Tag Archives: COVID 19

Canada’s billion-dollar border gamble won’t end the drug crisis

Editor’s note: Approximately 0.2% of fentany entering the UnIted States comes from Canada (10 pounds in 2024), the rest comes from Mexico. 98.5% of the US border patrol’s encounters with migrants are on the US-Mexican border – gleaned from a CNN report using US Government sources.

By Richard Young Megaphone Magazine, Local Journalism Initiative

In response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of heavy tariffs, Canada has appointed former RCMP deputy commissioner Kevin Brosseau as the country’s first “fentanyl czar.” 

This role, created to address concerns over fentanyl trafficking across the northern border, aims to ease tensions and avert a potential trade war.

In a statement about the appointment, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Brosseau is being asked to work closely with U.S. counterparts and law enforcement agencies to “accelerate Canada’s efforts to detect, disrupt and dismantle the fentanyl trade.”

The idea that fentanyl is being manufactured on such a large scale right here in the province of B.C., considering the volume of it, is a surprise to many communities. There has been an assumption that the deadly drug was primarily coming from China and Mexico.

Continue reading Canada’s billion-dollar border gamble won’t end the drug crisis

Food Nutrition, Prices And Security: Local And International  Perspectives

Around the time President Donald Trump started threatening to start a trade war, Cortes Currents reached out to Dr Kushank Bajaj from UBC’s Institute for Resource, Environment and Sustainability and Marc Doll, from Foot Forward Forest Farm on Quadra Island. 

The topic was food security and Dr Bajaj is one of the developers of a website called Canada Food Flows, which traces the amount of fruits and vegetables coming into British Columbia from other provinces and nations. 

Continue reading Food Nutrition, Prices And Security: Local And International  Perspectives

Heather Deeth: Hollyhock’s new Interim Executive Director

As of this morning, Heather Deeth has been the Interim Executive Director of Hollyhock for 19 days. Cortes Currents caught up with her on Sunday to talk about the changes in her life, as well as what’s happening in one of the most dynamic retreat centres on the West Coast. 

Continue reading Heather Deeth: Hollyhock’s new Interim Executive Director

No Longer an Official Emergency, COVID Remains a Crisis


Editor’s note: Between March 2020 and October 2022, there were 1,809 documented cases of COVID in the Greater Campbell River Health Area. There were fatalities in outlying areas like Cortes and Quadra Islands, as well as in the city. While the numbers have decreased, COVID is still a threat. According to the Government of Canada, 7,274 British Columbians have died of COVID as of August 3, 2024. Of course, these are just the documented cases. The actual numbers are undoubtedly higher.

By Michelle Gamage, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

British Columbia’s top doctor has ended the COVID-19 public health emergency, which began nearly 1,600 days ago on March 17, 2020. 

Declaring COVID-19 a public health emergency gave provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry the ability to issue mask mandates, travel and gathering restrictions and vaccination requirements for health-care workers to curb the spread of the virus. 

While experts The Tyee spoke with agree the  public health emergency may no longer be needed, they stressed that  COVID-19 still poses a serious and potentially deadly threat to the  general public. 

Continue reading No Longer an Official Emergency, COVID Remains a Crisis

Peter Wrinch moving on from being CEO of Hollyhock

Peter Wrinch is stepping down from his position as CEO of Hollyhock. 

“My last day will be July 31st this year. That will be exactly seven years, to the day,” he explained.

“The reason I’m leaving is a much deeper question. I’m 49 years old.  I’m turning 50 next year.  This is my second job as an executive director or CEO.  When I finished the first one, I said, ‘Well, I will never do that job again” and then a few years later, I took on this role. 

Coming into Hollyhock, I had very little sense of the depth and warmth and connection of this place. I also knew that I would not stay forever.  I’m so happy that I got to experience the love that is Hollyhock. And, I am clear that my purpose at this stage of my life is to figure out how to support organizational leaders instead of being one myself. I’ve thought about this quite deeply and see this ending as a call to a deeper purpose. 

Continue reading Peter Wrinch moving on from being CEO of Hollyhock