When Is Mountaintop Removal Not Mountaintop Removal? In Alberta, of Course!
The Kenney government plays word games as it plans to strip-mine the Rockies.
Most Black and Indigenous Students Want Police Out of Schools, Report Finds
Decision on whether to cancel the Vancouver officer liaison program is imminent.
Tiny Townhouse Prototype Finds a Home in the Downtown Eastside
Proponent hopes to persuade Vancouver councillors and others to consider tiny home villages as an alternative to tents.
Can’t Get Adam Curtis Out of My Head
The polarizing filmmaker digs into the BBC archives to create a dizzying and ultimately hopeful new offering.
BC’s Anti-Renoviction Reform Is Too Weak, Says Tenants’ Advocate
Government fails to make the one change that would bring increased security for renters in volatile market.
‘I Want the Vaccine So I Can Live’
People with Down syndrome are at greater risk from COVID-19. Why isn’t BC prioritizing their shots?
Bring Back Vancouver Co-op Living. All along Broadway
The affordability crisis persists. Here is a bold step the city should consider.
If Hockey Is Universal, Why Does It Leave So Many Out in the Cold?
Courtney Szto’s book 'Changing on the Fly' explores the damaging myths of hockey culture in Canada.
A Push to Give the ‘Family Voice’ Real Power in Long-term Care
Informal councils, formed at facilities to advocate for residents, want true recognition and input.
MOA Show Looks at Art and the Survival of Hope after Devastation
Ten years after an earthquake and tsunami shattered eastern Japan, a new exhibit explores the roots of resilience.
Officials Failed to Warn Downtown Eastside Residents about Dysentery Outbreak, Advocate Says
Karen Ward says she only learned about it after a concerned doctor got in touch.
That Other Time the NDP Failed to Stop an Over-Budget Megaproject
Site C decision might feel like déjà vu all over again for John Horgan, whose predecessors backed an ill-fated rail line across the North.
The Climate Crisis Discriminates. Maps Tell the Story
How data visualizers are helping to plan to support Cascadia’s most vulnerable communities. Next in a series.
Please Advise! Can a Gambling Side Hustle Save Newspapers?
Torstar’s plan for an online casino is brilliant, says Dr. Steve. But just a puny first step.
As BC’s Overdose Crisis Deepens, Province Defends Efforts
Drugs becoming ‘even deadlier, underscoring urgent need for supervised consumption, safe supply and treatment,’ says coroner.
Seniors in Chinatown Need Help Accessing Vaccine Information, Say Advocates
With vaccination of older residents set to begin, lack of translated information and other barriers could limit campaign’s effectiveness.
New Ways to Cope with Zoom Fatigue. And More Headlines Straight from Science Journals
The latest roundup of pandemic findings gathered by Hakai Magazine.
My Cup of Bubble Tea
How the sweet drinks and steamy cafés swept Vancouver and became cultural touchstones for a generation.
‘Why Do We Have This Kind of Carnage?’: André Picard on Elder Care in Canada
The G&M reporter’s new book chronicles a long failure, but offers hope for the future. A Tyee Q&A.
Rising COVID-19 Cases and a Dysentery Outbreak Hit Downtown Eastside
One housing provider is battling 100 COVID-19 cases, while at least 10 are hospitalized with bacterial infection.
Editor's Pick
This story is making waves.
‘Why Do We Have This Kind of Carnage?’: André Picard on Elder Care in Canada
The G&M reporter’s new book chronicles a long failure, but offers hope for the future. A Tyee Q&A.
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.
A New Book that Challenges Racist ‘British Columbia’
It looks at our brutal past — and the people who fought for change — with the goal of a better future.
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.
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.
Culture
Can’t Get Adam Curtis Out of My Head
The polarizing filmmaker digs into the BBC archives to create a dizzying and ultimately hopeful new offering.
If Hockey Is Universal, Why Does It Leave So Many Out in the Cold?
Courtney Szto’s book 'Changing on the Fly' explores the damaging myths of hockey culture in Canada.
MOA Show Looks at Art and the Survival of Hope after Devastation
Ten years after an earthquake and tsunami shattered eastern Japan, a new exhibit explores the roots of resilience.
My Cup of Bubble Tea
How the sweet drinks and steamy cafés swept Vancouver and became cultural touchstones for a generation.
Reported Elsewhere
Today's links curated for you.
BC housing minister says he won't stop lobbying city councils over decisions on homeless shelters
(via the CBC)
Defence Minister Sajjan knew about Vance allegations in 2018 but refused to accept evidence, committee told
(via the Ottawa Citizen)
Questions raised over Saskatchewan First Nation's vaccine dream
(via the Star Phoenix)
Surrey sisters 'traumatized,' believe they were targeted by RCMP because they're Black
(via CityNews 1130)
Pandemic job losses threaten to leave women behind permanently, RBC warns
(via CBC)
The 'rapid housing initiative' that isn't
(via the Vancouver Sun)
UBC accounting class told to redo midterm exam after students accused of cheating online
(via CBC)
Lobbyists on CBC panels fail to disclose conflicts
(via Ricochet)
Facebook helped fund David Brooks’s second job. Nobody told the readers of the New York Times
(via BuzzFeed)
Indigenous land defender gets jail time after ceremony near Trans Mountain site
(via Vice)
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.