Saturday, June 28, 2025

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Saturday, June 28, 2025 | Latest Paper

Stories, Myths & Truths

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 16, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government passed Bill 5, and it's like Groundhog Day all over again. The bill means that the economy trumps over wildlife, clean water, and human rights, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 16, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 16, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government passed Bill 5, and it's like Groundhog Day all over again. The bill means that the economy trumps over wildlife, clean water, and human rights, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 2, 2025
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew declared a state of emergency in the province last week because of fast-spreading and extreme wildfires in northern Manitoba. Thousands of First Nations people in northern Manitoba were evacuated. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 2, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 2, 2025
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew declared a state of emergency in the province last week because of fast-spreading and extreme wildfires in northern Manitoba. Thousands of First Nations people in northern Manitoba were evacuated. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 26, 2025
Carney's cabinet
Gender and Equity Minister Rechie Valdez, left, Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, Canada-U.S. Relations Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand, and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu after being sworn into cabinet on May 13, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 26, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 26, 2025
Carney's cabinet
Gender and Equity Minister Rechie Valdez, left, Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, Canada-U.S. Relations Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand, and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu after being sworn into cabinet on May 13, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 19, 2025
Premier of Alberta Danielle Smith speaks at the Canada Strong and Free Network conferencein Ottawa on April 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference Ottawa on April 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 19, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 19, 2025
Premier of Alberta Danielle Smith speaks at the Canada Strong and Free Network conferencein Ottawa on April 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference Ottawa on April 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 5, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney should make reconciliation a mandatory item in every federal line department and agency, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 5, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 5, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney should make reconciliation a mandatory item in every federal line department and agency, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | April 21, 2025
This may be one of the first elections that Canadians are looking squarely at our own unity in the face of external pressures, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | April 21, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | April 21, 2025
This may be one of the first elections that Canadians are looking squarely at our own unity in the face of external pressures, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | April 7, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet. Every political party should have at least three priorities on reconciliation that reflect their Indigenous citizens’ voices, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | April 7, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | April 7, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet. Every political party should have at least three priorities on reconciliation that reflect their Indigenous citizens’ voices, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | March 24, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | March 24, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | March 24, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | March 10, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference in West Block on March 4, 2025, in reaction to the levying of 25-per-cent tariffs by the American government on Canadian exports. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | March 10, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | March 10, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference in West Block on March 4, 2025, in reaction to the levying of 25-per-cent tariffs by the American government on Canadian exports. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 24, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump is taking a sledgehammer to the American government, and Rose LeMay says, here in Canada, now is the time for Canadians to come together across partisan lines, across racial and cultural lines. Now is actually the time to fight tyranny. It’s here, it’s ugly, and we don’t have much time. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 24, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 24, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump is taking a sledgehammer to the American government, and Rose LeMay says, here in Canada, now is the time for Canadians to come together across partisan lines, across racial and cultural lines. Now is actually the time to fight tyranny. It’s here, it’s ugly, and we don’t have much time. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 10, 2025
This is a call for us to protect each other across the differences—because of the differences, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 10, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 10, 2025
This is a call for us to protect each other across the differences—because of the differences, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 27, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement don’t want to talk about their country's accurate history. They only want to talk about how great it is, writes Rose LeMay. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 27, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 27, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement don’t want to talk about their country's accurate history. They only want to talk about how great it is, writes Rose LeMay. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 13, 2025
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured, and his chief of staff have set up the type of autocracy in Parliament that U.S. president-elect Donald Trump could only dream of achieving, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 13, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 13, 2025
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured, and his chief of staff have set up the type of autocracy in Parliament that U.S. president-elect Donald Trump could only dream of achieving, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 16, 2024
When she was president of the Métis National Council, Cassidy Caron provided stability and vision for the group. She exemplified ethical leadership, even in a time of great crisis. But her leadership was overwhelmed by another thing, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 16, 2024
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 16, 2024
When she was president of the Métis National Council, Cassidy Caron provided stability and vision for the group. She exemplified ethical leadership, even in a time of great crisis. But her leadership was overwhelmed by another thing, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 2, 2024
Treasury Board Anita Anand, Mental Health Minister Ya'ara Saks, and Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld, pictured Nov. 22, 2024, at the Sherwood Deli in Ottawa to announce the government’s sales tax holiday on essential items. The civil service is getting bent all out of shape trying to find savings, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 2, 2024
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 2, 2024
Treasury Board Anita Anand, Mental Health Minister Ya'ara Saks, and Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld, pictured Nov. 22, 2024, at the Sherwood Deli in Ottawa to announce the government’s sales tax holiday on essential items. The civil service is getting bent all out of shape trying to find savings, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 18, 2024
Donald Trump
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, pictured in 2022. In the hours after the election results, a type of purge started in the United States. Some of it was on social media by his followers who heard the clear message that white Americans will be protected, as a convicted felon is about to take office, writes Rose LeMay. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 18, 2024
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 18, 2024
Donald Trump
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, pictured in 2022. In the hours after the election results, a type of purge started in the United States. Some of it was on social media by his followers who heard the clear message that white Americans will be protected, as a convicted felon is about to take office, writes Rose LeMay. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 4, 2024
The U.S. election results may well be world-changing if Donald Trump, right, gets in, writes Rose LeMay, adding that things are too unstable everywhere for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to call an election. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and Wikimedia Commons photograph
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 4, 2024
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 4, 2024
The U.S. election results may well be world-changing if Donald Trump, right, gets in, writes Rose LeMay, adding that things are too unstable everywhere for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to call an election. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and Wikimedia Commons photograph
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 21, 2024
The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. We don’t have anything like this museum in Canada for Indigenous history and culture, writes Rose LeMay. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/ajay_suresh
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 21, 2024
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 21, 2024
The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. We don’t have anything like this museum in Canada for Indigenous history and culture, writes Rose LeMay. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/ajay_suresh
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 7, 2024
Survivor Keith Chiefmoon speaks at the Truth and Reconciliation Day event on Parliament Hill on Sept. 30, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 7, 2024
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 7, 2024
Survivor Keith Chiefmoon speaks at the Truth and Reconciliation Day event on Parliament Hill on Sept. 30, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 30, 2024
On this National Day of Reconciliation, Canadians should use their sacred spaces to raise awareness about reconciliation, to build consensus to demand change together, and to build hope about a future in which policing safely serves Indigenous Canadians,' writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 30, 2024
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 30, 2024
On this National Day of Reconciliation, Canadians should use their sacred spaces to raise awareness about reconciliation, to build consensus to demand change together, and to build hope about a future in which policing safely serves Indigenous Canadians,' writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 16, 2024
Donald Trump
If Donald Trump was your uncle at the family dinner talking smack, you’d be incredulous, writes Rose LeMay. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/DonkeyHotey
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 16, 2024
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 16, 2024
Donald Trump
If Donald Trump was your uncle at the family dinner talking smack, you’d be incredulous, writes Rose LeMay. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/DonkeyHotey
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 2, 2024
It was a breath of fresh air to hear the righteous outrage about the crimes voiced by a judge, albeit couched in legalities, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 2, 2024
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 2, 2024
It was a breath of fresh air to hear the righteous outrage about the crimes voiced by a judge, albeit couched in legalities, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | August 19, 2024
Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree. The government should cover the costs at searches at all sites with unmarked graves potentially holding the bodies of Indigenous children, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | August 19, 2024
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | August 19, 2024
Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree. The government should cover the costs at searches at all sites with unmarked graves potentially holding the bodies of Indigenous children, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | July 8, 2024
Donald Trump
Donald Trump has been given a stage to yell his fakery and straight up lies, writes Rose LeMay. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/DonkeyHotey
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | July 8, 2024
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | July 8, 2024
Donald Trump
Donald Trump has been given a stage to yell his fakery and straight up lies, writes Rose LeMay. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/DonkeyHotey
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 24, 2024
Sec. 35 acknowledges Indigenous Peoples were here first, have rights that nobody can erase, and—this is where things get a bit fuzzy—what are those rights? But let’s skip right over that because courts across Canada are debating the innards of this box of rights, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 24, 2024
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 24, 2024
Sec. 35 acknowledges Indigenous Peoples were here first, have rights that nobody can erase, and—this is where things get a bit fuzzy—what are those rights? But let’s skip right over that because courts across Canada are debating the innards of this box of rights, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 10, 2024
A woman, pictured June 21, 2018, takes part in the National Indigenous Peoples' Day Ceremony in Hull at the Canadian Museum of History. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 10, 2024
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 10, 2024
A woman, pictured June 21, 2018, takes part in the National Indigenous Peoples' Day Ceremony in Hull at the Canadian Museum of History. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 3, 2024
Darylyn Supernant, left, Dave Daniel Domingo, Renée Didier (Supernant), and Cole Hosack. Didier was found dead near Dawson Creek on May 18, 2024. The mother of two was last seen on Dec. 3, 2023. The three others were still reported missing from Dawson Creek since 2023. Photographs courtesy of Dawson Creek RCMP
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 3, 2024
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 3, 2024
Darylyn Supernant, left, Dave Daniel Domingo, Renée Didier (Supernant), and Cole Hosack. Didier was found dead near Dawson Creek on May 18, 2024. The mother of two was last seen on Dec. 3, 2023. The three others were still reported missing from Dawson Creek since 2023. Photographs courtesy of Dawson Creek RCMP
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 23, 2023
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation last week from the top job after six years in office. A new Labour Party leader will be elected by the caucus on Feb. 7. Ardern said she was burned out from the brutal job. Ardern sustained attacks on her character and threats against her life. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 23, 2023
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 23, 2023
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation last week from the top job after six years in office. A new Labour Party leader will be elected by the caucus on Feb. 7. Ardern said she was burned out from the brutal job. Ardern sustained attacks on her character and threats against her life. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 9, 2023
Indigenous women, pictured Feb. 24, 2020, protesting against the the Coastal GasLink pipeline which will run from Dawson Creek through the Rockies, and through First Nations' land, to Kitimat where the gas will be exported. 'Maybe 2023 is the year in which Canada realizes it is really an Indigenous federation,' writes Rose LeMay.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 9, 2023
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 9, 2023
Indigenous women, pictured Feb. 24, 2020, protesting against the the Coastal GasLink pipeline which will run from Dawson Creek through the Rockies, and through First Nations' land, to Kitimat where the gas will be exported. 'Maybe 2023 is the year in which Canada realizes it is really an Indigenous federation,' writes Rose LeMay.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 12, 2022
The first call to action from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls final report goes essentially like this: admit there is racism against Indigenous peoples within policing. It’s a lamentable start that the report, which mentions police 419 times, has to demand that police start with the basics, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 12, 2022
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 12, 2022
The first call to action from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls final report goes essentially like this: admit there is racism against Indigenous peoples within policing. It’s a lamentable start that the report, which mentions police 419 times, has to demand that police start with the basics, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 28, 2022
Participants in the National Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremonies, pictured Sept. 30, 2022, walking down Wellington Street in Ottawa. Belonging to a community must be set by that community with grace, not with an externally-imposed status card, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 28, 2022
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 28, 2022
Participants in the National Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremonies, pictured Sept. 30, 2022, walking down Wellington Street in Ottawa. Belonging to a community must be set by that community with grace, not with an externally-imposed status card, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 14, 2022
Reconciliation is not a matter of policy open to the whims of senior bureaucrats nor is it open to conflicting priorities of the party in power. Reconciliation is Canada’s moral obligation, a necessary process that must be accountable to citizens, enforceable through public accountability, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 14, 2022
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 14, 2022
Reconciliation is not a matter of policy open to the whims of senior bureaucrats nor is it open to conflicting priorities of the party in power. Reconciliation is Canada’s moral obligation, a necessary process that must be accountable to citizens, enforceable through public accountability, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 31, 2022
Most of Ottawa's Wellington Street was blocked off by Freedom Convoy supporters, such as this one, pictured on Feb. 17, 2022, for more than three weeks last winter. This would not have been allowed to happen if the protesters were Indigenous people. This is what racism looks like on a grand, national scale, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 31, 2022
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 31, 2022
Most of Ottawa's Wellington Street was blocked off by Freedom Convoy supporters, such as this one, pictured on Feb. 17, 2022, for more than three weeks last winter. This would not have been allowed to happen if the protesters were Indigenous people. This is what racism looks like on a grand, national scale, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 17, 2022
Indigenous women, pictured Feb. 24, 2020, protesting against the Coastal Gas pipeline. In a sample of more than 21,000 women in leadership positions in corporate Canada, fewer than one per cent of c-suite roles are held by Indigenous women, according to the 2022 Annual Report Card on Gender Diversity and Leadership by the Prosperity Project. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 17, 2022
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 17, 2022
Indigenous women, pictured Feb. 24, 2020, protesting against the Coastal Gas pipeline. In a sample of more than 21,000 women in leadership positions in corporate Canada, fewer than one per cent of c-suite roles are held by Indigenous women, according to the 2022 Annual Report Card on Gender Diversity and Leadership by the Prosperity Project. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 3, 2022
During the Sept. 24 women’s rugby match between the Ottawa Gee-Gees and Bishop’s Gaiters, rugby fans were shown the beauty and strength of Indigenous cultures, writes Rose LeMay. Photograph courtesy of Greg Kolz
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 3, 2022
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 3, 2022
During the Sept. 24 women’s rugby match between the Ottawa Gee-Gees and Bishop’s Gaiters, rugby fans were shown the beauty and strength of Indigenous cultures, writes Rose LeMay. Photograph courtesy of Greg Kolz
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 19, 2022
Algonquin Elder and University of Ottawa chancellor Claudette Commanda, pictured on the Hill on Sept. 30, 2021, at the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 19, 2022
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 19, 2022
Algonquin Elder and University of Ottawa chancellor Claudette Commanda, pictured on the Hill on Sept. 30, 2021, at the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | August 22, 2022
Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos. Canada’s health care costs more than it should because of a lack of national co-ordination, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | August 22, 2022
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | August 22, 2022
Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos. Canada’s health care costs more than it should because of a lack of national co-ordination, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade