Reverse all-candidates forum puts power — and podium — back in the hands of the people
Call it a reversal of fortune. Politicians had to sit and listen to voters on Wednesday night in the first all-candidates gathering in Nelson for the latest edition of the federal election campaign trail. Nearly 100 people showed up at the Nelson United Church to lend their voice to the campaign and give shape to […]
COLUMN: We must purge privilege from politics
Tackling climate change means purging privilege from politics Our national political arena often seems dominated by unproductive partisan potshots and misplaced accountability, with corporate interests prioritized over people’s. Behind the noisy partisan sniping, a quiet majority — 70 to 75 per cent of Canadians — is largely disengaged from politics, according to McAllister Opinion Research. […]
Greta Thunberg: 'How dare you!'
Greta Thunberg’s speech to the UN was transcribed. Here is the full text. For the full effect, though, listen to her speech at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYqtXR8iPlE In response to the question, “What’s your message to world leaders today?” Thunberg responded as follows: Greta Thunberg: “My message is...
Editorial: What to do?
Current and anticipatory grief The reality of the continuing extinction of many so species is profoundly upsetting. Readers may wonder why old people should care. For example, I’ll be dead in a few years myself; it will be up to others to live their lives diminished by the loss of caribou and many other creatures, many...
Op/Ed: Few things are as dangerous as economists with physics envy
By John Rapley, for Aeon Two questions: is it good or bad that professional athletes earn 400 times what nurses do, and is string theory a dead end? Each question goes to the heart of its discipline. Yet while you probably answered the first, you’d hold an opinion on the prospects of string theory only if you’ve studied...
COLUMN: Political Intelligence, Elections, and the Demos
Some Elections matter more: this should be one Canadians are about to choose a national, federal government on October 21. It is a more significant choice for our nation than we have faced in many elections, and not because Canada alone is facing some unusual circumstances: the entire human world and the non-human species...
OP/ED: MP speaks to cycle trails
Last week I cycled around the beautiful riding of South Okanagan-West Kootenay—436 km of rail trail and highway, 18 cafes and restaurants and lots of good conversations! While the talk over coffee and food was wide-ranging—from caribou to craft distilleries, health care to infrastructure, agriculture to electoral reform—the...
New limit on maximum rent increases for 2020 in BC
British Columbia’s annual allowable rent increase for 2020 has been set at 2.6%, the province’s annual rate of inflation — 2% lower than it would have been prior to the reduction government made in 2019. “Renters need secure housing they can afford,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “That’s why...
A letter to Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer from 352 scientists
Hundreds of Canadian scientists sent a letter this morning (August 22, 2019) to Stéphane Perrault, the Chief Electoral Officer, urging Elections Canada to clarify how the science on climate change can be communicated during the election period. The 352 Canadian scientists who signed the letter take issue with Elections...
Local candidate responds to Ethics Commissioner's findings on SNC-Lavalin
"Focus on the systems!" The Ethics Commissioner has released findings from the investigation into the SNC-Lavalin affair, and has found the conduct of the Prime Minister to be in violation of the Conflict of Interest Act. Green Party Candidate Tara Howse acknowledges that the SNC-Lavalin affair was a catalyst for her entering...
