Why “Idle No More” Should Matter to all Canadians
This past December, Canadian parliament adjourned for winter break with much more of a bang than a whimper. In response to the conservative government passing omnibus budget bill C-45: The Jobs and Growth Act, the opposition members of parliament ended the session by chanting “2015, 2015” indicating the year where Stephen Harper and the conservatives will hopefully be held accountable …
Read MoreTalking About When Life Begins in Canada: Motion 312 and the Minister for the Status of Women
As a young Canadian woman, I have grown up knowing that there was a certain security related to being born in my country. I am not talking about political or economic security, but rather the way in which my rights as a woman were entrenched in the Canadian constitution, the Criminal Code of Canada, and Canadian Employment Insurance.
Read More
A Taste-Tea Time: Iced Tea Two Different Ways
Like in many parts of North America, July in my home city is shaping up to be one of the hottest on record. As a result, my current summer job as a gardener for an all-female gardening and landscaping crew has become a very hot and very sweaty time. Now, I am a tea fanatic, my love affair with the …
Read More
Walks and Walkability: The Life and Legacy of Jane Jacobs
Today I’d like to discuss a remarkable woman who railed against suburbia, protected historic buildings, and championed urban spaces even when she faced opposition. Without Jane Jacobs, the landscapes of both Toronto and New York City would likely be drastically different.
Read More
Measuring the Year in Beauty Experiments
2010 was a big year for me. I graduated from my masters program, left Tallahassee, Florida, met my boyfriend, and began my PhD. By contrast, these past couple of years have been much tamer, although I started participating in martial arts and things have moved along with my degree, not a lot of wildly life changing things have happened. One …
Read MoreWhat is Greenwashing?
About a week ago, I was walking home from campus down Bloor Street, an artery for downtown Toronto, when I was approached by a man canvassing on the street for “The Nature Conservancy of Canada.” I was interested to hear what he had to say, primarily because I had been considering donating money to an environmental advocacy organization of some …
Read MoreThe Problems with Canadian Wilderness
If you grew up in Canada in any time between the 1970s and the early 1990s and watched any broadcast television, you will probably be familiar with the Hinterland Who’s Who, small video vignettes, or public service announcements, which feature film footage of Canadian animals in their natural habitat, accompanied by a sonorous flute tune. While these little videos can be …
Read MoreA Nutty Time: Tasty Nut and Seed Butters for the Peanut Free
I am part of the 0.4-0.6% of the population (according to Wikipedia) with an anaphylactic allergy to peanuts. I do, however, love food and trying new foods. Recently, as my allergy has become more common, labelling has become better and more alternatives to typically peanutty foods have become available.
Read More