Why the secret to Canada’s happiness has nothing to do with tax cuts (or Justin Trudeau)

Partisanship, as I’ve said repeatedly (and, yes, probably demonstrated on more than one occasion), is a hell of a drug. That was on full display in a recent attempt by Canada Proud to dunk on the Trudeau government for Canada’s position on a ranking of the world’s happiest countries. After peaking at fifth in 2015, the latest World Happiness Report ranked us 13th. “Not good!” the right-wing meme factory tweeted.

To read more of this story first reported by Canada’s National Observer, click here.

This content is made available to Winnipeg Free Press readers as part of an agreement with Canada’s National Observer that sees our two trusted news brands collaborate to better cover Canada. Questions about Observer content can be directed to dana@nationalobserver.com.

Compassion, care at the fore even in ‘broken’ system

WE’VE all read the news reports on the problems with our health-care system. Hospitals, clinics, family doctors and others are stretched beyond capacity; wait times for diagnostics, specialists and surgeries are unacceptably high. The system is in crisis.

Canada can provide diversified energy mix

THE evolution of the Biden administration’s view of energy security and America’s role in providing secure oil and gas to the world should make Canadian policymakers sit up and take notice.

U.S. careening toward self-inflicted debt debacle

THE possibility of the U.S. federal government defaulting on its debt payments is growing and could materialize in a matter of months.

Older Canadians still bearing brunt of COVID-19

THREE years into this pandemic, most Canadians have taken off their masks and many have stopped getting booster shots. However, COVID-19 is rising among the leading causes of death in Canada, reaching the No. 3 spot.

Election could be closer than expected

The numbers at the top got the attention, but it’s the numbers further down that tell a more interesting story.

Interrupting the revolving hospital door

EVERYONE carries with them a story of a hospital discharge gone badly, whether it be their own, or the story of a neighbour or parent.

Public media promotes collective cultural good

THE CBC was created in the 1930s to continue building Canada and bring our nation together through a common consciousness the way the railway had united our country physically and economically. Its formation addressed the challenges of Canada’s geographical breadth, small population, two official languages, regionalism, multiculturalism and vulnerability to overbearing American media.

Netanyahu seems willing to destroy democracy

IMAGINE Donald Trump had been the president of the United States, in office and out and in and out and in yet again, for more than half of the past 25 years. What would the U.S. look like today?

We have one planet, not much time

THE Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s latest Summary for Policy Makers doesn’t really tell us anything new. It is shorter and more focused, however, distilling the IPCC 6 report down into fewer words to make the situation much clearer.

Violent crime affects our sense of community

Canada is a vast land, but it can often feel very small. We are being inundated with stomach-churning stories of violent crime in our once-quiet, peaceable northern kingdom. It’s hard not to take notice.

The Han Dong story may be more complicated than it looks

For most of his three-plus years in Parliament, Han Dong has been one of the dozens of mostly anonymous backbench MPs. Given what’s happened over the last few weeks, the representative for Don Valley North probably would have preferred it remain that way. But now, after he was accused in a Global News story of betraying Canada (and two of its captive citizens) to the Chinese government — an allegation Dong has denied — his name will not soon be forgotten. As Evan Scrimshaw wrote on his Substack, “Either this story is true and the RCMP have protected a traitor, or Global just defamed an innocent man by trusting bad intelligence. May we not have the law’s delay.”

To read more of this story first reported by Canada’s National Observer, click here.

This content is made available to Winnipeg Free Press readers as part of an agreement with Canada’s National Observer that sees our two trusted news brands collaborate to better cover Canada. Questions about Observer content can be directed to dana@nationalobserver.com.

Providing pathways out of life of crime

IN A Tale of Two Sentences (Free Press, March 18) Dean Pritchard reports on the stories of two men who were facing similar criminal charges for weapons and drug offences. Both men were being supported by Morberg House, a residential recovery centre, and by all accounts had made great strides in moving forward in their lives.

Monopolies driving up food prices

ANYONE venturing out to the grocery store must admit, it’s torture.

Nature-positive motion could transform city

ON March 23, a historic motion was walked onto the floor of city council which, if passed, could significantly transform this city. Introduced by Daniel Mac Coun. Cindy Gilroy and seconded by St Vital Coun. Brian Mayes, the motion asks that Winnipeg sign on to the Montreal Pledge for Cities United in Action for Biodiversity.

Cuba seeks to strengthen relations with Mexico

When one examines the core drivers of Cuban foreign policy, one inevitably arrives at the following: protecting national independence and sovereignty, pragmatic realism and unrelenting counter-dependency. Add to that mix the key principle of Cuba’s vaunted humane internationalism or soft power.

Quiet pacifism inadequate response to war in Ukraine

I am a pacifist. To me there is no such thing as justified violence or just war, a belief nurtured not only by my Mennonite Christian heritage, but by ideals of what it means for everyone to imagine the possibility of living a truly human life.

Lecturer raised red flags, dodged vital questions

As Canada’s longest operating LGBTTQ+ community centre, Rainbow Resource Centre knows centring community voices is essential for nurturing safe spaces where people can thrive. When individuals not from our communities speak to LGBTTQ+ issues in ways that might incite harm, it is even more imperative to speak plainly and to be accountable for one’s words and actions.

Don’t confuse charter rights with academic freedom

On March 3, a public talk at the University of Winnipeg — and responses to it — raised important issues concerning academic freedom and harms to the trans community.