Joyce Echaquan, Gordon Sinclair, Jordan River Anderson – our health care system failed these Canadians in the worst possible way. All three suffered unduly and died within a health care system that did not give them the care they deserved simply because of their Indigenous identity. Their powerful stories are not isolated anecdotes but partContinue reading “Addressing anti-Indigenous racism in our health care system“
Tag Archives: Public Policy
Effective Policy Needed to Reduce Alcohol-Related Harms
Many of us welcomed in the New Year with a glass of our favourite alcoholic beverage, even if in muted celebration this year. Alcohol is an ubiquitous and accepted part of our culture, associated with times of festivity, socializing with friends and family and relaxing after a hard day at work. While there are social,Continue reading “Effective Policy Needed to Reduce Alcohol-Related Harms”
The opioid crisis rages on
In the last five years, there has been an alarming increase in deaths related to opioid overdoses. Over 22,000 Canadians – the majority of them in the prime of their lives – have succumbed to fatal overdoses since 2016. These numbers are comparable to lives lost in Canada due to COVID-19 infections, yet we areContinue reading “The opioid crisis rages on”
Everyone deserves to share in the bounty of our land
As harvest time approaches, many of us look forward to sharing food-laden tables with close friends and family. It is a time of plenty and conviviality. Sadly, this will not be the case for 13% of Canadians who are food insecure – those of us who do not have access to food of sufficient quantityContinue reading “Everyone deserves to share in the bounty of our land”
Human values unite us
We hear much about polarization in society these days, and with upcoming federal and municipal elections, the rhetoric around what divides us will become heightened. But the truth is that when it comes down to it, Canadians and Albertans have much more in common with each other than politicians and the media will have usContinue reading “Human values unite us”
Climate change is a health crisis
As we cope with extreme heat waves and unpredictable wildfires this summer, it is hard to deny that climate change is a reality. With record setting high temperatures in many places in the West, this stretch of hot weather is a searing reminder of how human actions are affecting our planet. If global warming continuesContinue reading “Climate change is a health crisis”
Federal-provincial cooperation a must in childcare
Canada is the weakest investor in early learning and childcare among wealthy countries and, not surprisingly, we rate last in meeting early childhood development objectives. However, this state of affairs may be dramatically altered by the $30 billion dollar investment in high-quality childcare announced in the federal budget last month. Early learning and childcare areContinue reading “Federal-provincial cooperation a must in childcare”
Taxes are wise and necessary investments
This is the time of year we are all compelled to think about taxes. A few of us might get excited about the prospect of receiving a refund, but most of us dread this annual chore and would rather do without it. This time of year also presents us with an opportunity to reflect onContinue reading “Taxes are wise and necessary investments”
Resilience and self-reliance key to pandemic recovery
COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Canada were reduced in recent weeks and Canadians have felt frustrated and helpless at being asked to wait. We have watched with envy as other countries manufactured vaccines and inoculated their citizens. Canada was similarly vulnerable at the beginning of the pandemic when countries scrambled to procure adequate supplies of masks,Continue reading “Resilience and self-reliance key to pandemic recovery”
Engaged citizens make a difference
Global pandemic. Economic collapse. Partisan politics. Albertans may well have reason to despair as we face 2021. But there is hope. Hope that comes in the form of people like you and me. Engaged citizens are ordinary people who do ordinary things to make extraordinary change. Engaged citizens build a better world by engaging with socialContinue reading “Engaged citizens make a difference”
The Engaged Citizen 