A crisis in Canadian ERs

Monday, July 27, 2026

Written by Jane Gerster Copy Editor, Digital News

Good morning. A new survey suggests 10 per cent of emergency physicians are leaving Canadian ERs. We'll explore what's driving the "alarming exodus." And, it's a question with no easy answer: How do you teach young people to think critically? In the age of AI, we'll hear from educators about what they think works. Plus, meet a former hockey player and Ukrainian soldier who's recovering after being nearly killed last year.

But first, a correction — Jacques Cartier landed in the gulf of the St. Lawrence River in 1534, not 1535. Apologies for the typo.

BREAKING NEWS

(Lindsey Wasson/The Associated Press)

3 killed in shooting at Seattle food festival

Gunfire erupted at the Bite of Seattle festival beneath Seattle's Space Needle on Sunday, leaving three people dead and four others injured.

What's happening: Two people died at the scene and a third died at a hospital. The wounded, which included a two-year-old boy, were hospitalized and in stable condition, according to a fire department spokesperson.

Why it matters: Police believe two people in the crowd were shooting at each other. One suspect surrendered at the scene and was arrested. Police are still looking for the other but do not have a description. Officials say there is no ongoing threat to the public. "We're still trying to figure this out," said Assistant Seattle Police Chief Tyrone Davis. Davis couldn't say if any of the victims were involved in the confrontation.

– This section compiled by Sean Davidson

Read more here

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1 in 10 emergency physicians leaving Canadian ERs, national survey suggests

Loss marks "crisis for the Canadian system," say authors of new study in Canadian Medical Association Journal.

What's happening: It's not just that one in 10 ER doctors left their jobs per a 2025 cross-country survey of hundreds of emergency medicine physicians — it's also that the majority of those remaining are reducing hours or taking time off for burnout. Burnout, in particular, the study found, is higher among women and younger doctors. "The prevailing theme was that the system is broken," wrote the study's co-author.

Why it matters: This is an "alarming exodus" nationwide, says Dr. Kaitlin Stockton, with the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians. Already, millions of Canadians lack access to a primary-care provider, while ERs are struggling with chronic overcrowding and staffing shortages. Stockton says the survey results reflect how "demoralizing" it is to see patient harm, voice concerns and then see no changes. At last week's premiers gathering, the group called for more predictable federal health-care funding, though the Canadian Medical Association put the onus on the provinces and territories to act.

Lauren Pelley has more

In the age of AI, how do we teach young people to think critically?

Former Stanford University dean Louis Newman makes the case for being more explicit about what it means to think critically, and why it matters.

What's happening: Kids are usually taught about critical thinking bit by bit throughout their schooling, says Newman, who wrote Thinking Critically in College. They evaluate readings, exploring context, weighing evidence and considering applications. Then, they do it again and again and again. While that works for some, Newman says, it doesn't work for all — especially now that it's never been easier to feed a prompt into generative AI and have it do the heavy lifting, however poorly.

Why it matters: Newman is among a cohort of educators shifting gears. Some are doing it through a mix of AI use and being explicit, both with instructions and feedback. One Toronto educator has worked AI into her assignments, asking students to generate something with AI and then make note of what they noticed the AI did, instilling "a healthy skepticism." Meanwhile, an Ottawa educator has leaned into the mess of learning, emphasizing slowing down and process over results. Newman says it can be as simple as explaining out loud what makes a question great, rather than simply offering the praise: "That's a great question."