Rather than pursue a "future" based on past practices, governments should be working towards a future based on equity, well-being and sound environmental management
“The power of creating a better future is contained in the present moment: you create a good future by creating a good present.” – Eckhart Tolle Emerging conditions mean we’re likely to face a large global recession in the next two to three years. Part of the reason is the significant and substantial growth of…
Politicians and tech firms can co-opt legitimate concerns to restrict speech, stifle criticism and tilt public debates
On May 21, the federal government unveiled a lengthy “digital charter” with the noble goals of expanded Internet access and more trust online. If you peel back the feel-good 10 principles and stated justifications, however, you find a new weapon in the censor arsenal. “The platforms are failing their users, and they’re failing our citizens.…
Attacks on places of worship are based on the horrendous lie that we need to fear those who are different
Humanity is reeling from the deaths of innocent people all over the world in houses of worship. Members of no religion seem to be immune from violence, nor can any major religion claim to be free of extremists who perpetrate hate crimes. Many will ask what the world is coming to. In fact, these horrendous…
A multicultural student haka in New Zealand radiates something positive in a world that seems all too sick
When you write a weekly column in the relatively unrelated realms of culture and politics, you rely on independent stimuli for the idea that eventually becomes the piece. Frankly, the idea that becomes the column doesn’t often strike until just after the previous week’s work appears online each Sunday morning. Then, as if ordained by…
In Christchurch, South Carolina, Pittsburgh and elsewhere, we've seen what hate brings if we don't find common ground
One of Charles Dickens’ most beloved books is A Tale of Two Cities. The novel focuses on several characters, including Dr. Alexandre Manette, who was imprisoned in the Bastille in Paris, France, for 18 torturous years. His long-held desire was to join his daughter, Lucie, a brilliant physician who lived in London, England, and had…
Former Enmax CEO Gary Holden talks about what New Zealand gets right and what Alberta gets wrong
Gary Holden is CEO at Pulse Energy Alliance LP in New Zealand and former CEO of Enmax in Calgary. What is Pulse Energy Alliance and what does it do? Holden: Pulse is a private, trust-owned company that competes in the national (New Zealand) energy market for electricity, gas and Internet services. We are thought of…
In striving to win, we realize our potential and learn to work with people we may not normally associate with
Former South African president Nelson Mandela said, “Sport has the power to change the world.” This may seem a preposterous statement when we look at the greed, corruption and division that often makes the headlines in the world of sport. We read of doping scandals, owners not taking responsibility for the safety of their players…
We need to follow the example set by New Zealand, which gave the Māori the help they needed, while allowing them to preserve their culture
In 2013, the people of the small outport community of Little Bay Islands, N.L., had to make a very emotional decision. The local economy had completely dried up. The crab processing plant had closed and the community was far away from government public services. Looking at its bleak prospects, the people of the small community…
Indigenous teenagers around the world face problems they think are insurmountable. But there are solutions
The United Nations consistently includes New Zealand in its list of the happiest countries on the planet. Yet in the midst of all this happiness there’s very deep unhappiness: New Zealand’s teenage suicide rate is now the worst in the world. How can this profoundly unsettling anomaly be explained? The answer becomes apparent when the…
The CANZUK proposal wouldn't replace the United States as the key player in our economy, but at least it would give us more options
CANZUK International was formed to promote a European Union-like agreement for the free movement of citizens, free trade and foreign policy co-ordination between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom. The organization was created in November 2014, first as The Commonwealth Freedom of Movement Organization, by James Skinner, its executive director. According to Skinner: “The…
“The power of creating a better future is contained in the present moment: you create a good future by creating a good present.” – Eckhart Tolle Emerging conditions mean we’re likely to face a large global recession in the next two to three years. Part of the reason is the significant and substantial growth of…
