91ֱ�� News - Expert alerts

Expert: Mifepristone under safety review in U.S.

webfull — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:50:30 +0000

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reviewing the safety and efficacy of mifepristone, a drug used widely in medical abortions. The review has raised concerns about potential new restrictions on access to abortion in the United States.

Christopher Labos, MD, is an Associate at 91ֱ��’s Office for Science and Society. He can discuss the known evidence on mifepristone and the broader implications of the review.

Published: 26 September 2025

Experts: Fifth anniversary of Joyce Echaquan’s death

webfull — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:44:27 +0000

On Sept. 28, it will be five years since Joyce Echaquan, an Atikamekw woman, died in a hospital north of Montreal after having broadcast on Facebook racist and sexist remarks being made about her by health-care staff. The event sparked calls for Quebec to recognize systemic racism.

91ֱ�� experts are available to comment:

Published: 23 September 2025

Experts: Economic impact of Quebec housing crisis

webfull — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 16:25:04 +0000

According to a report by Quebec researchers studying social inequalities, Quebec’s economy lost $4.2 billion in 2021 due to the ongoing housing crisis — a figure the authors say is likely even higher in 2025.

Manque de logements adéquats : quels coûts sur la prospérité économique? is the first publication in a larger research project conducted by the Observatoire des inégalités du Québec with several partners.

Published: 22 September 2025

Experts: Canada’s superbug watchlist

webfull — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:27:09 +0000

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.

91ֱ�� experts are available to comment on this topic:

Published: 19 September 2025

Expert: Not Criminally Responsible rulings

webfull — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 19:43:12 +0000

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

This 91ֱ�� expert can discuss the place of Not Criminally Responsible rulings in our legal system. (She would not comment on any specific cases).

Marie Manikis, Assistant Professor and William Dawson Scholar, Faculty of Law, can comment on criminal justice, criminal law, human rights, sentencing and victims. 

Published: 18 September 2025

Experts: New report estimates Canada won’t meet its 2030 climate targets

webfull — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:00:06 +0000

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.

91ֱ�� experts are available to comment on this topic:

Published: 18 September 2025

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

webfull — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 14:42:48 +0000

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. 91ֱ�� experts are available to comment on the implications of this event, including battery safety, electric vehicle design, materials engineering and fire risk mitigation.

Published: 12 September 2025

Expert: Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS

webfull — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:59:32 +0000

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.

The comet is the oldest ever recorded and one of only three known to have originated beyond our solar system.

Published: 11 September 2025

Experts: Health misinformation online

webfull — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 17:14:44 +0000

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.

The following experts from 91ֱ�� are available to comment:

Published: 11 September 2025

Expert: Suicide prevention

webfull — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 14:11:02 +0000

Sept. 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. A new World Health Organization report underscores the urgency of suicide prevention, estimating that 727,000 people died by suicide in 2021 alone.

Published: 9 September 2025