Category Archives: Human Interest
Tenacious Belgium immigrant pioneered Canada’s mussel industry in the 1970s
CHARLOTTETOWN — When Joe Van Den Bremt first floated the idea of producing cultured mussels on P.E.I. in the 1970s, the local fishermen laughed at him. "They were all telling me, 'We use that stuff for fertilizer,'" he said in 2017.
‘I’m here but my mind is always there:’ Ontario woman returns home from Afghanistan
Heartbreak and guilt are all Zakia Zarifi has been feeling since she returned to her home in Ontario from Afghanistan. "I'm happy to see my family here, but it's torture for me because I couldn't bring my parents with me," the
Entrepreneur helping Afghans is ‘shining example of Canadian compassion’: minister
OTTAWA — A Toronto property developer who has worked tirelessly to help hundreds of people fleeing the Taliban settle in Canada — spending $50,000 to buy them essential supplies — has been praised as a “shining example of Canadian compassion”
Nova Scotia recognizes Sept. 30 as Reconciliation Day starting this year
HALIFAX — The Nova Scotia government says it will recognize Sept. 30 as Truth and Reconciliation Day as an annual holiday beginning this year. Provincial government offices, public schools and regulated child care will be closed, although businesses wi...
‘Remember the children’: Planning underway for residential school memorial in Calgary
CALGARY — Plans are underway to create a permanent memorial for victims of Canada's residential schools to replace a fire-damaged one that includes hundreds of children's shoes on the steps of Calgary City Hall. The temporary memorial, which also has s...
Canadian woman stuck in Afghanistan worries she will die as military ends operations
A Canadian woman stuck in Afghanistan says she's worried she will die before she is able to return to her Ontario home and is blaming Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The woman, who says her friends call her Zak, asked her full
‘Waiting to see what their actual true colors are:’ Worries for women in Afghanistan
Canadians observing the Taliban's swift takeover of Afghanistan say they're skeptical of the group's claims that women's rights will be respected under Islamic law. Recalling the period of Taliban rule in the 1990's, they worry the regime change will ...
B.C. Human Rights office’s first public inquiry will examine white supremacy and hate
VANCOUVER — The first public inquiry from British Columbia's Office of the Human Rights Commissioner will examine white supremacy and the "disturbing surge of hate" during the COVID-19 pandemic. The commissioner's office said in a news release there ha...
Artist faces off against homophobia with fantasy Queer Newfoundland Hockey League
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A queer artist from western Newfoundland is facing off against homophobia and hyper-masculinity in sports by creating a make-believe hockey league full of "sissies," "pansies" and "flamers." Lucas Morneau spent much of the COVID-19 p...
Tories pledge tax credit for adopted dogs from shelter, part of health-care platform
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia's Progressive Conservatives are promising a $500 tax credit for people who adopt a dog from a recognized shelter if the party is elected to govern on Aug. 17. PC Leader Tim Houston says dogs provide mental and