Brishti Basu
@brishti.bsky.social
Health Reporter at PressProgress. Words + photos in CBC, Capital Daily, Tyee, VICE, and many more.
📧 [email protected]
Sign up for your bimonthly Pulse Check: pressprogress.ca/pulsecheck/
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Sign up for your bimonthly Pulse Check: pressprogress.ca/pulsecheck/
DM for Signal.
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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
Every Sunday I try to catch up on the articles and stories that I should have read days/weeks/months/years ago—the infinity tabs on my safari app.
Most of them aren’t worth the read, but here are a few that you should check out if you haven’t already!
ICYMI
🧵
Most of them aren’t worth the read, but here are a few that you should check out if you haven’t already!
ICYMI
🧵
November 23, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Every Sunday I try to catch up on the articles and stories that I should have read days/weeks/months/years ago—the infinity tabs on my safari app.
Most of them aren’t worth the read, but here are a few that you should check out if you haven’t already!
ICYMI
🧵
Most of them aren’t worth the read, but here are a few that you should check out if you haven’t already!
ICYMI
🧵
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Vancouver's last all-night drop in centre for street-based sex workers is facing an uncertain future as the city considers changing how its funded.
If the KCS closed there would be no other drop in centres for sex workers, anywhere in the city. That's dangerous.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
If the KCS closed there would be no other drop in centres for sex workers, anywhere in the city. That's dangerous.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Vancouver’s Last Sex Worker Drop-In Centre May Shutter in Spring | The Tyee
The city is changing how it funds Kingsway Community Station. That’s ‘dangerous,’ its program director says.
thetyee.ca
November 21, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Vancouver's last all-night drop in centre for street-based sex workers is facing an uncertain future as the city considers changing how its funded.
If the KCS closed there would be no other drop in centres for sex workers, anywhere in the city. That's dangerous.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
If the KCS closed there would be no other drop in centres for sex workers, anywhere in the city. That's dangerous.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
B.C. says 1950s-style clear-cut logging isn’t happening anymore. Is that true? @sobittersosweet.bsky.social explains #clearcutlogging
November 20, 2025 at 4:04 PM
B.C. says 1950s-style clear-cut logging isn’t happening anymore. Is that true? @sobittersosweet.bsky.social explains #clearcutlogging
Reposted by Brishti Basu
A snow plow operator drove her vehicle through a crowd of Palestine supporters in Toronto this week.
“This just seems like part of a pattern of violence against Palestinians that’s going unchecked,” organizer Omar Mahmoud told me.
For @thegrindto.bsky.social
“This just seems like part of a pattern of violence against Palestinians that’s going unchecked,” organizer Omar Mahmoud told me.
For @thegrindto.bsky.social
Snowplow Operator Drives Through Pro-Palestine Demonstration
Despite videos of the incident being published and a photo showing the driver giving the finger to the pro-Palestine crowd, Toronto police say there was “no reason to believe there was any malicious…
www.thegrindmag.ca
November 21, 2025 at 12:24 AM
A snow plow operator drove her vehicle through a crowd of Palestine supporters in Toronto this week.
“This just seems like part of a pattern of violence against Palestinians that’s going unchecked,” organizer Omar Mahmoud told me.
For @thegrindto.bsky.social
“This just seems like part of a pattern of violence against Palestinians that’s going unchecked,” organizer Omar Mahmoud told me.
For @thegrindto.bsky.social
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Follow us on TikTok @pressprogress.ca
November 21, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Follow us on TikTok @pressprogress.ca
Reposted by Brishti Basu
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
“Lives are at stake. And to suggest that policing is having that kind of impact on overdose deaths, when that is really not what evidence supports and is not what the data supports, is irresponsible and a real disservice to the public.”
#bcpoli #harmreduction
“Lives are at stake. And to suggest that policing is having that kind of impact on overdose deaths, when that is really not what evidence supports and is not what the data supports, is irresponsible and a real disservice to the public.”
#bcpoli #harmreduction
Vancouver mayor credits DTES task force with reducing overdoses. Here’s what public health experts say
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim continues to laud the impacts of a police-led task force focused on crime on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, claiming it led to a reduction in overdoses.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 20, 2025 at 6:25 PM
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
“Lives are at stake. And to suggest that policing is having that kind of impact on overdose deaths, when that is really not what evidence supports and is not what the data supports, is irresponsible and a real disservice to the public.”
#bcpoli #harmreduction
“Lives are at stake. And to suggest that policing is having that kind of impact on overdose deaths, when that is really not what evidence supports and is not what the data supports, is irresponsible and a real disservice to the public.”
#bcpoli #harmreduction
Reposted by Brishti Basu
The Alberta government putting out a statement for Trans Day of Remembrance two days after using the Notwithstanding Clause to override trans kids rights feels like parody at this point
"Our government remains a dedicated partner of transgender Albertans.”
"Our government remains a dedicated partner of transgender Albertans.”
November 20, 2025 at 4:37 PM
The Alberta government putting out a statement for Trans Day of Remembrance two days after using the Notwithstanding Clause to override trans kids rights feels like parody at this point
"Our government remains a dedicated partner of transgender Albertans.”
"Our government remains a dedicated partner of transgender Albertans.”
Reposted by Brishti Basu
This is a fact check on the very shaky, untruthful rationale for the Alberta government's limitations on gender-affirming care.
A useful read for #TransDayOfRemembrance
A useful read for #TransDayOfRemembrance
‘This is the Alberta government saying that the rights of trans kids to receive life-saving health care, go by their own pronouns at school or play on sport teams don’t matter as much as the Smith government’s right to dictate their lives.’ By @melwoods.me thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
Danielle Smith Goes Nuclear on Trans Rights | The Tyee
Alberta’s premier is overriding Charter protections. Here’s a fact check on her claims.
thetyee.ca
November 20, 2025 at 5:27 PM
This is a fact check on the very shaky, untruthful rationale for the Alberta government's limitations on gender-affirming care.
A useful read for #TransDayOfRemembrance
A useful read for #TransDayOfRemembrance
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Appreciate @nationalobserver.com underlining the threat these lawsuits pose to our democracy:
“One way to help preserve an independent media is to protect them from vindictive US-style lawsuits… we must be free to report fairly without the threat of expensive lawsuits designed solely to shut us up”
“One way to help preserve an independent media is to protect them from vindictive US-style lawsuits… we must be free to report fairly without the threat of expensive lawsuits designed solely to shut us up”
Alberta lawsuit is trying to silence the messenger
Former UCP candidate Caylan Ford's scattergun defamation lawsuit against the media and others sends a free press chill through Alberta
www.nationalobserver.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Appreciate @nationalobserver.com underlining the threat these lawsuits pose to our democracy:
“One way to help preserve an independent media is to protect them from vindictive US-style lawsuits… we must be free to report fairly without the threat of expensive lawsuits designed solely to shut us up”
“One way to help preserve an independent media is to protect them from vindictive US-style lawsuits… we must be free to report fairly without the threat of expensive lawsuits designed solely to shut us up”
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Danielle Smith prepares to use the notwithstanding clause to shield Alberta’s transgender youth laws
Danielle Smith prepares to use the notwithstanding clause to shield Alberta’s transgender youth laws
“These measures reflect the views of an overwhelming majority of Albertans,” Premier Danielle Smith said, referring to the changes to both transgender health care and sport made last fall as
www.thestar.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Danielle Smith prepares to use the notwithstanding clause to shield Alberta’s transgender youth laws
Reposted by Brishti Basu
“[Sikhs] may be Canadian citizens, but we’re not Canadians. We’re not treated as Canadians, we’re not given the same rights and privileges. We will always be the outsider.”
November 18, 2025 at 6:29 PM
“[Sikhs] may be Canadian citizens, but we’re not Canadians. We’re not treated as Canadians, we’re not given the same rights and privileges. We will always be the outsider.”
Reposted by Brishti Basu
While the Sikh community is sounding the alarm and trying to push for accountability, the federal government is rebuilding ties with India.
pressprogress.ca/wave-of-viol...
pressprogress.ca/wave-of-viol...
There’s a Wave of Violence Targeting Canadian Sikhs, and the Government Seems Powerless to Stop It
pressprogress.ca
November 18, 2025 at 6:29 PM
While the Sikh community is sounding the alarm and trying to push for accountability, the federal government is rebuilding ties with India.
pressprogress.ca/wave-of-viol...
pressprogress.ca/wave-of-viol...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
There’s a wave of violence targeting Canadian Sikhs, and the government seems powerless to stop it.
"It’s a feeling of helplessness."
pressprogress.ca/wave-of-viol...
"It’s a feeling of helplessness."
pressprogress.ca/wave-of-viol...
There’s a Wave of Violence Targeting Canadian Sikhs, and the Government Seems Powerless to Stop It
pressprogress.ca
November 18, 2025 at 6:06 PM
There’s a wave of violence targeting Canadian Sikhs, and the government seems powerless to stop it.
"It’s a feeling of helplessness."
pressprogress.ca/wave-of-viol...
"It’s a feeling of helplessness."
pressprogress.ca/wave-of-viol...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
‘One of the people in the delegation was physically triggered listening to the question from Dallas Brodie, Harriott said. “It’s visceral. It’s not an intellectual exercise for us. These are our family members’ stories.”’ #bcpoli
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
OneBC Leader’s Comments Drive Indigenous Delegation from Legislature | The Tyee
Dallas Brodie called reports of residential school graves the ‘worst lie in Canadian history.’
thetyee.ca
November 18, 2025 at 3:38 PM
‘One of the people in the delegation was physically triggered listening to the question from Dallas Brodie, Harriott said. “It’s visceral. It’s not an intellectual exercise for us. These are our family members’ stories.”’ #bcpoli
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Many services on Salt Spring Island are experiencing a labor shortage, driven by a lack of housing workers can afford.
It's pushed businesses around the island to offer housing for workers in order to improve recruitment — including illegal trailers.
My latest:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
It's pushed businesses around the island to offer housing for workers in order to improve recruitment — including illegal trailers.
My latest:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Illegal housing essential to keep Salt Spring Island businesses open, employers say | CBC News
Many services on Salt Spring Island are experiencing a labour shortage, driven by a lack of housing workers can afford.
It’s pushed businesses around the island to offer housing for workers in order t...
www.cbc.ca
November 17, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Many services on Salt Spring Island are experiencing a labor shortage, driven by a lack of housing workers can afford.
It's pushed businesses around the island to offer housing for workers in order to improve recruitment — including illegal trailers.
My latest:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
It's pushed businesses around the island to offer housing for workers in order to improve recruitment — including illegal trailers.
My latest:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Meanwhile, it seems the company would really prefer Kitimat residents not talk about what it's like to live next to an LNG plant 💸
LNG Canada offered Kitimat residents money — if they stay quiet | The Narwhal
Neighbours of LNG Canada’s Kitimat plant were offered thousands to compensate for noise and smoke, if they promise not to complain
thenarwhal.ca
November 14, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Meanwhile, it seems the company would really prefer Kitimat residents not talk about what it's like to live next to an LNG plant 💸
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Two potential nation building projects announced in B.C. Thursday by the prime minister continue to divide First Nations in the regions potentially impacted.
www.aptnnews.ca?p=279864
www.aptnnews.ca?p=279864
Carney’s LNG project referrals in B.C. getting mixed reviews
The day after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced two B.C. additions to the federal government’s list of possible project referrals for "nation-building" reaction continued to roll in.
www.aptnnews.ca
November 14, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Two potential nation building projects announced in B.C. Thursday by the prime minister continue to divide First Nations in the regions potentially impacted.
www.aptnnews.ca?p=279864
www.aptnnews.ca?p=279864
Latest for @pressprogress.ca:
One day after @amnesty.org report confirmed what First Nations + doctors have been saying — that living near oil & gas causes all kinds of health harms — 🇨🇦 PM @mark-carney.bsky.social announced more support for LNG infrastructure in BC
pressprogress.ca/fossil-fuel-...
One day after @amnesty.org report confirmed what First Nations + doctors have been saying — that living near oil & gas causes all kinds of health harms — 🇨🇦 PM @mark-carney.bsky.social announced more support for LNG infrastructure in BC
pressprogress.ca/fossil-fuel-...
As More and More Studies Expose Fossil-fuel Health Harms, Mark Carney Doubles Down
First Nations and frontline workers lead the charge against Canada's aggressive LNG expansion
pressprogress.ca
November 14, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Latest for @pressprogress.ca:
One day after @amnesty.org report confirmed what First Nations + doctors have been saying — that living near oil & gas causes all kinds of health harms — 🇨🇦 PM @mark-carney.bsky.social announced more support for LNG infrastructure in BC
pressprogress.ca/fossil-fuel-...
One day after @amnesty.org report confirmed what First Nations + doctors have been saying — that living near oil & gas causes all kinds of health harms — 🇨🇦 PM @mark-carney.bsky.social announced more support for LNG infrastructure in BC
pressprogress.ca/fossil-fuel-...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
As more and more studies expose fossil-fuel health harms, Mark Carney is doubling down
First Nations and frontline workers are leading the charge against Canada's aggressive LNG expansion
First Nations and frontline workers are leading the charge against Canada's aggressive LNG expansion
As More and More Studies Expose Fossil-fuel Health Harms, Mark Carney Doubles Down
First Nations and frontline workers lead the charge against Canada's aggressive LNG expansion
pressprogress.ca
November 14, 2025 at 10:21 PM
As more and more studies expose fossil-fuel health harms, Mark Carney is doubling down
First Nations and frontline workers are leading the charge against Canada's aggressive LNG expansion
First Nations and frontline workers are leading the charge against Canada's aggressive LNG expansion
“The fifth estate obtained internal Health Canada reports that reveal the federal government was advised by its own experts to expand access to a greater range of safe and regulated drugs for people across Canada.”
From CBC: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
From CBC: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
They’re at risk of dying from opioid overdose. The government cut funding that could help them | CBC News
As deadly drug overdoses climbed across Canada, decision-makers faced political backlash for funding programs that gave drug users prescribed opioids and, against their own experts’ advice, scaled bac...
www.cbc.ca
November 14, 2025 at 5:50 PM
“The fifth estate obtained internal Health Canada reports that reveal the federal government was advised by its own experts to expand access to a greater range of safe and regulated drugs for people across Canada.”
From CBC: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
From CBC: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Here's a thread with an annual reminder that VicPD is overfunded and overstaffed. VicPD likes to say it's a special exception as a "downtown" police force, but they cost more per capita than every other department in B.C., including Vancouver. #yyj 🧵
November 14, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Here's a thread with an annual reminder that VicPD is overfunded and overstaffed. VicPD likes to say it's a special exception as a "downtown" police force, but they cost more per capita than every other department in B.C., including Vancouver. #yyj 🧵
Reposted by Brishti Basu
Union Presidents Say Federal Government is “Scapegoating” Public Servants For the Deficit
“This government is not on your side,” says Canadian Association of Public Employees president
pressprogress.ca/union-presid...
“This government is not on your side,” says Canadian Association of Public Employees president
pressprogress.ca/union-presid...
Union Presidents Say Federal Government is “Scapegoating” Public Servants For the Deficit
“This government is not on your side,” says Canadian Association of Public Employees president
pressprogress.ca
November 13, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Union Presidents Say Federal Government is “Scapegoating” Public Servants For the Deficit
“This government is not on your side,” says Canadian Association of Public Employees president
pressprogress.ca/union-presid...
“This government is not on your side,” says Canadian Association of Public Employees president
pressprogress.ca/union-presid...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
AMA Section of Pediatrics letter to the Alberta Government: The recent $100/dose policy for COVID-19 vaccinations and limited administration locations place unnecessary financial and logistical barriers on families and their children. Full letter: www.albertadoctors.org/news/news/se...
November 13, 2025 at 6:03 PM
AMA Section of Pediatrics letter to the Alberta Government: The recent $100/dose policy for COVID-19 vaccinations and limited administration locations place unnecessary financial and logistical barriers on families and their children. Full letter: www.albertadoctors.org/news/news/se...
Reposted by Brishti Basu
The International Criminal Court is ditching Microsoft Office, saying it’s too dependent on US tech, in favor of Open Desk, a German open source alternative.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
International Criminal Court to ditch Microsoft Office for European open source alternative | Euractiv
The court will move its internal work environment to Open Desk, a German-developed open source software
www.euractiv.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The International Criminal Court is ditching Microsoft Office, saying it’s too dependent on US tech, in favor of Open Desk, a German open source alternative.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
Reposted by Brishti Basu
As of Monday, 263 QC doctors had applied to be licensed in ON since Oct.23. “More than half of these applicants are family physicians, while the remainder practice across a broad range of specialties, including general practice, pediatrics, radiology, anesthesiology and others."
More: bit.ly/4nPZDWw
More: bit.ly/4nPZDWw
Over 260 Quebec doctors apply for Ontario licences in weeks following Bill 2 | CBC News
Over 250 Quebec doctors are applying to be able to work in Ontario, according to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. The surge of applications is happening in the wake of a controversia...
www.cbc.ca
November 12, 2025 at 5:48 PM
As of Monday, 263 QC doctors had applied to be licensed in ON since Oct.23. “More than half of these applicants are family physicians, while the remainder practice across a broad range of specialties, including general practice, pediatrics, radiology, anesthesiology and others."
More: bit.ly/4nPZDWw
More: bit.ly/4nPZDWw