By Kim Nursall
Most people are aware of the harrowing nature of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Few individuals, however, recognize the potential crisis that the diseases’ effects, coupled with Canada’s aging population, could generate. Dementia is the most significant cause of disability among Canadians 65 and older and cost Canadian society over $15 billion in 2010 alone. Dementia refers… Continue reading Mental health care needs a cure, not a band-aid
By Kim Nursall
Values such as liberty and respect for due process of the law are espoused by the United Nations as integral to the development and preservation of healthy, autonomous societies. Despite this, individuals such as Abousfian Abdelrazik have found their lives obstinately constrained through the UN’s 1267 list — a Kafkaesque resolution passed by the UN… Continue reading The struggle for Project Fly Home
By Kim Nursall
The term “family planning” has come under a lot of scrutiny lately, with the Conservative government announcing that maternal health will be Canada’s “signature” initiative at the G8 summit in Huntsville, Ontario this June. What exactly this initiative will entail has yet to be formalized, but controversy has already arisen over the proposal’s intended methods… Continue reading The failure of the federal family plan
By Kim Nursall
Sunday night was emotional for those of us who have watched the healthcare debate unfold in the United States. After over a year of vacillation during which the deliberative process almost fell into obscurity — pushed to the brink of failure by warnings of statism and “death panels” — a piece of legislation, approved by… Continue reading American healthcare reforms no great shakes
By Kim Nursall
The bells are tolling for Rights and Democracy. This government-funded advocacy group has been embroiled in a soap-opera plot ever since the organization’s then-president Remy Beauregard approved three small grants for Middle East-based human rights groups in January 2009. The ensuing chaos has featured resignations, suspensions, dismissals, the death of Beauregard, an office burglary and… Continue reading The tangled tale of Rights and Democracy
By Kim Nursall
In light of Tiger Woods’ recent infidelities, companies such as Gillette and Accenture have reneged on sponsorship contracts with the golf superstar. Because these companies claim that an affiliation with Tiger Woods will adversely affect product sales, they have severed ties to the supposedly discredited sports icon. Companies acting thus send the message that people… Continue reading Eliminating society’s celebrity obsession
By Kim Nursall
On January 19, a historic change occurred in the United States senate when the special election held to fill the late Edward M. Kennedy’s seat was won by Republican Scott Brown. Kennedy had held the seat for 46 years and, even with his passing, the idea of the Democrats losing it was unimaginable. However, as… Continue reading It’s the end of the world as we know it
By Kim Nursall
In light of Conservative MP Tony Clement’s comments detailing who exactly cares about prorogation — “I know it’s a big issue with the Ottawa media elite and some of the elites in our country” — it is painfully obvious that being labelled an “elite” is a political insult. Clement’s words are offensive to Canadians. They… Continue reading Learning to love political elitism
By Kim Nursall
On December 30, 2009, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, after an unprecedented phone call to Governor General Michaëlle Jean, announced that Parliament would be prorogued until March 3, 2010. As a result, all outstanding bills progressing through the House or the Senate were eradicated and the activity of all parliamentary committees ceased. Before delving into the… Continue reading The many problems of prorogation
By Kim Nursall
Last week, Googlers may have happened across an atypical image of Michelle Obama, who is usually the very picture of style and grace. This particular representation depicted her face with ape-like features, eliciting a chorus of outcries for the image to be removed and Google’s content to be better regulated. The picture was described by… Continue reading Racism, Google and censorship