White Coat, Black Art

Leanna Scott has always gone out of her way to help others — which is why she decided to become a surrogate. She carried a child for a couple from the Netherlands who chose Canada because of its altruistic surrogacy laws and strong health-care system. As demand grows, Canadian surrogates like Leanna are increasingly sought after by intended parents both here and abroad. Pamela White, a Canadian researcher who teaches law at the University of Kent, says it's time Canada has a discussion around its surrogacy laws.

Lung cancer is Canada’s deadliest cancer—and about one in four cases now occur in people who have never smoked. Toronto father Winhan Wong knows this firsthand: a lingering cough nine years ago led to a stage-four diagnosis. Thoracic surgeon Dr. Christian Finley explains why lung cancer is rising among never-smokers, the stigma around diagnosis, and how a national action plan aims to save lives.

Growing up, Mykayla Whitmarsh was told to make eye contact, sit still and laugh at friends’ jokes. Now 24, she’s part of a growing group of young women diagnosed in adulthood with “AuDHD” – autism and ADHD. After years of struggling, she advocated for herself, was diagnosed at 22, and now shares her daily life @autisticayla on TikTok.

William Hume knew he was dying, which is why he applied and was approved for medical assistance in dying (MAID). But in his final days, his daughter Stacey says her dad wasn't able to receive MAID at an Edmonton hospital run by a Catholic health-care provider and had to transfer to another facility. He died before that could happen. Dr. Andrea Letourneau, a critical care specialist and MAID provider, says forced transfers are a terrible practice that forces patients to go through extra hoops in order to receive the death they want.

Millions of Canadians are without a family doctor or nurse practitioner in Canada. But Denmark, a country where 98 per cent of its population is attached to a primary care provider, could have some lessons for us. We travelled to the Scandinavian country to see how the Danish system works for patients and doctors, and the differences are startling.