Alanna Smith
@alannasmith.bsky.social
National health reporter with The Globe and Mail. Based in Calgary. Formerly with the Canadian Press, Calgary Herald. DM for Signal/Whatsapp or email [email protected]
🔗: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/alanna-smith/
🔗: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/alanna-smith/
Reposted by Alanna Smith
Sounds familiar
Is there fentanyl on the boats from Venezuela the Trump administration is blowing up? No. I explain and discuss @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/u...
Venezuela Doesn’t Produce Fentanyl. Trump Is Targeting It Anyway.
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Sounds familiar
Reposted by Alanna Smith
Reposted by Alanna Smith
'Jordan Peterson law': Alberta seeks to protect professionals from discipline for off-duty conduct
edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
'Jordan Peterson law': Alberta seeks to protect professionals from discipline for off-duty conduct
The so-called Jordan Peterson law would restrict professional regulatory bodies from disciplining their members for off-duty conduct.
edmontonjournal.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:09 PM
'Jordan Peterson law': Alberta seeks to protect professionals from discipline for off-duty conduct
edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Alanna Smith
Surgeons will be focus of Alberta’s public-private health care model, Smith says. Dual practice model will decrease wait-lists for surgeries and retain doctors in province, Alberta Premier claims, by @alannasmith.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... via @theglobeandmail.com
Surgeons will be focus of Alberta’s public-private health care model, Smith says
Hybrid model will decrease wait-lists for surgeries and retain doctors in province, Alberta Premier says
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Surgeons will be focus of Alberta’s public-private health care model, Smith says. Dual practice model will decrease wait-lists for surgeries and retain doctors in province, Alberta Premier claims, by @alannasmith.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... via @theglobeandmail.com
Reposted by Alanna Smith
Reposted by Alanna Smith
SCOOP: Alberta intends to allow doctors working in the public health care system to simultaneously offers services in a parallel private market, according to draft amendments obtained by The Globe and Mail
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
Alberta plans to allow doctors to deliver public and private services
Draft legislation would establish a model for medicine unlike any other in Canada
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:20 PM
SCOOP: Alberta intends to allow doctors working in the public health care system to simultaneously offers services in a parallel private market, according to draft amendments obtained by The Globe and Mail
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
Reposted by Alanna Smith
My latest investigation for @thetyee.ca details what the UCP government doesn't want the public to know about their private surgery push.
Insiders Detail Ways Alberta's For-Profit Surgery Push Is Failing via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Insiders Detail Ways Alberta's For-Profit Surgery Push Is Failing via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Insiders Detail Ways Alberta’s For-Profit Surgery Push Is Failing | The Tyee
The shift strong-arms doctors but hasn’t saved money or shortened waits for critical operations, sources say. A Tyee investigation.
thetyee.ca
November 17, 2025 at 5:18 AM
My latest investigation for @thetyee.ca details what the UCP government doesn't want the public to know about their private surgery push.
Insiders Detail Ways Alberta's For-Profit Surgery Push Is Failing via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Insiders Detail Ways Alberta's For-Profit Surgery Push Is Failing via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Residents of some B.C. long-term care homes are missing showers, eating meals alone and reporting missed medications after the province ended pandemic-era pay supplements to cover overtime and contract workers. By @andreawoo.bsky.social
COVID-era money for B.C. long-term care aides runs out, leaving elderly residents in worsening conditions
Family members have reported their loved ones missing showers or left to eat alone in their rooms
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Residents of some B.C. long-term care homes are missing showers, eating meals alone and reporting missed medications after the province ended pandemic-era pay supplements to cover overtime and contract workers. By @andreawoo.bsky.social
Alberta’s United Conservative Party has filed a lawsuit against two of its former MLAs, alleging they have conspired to damage the party’s reputation by using the Progressive Conservative name. #ableg #abpoli @carrietait.bsky.social @theglobeandmail.com
Alberta UCP launches lawsuit against former caucus members
United Conservative Party alleges Peter Guthrie, Scott Sinclair conspired to damage party’s reputation by using Progressive Conservative name
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Alberta’s United Conservative Party has filed a lawsuit against two of its former MLAs, alleging they have conspired to damage the party’s reputation by using the Progressive Conservative name. #ableg #abpoli @carrietait.bsky.social @theglobeandmail.com
Reposted by Alanna Smith
SCOOP: Alberta's UCP is suing two MLAs it kicked out of caucus in order to keep the Progressive Conservative brand outta their hands.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
By @alannasmith.bsky.social and helper
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
By @alannasmith.bsky.social and helper
Alberta UCP launches lawsuit against former caucus members
United Conservative Party alleges Peter Guthrie, Scott Sinclair conspired to damage party’s reputation by using Progressive Conservative name
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:51 AM
SCOOP: Alberta's UCP is suing two MLAs it kicked out of caucus in order to keep the Progressive Conservative brand outta their hands.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
By @alannasmith.bsky.social and helper
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
By @alannasmith.bsky.social and helper
Researchers are asking thousands of Canadians to clip their toenails and store them in small, plastic bags for shipping to a Calgary laboratory. Here’s why: www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article... #health #cdnhealth @theglobeandmail.com
Why lung cancer researchers want your toenail clippings
University of Calgary researchers are attempting to prove toenails can provide crucial data about radon exposure, a leading cause of cancer among non-smokers
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Researchers are asking thousands of Canadians to clip their toenails and store them in small, plastic bags for shipping to a Calgary laboratory. Here’s why: www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article... #health #cdnhealth @theglobeandmail.com
Reposted by Alanna Smith
For months, I’ve been following a Canadian ostrich farm ordered to cull its flock after a bird flu outbreak. It was a cause célèbre for MAHA activists, a MAGA billionaire, and, of course, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The trucker convoy with birds ended last night. They lost. www.msnbc.com/news/news-an...
Why the conspiratorial right rallied around a flock of ostriches
The anti-vaccine, anti-government crusade to save "the miracle cure birds" is over — and the fringe activists lost.
www.msnbc.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:28 PM
For months, I’ve been following a Canadian ostrich farm ordered to cull its flock after a bird flu outbreak. It was a cause célèbre for MAHA activists, a MAGA billionaire, and, of course, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The trucker convoy with birds ended last night. They lost. www.msnbc.com/news/news-an...
Canada has been stripped of its measles elimination status after failing to interrupt transmission within one year of an outbreak that continues to spread in parts of the country. @kkirkup.bsky.social @theglobeandmail.com #cdnpoli
Canada officially loses its measles elimination status
The return of measles has been largely attributed to lower childhood vaccination rates
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Canada has been stripped of its measles elimination status after failing to interrupt transmission within one year of an outbreak that continues to spread in parts of the country. @kkirkup.bsky.social @theglobeandmail.com #cdnpoli
Reposted by Alanna Smith
What does a new study on #COVID19 tell us about the risks to children after infection? Q+A w/ Dr. Angela Wood by @alannasmith.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/life/wellnes... via @theglobeandmail.com #LongCOVID
Q&A: What does a new study on COVID-19 tell us about the risks to children after infection?
Angela Wood, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Cambridge, took The Globe and Mail through the findings
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:12 AM
What does a new study on #COVID19 tell us about the risks to children after infection? Q+A w/ Dr. Angela Wood by @alannasmith.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/life/wellnes... via @theglobeandmail.com #LongCOVID
Reposted by Alanna Smith
I got experimental brain surgery. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Could a device implanted in my brain cure my depression? I was ready to find out
Over the past 14 years, I’ve often fantasized about some scan revealing the locus of my mood disorder. Now, we were as close as we’d likely ever get
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:46 PM
I got experimental brain surgery. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
The newly tabled federal budget contains a suite of health spending measures, including a proposal that allocates $5-billion over three years for a dedicated Health Infrastructure Fund. From my pal @kkirkup.bsky.social.
Health measures in federal budget include $5-billion dedicated infrastructure fund
Fund is being proposed as Canada’s health infrastructure faces criticism for being outdated and not environmentally sound
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:54 PM
The newly tabled federal budget contains a suite of health spending measures, including a proposal that allocates $5-billion over three years for a dedicated Health Infrastructure Fund. From my pal @kkirkup.bsky.social.
Alberta students stage walkouts to protest province’s back-to-work order to teachers. With my pal @mattscace.bsky.social #ableg #abpoli @theglobeandmail.com
Alberta students stage walkouts to protest province’s back-to-work order to teachers
Between 200 and 300 students stood outside the legislature in Edmonton Thursday morning
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Alberta students stage walkouts to protest province’s back-to-work order to teachers. With my pal @mattscace.bsky.social #ableg #abpoli @theglobeandmail.com
Reposted by Alanna Smith
Canada needs to tackle escalating opioid misuse among young people, doctors say. Physicians fear the crisis will continue to get worse for decades if immediate action is not taken, by @alannasmith.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... via @theglobeandmail.com #ToxicDrugCrisis
Canada needs to tackle escalating opioid use among young people, doctors say
Physicians fear the crisis will continue to get worse for decades if immediate action is not taken
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Canada needs to tackle escalating opioid misuse among young people, doctors say. Physicians fear the crisis will continue to get worse for decades if immediate action is not taken, by @alannasmith.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... via @theglobeandmail.com #ToxicDrugCrisis
Reposted by Alanna Smith
UPDATED: Alberta Health Services and Alberta Health broke their own rules, independent review finds.
Meanwhile, Premier Danielle Smith points to the report as evidence her govt did nothing wrong.
(And another update coming soon)
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber... w @alannasmith.bsky.social
Meanwhile, Premier Danielle Smith points to the report as evidence her govt did nothing wrong.
(And another update coming soon)
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber... w @alannasmith.bsky.social
Alberta health agency broke own rules in Turkey medication, private clinic contracts, report finds
Two other major investigations into the deals remain outstanding: One from the RCMP and a second from Alberta’s Auditor-General
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:24 PM
UPDATED: Alberta Health Services and Alberta Health broke their own rules, independent review finds.
Meanwhile, Premier Danielle Smith points to the report as evidence her govt did nothing wrong.
(And another update coming soon)
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber... w @alannasmith.bsky.social
Meanwhile, Premier Danielle Smith points to the report as evidence her govt did nothing wrong.
(And another update coming soon)
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber... w @alannasmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Alanna Smith
Reposted by Alanna Smith
Ontario resists pressure to reverse new residency rule for international medical graduates, by @alannasmith.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... via @theglobeandmail.com #IMGs
Ontario resists pressure to reverse new residency rule for international medical graduates
New rule restrict IMGs who did not attend high school in Ontario from applying for first-round residency positions
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Ontario resists pressure to reverse new residency rule for international medical graduates, by @alannasmith.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... via @theglobeandmail.com #IMGs
Reposted by Alanna Smith
All seven obstetrician-gynecologists at Kamloops hospital resign
“It is fairly unprecedented for an entire group of physicians to depart, but with the state of obstetrics in our community…we see no viable way forward.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...
“It is fairly unprecedented for an entire group of physicians to depart, but with the state of obstetrics in our community…we see no viable way forward.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...
Seven OB/GYNs at B.C. hospital resign, citing unsafe workloads, lack of support
Years of challenges have made the situation untenable, doctors say in letter obtained by The Globe
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:48 AM
All seven obstetrician-gynecologists at Kamloops hospital resign
“It is fairly unprecedented for an entire group of physicians to depart, but with the state of obstetrics in our community…we see no viable way forward.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...
“It is fairly unprecedented for an entire group of physicians to depart, but with the state of obstetrics in our community…we see no viable way forward.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...
Breaking the chain: Canada eliminated #measles decades ago, but it will lose that status on Oct. 27 – barring a "miracle" experts doubt will happen. Here’s how falling vaccine rates got us to this point and what happens after. @theglobeandmail.com
Canada is close to losing its measles elimination status. What happens then?
Experts blame waning vaccination rates and disinformation for outbreaks that have continued for nearly a full year
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Breaking the chain: Canada eliminated #measles decades ago, but it will lose that status on Oct. 27 – barring a "miracle" experts doubt will happen. Here’s how falling vaccine rates got us to this point and what happens after. @theglobeandmail.com
Reposted by Alanna Smith
Pals, some news: I’m thrilled to be starting today at @theglobeandmail.com as a reporter in the Calgary bureau. I can’t wait to get to work and share important stories with this ultra-talented team. They set an enormously high bar and I couldn’t be more excited to start.
October 6, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Pals, some news: I’m thrilled to be starting today at @theglobeandmail.com as a reporter in the Calgary bureau. I can’t wait to get to work and share important stories with this ultra-talented team. They set an enormously high bar and I couldn’t be more excited to start.