Reduce plastic use to bolster environment, and economy
Last week was Canadian Environment Week, a time to reflect on humanity’s impact on the natural world and what individuals can do to preserve the planet for future generations. Unfortunately, reflection is often as far as we go, once day-to-day concerns return to dominate our thoughts. This is a mistake. Not just because it ignores […]
Canada leads the way to a historical pledge of $3.8 billion at G7 for girls’ education in conflict and crises
It’s been more than five years since I spoke to Zeinab, a young girl from Syria living in a tattered tent within a makeshift refugee camp in Lebanon. But her story is seared into my memory, one of both paralyzing fear and burgeoning hope. It’s Zeinab who I think of today when celebrating the G7’s historic […]
PS DeCourcey takes Security Council pitch to CARICOM party
More than 200 guests convened in the Adam Room at the Chateau Laurier last week to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the creation of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), with an eye to the future. The room was filled with ambassadors, high commissioners, diplomats, and government officials who were mingling and schmoozing to amazing soca music. There […]
At G7, accountability should top agenda
Each year, Canada accepts thousands of refugees. Fleeing the world’s worst atrocities, they have often been subjected to horrific violence committed by perpetrators who have never been—and may never be—held to account. As Canada prepares to lead the G7 summit this week, it’s time to address this justice deficit by putting action to secure accountability at […]
Recycling won’t cut it: a roadmap for a plastic-free Canada
Concerns over plastic pollution have never been more prevalent in public discourse. We have more evidence than ever about the abundance of plastics in our environment and their effects on communities and wildlife. Birds are getting trapped in plastic bags, straws are choking sea turtles, and coastal communities are seeing endless amounts of plastic waste […]
At G7, Canada must lead efforts to tackle global violence
While the world’s most powerful leaders meet in Charlevoix this week to decide the direction of global policy, half a world away in Putumayo, Colombia, Ana, 14, and her 11-year-old brother Juan will attend a rural boarding school far away from their home, confronting risks that range from gang violence to recruitment into armed groups […]
Myanmar’s Rohingya refugees: Bob Rae presses Canada’s efforts in precarious situation
OTTAWA—When Bob Rae speaks, people listen. Or so it seems. Last week’s announcement by the Trudeau government of $300-million in support over three years for the Rohingya of Myanmar does not satisfy the recommendations of the report by the prime minister’s special envoy to Myanmar, Tell Them We’re Human, but Rae admits it is a […]
Time to rethink Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country deal in face of U.S. immigration sweeps: Amnesty International researcher
Canada and a leading human rights organization may be on the same page when it comes to helping out Rohingya refugees from Myanmar more than 12,000 kilometres away, but there are issues closer to home needing more Canadian attention, says Amnesty International’s top researcher, pointing to what she sees as a declining human rights situation […]
It’s time for Canada to have bigger dreams for its children and youth
If you heard that Canada didn’t rank among the top 10 countries for child well-being, would it surprise you? Maybe not. You might think Scandinavian countries dominate most indexes of health and happiness. You might even be OK with that. But what if you heard that Canada doesn’t crank the top 20—would that surprise you? […]
Municipal elections a turning point in Tunisia’s democracy, says envoy
Tunisia’s “historic” May 6 municipal elections show the country has been able to become more democratic since the ousting of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s 23-year autocratic regime during the Arab Spring in 2011, says the country’s new ambassador to Canada. For the first time in seven years, the municipal election gave typically underrepresented […]
