Death of separatism unintended outcome of COVID-19 pandemic
OTTAWA—The death of separatism is an unintended outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in my memory, provincial governments are looking to the federal government as more than just a cash machine. They are actually working together, pooling resources and information in an effort to fight the spread of a pandemic that knows […]
Medicine shortages in light of COVID-19: a wake-up call for drug security
KINGSTON, ONT.—Recently, the global number of shortages, pending and actual, is increasing—especially in the United States—and coronavirus is to blame. In Canada, we are seeing concerning trends for COVID-19-related medications. With the pandemic, shortages arise at both ends of the supply chain. On the manufacturing end, failure to produce or ship; on the market end, […]
Rural broadband in a post-pandemic universe
KEMPTVILLE, ONT.—As much of North America has ground to a halt to slow the spread of COVID-19, our reliance on virtual networks has only intensified. All of a sudden, what was the exception has become the rule—whether it’s employees working from home, clients using online platforms for shopping, taxes, doctors’ appointments, and classes or families […]
Finding safety during the COVID-19 pandemic: increased risk of domestic and interpersonal violence
EDMONTON—As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic continues, more and more countries, cities, and communities are tightening or extending public health measures to flatten the COVID-19 curve. While actions such as encouraging individuals to adopt physical distancing, mandating school and business closures, and imposing travel restrictions may reduce the transmission of the infectious disease, unfortunately not […]
de Adder’s Take: 04-27-2020
What I learned from the COVID-19 response in Sweden
Earlier this year, I left my home in Vancouver to start working as a visiting researcher in Stockholm, Sweden. The world has changed significantly since that time. Being away from home while the COVID-19 crisis grew from purported “media-borne hype” to the extraordinary pandemic it is today, has highlighted how cultural differences have led to […]
No one gets left behind and most vulnerable must have access to life-saving health-care services, says Calgary reader
Recently the Canadian government, with International Development Minister Karina Gould, announced $160-million to combat COVID-19 internationally and to support essential organizations that provide resources to the most vulnerable. These agencies will be critical in the months and years ahead because they will be doing the heavy lifting as vaccines and effective treatments are rolled out. […]
Sloan’s attack obscures real questions about WHO and China
“We’ve got serious concerns about the accuracy of the information coming out of the WHO, and it’s incumbent upon this government to explain why they have based so many of their decisions on the WHO.” Outgoing Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said that on April 15. He had a point. The World Health Organization made mistakes […]
Lessons about climate change for government from COVID-19
GIBSONS, B.C.—First of all, I’d like to thank Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and her government’s leadership and competence in its medical and economic response to the pandemic. The foremost lesson from the COVID-19 crisis is that governments must act in emergency situations to protect their citizens—even if this means taking measures that cause temporary […]
Gurski exposes his security establishment’s pro-fossil fuels bias, says Green Party leadership candidate
Re: “What now for the environmental movement in Canada?” (The Hill Times, April 13, by Phil Gurski). Earlier this month, Alberta’s government announced it would invest $1.1-billion in the Keystone XL tarsands pipeline and provide an additional $4.2-billion in loan guarantees to help the pipeline’s developer start construction immediately. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s decision to […]
