Canada has outlined the direction it will take in its future efforts in space. There are currently 8,000 people employed in space-related activities and more than 200 companies. The space industry contributes $3.3 billion annually to the Canadian economy. The… »
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.
Polar bear victim gets huge medical bill
Although Canadians’ medical bills are usually paid by the public health system, a young woman has been billed $13,159 because she was treated outside of her home province for a service that wasn’t covered. These are the kinds of teeth… »
Population to plunge in eastern provinceCourtesy Victoria Hynes Etchegary
The population will decline most in the eastern province of Newfoundland and Labrador over the next two decades, according to the research organization The Conference Board of Canada. It predicts the population of 482,000 will drop by 45,000 by 2035.… »
Health, Internet, Science & Technology
New diagnostic camera could predict eye damage
Current technology permits eye doctors to detect eye disease too late to prevent damage, but new camera technology could soon provide early signs of disease which could be treated. “We’re always a bit behind the disease,” says Jean-Daniel Arbour, retinal… »
Settlements delayed for aboriginal abuse victims
The government’s approach to settling native abuse claims now seems “very mean spirited and very adversarial,” says lawyer Steven Cooper. He has represented several hundreds of Aboriginals who were forcibly taken from their parents and sent to residential schools where… »
Weird weather taxes Yukon wildlife
Unusual weather conditions are causing hardship for wildlife in Canada’s north western Yukon territory. Heavy snow in December was followed by record-shattering warm temperatures. That left a crust of ice on top of the snow that is cutting the legs… »
Arts & Entertainment, International, Society
Painting speaks of black slavery in Canada:historian
A rare portrait of an African woman hanging in a Montreal museum speaks volumes about slavery in Canada, says McGill University art historian Charmaine Nelson. In school, many Canadians are taught about the Underground Railroad but know little about the… »
Environment & Animal Life, Health, Internet, Science & Technology
Oilsands pollution greatly underestimated: study
The reporting of emissions of some hazardous air pollutants in Canada’s western oilsands projects are “very likely too low,” according to new research from the University of Toronto. Scientists there used a model to assess the reported emissions of some… »
Alzheimer’s patient must be fed, court rules
A woman in the western city of Abbottford must continue to be fed even though she had a living will stating her intention to refuse nourishment or liquids if she suffered from an incurable disease. Margot Bentley was a nurse… »
Environment & Animal Life, Health, Society
How to rid the body of common toxins
A new book offers advice on how to avoid the worst of some 80,000 synthetic chemicals we are routinely exposed to and, when we do absorb them, how best to flush them out of our systems. The book is called… »
The world in pictures
Canada in pictures
