Two tough-on-crime laws have been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada. Section 12 of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects citizens from cruel and unusual punishment. The two laws were among several punitive bills passed by the Conservative… »
Lynn Desjardins
Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Lynn has dedicated her working life to journalism. After decades in the field, she still believes journalism to be a pillar of democracy and she remains committed to telling stories she believes are important or interesting. Lynn loves Canada and embraces all seasons: skiing, skating, and sledding in winter, hiking, swimming and playing tennis in summer and running all the time. She is a voracious consumer of Canadian literature, public radio programs and classical music. Family and friends are most important. Good and unusual foods are fun. She travels when possible and enjoys the wilderness.
Public health emergency declared over drug deaths
Increasing drug overdoses and deaths have prompted the government of the western province of British Columbia to declare a public health emergency. The province recorded 474 drug-related deaths in 2015. That was an increase of 30 per cent over the… »
Canada’s young suffer increasing inequality: UNICEF
The gap between Canadian children at the bottom of society and those in the middle is so large that it puts Canada 26th out of 35 wealthy countries, according to a new report from UNICEF. ‘Growing inequality… in Canada’ “It’s… »
Whimsical children’s book promotes healthy eating
In writing “Fartzee Schmartzee’s Fabulous Food Fest,” Toronto writer Adam Michael Segal wanted to encourage children to eat healthy food. As a parent of two youngsters, he worried about the advertising for sugary foods that bombards Canadian children through various… »
Environment & Animal Life, Society
Politician calls for green burials
“Human composting” should be encouraged as an alternative to the current ways Canadians treat bodies after death, say a politician in western Canada. Canadian Press (CP) reports the leader of the Green Party in the province of Manitoba, James Beddome… »
Immigration & Refugees, International, Society
Canada adds to Syrian relief contributions
The Canadian government announced it will contribute $100 million to help communities stricken by the Syrian crisis. Private citizens responded to campaigns by charitable organizations and donated $31.8 million. As promised, the government will match that amount and give it… »
Environment & Animal Life, Indigenous, Society
Legal action taken to protect rich Arctic area
The World Wildlife Fund has gone to court to try to kill old permits for gas and oil exploration in Lancaster Sound, in the northern territory of Nunavut. The conservation group says the permits awarded to Shell decades ago present an… »
Shipwrecks must be better protected: archaeologist
A leading marine archaeologist says Canada needs a national strategy to protect underwater wrecks, reports Canadian Press. Rob Rondeau told CP shipwrecks are “kind of the poor cousin to on-land archaeological sites.” As an example, he says the wreck of… »
Economy, International, Politics, Society
Milk producers demand a halt to U.S. imports
Milk producers are demanding the Canadian government enforce tariffs that are supposed to be collected on dairy products imported from the United States, reports Canadian Press. It seems that Canadian customs agents are admitting a milk protein called diafiltered milk… »
Privacy watchdog monitors electronic health devices
Canada’s privacy commissioner has joined a network of privacy watchdogs in other countries to monitor the collection of personal information by electronic devices. Canada will focus its efforts on various health devices such as fitness trackers, smart scales, and sleep monitors.… »
The world in pictures
Canada in pictures
