#The Big Idea: Neurochips will fix our brains

#The Big Idea: Neurochips will fix our brains

I invented the world’s first brain chip. It can cure epilepsy, dementia, chronic pain and addiction—if Canada is ready to invest. (Photo illustration by Maclean’s, background illustration via iStock) During my childhood summers in Pakistan, I used to go to the beach and watch the crabs. Most of them were docile but one day, a…

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#This Ontario hospital network is prescribing housing to patients—and building homes on its property

#This Ontario hospital network is prescribing housing to patients—and building homes on its property

“The units are modular, identical, 275-square-foot studios with galley kitchens, a living room, a bedroom and a bathroom” (Photo illustration by Maclean’s, photograph courtesy of Dr. Kevin Smith) I have worked in health care for more than 30 years as a professor, researcher and hospital executive. For the last half-century, intellectuals, doctors and policy leaders…

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#The Big Idea: Stockpile Canada’s Drugs

#The Big Idea: Stockpile Canada’s Drugs

The pandemic—and one very bad winter—have exposed long-standing gaps in Canada’s pharma supply. We can’t get caught off-guard again (Illustration by Pete Ryan) Shoo Lee is professor emeritus at the University of Toronto and former pediatrician-in-chief at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. He was named to the Order of Canada in 2019. Last summer, my…

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#The Big Idea: We need to make work more welcoming

#The Big Idea: We need to make work more welcoming

“The Big Idea: We need to make work more welcoming” “One of the biggest business liabilities is isolation.”  Kim Samuel is the founder of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness in Montreal. She is also the author of On Belonging: Finding Connection in an Age of Isolation. There’s much to love about remote work. You…

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#Why we need to tax million-dollar-home owners

#Why we need to tax million-dollar-home owners

“Why we need to tax million-dollar-home owners” To tackle the scourge of housing unaffordability, older, wealthier homeowners need to chip in Paul Kershaw is a policy professor at the UBC School of Population and Public Health. He is the founder of Generation Squeeze, a think tank that promotes well-being and fairness for Canadians of all…

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#How to make malls matter again

#How to make malls matter again

“How to make malls matter again” For starters, they could house much-needed community services Andrew Gallici is a Toronto-based retail design director at Gensler, an integrated architecture, design, planning and consulting firm. Gallici believes there will always be a need for malls—but he’s also embraced online shopping. I have a very long history with malls….

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