A love letter from Canadian LGBQT artist to the Queen 

She led me to the intersection of the many roads I could walk, in a bigger world with room for us all

A love letter from Canadian LGBQT artist to the Queen I began my life in Nova Scotia, the most British of Canadian provinces. As a young boy in the 1960s who preferred pink over blue, there was an enormous sense of not belonging, of living in a world that had not yet carved out a place for a child like me. In the accepted definition…

Canada must explore use of psychedelics in mental-health treatment

Mushrooms show long-term benefits in those who suffer from treatment-resistant depression

Canada must explore use of psychedelics in mental-health treatmentRegardless of where one stands on legalizing psychedelics for mental-health treatment, Canada is late to the party when it comes to relaxing federal regulations. And given the disturbing rise (and costs of treating) trauma, depression and other mental health disorders worldwide, we better speed up. University researchers, consumers, investors and private-sector companies aren’t waiting for…

Plant-based milk alternatives meet consumers’ demand for choice

The real threat to cow-based products might be an appetite for choice in a highly regulated market

Plant-based milk alternatives meet consumers’ demand for choiceWith the explosion of plant-based milk alternatives flooding the market, can cow milk co-exist? Canada’s dairy industry will struggle to survive the competition unless it reconnects with its consumers. Until now, milk wars have been international. Canada’s dairy market is highly regulated through its contentious supply management system. Quotas and high tariffs are used to…

The Trans Mountain truth defies activists’ claims

For an issue that’s been so polarizing, the arguments against the pipeline expansion are surprisingly flawed

The Trans Mountain truth defies activists’ claimsNothing has been as divisive to national unity as the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion in the 25 years since the Quebec independence referendum. But unlike separation, this project – approved again last week by the federal government – is good for the country and will benefit all Canadians. Moving to Vancouver two years ago from…

In one fell Swoop, Jetlines gets a leg up on its competition

Canada’s newest ultra-low-cost carrier has made a bold move by changing its home base to Vancouver from Abbotsford

In one fell Swoop, Jetlines gets a leg up on its competitionCanada Jetlines has yet to take its inaugural flight but it’s already flying full throttle in its dogfight with rival airlines. Canada’s newest ultra-low-cost carrier made a bold announcement this month, changing its home base to Vancouver International Airport (YVR). It had planned to be based in Abbotsford, a 90-minute drive away on a good…

A spiritual leadership grounded in reality

Fostering collaboration rather than conflict, the Aga Khan builds bridges between people, religions and cultures to help the world’s most vulnerable

A spiritual leadership grounded in realityWhen your last name is Arab and you’re not a Muslim or terrorist, you defy a few Islamophobic stereotypes yourself. I’m Arab in name, but my father’s religion is Maronite Catholic – an early branch of the Roman Catholic Church. I was brought up Roman Catholic and indoctrinated in papal infallibility. So the idea of…

The Aga Khan: 60 years of remarkable service to the world

As he comes to Alberta, we should celebrate his unshakable belief in the values of pluralism, diversity and equality

The Aga Khan: 60 years of remarkable service to the worldWho is His Highness, the Aga Khan, a man who is celebrating 60 years of service to his community and the world? He is the spiritual leader of 15 million Ismaili Muslims, a significant number of whom call Canada home. He is a diplomat, social innovator, global humanitarian and someone with an unshakable belief in…

‘We Treat You Right’? Not according to this DQ franchisee

The Supreme Court is examining a case that has significant implications for franchisees and parent companies

‘We Treat You Right’? Not according to this DQ franchiseeThere’s nothing sweet about the court battle between Dairy Queen Canada Inc. and M.Y. Sundae Inc., which upholds the franchisor’s right to a “superior bargaining position.” So far, the dispute – now before the Supreme Court of Canada – has gone in favour of Dairy Queen, leaving the mom-and-pop owners of a franchise in Richmond,…