Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
@alonghurst.bsky.social
Political economist, health policy researcher, SFU PhD candidate. Research Associate with CCPA and others. Health care finance & delivery, wait times, privatization. BC-based, Canada-wide analysis.
https://sites.google.com/view/andrew-longhurst
https://sites.google.com/view/andrew-longhurst
Pinned
Ontario hospitals spent $9.2B on private agency nurses and staff, report finds
YouTube video by CBC News: The National
youtu.be
CBCโs The National
coverage of my new @policyalternatives.ca report on Ontario hospital finances and contracted for-profit staffing
youtu.be/jWNVe58jQ5k?...
coverage of my new @policyalternatives.ca report on Ontario hospital finances and contracted for-profit staffing
youtu.be/jWNVe58jQ5k?...
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
New documents show while the University of Alberta was under mass budget cuts that resulted in layoffs and a 100% cut to child care funding, the president was spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on travel
Expenses have doubled since he took office
Expenses have doubled since he took office
U of A president's expenses higher than previous president and other institutions - The Gateway
President and Vice-chancellor Bill Flanagan spent $506,901.01 on travel and hospitality in his first term, higher than other presidents.
thegatewayonline.ca
January 7, 2026 at 4:34 PM
New documents show while the University of Alberta was under mass budget cuts that resulted in layoffs and a 100% cut to child care funding, the president was spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on travel
Expenses have doubled since he took office
Expenses have doubled since he took office
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
NEW: A podcaster accused of harassing a former AHS director said he was hired by an Edmonton lawyer, court docs show. That lawyer has ties to Sam Mraiche, who owns companies at the centre of Alberta's procurement controversy.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... By @tuthanhha.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... By @tuthanhha.bsky.social
Podcaster accused of harassing former AHS board member says he was hired by Edmonton lawyer, court records show
Legal documents identify Bryan Ward, who has acted for Sam Mraiche on multiple occasions, as the lawyer
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:24 PM
NEW: A podcaster accused of harassing a former AHS director said he was hired by an Edmonton lawyer, court docs show. That lawyer has ties to Sam Mraiche, who owns companies at the centre of Alberta's procurement controversy.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... By @tuthanhha.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... By @tuthanhha.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
The Alberta Healthcare Disaster, with Dr. Paul Parks
Parks' unfiltered description of AB's health system catastrophe is unsettling.
Who's responsible? @abdaniellesmith.
Share this interview. Every Albertan should watch it.
#ableg #abpoli #yyc #yeg
youtu.be/nZIUpRIY-c4
Parks' unfiltered description of AB's health system catastrophe is unsettling.
Who's responsible? @abdaniellesmith.
Share this interview. Every Albertan should watch it.
#ableg #abpoli #yyc #yeg
youtu.be/nZIUpRIY-c4
The Alberta Healthcare Disaster, with Dr. Paul Parks
YouTube video by Energi Media
youtu.be
January 6, 2026 at 9:51 PM
The Alberta Healthcare Disaster, with Dr. Paul Parks
Parks' unfiltered description of AB's health system catastrophe is unsettling.
Who's responsible? @abdaniellesmith.
Share this interview. Every Albertan should watch it.
#ableg #abpoli #yyc #yeg
youtu.be/nZIUpRIY-c4
Parks' unfiltered description of AB's health system catastrophe is unsettling.
Who's responsible? @abdaniellesmith.
Share this interview. Every Albertan should watch it.
#ableg #abpoli #yyc #yeg
youtu.be/nZIUpRIY-c4
The insurance industry is thrilled:
"Alberta's..."dual-practice" model...stands to significantly reshape the provinceโs health-insurance market ... [T]he plan could open the door to new coverage options, higher demand for private benefits..." www.insurancebusinessmag.com/ca/news/life...
#abpoli
"Alberta's..."dual-practice" model...stands to significantly reshape the provinceโs health-insurance market ... [T]he plan could open the door to new coverage options, higher demand for private benefits..." www.insurancebusinessmag.com/ca/news/life...
#abpoli
Insurers eye opportunity and risk as Alberta weighs dual-practice health model
Insurers monitor a proposal that may open the door to new products, as well as more claims
www.insurancebusinessmag.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:03 PM
The insurance industry is thrilled:
"Alberta's..."dual-practice" model...stands to significantly reshape the provinceโs health-insurance market ... [T]he plan could open the door to new coverage options, higher demand for private benefits..." www.insurancebusinessmag.com/ca/news/life...
#abpoli
"Alberta's..."dual-practice" model...stands to significantly reshape the provinceโs health-insurance market ... [T]he plan could open the door to new coverage options, higher demand for private benefits..." www.insurancebusinessmag.com/ca/news/life...
#abpoli
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
Canada, like other western states, is worried about alienating Trump. But that just invites isolation next time, when it's your turn over the barrel, and everyone else stays silent for fear of alienating Trump.
Democracies worthy of the name must stand together for the rule of law, or fall apart.
Democracies worthy of the name must stand together for the rule of law, or fall apart.
January 5, 2026 at 4:59 AM
Canada, like other western states, is worried about alienating Trump. But that just invites isolation next time, when it's your turn over the barrel, and everyone else stays silent for fear of alienating Trump.
Democracies worthy of the name must stand together for the rule of law, or fall apart.
Democracies worthy of the name must stand together for the rule of law, or fall apart.
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
Evidence from British Columbia shows decriminalisation reduced police interference with access to harm reduction โ a key public health objective.
Rolling it back didnโt correct failure. It reversed progress.
Full study:
Rolling it back didnโt correct failure. It reversed progress.
Full study:
Policing and access to harm reduction services among young people who use drugs and young Indigenous people who use drugs before and after the pilot implementation of decriminalization of personal possession
McAdam et al. examine how decriminalisation reduced policing-related barriers to services, revealing important benefits for young people, including Indigenous.
f.mtr.cool
January 4, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Evidence from British Columbia shows decriminalisation reduced police interference with access to harm reduction โ a key public health objective.
Rolling it back didnโt correct failure. It reversed progress.
Full study:
Rolling it back didnโt correct failure. It reversed progress.
Full study:
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
Refreshingly clear-eyed editorial in the Globe and Mail: Venezuela's fate is a warning for Canada.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Globe editorial: The Sunday Editorial: Venezuelaโs fate is a warning for Canada
U.S. military action to seize Nicolรกs Maduro marks the formal debut of an imperial America
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Refreshingly clear-eyed editorial in the Globe and Mail: Venezuela's fate is a warning for Canada.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
Poilievre lights emergency flares to beg Trump to invade Canada
Poilievre lights emergency flares to beg Trump to invade Canada
OTTAWA - Canadian Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre was reportedly seen lighting emergency flares, in hopes that U.S. President Donald Trump would "liberate" Canada in the same fashion that he has do...
www.thebeaverton.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Poilievre lights emergency flares to beg Trump to invade Canada
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
While Trump invades Venezuela to secure oil supply, implies threats to Mexico and Canada to do the same, separatists travel to Washington to negotiate Alberta becoming a 51โst state.
2026 is off to a busy start.
#ForeverCanadian will need your help. Register your support at Forever-Canadian.ca
2026 is off to a busy start.
#ForeverCanadian will need your help. Register your support at Forever-Canadian.ca
January 3, 2026 at 7:11 PM
While Trump invades Venezuela to secure oil supply, implies threats to Mexico and Canada to do the same, separatists travel to Washington to negotiate Alberta becoming a 51โst state.
2026 is off to a busy start.
#ForeverCanadian will need your help. Register your support at Forever-Canadian.ca
2026 is off to a busy start.
#ForeverCanadian will need your help. Register your support at Forever-Canadian.ca
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
Like I said, they're running this like a hostile takeover by a private equity firm.
And there ya have itโฆ
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate โinvestment prospectsโ of the country. โThe trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.โ
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate โinvestment prospectsโ of the country. โThe trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.โ
Finance Industry Eyes Investment Opportunities in Venezuela
Some on Wall Street are already considering possible investment opportunities in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolรกs Maduro, according to Charles Myers, chairman of consulting firm Signum Globa...
www.wsj.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Like I said, they're running this like a hostile takeover by a private equity firm.
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
Mark Kelly puts out a statement saying "The President of the United States just overthrew a foreign ruler and explained to the American people that this is about taking control of the oil reserves of a foreign nation." This is probably the strongest statement alongside Gallego's I've read.
January 3, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Mark Kelly puts out a statement saying "The President of the United States just overthrew a foreign ruler and explained to the American people that this is about taking control of the oil reserves of a foreign nation." This is probably the strongest statement alongside Gallego's I've read.
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
With an opposition party like this who needs opposition parties
Asked about the possibility of impeachment, Schumer says "we hope that we can have support from our Republican colleagues to put a brake on this long before it gets that far"
January 3, 2026 at 8:45 PM
With an opposition party like this who needs opposition parties
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
The kidnapping of Maduro inaugurates a highly dangerous era of U.S. empire that for perhaps the first time in an era of mass media is not pretending to be anything other than a violent, extractive enterprise of domination.
A Criminal Empire
The United States launches a conquest and occupation of Venezuela to extract its oil wealth. The neocon dream is the America First dream
www.forever-wars.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:50 PM
The kidnapping of Maduro inaugurates a highly dangerous era of U.S. empire that for perhaps the first time in an era of mass media is not pretending to be anything other than a violent, extractive enterprise of domination.
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
Excerpts from interview with Fox News important read for Canadians
After Venezuela Attack, Trump Says Something Must Be Done About Mexico newrepublic.com/post/204884/... via @newrepublic.com
After Venezuela Attack, Trump Says Something Must Be Done About Mexico
Donald Trump is hinting at a military conflict with Mexico next.
newrepublic.com
January 3, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Excerpts from interview with Fox News important read for Canadians
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
I'd like to point out that publishing this photo is in breach of the Geneva Convention by Trump.
Anyone counting?
Anyone counting?
January 3, 2026 at 4:37 PM
I'd like to point out that publishing this photo is in breach of the Geneva Convention by Trump.
Anyone counting?
Anyone counting?
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
You should be embarrassed to be a member of congress and issuing anything other than impeachment resolutions. You're in the model UN. They should give you legos and a propeller hat
January 3, 2026 at 3:57 PM
You should be embarrassed to be a member of congress and issuing anything other than impeachment resolutions. You're in the model UN. They should give you legos and a propeller hat
Gangster capitalism www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
US will be โstrongly involvedโ in Venezuela oil industry, Trump says after Caracas attacked and Maduro captured โ live
Donald Trump says Nicolรกs Maduro and wife will be taken to New York after being captured during US attack on Venezuela
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Gangster capitalism www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
There are many, many people still viewing world events like today's through an ideological prism, as if the Trump regime has coherent or principled worldviews.
The sane among us realize Trump could just as easily "capture" the Canadian Prime Minister next month, on a whim.
The sane among us realize Trump could just as easily "capture" the Canadian Prime Minister next month, on a whim.
January 3, 2026 at 3:56 PM
There are many, many people still viewing world events like today's through an ideological prism, as if the Trump regime has coherent or principled worldviews.
The sane among us realize Trump could just as easily "capture" the Canadian Prime Minister next month, on a whim.
The sane among us realize Trump could just as easily "capture" the Canadian Prime Minister next month, on a whim.
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
Youโre letting the world order and international law be torn to shreds all in the hopes of a decent deal with a proven unreliable party in the White House. Itโs shameful.
January 3, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Youโre letting the world order and international law be torn to shreds all in the hopes of a decent deal with a proven unreliable party in the White House. Itโs shameful.
The US empire strikes again. The US is a rogue state. Global sanctions must follow.
January 3, 2026 at 4:28 PM
The US empire strikes again. The US is a rogue state. Global sanctions must follow.
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
Whatever you might think of Maduro, the seizure and kidnapping of a head of state takes us to a very dark place. Vast, arbitrary, extra-legal power, which could be exercised almost anywhere, regardless of the character of the target government.
January 3, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Whatever you might think of Maduro, the seizure and kidnapping of a head of state takes us to a very dark place. Vast, arbitrary, extra-legal power, which could be exercised almost anywhere, regardless of the character of the target government.
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
Trump's regime has murdered people in the water. He has seized ships on the high seas. He has invaded a country and kidnapped their leader.
All bets are off with the United States.
Canada needs to build alliances with Europe and to be ready on the home front.
All bets are off with the United States.
Canada needs to build alliances with Europe and to be ready on the home front.
January 3, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Trump's regime has murdered people in the water. He has seized ships on the high seas. He has invaded a country and kidnapped their leader.
All bets are off with the United States.
Canada needs to build alliances with Europe and to be ready on the home front.
All bets are off with the United States.
Canada needs to build alliances with Europe and to be ready on the home front.
Reposted by Andrew Longhurst ๐จ๐ฆ ๐
I'll be curious if any of the "the 51st state comments are just talk, calm down" people will change their tune now that Trump unilaterally bombed and kidnapped the leader of a sovereign country
January 3, 2026 at 10:01 AM
I'll be curious if any of the "the 51st state comments are just talk, calm down" people will change their tune now that Trump unilaterally bombed and kidnapped the leader of a sovereign country