2018 to be the year Canada legalizes cannabis?

This guest post is written by Kate Harveston, a writer and political activist from Pennsylvania. She blogs about culture and politics, and the various ways that those elements act upon each other. For more of her work, you can follow her on Twitter or subscribe to her blog, Only Slightly Biased.

Medical cannabis was first legalized in Canada in 2001, which allowed citizens to partake as long as they had a prescription. The medical cannabis business expanded over the past 16 years, reaching a point today in which Canada is on the verge of full-scale legalization. With the continued support of Trudeau, 2018 could be a big year for Canadian cannabis.

Though the momentum behind legalization seems insurmountable, there are a ton of factors that will inevitably be considered before Canada jumps headlong into legalization. Continue reading “2018 to be the year Canada legalizes cannabis?”

Health

American doctors on Canadian healthcare and the future for America

As lawmakers put on an extended match of political football with the American healthcare system, many have pointed to Canada as a shining example of how things should be done.

Canada uses a socialized healthcare system based around a single-payer, an idea that has recently gained momentum with left-leaning Americans. However, that doesn’t make Canada’s system perfect.

It takes someone with an intricate knowledge of healthcare, in general, to break down the real similarities and differences in the two current systems. So, what are American doctors who’ve been to Canada saying? Continue reading “American doctors on Canadian healthcare and the future for America”

Politics

The affordable housing issue in Canada

Goldman Sachs gives Canada’s housing market a one in three chance of crashing soon. At the same time, more Canadians than ever are migrating to urban areas, driving up the need for affordable housing.

It’s a trend that isn’t sustainable. The average price of a home in Canada is increasing at nearly twice the rate of the United States, but wages for Canadians are not increasing. More people and lower income in a market with rising prices is a recipe for disaster, and if Canada can’t find a solution to the problem, that’s exactly what this crisis will become. Continue reading “The affordable housing issue in Canada”

Environmentalism

Climate change’s increased impact on women

Climate change is something that affects everyone, but as with many things in this world, it actually doesn’t affect everyone equally. New evidence has suggested that the changing climate can have unique adverse effects on women specifically. Continue reading “Climate change’s increased impact on women”

Nationalism, Politics

On confusing the enemy

Alt-right groups are growing in the US and Canada, and social media outlets help to act as a platform for promoting ideologies. These people claim their movement is based on liberty and the right to free speech. However, in today’s apparently civilized society, what they’re promoting should be called what it rightfully is: racism, misogyny and anti-Semitism. The KKK, Neo-Nazi groups, and others are experiencing a revival or resurgence in sympathizers, and it would be shortsighted to exclude the Rise of Trump as partly responsible for this.

Far-right groups and individuals are associated with hate speech as they preach something that encourages divide, exclusion, and blame based on gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. The alt-right is gaining power in both America and Canada, and media presences are giving more credence to these harmful beliefs.

Recently, I read about a far-right political activist from Canada named Lauren Southern. She’s a blonde 22-year-old who made news in my country when the Southern Poverty Law Center condemned her for hate speech and blatant white nationalism.

In the aftermath, I’ve seen people calling her the “Canadian Tomi Lahren.” Lahren is a 25-year-old conservative political commentator and TV host who is quickly becoming one of the most recognized faces in American right-wing media. While humorous to note that they resemble each other in looks, age, and political leanings, to me, it seems dangerous to muddle the two. Continue reading “On confusing the enemy”

Nationalism

On nationalism: Unfortunately, this is a worldwide problem

America’s news media has spent the last six months captivated by a rash of white nationalist activity. It’s easy to point a finger at the surreal result of the USA’s democratic process — the election of President Donald Trump — as the cause for all this hateful activity. The truth is, though, that nationalist sentiment has been swirling around the global geopolitical conversation for quite some time now.

Continue reading “On nationalism: Unfortunately, this is a worldwide problem”

Abortion

On defending the unborn when you can’t even treat those around you with basic respect

Anti-abortion advocates are adamant that they’re pro-life. The irony of this is their lack of respect for other human beings who have opinions that differ from theirs. There is a long history of violence at abortion clinics by anti-abortion activists, and in the 90s, anti-abortion extremists decided murder was the only way to stop abortion. How does that correspond with a pro-life agenda? Continue reading “On defending the unborn when you can’t even treat those around you with basic respect”

Education

Religious education is still important, regardless of affiliation

In the Western world, the new wave of liberalism and acceptance sits with difficulty alongside the
stigma associated with traditional religion.

Seen as outdated and irrelevant, as well as archaic, religious education in schools is losing importance, and publicly funded religious schools are under threat more than ever before. It is not hard to understand how this has happened, and with the rise of political correctness, getting through a religious education class having escaped accusations may seem an impossible feat for many teachers today. Continue reading “Religious education is still important, regardless of affiliation”

Death

On “Dying with Dignity”: When religion meets medicine

Healthcare forces us to make some of the most difficult decisions of our lives. In recent years, the issue of doctor-assisted euthanasia has become one of those.

There was a time when the practice simply wasn’t talked about. It is, however, part of our reality and one that pulls us in a number of moral directions. Add religion to the equation, and things become even more complicated.

Just such a choice has made things difficult for a Catholic hospital in Ontario, where euthanasia is not typically performed. One group is challenging whether the opt-out ability that Canada grants to hospitals is fair to patients who request the procedure. Continue reading “On “Dying with Dignity”: When religion meets medicine”

Nature, Science

The Solar Eclipse and Spirituality

On Monday, August 21st, the entire contiguous United States saw its first total solar eclipse in 99 years. While it lasted for only a few precious minutes, it was a moment of great anticipation that indeed did unite America’s 50 states, federal districts, territories, and islands for a brief and rare moment of community.

Of course the country — the world — saw the solar eclipse as an event to be celebrated, but more so for the phenomenon we understand it to be scientifically, as opposed to an overtly spiritual event. However, looking back at religious perceptions of solar eclipses, we learn of their major spiritual significance, both negative and positive, within different religions. The human’s fascination with solar eclipses is thousands of years old, and naturally the various interpretations of them have shaped religion’s appreciation of these events today. Continue reading “The Solar Eclipse and Spirituality”