Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉
@alonghurst.bsky.social
Senior health policy researcher & political economist @policyalternatives.ca
SFU PhD candidate. Views mine.
Health care, finance, privatization, wait times, workforce, solutions
https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/author/andrew-longhurst/
SFU PhD candidate. Views mine.
Health care, finance, privatization, wait times, workforce, solutions
https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/author/andrew-longhurst/
Pinned
New report from me + @poliscirish.bsky.social
Bill 11 brings US-style two-tier health care system with a private health insurance market for care covered under the Canada Health Act
It appears that the insurance industry ITSELF has shaped the legislation
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Bill 11 brings US-style two-tier health care system with a private health insurance market for care covered under the Canada Health Act
It appears that the insurance industry ITSELF has shaped the legislation
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Decriminalization worked. B.C. killed it anyway
The province’s drug decriminalization experiment lowered arrests and reduced harm—but it failed a different political test
breachmedia.ca/decriminaliz...
The province’s drug decriminalization experiment lowered arrests and reduced harm—but it failed a different political test
breachmedia.ca/decriminaliz...
Decriminalization worked. B.C. killed it anyway ⋆ The Breach
The province’s drug decriminalization experiment lowered arrests and reduced harm—but it failed a different political test
breachmedia.ca
February 10, 2026 at 4:07 AM
Decriminalization worked. B.C. killed it anyway
The province’s drug decriminalization experiment lowered arrests and reduced harm—but it failed a different political test
breachmedia.ca/decriminaliz...
The province’s drug decriminalization experiment lowered arrests and reduced harm—but it failed a different political test
breachmedia.ca/decriminaliz...
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉
Most of the world doesn’t require a prescription for oral contraceptives. Why do Canadians still need one? Newer pills are safer — but Canada's health system still requires doctors to sign off. www.cbc.ca/news/health/... via @cbcnews.ca
Why do Canadians need a prescription for birth control when most of the world doesn't? | CBC News
Some Canadian doctors say patients on birth control need monitoring. But medical authorities in other countries increasingly disagree.
www.cbc.ca
February 9, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Most of the world doesn’t require a prescription for oral contraceptives. Why do Canadians still need one? Newer pills are safer — but Canada's health system still requires doctors to sign off. www.cbc.ca/news/health/... via @cbcnews.ca
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉
apnews.com/article/meas... in Minnesota's Somali community deepens, hampering progress on measles vaccination
Fear in Minnesota's Somali community deepens, hampering progress on measles vaccination
Public health officials say a measles crisis has long been brewing in Minnesota. For years, the state's large Somali community has been fertile ground for the myth that the measles vaccine causes auti...
apnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:06 AM
apnews.com/article/meas... in Minnesota's Somali community deepens, hampering progress on measles vaccination
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉
HUGE news for @thetyee.ca.
Our founding editor, Dave Beers, is retiring.
Who will fill these big shoes?
thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/202...
Our founding editor, Dave Beers, is retiring.
Who will fill these big shoes?
thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/202...
The Tyee Is Recruiting Our Next Editor-in-Chief | The Tyee
Founding editor David Beers is passing the baton to a new leader. Is it you?
thetyee.ca
February 10, 2026 at 2:33 AM
HUGE news for @thetyee.ca.
Our founding editor, Dave Beers, is retiring.
Who will fill these big shoes?
thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/202...
Our founding editor, Dave Beers, is retiring.
Who will fill these big shoes?
thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/202...
Greens End Deal to Back NDP, Citing Policy Failures via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2026/02...
Greens End Deal to Back NDP, Citing Policy Failures | The Tyee
‘They haven’t fought for unions or stood up to the one per cent.’
thetyee.ca
February 10, 2026 at 2:36 AM
Greens End Deal to Back NDP, Citing Policy Failures via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2026/02...
The govt announced four new private orthopedic surgery facilities as part of a $125m scheme over two years to increase for-profit involvement. This is the largest single injection of public $ into for-profit health care in Ont—& likely Cdn—history.
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
In Ontario, it’s a time of plenty for private health care while public hospitals starve - CCPA
Ontario public hospitals face large deficits even as the provincial government doles out more cash to for-profit providers.
www.policyalternatives.ca
February 10, 2026 at 1:54 AM
The govt announced four new private orthopedic surgery facilities as part of a $125m scheme over two years to increase for-profit involvement. This is the largest single injection of public $ into for-profit health care in Ont—& likely Cdn—history.
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
BC faces a revenue problem, not a spending problem
Spending as a share of GDP is lower today than the 1990s
Canada is more than mines and pipelines–it's the services that form our social fabric and the people who provide them
#bcpoli
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Spending as a share of GDP is lower today than the 1990s
Canada is more than mines and pipelines–it's the services that form our social fabric and the people who provide them
#bcpoli
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Eby says 2,000 public service jobs cut and counting as B.C. faces $11.2B deficit | CBC News
Premier David Eby says public service jobs that don’t support the front-line delivery of services to British Columbians will continue to be targeted as his government prepares to unveil its 2026 budge...
www.cbc.ca
February 10, 2026 at 12:14 AM
BC faces a revenue problem, not a spending problem
Spending as a share of GDP is lower today than the 1990s
Canada is more than mines and pipelines–it's the services that form our social fabric and the people who provide them
#bcpoli
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Spending as a share of GDP is lower today than the 1990s
Canada is more than mines and pipelines–it's the services that form our social fabric and the people who provide them
#bcpoli
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Friend of Medicare’s Chris Gallaway called the Alberta legislation a “gift to the private insurance industry” and warned that American health-care companies could use it to seek a foothold in Canada.
#abpoli #cdnpoli
halifax.citynews.ca/2026/02/09/h...
#abpoli #cdnpoli
halifax.citynews.ca/2026/02/09/h...
Health advocates say Liberals need to take a stand on Alberta's health privatization
OTTAWA — A group of health care advocates is on Parliament Hill this week lobbying lawmakers and calling on the federal government to take a stand on Alberta’s latest moves to expand private health ca...
halifax.citynews.ca
February 9, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Friend of Medicare’s Chris Gallaway called the Alberta legislation a “gift to the private insurance industry” and warned that American health-care companies could use it to seek a foothold in Canada.
#abpoli #cdnpoli
halifax.citynews.ca/2026/02/09/h...
#abpoli #cdnpoli
halifax.citynews.ca/2026/02/09/h...
"Party Leader Emily Lowan said the decision to rip up the accord was made after the [NDP] failed to complete two-thirds of the actions...including the $15m promised to expand community health centres..."
vancouversun.com/news/bc-gree...
#bcpoli
vancouversun.com/news/bc-gree...
#bcpoli
B.C. Greens announce end of co-operation agreement with B.C. NDP
The announcement came minutes after B.C. Premier David Eby said talks to renew the agreement were continuing. Find out more.
vancouversun.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:29 PM
"Party Leader Emily Lowan said the decision to rip up the accord was made after the [NDP] failed to complete two-thirds of the actions...including the $15m promised to expand community health centres..."
vancouversun.com/news/bc-gree...
#bcpoli
vancouversun.com/news/bc-gree...
#bcpoli
New editorial in @cmaj.ca
"Privately paid, direct-to-consumer diagnostic testing is unlikely to achieve these objectives and could, in fact, worsen patient health outcomes while adding strain on the publicly supported health system in Alberta"
#cdnpoli #abpoli
www.cmaj.ca/content/198/...
"Privately paid, direct-to-consumer diagnostic testing is unlikely to achieve these objectives and could, in fact, worsen patient health outcomes while adding strain on the publicly supported health system in Alberta"
#cdnpoli #abpoli
www.cmaj.ca/content/198/...
Privately paid, direct-to-consumer diagnostic testing: let the buyer beware
Alberta’s Ministry of Health recently announced plans to enable residents to privately purchase diagnostic testing services, including laboratory and imaging tests, without a referral from a health ca...
www.cmaj.ca
February 9, 2026 at 7:14 PM
New editorial in @cmaj.ca
"Privately paid, direct-to-consumer diagnostic testing is unlikely to achieve these objectives and could, in fact, worsen patient health outcomes while adding strain on the publicly supported health system in Alberta"
#cdnpoli #abpoli
www.cmaj.ca/content/198/...
"Privately paid, direct-to-consumer diagnostic testing is unlikely to achieve these objectives and could, in fact, worsen patient health outcomes while adding strain on the publicly supported health system in Alberta"
#cdnpoli #abpoli
www.cmaj.ca/content/198/...
What Alberta is doing with its health care is a threat to every Canadian
All Canadians, especially Albertans, should say loud and clear that we want our federal govt to enforce the Canada Health Act to protect Canadians from out-of-pocket fees
#cdnpoli #abpoli
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
All Canadians, especially Albertans, should say loud and clear that we want our federal govt to enforce the Canada Health Act to protect Canadians from out-of-pocket fees
#cdnpoli #abpoli
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
What Alberta is doing with its health care is a threat to every Canadian
The new dual practice legislation in Alberta will create a two-tiered multi-payer system that does not address the real problems in health care because it does not involve adding more
www.thestar.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:52 PM
What Alberta is doing with its health care is a threat to every Canadian
All Canadians, especially Albertans, should say loud and clear that we want our federal govt to enforce the Canada Health Act to protect Canadians from out-of-pocket fees
#cdnpoli #abpoli
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
All Canadians, especially Albertans, should say loud and clear that we want our federal govt to enforce the Canada Health Act to protect Canadians from out-of-pocket fees
#cdnpoli #abpoli
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉
And once again, the notion of an independent Alberta joining the United States is deeply unpopular among residents.
February 9, 2026 at 12:40 PM
And once again, the notion of an independent Alberta joining the United States is deeply unpopular among residents.
Advocates Call on Government to Protect Public Health Care
Federal health minister refuses to meet with public health care civil society groups
#cdnpoli
www.cpac.ca/headline-pol...
Federal health minister refuses to meet with public health care civil society groups
#cdnpoli
www.cpac.ca/headline-pol...
Advocates Call on Government to Protect Public Health Care – February 9, 2026
At a news conference in Ottawa, members of the Canadian Health Coalition call on the federal government to protect public health care from cuts and privatization and to advance pharmacare. Speaking w...
www.cpac.ca
February 9, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Advocates Call on Government to Protect Public Health Care
Federal health minister refuses to meet with public health care civil society groups
#cdnpoli
www.cpac.ca/headline-pol...
Federal health minister refuses to meet with public health care civil society groups
#cdnpoli
www.cpac.ca/headline-pol...
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉
The threat that Alberta’s Bill 11 poses is a direct assault on the Canada Health Act. (Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition)
#onpoli #abpoli #cdnpoli #daniellesmith #healthcare
#onpoli #abpoli #cdnpoli #daniellesmith #healthcare
February 9, 2026 at 5:20 PM
The threat that Alberta’s Bill 11 poses is a direct assault on the Canada Health Act. (Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition)
#onpoli #abpoli #cdnpoli #daniellesmith #healthcare
#onpoli #abpoli #cdnpoli #daniellesmith #healthcare
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉
FOM & over 200 advocates & health care workers (incl. 30+ Albertans!) are in Ottawa this week for the Canadian Health Coalition's annual lobby for public health care!
We're calling on our federal government to speak up & enforce the Canada Health Act: www.friendsofmedicare.org/albertanshea...
We're calling on our federal government to speak up & enforce the Canada Health Act: www.friendsofmedicare.org/albertanshea...
February 8, 2026 at 10:59 PM
FOM & over 200 advocates & health care workers (incl. 30+ Albertans!) are in Ottawa this week for the Canadian Health Coalition's annual lobby for public health care!
We're calling on our federal government to speak up & enforce the Canada Health Act: www.friendsofmedicare.org/albertanshea...
We're calling on our federal government to speak up & enforce the Canada Health Act: www.friendsofmedicare.org/albertanshea...
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉
Manitoba slashes private nursing agencies: The path forward or a policy stumble?
By @maddidellplain.bsky.social
healthydebate.ca/2026/02/topi...
By @maddidellplain.bsky.social
healthydebate.ca/2026/02/topi...
Manitoba slashes private nursing agencies: The path forward or a policy stumble? - Healthy Debate
Last month, Manitoba took the bold step in cutting nearly all its private nursing agency contracts. Was it the right move? Experts weigh in.
healthydebate.ca
February 5, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Manitoba slashes private nursing agencies: The path forward or a policy stumble?
By @maddidellplain.bsky.social
healthydebate.ca/2026/02/topi...
By @maddidellplain.bsky.social
healthydebate.ca/2026/02/topi...
When the return to the office mandate is driven by downtown business and real estate interests, it ignores reality
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
No desks, no strategy: Experts say government's latest return-to-office order ignores reality | CBC News
With federal public servants mandated to return to the office four days a week this summer, experts and unions are sounding the alarm over a lack of clear strategy or infrastructure to support such a ...
www.cbc.ca
February 8, 2026 at 8:04 PM
When the return to the office mandate is driven by downtown business and real estate interests, it ignores reality
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉
Critics slam Ontario government over hospital underfunding and obfuscation of hallway medicine data https://www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ontario/article/ndp-slams-ontario-government-over-hospital-funding-hallway-medicine-data/
⤷ canadahealthwatch.ca/featured 🍁
⤷ canadahealthwatch.ca/featured 🍁
February 8, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Critics slam Ontario government over hospital underfunding and obfuscation of hallway medicine data https://www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ontario/article/ndp-slams-ontario-government-over-hospital-funding-hallway-medicine-data/
⤷ canadahealthwatch.ca/featured 🍁
⤷ canadahealthwatch.ca/featured 🍁
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉
The anti work from home culture of govt at all levels is very much ableist and anti parent (mothers mostly). It also feeds into the ridiculous notion that the only real work is work that can be heavily monitored in a way that's reminiscent of middle school.
February 8, 2026 at 1:22 AM
The anti work from home culture of govt at all levels is very much ableist and anti parent (mothers mostly). It also feeds into the ridiculous notion that the only real work is work that can be heavily monitored in a way that's reminiscent of middle school.
Big federal cuts coming to the public service — affecting everything from EI to public health
David breaks it down
#cdnpoli
David breaks it down
#cdnpoli
My preliminary take on the new stats on federal job job cuts . Which depts and services could be hit hardest? There's plenty more analysis to come @policyalternatives.ca
February 7, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Big federal cuts coming to the public service — affecting everything from EI to public health
David breaks it down
#cdnpoli
David breaks it down
#cdnpoli
Tune in at 10:15 PT / 1:15 ET to hear me talk with @redeyeradio.bsky.social about Alberta’s move to rip apart Canadian medicare by introducing a private health insurance market for all basic health care under the Canada Health Act.
#bcpoli #abpoli #cdnpoli
#bcpoli #abpoli #cdnpoli
We're live for the next 2 hours! Starting at 10 AM PT.
Listen live at coopradio.org/listen or on 100.5 FM in the Lower Mainland
Listen live at coopradio.org/listen or on 100.5 FM in the Lower Mainland
February 7, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Tune in at 10:15 PT / 1:15 ET to hear me talk with @redeyeradio.bsky.social about Alberta’s move to rip apart Canadian medicare by introducing a private health insurance market for all basic health care under the Canada Health Act.
#bcpoli #abpoli #cdnpoli
#bcpoli #abpoli #cdnpoli
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉
Vaccines, the most impressive public health intervention in medical history, and where we could be headed if there was not efforts to negate truth, facts, and evidence
A great, open-access, review and perspective by @scientificdiscovery.dev
A great, open-access, review and perspective by @scientificdiscovery.dev
January 7, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Vaccines, the most impressive public health intervention in medical history, and where we could be headed if there was not efforts to negate truth, facts, and evidence
A great, open-access, review and perspective by @scientificdiscovery.dev
A great, open-access, review and perspective by @scientificdiscovery.dev
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉
"The Manitoba government’s efforts to phase out for-profit staffing agencies is the right move. For-profit staffing agencies create a cycle of parasitic dependence by hollowing out the public sector workforce." @alonghurst.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca #mbpoli healthydebate.ca/2026/02/topi...
Manitoba slashes private nursing agencies: The path forward or a policy stumble? - Healthy Debate
Last month, Manitoba took the bold step in cutting nearly all its private nursing agency contracts. Was it the right move? Experts weigh in.
healthydebate.ca
February 5, 2026 at 4:58 PM
"The Manitoba government’s efforts to phase out for-profit staffing agencies is the right move. For-profit staffing agencies create a cycle of parasitic dependence by hollowing out the public sector workforce." @alonghurst.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca #mbpoli healthydebate.ca/2026/02/topi...