Canadian Health Sentinel

Canadian Health Sentinel

Accurate, patient-centered reporting on Long COVID, ME/CFS, and disability in Canada.

Featured Posts

Long COVIDLong COVID
Everything Wrong with Canada's Proposed Long COVID Recommendations

Everything Wrong with Canada's Proposed Long COVID Recommendations

The proposed Canadian guidelines for treating Long COVID pose harm to patients and risk psychologizing the disease.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
Delayed Disability Benefit Leaves Canadians Struggling, Facing Bank Fees They Can't Afford

Delayed Disability Benefit Leaves Canadians Struggling, Facing Bank Fees They Can't Afford

Customers banking with TD and BMO are affected but it isn't clear how many or when the situation will be fixed.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak

Archive

Mental HealthMental Health
OPINION: If We Fail to Address the Mental Health Crisis, AI Will Exploit It

OPINION: If We Fail to Address the Mental Health Crisis, AI Will Exploit It

Some Canadians turn to AI chatbots as a cheaper, easier alternative to mental health professionals. But replacing human care with unregulated apps risks serious harm.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
Delayed Disability Benefit Leaves Canadians Struggling, Facing Bank Fees They Can't Afford

Delayed Disability Benefit Leaves Canadians Struggling, Facing Bank Fees They Can't Afford

Customers banking with TD and BMO are affected but it isn't clear how many or when the situation will be fixed.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
DisabilityDisability
+1+1
ANALYSIS: The Shifting Narrative Around the Canada Disability Benefit

ANALYSIS: The Shifting Narrative Around the Canada Disability Benefit

Leslie Church's glowing article in National Newswatch titled “Canada Disability Benefit: Building a Canada that Works for Everyone.” Here's why it misses the mark.

Simon Spichak
Sarah Colero
Simon Spichak, +1
DisabilityDisability
+1+1
B.C. Halts Funding Treatment for 9-Year Old with Rare Disease

B.C. Halts Funding Treatment for 9-Year Old with Rare Disease

The Ministry of Health claims they're basing the decision on criteria that experts call inappropriate and appear to contradict a recent report from Canada's Drug Agency.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
PovertyPoverty
+2+2
Canada Disability Benefit Applications to Launch June 20th, Says Service Canada Hotline

Canada Disability Benefit Applications to Launch June 20th, Says Service Canada Hotline

Despite promising to provide the Canada Disability Benefit starting July 1st, the first round of benefits are unlikely to go out until mid-July.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
PoliticsPolitics
Krista Carr on MAiD, Disability, and Federal Policy

Krista Carr on MAiD, Disability, and Federal Policy

Prior to the announcement of Prime Minister Mark Carney's new cabinet, I spoke with Krista Carr, CEO of Inclusion Canada.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
U.N. Tells Canada to Stop Track 2 MAiD; No Response from the Campaign Trail

U.N. Tells Canada to Stop Track 2 MAiD; No Response from the Campaign Trail

The U.N. is "extremely concerned" about Canada's MAiD program. Politicians and most media outlets have not responded to their concerns.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
A Reflection on Long COVID Awareness Day

A Reflection on Long COVID Awareness Day

Legislators continue to ignore those harmed and affected by COVID-19 while their policies leave disabled Canadians in legislated poverty and vulnerable to medical euthanasia.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
How Ontario Parties Fare on Disability and COVID

How Ontario Parties Fare on Disability and COVID

Only the Green Party has committed to doubling ODSP and OW immediately. None of the parties specifically mention Long COVID or have a plan to reduce infections in high-risk settings.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
PovertyPoverty
Policymakers Will Crowdfund for Unhoused Politicians But Won't Address Systemic Problems

Policymakers Will Crowdfund for Unhoused Politicians But Won't Address Systemic Problems

More than 80,000 people in Ontario were unhoused last year. That isn't due to any individual failure but rather a lack of effective policy choices.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
Long COVIDLong COVID
Let's Talk About the Long COVID Recommendations Released During the Holidays

Let's Talk About the Long COVID Recommendations Released During the Holidays

The newest set of CAN-PCC recommendations were posted on December 19th. With the public survey closing on January 2nd, people with Long COVID, advocates, and experts have little time to read and comment.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
Long COVIDLong COVID
Everything Wrong with Canada's Proposed Long COVID Recommendations

Everything Wrong with Canada's Proposed Long COVID Recommendations

The proposed Canadian guidelines for treating Long COVID pose harm to patients and risk psychologizing the disease.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak