“Cedar is not only important from a Haisla perspective, [but from] a global perspective” The Haisla Nation is growing anxious for a regulatory decision on its proposed $3-billion Cedar LNG project on the west coast of Canada at the Port of Kitimat. If constructed, the floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility, in partnership with…
The competition will pressure governments to improve the public system Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s proposal to use private health centres to alleviate long wait lists has faced opposition from many quarters. It may seem counterintuitive, but Ford’s plan will actually ease the shortages of doctors and nurses. It was B.C.’s NDP government of the early…
Foreign-trained health professionals could help alleviate the strain Canada’s medical system is fast becoming a disaster area and a tragedy. There are not nearly enough family doctors to provide primary health care. Walk-in clinics were supposed to backfill this need, but many now do not take walk-ins as their registered patient load is already beyond…
Reconciliation should not be the stuff of soothing platitudes Is it time to rethink indigenous land acknowledgements that often open energy-sector conference sessions? Are we ready to question their utility and effectiveness in advancing the interests of Canada’s indigenous peoples? Are they moving the reconciliation needle – or have they become little more than meaningless,…
Ksi Lisims LNG to benefit First Nations while helping reduce world emissions The Nisga’a Nation and its partners in a major proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in British Columbia have been granted federal approval for exports through 2060 and beyond. The $10 billion Ksi Lisims LNG project, a floating terminal to be located about…
Indigenous-led project would export some of the world’s cleanest natural gas The Haisla Nation and Pembina Pipeline Corporation are primed to hear by the end of this year whether they can build one of the largest Indigenous-owned infrastructure projects in Canada’s history. Supplied by the Coastal GasLink pipeline, the $3 billion Cedar LNG project near…
Drug overdose deaths approaching 2,000 annually Does passive policing and harm reduction improve health and safety? Vancouver is a living, breathing example to the contrary – or perhaps more like a dying, gasping person. In his film Vancouver is Dying, Aaron Gunn demonstrates the rot of addiction and criminality that is destroying one of Canada’s…
Fewer than 100 individuals generate almost all the burden placed on emergency services Chatham House Rules – a system for holding debates and discussion panels on controversial topics – were named after the headquarters of the UK Royal Institute of International Affairs, which is based in Chatham House, London. The rule originated in June 1927.…
Will they take the money and run or stick to their principles? Family doctors in British Columbia seem to have struck gold this week. The province offered a $135,000, 54 per cent raise in return for a change from fee-for-service to a rostered – or what’s known as capitation-style – practice. This means average total…
Do we or the government own our bodies?
Former B.C. deputy minister of health Lawrie McFarlane’s July 24 commentary on the “Cambie Surgery Centre ruling” (a descriptive that ignores two cancer patients and three children who were co-plaintiffs) contained some valid commentary. The crisis we now face in our health system is there for all to see and observe. Notably, McFarlane offers no solutions.…