Expert: Lyme disease
Tick season returns each spring, bringing a renewed risk of Lyme disease. In Quebec, the number of reported cases has been rising in recent years.
Expert: Mental health care access in Canada
More than half of Canadian girls and young women ages 15 to 29 with a mental health or substance use disorder received formal supports in 2022, but many are deterred by wait times and cost, according to a new Statistics Canada report. The report highlights a need to improve care, especially for racialized youth, who were less likely to find the support helpful.
Expert: Fires linked to lithium-ion batteries
Montreal has seen a threefold increase in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in just two years, according to the city’s latest fire department report. E-bikes and e-scooters are the main culprits, but the batteries that power everything from cellphones to power tools are increasingly being flagged as fire hazards.
Expert: Urban gardening and climate-resilient food systems
As climate change and urbanization reshape how we grow food, a McGill University horticulture expert is available to discuss a wide range of topics related to innovative, sustainable gardening practices.
Expert: The potential impact of wildfire smoke and heat on people’s immune systems
As wildfires and heatwaves become more frequent in Canada, a McGill University researcher is investigating whether they play a role in triggering autoimmune diseases like lupus.
Expert: Hudson’s Bay auction of art and artifacts
The Hudson’s Bay recently received permission to auction off its collection of over 4,000 artifacts and pieces of art to help pay its creditors. However, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is now joining with the Assembly of First Nations, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak in calling on Hudson’s Bay to halt the sale of Indigenous artifacts, which may include sacred items.
This McGill expert can provide insight into the situation:
Expert: India-Pakistan conflict
Earlier today India launched a series of military strikes on Pakistan and the Pakistan-administered part of Kashmir that have killed at least 20 people. The strikes come after gunmen last month opened fire in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir, killing 26 people, mostly Indian tourists. India blamed Pakistan for that attack. Kashmir has long been a source of dispute between the two countries; both claim it as their own.
Expert: Invasive aquatic plants in Quebec
With the arrival of boating season, biologists are raising alarms about the rapid spread of invasive aquatic plants in Quebec’s lakes and rivers. Species like water chestnut and Eurasian watermilfoil are threatening biodiversity around the Montreal archipelago by choking out native flora and fauna, blocking light and depleting oxygen.
Experts: Prime Minister Carney visits President Trump
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Washington D.C. to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump today.
These McGill experts can share their insights into some of the subjects that are likely to be discussed during that meeting:
Experts: Cell phones in schools
Education minister Bernard Drainville has announced that, starting in September 2025, cellphone use by students would be prohibited in all schools in Quebec, even during break periods. The decision comes after an interim report by the parliamentary commission on the impacts of screen time on young people. It will be up to the schools to decide how to implement the new rules.
These McGill University experts are available to provide their insights into this topic:
Experts: Quebec’s infrastructure crisis
Quebec is grappling with a significant infrastructure maintenance deficit, which has doubled since 2018, according to Quebec Treasury Board figures. The Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec has raised concerns about public safety and is initiating a province-wide consultation to propose steps to be taken. These McGill University experts are available to provide insights on this topic.
Expert: Safeguarding data on sustainability and climate
As the U.S. government moves to erase large amounts of scientific data, including climate data, from its websites, researchers at McGill University in Montreal are helping the scientific community safeguard what might otherwise be lost.
Experts: Canadian federal election
Canada’s April 28 federal election is now only a few days away. Voter interest appears high. There was a record turnout last weekend at advance polls. These experts are available to share their insights about the campaign and the issues at stake:
Expert: New guidelines for treating childhood obesity
New Canadian guidelines for treating childhood obesity focus on reducing stigma and supporting mental health, and recommend using medical options like GLP-1 drugs or surgery when appropriate.
The following expert from McGill University is available to comment on this topic:
Experts: Ramifications of a U.S.-China trade war
The recent volley of tariffs and counter tariffs between the U.S. and China appears to signal the beginning of a trade war between the world’s two largest economies. These experts can provide insight into the situation:
