Aaron Derfel
Toronto Sun
Montreal, QC, Canada
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Past articles by Aaron:
Pandemic caused extra surgical backlog of at least 46,000 cases in Quebec
As of Jan. 28, nearly 162,000 patients were waiting for elective surgery, according to the latest Health Ministry figures. → Read More
Hydro-Québec crews scramble to restore power to 352,000 households
The utility hopes to restore power to most of its clients by Sunday night, but warns some will still be in the dark on Monday and Tuesday in more remote areas. → Read More
'Weather bomb' to hit southern Quebec Thursday evening: Environment Canada
A "major weather system" will dump heavy snow on the city Thursday before turning into freezing rain Friday with winds reaching 80 km/h. → Read More
Our favourite things: Ecomuseum Zoo's creatures great and small delight all
It's an ideal venue to enjoy the fresh air while learning about some of Quebec’s native animal species. → Read More
Quebec's cancer surgery wait list has jumped 41 per cent since early 2021
More than one in five patients are now waiting beyond the medically acceptable delay of 57 days. → Read More
Authors of MUHC report on systemic racism told they can't speak to media
The MUHC board of directors is scheduled to make an executive summary of the report public at its meeting on Friday. → Read More
Survey on systemic racism made some uneasy at the MUHC
Interference by senior manager alleged as authors cite "discomfort" over report on discrimination. → Read More
Report finds systemic racism at MUHC
Unflinching testimonials in a preliminary draft obtained by the Gazette outline the depth of the problem at Quebec’s largest hospital network. → Read More
More than 200 Montrealers gather to celebrate life of 'Bicycle Bob'
The St-Denis cycling path was temporarily rechristened in honour of Robert Silverman, co-founder of Monde à Bicyclette. → Read More
Analysis: Quebec's health-care system has already reached the point of no return
The situation is so dire that many Quebecers haven't seemed to notice that emergency-room overcrowding has returned with a vengeance. → Read More
Omicron presents unique challenges for Quebec's hospitals
COVID variant appears less severe than Delta, but hospitalizations are surging and an exhausted health network is more overburdened than ever. → Read More
Analysis: Quebec is at the beginning of a Delta wave, experts warn
"We do have community transmission" of the ultra-contagious variant, said Dr. Judith Fafard. Research has shown that Delta can cause so-called breakthrough infections in doubly dosed individuals. → Read More
Analysis: Perhaps it's time for Quebec to reimpose a mask mandate in classrooms
One expert says Quebec should recommend mask-wearing in schools "as long as vaccination coverage for the 12-plus (age group) remains low." → Read More
Analysis: How the Black Lives Matter movement benefited Montreal during the pandemic
"A result of the Black Lives Matter movement, many young people reconnected with their friends and peers, and once that was underway, they were experiencing a… → Read More
Analysis: COVID-19 outbreaks down to 15 in Montreal, but threats remain
"For whatever reason, Delta has not yet really been present in Quebec. As long as that trend continues, then I think we're going to see this kind of wonderful stability." → Read More
Quebec mulls third COVID-19 shot for vulnerable adults: source
"They're looking at a possible fourth wave" that could be driven by the more contagious Delta variant, the senior government source said. → Read More
Analysis: Quebec to start screening for Delta variant next week
Although only 163 Delta cases have been identified in the province so far, it poses a threat of triggering a fourth COVID wave in the fall. → Read More
Analysis: COVID-19 pandemic may persist in poorer countries
Expert draws parallel between lingering HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis epidemics in developing nations and what might happen with COVID-19. → Read More
Montreal vaccination centres were overstaffed at great expense, sources say
"We were just sitting there," said one vaccinator, "knowing that there were vaccines available and not having anyone come. I kept asking, 'Can we call people to come?', but because of the age limitations that was not possible." → Read More
Quebec hospitals ordered to cut total of $150M from budgets, sources say
"I think they're looking for a way to recoup all the money they spent on the pandemic, which is a little bit premature since we're still not out of it," said one of two high-ranking sources who confirmed the planned cuts. → Read More