Time for governments to think outside the box on COVID-19 relief plans
There is no doubt programs to help Canadians cope with the COVID-19 fallout are well-intentioned efforts, but as with everything, the devil is in the details.
Opinion
Published by Observer Media Group. The opinions expressed on this page are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of National Observer's editorial board.
How many lives will the coronavirus save?
As the death toll from the global pandemic continues to increase, one question not being asked is: How many lives will the coronavirus save? The answer will provide the context we need to help avert an even greater loss of life from the coming climate crisis.
Have Americans gone crazy?
If it’s not President Donald Trump’s incoherent press conferences, where recently he seemed to suggest injecting disinfectant might cure you of COVID-19, or his repeated claims the pandemic is under control while the body count mounts alarmingly, then it’s the far-right, some of them armed with assault rifles, storming the state capitols.
These 10 steps will strengthen Canada's economy and climate
COVID-19 crisis shines spotlight on community and the risk of protectionist measures
Canada should copy President Roosevelt and create a nature corps
Canada could create hundreds of thousands of jobs in nature conservation by following the example President Roosevelt set in 1933.
Education, COVID and Quebec and why we shouldn’t open schools
The province with the highest number of infections, highest number of deaths and the highest number of hospitals and long-term facilities experiencing outbreaks will also be the only province where students could be going back to school before September.
Earth Day 50 is over, so how do we get to Earth Day 100?
If we want to see Earth Day 100 we need to flatten the curve for climate and extinction
Is digital contact tracing a real hope or a dangerous distraction?
Despite privacy concern the federal and some provincial governments are considering citizen-tracking cellphone apps to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Racist dog whistles have no place in COVID-19 discourse
Asking if Dr Tam "works for Canada or China" is the same argument used in the internment of Japanese-Canadians during Second World War that questioned citizens' loyalty to their own country.
Corporate greed knows no bounds, even during a global pandemic
Big business is working to take advantage of the COVID-19 crisis. We must not let them.
Meat-packing plant closures is chance for greenhouse gas reductions
The Canadian government must use the COVID-19 crisis to leapfrog into more sustainable and local food production systems.
Long-term care homes were in crisis well before politicians woke up to the problem
Critics say provincial governments dropped the ball on long-term care homes well before the pandemic struck.
COVID-19 should steer us away from jails and towards restorative justice
If we depopulate prisons to deal with COVID-19 then we should use the opportunity to think about how we can build a more effective, humane, rehabilitative system of "punishment".
Canada should invest in electric vehicle transition post COVID-19
With all fossil fuel sectors in decline, what better time for the federal government to develop an electric vehicle national strategy?
Let's come out of COVID-19 with a new relationship for nature and people
At the root of the current crisis, and fundamental to the solution, is our relationships with the other species that share our planet.
