence of the date-rape drug GHB. Excellent reporting by @mariannedepelteau.bsky.social
ici.radio-canada.ca/recit-numeri...
ici.radio-canada.ca/recit-numeri...
1) Will Quebec's Dossier santé numérique — already busting its budget by $135 million — turn out to be worse than the SAAQclic fiasco? Here's my interview this afternoon with CJAD's Aaron Rand to discuss why nurses will still use paper when digital health files roll out.
omny.fm/shows/montre...
omny.fm/shows/montre...
An inside look into Quebec's failed digital health rollout - Montreal Now with Aaron Rand Podcast
Aaron Derfel, Investigative reporter at the Montreal Gazette, joins Aaron Rand to explain what went wrong with Quebec's digital health system, and why the cost keeps climbing
omny.fm
January 10, 2026 at 12:18 AM
1) Will Quebec's Dossier santé numérique — already busting its budget by $135 million — turn out to be worse than the SAAQclic fiasco? Here's my interview this afternoon with CJAD's Aaron Rand to discuss why nurses will still use paper when digital health files roll out.
omny.fm/shows/montre...
omny.fm/shows/montre...
1) On this, the last day of the year, I urge you to read a book that's received scant attention in 2025, a short history of arguably the most fascinating newspaper in Canada — in fact, a daily that predates Confederation, and that happens to be my place of work, The Gazette.
December 31, 2025 at 7:16 PM
1) On this, the last day of the year, I urge you to read a book that's received scant attention in 2025, a short history of arguably the most fascinating newspaper in Canada — in fact, a daily that predates Confederation, and that happens to be my place of work, The Gazette.
1) BREAKING: Freezing rain that turned sidewalks into sheets of ice have sent scores of Montrealers to hospital emergency rooms with broken limbs and even concussions. My story below, along with some additional observations. 👇
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
Icy weather sends Montrealers to ERs with fractures and concussions
Meanwhile, Quebec's wave of flu infections is already higher than last year's peak, driven by a new strain.
montrealgazette.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:23 PM
1) BREAKING: Freezing rain that turned sidewalks into sheets of ice have sent scores of Montrealers to hospital emergency rooms with broken limbs and even concussions. My story below, along with some additional observations. 👇
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
1) Just two days before Christmas, a small Montreal media outlet that I used to support has decided to publish something truly nasty about The Gazette Christmas Fund. Of all the things that this outlet could report on, it chooses this subject. For shame!
December 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
1) Just two days before Christmas, a small Montreal media outlet that I used to support has decided to publish something truly nasty about The Gazette Christmas Fund. Of all the things that this outlet could report on, it chooses this subject. For shame!
1) BREAKING: Quebec's flu season is ramping up sharply and much earlier than in previous years, placing a greater burden on pediatric emergency rooms. Those over 65 and between the ages of 5 to 19 are particularly vulnerable. In this thread, I will review the latest trends.
December 20, 2025 at 3:06 AM
1) BREAKING: Quebec's flu season is ramping up sharply and much earlier than in previous years, placing a greater burden on pediatric emergency rooms. Those over 65 and between the ages of 5 to 19 are particularly vulnerable. In this thread, I will review the latest trends.
Leaving Quebec's health-care network battered and broken. Below is my analysis of Health Minister Christian Dubé's record following his surprise resignation today which caused shock waves in the province's political world: 👇
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
Analysis: Christian Dubé's legacy — leaving a health-care system battered and broken
Still, he did make health stats more transparent and slashed year-long wait times for surgery.
montrealgazette.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Leaving Quebec's health-care network battered and broken. Below is my analysis of Health Minister Christian Dubé's record following his surprise resignation today which caused shock waves in the province's political world: 👇
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
1) Mardi soir, le Premier ministre s'est vanté des résultats obtenus par son gouvernement en matière d'augmentation de la rémunération hebdomadaire moyenne au Québec. Dans cette enfilade, je vais vérifier les faits.
x.com/francoislega...
x.com/francoislega...
x.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:50 AM
1) Mardi soir, le Premier ministre s'est vanté des résultats obtenus par son gouvernement en matière d'augmentation de la rémunération hebdomadaire moyenne au Québec. Dans cette enfilade, je vais vérifier les faits.
x.com/francoislega...
x.com/francoislega...
1) Here's an interview I gave today to @aaronrand
of CJAD on the near-total absence of English available on the website of Santé Québec. In this thread, I will examine the Two Solitudes when it comes to access to health care in their mother tongues.
www.iheart.com/podcast/962-...
of CJAD on the near-total absence of English available on the website of Santé Québec. In this thread, I will examine the Two Solitudes when it comes to access to health care in their mother tongues.
www.iheart.com/podcast/962-...
New report raises concerns with lack of English on Quebec health care sites - Montreal Now with Aaron Rand Podcast | iHeart
<p>Aaron Derfel, investigative reporter at the Montreal Gazette</p>
www.iheart.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:34 AM
1) Here's an interview I gave today to @aaronrand
of CJAD on the near-total absence of English available on the website of Santé Québec. In this thread, I will examine the Two Solitudes when it comes to access to health care in their mother tongues.
www.iheart.com/podcast/962-...
of CJAD on the near-total absence of English available on the website of Santé Québec. In this thread, I will examine the Two Solitudes when it comes to access to health care in their mother tongues.
www.iheart.com/podcast/962-...
1) As some of you know, I teach journalism part-time at Concordia University. In the 25 years I have taught students — something I love to do — I have never referred to my faith. It's simply not relevant to what I do.
December 14, 2025 at 5:59 PM
1) As some of you know, I teach journalism part-time at Concordia University. In the 25 years I have taught students — something I love to do — I have never referred to my faith. It's simply not relevant to what I do.
1) « Si tu es prêt à accepter des ordres, à tout écouter ce qu’on te dit de faire, change de métier » — Jacques Nadeau. Sans doute le meilleur photojournaliste du Québec, Nadeau n'est plus parmi nous.
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/s...
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/s...
Décès du photographe Jacques Nadeau
La longue marche du photojournaliste vedette du «Devoir» s’est arrêtée mercredi.
www.ledevoir.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:34 PM
1) « Si tu es prêt à accepter des ordres, à tout écouter ce qu’on te dit de faire, change de métier » — Jacques Nadeau. Sans doute le meilleur photojournaliste du Québec, Nadeau n'est plus parmi nous.
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/s...
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/s...
1) In a Bluesky thread I posted on Sunday, I relayed a rumor circulating that Groupe Biron and Telus Health are eager to buy GMF medical clinics in financial distress because of Law 2. Here is the thread below in French, which hopefully Bluesky can translate for you.
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
1) Yann Langlais Plante, directeur des relations avec les médias chez Santé Québec, m'a répondu plus tôt aujourd'hui sur X (Twitter). Il semble qu'il ait rapidement supprimé son message public. Mais je vais le partager avec vous.
December 10, 2025 at 4:14 AM
1) In a Bluesky thread I posted on Sunday, I relayed a rumor circulating that Groupe Biron and Telus Health are eager to buy GMF medical clinics in financial distress because of Law 2. Here is the thread below in French, which hopefully Bluesky can translate for you.
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
1) Dans une enfilade précédente, j'ai mentionné une rumeur selon laquelle Groupe Biron et Telus seraient intéressés par l'acquisition des cliniques GMF en difficulté financière en raison de la Loi 2.
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
1) Yann Langlais Plante, directeur des relations avec les médias chez Santé Québec, m'a répondu plus tôt aujourd'hui sur X (Twitter). Il semble qu'il ait rapidement supprimé son message public. Mais je vais le partager avec vous.
December 10, 2025 at 4:11 AM
1) Dans une enfilade précédente, j'ai mentionné une rumeur selon laquelle Groupe Biron et Telus seraient intéressés par l'acquisition des cliniques GMF en difficulté financière en raison de la Loi 2.
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
1) Yann Langlais Plante, directeur des relations avec les médias chez Santé Québec, m'a répondu plus tôt aujourd'hui sur X (Twitter). Il semble qu'il ait rapidement supprimé son message public. Mais je vais le partager avec vous.
December 7, 2025 at 9:16 PM
1) Yann Langlais Plante, directeur des relations avec les médias chez Santé Québec, m'a répondu plus tôt aujourd'hui sur X (Twitter). Il semble qu'il ait rapidement supprimé son message public. Mais je vais le partager avec vous.
1) Je pense pouvoir affirmer avec une certaine assurance que je suis désormais sur la liste noire de Santé Québec pour avoir demandé à interviewer la présidente et cheffe de la direction, Geneviève Biron.
December 6, 2025 at 11:12 PM
1) Je pense pouvoir affirmer avec une certaine assurance que je suis désormais sur la liste noire de Santé Québec pour avoir demandé à interviewer la présidente et cheffe de la direction, Geneviève Biron.
1) Le directeur des relations avec les médias de Santé Québec nie que Santé Québec dispose d'une liste noire de certains journalistes. Dans cette enfilade, je vais partager mon échange de courriels avec M. Yann Langlais Plante, et je vous laisserai tirer vos propres conclusions.
December 4, 2025 at 11:29 PM
1) Le directeur des relations avec les médias de Santé Québec nie que Santé Québec dispose d'une liste noire de certains journalistes. Dans cette enfilade, je vais partager mon échange de courriels avec M. Yann Langlais Plante, et je vous laisserai tirer vos propres conclusions.
1) En tant que journaliste spécialisé dans le domaine de la santé à la Gazette, avec 27 ans d'expérience dans ce domaine, suis-je désormais sur la liste noire de Santé Québec ? Permettez-moi de vous expliquer dans cette enfilade.
December 3, 2025 at 5:23 PM
1) En tant que journaliste spécialisé dans le domaine de la santé à la Gazette, avec 27 ans d'expérience dans ce domaine, suis-je désormais sur la liste noire de Santé Québec ? Permettez-moi de vous expliquer dans cette enfilade.
1) Here is my latest fact-check concerning Quebec Premier François Legault's claims about Law 2, which regulates doctors' remuneration and which sets performance targets for them. This fact-check may surprise you. Please see below.👇
montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/...
montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/...
Fact-checking Premier François Legault on doctors' pay law
The premier is correct in both of his latest claims: Quebec has more doctors per capita than in Ontario, and access to general practitioners is worse here.
montrealgazette.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:00 AM
1) Here is my latest fact-check concerning Quebec Premier François Legault's claims about Law 2, which regulates doctors' remuneration and which sets performance targets for them. This fact-check may surprise you. Please see below.👇
montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/...
montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/...