McGill Journal of Law and Health Podcast

In this episode, Sonia and Catherine discuss the ongoing criminalization of HIV non-disclosure in Canada with Richard Elliott, who has been a prominent advocate and expert in HIV, human rights and health law and policy for over twenty years. They discussed how HIV is criminalized within Canada's legal framework, common myths and misconceptions that contribute to stigma and discrimination for people living with HIV, and how HIV criminalization creates barriers to the realization of human rights for all. 

In this episode, Hailey and Sonia interviewed Dr. Nicholas B. King about health ethics and the law. Dr. King shared insights related to the ethics of requiring COVID-19 vaccination for medical procedures, like organ transplants, the ethics of vaccine distribution and pandemic resources, as well as the evolving ethics surrounding artificial intelligence, technology and health.

The health impacts of climate change have been front and centre throughout 2021 in Canada: from wildfires to flooding. In this episode, Catherine interviews Dr. McGregor, an Anishinaabe woman from Whitefish River First Nation and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice at Osgoode Hall Law School, to discuss the impacts of climate change on Indigenous peoples' in Canada, the limits of Canadian legal frameworks, and possibilities.

On October 30, 2021, Newfoundland & Labrador discovered a ransomware attack on their healthcare system that brought down the province's cyber infrastructure for weeks. Yuan Stevens, Policy Lead on Technology, Cybersecurity & Democracy at Ryerson's Leadership Lab, discusses with Catherine the impacts of the attack on patients, government, and employees; why malicious hackers often target health infrastructure; and steps that governments can take to enhance the legal frameworks that govern cybersecurity and health information. 

In Episode 11 of COVID Conversations, Catherine Dunne spoke with Molly Reynolds, a leading privacy lawyer at Torys LLP in Toronto, Ontario. 

In this episode, Catherine and Molly discussed the emerging trend of proof of vaccination requirements and vaccine passports across Canada, and their legal parameters, particularly dissecting legal considerations relevant to the right to privacy and the application of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 

In Episode 10 of COVID Conversations, Sidney and Bianca spoke with Professor Lara Khoury, who is an Associate Professor at McGill University's Faculty of Law, and an associate member of McGill's Institute for Health & Social Policy and Biomedical Ethics Unit.

In this episode, Sidney and Bianca discussed with Professor Khoury the challenges to government liability for COVID-19 response and alternative accountability mechanisms for policy decisions taken during the pandemic.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the MJLH/RDSM podcast. If you have any questions about the podcast, please email [email protected].

This episode is part of the McGill Journal of Law and Health podcast’s miniseries on the deferral of men who have sex with men (MSM) from blood donation in Canada.

In this episode, Sidney Black-Rotchin spoke with Kylee Wilyman about the legal elements of the MSM deferral policy. Ms. Wilyman received her Juris Doctor from the University of Saskatchewan and previously completed a Master of Science in Community Health and Epidemiology.

Sidney and Ms. Wilyman discussed the Canadian Blood Services v Freeman decision, what a Charter challenge to the deferral policy could look like today, and potential alternatives.

All views expressed by MJLH/RDSM podcast guests are those of the individual speakers, not of the McGill Journal of Law and Health.

For information on how to donate blood in Quebec, visit: www.hema-quebec.qc.ca/sang/donneur-sang/index.en.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwsLWDBhCmARIsAPSL3_3VZYCwjxqkraO_x_IfVWn9ANkYk9f8MR4qn8PKAzOzFM5A7TIW_jgaAmZeEALw_wcB

For information on Canadian Blood Services eligibility criteria, visit: www.blood.ca/en/blood/am-i-eligible-donate-blood

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the MJLH/RDSM podcast. If you have any questions about the podcast, please email [email protected]. Thanks for listening! 

This episode is part of the McGill Journal of Law and Health podcast’s miniseries on the deferral of men who have sex with men (MSM) from blood donation in Canada.

In this episode, Nick Whitfield spoke with Dr. Mindy Goldman, medical director of donor and clinical services at Canadian Blood Services (CBS) in Ottawa. Dr. Goldman is responsible for donor criteria and policies related to blood donors and immunohematology at CBS. She is also involved in epidemiology studies and research related to donor and recipient risk.

Nick and Dr. Goldman discussed a number of topics including blood donor criteria in Canada, the history of the MSM deferral policy, and why this policy persists into the modern day.

All views expressed by MJLH/RDSM podcast guests are those of the individual speakers, not of the McGill Journal of Law and Health.

For information on how to donate blood in Quebec, visit: www.hema-quebec.qc.ca/sang/donneur-sang/index.en.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwsLWDBhCmARIsAPSL3_3VZYCwjxqkraO_x_IfVWn9ANkYk9f8MR4qn8PKAzOzFM5A7TIW_jgaAmZeEALw_wcB

For information on Canadian Blood Services eligibility criteria, visit: www.blood.ca/en/blood/am-i-eligible-donate-blood

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the MJLH/RDSM podcast. If you have any questions about the podcast, please email [email protected]. Thanks for listening! 

In Episode 7 of COVID Conversations, Sidney and Bianca sat down with Phil Lord, who is currently completing an LL.M. at McGill University as a Bombardier scholar. 

In this episode, Phil, Sidney, and Bianca discussed how COVID-19 has impacted employment, with a specific focus on the uneven consequences of the move to remote work, the connection between these impacts and existing social issues, and potential government interventions to mitigate these issues. 

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the MJLH/RDSM podcast. If you have any questions about the podcast, please email [email protected].

In Episode 6 of COVID Conversations, Catherine Dunne spoke with Dr. Annalise Trudell, the Manager of Education, Training and Research, at ANOVA, a Sexual Assault Centre and Community House Shelter based out of London, Ontario. Dr. Trudell is also one of the authors of, Pandemic meets Pandemic: Understanding the Impacts of COVID19 on Gender-Based Violence Services and Survivors in Canada.

In this episode, Catherine and Dr. Trudell discussed the report’s findings on the impacts of COVID-19 on gender-based violence, the root causes of gender-based violence, and measures governments can take to support survivors during COVID-19 and address gender-based violence in the long-term.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the MJLH/RDSM podcast. If you have any questions about the podcast, please email [email protected].