Solutions exist for Canada’s alt-right radicalization

This is a 15 February article by Jennifer Wolowic, who co-leads the Strengthening Canadian Democracy Initiative at the SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Simon Fraser University. Kelly Grounds co-authored this article. She has worked as a junior policy analyst in cybersecurity and as a research assistant on disinformation projects. This article is republished from The Conversation. To turn back the tides of radicalization and hate, Canada needs investments in our democratic culture, improvements in policing and support for grassroots efforts. We can look to international and local examples for practical solutions.

Black and Indigenous protesters are treated differently than the ‘convoy’ because of Canada’s ongoing racism

This is a 17 February article by Audra Diptée, Associate Professor of History at Carleton University. This article is republished from The Conversation. Why did it take so long for police and governments to protect Ottawa residents and businesses from volatile protestors? And if the convoy was organized by Black and Indigenous groups, would the response by both the police and government have been more severe?

Whose freedom is the ‘freedom convoy’ fighting for? Not everyone’s

The so-called “freedom convoy” has captured worldwide attention. The one-word rallying cry — freedom — is their activist mantra. But what might “freedom” mean to other Canadians? This is an article by Gerald Walton, Professor in Education of Gender, Sexuality and Identity, Lakehead University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Nursing report calls to end anti-Black racism and discrimination within the profession

Toronto, Feb. 8, 2022. In a groundbreaking report released today, the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario’s (RNAO) Black Nurses Task Force (BNTF) unveiled recommendations to tackle structural racism within nursing organizations, regulatory bodies, associations and the broader health system.

RNAO calls out extremist and hateful actions driven by far-right on display in Ottawa

RNAO condemns the racist and extremist behaviour that unfolded in Ottawa led by far-right groups this weekend. Our association deeply believes in people’s rights to demonstrate peacefully and to express themselves in a democratic society. However, what we are witnessing is an event that started as a convoy of truckers but was hijacked by far-right groups using disinformation and preying on fears around a pandemic.

Honouring Black History Month 2022

RNAO recognizes the continued importance of sharing stories and perspectives from the Black community and is celebrating Black History Month in February. This past year, RNAO has remained dedicated to its advocacy and work to bring awareness to and end anti-Black racism and discrimination, especially in the nursing profession. In partnership with its members, RNAO has made progress in addressing the systemic racism within nursing, as well as all health-care sectors and academic settings.

Canada isn’t responding with foresight when it comes to COVID-19

Global problems require global solutions. With COVID-19, however, we’re seeing that our governance mechanisms don’t drive global solutions even when our lives depend on it. In the current global landscape, the virus outsmarted us. Global vaccine roll-out has been inequitable: less than three per cent of people in low-income countries have been vaccinated as the richest countries hoard vaccines, and refuse to support waivers on COVID-19 vaccine patent rights or to keep pharmaceutical companies from bullying middle- and lower-income countries. This is an article by Gloria Novovic.

South African envoy calls on Canada to support waiver on COVID-19 vaccines

The following is a Nov. 30, 2021 article from Mike Blanchfield and Sarah Smellie, The Canadian Press. If we don’t want to see more variants such as Omicron, Canada and other rich countries need to address vaccine inequity in the world. In May 2021 RNAO issued an action alert calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to ensure global access.