I Arrived in China Just as the Pandemic Hit
There awaited family, the storm before the plague, and a glorious hotpot meal brimming with pathos.
How Child Apprehensions Cause Moms to Relapse, and Overdose
‘That trauma and loss is catastrophic for some women, and that puts them at a high risk of relapse.’
Please Advise! Aren’t We Glad that 2020 Is Finally Running Out?
Not so fast, warns Dr. Steve. This annus horribilis isn’t likely to end Dec. 31.
Why Does It Take So Long to Hold an Inquest after Police Kill?
The Coroners Service routinely delays public hearings for years, and won’t provide reasons for its failure to provide timely answers.
Groups Warn of Increased Violence against Women in the Downtown Eastside
One reason is the closure of various safe spaces. Government needs to respond, advocates say.
BC’s Coal Mining Has Failed to Deliver, Finds Report
Costs exceed benefits say experts who tallied jobs, dollars and habitat destruction.
Jason Kenney Has Failed Alberta in Its Time of Crisis
His politics of pipeline myopia, division and disinformation are exactly what’s not needed.
Why Canada’s Climate Advocates Are Excited by Biden’s Housing Plans
The president-elect aims to build 1.5 million green, affordable units. It’s a galvanizing idea.
RoboCop Goes to Sea
A Victoria firm is helping launch a new generation of autonomous vessels looking to catch illegal fishers in the act.
Wet’suwet’en Call on Province to Close Pipeline Work Camps
Female chiefs say COVID-19 risk means work on oil and gas projects shouldn’t be classed as an essential service.
One-Third of Infected Kids Show No Symptoms. And More New Virus Science
The latest roundup of pandemic findings gathered by Hakai Magazine.
A Chief’s Angry Charge: Paternalism Is Putting His People’s Lives at Risk
The view from James Smith Cree Nation amidst Saskatchewan’s coronavirus surge.
Women More Visible in Media? There’s Good and Bad News
They’re often quoted due to their prominent roles in public health. They’re also disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
BC Liberals’ New Climate Critic Backs Fossil Fuels
But MLA Ellis Ross accepts climate change is real, says party leader Shirley Bond.
‘Hope, Pray and Keep Clean’: Driving Taxis in a Pandemic
Despite the risk, stress and decimation of their livelihood, some drivers refuse to quit.
Indigenous Leaders Want Immediate Action on Health-Care Racism
‘You have to go to the hospital sometimes, and it has to be safe for all British Columbians,’ says Grand Chief Stewart Phillip.
Report Finds ‘Widespread and Insidious’ Racism against Indigenous People in Health Care
Turpel-Lafond investigation shows substandard treatment and calls for sweeping change.
Win a Set of Books to Feed Your Brain
Four lucky Tyee readers will win a hand-picked selection of four books from McGill-Queen’s University Press.
No, This Second Wave Wasn’t Caused By Young Adults
People under 30, unfairly blamed for COVID-19 spread, now face stress and uncertain futures, say four researchers.
How Rethinking Affordable Homes Connects with the Climate Fight
First in a five-part series exploring the case for a Green New Deal for housing.
Editor's Pick
This story is making waves.
Switch to a ‘Green Zone’ Strategy for Taming COVID-19
Two physicists believe Canada should aim for zero cases, and lay out how.
Editor's Pick
This story is making waves.
Report Finds ‘Widespread and Insidious’ Racism against Indigenous People in Health Care
Turpel-Lafond investigation shows substandard treatment and calls for sweeping change.
Deep Dive
Get to the bottom of something big.
School Through the Pandemic
Learning during the pandemic was a big issue even before the return to classrooms. With the recent national case spike, B.C. has decided to stay the course and keep schools open.
We've followed concerns of parents and teachers since schools were first shuttered. Many have felt their needs are not being accommodated, and parent-teacher networks have arisen to follow outbreaks in schools. Parents have highlighted the difficulties of remote learning for their families, and some have faced tough choices about sending their kids back to school.
Educators have wondered how to adapt their teaching to a pandemic environment, from remote learning to self-directed education to the curriculum. Kids' long-term mental health is a growing concern.
Deep dive to learn more from parents, teachers, students and health and education experts.
The Pandemic Has Shown Us Where Real Learning Happens
Going forward, schools could be totally different. Time to ‘interrogate the old myths’ of education.
Beyond Home School: Is a Pandemic the Time to Start Unschooling?
The self-directed education style where kids lead fits the moment, say some. What’s your experience? Please share.
Open Schools Help Vulnerable Students and Families. But at What Cost?
Parents and educators accept schools’ role in reducing inequality. But they’re still wary of reopening plans.
On Facebook, Parents Share Doubts and Data about COVID-19 in Schools
Not satisfied with info from authorities, an online community is crowdsourcing its own.
Tyee Insider
What we're up to. How to be involved.
Send Us Your Bubble Portrait!
A lot of you have told us you’ve enjoyed Dorothy Woodend’s articles on drawing to get through the pandemic and keep creative juices flowing.
Well, that gave us an idea. Draw or paint us a picture of your bubble mate — a person, pet or thing you find yourself looking at a whole lot in this stay-at-home era. Then take a picture of it and send it to editor [at] thetyee [dot] ca.
We’ll publish the bubbly collection. More here.
And check this out...
Win a Set of Books to Feed Your Brain
Four lucky Tyee readers will win a hand-picked selection of four books from McGill-Queen’s University Press.
The Tyee Receives Record Three Webster Award Nominations
Andrew Nikiforuk, Katie Hyslop and our collaboration with Avo Media are finalists for BC’s top journalism awards.
Dorothy Woodend Wins the Coveted Max Wyman Award for Cultural Criticism
And in so doing, chooses Paloma Pacheco to receive an emerging writer prize.
Editor's Pick
This story is making waves.
How Magic Mushrooms Are Changing the Lives of Terminal Cancer Patients
The federal government has taken first steps to allow psilocybin-assisted therapy. A Victoria non-profit says much more can be done.
Culture
I Arrived in China Just as the Pandemic Hit
There awaited family, the storm before the plague, and a glorious hotpot meal brimming with pathos.
This Is the Year to Read Some ‘Best Canadian Essays’
An eclectic collection brings new meaning to things from the ‘Before Times.’
Why This Skyscraper Idea (Still) Is Not Cool
Bold, yes. But its scale and placement will wound a critical Vancouver site.
The Downtown Eastside Rocks. Now There’s a Record Album
Eris Nyx thought, ‘Look at all these cool musicians. Wouldn’t it be cool if we did this?’ Result: ‘100 Block Rock’
Most Popular
Reported Elsewhere
Today's links curated for you.
COVID patients coming from northern BC to Victoria for intensive care
(via the Times Colonist)
Indigenous Services minister to acknowledge Liberals won't meet promised drinking water targets
(via CBC)
David Eby returns to his roots — and backyard — by taking on BC's housing file
(via CBC Listen)
China and Japan race to dominate future of high-speed rail
(via Bloomberg)
No-kill, lab-grown meat to go on sale for first time
(via the Guardian)
Unusable masks, catered meals, redone renos: BC health minister orders review of PHSA spending
(via CBC)
A win for First Nations children as the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal expands funding criteria for Jordan’s Principle
(via the Star)
Why did Lush UK give money to an anti-trans group?
(via Jezebel)
Prominent global news host quits alleging on-air climate increased racist threats
(via Vice)
Juno and Umbrella Academy star Elliot Page comes out as trans
(via the Halifax Examiner)
Make great journalism happen
The Tyee is a reader-supported publication. If you value what we do, help us make it.
Deep Dive
Get to the bottom of something big.
Harm Reduction Through Overdose Prevention
B.C.'s overdose crisis is taking many more lives than the COVID-19 pandemic.
Three years after the provincial NDP government created a ministry to focus on mental health and addictions, we probed how it was working.
In recent years, The Tyee has covered solutions, including prescription street drugs and opioid-assisted treatment. And we’ve said how Vancouver’s mayor could help end the opioid crisis.
In September, Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a public health order for nurses to prescribe controlled substances. Last month Vancouver city council approved the first permanent OPS outside the Downtown Eastside,
and now is moving to decriminalize drugs in the city.Much more can be done. Dive deep to understand how.
Vancouver Aims to Become First Canadian City to Decriminalize Drugs
Mayor Kennedy Stewart says the proposal could be approved ‘within a matter of months.’
BC Created a Ministry to Deal with the Overdose Crisis. Is It Working?
Deaths are down but ODs keep climbing. Critics call for more funding and bolder policies.
How Vancouver’s Next Mayor Can Help End the Opioid Crisis
Three experts on the frontlines weigh in.
An Urgent Call on Overdose Crisis: Prescribe Drugs, End Prohibition
Simply put, ‘fentanyl is a product of our drug policies.’ Second in a series.
Comment Noted
We hear you.
Social Crises Speed Progress
(click to read in context)
Major crises accelerate the pace of social, economic and political change, but the direction of such changes is often that which existed before a major crisis arose.
Often a change of direction would lead to a better consequence. However, that will only occur when enough people are willing to look deeply into the situation they face and work collaboratively in a productive direction.
This, unfortunately, is often easier said than done.