by Geoffrey Stevens
The Justin Trudeau honeymoon is over. The surprise is not that the romance has cooled. It’s that it was so intense, lasted as long as it did, had such an uplifting effect on sagging Liberal fortunes and, in the process, re-ordered the balance among federal parties.
by David Suzuki
We can’t live without birds. Beyond being fascinating and beautiful, they play a crucial role in keeping the world habitable for all life, including people. They disperse seeds, pollinate plants, control insects, provide food and are indicators of the overall health of ecosystems. They also create recreational and economic opportunities, through the immense popularity of birdwatching.
So we should be concerned about the findings of the report, State of the world’s birds: indicators for our changing world. One in eight — or 1,313 — species of Earth’s birds is in danger of disappearing.
by Geoffrey Stevens
Byelections can be a really big deal — or they can be small potatoes. They can mean everything, or nothing. They can be a harbinger, or a footnote.
by Beth Lyons
A few years ago, a feminist gathering in Winnipeg, Manitoba sharply challenged my thinking about Canada and Canadian identity, particularly my limited understanding of Aboriginal identities, experiences, and oppressions. Continue reading »
by David Suzuki
News of the devastating floods in Alberta hit Canadians hard. We’ve all been moved by extraordinary stories of first responders and neighbours stepping in to help and give selflessly at a time of great need. As people begin to pick up their lives, and talk turns to what Calgary and other communities can do to rebuild, safeguarding our irreplaceable, most precious flood-protection assets should be given top priority.
by Geoffrey Stevens
Folks, it is time, past time, to shed a sympathetic tear or two for the much maligned members of the senior house of Parliament, the chamber of sober second thought, where wisdom takes precedence over partisanship. I speak, of course, of the Senate of Canada.
Recent events have not been kind to senators. Pity poor Mike Duffy (“Old Duff,” as he likes to be known). He was so busy to keeping the country safe for Conservatives that he forgot where he lived, ended up with a $90,000 bill for living allowances, and had to go cap in hand to the Bank of Harper (Nigel Wright branch) to bail him out.
Shed a tear, too, for another Conservative senator, Pam Wallin, who, as we learned just last week, has been far too busy in her four-plus years in the upper house to find the time to vote in any election, federal, provincial or municipal.
by Jody Dallaire
The Regroupement féministe du Nouveau-Brunswick’s (RFNB for short, which translates to the Feminist Organization of New Brunswick) was founded by New Brunswick women in June 2007, and is already having a considerable impact on public policy and on the Acadian community.
by David Suzuki
Bicycles are an increasingly popular, affordable and practical transportation option. Many cities are making life easier for cyclists by building separated lanes, implementing bike-share programs and introducing regulations to reduce conflict between bikes and cars. You can now find bicycle sharing in 500 cities in 49 countries, including Beijing, Montreal, Chicago, Paris and Mexico City.
by Geoffrey Stevens
There are some politicians — not many, but a few — who command near-universal respect, admiration and, yes, affection, even among their opponents. Bob Rae is one of that rare species. He is resigning his seat (Toronto Centre) in the Commons, and Parliament and the Liberal party will be the poorer for his departure.
by David Suzuki
It seems hardly a week goes by when we don't hear some climatologist or other expert say, "it's difficult to connect one particular weather event to global warming, but…" We heard it this week as communities in Calgary and Southern Alberta were evacuated in the face of extreme rainfall and rising floodwaters.
