Canadian Health Sentinel

Canadian Health Sentinel

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

Featured Posts

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
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

Archive

DisabilityDisability
Canada Celebrates National AccessAbility Week While Dodging UN Scrutiny Over Disability & MAiD

Canada Celebrates National AccessAbility Week While Dodging UN Scrutiny Over Disability & MAiD

Canada continues to dodge scrutiny over its record on disability issues during the very week it celebrates building bridges and initiatives to address them.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
DisabilityDisability
My Observations from the 2026 MAiD Expansion Hearings

My Observations from the 2026 MAiD Expansion Hearings

Five takeaways from the latest round of MAiD expansion hearings.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
PoliticsPolitics
Who's Shaping the Conversation On MAiD Expansion

Who's Shaping the Conversation On MAiD Expansion

As the CEO of Dying with Dignity is set to testify, I highlight potential gaps in lobbying disclosure and question media coverage of the so-called bias in the hearings.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
DisabilityDisability
+1+1
ANALYSIS: What Alberta’s Bill Reveals About the Lack of Safeguards for MAiD

ANALYSIS: What Alberta’s Bill Reveals About the Lack of Safeguards for MAiD

New legislation introduced in Alberta sets restrictions and safeguards on medical assistance in dying and aligns with recommendations from the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
Long COVIDLong COVID
No Trials, No Care: Canada's Long COVID Crisis 7 Years In

No Trials, No Care: Canada's Long COVID Crisis 7 Years In

Canada continues to underfund Long COVID, with fewer than 40 trials in seven years, leaving few options for navigating the disease.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
Long COVIDLong COVID
My Complaint About CBC's Gill Deacon Segment and Their Response

My Complaint About CBC's Gill Deacon Segment and Their Response

I emailed the CBC Ombud criticizing The National for platforming Gill Deacon and the Lightning Process. Here's the response.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
Day 3 of the ICanCME Canadian Collaborative Conference on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Day 3 of the ICanCME Canadian Collaborative Conference on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

A brief summary of the presentations.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
Day 1 of the ICanCME Canadian Collaborative Conference on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Day 1 of the ICanCME Canadian Collaborative Conference on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

A brief summary of the presentations.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
Long COVIDLong COVID
CBC’s Flagship Program Platforms “Quackery” for Long COVID

CBC’s Flagship Program Platforms “Quackery” for Long COVID

CBC's national broadcast aired an interview with Gill Deacon about her Long COVID recovery. Deacon used an unproven program called the Lightning Process that's been criticized for exploiting patients with chronic illness.

Simon Spichak
Simon Spichak
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
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