Michelle Gamage

@michellegamage.bsky.social

Reporter for The Tyee covering health and biodiversity. I write about local research, sex, salmon, toxic drugs, bats, what your grandmother is up to, and all the different ways you can (but haven't yet) become dead in B.C.

@michellegamage.bsky.social

Feel better Marv! I've booked my shot for Tuesday but holy cats everyone is sick right now and I'm scared the universe is going to Murphy's law my ass and I will also get sick before I can get the shot.

@michellegamage.bsky.social

BC journos are deep in double election hell. My ridiculous brain has started reading all of the press releases/ skeets from political hopefuls and parties in the sassiest valley girl accent. Like omg, Mike Farnworth, will be available to talk about Lorne Doerkson's false claims around ICBC.

@michellegamage.bsky.social

Filming a video to promote yourself as a political candidate shows me that, in this moment, Lina chose the importance of making this video over the importance of safe driving. This is unacceptable behaviour and I hope she learns and never, ever does this again.

@michellegamage.bsky.social

I am similarly going to condemn this action. Distracted driving is extremely dangerous and I see it so often in Vancouver as a driver, a cyclist and a pedestrian. By which I mean I have been hit by distracted drivers several times, and have loved ones who have been killed by distracted drivers.

@andreawoo.bsky.socialReposted by @michellegamage.bsky.social

Statement from Connor Bildfell, president of the Canadian Bar Association's B.C. branch, on personal attacks on judges following last week's ruling re: the Drug User Liberation Front

Some recent media commentary on the Supreme Court of British Columbia’s decision in R. v. Kalicum has moved beyond criticism of the decision to attacks on the character and fitness of the judge who made it. Court decisions can and should be subject to careful scrutiny and vigorous debate. People who disagree with a decision may speak out and challenge its reasoning, and our justice system gives parties an appeal process for challenging decisions where appropriate. But attacking a judge’s character or fitness—even calling for their removal—goes too far. These kinds of personal attacks risk eroding public confidence in our justice system and collapsing the important distinction between criticizing a decision and attacking the judge who made it. Judges speak only through their decisions and are unable to respond publicly to such personal attacks, making them particularly inappropriate. Judges must make their decisions based on the law and the evidence before them, after lawyers present arguments to them. While a healthy debate about the merits of those judicial decisions promotes democracy and the rule of law, personal attacks do not.
@michellegamage.bsky.social

The last update I got from the min of health was that about 3,900 people in B.C. were being prescribed safer supply in February 2025, down from 5,200 at the program’s peak in March 2023. The BCCDC estimates around 115,000 BCers have an opioid use disorder and could benefit from safer supply.

@michellegamage.bsky.social

Want to learn more about the DULF verdict and what the heck it means for drug laws in Canada? Then come join this free webinar I'm moderating today while we have some of the smartest, most involved people break it all down for us. TODAY FROM 12-1.

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