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Experts: Canada’s superbug watchlist

The Public Health Agency of Canada has released an updated list of priority pathogens – sometimes referred to as superbugs – that pose the greatest threat to Canadians. It’s the first update since 2015.

The 29 organisms flagged highlight the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance. They include drug-resistant E. coli and Salmonella, gonorrhea and the deadly fungus Candida auris.

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Published: 19 Sep 2025

Expert: Not Criminally Responsible rulings 

Twice in high-profile cases in Quebec within the past week, the courts deemed defendants not criminally responsible because of mental health issues.

This McGill expert can discuss the place of Not Criminally Responsible rulings in our legal system. (She would not comment on any specific cases).  

Published: 18 Sep 2025

Experts: »ÆÆ¬ÀóÖ¦ÊÓÆµ report estimates Canada won’t meet its 2030 climate targets

The Canadian Climate Institute’s 2024 Early Estimate of National Emissions report warns that Canada won't meet its 2030 climate targets.

The oil and gas sector has seen an increase in emissions, offsetting progress in other sectors, according to the report.

»ÆÆ¬ÀóÖ¦ÊÓÆµ experts are available to comment on this topic:

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Published: 18 Sep 2025

Experts: Quebec pulls 1,200 electric school buses from service following fire 

The Quebec government has ordered 1,200 LION Electric school buses off the road after one of the vehicles caught fire earlier this week in Montreal. McGill experts are available to comment on the implications of this event, including battery safety, electric vehicle design, materials engineering and fire risk mitigation. 

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Published: 12 Sep 2025

Expert: Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS

Four major space telescopes have confirmed unusual findings about a rare interstellar comet, 3I/ATLAS.

Astronomers using the Hubble, SPHEREx, James Webb and TESS telescopes report that the comet’s early activity and surprising chemical makeup suggest it may have formed in a planetary system very different from our own. Some researchers believe that interstellar objects like 3I/ATLAS could even play a role in planet formation when captured by young star systems.

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Published: 11 Sep 2025

Experts: Health misinformation online

The Canadian Medical Association is warning that science is under attack and false health information is spreading rapidly, with serious implications for public trust and patient health.

A statement released Wednesday in collaboration with research and clinical organizations across Canada called for collective action to counter misinformation and support science.

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Published: 11 Sep 2025

Expert: Suicide prevention 

Sept.

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Published: 9 Sep 2025

Experts: Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported its first Ebola outbreak in three years, which has already claimed 15 lives.

»ÆÆ¬ÀóÖ¦ÊÓÆµ experts are available to discuss concerns about the world’s ability to respond quickly, particularly as recent U.S. funding cuts put global health programs under strain.

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Published: 5 Sep 2025

Expert: Trial of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro  

Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, has been charged with attempting to stage a coup d’état and reclaim power following his loss of the 2022 election. The verdict and sentencing phase of the trial is now beginning. 

This McGill expert can talk about Bolsonaro’s trial; the legacy of dictatorships in Brazil; the effects of U.S tariffs against Brazil; and human rights and amnesty. 

Published: 3 Sep 2025

Expert: Low water levels

In Quebec’s Montérégie region, residents are facing a growing water crisis, particularly in Mercier and Saint-Rémi, due to the depletion of resources in underground aquifers. The water scarcity has affected agriculture, forcing some farmers to abandon vegetable crops.

Meanwhile, the level of the St. Lawrence River is notably lower than usual for this time of year, affecting fishing, boating and shipping around Montreal.

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Published: 28 Aug 2025

Expert: Health consequences of wildfire smoke

Canada’s 2023 wildfire season caused the country’s worst air pollution levels since 1998, according to a new report. It warns that if such pollution levels persist, Canadians could lose about two years of life expectancy.

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Published: 28 Aug 2025

Experts: »ÆÆ¬ÀóÖ¦ÊÓÆµ guidelines to help Canadians quit smoking

»ÆÆ¬ÀóÖ¦ÊÓÆµ national smoking cessation guidelines caution that e-cigarettes should generally not be the first choice for people trying to quit.

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Published: 25 Aug 2025

Experts: Rocky Mountain spotted fever

The first case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever was confirmed in Quebec this week. The tick-borne illness, which can be life threatening, is typically found in the United States.

Virginie Millien is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at »ÆÆ¬ÀóÖ¦ÊÓÆµ and Curator of Zoology at the Redpath Museum. She can speak to how climate change and shifting habitats are enabling ticks to spread into new regions.

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Published: 21 Aug 2025

Expert: Efforts to reach a treaty on global plastic pollution

Global talks to finalize a UN treaty on plastic pollution ended in Geneva without consensus after 10 days of negotiations, highlighting sharp divisions over issues like production caps, chemicals of concern and financing. Despite the setback, countries pledged to continue negotiations, with the UN Environment Programme stressing the urgency of tackling a problem that affects ecosystems and human health worldwide. 

Published: 18 Aug 2025

Experts: back-to-school

With the first day of school fast approaching, McGill experts are available to comment on a variety of related issues.

Mental health and well-being

Marie-Claude Geoffroy, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, is the Canada Research Chair in Youth Suicide Prevention. She can discuss youth mental health.

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Published: 14 Aug 2025

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