All Stories

The View From Here – That seniors now outnumber children in Canada should not be seen as a looming dystopian reality

Tom Henihan The federal census of 2016 shows that Canada’s population is aging with seniors now outnumbering children under the age of 15, for the first time since Confederation. Canadians aged sixty-five and older constitute 16.9 percent of the population…

May 20, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·

The Situation Room – Kudos to federal government for FASD project investments

Mac Olsen, Editor, Smoky River Express For once, I find myself giving credit to the federal government for something that should be beneficial to society as a whole. On May 5, Jane Philpott, the federal health minister, announced that her…

May 18, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·

Commentary – End importation of ‘dictator oil’

Mac Olsen The Wildrose Party certainly made the right call last week with their motion to encourage the federal government to end the purchase of ‘dictator oil.’ Wildrose Shadow Economic Development Minister Prasad Panda made the following motion in the…

May 17, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·

The View From Here – Cultural nuances can result in radically different outcomes in Canadian and U.S. politics

Tom Henihan That Kevin O’Leary’s bid for the leadership of the Conservative party never gained traction in spite of all his bluster, points to a fundamental cultural difference between Canada and the US. O’Leary personifies the American ethos of ruthlessness…

May 12, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·

The Situation Room – Some coffee chains may have the right idea – turn off the WiFi

Mac Olsen I came across an interesting article in The Globe and Mail last week, about some coffee chains who don’t offer WiFi to customers at all, or restrict its use. Brenda Bouw wrote the article, highlighting the Toronto-based HotBlack…

May 12, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·

Commentary – Young girls need ‘moms’

Katrina Owens Mother’s Day is quickly approaching (May 15th for those who aren’t aware). I figured a gentle reminder about important female role models are for us younglings couldn’t hurt as a reminder. I’ve learned the majority of my life…

May 10, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·

The View From Here – Advances in technology require a new way of thinking about employment

Tom Henihan It certainly indicates a radical change in thinking if not the onset of a brave new world, when Ontario offers 4,000 people, those receiving social assistance and the working poor, a guaranteed annual minimum income of approximately $16,989…

May 5, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·

The Situation Room – American protectionism is in the air, and Trudeau should prepare

Mac Olsen President Donald Trump continues his march to transform America and its place in the world – and Canada certainly has to pay attention. On April 20, Trump painted a big bulls-eye on the North American Free Trade Agreement,…

May 4, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·

Commentary – To each his own

Chris Clegg Of all the reality shows on TV, I enjoy The Last Alaskans the most. The show features the last four family permit holders who live in seven cabins in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska. The…

May 3, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·

The View From Here – Corporations forgive the transgressions of lucrative TV personalities until they become a liability liability

Tom Henihan Growing up, we were encouraged not to take satisfaction in the downfall or disgrace of others. While I have mostly adhered to that credo there have been a few exceptions. These exceptions have always involved people in the…

April 29, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·

The Situation Room – Parents, be on guard for violent & graphic social media content

Mac Olsen A recent murder in the U.S., which was posted on Facebook, should have parents concerned and vigilant about the content their children see on social media. Steven Stephens was accused of murdering Robert Godwin Sr. in Cleveland, Ohio…

April 27, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·

Commentary – Some good things may not last

Joe McWilliams I know for a fact people still read books. I met one of them a few weeks ago. He had no friends and the neighbours were throwing rocks at him. The neighbourhood dogs were howling for a piece…

April 26, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·

The View From Here – An historical account must be definitive otherwise it is fiction, not history

Tom Henihan A country’s identity emanates in large part from its history. A country’s history is not legend or folklore; it is not pliable material that can be reconfigured to fit contemporary sensibilities or some preferred narrative that minimises or…

April 22, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·

Letter – High Prairie care facility should be used for dementia patients

To the Editor: The presence of our new hospital facility (in High Prairie) fills me with happiness, with the prospect of added strength and hope for our surrounding communities. In keeping with such forward-thinking practices, I wonder if any though…

April 21, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·

The Situation Room – As Fort Mac fire anniversary nears, exercise caution in 2017

Mac Olsen The fire that devastated Fort McMurray last year is a reminder that we need to be cautious about this year’s fire season. While last year was the wettest I have ever seen this region in the nearly 10…

April 21, 2017 · by Admin2015 ·