Tag Archives: Ottawa

Ann Mortifee: ‘Dreaming I am Ann’

Ann Mortifee is probably the most famous musician on Cortes Island, which is more of a compliment than it sounds like because there are a lot of talented musicians on Cortes. However from the start of our interview, it was apparent this story was about a lot more than singing. I had this bizarre feeling to lead with the question, ‘When did you start becoming Ann Mortifee?’ 

Her answer came out of the memories of a 4-years-old girl.

AM:  “It happened maybe a hundred times in my childhood. I had the same dream. I’d be standing somewhere looking into a bedroom and there’d be someone lying in the bed. I’d go, ‘Oh no, I’m starting to dream of her again.’ Then I would get this anxious feeling, ‘I’m going to get stuck there in the dream and I’m going to believe it’s real.’ This dream gets more and more upsetting to me. I can feel myself starting to fall asleep and that I’m in a dream.” 

Continue reading Ann Mortifee: ‘Dreaming I am Ann’

NDP leader’s health-care concerns front and centre during Vancouver Island tour

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Hot off a week-long Vancouver Island tour on the state of health care, federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says protecting Canada’s public health system is a top priority in the coming year.

As Parliament returned Monday, Singh said he expects to have a one-on-one conversation with Justin Trudeau to raise concerns about the threat of privatization and the acute lack of health-care workers that are hobbling communities and hospitals across the country.

Continue reading NDP leader’s health-care concerns front and centre during Vancouver Island tour

Communities across Canada organize to challenge far-right rhetoric of ‘freedom convoy’

By Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The streets of downtown Ottawa are no longer blocked with trucks and peppered with hate symbols, but residents are not ready to rest while the extreme rhetoric of the so-called “freedom convoy” permeates Canadian politics and society.

“This will emerge again,” said Andrea Harden, an Ottawa resident who participated in many counter-protests against the month-long occupation. “The question for me is when and where?”

Continue reading Communities across Canada organize to challenge far-right rhetoric of ‘freedom convoy’

Controversial Emergency Act revoked following the dismantling of blockades and occupation of Ottawa

By Jacob Cardinal, Alberta Native News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(ANNews) – On February 14, 2022 Canada made history as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau enacted the Emergencies Act, a “last resort” effort to bring an end to the trucker convoy protests and blockades. On February 23, after the international border blockades were cleared and the Ottawa three-week “occupation” disbanded, the Act was revoked.

Continue reading Controversial Emergency Act revoked following the dismantling of blockades and occupation of Ottawa

Canada’s emergency powers evoke reflections on democracy, freedom

By Fernando Arce, New Canadian Media, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As the world woke up to breaking reports of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, Canada’s short-lived Emergencies Act has evoked memories of Eastern European dictatorships among some communities and ignited reflections about ‘democracy’ and ‘freedom’ among ethnic media commentators. 

A number of ethnic media outlets have pointed to what they see as hypocrisy and double standards from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government for supporting disruptive protests around the world but cracking down on similar ones at home.

Continue reading Canada’s emergency powers evoke reflections on democracy, freedom