Articles

From My Perspective – Smoking

The government of Alberta has introduced a hefty new tax on cigarettes and alcohol, and other provinces are following suit. The tax was implemented on cigarettes without warning, and when added to the November 2001 federal tax increase on tobacco products (1) brings the cost of a pack of cigarettes in Alberta to almost $8.00…. Read more »

Close Call

During my years working for the Ministry of Forests I became proficient in the use of a chainsaw. The process was neither instant nor was it without incident, and I know that I gave my boss/instructor Neil Campbell more than one grey hair along the way. Classroom time in combination with hours of fieldwork was… Read more »

Survivor!

I am a survivor of emotional, physical, sexual, and spiritual abuse. As a young child, I was sexually abused by another male in the private school that I attended. Afraid of being rejected by my friends, parents, and other family members, I did not tell anyone about the incident for more than 3 years. Those… Read more »

From My Perspective – Remembering Teachers

Teachers have still not reached an agreement with the Government of Alberta, and are withdrawing many services to students as a result; for example: supervision of field trips, graduation events, concerts, etc. Regardless of how the situation is eventually resolved, it is certain that for many students the effects of this year will have a… Read more »

Hockey

My earliest memories of hockey are those of my uncle hogging the TV set to watch Hockey Night in Canada every time (it seemed to me) that I wanted to watch a show more appropriate to my age. I first remember the theme song reverberating throughout the house when I was about five years old… Read more »

Mercy

A well-known Bible text says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Does this mean that if we are good to others, they will be good to us? Unfortunately this is not the case, as has been proven any number of times in my life and most likely yours as well. If that… Read more »

UPDATE: Newfoundland Judge grants Custody of a seven-year-old boy to the father: Knowing the father has been charged with several counts of assault on his ex- wife.

Our Justice System in Canada needs to change to help victims of abuse. I believe we need judges that are better qualified to proceed with the cases of abuse that are brought before them. In the last issue, I discussed a woman whose son had been awarded custody to a father who is currently awaiting… Read more »