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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Brishti Basu
@brishti.bsky.social
· Oct 27
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
Here are our top stories of 2025.
And also some that we think should have gotten greater attention.
pressprogress.ca/our-top-stor...
And also some that we think should have gotten greater attention.
pressprogress.ca/our-top-stor...
Here Are Our Top Stories of 2025
And also some we think should have gotten greater attention
pressprogress.ca
December 31, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Here are our top stories of 2025.
And also some that we think should have gotten greater attention.
pressprogress.ca/our-top-stor...
And also some that we think should have gotten greater attention.
pressprogress.ca/our-top-stor...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Wanna see real-life miracles? Fund scientific research.
A team of US scientists just cured Alzheimer’s in mice — and there is now hope that the disease can be reversed in humans.
futurism.com/health-medic...
A team of US scientists just cured Alzheimer’s in mice — and there is now hope that the disease can be reversed in humans.
futurism.com/health-medic...
Alzheimer's Fully Reversed in Mice, Scientists Say
A new compound has been shown to reverse late stage Alzheimer's disease in lab mice, which gives millions of sufferers new cause for hope.
futurism.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Wanna see real-life miracles? Fund scientific research.
A team of US scientists just cured Alzheimer’s in mice — and there is now hope that the disease can be reversed in humans.
futurism.com/health-medic...
A team of US scientists just cured Alzheimer’s in mice — and there is now hope that the disease can be reversed in humans.
futurism.com/health-medic...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
If you are angry about this, ask why we give suicidal people so few locuses of refuge, such a paucity of helpful care, that they turn to suicide-encouraging robots.
Adam Raine’s life hurtled toward tragedy soon after he began talking with ChatGPT about homework. Analysis of his ChatGPT account shows how the chatbot became a confidant as he planned to end his life.
74 suicide warnings and 243 mentions of hanging: What ChatGPT said to a suicidal teen
Analysis of high-schooler Adam Raine’s ChatGPT account by attorneys for his parents shows how the chatbot became a confidant as he planned to end his life.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:42 PM
If you are angry about this, ask why we give suicidal people so few locuses of refuge, such a paucity of helpful care, that they turn to suicide-encouraging robots.
Reposted by Brishti Basu
When it comes to healthcare, Canada's provinces opt for risky experiments over proven solutions.
Health reporter @brishti.bsky.social looks back on a year of policies on track for failure:
pressprogress.ca/year-of-heal...
Health reporter @brishti.bsky.social looks back on a year of policies on track for failure:
pressprogress.ca/year-of-heal...
A Year of Health Policies on Course for Failure
In the face of proven solutions, Canada's provinces prefer risky experiments
pressprogress.ca
December 23, 2025 at 5:10 PM
When it comes to healthcare, Canada's provinces opt for risky experiments over proven solutions.
Health reporter @brishti.bsky.social looks back on a year of policies on track for failure:
pressprogress.ca/year-of-heal...
Health reporter @brishti.bsky.social looks back on a year of policies on track for failure:
pressprogress.ca/year-of-heal...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
🌀Source List🌀
Here is the current source list of independent journalism for Harms Committed. This thread provides additional information about each source, along with ways to support them.
Here is the current source list of independent journalism for Harms Committed. This thread provides additional information about each source, along with ways to support them.
December 19, 2025 at 3:49 PM
🌀Source List🌀
Here is the current source list of independent journalism for Harms Committed. This thread provides additional information about each source, along with ways to support them.
Here is the current source list of independent journalism for Harms Committed. This thread provides additional information about each source, along with ways to support them.
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Sikh Federation Canada Calls Out Carney Government For Failing to Hold India Accountable for Foreign Interference
Sikh community calls for “accountability and transparency” as federal government looks to restart relationship with India
pressprogress.ca/sikh-federat...
Sikh community calls for “accountability and transparency” as federal government looks to restart relationship with India
pressprogress.ca/sikh-federat...
Sikh Federation Canada Calls Out Carney Government For Failing to Hold India Accountable for Foreign Interference
Sikh community calls for “accountability and transparency” as federal government looks to restart relationship with India
pressprogress.ca
December 17, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Sikh Federation Canada Calls Out Carney Government For Failing to Hold India Accountable for Foreign Interference
Sikh community calls for “accountability and transparency” as federal government looks to restart relationship with India
pressprogress.ca/sikh-federat...
Sikh community calls for “accountability and transparency” as federal government looks to restart relationship with India
pressprogress.ca/sikh-federat...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Building on work that @tarakiran.bsky.social and I published 5 yrs ago, we're excited to announce the first of two new papers on the #GenderPayGap in Canadian medicine. This one is for @jama.com.
Data shows "pink collaring" or devaluation. Incomes going down when women enter a specialty.
#Medsky🧵
Data shows "pink collaring" or devaluation. Incomes going down when women enter a specialty.
#Medsky🧵
Proportion of Female Physicians in a Specialty and Median Annual Payments
This cross-sectional study evaluates whether an increase in the proportion of female physicians in a specialty is associated with a decrease in the median annual payments for that specialty.
jamanetwork.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Building on work that @tarakiran.bsky.social and I published 5 yrs ago, we're excited to announce the first of two new papers on the #GenderPayGap in Canadian medicine. This one is for @jama.com.
Data shows "pink collaring" or devaluation. Incomes going down when women enter a specialty.
#Medsky🧵
Data shows "pink collaring" or devaluation. Incomes going down when women enter a specialty.
#Medsky🧵
Reposted by Brishti Basu
More than half the petitions cite bill 2 and the notwithstanding clause as a main reason.
Here's our guide to the many United Conservative MLAs facing recall, and why their constituents across Alberta say they want them gone:
pressprogress.ca/ucp-mlas-fac...
pressprogress.ca/ucp-mlas-fac...
A Guide to the Many United Conservative MLAs Facing Recall
And why the petition applicants want them gone
pressprogress.ca
December 17, 2025 at 12:41 AM
More than half the petitions cite bill 2 and the notwithstanding clause as a main reason.
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Just got this from the Canadian government:
“While Global Affairs Canada regrets the decision, the group was travelling independently and was not representing the Government of Canada.”
Israeli officials ASSAULTED a Canadian member of Parliament!!
Where is the backbone????
“While Global Affairs Canada regrets the decision, the group was travelling independently and was not representing the Government of Canada.”
Israeli officials ASSAULTED a Canadian member of Parliament!!
Where is the backbone????
December 17, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Just got this from the Canadian government:
“While Global Affairs Canada regrets the decision, the group was travelling independently and was not representing the Government of Canada.”
Israeli officials ASSAULTED a Canadian member of Parliament!!
Where is the backbone????
“While Global Affairs Canada regrets the decision, the group was travelling independently and was not representing the Government of Canada.”
Israeli officials ASSAULTED a Canadian member of Parliament!!
Where is the backbone????
Reposted by Brishti Basu
British Columbia's newest far-right party has become embroiled in conflict, after suddenly removing its leader.
OneBC’s implosion appears to stem from the firing of a staffer accused of posting neo-Nazi propaganda:
pressprogress.ca/dallas-brodi...
OneBC’s implosion appears to stem from the firing of a staffer accused of posting neo-Nazi propaganda:
pressprogress.ca/dallas-brodi...
BC’s newest far-right party, OneBC, entangled in conflict after removal of leader
The party’s implosion appears to have stemmed from the firing of a staffer accused of posting neo-Nazi propaganda
pressprogress.ca
December 16, 2025 at 4:36 PM
British Columbia's newest far-right party has become embroiled in conflict, after suddenly removing its leader.
OneBC’s implosion appears to stem from the firing of a staffer accused of posting neo-Nazi propaganda:
pressprogress.ca/dallas-brodi...
OneBC’s implosion appears to stem from the firing of a staffer accused of posting neo-Nazi propaganda:
pressprogress.ca/dallas-brodi...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Each member of a Canadian delegation attempting to enter the West Bank were “asked to sign a form declaring they acknowledge they are a threat to public safety, which they declined to do.” So Israel denied them entry. The first mention that Israel denied them comes in the 4th paragraph in a quote.
Canadian delegation of MPs denied entry into West Bank | CBC News
A delegation of 30 Canadians, including six MPs, has been denied entry into the West Bank early Tuesday.
www.cbc.ca
December 16, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Each member of a Canadian delegation attempting to enter the West Bank were “asked to sign a form declaring they acknowledge they are a threat to public safety, which they declined to do.” So Israel denied them entry. The first mention that Israel denied them comes in the 4th paragraph in a quote.
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Three children died of the flu in Ottawa this month. If you have a small child, a good investment is a finger pulse oximeter to monitor pulse and oxygen levels. These data you can share with your doctor if symptoms are severe enough that you're considering an ER visit
www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
3 children die from influenza A-related complications in Ottawa and eastern Ontario region
Three children have died from flu-related complications in the Ottawa area, as officials report a “rapid and significant rise” in Influenza A in the region.
www.ctvnews.ca
December 16, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Three children died of the flu in Ottawa this month. If you have a small child, a good investment is a finger pulse oximeter to monitor pulse and oxygen levels. These data you can share with your doctor if symptoms are severe enough that you're considering an ER visit
www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations is looking for answers after two videos were posted on social media showing a First Nations man lying face down in the snow outside the Prince Albert Hospital.
The temperatures were between -25 and -26.
The temperatures were between -25 and -26.
FSIN looking for answers after First Nations man allegedly kicked out of hospital
The FSIN is looking for answers after two videos were posted on social media allegedly showing a First Nations man lying face down in the snow outside the Prince Albert Hospital.
www.aptnnews.ca
December 16, 2025 at 12:24 AM
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations is looking for answers after two videos were posted on social media showing a First Nations man lying face down in the snow outside the Prince Albert Hospital.
The temperatures were between -25 and -26.
The temperatures were between -25 and -26.
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Alberta Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services Jason Nixon says rising frostbite amputations on his watch are a sign of the system working as intended.
Another important frostbite story by @taylorlambert.ca
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Another important frostbite story by @taylorlambert.ca
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
December 15, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Alberta Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services Jason Nixon says rising frostbite amputations on his watch are a sign of the system working as intended.
Another important frostbite story by @taylorlambert.ca
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Another important frostbite story by @taylorlambert.ca
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
In late Nov. researcher @kwardvancouver.bsky.social pointed me to an OPCC investigation summary into now ex-VPD officer’s abusive relationship with a teenage girl. They met when he made a policing presentation at her high school & she expressed interest in being a cop. thetyee.ca/News/2025/12... 1/
VPD Officer Was Quietly Investigated over an Abusive Relationship with Teen | The Tyee
A police watchdog report does not reveal the officer’s name or the school where he met the teenage girl.
thetyee.ca
December 12, 2025 at 7:55 PM
In late Nov. researcher @kwardvancouver.bsky.social pointed me to an OPCC investigation summary into now ex-VPD officer’s abusive relationship with a teenage girl. They met when he made a policing presentation at her high school & she expressed interest in being a cop. thetyee.ca/News/2025/12... 1/
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Vancouver Coastal Health Dec 10 drug alert: Purple chunk sold as down in Powell River tested positive for fentanyl, benzos and medetomidine.
Comes after weeks of warnings across B.C. about the veterinary anesthetic, which is much more potent than xylazine and causes deep and prolonged sedation
Comes after weeks of warnings across B.C. about the veterinary anesthetic, which is much more potent than xylazine and causes deep and prolonged sedation
You may have heard about a spike in toxic drug poisoning events in BC last month. Turns out we broke several records, nearly a decade into drug crisis: 222 paramedic-attended calls in a day, 1,251 in a week. Van firefighters responded to 54 drug calls in a day
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...
Spike in B.C. overdoses linked to veterinary additive in street drugs
Over a 36-hour period beginning Nov. 18, more than 80 people suffered illicit drug poisonings in a few blocks on Vancouver Island
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Vancouver Coastal Health Dec 10 drug alert: Purple chunk sold as down in Powell River tested positive for fentanyl, benzos and medetomidine.
Comes after weeks of warnings across B.C. about the veterinary anesthetic, which is much more potent than xylazine and causes deep and prolonged sedation
Comes after weeks of warnings across B.C. about the veterinary anesthetic, which is much more potent than xylazine and causes deep and prolonged sedation
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Simon Fraser University wants only non-union faculty at its new medical school.
SFU contends that it's so new and different that the existing collective agreement with university faculty doesn't apply.
pressprogress.ca/sfu-medical-...
SFU contends that it's so new and different that the existing collective agreement with university faculty doesn't apply.
pressprogress.ca/sfu-medical-...
SFU Wants Only Non-Union Faculty at New Medical School
Simon Fraser contends that the med school is so new and different that its existing collective agreement with university faculty doesn't apply
pressprogress.ca
December 11, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Simon Fraser University wants only non-union faculty at its new medical school.
SFU contends that it's so new and different that the existing collective agreement with university faculty doesn't apply.
pressprogress.ca/sfu-medical-...
SFU contends that it's so new and different that the existing collective agreement with university faculty doesn't apply.
pressprogress.ca/sfu-medical-...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Canadian Psychiatric Association creating new complexes by blasting out this message in error:
December 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Canadian Psychiatric Association creating new complexes by blasting out this message in error:
Reposted by Brishti Basu
With a massive legal shakeup, Alberta’s government is paving the way for a separatist referendum.
"It’s the most draconian, totalitarian piece of legislation I’ve ever seen," says a former deputy premier.
pressprogress.ca/alberta-pave...
"It’s the most draconian, totalitarian piece of legislation I’ve ever seen," says a former deputy premier.
pressprogress.ca/alberta-pave...
With Massive Legal Shakeup, Alberta’s Government Paves the Way for a Separatist Referendum
'It’s the most draconian, totalitarian piece of legislation I’ve ever seen,' says former deputy premier
pressprogress.ca
December 6, 2025 at 2:51 AM
With a massive legal shakeup, Alberta’s government is paving the way for a separatist referendum.
"It’s the most draconian, totalitarian piece of legislation I’ve ever seen," says a former deputy premier.
pressprogress.ca/alberta-pave...
"It’s the most draconian, totalitarian piece of legislation I’ve ever seen," says a former deputy premier.
pressprogress.ca/alberta-pave...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
NEW: Hundreds of public servants are being let go at federal agencies that monitor climate risks, @natashabulowski.bsky.social reports
Cuts at Natural Resources Canada ‘decimate’ wildfire and flood tracking capacity, unions warn
Carney's cuts have hit Natural Resources Canada, causing uproar from public sector unions warning the layoffs will hurt Canada's ability to respond to cliamte change and protect Canadians from wildfir...
www.nationalobserver.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
NEW: Hundreds of public servants are being let go at federal agencies that monitor climate risks, @natashabulowski.bsky.social reports
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Maybe this is a controversial take but I would love it if we were able to do our jobs and ask questions of elected officials.
Context: Premier Eby held 2 press conferences today, one about involuntary treatment for children and the other about Surrey Memorial Hospital expansion.
@rumneeek.bsky.social queued for questions at one, and I did for the other. Neither of us got called on to ask qs for @pressprogress.ca
#bcpoli
@rumneeek.bsky.social queued for questions at one, and I did for the other. Neither of us got called on to ask qs for @pressprogress.ca
#bcpoli
December 5, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Maybe this is a controversial take but I would love it if we were able to do our jobs and ask questions of elected officials.
this is who you denied taking questions from this morning @davidebybc.bsky.social 😤
Me: I have to join a press conference so ill just put the baby down early so she's sleeping through it and I can listen and ask questions
My baby as soon as the presser starts:
My baby as soon as the presser starts:
December 5, 2025 at 8:56 PM
this is who you denied taking questions from this morning @davidebybc.bsky.social 😤
Reposted by Brishti Basu
EXCLUSIVE | ‘Deeply troubling’: Canadian legislators call for halt to ICE armored vehicle sale after report by The Independent
Canadians call for halt to ICE armored vehicle sale after report by The Independent
www.independent.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 7:09 PM
EXCLUSIVE | ‘Deeply troubling’: Canadian legislators call for halt to ICE armored vehicle sale after report by The Independent
Reposted by Brishti Basu
an important & damning record of the impacts of the toxic drug crisis and persecution of unhoused community members — please read!
On Nov 17, North Cowichan displaced ~75 unhoused residents from Lewis Street encampments to a marsh without the promised Ramada shelter open or toilets available.
NEW substack collab by me & @pearlysalts.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/jessicap...
NEW substack collab by me & @pearlysalts.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/jessicap...
Swept off Lewis Street and Into North Cowichan’s Wetlands
A street sweep on November 17 during a disease outbreak forced unhoused residents into Cowichan’s wetlands. 80 overdoses followed in the next 24 hours.
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
an important & damning record of the impacts of the toxic drug crisis and persecution of unhoused community members — please read!
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Quebec's government has presented or passed legislation targeting the right to strike and unions' ability to launch legal cases and support social movements.
I dig into why 50,000 Quebecers rallied in front of François Legault's Montreal office this past weekend for @pressprogress.ca
I dig into why 50,000 Quebecers rallied in front of François Legault's Montreal office this past weekend for @pressprogress.ca
Quebec’s Attack on Labour, Explained
Premier François Legault’s government has passed multiple pieces of controversial legislation targeting the province’s workers this year.
pressprogress.ca/quebecs-atta...
Premier François Legault’s government has passed multiple pieces of controversial legislation targeting the province’s workers this year.
pressprogress.ca/quebecs-atta...
Quebec’s Attack on Labour, Explained
Premier François Legault’s government has passed multiple pieces of controversial legislation targeting the province’s workers this year.
pressprogress.ca
December 4, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Quebec's government has presented or passed legislation targeting the right to strike and unions' ability to launch legal cases and support social movements.
I dig into why 50,000 Quebecers rallied in front of François Legault's Montreal office this past weekend for @pressprogress.ca
I dig into why 50,000 Quebecers rallied in front of François Legault's Montreal office this past weekend for @pressprogress.ca