A BC Researcher’s Crusade for Better Masks Is So Far Going Nowhere
Stephen Salter argues that government standards and oversight on masks could save lives. But no official has yet taken up the cause.
The Consumerism of Art and Fashion Converge at the VAG’s ‘Pictures and Promises’
And the wild story of artist Barbara Kruger tells the story well.
As City Signals False Creek South Is Up for Grabs, Here’s a Homegrown Plan
Crafted with local residents, the proposal adds a million square feet of new housing.
We Need Paid Sick Leave for All
It’s essential for public health even without a pandemic. Making workers take unpaid time off makes us all vulnerable.
Is the Pandemic Making Urban Wildlife Crazier?
With coyotes, cougars and bears roaming Metro Vancouver, we asked conservation experts what the heck is going on.
Please Advise! Why Are Politicians So Painfully, Pathetically Unfunny?
NDP and Conservative attempts at humour this week died. Here’s why, according to Dr. Steve.
One Thing Jason Kenney and Elizabeth May Agree On
Neither likes the new federal Impact Assessment Act, which Alberta is challenging in court.
A New Pocket Park Will Allow Legal Drinking in the Downtown Eastside
A proposal supported by police and a business group comes as two neighbourhood parks remain closed during the pandemic.
Francesca Ekwuyasi Is a Book Person
Her debut novel brims with delicious food, erotic longing and profound heartache. As do her bookshelves.
The Tyee Is Hiring Its Fifth Emerging Indigenous Reporting Fellow
This is an eight-week paid position offered through a partnership with Journalists for Human Rights. Come join our team!
Moving House? Why Not Actually Move Your House?
The process can save trees, money and memories. We rode along with the Nickel Bros to see how it’s done.
As BC COVID Cases Rise, Health Officials Say Better Days Are Ahead
Bonnie Henry says province is currently dealing with ‘vaccine hope and pandemic reality.’
Vancouver Police to Review Own Violent Arrests at Indigenous Pipeline Protest
Civil liberties advocate calls out lack of ‘truly independent’ police oversight.
It’s OK to Stretch Out a Second Vaccine Dose. And More New COVID Science
The latest roundup of pandemic findings gathered by Hakai Magazine.
This Mural Tells a Beautiful Tale of Cultural Solidarity. But Did It Really Happen?
After a Tyee piece referenced the artwork, the story it depicted was called into question. The result? Sifting through conflicting histories.
Deadly Donald Trump and 40 Years of Health Failures
Since Reagan, the US has seen widening inequality and worse health outcomes. Here’s how to change that.
BC Tests Found Unsafe Lead Levels in Water of 35 First Nation Schools
Getting help and funds to fix the threat can be frustrating. A special report.
I Was on WHO’s China Team Investigating COVID’s Origin. Here’s What We Learned
Yes, it likely originated in animals. No the ‘wet market’ was not likely the source — nor was it created in a lab.
Urban Farmers Have Been Leaving Vancouver for Greener Pastures
The city aimed to host 35 urban farms by 2020, but its policies have resulted in more farm closures than openings.
Loss of Sockeye Diversity Threatens Skeena Salmon, Study Finds
Local and Indigenous fisheries are best positioned to manage fish at the population level.
Editor's Pick
This story is making waves.
Indigenous Youth Demand End to Trans Mountain Insurance
Two recent Vancouver protests call on companies to ‘stop insuring genocide.’
Tyee Insider
What we're up to. How to be involved.
A Record Year for The Tyee, Thanks to You
In 2020, more people read The Tyee than any other year since we started in 2003. Looking back on the year-that-was may feel bleak, but there's a lot we accomplished, too.
Here at The Tyee, we've collected those successes to share with you in our newly-minted 2020 Impact Report.
We're excited to share all the details. We welcomed three new reporters and developed our editorial and management team. We collaborated with other publications and you, our readers, to find solutions. We couldn't have done it without our Tyee Builders. And we thank you.
Need some silver lining to 2020? Read the full report here.
And check this out...
The Tyee Is Hiring Its Fifth Emerging Indigenous Reporting Fellow
This is an eight-week paid position offered through a partnership with Journalists for Human Rights. Come join our team!
What’s Helped You Make It Through These COVID Times? Send Us Your Best Tip
Once again, we ask Tyee readers to share their hard-won wisdoms.
‘It’s Biting Pretty Hard’: Readers Open Up about Pandemic Mental Health
Despite the pain, you’re still finding ways to cope with isolation life.
Deep Dive
Get to the bottom of something big.
Digging Into Alberta Coal Policy
The Alberta government recently announced the reenactment of the 1976 Coal Policy — which they quietly axed in 2020 without citizen engagement. Critics herald the move as largely tactical.
But what’s to come of open-pit mining in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains? Australian coal mining companies were up on the deal before Albertans, and the Coal Association was the only group consulted.
Civilians and musicians spoke up. Ranchers took the government to court. Now the Alberta government is picking up the pieces from courting investors behind closed doors. Lack of trust in the provincial regulator resounds.
The Tyee started following the issue last August. Deep dive with us to follow it through.
What Kenney Had to Kill to Embrace Coal
Alberta’s 1976 Coal Policy protected vital drinking water supplies for much of the province. That’s gone now.
Alberta’s Cancelled Coal Leases Called a ‘Trick’
An ex-deputy minister terms yesterday’s step back ‘misleading.’ And it won’t deter a court challenge by ranchers and First Nations.
Months Before Albertans Were Told, Australian Miners Knew Plans to Axe Coal Policy
Investor presentations signalled the Kenney government aimed to open protected lands to open-pit mining.
Loads of Coal Disinformation from the Kenney Government
How Alberta’s energy and environment ministers misled on open-pit mining plans.
Editor's Pick
This story is making waves.
Bad Water Sickens First Nations. But Government Doesn’t Track the Toll
Data to identify and fix problems don’t exist. The ‘black hole,’ say critics, lets feds off the hook. A special report.
Editor's Pick
This story is making waves.
‘A Matter of Trust’: The Grim Reality Behind Indigenous Vaccine Fears
The BC government has prioritized remote First Nations communities. But a record of health-care racism has left many skeptical.
Deep Dive
Get to the bottom of something big.
Schools Through the Pandemic
We've followed concerns of parents and teachers since schools were first shuttered and the initial return to classrooms.
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.
Teachers Are COVID Heroes. It’s Time We Listened to Them
Research shows the toll taken as they cope with changing rules, online learning and fears for students — and themselves.
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.
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.
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.
Most Popular
As City Signals False Creek South Is Up for Grabs, Here’s a Homegrown Plan
Please Advise! Why Are Politicians So Painfully, Pathetically Unfunny?
One Thing Jason Kenney and Elizabeth May Agree On
Culture
The Consumerism of Art and Fashion Converge at the VAG’s ‘Pictures and Promises’
And the wild story of artist Barbara Kruger tells the story well.
Francesca Ekwuyasi Is a Book Person
Her debut novel brims with delicious food, erotic longing and profound heartache. As do her bookshelves.
This Mural Tells a Beautiful Tale of Cultural Solidarity. But Did It Really Happen?
After a Tyee piece referenced the artwork, the story it depicted was called into question. The result? Sifting through conflicting histories.
Sex Toys from Outer Space
These ‘wellness’ items, popping up in department stores and my algorithms, make me miss subtlety in sexuality.
Reported Elsewhere
Today's links curated for you.
‘Localized harassment’: RCMP patrol Wet’suwet’en territory despite UN calls for withdrawal
(via the Narwhal)
Variant in schools means it's time for all students in BC to wear masks: union
(via Burnaby Now)
Teen shares how eating disorder unfolded as doctors grapple with surge in cases during pandemic
(via CBC)
Separated by lockdown, this man wrote nearly 300 letters to his wife in a care home
(via CBC)
First Indigenous councillor in Terrace, BC, quits, cites systemic racism
(via the Times Colonist)
‘People in my group are so white’: Facebook vaccine hunter groups underscore inequity of rollout
(via One Zero)
‘Portfolio Warming’ is the new climate anxiety for fund managers
(via Bloomberg)
Culture clash between RCMP and municipal police leads to different treatment for people in mental health crisis: provincial health officer
(via the Vancouver Sun)
'Trojan Horse': Alberta to argue that federal assessment law unconstitutional
(via CBC)
The future of electric cars isn’t Tesla. It’s golf carts
(via the Rest of the World)
Make great journalism happen
The Tyee is a reader-supported publication. If you value what we do, help us make it.
Comment Noted
We hear you.
Clean Water Is a Human Right
(click to read in context)
Can the government point to one, or more, places where they have completed a [First Nations] water facility?
You’d think there would have been some progress on this by now — some measure of success, a way to see where we were and how far along we’ve got. I see nothing.
Provinces should be taking a bigger role if they aren’t already. They are closer to the communities in question and may be of help with logistics and local knowledge.
Long past time to put this into high gear.