Tag Archives: politics

Choose wisely in municipal elections

Municipal elections are upon us, and with them comes another opportunity to exercise our democratic right to vote. Elections remind us that we live in a society governed by the people. This is not something we can afford to take for granted. Having the power to choose leaders who will represent our communities—and holding themContinue reading “Choose wisely in municipal elections”

Ordinary people can do extraordinary things

We live in a time of complex and wicked problems: climate change, economic inequality, violent conflict and human rights violation. These problems seem too large to tackle and much too difficult to solve. What can the ordinary person do but throw up their hands in despair or stick their head in the sand and tryContinue reading “Ordinary people can do extraordinary things”

No health without mental health

Mental health needs are receiving more attention in recent years, but there still remain huge gaps in understanding and acceptance of mental health issues. Community members often suffer in silence due to stigma that prevents people from asking for help or discussing addictions, suicide and life trauma openly with their friends, colleagues or family members.Continue reading “No health without mental health”

We are stronger together

Death, politics and religion – three topics we are told to avoid at parties and the family dinner table. But in this age of polarization and uncivil public discourse, we might have to reconsider this stance. It is time to relearn how to have difficult conversations with kindness and mutual respect. We can add racismContinue reading “We are stronger together”

Local newspapers strengthen democracy

Local newspapers are disappearing across the country. In the United States, a quarter of the country’s newspapers have shut operations in less than twenty years. And in Canada, there have been dozens of community newspaper closures in 2023 alone, with hundreds of workers laid off and several news outlets becoming insolvent.  Along with decreased subscriptions,Continue reading “Local newspapers strengthen democracy”

We are sick of sick notes

There is one thing doctors and patients can readily agree upon: we both hate sick notes. Patients loathe waiting long hours in overcrowded waiting rooms to request a note and doctors detest the added burden on the healthcare system in providing one.  Sick note policies increase use of scarce healthcare resources as employees are forcedContinue reading “We are sick of sick notes”