Stephen Harper’s embarrassing behaviour regarding the crisis in Ukraine — demonizing Vladimir Putin and upping the rhetoric — must be welcomed in the U.S. which created the crisis in the first place and apparently believes it still has something to gain by isolating Russia. But it is not clear that Harper even realizes — or...

It is interesting that any time trade is debated in the House of Commons New Democrats are always accused by the Conservatives of being “anti-trade”.  However, as our Trade critic, Don Davies stated in the Jan. 29th debate on the proposed Canada-Honduras Free Trade Agreement, we believe thatCanadians recognize the importance...

Our exchange on the subject of the virtues and failings of anonymity caused me to pull Michael Sandel’s Justice: What’s The Right Thing To Do? off my bookshelf. I bought the book four years ago; you convinced me that it is time to take another look at it. The following excerpts (p. 28-29) will explain why: “We start with an...

It was upsetting to read the current description of the Gilpin Grasslands as a recreation area by the Grand Forks Quad Bike Club. Gilpin is an extremely important wildlife ecosystem, a point validated by three provincial governments and two land conservancies, all who have left an important footprint on Gilpin. The grassland...

“Today's BC Liberals” may have taken a little inspiration during last year's election campaign from former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell when she bluntly stated in 1993 that "an election is no time to discuss serious issues." It's why British Columbians could be forgiven for thinking that they missed something during...

I'm not in the habit of discussing my professional decisions on this site, not because I don't welcome input, but rather because I think our role should be to report the news, not become the news. Having said that, I think it's time for a frank dialogue about what you want your news outlet to look like. Not the website – I'm...

One of the most defining issues of the Conservative’s time in government is their constant march toward self-regulation for industry. In the past, Canada relied on strong public regulation and oversight to ensure risks are managed to protect the public. The move away from the time-tested method has been incremental and...

The Harper government seems intent on proving to its detractors that things can always get worse. They’ve one-upped themselves with the farce called the Fair Elections Act. It has been described as a direct threat to the right to vote and an assault on democracy by the very people our democracy assigns to examine these things....

To the leaders of my province, I am a 34-year-old farmer in the Southern Interior working with my wife and son to build a business growing and selling food.   We do not have the finances to own farmland, so we operate entirely on leased parcels. Because large agribusiness and government subsidies to the industrial food system...

Colonies and Nations Two things happening in Canada now must move one to ask why Canada is. Immigration of alien cultures here is one, and Quebec sovereignty is the other, reason to ask: Why is there a jurisdiction, this political entity, called “Canada”? The historical answer comes most readily to me, with my background as...