Opinions
Guest Column: Our goal should be healthier communities
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 4th, 2017
It’s Halloween as I write. A delightful and weird little event, teeming with all sorts of conflicting traditions and practices, none of which make any sense at all. Except for the ones tied to the excitement, wonder and mischievous missions of little kittens, sea captains and ghosts all set to plunder the neighbourhood for sweet ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Can we learn lessons about aging population and health-care needs?
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 3rd, 2017
In the next 14 years those more than 65 years old will represent 25 per cent of the population of Canada compared to just 14 per cent in 2009, according to Statistics Canada. “According to all selected scenarios, the number of people aged 65 years or over would surpass the number of children aged less ... Read More »
1 responseGuest Column: Alberta’s sex-ed showdown
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 3rd, 2017
Troy Media Jason Kenney, the newly-elected leader of Alberta’s United Conservative Party, has made it clear that Alberta Premier Rachel Notley has no business dictating how sex education should be taught in the Catholic school system. “It’s not for me or the premier to dictate to the Catholic education system how it teaches Catholic values,” ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!The hounds have been unleashed
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 1st, 2017
Today is the Feast of All Souls, a day to remember to dearly departed and those laid peacefully to rest in their graves who we have known over the years. The day itself has two spiritual purposes: First, to remember the departed and reflect on the fleeting nature of life, and secondly, (deep down), to ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!National Affairs: Rookie Scheer won’t escape friendly fire
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 1st, 2017
Few Parliament Hill insiders were surprised by Jason Kenney’s decisive Alberta leadership victory. The former federal Conservative immigration minister has long been considered in an organizational class of his own. He was the chief-architect of the federal party’s outreach in Canada’s diverse cultural communities. Kenney may have been less popular than his main rival Brian ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Governments dragging feet on e-cigarettes
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on October 31st, 2017
With a new study showing a “strong and robust” linkage between e-cigarette use and subsequent tobacco use, it’s a reminder on how Canada, Alberta and Medicine Hat are behind on properly bringing the sale and use of e-cigarettes in line with existing tobacco legislation. For those who haven’t been paying attention, e-cigarettes — or what’s ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Guest Column: Despite fanfare, medical benefits of marijuana remain experimental for many conditions
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on October 28th, 2017
Many Canadians can hardly wait for the day that the recreational use of marijuana becomes legal. As a medical doctor, I’m far less enthusiastic. I worry about two things: The experimental nature of marijuana in medical practice and the public health consequences of legalized marijuana. Before you write me off as overly prudish or an ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Proportional representation a more just election system
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on October 28th, 2017
With the long and w-nding United Conservative Party leadership race coming to a close today, the province will finally have an official leader of opposition. The conventional wisdom is that the first UCP leader, whether it’s former PC leader Jason Kenney, former Wildrose leader Brian Jean or long-shot Calgary lawyer Doug Schweitzer, will be the ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Coverage by media usually a help, not a hindrance
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on October 27th, 2017
There is sometimes a concern that members of the media will be intrusive and even invasive after an emergency situation such as a fire but that is not the case; media can be a powerful way to inform the public at large. The Bindloss fire and then the one last week in Acadia Valley and ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!MLA Report: Hargrave had commitment to the land
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on October 27th, 2017
Our community has experienced devastating disasters this month with one of our rural neighbours suffering serious injuries, the tragic passing of community advocate James Hargrave and major damage to homes, properties and infrastructure all caused by a series of grass fires. For Hatters, it’s hard not to be at least familiar with the Hargrave family ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Hargrave’s sterling example of community service should be admired
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on October 26th, 2017
It has been an awful year in Cypress County. The death of a volunteer firefighter and active young rancher last week comes after a bovine TB outbreak, a summer of drought and two major prairie fires in the last month. James Hargrave, 34, died while responding to a wind-whipped fire that crossed the provincial boundary ... Read More »
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