Why would COVID-19 play out differently?
Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which underlines social and economic rights, states: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the […]
In learning to live with COVID-19, a look at the least crummy solutions
We need to find the middle ground in our fight against COVID-19. Lockdown is unsustainable and will undermine the very foundations of our population’s health. But simply letting the virus run its course could well cause many more deaths. There are no good choices, so we need to find the least bad solutions. Protecting the […]
Intelligence and the next pandemic
OTTAWA—When you work in intelligence you take your direction on what to collect or investigate from the government of the day. This applies differently depending on the organization in question. CSIS’ marching orders are spelled out in the CSIS Act. CSE’s tend to shift. CSIS’ directions take the form of ‘intelligence requirements’ and they do […]
Parallel lessons from COVID-19 and climate change
A common thread that runs through the many opinion and editorial articles that emerged following the onset of COVID around the world is the insight that the pandemic has exposed the extent of social vulnerabilities and inequalities that surround us. As it turns out, the slogan that “we are all in this together” has not […]
Open and honest dialogue with Indigenous communities guide COVID-19 response
First Nations, Inuit, and Métis face unprecedented and unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant socio-economic and health gaps put them at greater risk during these hard times. Regular, open, and honest dialogue with Indigenous leaders has guided and strengthened Canada’s approach to this pandemic, starting with the National Health Emergency Management Network, which was […]
Black communities need more than ‘Band-Aid’ funding, say advocates
For too long Black Canadians have felt like a “broken record,” replaying the same recommendations to combat obvious inequality with only “Band-Aid money” applied to redress systemic wrongs, say Black leaders in the wake of protests across the country demanding action on anti-Black racism. Like many in her community, Federation of Black Canadians chair Dahabo […]
Arctic research in Canada is adapting under COVID-19 restrictions
Travel restrictions and new research protocols have halted southern-based and international scientists from heading to Canada’s Arctic this summer to conduct their annual field seasons, but it has not halted all research and monitoring activities. COVID-19 restrictions will create notable holes in fundamental multi-year datasets, impact national and international project deliverables, delay research priorities, impose […]
Canada’s wide-ranging northern response to COVID-19
Canada’s Arctic and northern regions cover almost 40 per cent of Canada’s overall land mass. The health and safety of those who live and work in the North and isolated communities are our top priority. From Day 1, my colleagues and I have been in regular contact with territorial and provincial governments and First Nation, […]
While some MPs urge adoption, Conservatives still skeptical about remote voting
As the House Affairs Committee studies whether and how to introduce remote voting to the Lower Chamber, some MPs are urging it to recommend such voting be temporarily introduced as physical-distancing restrictions prompted by COVID-19 have kept Canada’s top legislature from dealing with almost all regular business since mid-March. “I don’t think people thought that […]
COVID-19 exposes risks of social and economic inequity
The threat of COVID-19 and its potentially devastating impacts on Inuit Nunangat communities has put the daily vulnerabilities of Inuit families into focus for governments in a new way. Although sadly, it has taken a global pandemic to generate new attention and focus on long-overlooked challenges such as tuberculosis, crowded housing, violence, and limited access […]
