Columnists

The City of Nanaimo has adopted doughnut economics as a guiding principle in civic decision-making. (News Bulletin/stock photo)

OPINION: Doughnut model’s limits the only rational position

Currently, we are into the danger zone in four of the nine planetary boundaries, says columnist

  • Apr 8, 2021
A nurse prepares to vaccinate healthcare workers at a COVID-19 drive-thru immunization site in Coquitlam in this image supplied to the media by Fraser Health on March 8, 2021. (Fraser Health)

OPINION: Helping a 97-year-old man get his COVID vaccination appointment

Call centre inundated with 1.7 million calls while there are just 50,000 folks over 90 in B.C.

Regenerative farming that meets genuine needs should take priority over commercial recklessness, says columnist. (Stock photo)

Column: Hubris, greed causing humans to live destructively

Placing the economy as the top priority is licence to destroy natural systems, says columnist

  • Mar 6, 2021
FILE - In this Friday, Jan 1, 2021 file photo, a lorry driver's documents are scanned on a phone as he passes a checkpoint for the train through the Eurotunnel link with Europe in Folkestone, England. One month after Britain made a New Year split from the European Union's economic embrace, businesses that once traded freely are getting used to frustrating checks, delays and red tape. Meat exporters say shipments have rotted in trucks awaiting European health checks. Scottish fishermen have protested at Parliament over the catch they can no longer sell to the continent because of byzantine new paperwork. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)

FINLAYSON: Government should focus on strengthening B.C.’s leading export industries

To revive the economy, this piece in the strategy is integral, writes Jock Finlayson

  • Mar 1, 2021
FILE - In this Friday, Jan 1, 2021 file photo, a lorry driver's documents are scanned on a phone as he passes a checkpoint for the train through the Eurotunnel link with Europe in Folkestone, England. One month after Britain made a New Year split from the European Union's economic embrace, businesses that once traded freely are getting used to frustrating checks, delays and red tape. Meat exporters say shipments have rotted in trucks awaiting European health checks. Scottish fishermen have protested at Parliament over the catch they can no longer sell to the continent because of byzantine new paperwork. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)
Sheila Malcolmson, minister of mental health and addictions in B.C. (B.C. Government photo)

MALCOLMSON: 2020 left us grappling with overdose tragedy and working for change

B.C.’s Addictions Minister reflects on visit to Overdose Prevention Society in Vancouver

  • Feb 12, 2021
Sheila Malcolmson, minister of mental health and addictions in B.C. (B.C. Government photo)
Potatoes are losing their names and their flavours and we can contribute in trying to preserve both, says columnist. (Stock photo)

Column: The humble potato needs rescuing from global forces

We can help build economies of local sustainability in basic needs, says columnist

  • Feb 6, 2021
Potatoes are losing their names and their flavours and we can contribute in trying to preserve both, says columnist. (Stock photo)
Agricultural biodiversity is in danger of being plowed under as corporations continue to take a greater share, columnist suggests. (Stock photo)

Column: Biodiversity being lost as big data causes blight

Accumulated wisdom of peasant farmers will be forgotten, says columnist

  • Jan 7, 2021
Agricultural biodiversity is in danger of being plowed under as corporations continue to take a greater share, columnist suggests. (Stock photo)
Island Health board chair Leah Hollins. (Lexi Bainas/News Staff)

ISLAND HEALTH COLUMN: New year focus on vaccinations, opioid crisis, racism in healthcare

Island Health says while there is much work ahead, there is hope

  • Jan 2, 2021
Island Health board chair Leah Hollins. (Lexi Bainas/News Staff)
Motor coach companies in B.C., and across Canada, have been left struggling as they near 10 months of operating at a 95 per cent reduction in revenues. (Courtesy Wilson’s Group)

COLUMN: Bus companies at risk as revenue drops 95 per cent, no help in sight

John Wilson is president and CEO, The Wilson’s Group of Companies

  • Dec 30, 2020
Motor coach companies in B.C., and across Canada, have been left struggling as they near 10 months of operating at a 95 per cent reduction in revenues. (Courtesy Wilson’s Group)
University Hospital of Northern B.C., in Prince George. (UBC photo)

‘I am tired, and my soul hurts’: B.C. nurse reflects on working in ICU unit during COVID

Renée Bush writes about what it is like on the front-line of the pandemic in the north

  • Dec 16, 2020
University Hospital of Northern B.C., in Prince George. (UBC photo)
Jock Finlayson, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer of the Business Council of British Columbia (submitted)

FINLAYSON: The long economic tail of COVID-19

‘Fast forward to late 2020 and the situation has partially stabilized’

  • Dec 11, 2020
Jock Finlayson, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer of the Business Council of British Columbia (submitted)
We need to curb our addiction to growth and set about building a more sustainable society, says columnist. (Stock photo)

Column: Addressing over-consumption needs to be a priority

For 50 years we have been avoiding action for sustainability, says columnist

  • Dec 1, 2020
We need to curb our addiction to growth and set about building a more sustainable society, says columnist. (Stock photo)
(Black Press Media file photo)

OPINION: Island Health doctors call on residents to ‘double down’ to slow spread of COVID-19

Positive cases increasing at a rate that causes concern for health officers

  • Nov 18, 2020
(Black Press Media file photo)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry views the Murals of Gratitude exhibition in Vancouver’s Gastown, July 5, 2020. (The Canadian Press)

GUEST COLUMN: COVID-19 masks mandatory in B.C., but not everywhere

Orders require them where necessary, Provincial Health Officer says

  • Nov 17, 2020
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry views the Murals of Gratitude exhibition in Vancouver’s Gastown, July 5, 2020. (The Canadian Press)
How can we bring ecological and economic systems into balance without further damaging the environment and perpetuating injustices, asks columnist. (Stock photo)

Column: We can’t rely on governments for radical change

Our leaders don’t seem to be dealing with the wicked problems threatening our future, says columnist

  • Nov 6, 2020
How can we bring ecological and economic systems into balance without further damaging the environment and perpetuating injustices, asks columnist. (Stock photo)
A third of the food raised or prepared globally is wasted, which depletes resources, says columnist. (Stock photo)

Column: Wasteful ways are depleting our planet’s resources

Sept. 29 was International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste

  • Oct 7, 2020
A third of the food raised or prepared globally is wasted, which depletes resources, says columnist. (Stock photo)
Recognition of changing consumer demands for nutritional value, animal welfare and environmental protection is cause to be hopeful that food production can change for the better, says columnist. (Stock photo)

Column: Sustainability, resilience needed in food systems

Imbalance between people and planet requires complete overhaul, says columnist

  • Sep 7, 2020
Recognition of changing consumer demands for nutritional value, animal welfare and environmental protection is cause to be hopeful that food production can change for the better, says columnist. (Stock photo)
Reforming the PST can be a powerful tool to get people, businesses back to work long-term

Reforming the PST can be a powerful tool to get people, businesses back to work long-term

Stronger tomorrow plan offers blueprint for job-rich recovery, says Jeff Zweig and Greg D’Avignon

  • Aug 5, 2020
Reforming the PST can be a powerful tool to get people, businesses back to work long-term
Craig, left, and Marc Kielburger at a We Day event. (Canadian Press photo)

Column: ‘Old normal’ disheartening in time of opportunity

We Charity muddle the result of manipulation of money in achieving worthwhile goals, says columnist

  • Aug 4, 2020
Craig, left, and Marc Kielburger at a We Day event. (Canadian Press photo)
FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, FedEx Field is less than full during the second half of an NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants in Landover, Md. The title sponsor of the Redskins’ stadium wants them to change their name. FedEx said in a statement Thursday, July 2, 2020, “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name.“ (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)

COLUMN: Some more appropriate names for Washington NFL team

Finally, Washington’s NFL team would have a name everyone could cheer with pride

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, FedEx Field is less than full during the second half of an NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants in Landover, Md. The title sponsor of the Redskins’ stadium wants them to change their name. FedEx said in a statement Thursday, July 2, 2020, “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name.“ (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)