COMMENT: The Pathology of Wealth
Another day, another $46,634. That is, if you’re among Canada’s top 100 CEOs, who pocketed that amount by 1:11 pm January 2, the first official day of work this New Year. This figure comes from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), which releases a report every January on the hyper-inflated difference between ...
The problem with running government like a business
The Senate scandal that will continue to plague Stephen Harper when the House resumes sitting is far more than just a run of the mill scandal, of which Canada has had many over the years. This one seems to present the result of an accumulation of rot, amorality, casual thuggery and complete lack of shame, […]
Are we reptiles or mammals?
“Civilization is the flower of humanity; its roots are not planted in societies of equal human beings. All our greatest cultural glories are growths out of hierarchy. Those who make our culture brilliant – our arts, architecture, sciences, in short, all beauty and creativity we humans have to show – have done it on the backs...
COMMENT: Stephen Harper: Pawn of American Neoconservatives?
PM Stephen Harper’s inclination towards Christian Zionism and right-wing economic thinking marks him out as an important tool of the American neoconservatives, who have been powerful in shaping American foreign policy for the last generation. Harper and his right-wing philosophy are products of what has been termed the “Calgary School,” at the University of Calgary. […]
COMMENT: What’s a ‘YES…if’ community--and could Rossland become one?
First what is a ‘YES … if’ community? It’s actually really simple. A ‘Yes…if’ community is one that, rather than focusing on the negatives (call that a ‘NO…but’ community), agrees to accentuate the positive. A ‘YES…if’ community agrees to listen with an open mind to all proposals, ideas, or plans for the betterment of the...
OP/ED: MP decries erosion of democracy in Parliament
As most of us are aware, Parliament was prorogued this fall. This means that, instead of beginning its work on Sept.16, there was a delay until Oct.16. The delay, or prorogation, was requested by the Prime Minister and approved by the Governor General. The immediate effect was that all government bills and committee work were...
OP/ED: Mayor looks back on 2013
I believe that 2013 was a great year for Castlegar. City council, composed of dedicated re-elected veterans with extensive experience and a profound understanding of city operations, and others serving their first term, worked together to begin new initiatives while maintaining our efficient service delivery to our residents...
COMMENT: B.C. government's double standard on electoral boundaries ill-advised
Long-time political watchers in B.C. will know what's meant by Gracie's finger. It was one of Canada's most blatant acts of political gerrymandering. In 1982, then Social Credit cabinet minister Grace McCarthy was suspected of using her influence to have her Little Mountain riding boundaries redrawn to include a sliver of a...
I am not a 'taxpayer'
Few labels irritate me more than that of being referred to as a taxpayer, and of having the money governments spend referred to as taxpayers’ dollars. From the wealthiest tycoon to the most destitute homeless beggar in Vancouver’s downtown eastside, every person in this country pays taxes - no exceptions. When I purchase a ...
UPDATED: Can't yet walk, but takes Source/JJ's Reader Christmas Contest in a walk anyway
Update: Well, your votes have been counted, and this supremely cute and creative baby photo submitted by Chantelle Sutton takes the win with a landslide 274 votes, netting a terrific kick-off to 2014 - namely, a $100 gift certificate to JJ's Fashions! Runner-up was Tanja Rosser Espenhain's timely (and funny) portrayal of New...