Michael Decter

A thoughtful conversation featuring Mike McCarthy, co-author of The Canadian Health Care Guerrilla Handbook, from CPAC - Cable Public Affairs Channel

This discussion offers a glimpse into the experience and perspective that informed the book and it is just one of many voices and lived realities that shape its approach to navigating Canada’s healthcare system.

Watch the full conversation

Pillars of Democracy: Tainted Blood — Mike McCarthy CPAC’s documentary series, “Pillars of Democracy”, tells four pivotal stories of democracy that changed the political and social landscape in this country in...

A recent Toronto Star article by Hanan Hammad explores the future of virtual health care in Ontario.

An interesting piece which points to a real disconnect. Governments appear lukewarm on virtual care, while continuing to prioritize in-person visits that are nearly impossible to get.

It’s also exactly why Michael McCarthy and I wrote The Canadian Health Care Guerrilla Handbook; a practical guide to getting the care you need in a system that isn’t always easy to move through.

Coming May 5, 2026. Pre-Order your copy today at the link below.
https://michaeldecter.com/books/the-canadian-healthcare-guerrilla-handbook/

The Canadian Health Care Guerrilla Handbook is currently ranking across four Indigo categories (including #4 in Health Care Current Events) ahead of its release.
We’re grateful to see early interest in a book focused on helping Canadians navigate the health care system.

Coming May 5, 2026.

If you’d like to pre-order:
https://michaeldecter.com/books/the-canadian-healthcare-guerrilla-handbook/

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to reach out about Mike McCarthy and my new book, The Canadian Healthcare Guerrilla Handbook.

This project has been a long time in the making. It reflects decades of experience, advocacy, and a shared commitment to helping Canadians better understand and navigate the healthcare system.

We set out to create something practical — a resource for patients and families that offers real guidance when it’s needed most.

It’s an honour to bring this work forward, and we’re grateful for the early support and encouragement.

Learn more or pre-order here:
https://michaeldecter.com/books/the-canadian-healthcare-guerrilla-handbook/

“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”

After decades working in Canadian health care, as a consultant, writer, board chair, and Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Health, I’m returning to the subject with a new book.

The Canadian Health Care Guerrilla Handbook: How to Fight for What You Need, written with Mike McCarthy, will be published May 5, 2026.

The book shares real stories of Canadians who challenged the system and fought for the care they needed; and highlights what others can learn from those experiences.

I’ve written about the journey behind the book in a new Substack post: Lessons from The Godfather.

Read it here:
https://substack.com/home/post/p-189574729

And pre-order The Canadian Health Care Guerrilla Handbook: How to Fight for What You Need today: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/the-canadian-health-care-guerrilla-handbook-how-to-fight-for-what-you-need/9781997701316.html

Books written with one goal in mind: making systems work better for people.

Grateful for the conversations these have sparked; and for the ones still to come.

Before turning to fiction, much of my writing focused on health policy and health systems. Navigating Canada’s Health Care, which I co-authored with Francesca Grosso, grew out of that work — and continues to resonate with readers.

“An indispensable, practical guide… it arms readers with strategies to become better advocates for themselves and for their loved ones.” — Goodreads Review

If you’re interested in understanding what the system does, what it doesn’t, and how to move through it more effectively, you can learn more here:

https://michaeldecter.com/books/navigating-canadas-health-care/
You can also find my ongoing writing on Substack, Bookends by Michael Decter

A recommended read: Icebreaker by Horatio Clare describes his adventure touring the Arctic as a passenger in a Finnish icebreaker, combining both fact (how icebreakers actually work, Finland’s history, the challenges of sharing a border with Russia, how Finland’s Indigenous peoples are treated) but also his inner thoughts and fears as the icebreaker crashes through the thick arctic sea ice.

The frozen Bay of Bothnia just short of the Arctic Circle is the setting for much of his tale. It follows an earlier bestseller Down to the Sea in Ships, when he rode the container ships of the Maersk line. If you have not read it, read it.

And for more recommendations on books and other things, find me on Substack

My latest Bookends had me reminiscing about some of my most memorable festival moments: a hard interview with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, my favourite Alexander McCall Smith line, a personal tour from Horatio Clare, and my current author-festival wish list.

If you enjoy books, writers and the particular joy of gathering around ideas I would love to hear you thoughts on this one: https://substack.com/home/post/p-183189763

As the weather shifts to that which makes us retreat into a good book; consider grabbing a copy of the best seller about climate change, love and hope for a brighter future.

The Fulcrum is available wherever books are sold.

Find out why The Fulcrum is sticking with readers everywhere.

Pick the up Best Selling Climate Thriller wherever you buy your books or through my website today https://michaeldecter.com/books/the-fulcrum/