Tai Huynh
@taimhuynh.bsky.social
Editor-in-chief, The Local @thelocal.to
Reposted by Tai Huynh
Back when it was Telehealth Ontario, callers could speak with a nurse within seconds or minutes. Now that the service has been replaced by Health811, the average wait time can be many hours #onthealth
Health811 is touted as a way to provide Ontarians with free, 24/7 health advice, writes @wencyleung.bsky.social. But data obtained by The Local shows wait times have risen dramatically since 2022, and it’s unclear where callers end up once they do speak with someone. thelocal.to/health811-te...
Health811 Promises 24/7 Health Advice—If You Can Wait | The Local
Data obtained through freedom of information requests show wait times have increased dramatically since Health811 replaced Telehealth Ontario, peaking at a monthly average of more than 11 hours.
thelocal.to
February 12, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Back when it was Telehealth Ontario, callers could speak with a nurse within seconds or minutes. Now that the service has been replaced by Health811, the average wait time can be many hours #onthealth
Reposted by Tai Huynh
Health811 is touted as a way to provide Ontarians with free, 24/7 health advice, writes @wencyleung.bsky.social. But data obtained by The Local shows wait times have risen dramatically since 2022, and it’s unclear where callers end up once they do speak with someone. thelocal.to/health811-te...
Health811 Promises 24/7 Health Advice—If You Can Wait | The Local
Data obtained through freedom of information requests show wait times have increased dramatically since Health811 replaced Telehealth Ontario, peaking at a monthly average of more than 11 hours.
thelocal.to
February 12, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Health811 is touted as a way to provide Ontarians with free, 24/7 health advice, writes @wencyleung.bsky.social. But data obtained by The Local shows wait times have risen dramatically since 2022, and it’s unclear where callers end up once they do speak with someone. thelocal.to/health811-te...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
For @thelocal.to i wrote about dermatologists upselling their patients. It’s a trend that critics warn is creating a two-tier system for dermatological care, and may foreshadow what’s to come in Ontario’s health care system more broadly: thelocal.to/dermatology-...
When Your Dermatologist Becomes a Salesperson | The Local
Getting a mole checked can takes months, but Botox appointments are readily available. Why dermatologists say their practice is the canary in the coal mine for privatized care.
thelocal.to
February 10, 2026 at 2:54 PM
For @thelocal.to i wrote about dermatologists upselling their patients. It’s a trend that critics warn is creating a two-tier system for dermatological care, and may foreshadow what’s to come in Ontario’s health care system more broadly: thelocal.to/dermatology-...
First impression of Eglinton Crosstown is that it feels more “LRT” than Finch West. On the western arm which is underground, it’s max speed is 56 km/h although it’s capable of much faster.
February 8, 2026 at 2:46 PM
First impression of Eglinton Crosstown is that it feels more “LRT” than Finch West. On the western arm which is underground, it’s max speed is 56 km/h although it’s capable of much faster.
Reposted by Tai Huynh
We are super excited to debut the very first @thenarwhal.ca game! It's a Valentine's quiz thought up by @michellecyca.com and illustrated by @gabrielledrolet.bsky.social - go find out what bird should be your bae. Mine's the Canada Goose! projects.thenarwhal.ca/lovebirds-qu...
February 7, 2026 at 5:37 PM
We are super excited to debut the very first @thenarwhal.ca game! It's a Valentine's quiz thought up by @michellecyca.com and illustrated by @gabrielledrolet.bsky.social - go find out what bird should be your bae. Mine's the Canada Goose! projects.thenarwhal.ca/lovebirds-qu...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
@thelocal.to worked with the brilliant Toronto artist Michael DeForge to create this data illustration to mark the opening of the Eglinton Crosstown thelocal.to/understandin...
Understanding the Eglinton Crosstown in Seven Illustrations | The Local
From Shohei Ohtani’s salary to the tunneling rate of a mole—an unorthodox guide to the numbers behind Toronto’s newest transit line.
thelocal.to
February 7, 2026 at 1:11 PM
@thelocal.to worked with the brilliant Toronto artist Michael DeForge to create this data illustration to mark the opening of the Eglinton Crosstown thelocal.to/understandin...
Something fun in advance of tomorrow’s looooooooooooong-awaited opening. thelocal.to/understandin...
Understanding the Eglinton Crosstown in Seven Illustrations | The Local
From Shohei Ohtani’s salary to the tunneling rate of a mole—an unorthodox guide to the numbers behind Toronto’s newest transit line.
thelocal.to
February 7, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Something fun in advance of tomorrow’s looooooooooooong-awaited opening. thelocal.to/understandin...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
Ontario's corporate pharmacies, like Shoppers Drug Mart, have faced allegations of overworking their pharmacists and setting high targets for medically unnecessary tasks to bolster profits. The resulting burnout, @kunalchaudhary.bsky.social writes, is an impending crisis. thelocal.to/shoppers-dru...
How Ontario’s Corporate Pharmacies Are Burning Out Their Pharmacists | The Local
At corporate pharmacies like Shoppers Drug Mart, pharmacists say they face overwhelming pressure from their parent companies to perform medically unnecessary tasks in the interest of profit.
thelocal.to
February 6, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Ontario's corporate pharmacies, like Shoppers Drug Mart, have faced allegations of overworking their pharmacists and setting high targets for medically unnecessary tasks to bolster profits. The resulting burnout, @kunalchaudhary.bsky.social writes, is an impending crisis. thelocal.to/shoppers-dru...
Well put: “What McGuinty and his team built — and what Ford and his government have kept in place — is an agency that allows full provincial control with zero political responsibility…a politician’s dream that has turned into a nightmare for the residents of Toronto.” www.thestar.com/opinion/edit...
Star Editorial Board: An ‘orgy of buck-passing, blame-shifting, money-blowing incompetence:’ Why we still need to get to the bottom of the Crosstown LRT
We need to know everything that went wrong with the Crosstown LRT. More importantly, we need to ensure it can never happen again.
www.thestar.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Well put: “What McGuinty and his team built — and what Ford and his government have kept in place — is an agency that allows full provincial control with zero political responsibility…a politician’s dream that has turned into a nightmare for the residents of Toronto.” www.thestar.com/opinion/edit...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
We're thrilled to introduce Gabrielle McMann, our yearlong early career fellow in partnership with @thephilanthropist.ca! Over the course of this year, Gabrielle will be working together with the Local team, learning the craft of magazine-style community journalism. thelocal.to/gabrielle-mc...
Meet Gabrielle McMann, Our Yearlong Journalism Fellow | The Local
The emerging journalist is our first early-career fellow, in partnership with The Philanthropist Journal
thelocal.to
February 4, 2026 at 1:34 PM
We're thrilled to introduce Gabrielle McMann, our yearlong early career fellow in partnership with @thephilanthropist.ca! Over the course of this year, Gabrielle will be working together with the Local team, learning the craft of magazine-style community journalism. thelocal.to/gabrielle-mc...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
A booming new industry delivers erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and weight loss drugs straight to your door. @royinori.bsky.social asks: what happens when profit incentives and the convenience of the internet meet the consumer desire for a quick fix to what ails them? thelocal.to/online-pharm...
Inside the Booming Industry Selling Lifestyle Drugs Online | The Local
From erectile dysfunction medicine to hair loss treatment to weight loss drugs—a thriving online market has emerged to seamlessly deliver drugs straight to your door. But what happens when prescriptio...
thelocal.to
February 3, 2026 at 1:52 PM
A booming new industry delivers erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and weight loss drugs straight to your door. @royinori.bsky.social asks: what happens when profit incentives and the convenience of the internet meet the consumer desire for a quick fix to what ails them? thelocal.to/online-pharm...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
I had fun talking about AI journalism and Victoria Goldiee on the kill switch podcast. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
how an editor uncovered an AI journalist
Podcast Episode · kill switch · 01/28/2026 · 33m
podcasts.apple.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:17 PM
I had fun talking about AI journalism and Victoria Goldiee on the kill switch podcast. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
"It’s a certainty there will be active cancer somewhere in her body—in her brain, in her liver, in her bones—for the rest of her life, however long that may be."
@wencyleung.bsky.social @thelocal.to
thelocal.to/cost-of-canc...
@wencyleung.bsky.social @thelocal.to
thelocal.to/cost-of-canc...
Saving Rhea Seegobin | The Local
For the growing number of Canadians who will get cancer in their lifetimes, the financial stress can be profound. But despite her terminal diagnosis, with the support of her community, Rhea is determi...
thelocal.to
January 30, 2026 at 5:19 PM
"It’s a certainty there will be active cancer somewhere in her body—in her brain, in her liver, in her bones—for the rest of her life, however long that may be."
@wencyleung.bsky.social @thelocal.to
thelocal.to/cost-of-canc...
@wencyleung.bsky.social @thelocal.to
thelocal.to/cost-of-canc...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
Photographer Laura Proctor and I worked on this story. Felt important to tell it. #cancer #financialtoxicity
As the cost of living in Toronto continues to rise, and newer, more expensive cancer treatments become available, how will this city cope with the thousands of new cancer cases that are diagnosed each year? thelocal.to/cost-of-canc...
Saving Rhea Seegobin | The Local
For the growing number of Canadians who will get cancer in their lifetimes, the financial stress can be profound. But despite her terminal diagnosis, with the support of her community, Rhea is determi...
thelocal.to
January 28, 2026 at 2:29 AM
Photographer Laura Proctor and I worked on this story. Felt important to tell it. #cancer #financialtoxicity
Reposted by Tai Huynh
Nearly 44 percent of Ontarians will develop cancer in their lifetime. None of us can afford that magnitude of illness. Our already overstretched health care system can’t afford it, nor can we as individuals. thelocal.to/cost-of-canc...
Saving Rhea Seegobin | The Local
For the growing number of Canadians who will get cancer in their lifetimes, the financial stress can be profound. But despite her terminal diagnosis, with the support of her community, Rhea is determi...
thelocal.to
January 27, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Nearly 44 percent of Ontarians will develop cancer in their lifetime. None of us can afford that magnitude of illness. Our already overstretched health care system can’t afford it, nor can we as individuals. thelocal.to/cost-of-canc...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
Our journalism fellow Gautham Krishnaraj — then a med student — uncovered why he was suddenly expected to ask patients for credit card payments, reporting for months to produce this vital story for @thelocal.to.
thelocal.to/uninsured-bi...
thelocal.to/uninsured-bi...
And How Will You Be Paying for Your Baby Today? | The Local
When I first came to the pediatrics unit as an idealistic medical student, I ran into an uncomfortable reality about our universal health-care system.
thelocal.to
January 23, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Our journalism fellow Gautham Krishnaraj — then a med student — uncovered why he was suddenly expected to ask patients for credit card payments, reporting for months to produce this vital story for @thelocal.to.
thelocal.to/uninsured-bi...
thelocal.to/uninsured-bi...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
In 2020, Ontario began pushing some of its publicly funded cataract surgeries into private, for-profit clinics. Why what happened next, writes @alisonmotluk.bsky.social, offers a window into the possible future of care in this province. thelocal.to/cataract-sur...
How Privatized Cataract Surgery Helped Ontario’s Wealthiest—and Left Others Behind | The Local
Why a routine surgery offers a window into the possible future of care in this province.
thelocal.to
January 22, 2026 at 1:30 PM
In 2020, Ontario began pushing some of its publicly funded cataract surgeries into private, for-profit clinics. Why what happened next, writes @alisonmotluk.bsky.social, offers a window into the possible future of care in this province. thelocal.to/cataract-sur...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
Today we're launching our latest issue, The Cost of Care. Over January and February, we're publishing stories from the corners of Ontario’s health care system where entrepreneurs and corporate Canada have set up shop, and asking what happens when patients become customers. thelocal.to/winter-2026/
The Cost of Care | The Local
Stories about where money and medicine collide in 2026. Throughout January and February, we’ll publish pieces from the corners of Ontario’s health care system where entrepreneurs and corporate Canada ...
thelocal.to
January 22, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Today we're launching our latest issue, The Cost of Care. Over January and February, we're publishing stories from the corners of Ontario’s health care system where entrepreneurs and corporate Canada have set up shop, and asking what happens when patients become customers. thelocal.to/winter-2026/
Reposted by Tai Huynh
In 2020-2021, the Ontario Ministry of Education approved just 159 non-ECEs (early childhood educators) to work in ECE-designated roles. In 2024-2025, it granted 1,997, a 1,156% jump. thelocal.to/ontarios-day...
January 20, 2026 at 9:12 PM
In 2020-2021, the Ontario Ministry of Education approved just 159 non-ECEs (early childhood educators) to work in ECE-designated roles. In 2024-2025, it granted 1,997, a 1,156% jump. thelocal.to/ontarios-day...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
The rise in under-qualified hires at childcare centres has shot up more than 1000% in 5 years. Rather than addressing the ECE shortage by improving wages and working conditions, the Ontario government is choosing to "paper over the crisis," advocates say. My latest:
thelocal.to/ontarios-day...
thelocal.to/ontarios-day...
Ontario’s Daycares Are Increasingly Staffed by Underqualified Hires | The Local
New data shows Ministry of Education approvals for non-ECEs working in ECE-designated roles jumped more than 1,000 percent over the last five years.
thelocal.to
January 20, 2026 at 8:41 PM
The rise in under-qualified hires at childcare centres has shot up more than 1000% in 5 years. Rather than addressing the ECE shortage by improving wages and working conditions, the Ontario government is choosing to "paper over the crisis," advocates say. My latest:
thelocal.to/ontarios-day...
thelocal.to/ontarios-day...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
Increasingly, the people working in early childhood educator (ECE) roles are not, in fact, ECEs, writes @wendyglauser.bsky.social. New data shows approvals for non-ECEs working in ECE-designated roles jumped more than 1,000 percent in the last 5 years. thelocal.to/ontarios-day...
Ontario’s Daycares Are Increasingly Staffed by Underqualified Hires | The Local
New data shows Ministry of Education approvals for non-ECEs working in ECE-designated roles jumped more than 1,000 percent over the last five years.
thelocal.to
January 20, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Increasingly, the people working in early childhood educator (ECE) roles are not, in fact, ECEs, writes @wendyglauser.bsky.social. New data shows approvals for non-ECEs working in ECE-designated roles jumped more than 1,000 percent in the last 5 years. thelocal.to/ontarios-day...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
It's that time of year again, when The Local staff gather round the figurative fireplace and look back on a year in publishing. From election after election, to wildlife reporting, to some standout office snacks, take a look at the Local's Year in Review: thelocal.to/2025-year-in...
The Local’s 2025 Year in Review | The Local
At this reflective time of year, we gather around the flickering warmth of The Local Slack channel to discuss the year that was.
thelocal.to
December 19, 2025 at 1:45 PM
It's that time of year again, when The Local staff gather round the figurative fireplace and look back on a year in publishing. From election after election, to wildlife reporting, to some standout office snacks, take a look at the Local's Year in Review: thelocal.to/2025-year-in...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
Great to see our investigation into investigation into "Victoria Goldiee," the freelancer who was not what she seemed, make it into this New Yorker roundup of five things that changed the media in 2025. www.newyorker.com/news/fault-l...
Five Things That Changed the Media in 2025
A.I., of course—but there were also other, less obvious stories and trends that are going to shape how we understand the news.
www.newyorker.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Great to see our investigation into investigation into "Victoria Goldiee," the freelancer who was not what she seemed, make it into this New Yorker roundup of five things that changed the media in 2025. www.newyorker.com/news/fault-l...
Reposted by Tai Huynh
Was glad to participate in @niemanstoryboard.org's year-end best of package! I picked stories from @defector.com / @laurentheisen.bsky.social and @thelocal.to / @nickhunebrown.bsky.social.
Nieman Storyboard Best of 2025: Your favorite stories of the year (Part 1) - Nieman Storyboard
We asked, you answered — here are some of your favorite stories, books, and podcasts
niemanstoryboard.org
December 12, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Was glad to participate in @niemanstoryboard.org's year-end best of package! I picked stories from @defector.com / @laurentheisen.bsky.social and @thelocal.to / @nickhunebrown.bsky.social.
Reposted by Tai Huynh
As Wellesley Institute CEO Kwame McKenzie speaks to in this article, the TTC has become the option for individuals to turn to when the social safety net is inadequate. This article in The Local looks at how this impacts the TTC and the people who work there.
thelocal.to/ttc-mental-h...
thelocal.to/ttc-mental-h...
On the TTC, With Nowhere to Go | The Local
With rising homelessness, decreased mental health support, and fewer public spaces than ever, the TTC and its workers are being asked to fill gaps in a dissolving social safety net.
thelocal.to
December 8, 2025 at 2:16 PM
As Wellesley Institute CEO Kwame McKenzie speaks to in this article, the TTC has become the option for individuals to turn to when the social safety net is inadequate. This article in The Local looks at how this impacts the TTC and the people who work there.
thelocal.to/ttc-mental-h...
thelocal.to/ttc-mental-h...