logo
This surgeon was ‘essentially experimenting on patients without their consent.' He was allowed to keep treating — and allegedly harming — patients

This surgeon was ‘essentially experimenting on patients without their consent.' He was allowed to keep treating — and allegedly harming — patients

Toronto Star2 days ago
Updated 5 mins ago
Aug. 2, 2025
9 min read
Save
By Shree ParadkarInvestigative Reporter
When Taissa Pavliuc got a referral to the North York Endoscopy Centre, she went, hoping she could get the treatment she needed to return to competing in triathlons.
A surgeon at the clinic, Dr. Ashwin Maharaj, had been billed online as 'a leading expert in minimally invasive hemorrhoid and anorectal surgery.'
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Shree Paradkar is a Toronto-based investigative reporter for the Star. Follow her on X: @ShreeParadkar.
Related Stories
Disturbing errors at Ontario fertility clinics destroy couples' baby dreams years after province abandoned oversight plans
Toronto doctor who sexually abused patients has 'greatly' harmed medical profession, but will keep license after third suspension
Search the Star's database of Ontario's top-billing doctors
Report an error
Journalistic Standards
About The Star
More from The Star & partners
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Toronto's air quality among the worst globally
Toronto's air quality among the worst globally

CTV News

timean hour ago

  • CTV News

Toronto's air quality among the worst globally

Toronto and the GTA is under a special air quality statement due to wildfire smoke. Residents are encouraged to limit their time indoors. Toronto and the GTA is under a special air quality statement due to wildfire smoke. Residents are encouraged to limit their time indoors. Toronto ranks third in the world for worst air quality on Monday Toronto's air quality is currently among the worst worldwide, according to Swiss air quality tracker IQAir. As of 8:50 a.m. on Monday, Toronto ranked as the second-most polluted major city globally. Earlier Monday morning, the city was third. A special air quality statement is in effect as smoke from forest fires continues to cloud Toronto's skies. Environment Canada says the wildfire smoke is anticipated to impact much of southern Ontario throughout the day, potentially going into Tuesday before dissipating. As of 6 a.m. on Monday, the air quality health index (AQHI) for downtown Toronto was at a six, which is a moderate risk, according to Air Quality Ontario. It is forecasted to reach a high of seven – a high risk, before tapering off to a five by the evening. 'Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour,' the special air quality statement reads. Environment Canada urges limiting the amount of time spent outdoors and considering reducing or rescheduling any outdoor plans due to the smoke levels. Some common symptoms include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough, the federal agency says. While it's not as common, Environment Canada says wheezing, chest pains or a severe cough are also potential symptoms. Young children, seniors, pregnant people, or people with an existing illness or chronic health condition are more vulnerable to the poor air quality. Environment Canada advises keeping the windows and doors closed as much as possible to prevent wildfire smoke from emanating into your home. If someone must spend time outdoors, Environment Canada advises wearing a well-fitting respirator-type mask to reduce exposure to fine particles in the smoke. Air quality expert Jed Kaplan warned of the effects of fine particulate matter from Canada's forest fires on CP24 on Sunday, noting it can penetrate deep into the lungs. 'It's especially bad to be outside under those kinds of smoky conditions,' Kaplan told CP24's Sijia Liu. 'If you've got air con or if you have an air purifier, be using it for sure. If you don't have a purifier, consider going to the library or mall, any place that's considered going to likely have clear air.' To keep up to date with Toronto's air quality health index, Torontonians can visit

Toronto's air quality is among the worst globally
Toronto's air quality is among the worst globally

CTV News

time2 hours ago

  • CTV News

Toronto's air quality is among the worst globally

Toronto and the GTA is under a special air quality statement due to wildfire smoke. Residents are encouraged to limit their time indoors. Toronto's air quality is currently among the worst worldwide, according to Swiss air quality tracker IQAir. As of around 8:15 a.m. on Monday, Toronto ranked as the third-most polluted major city globally, with Montreal coming in at fourth. A special air quality statement is in effect as smoke from forest fires continues to cloud Toronto's skies. Environment Canada says the wildfire smoke is anticipated to impact much of southern Ontario throughout the day, potentially going into Tuesday before dissipating. As of 6 a.m. on Monday, the air quality health index (AQHI) for downtown Toronto was at a six, which is a moderate risk, according to Air Quality Ontario. It is forecasted to reach a high of seven – a high risk, before tapering off to a five by the evening. 'Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour,' the special air quality statement reads. Environment Canada urges limiting the amount of time spent outdoors and considering reducing or rescheduling any outdoor plans due to the smoke levels. Some common symptoms include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough, the federal agency says. While it's not as common, Environment Canada says wheezing, chest pains or a severe cough are also potential symptoms. Young children, seniors, pregnant people, or people with an existing illness or chronic health condition are more vulnerable to the poor air quality. Environment Canada advises keeping the windows and doors closed as much as possible to prevent wildfire smoke from emanating into your home. If someone must spend time outdoors, Environment Canada advises wearing a well-fitting respirator-type mask to reduce exposure to fine particles in the smoke. Air quality expert Jed Kaplan warned of the effects of fine particulate matter from Canada's forest fires on CP24 on Sunday, noting it can penetrate deep into the lungs. 'It's especially bad to be outside under those kinds of smoky conditions,' Kaplan told CP24's Sijia Liu. 'If you've got air con or if you have an air purifier, be using it for sure. If you don't have a purifier, consider going to the library or mall, any place that's considered going to likely have clear air.' To keep up to date with Toronto's air quality health index, Torontonians can visit

Toronto among worst air quality in the world as special statement continues
Toronto among worst air quality in the world as special statement continues

CBC

time2 hours ago

  • CBC

Toronto among worst air quality in the world as special statement continues

Toronto is among the most polluted cities in the world on Monday morning as the city remains under a special air quality statement for its third consecutive day. Environment Canada said smoke from forest fires is expected to continue to impact much of southern Ontario Monday and may persist into Tuesday before finally easing. "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," said Environment Canada in a special air quality statement issued Monday morning. The statement is also in effect for Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Burlington, Oakville, Halton Hills, Milton, Pickering and Oshawa. Toronto ranked third in a list of the world's most polluted cities as of Sunday morning, according to a global ranking by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company. Environment Canada is suggesting people limit time outdoors and consider rescheduling outdoor sports, activities, and events due to smoke levels. Young children, seniors, pregnant people, or people with an existing illness or chronic health condition are more vulnerable to the poor air quality. Symptoms can include eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and a mild cough. While it's not as common, Environment Canada says wheezing, chest pains or a severe cough are also potential symptoms. The national weather agency is also advising people to keep their windows and doors closed and check in on others who live nearby who are more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store