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Building ecosystem and community resilience amid the climate crisis Negotiators representing federal, provincial and First Nation governments gathered recently in Seattle, Washington to continue efforts to modernize the Columbia River Treaty in an 18th round of negotiations. Further talks are expected in the months ahead. Much has changed since the original Treaty was ratified in…
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. Honouring the contributions of the African diaspora, The International Day for People of African Descent was celebrated for the first time Aug. 31, 2021. Through this observance, the…
When Canadians have a financial problem, want to make a financial plan or need help with their taxes, most simply reach out to their financial institution, advisor, accountant or commercial tax preparer for the help they need. But who do low-income individuals turn to? A new report by Prosper Canada reveals that people with low…
Visiting all 13 provinces and territories of Canada is on my bucket list and so for a week in May, I went up to the Yukon Territory with some friends to not only get away from the hustle and bustle of big city Vancouver, but also to explore a truly picturesque part of Canada. On…
Banning e-cigarette flavours and restricting the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children are vital to making our kids healthier adults. The short and long-term health consequences of what people consume are dramatically different. In the short term, indulge in something a little too much and you are likely to suffer for a day…
Community centers can be a important resource for new parents. Community and cultural centres play a critical role in public health. The sports and recreation activities, and the leisure and education programs they offer, give people an opportunity to improve their fitness, live healthier lives and learn new skills. They also serve as a meeting…
Women are being silenced, violated and gaslit. And not just in Sarah Polley’s brilliant, Oscar-nominated film, Women Talking. In recent weeks, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon announced their resignations, citing, in part, the toll that being viciously trolled and attacked was taking on their lives. Here at home,…
When it comes to infrastructure, Canada’s North is lagging behind the rest of the world. Focusing on energy infrastructure in comparable regions throughout the circumpolar Arctic, we see countries that have successfully harnessed alternatives, such as nuclear and geothermal energy, to power communities in northern and remote areas. In stark contrast, all 25 of Nunavut’s…
Late last year, a federal government committee met to hear directly from persons with disabilities living in poverty. One hundred and fifty-three separate submissions were provided in support of the need for the federal government’s proposed Bill C22, also known as the Canada Disability Benefit, which would provide a much-needed income supplement to Canadians with…
It’s perplexing for us disabled people and advocates that so many media headlines point to the extreme financial struggles of people with disabilities in our inflationary economy while the powers that be continue debating details. What details? Our Parliamentarians are busy parsing the words of the proposed federal Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) as it wends…
Dubbed as the “unofficial official” national dish of the Philippines, adobo is no doubt a staple on every Filipino family table. Widely popular for its simple basic ingredients and preparation, recipes for this dish vary from region to region. My Lola (grandmother), who was known far and wide for her wonderful cooking back home, used…
More than one in three Canadians report serious mental health concerns, and one in four report problematic substance use, according to the most recent data from the Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. These are staggering numbers. The impacts of the global pandemic on the mental health…
Being an Ismaili Muslim woman is a very important part of my identity. On numerous occasions I have spoken in the Senate Chamber, on conference stages and in media interviews about my Ismaili heritage. I do this because I have an immense debt of gratitude to the community and His Highness the Aga Khan, the…
