New national smoking cessation guidelines caution that e-cigarettes should generally not be the first choice for people trying to quit. Published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the new guidelines recommend proven supports such as counselling and nicotine replacement therapies.
Category:
Published on: 25 Aug 2025
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 McGill University 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.
virginie.millien [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)
Category:
Published on: 21 Aug 2025
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.
Category:
Published on: 18 Aug 2025
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.
marie-claude.geoffroy [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)
Category:
Published on: 14 Aug 2025
Ozempic and Wegovy are widely used to support weight loss and manage diabetes. But could this class of drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, also help treat heart failure, liver disease and even addiction?
A new study by researchers at McGill University and the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research at the Jewish General Hospital takes a closer look at their growing list of potential uses beyond diabetes and obesity.
Category:
Published on: 7 Aug 2025
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned yesterday of a worst-case scenario famine unfolding in the Gaza strip, as access to food and other essential items and services has become highly limited due to the ongoing conflict and displacement.
These McGill experts are available to comment:
Category:
Published on: 30 Jul 2025
The International Court of Justice ruled today that countries must act on the “urgent and existential threat” of climate change. The advisory opinion, backed by all 15 of the court’s judges, potentially opens the door to further legal action by states that seek to hold other states accountable.
This McGill expert is available to comment:
Category:
Published on: 23 Jul 2025
A coalition of 40 AI researchers – including signatories from Meta, OpenAI and Montreal-based Mila – has issued a joint position paper warning that as advanced AI systems evolve, we may be losing the ability to understand or monitor how they “think.”
Category:
Published on: 21 Jul 2025
As Montreal experiences the convergence of a heat wave, wildfire smoke from the Prairies, and recent extreme storms, McGill experts are available to discuss the science behind these converging climate-driven events.
Category:
Published on: 15 Jul 2025
About one-third of Canadians are now obese, with women and young adults most affected, according to a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. It found obesity rates accelerated significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This expert from McGill University is available to comment:
Category:
Published on: 14 Jul 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 50 per cent tariff on all copper imported into the United States.
These McGill experts are available to comment:
Diya Jiang, PhD candidate and course lecturer, Department of Political Science, has expertise in Canada-U.S. relations, supply chain geopolitics, public opinion and international political economy.
Diya.jiang [at] mail.mcgill.ca (English, French)
Category:
Published on: 9 Jul 2025
As extreme weather events become more frequent, flooding poses a growing risk in many parts of Canada.
Djordje Romanic is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at McGill University. His research focuses on climate modelling. He can discuss Canada’s flood forecasting infrastructure, the limits of current predictive models, and how climate change is reshaping rainfall patterns and short-term weather extremes.
Category:
Published on: 9 Jul 2025
Canada’s Minister of Finance and National Revenue, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, has announced that he will soon bring forward legislation to rescind the digital sales tax.
Allison Christians, Professor, Faculty of Law, H. Heward Stikeman Chair in Tax Law can speak about tax law and technology, domestic and international tax law and policy, and international law and institutions.
allison.christians [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)
Category:
Published on: 30 Jun 2025
With a hot start to summer and the swimming season, health experts are urging caution around water. Drowning remains one of the most common causes of accidental death in Canadian children.
Hussein Wissanji, MD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatric Surgery at McGill University and a pediatric emergency physician at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, is available to speak on how to prevent drowning incidents, particularly in young children.
Category:
Published on: 26 Jun 2025
The federal government is expected to overhaul Canada’s cancer screening task force following criticism that its recommendations are outdated and lacked expert input. Breast cancer screening is a key focus, with growing pressure to lower the starting age to 40.
McGill University experts are available to speak to the debate, including:
Category:
Published on: 19 Jun 2025
Pages
