A surveillance society: 10 things you should know about Bill C-30[One of our most-read feature stories from this year makes a return appearance in the spotlight, as relevant as ever.] Bill C-30 is the lawful access legislation proposed by current minister of public safety Vic Toews. The bill is also known as the Investigating and Preventing Criminal Electronic Communications Act or Protecting Children from Internet […] Continue Reading |
DIwhY?If you’ve ever baked your own bread, knitted yourself some mittens, or planted a backyard carrot or two, you’re part of a growing cultural revolution known as do it yourself, or DIY. Urban farming, home-brewing, independent publishing… the culture of DIY has infiltrated the lives of people the world over and is only getting stronger. […] Continue Reading |
Gone but not forgotten: A look at the Missing Women Commission of InquiryIt felt like a turning point. After years of requests by advocacy groups, the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry was finally about to begin. This was back in September, when Nexus covered the epidemic of missing and murdered women in BC. Many hoped that justice would be served. As the commission was preparing to launch […] Continue Reading |
David Mathers’ storyAspiring teachers have high hopes when they’re studying to become an educator, imagining the impact they’re going to have on their students. But there’s another side to teaching: frustration at students who don’t want to be there, reputation-scarring rumours, the inner workings of the school system. The lines on David Mathers’ face tell the story […] Continue Reading |
Going down the sewer: How the CRD plans to forge ahead with criticized treatment plantThe apparent simplicity of flushing a toilet has become a highly complex scenario in the Capital Regional District (CRD). The CRD has spent millions of dollars, and several years, deciding how to deal with its sewage. Since ordered by the provincial government to start treating sewage in 2006, the CRD and others have undertaken numerous […] Continue Reading |
State of the Arts: How Arts Funding Affects Our CommunitiesWhen Stephen Harper famously declared that “ordinary people” don’t care about arts funding during the 2008 election campaign, artists and arts groups were quickly forced to prove their worth. At that time, $45 million had just been cut from the federal arts budget, and not long after, the government of BC made serious cuts of […] Continue Reading |
Getting Fracked: BC allows extensive fracking, but at what cost?Jessica Ernst can light her tap water on fire. At least, Jessica Ernst could light her tap water on fire until she recently had the water disconnected from her home because it posed such a safety risk. Natural gas corporation Encana began drilling near Ernst’s property on the outskirts of Rosebud in southern Alberta in […] Continue Reading |
The lizard of Oz: a memoirDavid Hudson opened the door to his traditional Queenslander home back in 1988 and welcomed us inside. Glad to be in out of the heat, we made our way to the cool centre of the house. He told us to make ourselves comfortable in the small sitting room while he went to the kitchen; he […] Continue Reading |
Choosing cheer: making bad holidays good againAs any student knows, it can be tough navigating the upcoming holiday season of marketing, family time, and festivities. Despite tired brain cells and weakened bank balances, the odds are good that students will bounce back from exams and be able jump into the holiday spirit. Still, while the holidays are great for some, this […] Continue Reading |
Self-chosen death: a heart-wrenching dilemmaAbout a decade ago, Camosun university transfer student Joanna Webber’s uncle decided he wanted to be euthanized. Half of Webber’s family lives in Holland, where assisted suicide is legal. When her uncle, who was suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, started considering this end-of-life decision, her entire family was involved and backed him up. “The whole family […] Continue Reading |
