The furor over the Ontario government’s Greenbelt mess has generated a lot of news stories, and more than a few opinion pieces, most of which are offered from an expert’s point of view.
Columns
1850s: Starvation stalks Bruce County
The early settlements of Bruce County had limited resources to carry them through hard times. For example, so precarious was the economy of Southampton in 1851 that the loss of a single boatload of supplies meant that the hamlet had to be partially abandoned so that the rest might eat.
Are we finally listening to climate change warnings?
Most of us have been reacting with shock and horror at news and photos of the devastating forest fires in British Columbia and the North West Territories.
Greenbelt Dispatches Part III – Who is speaking for the soil?
Soil is not an easy thing to understand. It is poorly understood and the vast majority of us walk…
James Brine and the Martyrs of Tolpuddle
The obituary published in the Stratford Daily Beacon in August 1902 for James Brine, an “old and esteemed resident” of Blanshard Township (now part of Perth South) is typical for the time period.
The most frightening experience of my life
For some, it’s rollercoasters that scare them. For others, it’s a fear of falling from high places. Or it’s a fear of the unknown that keeps them awake at night. For me, it is spiders.
Look what you’ve done
In John 12:1-11, we find Jesus at the home of Lazarus for a meal just before Passover. The meal was…
A beacon in the storm
Friends, I was thinking back recently to when Campbell’s Soup closed in Listowel. When was that, around 2008? I remember at that time feeling as though a ripple of shock and anger flowed through the communities, with generations of family members fearful of what would lie ahead, now that this emplo
Remembering why minor sports are important
By the time you read this, I will have completed my first season as president of a minor sports organization.
The Greenbelt dispatches – Crown fails again
Last week’s introductory instalment used Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk’s report along with publicly-available data from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) to show the land swaps were unnecessary to hit current housing targets, given there are 88,000 acres already in development plans
Pop is out of my diet – too much sugar
With all the heat that we have had, I have been drinking a lot of liquids.
Greenbelt Dispatch A
The most challenging aspect of Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk’s report last week that outlined a flawed process undertaken by Premier Doug Ford to facilitate the development of lands formerly protected in Ontario’s Greenbelt is the myriad of pathways that must be explored to fully comprehend just how
Mona Lisa’s theft made her an overnight sensation
My wife seems to have a keen eye for art – paintings in particular. I do not, nor do I have much interest in that particular medium.
Self-inflicted wound
Am I surprised by the result of the auditor general’s report about the Greenbelt? Yes and no.
Retributive versus restorative justice
I was thinking recently about some of the groups and school classes we have hosted at The Village over the past year. This is a big part of our advocacy and education program, in that we discuss some of the important language we use here in ITAV (dignity, respect, allyship, hunger, empathy, etc.) an
