VANCOUVER — Despite “polluter pay” laws in Canada, local governments and agencies are still waiting to recover costs incurred during two significant fuel spills off British Columbia’s coast. The City of Vancouver and Vancouver Aquarium are collectively waiting on nearly $700,000 in …
B.C. outreach group hopes smartphone app will improve safety of sex workers
VANCOUVER—An outreach group supporting vulnerable women in British Columbia is hoping a cellphone app designed to monitor remote workers in resource industries will help keep sex workers safe. Hope Outreach, a non-profit group that provides support to homeless and exploited …
B.C. Greens, riding high in polls, make election hard to call
VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s Green Party has turned the province’s election campaign into an unpredictable three-way race as polls show a phenomenal rise in support. The centre-right Liberal Party, led by Premier Christy Clark, is seeking to hang on to power after …
B.C. climate plan needs carbon tax hikes, major policy changes: experts
VANCOUVER — Experts say they’re not sure British Columbia’s overdue climate change plan will go far enough in increasing carbon taxes and tightening environmental policies to reach the province’s long term goals to reduce emissions. B.C.’s Liberal government is scheduled …
Uganda’s youth are choosing peace hashtags over violence as elections loom
At a bustling Kampala market, Desire Karakire listens to a group of young men express their frustrations over the state of their country. Like most of their peers, they’re underemployed and extremely poor—and they feel the only way the situation will change is through violent revolution.
How Uganda’s economy has received a boost from hosting refugees
The number of refugees in Uganda is hitting half a million people, up by 75,000 from 2014. Many refugees like Malual are gaining financial independence because of the country’s progressive 2006 Refugee Act that allows them to work, travel and access public services including education.
Canada needs to invest in new hospitals, says health care association
Dr. Richard Johnston knew the health care system was in trouble when he walked down a hallway at University of Alberta Hospital and saw an older woman housed in a linen closet instead of a proper room.
Enrolment at private schools growing after B.C. teachers’ strike
Enrolment at independent schools across British Columbia has spiked this year, and the 2014 five-week public-school teachers’ strike is part of the reason, says a spokesman for a group representing private institutions.
Open enrolment policies raise test scores, report says
Apolicy change that gave parents greater choice in where to enroll their children encouraged B.C. schools to “up their game” and improved students’ test results, a new report says.
Downtown Eastside businesses look to improve relations with residents
Businesses in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside are collaborating with local activists and community groups to improve relations with local residents.
Ministry questioned over $350,000 social media campaign during BCTF strike
Teachers and politicians are questioning the B.C. Ministry of Education for spending more than $350,000 on a digital media campaign during the teachers strike last year.
Yes campaign looks to student voters for support in transit plebiscite
About 105,000 students are eligible to vote in the transit plebiscite, and many of them use public transit, said Bahareh Jokar, co-chair of the Better Transit and Transportation Coalition.
First Nations leaders highlight ‘massive need’ for reform in mining industry
First Nations leaders say regulatory changes for the mining industry are needed to prevent a repeat of the Mount Polley tailings dam collapse.
Vancouver clinic looks to recruit sexually active gay men for blood donations
Despite decades of being banned from giving blood, sexually active gay men are now being asked to donate to a Vancouver clinic that is doing research into blood products.
Child protection week
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Vancouver’s medical and tech sectors come together for innovative health apps
Auti-Sim, a game currently available for free online, was created by a developer, designer, and early childhood educator in Vancouver. Set in a virtual playground, the game allows users to see and feel what childhood play is like for someone with the hypersensitive hearing that can result from autism.
Mental Health Week encourages women to speak out
With her blond hair shimmering in the sun as she watched ferries sail by, the 27-year-old showed no sign of the mood swings and depression that have plagued her mind for much of her life.
A GP for Me program aims to help you find a family doctor
In Vancouver, it is estimated that over 100,000 people don’t have a family doctor and about 24,000 are actively looking for one, according to the Vancouver Division of Family Practice.
Community kitchen to feed West End’s hungry youth
A community group in Vancouver’s West End is confident that it will be able to launch a new program to provide healthy meals for young people — residents who until now have received far less attention than the area’s low-income seniors.
Discussing end-of-life care with family invaluable, experts say
Death isn’t a typical topic of conversation at the dinner table for most families. But in the event a person is nearing death and can no longer voice their wishes, their family is often left guessing what their loved one’s wishes would be.