The COVID-19 pandemic has had many negative consequences, but perhaps one of the least recognized ones is its impact on the many groups and associations vital to our communities. Think of the very active residents’ associations, like the ones in Kitsilano, False Creek and Strathcona; Girl Guides and Scouts; the chess clubs, dance groups and…
Hospital patients with severe disabilities must be allowed their caregivers — despite COVID-19
With the onset of COVID-19, hospitals throughout BC have instituted a new policy. Patients cannot have visitors, except in rare circumstances. However, the new provincial health policy also supposedly allows for essential visitors — such as vital caregivers for patients with severe disabilities. Prior to this new policy, patients with severe disabilities were clear: They…
Tighter gun controls: The best tribute to Nova Scotia’s victims
The recent tragedy in Nova Scotia has once again placed the need for tighter gun controls in Canada front and centre. So I’m very pleased to see our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicate on a number of occasions over the past few days that the federal Liberals are very close to bringing in legislation that…
Are we moving closer to a universal basic income?
UPDATE: please sign these petitions to make UBI a reality! Petition your MP Petition to the House of Commons For decades, many in the poverty-reduction movement have advocated for a universal basic income, or UBI (some also call it a guaranteed annual income), to be set up at the federal level. A UBI would mean…
COVID-19: The neighbourhood catastrophe waiting to happen
For weeks, the coronavirus pandemic has been totally transforming our lives and devastating economies worldwide, right down to our own local neighbourhoods. COVID-19 is a neighbourhood catastrophe waiting to happen in the DTES. Its first confirmed case appeared yesterday. It’s very difficult, if not impossible, for most of the residents there to keep a safe…
Even this cloud has some silver linings
Believe it or not, there are a number of silver linings to this very dark cloud we are all experiencing. While I don’t wish for a moment to minimize the terrible effect the COVID-19 pandemic is having around the world, I do want to point out some positive developments. In China, where industry was massively…
COVID-19: All hands on deck get us in the right direction
So much has happened in the week since I blogged about the novel coronavirus. While there’s been so much breaking news none of us can keep up, I want to give credit where credit is due regarding the leadership we’ve seen. Provincially, I have to say how impressed I’ve been by our provincial health officer,…