Michele Sparling
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michelesparling.bsky.social
Michele Sparling
@michelesparling.bsky.social
I am 🇨🇦 * Empathy * Humanity * Social Justice * Mental health advocate looking for paths not walls * Just Be You Founder * Rec hockey player proving direct correlation between increased age & decreased skills.
So outside those who get it for free - only those who have privilege will be able to access it. It’s no longer a true choice of one’s care.

#DoBetter #HealthcareIsHumancare
🦠COVID-19 VACCINES

QUEBEC has joined Alberta in charging to get vaxed w/ these exceptions -
💉Seniors / Medically vulnerable
💉Healthcare workers
💉Remote regions

Price check
-Quebec $ 150-180
-Alberta $ 100
-Elsewhere FREE

theglobeandmail.com/gift/4b2fe55...
September 18, 2025 at 11:38 AM
“Standing up for the values of justice, equity, and our shared humanity has never been more important. Ben & Jerry’s has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power.” ~ Jerry Greenfield

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/b...
Jerry of Ben & Jerry’s Resigns, Saying Company Has Been ‘Silenced’
www.nytimes.com
September 18, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Dangerously dry conditions have forced Nova Scotia to restrict public access to forests and trails. Why the decision is the latest litmus test of our collective willingness to pull together in a crisis — and how some people are failing it badly. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/08/07/o...
August 8, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Under current water-taking rules, a permit transfer requires a new application, public review, environmental assessment & First Nations consultation. Ontario’s proposed changes cd remove this oversight, public input, & check to ensure proper water-taking. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/08/05/n...
Ford government's proposed water rules will suck Ontario dry, critics say
The Ford government is facing backlash from advocates and water experts over proposed changes to Ontario’s Water Resources Act that would remove key oversight and public input from the province’s wate...
www.nationalobserver.com
August 6, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Killing Democracy—And Not Bothering to Hide It
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
August 5, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Reposted by Michele Sparling
Up 288% in June year-over-year. Shameful.

This is on Doug Ford and Sylvia Jones, who lied through her teeth about the risk as she closed safe consumption sites.
July 18, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Housing & other community services are needed not shame and blame needed to address homeless encampments.

www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com
July 17, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Streamlining the assessment process doesn’t mean no Fed’l Laws.

“Without national standards, decisions made in one province can harm ecosystems & communities elsewhere, whether through shared waterways, migratory species or air pollution” ~ Michael Drescher
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/07/09/n...
Ford gutted Ontario's environmental laws. Now he wants Ottawa to clear the last line of defence
If the Bill 5 megaprojects proposed by Ontario Premier Doug Ford — like mining in the Ring of Fire or building Highway 413 — push federally listed species, such as the boreal caribou or redside dace, ...
www.nationalobserver.com
July 9, 2025 at 10:47 AM
In the very early stages, a Norwegian company is looking to build a LNG export facility in Quebec to help supply European markets. The Quebec Premier is clear that such a project must benefit Quebec and its people.

www.nationalobserver.com/2025/07/04/n...
Norwegian company has plans for LNG export project in Quebec
As Canada looks to fast-track major projects that could reduce its dependence on the United States, a new subsidiary of a Norwegian energy company says it wants to build a liquefied natural gas export...
www.nationalobserver.com
July 7, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Water is life. So why are the Alberta & Ontario Govts responses about economic growth & competitiveness rather than the people?

“Daily life is a very, very long day simply because people don’t have a direct water source,” said Carolina Budiman, Pikangikum. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/07/07/n...
First Nation’s fight for clean water stalls amid federal-provincial tensions
A remote northern Ontario First Nation’s daily struggle for safe drinking water is stuck in the middle of a political fight between the federal and provincial governments.
www.nationalobserver.com
July 7, 2025 at 10:20 AM
1200 acres that was once farm land. Pumping out 2.2 million gallons per hour of water for 730 days to “dewater” the area to run cables. Use 2.2 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power a million homes & millions of gallons of water to help with cooling. All for AI. 😳
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/t...
At Amazon’s Biggest Data Center, Everything Is Supersized for A.I.
www.nytimes.com
June 25, 2025 at 11:20 AM
“They paved paradise & put up a parking lot.”

Old growth forests are a rare sight these days near cities. Most trees are less than 100 years old. Saint John, NB has the chance to save trees around since the days of Champlain - but will they?
#Environment

www.nationalobserver.com/2025/06/24/n...
Saint John is warned against paving old-growth forest and putting up industrial park
A spruce tree in Saint John, N.B., likely dating back to around the time of famed French explorer Samuel de Champlain, is part of a forested area at risk of being paved over to make room for a new kin...
www.nationalobserver.com
June 25, 2025 at 10:35 AM
The Canada Strong Pass takes effect this Friday, offering free admission to national parks, national historic sites and marine conservation areas maintained by Parks Canada. The pass also includes a 25 per cent discount on camping fees at national parks. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/06/16/n...
Free entry to national parks, camp site discounts start Friday
The Canada Strong Pass takes effect Friday, offering free admission to national parks, national historic sites and marine conservation areas maintained by Parks Canada. The pass also includes a 25 per...
www.nationalobserver.com
June 17, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The Fort Macleod & District Community Hall was packed to capacity w/ people frustrated w/ the Alberta Gov’t’s decision to allow coal mining on the Rockies' eastern slopes & risking their water.

Water is life, & for farmers & others, it’s economic life. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/06/12/n...
At a boisterous town hall, UCP coal mining plans clash with Alberta ranchers' water concerns
The Fort Macleod & District Community Hall was packed to capacity with nearly 500 people, with the premier and cabinet ministers facing near-constant jeers from a majority of attendees who came to exp...
www.nationalobserver.com
June 13, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Reposted by Michele Sparling
Health minister says mental health and access to care are on her list of priorities www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0... @tessiesanci.bsky.social

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca
June 6, 2025 at 10:13 PM
The Ford government passed controversial legislation on Tuesday, stripping Ontario cities of the ability to set their own green building standards. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/06/04/n...
June 4, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Reposted by Michele Sparling
I care the sickest of children w/ chronic illnesses. Their resiliency inspires me. They & their parents are close to my heart.

It is soul crushing to have others dismiss their setbacks , often profound, when they contract old and new viruses because they have “preexisting” diseases. Just stop.
May 31, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Michele Sparling
This finally compelled me to complete the OurCare survey about primary care in Canada: www.ourcare.ca/survey
Survey — OurCare
www.ourcare.ca
May 21, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Reposted by Michele Sparling
Going to private #healthcare clinics, your data is being sold. #Canada

Millions of Canadians' health data available for sale to pharmaceutical industry, study shows

New study shows private clinics give companies access to patient data to sell to pharmaceutical companies

www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
Millions of Canadians' health data available for sale to pharmaceutical industry, study shows | CBC News
Details about your health, medical history and prescriptions can all be found in your medical record. A new Canadian study found in some cases, private companies are accessing parts of that data and s...
www.cbc.ca
May 9, 2025 at 10:57 AM
NOAA’s database is the gold standard but it will no longer track the cost of climate change-fueled weather disasters, including floods, heat waves, wildfires and more - at a time when assessing the cost/impact of climate change on disasters loss is critical.

www.nationalobserver.com/2025/05/08/n...
US to stop tracking disaster costs of climate change
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will no longer track the cost of climate change-fueled weather disasters, including floods, heat waves, wildfires and more. It is the latest example...
www.nationalobserver.com
May 9, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Reposted by Michele Sparling
lol.
Reporter: I was watching your face during the meeting.. what was going through your mind when the President talked about erasing the border..

Carney: I’m glad that you couldn’t tell what was going through my mind

Reporter: Oh I could
May 6, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Reposted by Michele Sparling
The best sports for kids’ brain growth are ‘open-skill’ like soccer and baseball, says major new study, by Alex Hutchinson
www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-... via @theglobeandmail.com
The best sports for kids’ brain growth are ‘open-skill’ like soccer and baseball, says major new study
Kids who play open-skill sports have better executive function and working memory than those who participate in closed-skill sports (like running)
www.theglobeandmail.com
May 4, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Reposted by Michele Sparling
Liberals - do not listen to any messaging that says "Liberals already have it in the bag so Liberal voters needn't bother voting".
Disregard that stuff, it is a voter suppression technique.
Tomorrow get out and vote come hell or high water. #cdnpoli
April 27, 2025 at 11:58 AM
“….a lot of rhetoric… about getting rid of regulations & fast-tracking approvals … that is about creating a better investment climate,… assumes that you have large capital-rich private firms that are ready to jump in, & that’s not necessarily the case.”
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/04/23/n...
Conservative platform is 'flipping the bird' at climate change, expert suggests
The platform signals a new direction for the Conservative Party, away from technological and market-based policies to mitigate emissions that were included in the platforms of previous party leaders l...
www.nationalobserver.com
April 24, 2025 at 11:48 AM