Community Stories
It’s Time The Financial Sector Invested In Our Health and Well-Being
So far, in examining what the World Health Organization calls the commercial determinants of health, I have been looking at private sector firms that produce products that harm health, such as tobacco, fossil fuels or unhealthy foods.
Before We Look For Housing Solutions, Check The Math
I am curious what Victoria’s missing middle housing initiative will do, and just as interested in what it will not do. We’ve already been told it won’t improve affordability. People were confused on that bit, apparently. When the text and subtext of elections is the housing crisis…
The Forever Chemical Scandal | Bloomberg Investigates
PFAS chemicals are used in thousands of products aimed at making life easier. But the chemicals are now almost everywhere, including in human blood, and are being linked to severe health problems.
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Is B.C. About To Radically Transform Governance?
As far back as 1964, Paul Sears, an eminent American ecologist and former chair of the graduate program in Conservation at Yale University, described ecology as “a subversive subject” and asked “if taken seriously as an instrument for the long-run welfare of mankind…
Fossil-Fuel Industry Doubling Down, Pushing for Growth
Last week, I documented the massive impact of the fossil-fuel industry on people and the planet, an impact the industry generally ignores or downplays in its rush to make money and maintain its power, earning it the title of “the new tobacco.”
Applications welcome: MEd in Leadership Studies (UVic)
The Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies at UVic is pleased to welcome applications for our 2024 MEd program in Leadership Studies! Applications deadline extended to March 1, 2024.
National Youth Climate Activism Award
Calling all Canadian youth interested and active in climate activism. Now in its third year, it requires applicants under 20 years old to demonstrate devotion to taking meaningful steps toward improving the outlook for our planet concerning climate change. The award...
BC Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework 2024
What do you want the BC government to do about trees and old growth forests? This Wednesday, Jan. 31st is the final deadline for the public to contribute input on the Draft BC Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework. Your voice matters! Creatively United invites...
Does the Provincial Government of British Columbia Legally Recognize the Existence of Any Lobby?
The Executive Director of the Urban Development Institute Capital Region, told View Royal Council during public input: “UDI is not a lobbying group.” Not only is the UDI a legally registered lobbying group, according to the BC Lobbyists Registry but the Executive Director…
Vaping Products Should Be Subject To Same Marketing Ban As Tobacco
Tobacco is the forgotten pandemic in Canada. While much attention has been focused on the opioid overdose crisis, COVID, alcohol use and other popular issues, tobacco use remains, to this day, “the leading preventable cause of premature death in Canada,” according to a July 2023 Health Canada report.
Update on Disposal of Biosolids by the CRD
The CRD wastewater treatment plant located at McLoughlin Point in Esquimalt produces 10 tonnes of biosolids every day. These biosolids are the residual waste products which are piped to the Hartland Landfill where they are treated into a pellet. The BC Ministry of...
CRD Must Denounce the Heavily Biased, Inadequate Public Consultation on Biosolids
Dear Chair Plant, CRD Board and Senior CRD Staff, It is with great concern that I write you today regarding the recently launched public consultation on the long term biosolids management plan found at: https://getinvolved.crd.bc.ca/biosolids. To provide a bit of...
The Tobacco Industry Is Lethal and Needs To Be Stamped Out
Indeed, in a wide variety of ways, the private sector is what I called producers of health — they build our homes, grow our food, produce beneficial medicines, create good jobs and provide many other important determinants of health.
Private-sector Interests Can Undermine Public Health Efforts
More than a quarter-century ago, I wrote an article called “Caveat Partner” about the problematic aspects of public health creating partnerships with the private sector.
Weekly Climate Solutions From WE-CAN
Canada Lays out Plan to Phase out Sales of Gas-Powered Cars, Trucks by 2035 From CBC: New regulations being published this week by Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault will effectively end sales of new passenger vehicles powered only by gasoline or diesel in 2035....