McGill Journal of Law and Health Podcast

This episode of the McGill Journal of Law and Health podcast features The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, the 14th Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador (2020-2025), in a conversation that traces his path from orthopaedic trauma surgeon to provincial leader. This episode explores Furey's transition from medicine to politics, his work co-founding Team Broken Earth in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake and how that experience shaped his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, Newfoundland and Labrador's participation in the Atlantic Bubble and the challenges of coordinating pandemic policy across four distinct provinces, and his perspective on the greatest challenges facing Canadian health care today along with practical policy solutions.

In this episode, editors Dominik Emalieu de Kadji and Aya Tir invite Dr. Phoebe Friesen, bioethicist at McGill University, to discuss a practice that remains shockingly common in medical education: students performing pelvic exams on anesthetized patients without explicit consent. We explore a variety of topics, including the ethics behind these forms of examinations, the flawed legislative responses across 30 U.S. states, and why institutional reform, not individual blame, is essential. Given that research shows that over half of Canadian medical students have done these exams without proper consent, this episode constitutes a crucial conversation about informed consent, power dynamics in medical training, and balancing physician education with patient autonomy.

In this episode, editors Dominik Emalieu de Kadji and Aya Tir invite Dr. Phoebe Friesen, bioethicist at McGill University, to discuss a practice that remains shockingly common in medical education: students performing pelvic exams on anesthetized patients without explicit consent. We explore a variety of topics, including the ethics behind these forms of examinations, the flawed legislative responses across 30 U.S. states, and why institutional reform, not individual blame, is essential. Given that research shows that over half of Canadian medical students have done these exams without proper consent, this episode constitutes a crucial conversation about informed consent, power dynamics in medical training, and balancing physician education with patient autonomy.

Medical malpractice is a complex and consequential area of civil litigation sitting at the intersection of law and medicine. From surgical errors and misdiagnoses to medication mistakes and birth injuries, medical malpractice cases require lawyers to possess a rare combination of legal acumen, attention to detail, and emotional intelligence. These cases, which can span years, demand that lawyers immerse themselves in highly technical subject matter, from reviewing complex medical records to consulting expert witnesses. The stakes in this area of law are significant for physicians, patients and their families, and other healthcare providers alike.

In this episode, editors Samuel Lee Ribeiro Toi & Vincent De Luca interview Risa Kirshblum, a partner at Lenczner Slaght, a leading litigation firm in the country, for an in-depth conversation on the complex world of medical malpractice litigation. Their guest shares the personal and professional experiences that drew them to this specialized area of law, offering candid insight into what makes this practice unique. This discussion delves into the unique obstacles that medical malpractice lawyers face, from navigating intricate medical records and expert testimony to managing the emotional weight that often accompanies this work, and the mindset and strategies required to succeed.

In this episode of the McGill Journal of Law and Health's podcast, editors Faye Nikolettos and Sam Schonfeld sit down with Professor Trudo Lemmens, Scholl Chair in Health Law and Policy at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law, to discuss one of the most pressing and contentious issues in Canadian health law today: Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Drawing on his latest scholarship — Canadian Medical Assistance in Dying: Provider Concentration, Policy Capture, and Need for Reform — Professor Lemmens walks us through the rapid expansion of MAiD in Canada, now the sixth leading cause of death in the country, and raises critical questions about who is shaping the policies that govern it. From the historical legal landscape to concerns about regulatory oversight and patient protection, this conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in where Canadian law and medicine intersect. 

Additional Notes:

This podcast would not be possible without the valuable contributions of Alexander Ginnetti, a former SPAS editor and active Journal member.  

For access to Unravelling MAiD in Canada, co-edited by Prof. Trudo Lemmens, Dr. Ramona Coelho, and Dr. K. Sonu Gaind, please consult the following link: 
https://www.mqup.ca/unravelling-maid-in-canada-products-9780228023692.php 

Dans cet épisode, les animatrices et étudiantes en droit Aya Tir et Dominik Emalieu de Kadji se penchent sur un sujet au cœur des débats québécois en matière de santé : la Loi 2, une réforme majeure visant à transformer l’organisation du travail médical et l’accès aux soins. Pour en discuter, elles reçoivent Anne Plourde, chercheuse à l’Institut de recherche et d’informations socioéconomiques, dont les analyses offrent un éclairage essentiel sur le contexte politique et structurel ayant mené à l’adoption de cette loi. Ensemble, elles explorent les objectifs officiels de la réforme, ses mécanismes concrets, les inquiétudes qu’elle suscite chez les professionnels de la santé, ainsi que ses conséquences — visibles et invisibles — pour les patients et l’avenir du système public québécois. Un épisode incontournable pour mieux comprendre les enjeux derrière la réforme de l’accès aux soins!

Canada’s healthcare system is often discussed in terms of funding, staffing, and reform, but far less attention is paid to the constitutional framework that shapes its operation. Who is to be held accountable when services are insufficient?

In this episode, our editor, Leyla Bilgi-Bérard, is joined by Josh Dehaas from the Canadian Constitution Foundation to explore how constitutional law interacts with healthcare in Canada. They begin by unpacking how provisions, such as section 7 of the Charter, apply to healthcare. They also take a closer look at the division of powers between federal and provincial governments, and how this structure affects the delivery, regulation, and reform of healthcare across the country.

The discussion then turns to accountability: what it means in the context of Canadian healthcare, why it can be difficult to achieve, and what legal or constitutional tools exist when governments fall short of their obligations. Drawing on current challenges—from wait times to public health crises—this episode discusses the role of courts in protecting the public from unconstitutional or arbitrary laws, as well as on what we can all do to push for greater transparency and responsibility within the system.

Les professionnels du réseau de la santé au Québec sont confrontés à une détérioration progressive de leurs conditions de travail, un phénomène qui soulève des enjeux majeurs tant pour la protection de leurs droits que pour la sécurité du public.

Dans cet épisode, notre rédactrice Leyla Bilgi-Bérard accueille Mme Julie Bouchard, présidente élue de la Fédération interprofessionnelle du Québec (FIQ), qui représente près de 90 000 infirmières, infirmières auxiliaires, inhalothérapeutes et autres professionnelles en soins. Ensemble, elles explorent les réalités quotidiennes du personnel de la santé : surcharge de travail, recours excessif au temps supplémentaire obligatoire, pénurie de main-d’œuvre, et contournements des normes du droit du travail.

La discussion met en lumière les impacts juridiques, humains et organisationnels de cette érosion des droits, tout en examinant les responsabilités de l’État et des gestionnaires du réseau. Mme Bouchard propose également des pistes de solutions concrètes pour rétablir un environnement de travail plus sain, renforcer la sécurité des soins, et préserver la dignité des travailleuses et travailleurs qui soutiennent le système de santé québécois.

Head injuries in sports have long-been a source of controversy and concern. The National Institute of Health estimates that 1.2 million athletes suffer some form of head injury per year. In 2012, the Ontario Legislative assembly, for the first time in Canadian history, implemented legislation designed to prevent further escalation from head injuries – better known as second-impact-injuries. It is commonly known as Rowan’s Law. It became law after the unfortunate death of Rowan Stringer, who passed away after suffering from a second-impact injury while playing rugby.

In this episode, editors Samuel Lee Ribeiro Toi and Samuel Schonfeld interview Tim Powers, the former Chairman of Rugby Canada, to discuss the role he and his organization played in developing the law. They also discussed the implications of the law and the ramifications it has had since its implementation.

Health care accessibility and drug affordability have been long-standing issues in the U.S., with some studies showing that approximately 1 in 3 Americans struggle to afford prescription drugs. 

Patients for Affordable Drugs, or P4AD, is a national patient organization focused on advocating for lower prescription drug prices in the U.S. In this episode, editors Vincent De Luca, Faye Nikolettos, and Samuel Lee Ribeiro Toi interview Merith Basey, Executive Director of P4AD, and Michael Lieberman, a lawyer for the organization and a graduate of Harvard Law School. 

Our discussion explores the organization's recent legal successes in advocating for affordable drugs, the impact of recent tariffs on the issue, as well as potential policy and legislative changes that can help improve access to medicines. This episode delves into the realities of the American privatized healthcare system while simultaneously highlighting effective patient advocacy in the legal field.