Community Stories
Scrap Bill C-39: Protect Canada’s Environmental Laws
Bill C-30 Pest Control Products Act allows Ministers in the government to override scientific decisions on the use of pesticides previously banned by Health Canada. This marks the most significant setback in Canadian pesticide regulation in over a generation,…
The Deeper Challenges Underlying Our Political Unease
Surveying the political scene after the recent provincial election, it seems to me there is a lot of discontent and unease out there. We saw the NDP ejected in favour of a relatively unknown, inexperienced and potentially fragmenting alternative, the newly minted B.C. Conservative Party. I am not so sure…
Capitalism: A Global History
This book is quite astonishing. Over the past ten years I have read some 600 books on economics and economic history, and Sven Beckert’s book stands head and shoulders above them all. For Thomas Picketty, it’s “monumental, a must read.” Yes, it is 1,100 pages long,…
Microplastics in Me
This report features credible scientific research with findings from 28 people who had their blood analyzed, including Margaret Atwood, actor Fran Drescher and Victoria Pruden of the Metis National Council. Read the report here.
How Are Canadian Pension Funds Invested?
Hundreds of Canadians turned up to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board’s (CPPIB) public meetings across the country this past October to ask how their retirement savings are being invested. But despite people lining up at the microphones…
Student-led Evening Bus Pilot Launches in B.C.’s Columbia Valley After Years of Advocacy
After nearly four years of work, a new evening bus pilot is finally running in B.C.’s Columbia Valley, giving residents another way to get around after regular transit service ends for the day. The Late Bus runs from Edgewater in the north to Canal Flats in the…
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Save the Tsitika! Ancient Trees Auctioned to the Highest Bidder
Cutblock TA1375, identified as a Priority Oldgrowth Deferral Area, was auctioned off this March by BC Timber Sales to West Coast Log Salvage, Corp., despite outcry from scientists, forest professionals, and the public. While logging has not yet begun, the window to…
What the Fish? Marine Jargon Explained.
Fisheries laws and management plans may be public, but they are often buried in dense, technical language that makes it difficult for the public to understand and hold decision-makers accountable. This glossary of 28 key fisheries terms is designed to change that. By…
New Mapping Reveals Critical “Cooling Centres” for Salmon in the Warming Coldwater River
As rivers across Western North America face climate change-driven record-breaking temperatures, Raincoast Conservation Foundation, in partnership with the Scw’exmx Tribal Council and nłeʔképmx Guardians from Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly, have released a groundbreaking…
Café Books: Rx for Hope
I have begun to think of Café Books as more of an apothecary than a bookstore. You can send them a prescription for almost any kind of moral dilemma, philosophical contradiction, scientific ambiguity, urgent mental uplifting or any other ailment of spirit that you…
Canadian First: Nuchatlaht First Nation Wins Legal Victory in Nootka Island Claim
For the first time in Canadian history, a nation has won full Aboriginal title over its claim. In 2024, the BC Supreme Court granted the Nuchatlaht First Nation rights over an 11-kilometre sliver of land on the island north of Tofino. But in a landmark decision, a…
Getting to “Yes” on Renewable Energy Takes Fairness, Trust and Tangible Benefits
Canadians largely buy into the fact that we need to get our energy from clean sources. At the same time, support can drop when specific projects are proposed near where people live. It’s easy to assume that this is just a classic “Not in My Backyard” reaction. Yet a…
A Measured Response to Fort Rodd Hill Urban Park Status
The Federal Government is exploring National Urban Park status for Fort Rodd Hill and area. What seemingly appears like a great news story on the surface may result in the destruction of the surrounding natural habitat of Fort Rodd Hill and area:…
Guide to Public Comments on Proposed Regulations to Protect Southern Resident Killer Whales
The Government of Canada is seeking public feedback on proposed amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations that would strengthen protections for endangered Southern Resident killer whales. To address the underwater noise and disturbance from boats, the federal…
Take Action: Stop Canada Post’s Sweeping Service Cuts
Canada Post has been given the green light by the Federal Government to move forward with sweeping service cuts to the public post office. Proposed cuts include: Ending door-to-door delivery in favour of community mailboxes; Closing rural post offices; Changing…
What Does It Mean That ‘Environmentalists Have Lost, Big Time’?
In a recent interview marking his approaching 90th birthday, David Suzuki said: “We’ve lost, environmentalists have lost, big time.” But what does it mean that environmentalists have lost? Who is we? What have we lost? And if we have lost, who has won, and what does winning mean?
Threat to East Sooke Park
If you love East Sooke Park, please take a look at this application for a commercial venture and submit a comment expressing your opposition to the proposed plan. The proposed plan indicates intention to build a multi-use site revolving around outdoor education,…
Seeking Input on Saanich’s Draft Zero Waste Strategy
The District of Saanich is inviting residents to read the newly drafted Zero Waste Strategy and share feedback before the final plan goes to Council. Find the draft Strategy and survey: Saanich Draft Zero Waste Strategy Survey Developed through research, data…
