The 2016 Census shows that just over 57,000 individuals in British Columbia, or roughly 1.25% of the population, speak French as their mother tongue. Yet, French language and culture is alive and well in B.C. According to data published last month by the B.C. government, students enrolled in French immersion programs increased by about 30%…

The 2018 Community Summit, Brave New Work, invites audiences to consider how society can be successful in a changing world (Feb. 26–Mar. 7). “This year’s Community Summit, Brave New Work, asks a critical question: ‘How can we thrive in the changing world of work?’” says Janet Webber, executive director at SFU Public Square, a community…

Priscilla Shumba had an unfulfilled dream when she left her home in Zimbabwe for college life in Canada. “I wished I could be a biologist. I was really interested and did well in that,” says Shumba, now a business graduate from Columbia College. She is applying for further study, but the major will most likely…

Youth empowerment and sustainability are two goals that Vancouver’s civic institutions often aim to improve. But how do the two interrelate? The Source talked to four motivated activists, each striving in different ways for the inclusion of Canadian indigenous and non-indigenous youth in policy making, to see how they envision youth engagement in 2018. Building…

As Canada celebrated its 150th birthday The Source Newspaper reported on Canadians making a constructive change to the country they call home. Movements and protests supporting vulnerable citizens and exhibits and performances giving voice to marginalized histories were covered, as well as progressive projects and inventions designed to improve our environment and social well-being. “The…

The 2016 census data released this year reveals that roughly one in five Canadians are immigrants and that more than 21% of Canadians identify a non-official language as their mother tongue. How can Canadians overcome linguistic and cultural differences to find common ground and a sense of community? “It is more important than ever for…

Media Democracy Day 2017 will take a more solutions-based view on journalism. As part of the Media Democracy Project in partnership with SFU’s School of Communication, the free event will be held Nov. 18 at Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch. Media Democracy Day (MDD) is an annual conference, bringing together several smaller media outlets that…

When Andy Yan was born in Vancouver, his parents made the decision to teach him Cantonese, their heritage language, as well as English. Bilingualism, which wasn’t common at the time, turned out to be an asset for Yan. Now a senior city planner, Yan fills the gaps between Chinese and English-speaking communities. Few have the…

Hundreds of international authors and book lovers will be celebrating the 30th birthday of the Vancouver Writers Fest, this year again hosted on Granville Island from October 16–22. Jónína Kirton, David Chariandy and Ayelet Tsabari are three Canadian writers who will present their literary works throughout Granville Island’s many venues. A common thread through most…

This year’s Vancouver International Film Festival features several documentaries that touch on subjects such as family relations, self-expression and preserving culture. Here are three directors The Source spoke with about their films. Shut Up and Say Something As an admirer of spoken word artist Shane Koyczan’s work, director Melanie Wood was happy to work on…

Language barriers and social isolation are among several factors newcomers may experience as they settle in their new environment. Local libraries have developed programs tailored to those needs, such as language clubs and referral services. Libraries in Surrey, Burnaby and Coquitlam offer outreach programs such as interactive ESL and volunteer programs to help them navigate…