Brishti Basu
@brishti.bsky.social
Health Reporter at PressProgress. Words + photos in CBC, Capital Daily, Tyee, VICE, and many more.
📧 bbasu@pressprogress.ca
Sign up for your bimonthly Pulse Check: pressprogress.ca/pulsecheck/
DM for Signal.
📧 bbasu@pressprogress.ca
Sign up for your bimonthly Pulse Check: pressprogress.ca/pulsecheck/
DM for Signal.
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Sign Up for PressProgress’ Pulse Check Newsletter
Hello! It’s me, Brishti, your friendly neighbourhood health reporter, asking you to invite me into your inbox to bring you Pulse Check, a regular Canadian healthcare-focused email newsletter. It’s one...
pressprogress.ca
Hi so I'm about to launch a Canadian healthcare newsletter with @pressprogress.ca
If you sign up, I'll be in your inbox 2x a month w exclusive health news, info, research, and more, all broken down and digestible for you.
1st edition goes out soon, see for yourself! pressprogress.ca/pulsecheck/
If you sign up, I'll be in your inbox 2x a month w exclusive health news, info, research, and more, all broken down and digestible for you.
1st edition goes out soon, see for yourself! pressprogress.ca/pulsecheck/
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Vancouver had 117 people die during the 2021 heat dome climate disaster.
NEW: Councillors and sources inside the City of Vancouver say the city's mayor, Ken Sim, will put forth a budget Wednesday that will eliminate the city's celebrated climate and sustainability department.
Vancouver mayor plans to eliminate city's climate and sustainability department
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is planning to eliminate the city's sustainability and climate department under the guise of a push to prevent increases to property taxes. Canada's National Observer learned a...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Vancouver had 117 people die during the 2021 heat dome climate disaster.
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Canada is once again known internationally as a country with measles. I am heartbroken and scared for all of my friends who are going to be having kids in the next couple months because of the horrible and very real risk their infants now face.
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
Canada's measles-free status revoked, says Health Canada
The Pan American Health Organization has notified the Public Health Agency of Canada that Canada no longer holds measles elimination status, says Health Canada. The health agency says that while 'tran...
www.cbc.ca
November 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Canada is once again known internationally as a country with measles. I am heartbroken and scared for all of my friends who are going to be having kids in the next couple months because of the horrible and very real risk their infants now face.
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
1/ NEW: We identified 20 people who attended a white nationalist conference and, despite their efforts to keep it secret, caught another 30 people on film to identify in the future. Several MMA/combat sports instructors were discovered and their gyms have cut ties.
🧵👇
🧵👇
Everybody Attending White Nationalist Conference Caught on Film
Advertised near-exclusively in white nationalist online spaces, promotional social media posts for the event include symbolism popular with neo-Nazis, including the kolovrat sun wheel and a table with...
www.antihate.ca
November 10, 2025 at 12:46 PM
1/ NEW: We identified 20 people who attended a white nationalist conference and, despite their efforts to keep it secret, caught another 30 people on film to identify in the future. Several MMA/combat sports instructors were discovered and their gyms have cut ties.
🧵👇
🧵👇
Reposted by Brishti Basu
I'm from Northern Ontario. I've done extensive research and advocacy with survivors in rural, remote and Northern communities.
Frankly, the only thing that surprises me about this report is that it's getting so much media attention outside of the region. I'm glad because it's about time!
Frankly, the only thing that surprises me about this report is that it's getting so much media attention outside of the region. I'm glad because it's about time!
Report finds survivors face barriers to getting sexual assault evidence kits in northern Ontario | CBC News
A new report by Sudbury group She Matters reveals that northern Ontario sexual assault survivors face significant barriers to timely access to sexual assault evidence kits because of distance and unde...
www.cbc.ca
November 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I'm from Northern Ontario. I've done extensive research and advocacy with survivors in rural, remote and Northern communities.
Frankly, the only thing that surprises me about this report is that it's getting so much media attention outside of the region. I'm glad because it's about time!
Frankly, the only thing that surprises me about this report is that it's getting so much media attention outside of the region. I'm glad because it's about time!
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Just spoke to journalist about Canada losing its measles elimination status. A frustrating day for public health. I have a lot of thoughts about this that I will put in writing soon.
November 10, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Just spoke to journalist about Canada losing its measles elimination status. A frustrating day for public health. I have a lot of thoughts about this that I will put in writing soon.
Reposted by Brishti Basu
remember when paul johnson won a journalism award for 'discovering' you could get pills at a place literally named 'pill corner' since the 80s
I didn't exactly have high expectations from Paul Johnson, but jfc this is bad
November 8, 2025 at 5:16 PM
remember when paul johnson won a journalism award for 'discovering' you could get pills at a place literally named 'pill corner' since the 80s
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Street drugs have killed more than 18,600 BCers. DULF worked with cops, health authorities, feds to try and source, test and sell drugs with a known purity and potency to reduce overdose deaths.
Their strategy was saving lives.
Today they were found guilty of trafficking.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Their strategy was saving lives.
Today they were found guilty of trafficking.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
DULF Founders Guilty of Drug Trafficking | The Tyee
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum didn’t have permission to sell tested drugs despite good intentions, court finds.
thetyee.ca
November 8, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Street drugs have killed more than 18,600 BCers. DULF worked with cops, health authorities, feds to try and source, test and sell drugs with a known purity and potency to reduce overdose deaths.
Their strategy was saving lives.
Today they were found guilty of trafficking.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Their strategy was saving lives.
Today they were found guilty of trafficking.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Two years ago, @unfinishedlines.club and I sketched a timeline of moral panic manufacturing by MLA Sturko leading up to the DULF arrests, and I see it becoming an increasingly valuable document.
drugdatadecoded.ca/dulf-arrests...
drugdatadecoded.ca/dulf-arrests...
DULF arrests consolidate worldwide response
The arrests of the compassion club organizers are creating international blowback. How did manoeuvring by politicians and police convince them the arrests were good strategy?
drugdatadecoded.ca
November 8, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Two years ago, @unfinishedlines.club and I sketched a timeline of moral panic manufacturing by MLA Sturko leading up to the DULF arrests, and I see it becoming an increasingly valuable document.
drugdatadecoded.ca/dulf-arrests...
drugdatadecoded.ca/dulf-arrests...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
At some point, when all this is settled, I would like the BC public to hold this person to account for her disinformation and the community harm it has wreaked.
Well done @brishti.bsky.social getting more for the public record.
Well done @brishti.bsky.social getting more for the public record.
November 7, 2025 at 11:56 PM
At some point, when all this is settled, I would like the BC public to hold this person to account for her disinformation and the community harm it has wreaked.
Well done @brishti.bsky.social getting more for the public record.
Well done @brishti.bsky.social getting more for the public record.
Reposted by Brishti Basu
DULF is a humanist organization that has saved lives. They did what the government has failed to do & regulated the drugs people were already using. That same government is charging them with crimes for not sitting idly by & watching more people die preventable deaths from an unregulated drug supply
Founders of Vancouver’s Drug User Liberation Front Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalinin have just been found guilty of drug trafficking.
Justice Murray rules CDSA exemption didn’t include procurement & distribution.
“There is no doubt all of DULF’s actions were for one purpose.”
@pressprogress.ca
Justice Murray rules CDSA exemption didn’t include procurement & distribution.
“There is no doubt all of DULF’s actions were for one purpose.”
@pressprogress.ca
November 8, 2025 at 12:10 AM
DULF is a humanist organization that has saved lives. They did what the government has failed to do & regulated the drugs people were already using. That same government is charging them with crimes for not sitting idly by & watching more people die preventable deaths from an unregulated drug supply
Reposted by Brishti Basu
📣 DULF found guilty for life-saving compassion club 📣
But WAIT! Not so fast…
drugdatadecoded.ca/court-finds-...
But WAIT! Not so fast…
drugdatadecoded.ca/court-finds-...
Court finds DULF guilty for compassion club "heralded as success"
Convictions are on hold as the compassion club founders prepare for a Charter challenge to begin on November 24.
drugdatadecoded.ca
November 7, 2025 at 8:45 PM
📣 DULF found guilty for life-saving compassion club 📣
But WAIT! Not so fast…
drugdatadecoded.ca/court-finds-...
But WAIT! Not so fast…
drugdatadecoded.ca/court-finds-...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
"The high school senior posted a story on her private Instagram account with the caption 'Fuck Israel. Holy shit.'"
"Dawn decided she wouldn't serve the suspension."
"We are proud of our daughter."
#Quebec #Canada #Gaza #Palestine #Israel #Education #Genocide
"Dawn decided she wouldn't serve the suspension."
"We are proud of our daughter."
#Quebec #Canada #Gaza #Palestine #Israel #Education #Genocide
Royal West Student Suspended for Posting "F*ck Israel" on Instagram
An honour student at the high school was told that a classmate complained about a story she posted on her private Instagram account.
therover.ca
November 7, 2025 at 9:12 PM
"The high school senior posted a story on her private Instagram account with the caption 'Fuck Israel. Holy shit.'"
"Dawn decided she wouldn't serve the suspension."
"We are proud of our daughter."
#Quebec #Canada #Gaza #Palestine #Israel #Education #Genocide
"Dawn decided she wouldn't serve the suspension."
"We are proud of our daughter."
#Quebec #Canada #Gaza #Palestine #Israel #Education #Genocide
Reposted by Brishti Basu
More excellent reporting and context on the DULF trial from @brishti.bsky.social and @pressprogress.ca
Full article is up.
“There is no issue that the Crown has proven the essential elements of the offence of [possession for the purpose of trafficking],” Murray said. “However, this case is not that straightforward.”
Read more at @pressprogress.ca pressprogress.ca/founders-of-...
“There is no issue that the Crown has proven the essential elements of the offence of [possession for the purpose of trafficking],” Murray said. “However, this case is not that straightforward.”
Read more at @pressprogress.ca pressprogress.ca/founders-of-...
Founders of groundbreaking Vancouver compassion club found guilty of drug trafficking
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum, who sold club members drugs they had tested for safety, plan to launch a constitutional challenge against Canada's drug laws on November 24.
pressprogress.ca
November 8, 2025 at 12:00 AM
More excellent reporting and context on the DULF trial from @brishti.bsky.social and @pressprogress.ca
Michelle covered the trial in October and has been reporting on DULF for at least 2.5 years. Read her piece for further context
DULF co-founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum were found guilty of possession with the intent to traffic this morning for meth, heroin and cocaine.
My full story on @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
My full story on @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
DULF Founders Guilty of Drug Trafficking | The Tyee
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum didn’t have permission to sell tested drugs despite good intentions, court finds.
thetyee.ca
November 8, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Michelle covered the trial in October and has been reporting on DULF for at least 2.5 years. Read her piece for further context
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Founders of groundbreaking Vancouver compassion club found guilty of drug trafficking
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum, who sold club members drugs they had tested for safety, plan to launch a constitutional challenge against Canada's drug laws on November 24.
pressprogress.ca/founders-of-...
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum, who sold club members drugs they had tested for safety, plan to launch a constitutional challenge against Canada's drug laws on November 24.
pressprogress.ca/founders-of-...
Founders of groundbreaking Vancouver compassion club found guilty of drug trafficking
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum, who sold club members drugs they had tested for safety, plan to launch a constitutional challenge against Canada's drug laws on November 24.
pressprogress.ca
November 7, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Founders of groundbreaking Vancouver compassion club found guilty of drug trafficking
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum, who sold club members drugs they had tested for safety, plan to launch a constitutional challenge against Canada's drug laws on November 24.
pressprogress.ca/founders-of-...
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum, who sold club members drugs they had tested for safety, plan to launch a constitutional challenge against Canada's drug laws on November 24.
pressprogress.ca/founders-of-...
Founders of Vancouver’s Drug User Liberation Front Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalinin have just been found guilty of drug trafficking.
Justice Murray rules CDSA exemption didn’t include procurement & distribution.
“There is no doubt all of DULF’s actions were for one purpose.”
@pressprogress.ca
Justice Murray rules CDSA exemption didn’t include procurement & distribution.
“There is no doubt all of DULF’s actions were for one purpose.”
@pressprogress.ca
November 7, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Founders of Vancouver’s Drug User Liberation Front Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalinin have just been found guilty of drug trafficking.
Justice Murray rules CDSA exemption didn’t include procurement & distribution.
“There is no doubt all of DULF’s actions were for one purpose.”
@pressprogress.ca
Justice Murray rules CDSA exemption didn’t include procurement & distribution.
“There is no doubt all of DULF’s actions were for one purpose.”
@pressprogress.ca
Reposted by Brishti Basu
BC's anti-SLAPP legislation was critical to keeping a meritless lawsuit @torimarlan.bsky.social and I faced to the "affordable" sum of ~$50k in legal fees. Journalists like Luke not protected by these laws have much higher exposure — even when, like us, they did nothing wrong.
In other provinces, journalists can use anti-SLAPP legislation to challenge lawsuits when they believe they are groundless or undermine the public interest
Alberta has no such laws, leaving journalists vulnerable to long and expensive legal battles
I believe that is fundamentally bad for democracy
Alberta has no such laws, leaving journalists vulnerable to long and expensive legal battles
I believe that is fundamentally bad for democracy
November 7, 2025 at 4:04 PM
BC's anti-SLAPP legislation was critical to keeping a meritless lawsuit @torimarlan.bsky.social and I faced to the "affordable" sum of ~$50k in legal fees. Journalists like Luke not protected by these laws have much higher exposure — even when, like us, they did nothing wrong.
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Hi Bluesky 👋
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
November 7, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Hi Bluesky 👋
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
Reposted by Brishti Basu
This story is so consequential because of the political hit job their arrests & charges represent.
They were working in the open, validating their non-profit model with academic rigour.
But a right-wing moral panic built enough steam for VPD to drop the hammer. 2/
Legal fund: dulf.ca/dulf-aid-2/
They were working in the open, validating their non-profit model with academic rigour.
But a right-wing moral panic built enough steam for VPD to drop the hammer. 2/
Legal fund: dulf.ca/dulf-aid-2/
Legal Aid Fundraiser II
How You Can Help Donate Directly Now: Zeffy Donations:Donate easily via Zeffy to continue supporting DULF’s fight: E-Transfers and PayPal:Send funds to:druguserliberationfront@gmail.com Join Our Le…
dulf.ca
November 6, 2025 at 4:38 PM
This story is so consequential because of the political hit job their arrests & charges represent.
They were working in the open, validating their non-profit model with academic rigour.
But a right-wing moral panic built enough steam for VPD to drop the hammer. 2/
Legal fund: dulf.ca/dulf-aid-2/
They were working in the open, validating their non-profit model with academic rigour.
But a right-wing moral panic built enough steam for VPD to drop the hammer. 2/
Legal fund: dulf.ca/dulf-aid-2/
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Mayor Alto reminds us that the City made a statement by voting against a decriminalization motion (failed 8-1). She says The Harbour is far more than a safe consumption site and offers several other health services. "Safe consumption is a part of the continuum of health."
November 6, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Mayor Alto reminds us that the City made a statement by voting against a decriminalization motion (failed 8-1). She says The Harbour is far more than a safe consumption site and offers several other health services. "Safe consumption is a part of the continuum of health."
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Calgary police are on a rampage downtown, using drones to find people and clear them off streets. Posting photos of unhoused folks they arrest (see twitter).
It’s collective punishment for social disorder and violence they have failed to improve with prior violence.
Film the cops if you see them.
It’s collective punishment for social disorder and violence they have failed to improve with prior violence.
Film the cops if you see them.
November 5, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Calgary police are on a rampage downtown, using drones to find people and clear them off streets. Posting photos of unhoused folks they arrest (see twitter).
It’s collective punishment for social disorder and violence they have failed to improve with prior violence.
Film the cops if you see them.
It’s collective punishment for social disorder and violence they have failed to improve with prior violence.
Film the cops if you see them.
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Wondering what the budget has to say about health/healthcare?
My take here, gift link: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
My take here, gift link: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Carney’s first budget is asking the wrong Canadians to make sacrifices
This budget seems to have a case of mistaken identity. Instead of asking for sacrifices from those able to make them, they are leaning on individuals and sectors already struggling.
outlook.us14.list-manage.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Wondering what the budget has to say about health/healthcare?
My take here, gift link: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
My take here, gift link: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Risk of myocarditis is higher after Covid infection than after vaccine. Shocked! Shocked, I say!
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Vascular and inflammatory diseases after COVID-19 infection and vaccination in children and young people in England: a retrospective, population-based cohort study using linked electronic health recor...
Children and young people have higher risks of rare vascular and inflammatory diseases
up to 12 months after a first COVID-19 diagnosis and higher risk of rare myocarditis
or pericarditis up to 4 week...
www.thelancet.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Risk of myocarditis is higher after Covid infection than after vaccine. Shocked! Shocked, I say!
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Alcohol still leading cause of substance-related hospitalizations in Canada, with cannabis now a ‘concerning’ second
Hospital data for substance use visits now counts CHS, a growing weed-related illness
pressprogress.ca/alcohol-stil...
Hospital data for substance use visits now counts CHS, a growing weed-related illness
pressprogress.ca/alcohol-stil...
Alcohol Still Leading Cause of Substance-related Hospitalizations in Canada, With Cannabis now a ‘Concerning’ Second
Hospital data for substance use visits now counts CHS, a growing weed-related illness
pressprogress.ca
November 6, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Alcohol still leading cause of substance-related hospitalizations in Canada, with cannabis now a ‘concerning’ second
Hospital data for substance use visits now counts CHS, a growing weed-related illness
pressprogress.ca/alcohol-stil...
Hospital data for substance use visits now counts CHS, a growing weed-related illness
pressprogress.ca/alcohol-stil...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Breaking: Canada's Supreme Court quashes B.C. #ostrich farm's bid to stop cull of more than 300 birds once hit by bird flu www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Supreme Court declines to hear appeal of ostrich cull
Canada’s food regulator is now able to restart a cull it began prepping for in September while the case was before the court
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Breaking: Canada's Supreme Court quashes B.C. #ostrich farm's bid to stop cull of more than 300 birds once hit by bird flu www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...