All posts by Rochelle Baker

Rochelle Baker is a staff reporter with Canada’s National Observer, thanks thanks to a grant from the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada. She previously worked as a newspaper reporter and photographer in BC’s Lower Mainland for over 7 years.
Politics

Election 2021: Federal Green Party’s battle for survival unfolds on Vancouver Island 

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Vancouver Island is a long way from the seat of power in Ottawa, but it’s a vital battleground this election for the survival of the federal Green Party.

The party’s only two incumbent candidates, former leader Elizabeth May and Paul Manly, are hoping to retain their toehold on the southeast tip of the island, despite bitter infighting between the party’s leader, Annamie Paul, and some of the party’s brass that dragged on until the eve of the election.

Continue reading Election 2021: Federal Green Party’s battle for survival unfolds on Vancouver Island  →
Politics

Election 2021: NDP best bet to get stuff done in Ottawa, says North Island candidate Rachel Blaney

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Incumbent NDP candidate Rachel Blaney wants to continue to hold the government accountable and secure what her constituents and Canadians need to navigate tremendous challenges such as climate change and COVID-19 recovery.

Continue reading Election 2021: NDP best bet to get stuff done in Ottawa, says North Island candidate Rachel Blaney →
Cost of Climate Change

Election 2021: Is Trudeau flubbing the West Coast vote by failing to push hard on climate change?

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

One reason Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau’s campaign may be flagging in his preferred stomping grounds in British Columbia, especially with young voters, is in part because he’s failing to push hard enough on climate change as a key election issue, one pundit suggests. 

Continue reading Election 2021: Is Trudeau flubbing the West Coast vote by failing to push hard on climate change? →
Health

Canada’s drug policy — not drugs — is killing people at record numbers, advocates say

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s mind-boggling communities across Canada must still organize for an annual awareness day to draw public and policymakers’ attention to poisoned street drugs and an ongoing health crisis that has killed more than 21,000 people in just five years, advocates say.

Continue reading Canada’s drug policy — not drugs — is killing people at record numbers, advocates say →
Forests, Justice

73 complaints against the RCMP at Fairy Creek

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The federal agency that holds RCMP to account has received a total of 73 public complaints associated with enforcement measures at the Fairy Creek old-growth logging blockades in British Columbia, says the legal team representing the activist group.

Continue reading 73 complaints against the RCMP at Fairy Creek →